Chereads / A World Unwritten / Chapter 321 - Guest

Chapter 321 - Guest

"Hmhmhmhmhmhmhm..." Nero covers her smile with her gloved hand. "It's always a thrill." She walks closer, running her finger across the center of Nio's face. "The never-ending confusion I bring to all, the endless dread constantly consuming those I meet," she says with a smile that radiates cold amusement.

Nio clenches his fist, meeting her gaze with cold defiance. "T-There's no way you're from P.O.B. I heard that organization is made up of politicians," he mumbles, his voice growing calmer by the second.

"Small talk?" Nero raises an eyebrow before smirking. "Well, alright, I'll bite." Lowering her sword, she turns around and sits on a flattened tree. "Listen well. P.O.B. is not a political organization. We indeed control and keep tabs on all countries to prevent wars and unnecessary conflicts, but we don't do it for 'peace.'" She stands with a flushed, deviously smiling face. "We do it for our self-interests. In truth, most of us high-ranking officials are a bunch of immoral degenerates who were recruited by 'him,' a man and his servants."

"So you're an employee... someone as strong as you is nothing more than an employee..." Nio swallows, his eyes trembling.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Nero laughs, clutching her stomach and rolling on the ground. "PFFF—An employee? PFFF... No no no." She wipes her tears away and stands up, giggling. "Employees are the weak ones running around from country to country like some roaches, keeping a slight amount of peace." She raises her arms and stretches with a yawn. "I don't know what I am, but I'm not an employee. I get so many benefits and a shit load of money, and all I have to do is play dress-up undercover and kill a couple of people every now and then. Since I'll be taking a high seat relatively soon, I won't need to do any of that nonsense in the future."

"That's no—"

Nero rubs her eyebrows and exhales heavily. "Do you honestly think they'll get away from me?" She asks, glaring at Palam, who is slowly dragging the frozen Ryua away. "I get it," she smiles, lifting her sword. "You're waiting for your brother." Turning to the forest and back to Nio, she shrugs. "Hey, I haven't killed him yet. I placed an array to trap him while I kill you all first. I don't know why, but your terrorist family insisted I separate you two."

"So he's still alive," Nio mumbles, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes.

"Hey, why is it?" Nero whispers, leaning in close. "What secret do you boys have?" She asks, her eyes narrowing with cold curiosity.

"Tell me, Nio, and I'll give them a head start," Nero grins, locking eyes with Ryua.

"Y-you," Nio swallows, his arms trembling. "How... how can I be so sure you'll do it?"

Nero lifts her sword, the tip of the jade blade tracing a line across Nio's neck. "Nio, Nio, Nio, I'm a man... person of my word. You know I can kill you all at any giv—" Nero's eyes widen, and she instantly flips around. "Shit!" She grunts, clenching her sword. "How the fuck did they find me?" Turning to Ryua, she clicks her tongue and taps her sword, which slowly gets brighter and brighter, emitting a green-hued smoke. "Change of plans, they—"

BOOOM!

The ground shatters, spreading apart as Nero's body blasts through, shaking the surroundings violently. Trees splinter and rocks are sent flying like shrapnel. Nero digs her arm into the ground, grunting as she halts her momentum, leaving a deep trench in her wake. "Shit," she exhales, looking up at Ryua. "Dammit, my throw was interrupted."

"N-NO NO NO NO NO!" Ryua yells, sobbing as Palam lets go. "W-Why d-did you jump in?" Ryua cries, her tears streaming down her face. She looks at Palam's chest, right at the center where Nero's sword has pierced her. Blood pours from the wound, mingling with Ryua's tears.

"W-Why"

"W-Why"

"Why... N-no!" Ryua sobs uncontrollably, her body shaking with grief.

Cough Cough "Hey... Ryua," Palam murmurs with a raspy, painful voice. She smiles and lifts her trembling hands, cupping Ryua's cheeks. Despite her smile, tears stream down, mingling with Ryua's. "P-Please," her voice grows stuffier as she struggles to hold back the sobs. "Please... don't kill yourself," she whispers, pulling Ryua in for one last kiss before falling over, her eyes gazing up at the sky. "I-I... I love you," she mumbles as her tears slowly mix with her blood.

"I..I k-know," Ryua cries, hugging her tightly. "I-I... I've always loved you."

"I... I've always wanted to hear that," Palam smiles weakly. "T...thank... y...you..."

Palam's eyes close, and she falls limp in Ryua's arms, her last breath escaping in a whisper. Ryua clutches her, sobbing uncontrollably, her heart breaking with each passing second.

"Huh? So this is what you've been doing? Running away just to kill off a bunch of kids?" An old man steps into the clearing, a smile of disbelief on his face. "Nero, you're quite pathetic."

"Tsk," Nero glares at Ryua. "Shit, I missed," she mutters, scratching her head. She extends her hand outward, and her beautiful jade sword returns to her grip. "Seriously, do you have to keep chasing me? You obsessed man."

"Hmhmhmhm," the old man grins, popping his knuckles. "You messed with my business and my people. You think I'm going to let that slide?" His voice is cold, and his aura shoots out, the intense pressure flattening all the trees in the forest. The ground trembles under the sheer weight of his presence.

Nero, unfazed by his aura, rolls her eyes and points her sword at him. "Oh, stop lying, Darius. You know damn well you came looking for me just because you're bored and you want to fight. Now, where the hell is that dragon?" she asks, inspecting the area.