Chapter 77: Nothing but a nuisance

With the duel settled, a hushed stillness settled upon the clearing. Arthur, still gasping for breath, was the first to break the silence.

"You know," he panted, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "there's this incredible waterfall I stumbled upon on my way here. It's a secret little spot."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Secret, huh? Sounds risky."

Arthur chuckled, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Not at all! It's completely secluded, the perfect place to unwind after, well, you know..." he gestured vaguely towards the battlefield surrounding them.

The thought of a refreshing swim after such an intense battle was too tempting to resist. Noah pondered for a moment before finally giving in, a reluctant smile softening his features.

"Alright," he conceded.

Following a hidden path, they ventured deeper into the woods. The air grew cooler, the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step. As the trees parted, a breathtaking sight unfolded before them. A majestic waterfall cascaded down a moss-covered cliff, its clear water collecting in a pool at the bottom. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shimmering reflections on the surface.

It was a scene of untouched beauty.

Without a word, both men shed their worn-out clothes, momentarily forgetting the weight of the battle. With a burst of excitement, Arthur leapt off a rocky ledge, disappearing into the churning water with a resounding splash.

Noah followed suit, diving into the water with controlled grace. He resurfaced, coughing and laughing, water streaming down his face. Arthur emerged nearby, his cheeks flushed from the chill and the thrill. They locked eyes, the absurdity of the situation hitting them both at once.

Laughter erupted from their lips, echoing through the secluded valley.

In that shared moment of carefree joy, the tension of the duel dissipated. They splashed each other, exchanged playful banter, and simply reveled in the refreshing embrace of the water. For a brief moment, they were not adversaries or competitors, but two individuals enjoying the simple pleasure of a hidden paradise.

As their laughter subsided, a comfortable silence settled in. They reclined against the smooth rocks, the sound of the waterfall providing a soothing soundtrack. A sense of camaraderie, unexpected yet genuine, blossomed between them. Despite their opposing roles in this survival test, they had discovered a common ground, a shared appreciation for a challenging fight and a peaceful interlude.

As they basked in the tranquility of the hidden waterfall, Noah couldn't help but wonder what other trials and unexpected connections lay ahead on their journey.

With a slight chuckle, Noah found himself amused at the unexpected surge of emotions he had experienced. "How absurd," he murmured to himself, shaking his head.

"To think I would allow myself to feel this way. Is it loneliness, perhaps?" He quickly dismissed the thought, reminding himself to stay focused on his goals.

Shaking off the lingering emotions, Noah summoned his status window, shifting his attention to the task at hand.

■Status Window

Name: Noah Adler

Rank: Regular

Level 31

Class: Angel of Death

Title: Goblin Slayer

◇◇◇◇◇

☆Stats☆

Mana: 65

His jaw tightened with determination. He refused to let her snatch his lead away again. Rising from the refreshing embrace of the waterfall, he stretched his body, feeling the slight protest of his muscles from the previous exertion. Noah glanced at Arthur, who was still enjoying the invigorating water, and made up his mind.

"Hey, Arthur," he called out, projecting his voice above the sound of the cascading water.

"How about some grilled rabbit?"

Arthur's head snapped up, surprise flickering across his features. "Rabbit? Here?"

"There's always a rabbit," Noah replied nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Besides, you brought me to this amazing spot. The least I can do is cook us some dinner."

Arthur hesitated for a moment, then a wide grin spread across his face.

"You know how to win me over, Noah. Rabbit it is!"

Noah returned the smile.

"Alright," he said, unsheathing a small hunting knife. "Looks like you're on rabbit duty. I'll get the fire started."

Arthur chuckled. "Deal. Just make sure it's a big one. I'm starving!"

As Arthur disappeared into the dense undergrowth, Noah set about collecting dry wood to start the fire.

The sun beat down mercilessly as Arthur emerged from the depths of the woods, a plump rabbit slung over his shoulder. Noah, always resourceful, had managed to scrounge up some flint and tinder, and soon a crackling fire illuminated their campsite.

The aroma of the sizzling rabbit filled the air, enticing their taste buds. Noah expertly flipped the meat, relishing in the warm camaraderie that had blossomed between them. powered-by-MvLeMpYr

With voracious appetites, they devoured the rabbit, their silence broken only by the sounds of satisfied crunching and contented sighs. Arthur, a mischievous glint in his eye, surprised Noah by producing a canteen from his backpack.

"Thought you might need something more than just meat," he said, offering a canteen filled with a bright orange liquid.

Noah gratefully took a swig. It was tangy, sweet orange juice, a burst of flavor that refreshed his palate after the smoky richness of the rabbit.

"Wow! Not bad Arthur,"

Noah admitted, wiping his brow.

The blond chuckled.

"And you, Noah, are full of suprise. Who would've thought our top-ranked student had a sweet tooth?"

Noah's face lit up with a mischievous grin as he indulged in the cookies, generously offering some to his friend Arthur.

"I too have a fondness for cookies," Arthur admitted, surprising Noah. To prove his point, he produced his own stash of cookies from his pouch.

"How unexpected! Who would have guessed that we share the same passion," Noah remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"It must be fate that brought us together as friends," Arthur shamelessly declared, causing Noah to question his knightly demeanor.

"I always thought knights were meant to be chivalrous and pure, but your reaction proves otherwise," Noah commented, his face contorting with annoyance.

"Thank you for the compliment," Arthur responded, flashing a sheepish smile.

Noah's frustration grew, and he couldn't help but feel the urge to give this blonde trouble. As expected, this boy was nothing but a nuisance.