Chapter 73: Chapter 73

JONEA

Hunter sent me a message.

[You remember we have to meet tomorrow, right? The assignment must be submitted immediately. I'll wait at two in the afternoon in front of the campus.]

I didn't reply to the message and lay back down. I couldn't think of anything because the pain in my stomach was getting stronger, even spreading to my back.

I don't know how many hours I slept. When I woke up, it was already noon. And Hunter sent me another message to remind me that we had to meet this afternoon to finish the assignment.

My mind was completely blank. For a while, I just lay in bed doing nothing.

I shouldn't have to get involved with Hunter anymore. Because I've met Aland, and I know where he is right now. The problem is Aland will only be able to get out of the land of the dragons if he is being hunted by Luke Draken.

Shouldn't I still return to my original goal? Aland also said that we wouldn't be able to be together before we recapture the blue Sapphire. And the only access to Luke Draken is through Hunter.

“If I manage to extract as much information as possible about Luke Draken’s weaknesses, I will definitely find a way to get rid of those red dragons. After that, Aland and I can live peacefully in the blue Sapphire.”

I closed my eyes as I realized that my lifespan might not be that long. No matter what, I was racing against time between removing my wolf seal and taking over the Blue Sapphire from the hands of the red dragons.

But if I meet Hunter in a state like this…

I don’t know when the red mark on Hunter’s forehead will react to my body. It didn’t affect me then, but what if he accidentally touches me this time? Then, makes me weaker? Coupled with my physical condition, which is currently sick. I might die right then and there!

But in the end, the determination to return to Aland was much more robust. With great difficulty, I changed clothes and went down from the room.

“Jonea, where are you going?” Daram scolded. “You still look pale and in pain.”

Since leaving the room, I have been holding my stomach, which is still cramping. Now, I put my hands down and act like I'm fine in front of Daran.

"Oh, I have to do an assignment. An assignment that requires me to meet a man with a red mark on his forehead."

"But, you're still sick. What if it gets worse?" Daran said in a worried tone. "Why don't you just cancel the meeting?"

"I've been thinking about it for hours in my room. But, this is my first assignment this semester. I would give up if it was my own assignment. But, if I don't do it, it's not just me who will get a bad grade. So I'm going out and I'll be back soon."

Was the reason I gave reasonable enough for Daran? What is clear is why I remain stubborn and meet Hunter even though I know my life is at stake: I want Aland to be able to live freely.

I walked past Daran after saying goodbye.

"What if there's another way?" Daran said, which made my footsteps stop.

I turned around and looked at him. "What?"

"I know a way so you don't have to go out and meet him this time."

***

HUNTER

Since morning, I have taken out all the contents of my closet. I even tried to mix and match every outfit I had. I just want to look perfect when I meet Jonea later. But, for some reason, the clothes need to match. I should buy new ones!

I took two pairs of clothes and put them on my body.

"These clothes are too formal!"

“While this one is too casual.”

I threw both of them on the bed.

“I don’t want to attract attention, but I also don’t want to embarrass myself. Ah… Which clothes should I wear this time? If only Aland was here…”

I sat on the bed and rubbed my face. “Aland? Why does he keep popping up in my mind?”

After the incident of the dragon troop’s attack on the Blue Sapphire that night, I was separated from Jonea and the other Beast Four members. I finally had the chance to meet Jonea again at Blue Sapphire. I don’t want to ruin this moment. Well, even though Jonea’s response to me wasn’t that pleasant. I know she probably doesn’t believe me anymore.

This is my chance to restore Jonea’s trust that I haven’t changed. I’m still the Hunter Abraham she used to know. And I still love her.

I stared at my phone repeatedly. She hasn’t replied to my message. But she also didn’t cancel our appointment. Maybe she’s not mad anymore? Usually, if she doesn’t like me, she’ll reject me immediately. That means I have a chance this time, right?

“Excuse me, Alpha!” An omega came knocking on the door. She brought the sweater I had been looking for since morning.

“Have you found it?”

“I have ironed it neatly,” said her.

“Wait, don’t go! Take a look at these two pairs of clothes. Which one do you think is suitable for me to wear this afternoon?”

She smiled shyly. “I have never seen you so enthusiastic like this, Alpha. Do you want to go on a date?”

“Come on, just look and choose one for me. Does this look weird on me?”

She smiled knowingly and pointed to the clothes I held in my right hand.

***

JONEA

“But, Daran, are you sure you will be okay?”

“Of course! This will also make me feel better.”

I stared at Daran in disbelief. I even had to turn to the large mirror in the living room. Daran was standing beside me, and our faces were precisely the same! There was no gap at all. I looked as if I had been split in two.

“You remind me of when I disguised myself as Miller,” I mumbled.

“Did you say something?” Daran asked.

I shook my head quickly.

“Then, I’ll go do this task for you. I’ll replace you. So you can rest at home. Have you forgotten that I’m a shadow mage? I can transform into anything I want. Including transforming into you.”

I immediately panicked. “Don’t try to transform into me without clothes!”

Daran just smiled. “No way! I’ve even seen you without clothes.”

I lowered my head in shame.

Finally, I could only let out a sigh of relief. But I couldn’t stop staring at my face in front of me.

“By the way, do I really look like this? It feels so weird to see my own face on someone else’s body. Why do I look so beautiful?”

I took a step back and couldn’t stop admiring Daran’s magic.

“Then I’ll go now,” he said.

“Okay, good luck,” I replied.

I agreed to let Daran replace me so I could meet Hunter. Daran also expressed his desire to find out about Luke Draken.