Hey, stop!
"Hey, stop!" Hera chased after him, her long, slender legs cutting through the streets of the Soulforge Citadel with effortless grace.
Nux frowned, eyes narrowing as he glanced back. "What's the matter?" His voice carried a casual impatience, almost as if the disturbance of this young woman's pursuit annoyed him mildly.
Hera gasped, her breath catching in her throat. "Hiss!" Her beautiful pink-tinged eyes dulled slightly, a flash of disbelief crossing her face.
In the Soulforge Citadel, no man had ever dared speak to her like this. Always with reverence, always with care. Always… until now. And now, after summoning the courage to approach him herself, she was met with a cold, distant gaze.
A soft pout formed on her moist red lips. "Hmph, you man… you are a bit confused."
Nux blinked, eyes sharpening slightly. "That… this girl… I don't seem to know you."
Her lips quivered, then she crossed her arms and tilted her head in mock scolding. "Hey, you man… are you a tough guy~"
Hera's voice, playful yet edged with irritation, carried through the crowd. The onlookers' heads swiveled, and Nux could feel the curiosity around them like a tangible pressure.
Men's jaws tightened as they watched this Goddess act coquettishly, yet scold, yet march toward him with determination. Inside, many felt a mix of awe and envy.
She's a Goddess… striking up a conversation herself. And yet… he dares to be indifferent?
Hera's small mouth pursed, her eyes flashing red with indignation. I just… I just wanted to talk to him. Why must he be so incomprehensible?
"I just want to get to know you! Why are you so… so difficult? You're really a bully!"
"Smelly man, I hate you!"
Her words carried heat and innocence, anger laced with embarrassment. Then, without warning, her War Soul flared.
From her head, soft, plush-like ears sprouted, tinged with pink at the tips. A fluffy, pink fox tail curved gracefully behind her. Her fists clenched, silver teeth biting down in protest, and her body quivered with controlled energy.
The crowd gasped audibly.
"This… this woman must be a disciple of the Soulforge Citadel!"
"The man opposite her is done for. That's the saintess of the Citadel. Nobody dares provoke her lightly."
"I've never seen the saintess of the Citadel… deflated like this. This Nux… he's too terrifying."
"Who cares about terrifying? She's angry, and I… I don't even want to imagine the aftermath."
Eyes darted, whispers buzzing like electric currents. Men with arrogance in their hearts suddenly felt small, their egos crushed under the weight of Hera's presence—and yet, Nux remained utterly unfazed.
Pretend to be cold… yes, pretend to be cold. He thought, holding Syra securely in his arms. If I respond to every Goddess who chases me down, I'd never have a moment to myself.
A few men with less-than-innocent thoughts cast envious glances at Nux. Just a handsome, mysterious man, and yet… more popular than me? How does he do it?
Nux's voice, calm and steady, finally cut through the tension. "Girl… it's fine for you to block my path, but if you speak to me like that, then… we will have to talk."
Hera's eyes narrowed, chest rising with rapid breaths. Her small mouth tightened, lips quivering with a mix of anger and humiliation. I'm a saintess, the pride of the Soulforge Citadel… and he dares treat me this way?
"Aren't you afraid of me?"
Nux glanced at her coolly. "Why would I be?"
Her complexion changed instantly, shock and disbelief mingling with a rising flush. He… underestimates me?
"You bastard! This is… too much!"
A flash of spiritual power erupted from her.
Two yellow rings, two purple, and four additional soul rings shimmered around her, spinning with raw, intimidating energy.
The crowd recoiled instinctively, even those at a distance feeling their chests tighten and their heads swim under the pressure. Some staggered back, struggling to breathe, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe.
Hera's body radiated pure, unrestrained power. Nux, calm as ever, observed her with those deep, unreadable eyes, holding Syra close as if she were nothing more than a small pet.
The tension crackled like lightning across the plaza. Every heartbeat seemed amplified.
And Hera, furious yet flustered, stared at him, tail lashing, ears twitching. Her voice trembled with a mixture of indignation and passion.
"Smelly man! You… you're impossible!"
Nux's expression didn't change, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly—an almost imperceptible signal that he was amused.
Around them, whispers swirled like a storm:
"This is unbelievable… the saintess has lost composure."
"That man… who is he? How can he remain so calm?"
"The Citadel has never seen anything like this… it's a disaster waiting to happen."
And yet, even in the eye of this storm, Nux remained an island of control, the soft pink glow of Syra nestled in his arms the only warmth in the cold, electric tension of the plaza.
The dance had begun.