2025-04-15 04:50:38Waking up, I stretched lazily, the faint morning light filtering through the curtains of Jessica's small but cozy apartment. My gaze drifted to my right, where Jessica lay beside me on the couch, still half-asleep and half-naked.
Her golden hair spilled over the cushions like sunlight, and her nipples peeked through the thin fabric of her tank top. I couldn't resist reaching out to gently squeeze her breast, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, her breathing steady and calm. Reluctantly, I stood up and made my way to the bathroom to clean up. The apartment was modest, filled with the faint scent of lavender and the occasional hum of the city outside. Jessica's place was a sanctuary, a stark contrast to the chaotic world beyond its walls, a world where cultivators, ninjas, and guilds vied for power, and where systems and cultivations dictated one's place in society. When I returned, Jessica was already awake, moving gracefully around the small kitchenette. She wore a loose robe that clung to her curves, her hips swaying with every step as she prepared breakfast. The sight of her made my stomach growl, though not necessarily for the food. She glanced over her shoulder, catching me staring, and flashed a playful smile. "Hungry?" she teased, her voice soft and melodic. "Starving," I replied, my eyes lingering on her. The food was simple but delicious, fluffy scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and a side of fresh fruit. Jessica had a knack for making even the most mundane meals feel like a feast. As I took a bite, I couldn't help but compliment her. "It's delicious. Your hands are truly a wonder." She beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thanks! Cooking is one of the few things I'm good at." "You're good at a lot more than just cooking," I said, my tone light but sincere. She chuckled, her laughter like music. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Ashbourne." After breakfast, Jessica excused herself to clean up. I watched as she walked to the bathroom, her movements fluid and hypnotic. Her breasts bounced gently with each step, and her hips swayed in a rhythm that was impossible to ignore. I forced myself to look away, focusing instead on the remnants of my meal. As I ate, my mind wandered to the topic of cultivation. Jessica was a healer, a rare and valuable skill in a world where violence and conflict were commonplace. I decided to broach the subject. "Hey, at what level are you in healing cultivation?" She paused mid-step, turning to face me with a curious expression. "Oh, last time I checked, I was at level 30," she said with a hint of pride. "Why do you ask?" I hesitated for a moment before responding. "I was thinking you could tutor me. I've been neglecting my healing cultivation, and I could use some guidance." Jessica's eyes widened in surprise. "Healing cultivation? I thought your cultivation and focus was on time cultivation. Isn't that rare enough on its own?" "It's complicated," I admitted, avoiding her gaze. "But yes, I have both." Her surprise turned to awe. "Double cultivation… I've only heard stories about that. You're one of a kind, Ashbourne." I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It's not as impressive as it sounds. I'm only at level 15 in healing cultivation, and I haven't had a proper tutor." Jessica's expression softened. "Well, you've got one now. Consider it my way of repaying you for everything you've done for me." I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. Jessica had been through a lot, rescued from a brothel, burdened with debt, and forced to rely on others for survival. I had helped her, but I didn't want her to feel indebted to me. "You don't owe me anything, Jessica. This is your choice." She smiled, her gratitude evident. "I know. And I choose to help you." --- We headed outside after she was done, leaving the bustling city behind as we ventured into a secluded forest. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine and earth. Jessica led me to a quiet clearing, where the sounds of nature enveloped us, birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant murmur of a stream. "Healing cultivation is deeply connected to nature," Jessica explained, her voice calm and soothing. "To understand it, you must first understand the world around you. Nature is the source of all healing magic." We sat cross-legged on the soft grass, holding hands as Jessica guided me through the basics. "Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear?" I focused, letting the sounds of the forest wash over me. "Birds chirping, wind blowing, cows mooing in the distance. Wild animals on the hunt, deer running… and…" I paused, my brow furrowing. "A horse riding our way?" My eyes snapped open, and I grabbed Jessica's hand, pulling her to her feet. We hurried to a nearby tree, hiding behind its thick trunk as the sound of hooves grew louder. Moments later, a group of ninjas emerged from the shadows, their movements silent and precise. At their center was a figure I recognized all too well, Phoenix, the so-called hero from my former life. My jaw tightened as memories flooded back, memories of betrayal, pain, and humiliation. Phoenix had been there the night I died, her hands stained with my blood. She had been one of the many who had defiled and broken me, despite my status as a hero. Seeing her now, so calm and composed, ignited a fire within me. Jessica noticed my reaction and whispered, "Isn't that Phoenix? She's a renowned healer. Maybe she could—" I clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her. "Not a word," I hissed. "Those ninjas are trained to detect even the slightest sound." We waited in tense silence as Phoenix and the ninjas conversed, their voices too low to make out. After what felt like an hour, they dispersed, leaving the forest eerily quiet once more. Jessica looked at me, her eyes filled with questions. "Ashbourne, what's going on? Why are we hiding from them?" I shook my head, my mind racing. "Not here. Let's go back to your place. I'll explain everything." She nodded, her trust in me unwavering. Together, we made our way back to the city, the weight of my past and the dangers of the present looming over us like a storm.
