Demonio del infierno

Capítulo 17

"I believe you will save me again, just like this time!" Gu Xiangning said, turning to look at the boy. "Will you?"

"Well……"

It was a gaze filled with deep expectation and trust. Yuan Peilin could clearly see his own reflection in the girl's eyes. Embarrassed, he touched his neck. "But we only met today..."

"Really?" Gu Xiangning ignored him completely, still staring at the boy with that unsettling gaze.

"...Yes, I will..." It seems there can be no other answer.

"That's good!"

Was it an illusion? The girl in front of Hara was actually shining with a golden-red light.

"Ah! Look! It's the sun! The sun is rising!"

Following Gu Xiangning's eager gaze, Yuan Peilin also looked towards the distant horizon. A bright red sun had already peeked out, slowly, very slowly, leaping into the sky. Their bodies were completely bathed in this new light, a symbol of rebirth, a warmth that came from the depths of their hearts.

Sunrise, a sunrise that brings hope.

---janeadam

Reply [38]: Chapter 2, Episode 1: Wandering

"Phew, it's so cold..."

A boy in a school uniform hunched his shoulders, rubbing his hands together incessantly, hoping to generate some warmth. Although it was only early winter, he already felt a rather chilling cold. He had thought that adding an extra sweater would be enough, but he hadn't expected to be so weak-willed.

It seems that having a supernatural constitution is of no use in keeping warm.

Hara Pei-Lin, seventeen years old, is a transfer student at Sumino Sora Academy. She appears ordinary, but possesses spiritual power and is one of the rarest spiritual beings among humans.

It was peak time for students to leave school, and they poured out of the school gates like a tide, all wearing smiles of relief. Judging from the current situation, the education system still needs reform.

Overall, Yuan Peilin was one of the more relaxed students, with only the occasional cold wind causing slight wrinkles to appear on his forehead.

"Senior."

The voice came from behind Yuan Peilin. Although no surname was added before the common name used on campus, the cold yet gentle tone still made the boy turn his head quickly to search for the owner of the voice.

It must be admitted that whenever you see her, you always have a refreshing feeling. The aura emanating from her slender body is like the surface of a lake covered with a thin layer of ice, faintly exuding a subtle ethereal beauty. Two long strands of hair fall down to her chest, adding to her charm.

"...It's An Xue..."

For a moment, Yuan Peilin was distracted and blurted it out. It was the first time he had ever called someone by their name directly, and he felt a surge of nervousness as he carefully observed his junior's reaction.

Unexpectedly, Qing Lin Anxue didn't seem to care. She gracefully pinched a strand of hair at her side and her voice remained calm.

Let's go together.

Yuan Peilin, the fool, seemed to pause for a moment, then quickly caught up with Qing Lin Anxue and walked alongside her. Soon, bursts of male wails and indistinct curses could be heard from all around.

However, today is of great significance to Yuan Peilin.

Chengzhikong Academy is located in the suburbs of the city, and transportation is not very convenient. It's a ten-minute walk from the school gate to the nearest bus stop. In the past, Hara Peilin had quite a few complaints about this, but now he thinks that the bus stop is indeed much closer.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Tall, sturdy trees line both sides of the road, their leaves already withered and yellow, yet without any signs of decay. At first glance, they resemble golden curtains, creating a particularly romantic atmosphere along the road.

Fallen leaves fluttered in the air, tracing the path of the wind. Even Qing Lin Anxue's long, black hair swayed gently, the tips lightly brushing her cheeks, adding a touch of allure to her otherwise aloof face.

Yuan Peilin's gaze was drawn in, going from clear to blurry, then back to clear, unable to look away. He didn't know if this was what people called "infatuation," but at that moment, the thought "nothing could be more beautiful" truly arose in his mind.

Shouldn't we ask her what she thinks?

"that……"

The two words escaped Yuan Peilin's lips, but he immediately choked up, as if someone had suddenly punched him hard in the stomach.

"What?"

The girl beside him gently turned her gaze to Yuan Peilin's face, shattering his last shred of composure.

"...Aren't you cold?"

This question is so incredibly stupid. Yuan Peilin frantically tried to find a telephone pole, preparing to run into it.

Fortunately, Qing Lin Anxue answered before the poor senior could do that.

"I don't feel that way."

"I see..." Yuan Peilin almost forgot that the Qinglin family members could not possibly be afraid of the cold; on the contrary, they might even feel comfortable.

"And..." Qing Lin Anxue raised her head and looked up at the sky: "I like winter, I like that simple, poignant, and peaceful feeling without any impurities."

“…That really suits you.” Yuan Peilin murmured in response, as if he had been infected by his junior’s emotions.

"So, senior..."

Yuan Peilin finally realized that the girl beside him was conveying something to him.

"I'm so glad I met you; you've helped me so many times." There was something in Qing Lin Anxue's eyes, but it was impossible to read. "Please don't disturb the peace in my heart. Just support me as a respectable senior, okay?"

The junior's voice was gentle yet firm, leaving no room for hesitation.

Yuan Peilin stopped in his tracks without realizing it, his mind blank, unable to process anything. When he regained his senses, Qinglin Anxue was nowhere to be found.

