Free Web NovelChapter 44: Audrey’s Visit to the Guest Room...
Nox’s room was completely dark.
The only light came from the moon filtering through the window of the Pyrell Home.
Nox lay on the bed with his hands behind his head.
Wide awake.
Too many things had happened over the past few days.
Arriving in the Capital.
Lucien’s attack.
Tessa becoming an ally.
And now a huge mansion where he could sleep under a real roof.
Or at least try to.
He sighed and suddenly remembered something.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
’That’s right.’
He still had one draw available.
A system window appeared before his eyes.
[Demonic Weapon Gacha Available.]
[Current Draws Available: 1]
[Use Draw?]
"Of course."
He accepted without hesitation, and instantly the wheel began to spin.
Dozens of weapons flashed before his eyes.
Swords.
Spears.
Axes.
Bows.
Strange objects that were impossible to identify.
The system’s glow illuminated his face in the darkness.
Nox grinned like a genuine gambling addict.
"Come on..."
The wheel kept spinning.
"Come on..."
Faster and brighter.
"Come on, come on, come on. Give me something good."
Finally, it began to slow down.
The weapons passed by more and more slowly.
Until it stopped.
[Reward Obtained.]
Nox immediately sat up, and something appeared around his right hand.
A set of black chains emerged from the shadows and wrapped around his wrist.
Then they connected to several dark rings encircling his fingers.
It looked more like an elegant accessory than a weapon.
Nox blinked.
"That’s it?"
A new description appeared.
[Chains of the Forgotten King.]
[Magical Artifact once owned by an ancient Demon King, heir to the First Demon.]
Nox whistled.
"That sounds interesting."
Another message appeared.
[Allows the user to summon chains capable of dragging enemies toward the user.]
[Allows the user to be pulled toward distant targets.]
[Allows temporary immobilization of enemies.]
Nox raised an eyebrow.
Then he smiled.
"Now that sounds useful."
He moved his hand slightly.
A black chain briefly appeared in the air before vanishing.
"Yeah... this is definitely going to be useful."
◇◆◇
Almost an hour passed, and he still couldn’t sleep.
The excitement from the gacha wasn’t helping.
Neither was the ridiculous number of things running through his mind.
Then he heard a soft knock at the door.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Nox turned his head.
"Who is it?"
A gentle voice answered from the other side.
"It’s me."
Audrey.
"Can I come in?"
Nox smiled.
"Of course."
The door slowly opened.
"I’ve been trying to sleep for a while..."
Audrey yawned.
"...but I can’t sleep alone."
Nox let out a small laugh.
"What a coincidence."
"You can’t sleep either?"
"No."
Audrey stepped inside.
For several seconds, Nox completely forgot what he was about to say.
The hunter was wearing a long, very thin silk shirt.
The fabric was sheer enough to leave almost nothing to the imagination.
And she clearly wasn’t wearing anything underneath it.
Nox coughed.
Audrey tilted her head slightly.
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You look weird."
"I’m perfectly fine."
The hunter seemed to accept that answer.
Then she looked at the bed.
"Will we both fit in there?"
"I made some room for you."
Audrey smiled.
"That’s thoughtful."
"I wasn’t very comfortable sleeping alone."
She nodded.
Then she settled beside him.
The bed wasn’t very large, but it was enough for both of them.
Audrey let out a sigh.
"Do you mind sleeping without the blankets?"
"Huh?"
"I’m really warm in here."
Nox looked at her.
"I’m cold."
"Then hold me."
The response was so direct that it took him several seconds to process it.
Nox smiled.
"I don’t mind."
Audrey simply turned around, giving him her back.
Then she grabbed Nox’s arms and positioned them around her waist.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"There."
Nox remained motionless, processing the situation.
Audrey closed her eyes.
"Thank you for letting me spend the night here with you."
"It’s nothing."
"Yes, it is."
The hunter’s voice became softer.
"I’ve never slept alone."
Nox blinked.
"Never?"
"Never."
She fell silent for a few seconds.
"My sisters were always there."
The tone of her voice immediately pushed every strange thought out of Nox’s mind.
"We shared a bed."
Nox understood instantly.
"I see."
Audrey rested her head on the pillow.
"I don’t feel very comfortable in this house."
"I can imagine."
After all...
This was Tessa’s mother’s home.
The woman who had raised the inquisitor who killed Audrey’s sisters.
Even if the situation was more complicated than that.
Nox sighed.
"I wanted to apologize."
Audrey opened one eye.
"For what?"
"For Tessa."
She remained silent.
"For making her part of the group."
Audrey closed her eye again.
"I didn’t take it badly."
"You didn’t?"
"No."
Nox was surprised.
The hunter smiled faintly.
"That doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven her."
"I understand."
"But I understand why you did it."
Nox didn’t respond.
Audrey continued.
"We need strong people."
"Even so..."
"And she’s useful."
Nox let out a small laugh.
"Always practical."
"Someone has to be."
The room fell silent again.
For several seconds.
Until Nox felt something.
Audrey was absentmindedly stroking his hands.
Almost unconsciously.
Nox looked at the hunter’s blonde hair.
He caught her scent.
Listened to her calm breathing.
And couldn’t help thinking something.
’Audrey isn’t like any woman I knew in my old world.’
Not even close.
The women he spent time with in his previous life were always there because he paid them.
Because they got something out of it.
Money.
Gifts.
Favours.
Whatever it was.
But Audrey...
She had simply decided to trust him from the very first day.
Without asking for anything.
Without demanding anything.
Without expecting anything.
And that was something completely new to him.
Something strange.
But something pleasant.
Audrey shifted closer, searching for a comfortable position.
Which made Nox smile.
Without even realizing it.
"Hey, Audrey..."
The hunter didn’t respond.
Nox lowered his voice.
"Thank you for trusting me."
Silence. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"You’re great company."
Nothing.
Nox blinked.
Then he heard something.
"...grrr..."
He listened again.
"...grrrrr..."
Nox stared at the ceiling.
Audrey was snoring.
Fast asleep.
"Seriously?" freewёbnoνel.com
Again.
"...grrrrr..."
Nox let out a soft laugh.
Trying not to wake her.
"Maybe it’s better you didn’t hear that."
The hunter kept sleeping.
Completely unaware.
Nox closed his eyes.
Feeling the pleasant weight of exhaustion finally catching up to him.
The room was warm.
Quiet.
He yawned.
And little by little...
He fell asleep too.
