Serina's Troubles

The two young men remained silent. When they first made the decision to come here, they were certain that nothing could go wrong, but now they had to curse their former selves. They could barely catch how Shui was able to defeat their comrade, so while he still didn't seem very intimidating, they knew that they weren't his match.

"Uh, we'll continue this a next time. Bye!"

The two then went over to pick up their fallen comrade before rushing away. Shui didn't see the need to pursue them, so he entered the house and went to his room to meditate.

After a few days of seclusion, he reached a good stopping point in his study of the Heretical Ascension cultivation method and left his room. The cultivation method could be considered the origin of all cultivation methods, but it didn't show any obvious effects, at least in the early stages. However, Shui could tell that his control over divine energy had improved slightly after the past few days. He had read of the legend that the Martial God jumped from mortality straight to divinity using the energy cultivation path, so he figured that this was the key focus of Heretical Ascension.

After exiting his room, Shui found Tyrone and Campbell drinking in the living room. It wasn't any especially heavy alcohol so they noticed him as soon as he left his room and stopped drinking. The amount of fear and obedience he had ingrained in them was less than Ryan, but they still found it awkward to be around him. This was especially due to the news that was going around during the time that he was in seclusion. They had tried to hide their disgrace but since one of them had been sent flying to someone's house, word of how a group of three mid Soul Realm inner sect disciples lost to Shui was being spread. Shui's housemates already knew of his strength, but it was still frightening when they remembered that they were living with such a freak. Even those that knew them started giving them pitiful gazes.

Shui noticed that they were more restrained around him than usual, but it didn't make him uncomfortable so he didn't say anything and left. He first went to check on Fatty.

Serina would sometimes come watch Fatty as he trained. Usually, it was just so that they could talk about Shui and daily life, but this time Fatty noticed a dark expression on her face.

When he asked her if anything was wrong, she showed an uneasy expression and replied, "No, it's just that he's been around more lately."

She didn't need to specify who she was talking about since Fatty already had a good idea.

'That bastard!'

Since Shui wasn't here, Fatty felt that it was his responsibility to take care of Serina, so he offered to walk her back to her residence, but she refused.

"No, I can't impose on you like that. At the very least, he won't try to harm me."

She spoke brave words but when he saw her small back go farther into the distance, Fatty just couldn't stand still.

When her residence was in sight, Serina froze in place. It was starting to become a regular event, but she couldn't get used to the interaction she was about to have. After she eventually gained the courage to move once more, the argument of three women clearly entered her ears.

"What are you, her mother? What does this have to do with you?"

"I'm not her mother, I'm her friend! But I guess you wouldn't know what it's like to have good friends."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Two of the three women were particularly invested in this conflict. The one with long brown hair and in a dress that boldly showed off her bountiful chest, was the girl who was friends with the young man aiming for Serina, and she was the one trying to help him get together with her despite Serina's refusal.

The other woman with short black hair and in an elegant, light-green gown, was against the young man's constant advances and tried to protect Serina since she was the youngest among them.

"Um, how about we just go inside and settle-"

"Shut up!"

"Shut up!"

In this debacle, only when the final of the three tried to stop their verbal battle were the other two of the same mind. The young man stood at the side and watched this scene with an aloof expression. This silly argument was just a way to pass the time until Serina returned. The situation made her uncomfortable, but Serina still approached them after taking a deep breath.

Of the four of them, it was the woman on the young man's side that spotted her first. Her anger was swiftly replaced by a excessively sweet smile as she called her.

"Serina! You're finally back! Look who's waiting for you!"

Even Serina felt like cringing at her sudden change but she kept that feeling behind an awkward smile as she approached. Once her presence was announced, everyone looked at her, with the young man's eyes being particularly bright. As he walked towards her, the girl defending Serina tried to interfere but she was stopped by the one playing matchmaker. When the long-haired woman grabbed her hand and used nature energy, Serina's friend wasn't able to easily shake her off as their cultivation was similar.

"Stay out of their business."

While the two were occupied and the remaining woman wondered what she should do, the young man stood in front of Serina with a gentle expression.

"Serina, I missed you."

The caring tone that he used fooled her when they first met, but now she could clearly see the corrupted desire to control in his eyes. Serina lowered her head to the ground and replied in a soft voice.

"What are you here for?"

Even though she made it clear that she didn't want him here, the young man raised his hand towards her cheek and brushed across it with his fingers. Serina silently trembled in fear before immediately backing away. Her brother had already sent a message telling her that he would be leaving the city, so there were few people she could rely on. If it was Shui, then he could probably beat the young man easily, but she didn't want to bring him trouble. The image of Fatty came to her mind, but she shook her head. She didn't doubt his friendship, but they had only known each other for a few days so she didn't think there was any reason for him to risk his safety for her. And yet, she was proven wrong.

"Get away from her!"

Before anyone could tell who it was, a fist connected with the young man's face and blew him away. He had barely managed to use the barrier spell so the damage wasn't that much, but he was surprised that not only would someone dare to attack him, he also wasn't able to sense them until they attacked.

"Who, who are you?"

The woman with big breasts pointed at the interloper with caution in her eyes. She couldn't recognize the tall and handsome man standing in front of Serina, but she wondered if he was some hidden genius because of his charismatic aura.

"Hmph, I may be a perfect gentleman but even I don't want give my name to someone like you."

"Yo-yo-yo-yo-you!!!"

Her face went red with anger but before she could act upon this intense feeling, the young man who was blown away got back on his feet and glared at Serina and the one beside her.

"Who are you to Serina?"

Of those here, only Serina knew who came to her rescue, so the look she gave him was complicated. She couldn't say she wasn't grateful for his help, but she couldn't accept it.

"Why are you here?" asked Serina to the one whose back she faced.

In response, the man turned his head to her.

"Sorry, I don't think I could face Boss if I just watched you get bullied like this."

To his answer, Serina sighed. She was thankful, but more than that, she didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

'It's just like that time.'

Even though she had talent for cultivation, unlike her big brother, it was always her begging for help.

"Serina?" Fatty looked at her with confusion as she had a sad smile on her face.

In response to his concern, Serina shook her head and showed a brighter smile.

"It's nothing. Thank you for being worried about me."

"Oi!"

As if he was just an ant, the two of them had ignored the young man and his question. He didn't bother asking again either. In his eyes it no longer mattered what their relationship was, he would definitely eliminate the bug flying around Serina.