Rejected before she could even speak, Yuan Peilin smiled bitterly, savoring the sudden discomfort, though thankfully it wasn't exactly painful. Another gust of cold wind blew by, a few fallen leaves swirling past her, carrying with them an endless sense of desolation.

On a moving public bus, a young girl gazed out the window, watching the scenery flash by and murmuring to herself.

"There's nothing wrong with doing this..."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

My pleasant mood was completely ruined. I had no patience to wait for the bus, so I decided to slowly walk home.

It's hard to grasp my current emotions; am I relieved, or what? My gut feeling is that I've become one of those down-on-their-luck teenagers you could see anywhere on the street.

I walked onto a secluded path with few pedestrians. On one side was a high stone wall, and on the other side was an unnamed river.

Please don't disturb the peace in my heart...

Qing Lin Anxue's voice echoed in my ears again.

At least, I still have the power to influence her mood, and I can at least salvage some of my self-respect. I wave my hand, shaking off this utterly pointless thought.

That being said, it's quite normal for such words to come from that cold, aloof girl. Otherwise, she wouldn't be Qing Lin Anxue. Let's think about it again…

I'm finally at peace.

Just as her frustration subsided, another strange feeling washed over her. Was she being followed? Yuan Peilin shook her head helplessly, feeling utterly pathetic without her usual composure. Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to have any malicious intent.

The stalker didn't deliberately hide himself; he simply adjusted his pace perfectly, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, to match Yuan Peilin's rhythm.

A very astute person, the boy being followed immediately made a rough assessment.

---janeadam

Reply [39]: There was an automatic redemption machine right by the roadside. Yuan Peilin stopped, took out a few coins, turned around halfway, and said with a half-smile, "What would you like to drink? It's on me."

The voice wasn't loud, but the follower clearly heard it, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his eyes. He was undeniably handsome, the kind of man who could attract many girls' attention, and his personality seemed mature and composed, with a slightly magnetic voice.

"Oolong tea." The follower's lips curled into a smile, then he paused, "Warm it..."

Yuan Peilin nodded, inserted the coins into the vending machine one by one, and then chose two drinks for himself. He casually tossed one of the cans to the handsome stalker.

The atmosphere between the two was completely relaxed and natural, without any of the usual tension, like that of two old friends. The difference was that neither of them intended to speak.

Yuan Peilin sipped her oolong tea, her gaze fixed on the river. Perhaps it was because winter was approaching, but the water was lifeless, with only the ripples created by the wind bringing a touch of life.

A moment later, the warm oolong tea was down my throat. The taste wasn't particularly outstanding, but it was very comforting in the cool breeze.

"Thank you for your hospitality." The stalker turned the empty can upside down to indicate that he had finished drinking.

Yuan Peilin smiled and nodded, knowing that this also meant the end of the break.

Sure enough, the can was flung from the stalker's hand, carrying a powerful force as it slammed straight into the boy's head.

Yuan Peilin turned his head to the side to avoid it. The can traced a downward arc and landed precisely in the trash can with a metallic clanging sound.

"We need to protect the environment..." The stalker casually slipped his hands into his pockets. "Don't you think so, Yuan Peilin?"

Yuan Peilin clearly sensed that the aura emanating from the other person was constantly increasing, but he still tried his best to maintain a relaxed demeanor and replied lightly, "You're really funny."

The last syllable of the word "silent" had barely faded into the air when Yuan Peilin felt the light dim. The stalker was already in front of him, his hand slashing down, the air it stirred up was several times more frigid than a cold wind, almost suffocating the attacked boy.

"Powerful!" The thought flashed through Yuan Peilin's mind, and his body reacted instantly. He half-spun sideways, and the stalker's hand strike missed its mark. He leaped lightly, deflecting the kick that followed. As he landed, he stepped on the stalker's foot, which was still suspended in mid-air, and used the momentum to launch himself into the air again, performing a backflip before landing a short distance away on the ground.

Luckily, Yuan Peilin was secretly sweating. If he hadn't overestimated Yuan Peilin's strength beforehand, he might have been caught off guard. Under that overwhelming aura, he felt quite strained after only a short standoff with Yuan Peilin.

The most troublesome thing is that the opponent doesn't seem to be using their full strength at all. Although Yuan Peilin himself is also holding back, there isn't much room for him to maneuver.

"Clap, clap, clap," the handsome stalker didn't attack again, but instead clapped his hands: "Not bad, not only is your reaction speed fast, but your movements are also very beautiful."

"Excuse me, I dirtied your shoes."

The stalker looked down and saw that there were indeed faint white marks on the shiny black leather shoes. He shook his head nonchalantly and said, "It's okay, it's inevitable when you're exercising..." As he spoke, he flicked his hand at the boy opposite him.

Yuan Peilin instinctively turned his head to dodge, but felt a chill on his cheek as bright red blood slowly dripped from the tiny wound.

What...is this? Without wiping his wound, Yuan Peilin stood frozen in place, his heart filled with unprecedented astonishment. Although the speed was extremely fast, he was certain that what had sprung from the other's fingers was neither a physical object nor spiritual energy.

Air Blade!?

“I can’t release spiritual power directly like you, but I do possess another innate ability.” The tracker raised his hands, a strange light shining on his face. “Be careful.”