Chapter 43 : A favour

Words : 1028 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 : A favour Alex’s eyes widened. "Wait, what the he—" A sharp whoosh of air passed Alex’s cheek. "Ow—!" he flinched as an arrow barely grazed him, tearing a thread of his collar. "You maniac! You could’ve killed me!" Behind him, a bat-like monster—barely novice rank—let out a dying screech and crumpled, the arrow having impaled it clean through the head. Elaria stepped out from behind a moss-covered boulder, lowering her bow and smirking. "Now we’re even, human." Alex turned to her, dumbfounded. "Even?! Are you joking? I just saved you from an Abyss Dreadmaw—a mid-rank monster that could turn you into elf pudding—and you skewer a flying rat that was a mild inconvenience at best. And that’s even? Maybe next time I see a Dreadmaw, I’ll let it nibble your ears off." "As expected from a brute and by the way i didn’t need your help," Elaria sniffed. "You chose to interfere." Alex clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, princess. Both literally and emotionally. Your arrow grazed me, by the way. I might need years of therapy." Elaria rolled her eyes. "That’s for dropping me like a sack of potatoes, you brute." "Oh come on, I saved your life and I didn’t drop you—I placed you down with minimal bruising!" "Minimal bruising?" she scoffed. "My back still hurts." Elaria folded her arms. "Next time, maybe cushion my fall with your ego. I saw that it’s thick enough." "Says the elven princess who thinks she’s doing me a favor by almost killing me." "Says the human who thinks he’s charming when he talks like a second-rate theater actor." They stood there for a moment, glaring, then simultaneously both of them smirked. "Name’s Alex," he said, giving a theatrical bow. "Alex Dragonheart, future famous figure, current sarcasm enthusiast." Elaria raised a brow. "Elaria Moonshade Lareth’Thalas, Princess of the Elven empire, wielder of the Moonshade Bow, future Queen, and currently suffering your company." "Well, Your Royal Elfiness, pleasure’s all mine." "Don’t call me that." "Too late. Nickname achieved." As they walked toward the cave’s exit, the teasing banter faded, replaced by silence. The light at the end of the tunnel glowed faintly, a reminder of the world outside. Then Elaria stopped. Then Elaria’s tone shifted, serious. Her bow lowered. "...Why did you save me, Alex?" He blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Huh?" "You would’ve benefitted if I was eliminated," she said softly, her expression unreadable. "You had no reason to interfere." Alex stared at her, mind racing. Can’t tell her the truth... if she gets eliminated, it screws up the plot. Who knows what ripple effects it’ll cause? He cleared his throat and struck a heroic pose, hands on hips. "Well, my fair lady, I simply couldn’t allow a damsel to fall to the fangs of foul evil!" She blinked. "...Did you just quote a bad fantasy drama?" "Coincidence," Alex said with a mock-sparkle in his eye. "I’m just naturally that chivalrous." Elaria narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious. "You’re a terrible liar." "I’m hurt. Truly." She studied him for a moment longer, then looked away with a sigh. "...Fine. I’ll let it go." Elaria narrowed her eyes. "You are dangerously cheesy." "And yet, undeniably effective." She huffed, clearly not convinced. Internally, she was analyzing every move he made. Was he a threat? An ally? Or just a reckless lunatic with a death wish and a silver tongue? Finally, she exhaled. "You saved me. That means... I owe you one favor. Within reason, of course. That’s all I can do for a human." Alex smirked inwardly. Bingo. He carefully controlled his expression so she wouldn’t notice. "For an arrogant elven princess, you’re pretty generous." That did it. "What did you just call me?!" "You heard me, your Elviness." "Oh, you insufferable—!" Before the bickering could escalate into arrows and fists, a booming voice echoed from the sky. "[Announcement: Only 10,000 candidates remain in the Zenith Entrance Exam.]" Elaria blinked. "That many already down?" She glanced at Alex, then smirked. "You know... I could take advantage of your ’injury’ and eliminate you now." "Oh? That how you treat your saviors?" "As I said, I’m generous. I’m letting you off this time." Alex chuckled. "You’re welcome to try." The air around him shifted slightly, the atmosphere growing heavy for a moment. Elaria’s eyes narrowed—but then it faded, like a mirage. "...Tch. Showoff." They turned to walk away in opposite directions. "Don’t get yourself eliminated, human," she said. "You too, your Elviness," Alex quipped with a grin. Before she could hurl a well-aimed insult, he activated [Shadow Step] and vanished into the trees. Elaria crossed her arms and muttered, "I hate that guy." ’ But he was strong undeniably so maybe he’s worth keeping an eye on just like the others.’ After that she glanced down at her EVOband. Ranking: 14 Points: 4220 "...I have to do better." --- Meanwhile... After finally descending the cursed Northern Cliffs, Alex stood on the forest edge, glaring up at the jagged rocks. "I hate those cliffs. I swear they tried to kill me more than the monsters did." With a sigh, he tapped his EVOband. Ranking: 4 Points: 5800 "Nice. Top five. Still got it." He pulled out a low-rank healing potion and chugged it. The bitter taste reminded him of old cough syrup. "Blegh. Still gross." His wounds slowly began to close, the dull ache fading. Sitting beneath a mossy tree, he took a moment to rest. "I could just nap for an hour... no monsters, no elves, no death." Rustling. A breeze blew past, but the air didn’t feel right. It was too cold. Too still. His senses flared. From the shadows of the trees, figures began to emerge—subtle at first, then all at once. At least seven cloaked silhouettes. None of them made a sound. Alex didn’t move. Not yet. He grinned. "Well, well..." he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Looks like the bloodsuckers are finally making their move." The figures remained silent, the air heavy with tension. Alex stood slowly, reaching for his blade. As he heard the sounds of the footsteps approaching him.

Chapter 43 : A favour

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