Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 119
Chapter 119
Selene
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Without wasting any more time, the two men moved frantically as if afraid I might change my mind. They dug into their pockets with trembling hands and poured a handful of coins inte my palm, their movements rushed and clumsy. I glanced down at the coins, then slowly raised an eyebrow, letting silence to the talking.
They flinched immediately. Panic crossed their faces as they hurriedly emptied their pockets again, turning them inside out to show me there was nothing left, before adding every last coin to the pile in my hand. Only then did I look down properly, weighing the amount with my eyes.
It wasn’t much, certainly nowhere near the gold pouch I had lifed from Yara, but it was acceptable. More than acceptable, actually. The Crimson Pack truly was wealthy; even men like these carried more money than most so-called nobles in other packs.
I slipped the coins into my pouch, the familiar weight settling comfortably against my side. Satisfied, I smiled. “Alright, this will do. I’ll forget this ever happened.” I turned slightly, already preparing to leave, then paused and added casually, “Be good. You don’t have to be bad people. Life is shorter than you think. You should listen to your elders.”
They stared at me, clearly stunned, as if they couldn’t reconcile my words with my appearance. I could tell what they were thinking, why did an eighteen-year-old sound like someone who had already lived an entire lifetime.
I didn’t bother explaining. Some things didn’t need to be said.
I had just taken a step toward the mouth of the alley when one of them spoke again, his voice hesitant. “Wait… please. What’s your name?”
I stopped. My name. There was no chance I would give them that. But when I glanced back at them, I sensed no malice, or lingering intent to harm me, only awe and a little fear. After a brief pause, I gave them a name people had given me in my past lives.
“Just call me Big brother Conqueror,” I said calmly.
One of them blinked. “Big brother… Conqueror?”
I nodded, then I turned away again. “I have to go now. I hope I don’t see you again.”
They bowed deeply behind me. “Goodbye, big brother Conqueror.”
I ignored them and walked out of the alley, the noise of the city welcoming me back as if nothing had happened. I took a deep breath, the tension finally leaving my shoulders, and bounced the pouch of coins in my hand playfully. Taking money from people like them was undeniably satisfying.
I realized then just how much I loved money in this lifetime. After I finished my revenge, after everyone who had played a role in my suffering paid their due, I wanted a quiet, indulgent life. I wanted a huge mansion far away from all of this, where no one could bother me. I would live there with Evelyn and Sila surrounded by comfort, and more wealth than I could ever spend. I would eat, sleep, paint, and exist on my own terms free from schemes, wars, and fate itself.
The smile on my face widened at the thought. But then, without warning, it vanished, and a vision came into my mind.
I saw myself holding a child in my arms, small and warm again my chest, while strong arms wrapped around me from behind. Crimson eyes looked down at me.
My heart skipped violently.
That man.
I clenched my hand around the pouch, my fingers tightening as nease crept into my chest, and without warning, I snapped
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Chapter 119
out of it instantly, my breath catching in my throat as my body froze in place.
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My eyes widened, heart pounding violently against my ribs, and before I could even think, I lifted both hands and slapped them hard against my cheeks. The sharp sting bloomed across my face, it was enough to remind me that I was awake. I
mind. shook my head forcefully, as if I could shake the image right out of my
What the hell was that vision?
Why was I being held by that demon, and worse, why was I carrying a child? A child that looked like the result of the two of us? The thought alone made my stomach twist. I shook my head again, harder this time, refusing to let it settle in my head.
No. That couldn’t possibly be a vision. I must have been imagining things.
Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me because I’d been thinking about tearing into Alpha Damien one too many times lately, because his presence had lodged itself into my thoughts like a curse. But if that were the case, then shouldn’t I have seen myself killing him? Torturing him? Ruining him? Not… that
I waved my hand in front of my face as if physically chasing the lingering image away, irritation flaring in my chest. Mira’s voice was starting to echo too loudly in my head, muddling my thoughts until I could barely focus. This was pointless. I had more important things to worry about. Like getting to the Crimson Warrior Rite before it started.
…But where was it again?
I frowned, glancing around the streets. Maybe I should have asked those two idiots before leaving them groveling in the alley. Just as that thought crossed my mind, someone stepped directly into my path, forcing me to stop short.
I looked up.
The man standing in front of me was tall and broad. His face was partially hidden, shadowed enough that I couldn’t make out his features clearly, but I could feel his gaze moving over me. It felt more like he was assessing me, and weighing something.
I raised an eyebrow.
“What are you doing?” I asked flatly.
He seemed to realize he’d been staring too long, because he smiled apologetically and straightened. “Ah, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to be rude. Actually, I have a group. We’re heading to the Crimson Warrior Rite, and I was wondering if you wanted to follow us.”
I tilted my head slightly, unimpressed. “Why?” I asked. “Do you usually go around asking strangers to follow you?”
He shook his head quickly. “Of course not. It’s just that I saw what you did back there in the alley. As a warrior myself, I can tell how strong you are. It would be a waste if you didn’t go.”
I studied him for a moment, then quietly slipped into his mind. His thoughts surfaced easily. ‘I wonder if he’d show me more of those fist techniques…’
I sighed internally. He wasn’t a bad person, just another battle-obsessed man who lived for strength and sparring. There was no malice, or hidden scheme in his mind, and more importantly I still didn’t know the way to the rite. Following him might actually save me time.
I nodded. “Fine. But don’t misunderstand. We’re not together. Once we get there, we go our separate ways.
I wasn’t about to let my guard down for anyone.
Instead of getting offended, he simply smiled. “Of course. That fair. Please, follow me.”
I walked after him, my senses alert, and soon spotted three other people waiting nearby. All of them turned the moment I
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09:17 Mon, Jan 26 G BB
Chapter 119
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approached, their gazes locking onto me with the same sharp scrutiny. I returned the look without hesitation, silently evaluating them one by one, checking for threats. And then my eyes landed on one man among them.
My heart stuttered, no, it didn’t just stutter, it dropped violently, as if someone had ripped it from my chest for a split second.
My breath caught in my throat.
What the hell…?
Why did he look so familiar?
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