Killing Time Before the Battle

(Samuel's POV)

As Henry and I walked through the dark, empty streets, the System Notification popped up in front of us.

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[SYSTEM ALERT]

"After 72 Hours, you will receive a notification to teleport to the location where the Project Hades Quest will take place."

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We both stopped in our tracks, staring at the glowing message.

Then, at the same time, we sighed.

"We got fucking 72 hours to kill. Damn it!" I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

Henry shook his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I hate waiting."

I smirked. "Same. We could always go looking for more fights."

Henry exhaled. "No point. We already maxed out this world's combat system. We just have to wait."

I shrugged. "So, what are you gonna do?"

Henry stretched his arms before grinning. "I'll be heading to the hills. Need to clear my head and draw something."

I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know you were still into painting."

Henry chuckled. "I abandoned it in my first life, but after merging, it kinda stuck with me."

I smirked. "Fair enough. Go paint your masterpiece."

Henry blinked away, disappearing into the night.

That left me alone.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets, looking around the empty streets.

"72 hours, huh?" I muttered. "Guess I'll just roam around and admire the architecture or something."

With no immediate threats left, I had nothing but time.

And for a man like me?

That was almost worse than a fight.

(Samuel's POV – Killing Time with the Bitch Who Won't Let Go)

The bitter taste of espresso lingered on my tongue as I sat in the corner of a quiet coffee shop, watching the London streets through the rain-speckled window.

The city felt different now—emptier, quieter.

Maybe it was just because I had nothing left to destroy here.

As I took another sip, my keen senses picked up a familiar presence.

The sound of heels clicking against the floor.

The faint scent of expensive perfume.

Abigail Bardot.

I smirked, not even bothering to turn as I muttered to myself, "Well… not bad. I have time to kill anyway."

She stopped just beside my table, and I could already feel the tension radiating off her.

"Samuel," she said, her voice low, almost uncertain.

I finally glanced at her, leaning back in my chair.

She was dressed in an elegant black coat, her hair styled to perfection, her makeup subtle but effective.

But her eyes…

They weren't as confident as they used to be.

I smirked, swirling my cup. "What a surprise. I thought you'd be too busy with Joshua."

Her jaw tightened, but she kept her expression controlled. "I wanted to talk."

I raised an eyebrow. "Talk? Now that's a first. What, did Joshua finally get bored of you?"

"I'm not here to fight," she said calmly. "I just… I just wanted to see you."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "That's rich, Abigail. You humiliated me for years, threw me aside like trash, and now you 'just wanted to see me'?"

She didn't flinch.

But I could see the way she gripped the edge of the table, like she was holding herself together.

"People change, Samuel," she said after a moment.

I exhaled, setting my cup down. "That's where you're wrong."

I leaned in slightly, my emerald eyes locking onto hers.

"People don't change. They just reveal who they really were all along."

She stared at me, and for a second—**just a second—**I saw something flicker in her eyes.

Regret? Guilt?

No.

Obsession.

She still refused to admit it.

That she had lost.

That I wasn't the same Samuel Gebb she had once controlled.

I picked up my cup, taking another sip. "Go home, Abigail. You don't belong at my table anymore."

Her breath hitched for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a forced smirk.

"You're awfully confident, Samuel. But you and I both know…" She leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes darkening. "No matter where you go, I'll always be a part of you."

I let out a low chuckle.