Legacy of Hatred

A wordless hiss had long since settled in Liam’s ears like a constant background noise that accompanied his own hateful thoughts, but there was no loss of control, no reckless charge or childish outburst.

Simon had to die. There was no question about it. Liam would kill him, and the when had just been decided. The problem was how, albeit only in the specific sense.

Like with every hunt, Liam would have to study his environment, his window of opportunity, and, most importantly, his prey.

Simon was no Cecilia or level two magical beast. He even seemed to have recovered from the injury suffered during his attempted breakthrough.

In a way, it was easier for Liam to see Simon as Maxwell and all the fearsome implications that comparison would cause.

However, Liam had an advantage there. He didn’t need to beat Simon. He only had to kill him, and there were plenty of methods to achieve that.

With the incoming mission, Liam would be in close contact with Simon, allowing him to stalk him, learn his strengths, habits, and weaknesses. He would have first-row seats that his hunts had often lacked.

Moreover, the previous interaction proved something else.

Liam knew that his greatest weakness was himself, at least his social side. He couldn’t lie. He couldn’t act or pretend. He could barely deal with people, let alone trick them.

Yet, that had clearly begun to change, at least in Liam’s own way, culminating in something he hadn’t expected when it came to Simon.

Because Simon wasn’t a person in Liam’s eyes, he was prey, an animal to behead. Liam could see all that as a hunt, including his own behavior in the equation.

Liam could not quite lie, not in any believable manner, but he could hold back. He could bide his time, observing, memorizing until he had enough information to devise a strategy that would leave Simon gutted and lifeless.

It was an emotionless coldness, something Liam had wielded countless times while stalking prey, and his behavior could now somewhat replicate it.

Still, the welcome news of that awaited opportunity and the unexpected reaction didn’t distract Liam for long. He quickly opened his cave, leading Melissa inside, sealing the entrance right afterward.

Melissa was ready to feign ignorance, to pretend that the encounter hadn’t brought any distress. It already pained her how she had created that problem for Liam, and she didn’t want to add her pointless emotions to the dangers he might have to face soon.

Yet, as soon as Melissa let go of Liam’s arm, he wrapped both around her, holding her tightly, unable to forget how her grasp had shaken earlier.

"I think Senior Brother insulted you," Liam said, his voice no more than a whisper. "I don’t understand what he said, but I know I’ll never discard you."

Simon’s sudden appearance had rattled Melissa, but the bad experience became nothing more than a distant memory under Liam’s embrace and his reassuring voice.

Still, Melissa also felt herself growing weak, the safety Liam provided rekindling her desire for careless abandonment, paving the way for fears she would have never bothered him with otherwise.

"I-f ...," Melissa muttered, pressing her face on Liam’s chest. "If i-it weren’t for me ... W-what am I a-adding to your life?"

Despite the possessiveness Melissa harbored, which was a lot, she wasn’t utterly selfish. Relationships weren’t mathematical equations, but there had to be a give and take, and she believed she was failing at the former.

Sure, Melissa was an ally, but her support was limited and replaceable. Joel could cover that role and do far better than her due to his higher cultivation.

Even if Melissa became a rooting expert, that problem wouldn’t disappear. Liam was just better and would always be. Watching him defeat the level two coyote had made her sure of that.

Once Liam became a rooting expert himself, he would outclass Melissa again.

Besides, Melissa wasn’t exactly a combat genius. She was good and trained extremely hard, but many cultivators did the same. She wasn’t unique in any way.

Even when it came to the trait that made Melissa unique, she failed to see her irreplaceability. There were plenty of beautiful women in the world, many probably more beautiful than her, who didn’t sweat as much.

Melissa was ready to give all of herself to Liam, hoping that her flesh shared her beauty’s traits and could bring him comfort and satisfaction. Yet, that hadn’t been possible, either, due to Liam’s exhausting routine.