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Chapter 16: Another encounter
The murder of Cedric Potter had sent shockwaves through the kingdom. A nobleman of considerable influence, Cedric was found dead in the gardens of his estate after a grand masquerade ball. The event had been attended by the crème de la crème of society, all cloaked in elaborate disguises, their identities hidden behind intricate masks. The investigation that followed was thorough, but the killer remained at large. The only clue was a single black feather left at the scene, a symbol that sent chills through even the most hardened nobles. Rumors spread like wildfire. Some whispered of a shadowy assassin hired by a rival house. Others spoke of a supernatural force, a vengeful spirit seeking retribution. The nobles, now on high alert, tightened their security and scrutinized every guest who had attended the ball. Yet, despite their efforts, no one was found guilty—except, perhaps, for us. Our real identities had been concealed that night, hidden behind the masks and aliases we had craft
Chapter 15: A Job well done
The mission was completed for the night. The poison had been administered, and now it was only a matter of time before it did its work. The air in the hideout was thick with the scent of aged wood and the faint metallic tang of weapons. Jace sat on the bar, his polished boots resting on the stool below, a glass of wine in his hand. The dim light of the oil lamps cast long shadows across the room, giving his sharp features an almost sinister edge. "Did you get the work done?" Jace asked, his voice calm but laced with authority. He swirled the wine in his glass, the deep red liquid catching the light. "As planned," I responded, my voice steady but betraying the exhaustion that weighed on me. The mission had been long and grueling, and the adrenaline that had kept me going was now fading, leaving me drained. I slumped onto the couch in the lounge, the leather creaking under my weight. Jace nodded, taking a slow sip of his wine. "I'm a man of evidence," he said, his tone matter of fact
Chapter 14: Masquerade Ball
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the sprawling estate of Cedric Potter, the sixth wealthiest noble in the capital. From a distance, his mansion loomed like a gilded fortress, its towering spires and golden domes glinting under the moonlight. The air was thick with the scent of blooming night flowers, and the distant hum of orchestral music drifted through the trees as we approached on horseback. "Ready, guys?" I asked, my voice low but steady. "Infiltrate, gather information, assassinate Cedric, and leave the crime scene with little to no evidence behind. Jessica, you got the assignment, right?" Jessica nodded, though her hands trembled slightly on the reins. She was new to this kind of mission, and her nerves were evident. Melanie, on the other hand, exuded confidence, her posture relaxed and her eyes sharp. She had been through worse, and her experience showed. We arrived at the front porch, where two guards stood at attention, their polished armor
Chapter 13: Journey to Álvarez
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting the city of Judíos into a twilight glow. The streets were alive with the hum of anticipation, as the nobility prepared for the grand masquerade ball at Lord Cedric's mansion. For the common folk, it was just another night of opulence and excess for the elite. For me, it was the night everything would change. I stood in front of the cracked mirror in our hideout, adjusting the collar of the tácito suit I had borrowed or rather, taken from old man Jakens. The suit fit perfectly, as if it had been tailored for me. Jakens had always been a man of refined taste, and his wardrobe reflected that. The dark fabric clung to my frame, the silver cufflinks catching the dim light of the room. I smirked at my reflection. Tonight, I wasn't just a shadow in this world, I was a player in the game of the elite. The mission was clear, infiltrate Lord Cedric's masquerade ball, eliminate him, and escape without a trace. Simple in theory, but the
Chapter 12: Our first mission
Dusk had begun to fully prevail, casting a deep indigo hue across the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was 8 a.m., but the world seemed cloaked in an eerie twilight. The air was thick with the scent of spices and simmering broth from the ramen shop, a small, dimly lit establishment tucked into a narrow alley. The flickering lanterns outside cast long shadows on the cobblestone streets, and the occasional clatter of horse hooves echoed in the distance.I waited at the venue, my fingers drumming impatiently on the wooden table. The ramen shop was nearly empty, save for a few scattered patrons slurping their noodles in silence. My mind wandered back to the earlier interaction with Melanie, her piercing gaze and the way her stern demeanor had left me both intimidated and intrigued. The memory of her half-nude body flashed in my mind, and I quickly shook my head, trying to dispel the inappropriate thoughts. My body had reacted instinctively, a primal response I couldn't control,
Chapter 11: Morning Wood
Being a leader meant more than just wielding power or commanding respect. It meant being crafty and smart, always thinking ten steps ahead to ensure the safety of my teammates. But even as I embraced this responsibility, I couldn't forsake my ultimate goal, revenge. The fire that burned within me, the desire to right the wrongs of the past, was inextinguishable. It fueled my every action, my every decision, even as I trained my body and mind to become stronger.Waking up in the mornings had become easier over time. Gone were the days when I needed old man Jaken's early morning water splashes to jolt me awake. Now, I rose with the sun, my body attuned to the rhythm of the day. Sometimes, I even trained before dawn, pushing myself to the limits of my endurance. The discipline was grueling, but it was necessary. I had a mission, and I couldn't afford to falter.This particular morning, I headed to the waterfall for my usual training. The journey there was peaceful, the world still cloake
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