Chapter Twenty Two
"Monica, go to the restaurant with Elena and eat first. I'll take a look at the gym with Alex."
Ren ruffled Monica's hair, handing her the suitcase before turning to Elena. "Please take care of Monica till Alex comes back to take her, Miss Elena. Think of it as a favour for me. I'll repay you later."
"Why are you talking as if you're going to disappear? You're just going to Alex's gym to exercise. You're going to come back home at night, right?" Monica gripped Ren's arm as the fear arising from her sixth sense crushed her heart.
Ren sighed as he pressed his lips into a thin line. "I'm going to prepare for Hunter's Crystal Test for three weeks in seclusion."
Ren's words took the strength from Monica's knees as she felt the oxygen leaving her lungs. "W-What did you say?" Monica's voice cracked as her fingers dug into Ren's sleeve as if he might vanish on the spot.
Ren gently pried her hand loose, though his own jaw stayed tight. "I am going to practice for the Hunter's Crystal Test in seclusion for three weeks, Monica. I want to become the Strongest Hunter to ever exist. I want revenge, fame and power. Think carefully. Then, tell me. What is your decision?"
The air between the new couple turned brittle as the weight of Ren's sudden ambition pressed down on Monica's soul until her hands began to shake.
In front of Monica, there were only three paths ahead of her now, out of which if she chose one, she could never turn back or regret her decision later.
"I'm taking the test too! If you want revenge, power and fame, then that's what I want too." Monica answered as she straightened her spine and clenched her shaking palms into tight fists, shocking Ren for a while.
Monica's eyes blazed with a fire Ren had witnessed only in newly recruited soldiers.
A small smile filled Ren's face as he couldn't help but stare in those innocent eyes that didn't realise the hardship they had chosen. "Is this your final decision?" Ren hid his hands behind his back as his fingers slightly trembled.
Monica flashed her bright smile at Ren as she closed the distance between them, grabbing Ren by his collar and pulling him down as she left a red stain on his cheek. "Yes. I'm sure."
Ren's mind froze at the confirmation. It was the first time that someone had offered to walk his path with him instead of telling him not to walk the path at all. How could he ever repay the favour?
Grrrrrr…
The loud growling of Monica's stomach filled the air, shocking Ren, Alex and Elena while making Monica cover her red face behind her palms.
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the fading echo of Monica's traitorous stomach.
Alex was the first to break, a booming laugh erupting from her chest as she slapped her thigh. "Well, Ren, it looks like your partner-in-arms is running on an empty tank! Determination is one thing. But Ica, you can't hunt monsters or protect yourself if you're fainting from hunger before you even start training."
Monica's ears were practically steaming, her face a shade of crimson that rivaled a sunset. "It's a... it's a biological response to extreme stress!" she squeaked through her fingers, though she didn't pull them away.
Ren felt the tension in his chest loosen, replaced by a warmth he hadn't expected. 'I must make sure this woman never cries tears of sadness. I must also make sure she's always safe.'
Ren vowed internally as he gently reached out and pulled Monica's hands away from her face. His expression had softened, the cold resolve in his eyes flickering with a hint of a smile.
"Go with Elena and eat first. When Alex comes to fetch you, she will tell you a little secret that I've prepared in reward of your determination."
'What is this guy cooking up?' Alex's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. However, she didn't say another word as she remained more focused on watching the drama instead of becoming a part of it.
Elena, on the other hand, stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she placed a gentle hand on Monica's shoulder. "Come, Monica. Let's find you something to eat first."
Monica hesitated, her wide eyes darting between Ren and Alex. She looked like a cornered animal, ready to bolt back to Ren's side. "But—"
"No buts." Ren's voice was firm, though his thumb brushed the back of her hand one last time before he let go. "Go now. You can decide to start training or live your normal life after listening to the secret I've prepared for you."
Monica's eyes darted to Alex for a response.
However to her disappointment, all she got in return was a confused shrug, making her finally give in as she nodded in agreement and then followed Elena to the restaurant, disappearing from Ren's sight.
"So, what's the secret, Mr. Esper?" Alex returned to her flirty demeanour as soon as the duo was out of her way as she closed the distance between her and Ren in two seconds, pressing her soft breasts against his body once again.
"You're a hunter with a hidden identity." Ren let out a huff as he answered bluntly, stuffing his hands in his pockets and ignoring a stunned Alex. Ren walked to the escalator nonchalantly, while being cent percent sure that the green eyed beauty would surely follow him.
'...How? How does he know? I've always used a mask during raids as an assassin? Who is this guy?'
Alex stood frozen in her place for a heartbeat as her flirtatious smirk was wiped clean at just one statement.
The air around Alex seemed to ripple as a faint shimmer of golden kinetic energy surrounded her due to the sudden shock she had received for the first time in her life.
However, fortunately for the instincts of an assassin she had honed over her years of working as an S grade Hunter Assassin, she recovered in an instant, blurring across the floor to catch up with Ren before he reached the next floor.
"Ren Esper, who are you?"