Chapter 191: Pascal.
The early morning mountain breeze was crisp and cool, brushing against Creed’s skin like a polite ghost with chilled fingers.
The sun was just rising above the distant peaks, casting golden light across the villa’s futuristic walls and the floating bonsai trees in the garden, which gave a lazy shimmer in response.
The world felt silent and fresh, and for the first time in a while, Creed was at peace.
He’d survived an assassination, a beast tide, a brush with a Beast King, and—most terrifying of all—a shockingly intense ’exchange’ with Meredith who had somehow drained him like the succubus she was for 15 hours straight!
He could still feel a lingering ache on his chest. It was quite shocking, honestly.
Now, he needed a run. Not just to stretch his legs but to get a proper feel of the area.
His villa was nestled on one of the many smaller mountains within the Bastion’s massive terrain, and while the air smelled of flowers and expensive taxes, Creed wasn’t the kind of guy to trust his surroundings just because they looked pretty.
So off he went, wearing a simple black shirt, joggers, and shoes that cushioned every step with the kind of bounce that could bankrupt normal people.
He jogged through a winding path that followed the cliff edge, admiring the peaceful neighborhood.
The trail wound through quiet, picturesque spots; bridges over koi-filled streams, hovering lampposts glowing gently even in daylight, and neatly trimmed grass that seemed to comb itself.
Occasionally, floating delivery drones zipped by carrying hot food or energy-imbued pastries for some rich retiree up the road.