The Life of Lust Demon

Anos greeted the three teens with a firm handshake, offering a polite smile. "It's good to meet all of you."

Zoey, however, gave him a dismissive look, crossing her arms. "What's there to be happy about? If it weren't for Grandpa, you wouldn't even be here." Her words were sharp, dripping with annoyance. She clearly didn't appreciate Anos's presence, as if he had somehow invaded her space.

Anos let out a breath, resisting the urge to argue. She's just a kid, he thought, keeping his expression neutral. Let her be.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Instead, he turned to the others, his curiosity getting the best of him. "So, it's just going to be us then? I find that hard to believe."

His gaze swept over the group. While Zoey was clearly confident, her youth was evident, and the others, though capable, were still in the early stages of their training. They had just reached the Elemental Foundation Realm—hardly enough to face the dangers that lay ahead, especially considering the distance they'd need to travel. At the very least, they needed a Spirit Core Realm cultivator to ensure their safety.

Oscar, who had been silent for most of the exchange, gave a relaxed grin and leaned against a nearby crate. "Nah, we've got more people coming. Sister Zoey's the leader, but some of our friends are grabbing some last-minute supplies. They'll be back soon... Ah, here they come!" Oscar pointed down the path toward a small group of people making their way toward them.

Anos's eyes immediately locked onto one figure in particular, and his heart skipped a beat. No way, he thought. It's him.

There, walking towards them, was Owen.

As soon as Owen saw Anos, his expression shifted from mild surprise to something colder, darker. For a split second, Anos saw a flash of resentment in Owen's eyes before it disappeared behind a neutral mask.

Owen, Anos thought, his mind flashing back to the night that had left their relationship in ruins. Owen had tried to spy on him and Sofia, hoping to catch them in a lie. But instead, he had witnessed Sofia laughing and enjoying herself with Anos, even offering him a ride. That night had been a turning point for Owen—his bitterness had grown ever since. And now, here they were, in the same place once again.

Anos quickly masked his surprise, using his Mythic Perception to assess the situation. The weakest of the three newcomers was a man around Owen's age, at Stage-Five of the Elemental Foundation Realm. Owen himself had reached Stage-Three of the Spirit Core Realm, while the leader of the group, an older man, was at Stage-Four Spirit Core Realm.

Anos was relieved to see that the group was at least moderately strong. With such a team, their chances of success seemed better, though he knew all too well how quickly things could turn dangerous. After all, the wilds were unpredictable. If they were unlucky enough to encounter something like a Flameborn Lion, things could spiral out of control very quickly.

As the group exchanged pleasantries, Anos remained observant, keeping an eye on the individuals around him. When the introductions started, he listened attentively, his curiosity piqued.

"Let me introduce you," Oscar said, gesturing to the man beside him. "This is the leader of our group, Bodhi. You can call him Brother Bodhi, but I'd advise Sister Zoey to call him Uncle Bodhi, just for fun," he added with a grin, clearly enjoying the moment.

Anos studied Bodhi, the leader of The Iron Reavers. He appeared strong and experienced, his posture and demeanor telling Anos that this was no ordinary mercenary leader. Uncle Bodhi? Anos thought, barely suppressing a chuckle. It seemed Zoey's temper wasn't the only thing that made her an interesting character.

Oscar continued, introducing the next member. "This is one of our members, Otto. And then, we have..."

Anos turned his head just in time to see Owen approaching, his eyes narrowing slightly as he met Anos's gaze. Owen's expression shifted from surprise to a more controlled, albeit cold, smile.

"Anos," Owen said, his voice tinged with an almost imperceptible edge. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

Anos, momentarily taken aback by the familiarity in Owen's tone, smiled politely. "Yes, it's quite the coincidence, isn't it? I didn't expect to meet you here either. It seems fate has a funny way of bringing people together." He kept his tone light, though his mind was already starting to piece together the underlying tension. Read exclusive adventures at empire

The others around them looked between Anos and Owen, surprised by the exchange. "You two know each other?" Oscar asked, raising an eyebrow.

Anos nodded casually, throwing a brief glance at Owen. "Yes, we do. Brother Owen and I are old acquaintances." He deliberately left out the more personal details, especially when it came to Sofia, though he couldn't help but notice the flicker of discomfort that crossed Owen's face at his words.

Owen quickly smiled, cutting in before Anos could say more. "I'm friends with Anos," he interjected smoothly, almost too smoothly.

Anos held back a chuckle, a knowing glint in his eyes. So, he doesn't want anyone to know about his... deeper connection with Sofia, Anos mused, already seeing the complications that might arise from that. Interesting.

"That's right," Anos replied, matching Owen's feigned casualness. "We're good friends."

The others seemed confused by the exchange. "Ah, I didn't know you two knew each other so well," Oscar said, his voice light but clearly trying to piece things together.

