Endless Vertex 36 Chapter 35: Mission Officially Begins

A sweet, warm sensation lingered on his lips and he savored it with a lick.

"So this is how a first kiss tastes like."

Kristine blushed ruby-red at Atlas's tiny action, clasping her delicate hands over her face.

[Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. I can't believe I lost my first kiss...]

She peeped through to gap between her fingers, capturing Atlas's affectionate gaze.

[To a person who loves me as much as I love him...]

"Atlas. I trust you."

"I know." He held her hands, running his thumb smoothly over her flawless skin.

"My marriage will be held on my 18th birthday. Kraig, the only cousin who acknowledges me, has informed the time and location of it," She studied Atlas with determination and undying faith. "Promise me to be there."

"I promise." Atlas hugged her tightly. "There will be no disappointments."

"Qin headquarters, on January 18."

"That's cute. You're 1 day younger than me." Atlas messed her hair up, giggling in delight.

"Let's go check on the others. I wonder if the rain got to them?"

"Sure. But before that..." Dipping her head, she drew a pebble sized, heart-shaped jewel out of a box that was in her pocket.

Tapping it with benign, it split into half like a crack forming in glazier, as if two magnets has lost its magnetic field to attract one another.

She wrapped one piece in her palm and the other in Atlas's.

"This is my mother's final gift and my most important treasure." She bit her cherry lips, which was the same shade as the heart jewel. "It will tell me whether you're all right. Combining these two heart will be the day we reunite."

{Good job Atlas! You have completely stolen her heart!}

[Shut up Nam. This is my moment!]

"Of course Vanellope. A real man keeps his promise."

————————

Nova was fidgeting a grass root with his mouth, observing the surrounding as he hopped around to improve the compatibility with his stronger, Axonn body.

"The pains hurts less." Nova smiled as he released the grass root in his mouth, clasping it with both hands as it dropped within his palm.

As if experiencing two different forces of opposite extremes, the grass shrunk while withering dryly, then expanded while growing lively, resulting it to twist in an uncanny way before disintegrating into ashes, as if unable to take in the rapid physical changes due to the climate.

"Two things that aren't meant to go together," Nova sighed helplessly, heading towards where they set up the campus. "At least I can sleep better now even without that music."

——————

While Atlas took his first step, Hugh did not. For a manly man who cannot be anymore manlier, he surprisingly wasted this supreme opportunity to propose his heart. Why? Even he doesn't know.

Maybe it's the feeling of insecurity knowing that his nemesis were still out there in the shadows, stronger than him, crazier than him. He's not afraid to die, but Iris, she is a vulnerable target.

He had to be at least as strong as Atlas or Nova in order to claim the authority to do whatever he wants. So he trained the whole afternoon in the rain, destroying the environment while Iris slept in the tent, unaware of all the ruckus.

At least that was what Hugh thought. Putting all his effort in training, he did not notice a pair of disappointed eyes, peeping at him from the tents, lonely and gloomily.

The way back home was cozy in the front two seats, but slightly sad and awkard at the backseat.

Nova, who actually wanted to start a conversation, was still squashed by Hugh, so he discarded that idea.

Night has finally fallen, the storm subsided as well. The Ferrari screeched to a stop.

"Home sweet home guys!" Atlas chuckled cheerful, attempting to light up the blue atmosphere.

"I've been thinking during the ride home..." Kristine followed Atlas towards the doorstep, fidgeting her fingers. "Maybe we could run far far away instead. You won't need to work so hard and we could live a happy, tranquil life..."

Atlas halted as he placed his hand on the doorknob. It was unlocked.

Atlas shielded Kristine behind him, barging into the mansion with Aura veiling his arms.

The light and the chandelier automatically flicked open.

A young man with caramel brown eyes slumped on the sofa, patting both hands on two adorable puppies that were growling impatiently at a young lady leaning on the wall, arms crossed before her chest.

The tension blasted in all direction like waves rippling when a stone is dropped into an undisturbed pond.

"Hello Kris, I'm a bit early. I also accidentally overheard what you said." The young man smiled apologetically, a look of sympathy written heavily on his face.

The young woman on the other hand, exchanged sharp glances at Iris who has just entered, her expression restrained.

"Kraig!"

"Sister!"

Kristine and Iris yelled dissimilar words in unison.

"Stone face, so this is the sister you mentioned?" Kraig snapped his finger at Ilita.

"Yes. She ran away from home." She murmured coldly. "She tricked everyone."

"I tricked everyone?!" Iris slammed her luggage on the floor, uttering exasperatedly. "Everyone forced me to put on a mask! I had to fake for all my life! Do you know how painful it is to fake happiness!"

"We all thought you loved your life." Ilita's tone quivered weakly.

"Love my life! People like you will never understand the grief of hearing that you'll have to marry someone you've never met before! I had to put on a clown-like smile every time I met that King families fat ass playboy son! Iris wear this! Iris watch your mouth! Iris listen to me! How many times! I have no value! I lie! I obey! I follow! I smile within the presence of others, and I weep when I am alone with no one to back me up. Sometimes my acting is so impressive that I deserve an Oscar reward! In order to endure and survive in this family, switching emotions to me is like flipping my hands! You are lucky, sister, because you are born with talent."

It was the same phrasing Ilita heard twice today.

Noticing the uncomfortableness in her expression, Kraig bemoaned.

"No matter how well people propagate the Capital, it still won't hide the harsh competition there. Kris, Iris, let's go back home. Your grandfathers may decide to be more lenient if you came home in advance."

Kraig stopped his rubbing motion and the puppies scurried off, hopping towards Atlas to lick his shoe.

"I want to battle."

Kraig saw Atlas's atmosphere pumping with excitement and aggressive volition, and a grin of admiration surfaced on him.

"Why? You do know it's futile."

"I understand. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Lightning Aura crackled over him like a violet knight armor. "I have to evaluate our differences."

"A gifted! Nice choice Kris, I would be glad to support your boyfriend when the time comes." Kraig laughed and vanished in an instant.

"What!" Atlas shouted, holdings his arms up as a gust of wind made contact with his skin.

Bam! He flew backwards, engraving into the wall as Kraig smashed him with his fist, milky Aura enveloping it like scorching flame.

"That's our difference." He blew out the Aura on his fist. "For a Tier 1 Axonn, you have incredible reaction speed and top notch Aura manipulation. I'm already 27. Remember that kiddo, age is your advantage."

"Thanks." Atlas dropped out the wall and spat a pile of blood, grinning.

"Wow! Better than I thought, you've got mad potential." Kraig gave a thumps up. "Nice gamble Kris."

At the same time, Ilita stared at Iris, then at Hugh.

Under extreme pressure, Hugh wiped the tears on Iris's cheek and returned her glance. "I may not look like it, but I'll claim her in the future."

"Good luck with that." Ilita snorted in a cynical tone, clearly doubting his vow.

The two women of the house eventually left with their family, leaving the whole mansion in depressing silence.

"Nova. I'm ready for the Coiling Dragon Arena. Hugh, wanna tag along?" Atlas hammered his chest in confidence, only to trigger another blackish clot of blood.

"Don't be surprised with my answer, cuz I'm not going. Imma train on my own." Hugh rejected Atlas's warm invite, heading into his room.

His robust and intimidating build seemed so feeble and tired all of a sudden.

"It must have hit him hard." Nova sighed. "Why are you even so positive?"

"Because I'm that confident." Atlas clenched his knuckles.

"I've set my goal— retrieve my wife! The mission officially begins!"

Chapter end