Chapter 24 Artificial Respiration (1/2)

Elva's persistence tormented Zachary. Even though Shadow Pace was a powerful skill that increased his speed, it consumed martial energy. Every minute of using it depleted his martial energy.

'Maybe I should just enter the system, ' Zachary thought. He turned around and found that Elva was still following him. 'If I suddenly vanish, she'll surely get suspicious. What if she stays at the spot and wait for me to reappear? I can't hide in the system forever.' Ultimately, he decided against it.

Zachary soon reached a small pond that reflected moonlight. He thought of an idea and jumped into the pond.

Elva was surprised to see Zachary suddenly disappear. When she arrived at the edge of the pond, she quickly guessed where he went.

”Is he hiding underwater?” Elva murmured to herself and then walked closer to the pond.

A hand suddenly reached out from under the water and grabbed Elva's ankle. The hand dragged her quickly into the water. Her surprise prevented her from doing anything as she sank further into the water.

No matter how powerful she was, she couldn't walk on water.

Another figure came out of the pond. Zachary smirked at her and then said, ”Elva, I do wish to play with you in the water but it is quite late. Let's do this again someday. Enjoy the cold water!” Then he turned around and was about to leave.

”I... Wait... I... I can't... swim...” Elva's face was full of terror as she struggled to stay above the water.

”What do you mean you can't swim? Are you kidding me? You're so powerful and yet you can't swim?” Zachary was skeptical. He thought that it might be Elva's trap—when he reached his hand out to save her, she would grab him and catch him.

However, before he took his first step away, something strange caught his attention. The splashing sound behind him was gone. The pond was silent and the surface of the water started to become still once more.

”She really can't swim. Oh my god!” Zachary wasted no time and jumped back into the pond. A short while later, he saw the sinking figure of Elva, who looked unconscious, small air bubbles escaping from her lips—the last ounces of air in her lungs.

Zachary swam towards her. One arm scooped Elva while the other swept across the water. A few moments later, he managed to reach the surface with her in tow.

They both got out of the pond and onto the bank. Zachary took in huge gulps of air for he almost ran out of breath doing his rescue mission.

There was no movement from Elva at all. Her white clothes were fully soaked, which became transparent and traced the beautiful outline of her body.

But Zachary was in no mood to enjoy Elva's beauty. His mind was occupied by guilt. 'How would I know that she doesn't know how to swim? If anything happens to her, I'm surely the one to blame, ' he pondered.

”Artificial respiration,” Zachary blurted out. Gazing at Elva's pale lips, Zachary licked his own lips involuntarily.

”This is my first kiss since I came to this world. You're the lucky one. Fortunately I performed artificial respiration for other beautiful women in the past. I'm an expert at this,” Zachary muttered