Free Web NovelChapter 242: Chapter: 241 Kavin and Jasmine.
Julius and Rosalina stood in front of their tents as bright orange flames steadily consumed the makeshift structures.
The fire crackled softly while black smoke rose into the clear morning sky. Bits of burning cloth occasionally broke away and drifted upward before turning into ash.
It was not a particularly impressive sight. The tents had never been impressive to begin with.
After all, they had been hastily assembled from clothing Julius had stolen from the village chief’s house.
At the time, it had seemed like a brilliant idea. Now the poor quality of the materials was becoming painfully obvious.
Several parts had already been on the verge of tearing apart even before the previous night’s events. Reusing them was out of the question, and simply leaving them behind was even worse. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Julius firmly believed that small mistakes were responsible for a shocking number of deaths.
Most people imagined grand conspiracies, powerful enemies, and dramatic betrayals when they thought about downfall.
In reality, many people were destroyed because they overlooked something stupid.
The world was surprisingly willing to ruin lives over trivial details.
Rosalina stared at the burning tents for several moments before looking at Julius.
Her face carried a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
"Isn’t this unnecessary?"
Julius shook his head immediately. "There is nothing useless or unnecessary when you’re being careful."
He spoke with such confidence and seriousness that he resembled an experienced teacher lecturing a particularly slow student.
Rosalina frowned. "How so?"
Julius watched the flames for a few moments before answering.
"I told you about a guy named Sanachi, right?"
"Mm."
Rosalina nodded and fell into step behind him as they began walking away from the camp.
Julius had spoken about many important figures before. Some possessed strength rivaling his father while others commanded terrifying influence across entire continents.
Yet whenever he mentioned Sanachi, there was always a trace of caution in his voice.
It wasn’t fear....Julius rarely seemed afraid of anyone.
It was simply caution, the kind of caution people reserved for things capable of causing problems no matter how strong they were.
From what Julius had told her, Sanachi had been one of the most feared individuals among humanity in his previous life.
Even Crypian had been unable to escape him.
That fact alone was enough to impress Rosalina. She knew how difficult it was to do anything to that Lucky fucker.
The man practically tripped over fortunes every time he walked somewhere. He could fall off a cliff and somehow discover an ancient inheritance halfway down.
He could get stabbed and accidentally awaken some holy bloodline.
If someone threw poison at him, the poison would probably improve his cultivation.
Yet even that absurdly fortunate fool had been tracked down by Sanachi.
Rosalina had to admit that was impressive, very impressive, if she said so herself, after all, they had nearly died trying to kill that basterd.
Though when she thought about how Sanachi’s wife had eventually fallen for Crypian and ran away with him...
"Tsk." Rosalina clicked her tongue.
What kind of woman looked at a terrifying legendary figure and thought, "No, I’d rather have the lucky idiot."
’Such sluts deserved a hundred years in hell....No.’ She thought about it for a moment. A hundred years was too merciful.
An eternity sounded more appropriate.
"Sanachi is the most fearsome diviner in the Four Stationary Continents."
Julius’s calm voice interrupted her increasingly judgmental thoughts.
"Uriel has been maintaining a barrier around us that prevents others from divining our location and circumstances. For now, we’re protected."
He paused briefly. "But we can’t guarantee that forever."
The smile had vanished from his face.
"If future circumstances create suspicion, and at the wrong moment Uriel is unable to shield us for whatever reason, then even these..."
He turned and pointed toward the burning camp behind them."...could contribute to our downfall."
Rosalina glanced over her shoulder. The tents were nearly gone now. Only blackened frames and glowing embers remained.
Julius continued walking while speaking.
"So always be careful. When we change appearances later, don’t act awkwardly. Don’t hesitate. Don’t behave differently than the identity you’re pretending to be."
His expression became particularly serious. "People are surprisingly good at noticing when someone is being weird."
That statement carried enough personal experience behind it that Rosalina suspected a tragic story was hiding somewhere.
Julius eventually stopped near the edge of the hill.
A gentle breeze brushed across the grass.
From their position, they could see the endless stretch of green fields surrounding the village. The morning sunlight painted everything in warm colors while distant farmers worked peacefully among the crops.
Julius took in the scenery quietly before turning toward Rosalina.
He did not say a word....his gaze was enough.
Rosalina immediately understood.
Without complaint, she reached into her storage space and retrieved the gray cube.
Then she placed it into his hand before moving to stand beside him. The exchange happened so naturally that it almost looked rehearsed.
Julius lowered his gaze toward the gray cube resting in his palm. The smooth surface reflected a faint glimmer of sunlight before his fingers slowly closed around it.
"From now on," he said, "we aren’t Julius and Rosalina."
Rosalina’s expression immediately became serious.
The traces of satisfaction and amusement that had lingered on her face vanished without a trace as she focused entirely on him.
She knew better than anyone that changing appearances was the easy part. Becoming someone else was where the real challenge began.
