Chapter 119: The Idyllic Painting (1/2)

A few minutes ago.

While Gavin was trying to think of ways to take Joshua, Nico was also with his own problems.

As he continued fighting against Dean Forst, they engaged in a conversation.

”Life is full of problems,” mused Dean.

Being the one at the upper hand, he was comfortable, enough to start a conversation.

”Huh?” replied Nico, who did not understand why Dean abruptly said that.

Dean flashed his sword at Nico, but the latter continued blocking.

He could only block. He couldn't achieve what he did to kill the zombie.

”Life is the problem. As long as you are alive, you are schemed against by the world. You don't even have to do anything,” Dean voiced out his opinion.

Just like Nico, who still wasn't aware of his situation, Dean had also received his own ”epiphany”.

He since then acted on it, which lead him to where he was now.

Nico frowned his brows at Dean, ”So, is that why you are doing this?”

”No, it was my destiny as my father's child,” Dean cackled at Nico's words.

Dean was a genius.

He was synonymous with the star who shined bright for all to see. Hence, his title as one of the Aztec's Four Star.

However, it wasn't all fortuitous in his life.

Contrary to what people thought, he wasn't proud at home.

He was a slave to his father, who took upon himself the mission to nurture a ”fine young lad”.

His father would go through all lengths to achieve his goal, and it even became more violent when his mother died.

Thinking of what he had to endure to come here, Dean wildly laughed and confessed, ”Do you know I have always hated you? The boy, that wasn't particularly strong but was able to smile so bright. I have watched you for quite some time now. That intense positivity you give because you have not lost anything--”

Deciding he had had his fun with Nico, he began to transform!

Amid his transformation, he mocked his adversary, ”--My hate then turned to envy, a soft kind of envy. How can someone be so fortunate in life? I will use my hands to destroy that constant smile on your face!”

By the time he was done with his transformation, his words changed to snarls and he jumped at Nico.

................

Meanwhile, Nico was having his own dilemma.

'Strange…..,' he thought.

He felt something

It was like there was something crawling on his body, but his hands couldn't reach it.

Again, he internally mused, 'Strange.'

Listening to Dean's words, Nico expected himself to feel something….or at least to understand, but he didn't!

Instead, his reaction was to be amused.

He found it funny and was tempted to laugh along with Dean.

However, his last bit of sanity kept him in check.

Plus, the punch coming from a transformed Dean stopped him from having any unnecessary thoughts!

*Whoosh!*

Despite the attack being insanely faster than him, Nico predicted it beforehand and swiftly ducked.

He had managed to recharge his energy reserve to half its capacity and was now able to augment his physical attributes with his [Spirit Essence].

Nico kept his energy consumption at a minimum and opted to continue evading.

This was an unimaginable feat in itself, as Dean was one of the fastest individuals among the younger generation.

Being able to evade his attack was something worthy of praise.

However, it was a shame Nico couldn't keep up this feat.

In one attack, Dean fainted a claw swipe and kicked him in the guts, with his toenails, 3hich had protruded out of his shoe.

When he drew back his leg, blood gushed out of Nico's stomach, but the latter didn't fall as expected.

His reaction was completely normal as if he wasn't injured.

Even Nico questioned himself, 'What is happening to me?'