Owen, though outwardly calm, was clearly calculating something in the back of his mind. "You're here for the Chillwater expedition?" he asked, looking at Anos with a thin smile.

"That's right," Anos replied with a nod. "I haven't reached the Spirit Core Realm yet, so it's safer to join the group for this trip."

Owen seemed to consider this, nodding slowly. "I see. Yes, it's a good opportunity to get to know everyone." But his mind was already elsewhere.

While the group discussed plans, Anos couldn't shake the feeling that Owen was scheming, plotting something beneath the surface. The lingering bitterness in his gaze wasn't lost on Anos. He had already made the connection—Owen was angry with him over Sofia. The fact that Anos had taken her affections had been a blow to Owen's pride, and now, this expedition was more than just a trip for him. It was a chance for revenge.

Anos couldn't help but smirk internally. So, this is how it's going to be, he thought, his mind already working through the potential outcomes. Owen wants me gone. Too bad for him—he'll have to do more than just lurk in the background to make that happen.

What he didn't realize, though, was that this small spark of tension between them could very well ignite into something far more dangerous as they journeyed deeper into the wilds. And in this place, with all its unpredictable hazards, it was only a matter of time before something would break the fragile peace that held them together.

While Anos pondered the dynamics within the group, Zoey, as if unaffected by any of the tension, stood up with her usual casualness. She tossed the empty instant noodle container into the trash, then scanned the group with a look that suggested she was the one calling the shots.

"Yeah, everyone's here. Let's go," she said matter-of-factly, as if the decision had already been made.

"Okay!" the others replied in unison, eager to get moving.

The vehicles waiting for them were far from conventional. They were specially modified armored transports, more suited for a rough and dangerous journey than anything that resembled military-grade equipment. These vehicles were the kind that a well-established mercenary group like The Iron Reavers might use. Sturdy, fast, and equipped with weapons for defense, they were built to withstand the hazards of the wilds. Each vehicle could comfortably seat six people, with some additional space for supplies.

"What's the plan?" Anos asked as he climbed into one of the vehicles, eyeing Zoey who seemed too preoccupied to care about his choice of ride.

"Don't even think about it," Zoey shot him a look, clearly annoyed as she noticed him heading toward her vehicle. "You're not riding with me."

Anos shrugged, unfazed, and made his way to the other vehicle. There was no point in arguing with her, and he wasn't particularly interested in sitting in silence with Owen. The less interaction with that man, the better. Besides, if Zoey wasn't willing to improve their relationship, it would only create more awkwardness.

"Ding … Zoey's favorability towards you + 1."

Anos blinked, his expression blank. Really? He thought, resisting the urge to laugh. A +1 for just getting in a different vehicle? It seemed absurd, but he couldn't help but feel amused. "At least it's a start," he muttered under his breath.

The two vehicles began their journey toward Chillwater Valley, the destination still more than sixty kilometers away. The twenty kilometers mentioned earlier referred to the distance from the center of Flower City to the outskirts, but it was clear that this city was far larger than it appeared. It would take them over half an hour just to leave the city, let alone get to their destination.

The ride was uneventful, but the atmosphere inside the vehicle was anything but relaxed. Anos glanced occasionally at Owen, who was seated across from him, but neither spoke. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Owen's mind was consumed with darker intentions, plotting how he might eliminate Anos during this trip. He still hadn't forgiven Anos for winning Sofia's heart, and now, being forced to travel together, he saw an opportunity.

Anos, for his part, was fully aware of the animosity but didn't particularly care. If Owen thought he could get the better of him in the wilds, he would soon find out how wrong he was.

Breaking the silence, Anos turned to Oscar, who was seated beside him. "Hey, Oscar," Anos began, trying to shift the mood. "Why do you all call Zoey 'Big Sister Zoey'?"

Oscar looked at him with a slightly confused expression, then chuckled. "Oh, that? It's just a nickname we gave her. She's been with us for a while and has that bossy, take-charge attitude. Plus, she likes to act older than she is, so it just stuck."

Anos raised an eyebrow. "That's the reason? I thought she was the youngest in the group."

Oscar laughed, "She is. But you'd be surprised how much she manages to control us with just her attitude. Don't let her size fool you."

Anos couldn't help but smile. "I can tell."

The conversation helped ease the tension a little, but it didn't last long. His thoughts drifted back to the dangers that awaited them, and the unpredictable nature of the wilds. It wasn't the people in the vehicle he worried about. It was the unknown—what lay ahead in the depths of Chillwater.

As the city slowly faded from view, Anos couldn't shake the feeling that this journey was going to test them all in ways they weren't prepared for. And for some, it might not just be the wilds that proved to be the most dangerous obstacle.

....