''He helped me back then." Alex added much to Valery's joy because from this she understood that Alex truly felt that way, she smiled coquettishly at him before.''
"Today was a tiring day." She let out a small sigh.
"Yeah, first the wolves and now this fish," Alex agreed while appearing to be lost in thoughts.
"I just want to rest," Valery faintly muttered before falling asleep on Alex's arm.
Shocking him, his body froze for a moment, unable to do anything as if he was struggling with something finally Alex acted but all he did was act all innocently.
"..." Alex's cheeks turned red as he breathed in her sweet fragrance.
''Eh?'' Ludic observed the scene and appeared to be shocked and he couldn't help chuckling.
''You are truly inexperienced with women despite your good looks." He said observing Alex's reaction.
"Ah! That's.." Alex murmured in an embarrassed tone, further convincing Ludic that his analysis was right, only if he knew the truth, what Alex was thinking inside he would have fled a long time ago, forgetting everything.
''Okay, okay, can you help me carry her into her room?'' Ludic asked after shaking his head and Alex stayed silent for a moment before nodding.
Under Ludic's guidance, he brought Valery to her tent before leaving hastily as if afraid of something, leaving only Ludic behind.
Ludic looked at him with a smile as he left the room. But soon, his smile faded and was replaced with a sneer.
"Such an easy target." Valery who should have been sleeping suddenly opened her eyes and said.
"Indeed." Xavier entered from another side and sat beside her.
Ludic took out a tablet from his shirt and observed the readings on the screen.
"He has high potential but he hasn't tapped into it yet."
"True but he is still strong enough for his age," Xavier thought for a minute before adding, "He didn't bleed from the collision with the tree, nor did the jaws of Steel Fish injured him. Not to mention that he remained unscathed in his battle with the wolves."
"His enhanced strength suppresses the air around his body into an invisible armor," Ludic said based on the readings, "So it isn't surprising he wasn't harmed. He also uses the enhanced strength for jumping around."
"We have struck rich." Xavier said before turning his head towards Valery, "You truly have done a good job."
Valery's lips curved up into a smile. She brushed her hair away from her face before taking down her glasses. She placed the glasses away and her eyes no longer have the sweet innocence from before.
"All men are the same," She licked her lips, "They would do anything as long as you give them a chance of getting close to a hole."
°°°°°
A few hours later.
It was dusk. Gentle rays of the setting sun glowed from the other side of the mountain, dyeing the entire forest in scarlet and enveloping the land with motley radiance. This motley radiance was reflected in the water. There were faint ripples on the surface, created by the small fishes.
"You were here." Valery's sweet voice came from behind.
"Y-yes." Alex turned back and nodded.
"Mind if I take a seat?" She asked as she walked between the stones to walk towards him.
"Of course not." Alex provided half the stone for her.
"Thanks." Valery sat beside him. Intentionally or not, her legs touched him and Kiba tried to make some comfortable distance between them.
"It is so beautiful," She said in her charming and loving voice.
"Indeed."
Alex looked at the sun dipping below the horizon, the fleeting colors of twilight beginning to fade away. The scene was magical and this was especially true when one was accompanied by a beautiful woman.
What more can a man desire?
"I'm glad you are with us," Valery's cheeks were as red as tomatoes as she said this.
"Me as well." Alex glanced at her face and his heart started beating rapidly.
There was no more conversation for a minute or two and the atmosphere turned awkward. The only sound was the faint sound of crickets and mosquitoes nearby.
"We should make some preparations for dinner," He suddenly said and he quickly stood up.
Valery didn't say anything but looked on as he rushed away from her.
She has felt how tense he was with their close contact earlier. She was sure he lacked experience and having a woman accompany him in such a location made his heart stir.
"Innocent men are the easiest ones." She thought with a smirk. "He has most likely let his guard down after the last fight we saved him."
She cleared her thoughts and joined Alex as he chopped wood and started a fire.
"Where are the other two?" Alex enquired as he continued with what he was doing.
"They are hunting," Valery calmly answered while she prepared a teapot and put it on the burning wood.
The bottom surface of the teapot soon turned red. Water bubbles started forming, with hot steam rising into the air.
She put tea leaves, resembling flower petals, into the pot. Alex could smell the fresh aroma from the pot.
In no time, the tea was ready, and he placed two teacups in front of Valery.
She nodded and poured an almost transparent tea into the cups. They both picked up their cups and drank the content in almost one gulp.
"So comfortable."
The warm flow gushed into their bodies, rejuvenating them with a relaxing sensation.
"Huh! Do you two lovebirds forget about us?"
A voice came from behind.
Alex blushed and quickly try to hide it before turning back and saw Ludic and Xavier walking out of the bushes. They were carrying two rabbits and some wild fruits.
"Of course, there is tea for you," Valery answered in her innocent voice. The two put the rabbits and a knife in front of Alex after which they sat on the grass.
Alex helped with skinning the rabbits while Valery treated the newcomers with tea.
"Alex, what do you plan to do?" Ludic asked.
"I didn't have any plans," Alex answered, "But after the close encounter with the fish, I would like to be with you guys."
"A wise choice," Xavier added in a sarcastic tone, "After all, you barely survived from Steel Fish. Who knows what would have happened to you, if not for us."
"..." Alex has a downcast expression.
His expression denoted how ashamed he was, but deep in his eyes, there was just plain ridicule. It was like he was watching ants acting as if they were the savior of a giant.
"Xavier, stop," Valery gave him a stern look before continuing, "He is one of us and we need to be united."
"I just spoke the truth," Xavier shrugged his shoulders.
"It is fine." Alex continued with a stiff smile. "He helped me back then so he isn't wrong. I just overestimated myself when I came here alone."
Xavier gave a scoff.
Ludic sighed, he wasn't surprised by Alex's words either. There were far too many people who would overestimate themselves and arrive in Infinity Maze for adventure.
These people would either become food to the beasts or fertilizers to the savage plants or meet people in their group and die miserably.
Grinning sinisterly inside Ludic's expression was that of understanding as he rebuked Xavier harshly.
''Xavier mind your words from now on. Alex had become our comrade and from now on we must be united and look after each other. I won't tolerate any more of your behavior.''
Valery nodded as if happy with Ludic's words. Xavier frowned before nodding while Alex's eyes widened, he felt overwhelmed with emotions as not only Valery supported him, even Ludic did the same. Alex's face at the moment was as if he had finally found somewhere where he belongs after coming to this dungeon. He was truly grateful.
''Thank you.'' He expressed his gratitude and Ludic simply waved his hand to indicate there is no need for a thank you between them.
After this little episode, they continued eating, and half an hour later w they finished.
Each of them washed their plates and then helped in ensuring the camp's defense system was active. They didn't need to take turns guarding the camp either since they were not deep in the forest.
"Good night," Valery waved her hands toward Alex before entering her room.
Alex also waved his hands in return like a lovestruck idiot.
"You are going to have very sweet dreams tonight," Ludic said with an eyewink.
"...." Alex scratched his head and walked towards his room.
After seeing Alex entering the room, the expression of Ludic and Xavier changed. They both had cruel smiles on their faces.
"Sweet dreams after which his life would turn into a nightmare," Xavier laughed in a sinister fashion, "I just couldn't wait to see his reaction after he wakes up."
They both entered their rooms to complete the preparations.
'Shit is about to go down on you boy.' Ludic thought but he mistook the target.
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