Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Corpse Burning Technique
[đ Shoutout to Muhammad_Jamaluddin & Ruben_Gene_Dangpilen joining patreon. Thank you very much.đ¤]
The silence of the night was broken by the sound of crackling flames, consuming everything in their path.
In mere seconds, all that remained of the bodies had been reduced to nothingânot even ashes were left behind.
"This corpse-burning technique is pretty handy," Hikari muttered to himself, glancing around.
Every trace of the recent bloodshedâscattered clothes, broken bones, even the faintest remnantsâhad vanished in the fire, leaving the forest unnaturally clean.
He also felt something deeper, almost spiritual. The invisible connections binding him to Oga and Yuuta had been severed by the flames.
"So this technique doesnât just incinerate the bodies; it breaks some kind of connection I had with them too," Hikari thought aloud, intrigued by the techniqueâs effects.
"It seems that even if surveillance cameras captured me eliminating Masaru and the others, as long as I burn their bodies, unless I did it in broad daylight or right in front of a police station, suspicion would be greatly reduced."
A slow grin spread across his face. The corpse-burning technique was more practical than heâd anticipatedâlike a power that transcended the physical, reaching into something intangible.
"Well, this saves me a lot of hassle." With that, he walked out of the forest with easy confidence.
Under the light of the moon, his tall figure stretched out into the night, growing fainter with every step.
â
After the hassle-free incineration of those scumbags, Hikari returned to the apartment where Natsuha lived.
Passing by Yukinoâs house, he paused, glancing at the dark windows.
âLooks like sheâs not home tonightâ, he thought, âAfter all, with all the commotion that went on next door, if Yukino-san had been around, she wouldâve definitely made some action.â
With a slight shake of his head, he continued on, finally reaching Natsuhaâs door and knocking lightly.
The door swung open almost instantly, revealing the lovely face of Natsuha, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Without giving Hikari a chance to say anything, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly around the waist as if she wanted to melt right into him.
"Hikari-kun, please... just hold me," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with a fragile need.
Feeling her warmth pressed against him, Hikari wasnât heartless enough to push her away. He knew how terrified she must have been after everything that had happened at her place tonight. After all, she was still a high school girl, not some kind of unbreakable superhero.
So he placed a comforting hand on her smooth back, patting gently.
Feeling the warmth of Hikariâs embrace and his reassuring touch, Natsuha finally began to relax, her heart calming down from the nightâs ordeal.
After a moment, she pulled away, her face redder than before but with her gaze steady on his. "Thank you for saving me again today, Hikari-kun... Let me make you a cup of milk tea, okay?"
Hikari took a quick glance inside the apartment. The walls were cracked, the furniture overturnedâit was a disaster zone. Shaking his head, he said, "Thereâs no way you can make anything here. The place is a wreck. Not to mention you canât even study or sleep here tonight."
"Letâs just go to a hotel for the night."
Natsuha glanced back at the mess and nodded, cheeks tinged pink as she softly took his sleeve. "Alright... Iâll do as you say."
Hikari knew her nerves must still be frazzled, so he didnât hesitate to lead her out of the apartment and find a nearby hotel for the night.
â
In the suite, Hikari sat on the bed, reviewing the points heâd earned from his Pure Love System. Natsuha, meanwhile, had headed straight for the bathroomâprobably needing a hot shower to shake off the shock left by Ogaâs gang.
He thought it might be good to talk things out once she was out, just to make sure she wouldnât be haunted by what had happened.
While he waited, he took a look at the points heâd accumulated from todayâs encounters.
âNot counting the 500 points from Natsuha, just taking down Masaru and his gang of delinquents netted me almost another 500 points.â
âAnd with the âbonusâ from Natsuha, I actually crossed a thousand points in my Pure Love Points.â
Hikari could hardly believe itâheâd hit the jackpot tonight.
The thought of spinning the systemâs prize wheel crossed his mind, but before he could start, he heard the soft creak of the bathroom door.
Natsuha came out, wrapped in nothing but a towel, her hair still wet and draped over her shoulders, looking so stunningly beautiful that Hikari had to pause and take in the sight.
The thin towel barely managed to cover her figure, and he couldnât help but feel that her curves were almost unfairly tempting.
Looking at how her towel clung, barely containing her figure, Hikari fought the urge to voice a complaintââhow could someone have a figure like that?â
Under his gaze, Natsuha did something unexpected. Instead of shying away or blushing furiously like she usually would, she squared her shoulders slightly, holding his gaze without a hint of embarrassment.
Surprised, Hikari glanced up at her face and noticed that while her cheeks were flushed, her eyes held his with a steady determination.
âWell, look at thatâwhen did this little wallflower suddenly become so bold?â
"Hikari-kun!"
Before he could react, she had closed the distance between them, her scent filling his senses as she pressed herself against him.
A moment later, her soft lips met his.
Caught off guard, Hikariâs eyes widened as he looked at her, inches away, eyes closed, lashes fluttering. Her face was smooth and flawless, like the most exquisite piece of art.
Yes, heâd saved her tonight, âbut this... isnât this a bit too... forward?â
After a moment, it was Natsuha who pulled away, her face now flushed as she took a breath. Hikari gently grasped her shoulders, steadying her as she caught her breath.
"What was that for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Natsuhaâs eyes softened, and she lowered her gaze slightly, murmuring, "To thank you. Today, Hikari-kun, you saved my life... I wanted to show my gratitude."
And before he could say anything, she continued, "But... itâs not just about gratitude. I... Iâve wanted to tell you for a while now. I... I like you, Hikari-kun."
Her voice grew softer, but her resolve didnât waver. "I like you so much that Iâm ready to give everything... everything that I am, to you."
Hikari stared at her, his mind spinning. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Iâm certain. Every word is from my heart."
âââââââââââââ
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
𼰠Support the translation and help me grow.đ¤
Read upto 20 Extra Chapter in Patreon
Comments
Comment Rules
Please read and follow these rules before posting a comment. By submitting a comment, you agree to comply with all applicable rules below.
Site administrators and editors reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove comments.
The following activities are strictly prohibited in comments and reviews:
Such comments will not make updates arrive faster. If a new chapter is available to us, we will publish it. If it has not been published, it means that we do not have it yet.
Do not flood the comment section by posting multiple consecutive comments. You may edit your previous comment to add more information, or include everything you want to say in a single comment.
Users who violate these rules may receive a warning. Repeated or serious violations may result in a temporary or permanent suspension of commenting privileges.
Commenting Suspended