Julius continued walking as he spoke.
"We are Kavin and Jasmine. We were once the leaders of the Fearless Couple Union."
Rosalina remained silent and listened carefully.
"Three days ago, our group was ambushed by unknown attackers. They wore masks, hid their identities, and slaughtered everyone..."
His voice remained calm, but the story he was constructing carried enough tragedy to convince most people.
"They killed our son as well."
For a brief moment, he paused before looking directly at Rosalina.
"Jake died right in front of us."
Rosalina’s eyes narrowed slightly. Not because she doubted the story. Rather, because she was mentally organizing every detail.
Julius noticed her expression and nodded approvingly.
"Whenever someone asks about our past, act as though we really lost everything. Don’t overdo it, but don’t act indifferent either."
"Mm."
Rosalina nodded.
The cheerful woman from a few moments ago had disappeared entirely. In her place stood someone calm, composed, and frighteningly good at adapting.
"Our objective is simple," Julius continued. "We are trying to make a name for ourselves while searching for the people responsible for murdering our son and destroying our group."
He glanced at her. "Understood?"
"Yes."
Rosalina nodded again. There was no hesitation in her answer.
Julius looked satisfied. "Good."
The morning wind drifted across the hilltop as he lifted the gray cube and pressed it against the center of his chest.
Rosalina mirrored his actions, placing the crimson cube against her sternum.
The instant the cubes made contact, both objects dissolved.
The solid surfaces broke apart into countless strands of light that flowed directly into their bodies.
A strange sensation spread through them immediately. It was neither painful nor pleasant.
It simply felt unnatural...then..their bodies began changing.
Julius’s transformation started with his skin.
The pale complexion he had carried for years gradually darkened as though invisible paint were being poured over his entire body.
The change spread from his chest outward, flowing across his neck, face, arms, and hands until his skin had become a healthy light-brown shade.
Then his facial structure began to shift. The changes were subtle individually but dramatic when viewed together.
His nose broadened slightly.
His jaw became heavier.....cheekbones adjusted. Even the shape of his ears changed.
His golden eyes darkened until they became completely black, while his hair lost its original color and turned into ordinary black strands.
The handsome face he had previously possessed disappeared entirely.
In its place remained a face that was neither ugly nor attractive.
It was simply ordinary.
The sort of face that could walk through a crowded city and be completely ignored.
For someone trying to avoid attention, that was far more valuable than beauty.
The changes did not stop there.
His body began growing taller. Bones stretched and muscles bulged.
His clothes tightened briefly before adjusting to the new proportions.
Within moments, his height had increased by nearly a full foot. The result was an imposing figure standing well over seven feet tall.
His overall build remained powerful, but the added height gave him a naturally intimidating presence.
Meanwhile, Rosalina was undergoing her own transformation.
The pale skin that had once resembled flawless ivory gradually changed into a rich golden-brown complexion.
The transformation suited her surprisingly well.
Rather than diminishing her appearance, it simply altered the type of beauty she possessed.
Her impossibly long black hair began shrinking.
The strands rapidly shortened until they reached a far more practical length while simultaneously changing color.
The deep black faded away.
In its place appeared a vivid crimson shade resembling fresh blood beneath sunlight.
Her facial features shifted next.
The youthful appearance she normally carried matured slightly.
By the time the process ended, she looked like an exceptionally beautiful woman in her early thirties.
Her skin remained smooth and flawless, while her black eyes transformed into a striking crimson color that matched her hair.
Three beauty marks appeared around her lips. Two rested beneath her lower lip while a third sat above it.
The tiny details somehow enhanced her charm rather than distracting from it.
Finally, her body grew taller. Her frame stretched upward by nearly half a foot until she stood around six and a half feet tall.
The transformation gradually came to an end. The strange sensation disappeared.
Both of them instinctively adjusted their posture.
The increase in height felt slightly strange.
The ground seemed closer and farther away at the same time.
Their balance remained perfect, but their bodies required a moment to adapt to the new proportions.
Julius rolled his shoulders.
Rosalina stretched her arms.
Neither seemed particularly bothered by the changes. If anything, the larger physiques would be beneficial during combat.
A taller frame carried longer reach, greater leverage, and a more intimidating presence.
There were very few disadvantages.
Once the final traces of transformation energy vanished, Julius studied Rosalina carefully.
Rosalina examined him in return.
Neither looked remotely similar to their original appearances.
Even someone who knew them well would struggle to make the connection.
Satisfied with the results, Julius nodded.
"Looks good."
Rosalina reached up and touched her crimson hair before glancing at him.
"You look suspiciously ordinary."
"That was the goal."
"I think you succeeded."
"I know."
Rosalina snorted softly before shaking her head.
Julius ignored her and turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"From here on," he said, "we are Kavin and Jasmine."
Rosalina looked toward the same distant horizon and slowly nodded. For the foreseeable future, Julius and Rosalina no longer existed.
Only Kavin and Jasmine remained.
