Chapter 148 - Take a break

Hiro realized that the way he invited Jacob, Noah, and Cara to join his guild was too sudden. His guild had not even been officially recognized by the server yet. However, he did not want to wait and look for other opportunities. Hiro had thought about this for a few days.

After meeting his brother in The Haunted Maze that night, Hiro knew he had to get stronger. He also needed to have strong and trustworthy comrades so he could reveal the secrets his brother and the game developer had kept all this time.

There were still many mysteries that had not been answered yet. However, Hiro believed that if he found the puzzle pieces and put them together one by one, one day, those mysteries would soon be revealed. And all the questions that haunted him would find its answer.

He wouldn’t give up easily.

Hiro gave Noah and Cara time to consider his offer. He didn’t need a quick answer because choosing a guild and a family in the game would take time and consideration.

Besides, Hiro really respected Jacob’s decision, who immediately agreed to join him without asking for any conditions. He even told Hiro that he had really wanted to join a guild because he was curious about what things could be done in a guild. Hiro’s offer made him excited.

“This is sure to be fun, Hiro!” he screamed with sparkling eyes, even though dark circles had appeared on his eyelids from exhaustion.

Hiro smiled. He knew Jacob would agree with his offer.

“Have a good rest,” Hiro said to the others. The three of them went outside, leaving Hiro alone with Liberty in the room.

The girl was just silent while listening to their conversation. She didn’t want to interrupt them because she didn’t fully understand the topic. And Liberty didn’t realize that Spyro had slept in her lap while snoring.

“Libe, you are still here?” Hiro didn’t know what to say. He didn’t expect that the girl would actually be the one sitting by his side when he was weak.

“You asked me to wait for you, Hiro,” she said in a soft and soothing voice.

Hiro smiled, his hand moving to stroke Liberty’s long hair and patted her head. He suddenly wanted to look at the beauty of the girl’s face all night, not even letting a single hair get in his way.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

Liberty nodded and smiled. It was her first smile since Hiro opened his eyes again. The girl was really worried about Hiro’s condition that even smiling was very difficult for her.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Hiro tried to reassure her. He took Liberty’s hands and held them tight. The girl’s hands felt very warm, in stark contrast to his which felt icy cold.

Hiro was still feeling tired. He really needed some rest. And maybe an actual break would be much better. The side effect of being exposed to the holy flames that burned Jorogumo to ashes also tormented him.

Hiro already knew the consequence, but he had determined to do it that way. Defeating Jorogumo with holy water that had turned into an ice crystals was the fastest way to win. However, he didn’t even know… how great the impact his half demon body would get.

He entrusted everything to Noah, the only player who didn’t get caught in the spider’s webs. Despite his annoying nature, Hiro began to understand that Noah was a loyal person in his typical way.

“Are you really okay?” Liberty looked at him with puppy eyes. Her eyes had been watery while the wolf’s ears on top of her head were drooping limply.

Hiro felt distracted. How could he ignore Liberty to think about the past? He shook his head to brush off all the insignificant thoughts and focused his attention on her.

“I’m fine, Libe. I’m just tired,” Hiro said frankly.

Liberty tilted her face, looking so adorable that even Hiro couldn’t help but stroke the top of her head.

“Sleep Hiro, I’ll take care of you.” The girl’s words made Hiro’s eyes widen in surprise. He did not expect that the weak girl who always wanted to be protected was acting like a strong adult woman.

Hiro chuckled.

“Ha ha ha.”

He really couldn’t imagine Liberty being such a strong woman in the slightest. It looked hilarious as he tried to imagine it.

Hiro’s reaction made Liberty pout her lips in annoyance. She even crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“You’ve changed so much, Libe. I can hardly believe that you really are ‘you’.” Hiro wiped the tears dripping from the corner of his eyes because of laughing too much.

“Stop laughing at things that aren’t funny, Hiro. You look very healthy now, huh?”

Hiro stopped laughing, then looked back at Liberty, who was still pouting. He couldn’t keep his hands from poking Liberty’s cheeks, which were puffing up like a chipmunk.

Pufts!

“Stop making such expressions, Libe. Or I’ll kiss you.” Hiro tried to cheer the girl up by teasing her. However, it didn’t seem to work.

Liberty sighed and closed her eyes. It was as if she tried to hold back her annoyance.

“Sleep, Hiro. If you don’t want me to watch over you while you sleep, I’ll sleep with you.”

Hiro was taken aback. No words came out of his mouth. The girl said it with a serious look that Hiro didn’t know what to say.

Liberty moved Spyro who was sleeping soundly onto the wooden desk beside her gently, not wanting to wake the baby dragon.

She then yawned while stretching out the muscles in her arms and neck in front of Hiro, who looked at her in a daze. The man didn’t blink even once.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Liberty muttered. She suddenly pulled the blanket Hiro was using, then snuck into it.

The single bed was too narrow for two people. Hiro was forced to tilt his body. He was cornered on the wall behind him, trying to give Liberty a space to sleep. However, instead of using the pillow, the girl used his left arm.

“Sleep tight, Hiro,” she said without looking back.

Hiro could smell the sweet scent of Liberty’s long hair, which was very soft, healthy, and shiny. His heart suddenly beat faster than before.

He really didn’t expect to be trapped in an atmosphere like this. When he threatened Liberty with a kiss, the girl actually managed to avenge him in a more daring way.

Hiro had to hold himself from devouring the girl. Then, he saw the veins under Liberty’s beautiful neck. It looked as if it was throbbing weakly.

Hiro lifted his head slightly, then kissed the pulse on Liberty’s neck gently. The sweet and fragrant aroma was really tempting.

“Sweet dream, Libe.”