Dear reader, I hope you're enjoying the story. If you could support me by giving me power stones, I'd greatly appreciate it. Your feedback and suggestions are also welcome. Happy reading!
...
Nox was sitting in an office, waiting for news about his son. If it were up to him, he would have rushed toward the portal long ago to force its fracture. Even if it wasn't a very smart choice, he would have done it for his son.
"Noooox, they just came out!" shouted a member of his cohort as he barged into the office.
Taking a deep breath, all the tension within him vanished before he asked, in a calm voice that still carried a hint of relief, about the condition of his son and his teammate.
"Déon, what the hell were you doing in a D-rank portal with a girl?" he wondered, imagining scenarios.
"So, boss, can we go now? The more we delay, the higher the risk of a rupture," the man reminded him, snapping Nox out of his thoughts.
"Johan, how many times have I told you not to call me Nox, especially when we're in the village? No wonder you still haven't found a wife by now," said Nox with a smile.
"You're way too familiar with people to the point of confusing work and private life. Do you want me to teach you how to become a serious guy?" Nox continued as he stood up to join the rest of the team waiting outside.
"No, keep your lessons. I'm a gentleman, and if I'm still single, it's because I want to be," Johan said almost shouting.
"Hahaha, always the same excuse. I almost forgot, what rank is this portal?"
"Hehehe, A-rank. If we don't hurry, it could turn into an S-rank. So, are you stressed now, boss?"
Bang.
Johan had just received a punch on the head.
...
A few minutes after the death of the demonic alpha, a blue crystal emerged from its body. It was a return stone. In every portal, after defeating the final boss, you obtain a return stone that sends you back to the exit. The color of the stone indicates the portal's level, and a blue stone was proof that the portal they had cleared was D-rank.
Alexia, not having the strength to lift Déon's body, called on her wind spirit to help her by making Déon's body float. Then, she touched the stone, which created a portal, bringing them back to the forest.
As she exited, she could see the world inside the portal collapsing. The scene was unbearably sad.
After leaving the portal, Alexia didn't know what to do anymore. At first, she considered finding a hiding place in the forest to wait until Déon woke up, but she ended up abandoning that idea when she thought of the risk. A creature like the salamander could fall on them at any moment.
"The forest isn't safe," she thought as she looked at the unconscious Déon. She wasn't in great shape after this battle, so she decided to leave the forest for the village.
"I should take him home," she murmured. But the more she thought about it, the less enthusiastic she felt. The reason was very simple. Déon's house was located in the center of the village. Carrying him half-conscious while walking through the village would attract too much attention, something she really didn't like, so she finally decided to take him to her place.
On the way home, in her mind, Alexia was fighting herself to justify the fact that bringing Déon to her house was for a good cause.
"Hmmm, what am I doing?"
"I'm taking an injured person to my house to treat him."
"To treat him, huh? Aren't there hospitals for that?"
"Uh..."
"No, just say you're bringing a boy home. You think he's cute, don't you?"
"Aaaaah, not at all," she muttered, blushing so hard she looked like she had a fever.
Once home, she settled Déon in her room before starting to administer healing potions. Seeing that the top of the outfit he wore was torn and covered in blood, she removed it, revealing Déon's muscular body.
Then, with great care, she cleaned his bloodstained face and body before stepping back.
...
In the village library, a man had just emerged from a shadow in the middle of the shelves.
"Can't you change the way you make your entrance? It's really over the top to sneak in like a thief every time. Don't you think?" asked Madame Jeanne to the man who had just arrived.
"Uh, I'll be more careful from now on, madam," he replied, not really knowing how to react.
"Your daughter and the young man just came out of the portal a few minutes ago," he continued.
"That girl is going to drive me crazy. Are they okay?"
"The young mistress is fine. As for the young man, he seemed to be unconscious when they came out. The young lady therefore took him to your home to take care of him."
After finishing his report, the man waited for his mistress's instructions. But she seemed amused by the situation.
"Hmmm, so she's starting to bring boys home, huh? I hope they behave. Hahaha, I'd love to see his face when he's there," she said, signaling him to leave if that was all.
...
It had been more than an hour since they returned, but Déon was still not awake. In the meantime, she had time to take a bath and prepare food, but seeing Déon's condition killed her appetite. Worried, she decided to stay by his bedside until he woke up.
Alexia, who had been calm at first, was starting to become truly anxious. Approaching the bed, she glanced at Déon's half-naked body, which made her blush. Her heart was pounding as she looked at his face, but there were more important things to do.
Pushing away all obscene thoughts, she brought her fingers near Déon's nose, lightly brushing his lips to feel his breath.
"He's still breathing. Please wake up," she murmured when she noticed Déon moving his lips.
Alexia focused to hear what he was saying, but his words were inaudible.
...
Déon was being chased by thieves. Running through alleys, he had finally managed to escape his pursuers. Taking a break to regain his stamina, he didn't know how a dagger ended up piercing his throat.
"I don't want to die," he said before reopening his eyes in an unfamiliar room.