Chapter 31: Dreaming of the Past

Puchi!

Thud!

[ Skill+5%]

[0 Gold coins]

[Level up]

The crimson goblin's body hit the g as these notifications echoed through the air.

Noah stared at the lifeless form of the red-skinned goblin before him.

He let out a sigh, tding to his bruised cheek.

Sitting on the g, he didn't care about his currt condition.

Luckily, the level-up had washed away most of his fatigue.

Suddly, another notification chimed.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have earned the title: Goblin Slayer!]

"Yes!" Noah cheered, raising a victorious hand in excitemt.

[Ding! Mission completed]

[5000 silver coins earned]

Additional reward:

A special discount coupon: Valid only on promotional days!

[Currt silver coins: 560 silver coins!]

The system ev displayed his total coin count.

"Hurrah!"

Noah jumped to his feet like a child in a toy store. He couldn't contain his excitemt, feeling deserving of a rewarding prize after his hard work.

Noah decided it was time to head back, but first, he wanted to test out his exclusive skill, 'The Seal of Death!'

He quickly found his next target and cast the Seal of Death on the emy. An invisible skull appeared above the target's head, and as described in the skill's description, Noah was able to effortlessly eliminate the emy due to the skill's debuff. He was certain there was more to this skill, but he postponed exploring it further for now. It was time for him to return.

After spding over five hours in the tower, Noah made his way back.

°°°

The night descded upon the world, draped in a cloak of midnight velvet, guided by the stars under the shimmer of a full moon. As the colors of the day slumbered, dreaming of tomorrow, the hillside transformed into a monochromatic tapestry, with shapes that formed an ever-changing, ever-prest puzzle, where questions and answers merged.

He chuckled and placed his hands on Lilith's shoulders, angling his wrist so she could read the poem he had just writt.

Lilith pretded not to notice, but she knew Noah wasn't one to spd a lot of time on gifts.

"Roses may be red,

And violets are surely blue,

But no flower poem,

Can express my feelings for you."

Lilith remained silt, observing Noah's innate romanticism. He continued.

"I know we're young,

So I can't propose,

Instead of a ring,

I prest you with this rose."

From his sleeve, Noah produced a beautiful red rose. Lilith accepted it with a smile.

"Aww, you're so sweet." She gave him a quick kiss.

"It's definitely better than what I got you."

She slowly revealed the skateboard from behind her back, proudly displaying the dragon drawing.

"I drew it myself." Her smile was a little forced, but it was a smile theless.

"It's magnifict." Noah took the skateboard, suddly feeling guilty for not putting much effort into his own gift.

He admired her artwork.

"I love it."

Noah embraced Lilith for a few seconds, inhaling the sct of her pomegranate perfume. He pulled back and noticed her jeans, laughing.

"Again?"

"You were the one who left them," Lilith pointed out with an expressionless face but you could feel her happiness. She th took his hand, and they headed off to school, dressed in matching shades of black and gray.

°°°

"Huff! Huff!" Noah suddly awoke, breathing heavily. He frowned, displeased with the dream that had resurfaced from his past.

"Damn! Why am I dreaming of something so embarrassing? That was the past, the young Noah is no more. I'm an adult now." Noah declared, attempting to convince himself.

He tried to push the memories out of his mind and go back to sleep. Meanwhile, in another dorm room, in the girls' dormitory, a certain -haired woman was also dreaming, no calling this a nightmare would be more fitting.