So, when Melissa finished her math, she concluded that she hadn’t brought anything of value to Liam’s life. His enmity with Simon alone had to outclass the handful of ingredients and kisses she had given Liam.

That reasoning might be out of character for Melissa, but her feelings had grown beyond mere desire to be with Liam, and with that came doubt about her own worth and whether she was a positive force for him.

Instead, on the other side, Liam was speechless, albeit not out of lack of answers. He could think of so many additions, he struggled to sort through them and put them into words.

Melissa had been the first to accept Liam despite his secret. She had been the promise of a full life even before his Master found out about his bloodline.

Then, there were all those carnal urges and fulfilling instances Liam would have never known without Melissa. She literally created that part of him, becoming its sole target.

Lastly, there was that pristine joy. Rollercoasters of emotions always preceded it, but that feeling was simply unmatched. Nothing in Liam’s life had ever been so intense yet profound, at least when it came to the happy half of that spectrum.

Liam couldn’t even explain what triggered that joy. It could be a kiss, a specific caress, a timely hug, or just an unexpected smile. Melissa controlled that emotion in ways that didn’t feel bad, and that filled his chest to reach the very depths of his being.

Honestly, Liam had started to believe that whatever Melissa made him feel hid the meaning of life, enhancing it in ways that he could only compare to a deadly illness he didn’t want to heal from.

And those symptoms somehow intensified with each passing day, growing hotter and more profound. Liam didn’t have a name for that feeling, but he knew he would treasure it.

As for how to explain that, Liam had no idea. He didn’t even know where to begin. Luckily, even he had learned that thoughts and words were usually pointless there.

While Melissa was still wallowing in her doubts, Liam pulled one hand away from his hug, bringing it to her chin, lifting her face so that he could lean down to kiss her.

"I don’t know how to explain it," Liam whispered, diverting his gaze. "Everything is dimmer without you. I ... want the brighter life you create."

Melissa struggled to believe her ears. Her lips parted, but no words came out. However, she knew. That description went beyond affection, hinting at a feeling she knew she had fallen prey to.

Obviously, Liam didn’t say the words Melissa was desperate to hear. He didn’t know them. Instead, he let her go, approaching one of the shelves to retrieve a flask with a crystal-clear liquid.

"I made it," Liam explained, bringing the flask to Melissa. "It’s an original recipe, but it should work for your bottleneck."

Melissa didn’t need confirmation or additional questions. As soon as the flask fell in her hands, her dantian stirred awake. That was indeed something that could nourish her foundation and, seemingly, powerful enough to break through its barriers.

Now, Liam hadn’t only saved Melissa’s life twice over. He had not only indulged her selfish feelings. He had even provided her with a method to advance through the cultivation journey, something she had been searching for before he joined the Sect.

Melissa looked at Liam, bursting with something she had no hope of containing. She brought the flask to her chest, seeing that he was ready to faint, but wanting nothing more than to give herself to him fully.

Except, Melissa couldn’t, not now.

Liam was too tired, which probably wouldn’t prevent anything. Melissa had seen plenty of tents appear when his condition had been just as bad. Honestly, their size concerned her, other than adding endless fuel to her shameless imagination.

Still, Melissa had to prioritize Liam’s well-being, but leaving just wouldn’t cut it, so she reached him before he could reopen his cave, taking his hand to lead him to the mat.

"Melissa?" Liam absentmindedly called, his dizziness taking over, only for the following scene to bring a moment of clarity.

Melissa sat on her knees, bringing Liam down with her, before straightening the fabric over her thighs. Liam still didn’t know what was happening, and the second pull didn’t help.

Before Liam knew it, he was lying on the mat, his head resting on Melissa’s lap. He felt a lot, way too much, enough to push his exhaustion away, only for careful, comforting caresses to run over his face and hair.

Liam instinctively relaxed, each caress washing his tension away, bringing a sensation of fresh air to his lungs, until exhaustion took over him.