A Waste of Time-Chapter 9: Unquiet Awakening

"Wake up, boss, the food is ready, and it's been more than an hour since you fell asleep."
Ippo's voice rang in his mind. Daemon opened his eyes, then yawned lazily, glancing up at the sun’s angle through the canopy. It was already creeping toward noon.
I don't even understand how it's possible that I'm hungry again... Hey, did you overdo it training while I was asleep?
He massaged his temple while grabbing the cloth bundle that held his trophies. A faint ache still lingered in his limbs — a reminder of the raw power he’d wielded not long ago.
"Of course not! That Battle Frenzy Skill of yours must be the reason. Are you sure you're going to be okay? Want me to come pick you up?" Ippo’s voice sounded genuinely worried, especially when Daemon almost tripped crossing a tangle of tree roots.
"I see you guys handled Ao’s body and prepped the rest of the pheasants. Tell Ru that once I eat, we’re heading to the village. We’ll sell a few pheasants and gift one to my dear mother. It’s about time I sever that string of karma. What better way to repay that debt?"
"May she enjoy the meal. That poor kid Da Niu was treated like he was less than a turd by that woman." Ippo’s blunt reply made Daemon shake his head and sigh inwardly — because it was true. That woman had always been cold and apathetic toward the boy, barely acknowledging him. A flicker of old resentment tightened Daemon’s jaw.
When he reached the shelter, the scent of cooked meat and spice greeted him from afar, and his stomach rumbled loud enough to startle a few birds from a nearby branch.
"Smells good. What’s on the menu for today’s dinner?" He sat next to Jia and asked, noting the improvements — an actual pot and pan this time, and the woman sprinkling salt and spice into the broth.
It wasn’t just roasted meat anymore. Vegetables simmered with the meat inside the pot, which hung over the fire from a steel hook lashed to a sturdy wooden beam.
Ru and Ippo were at the clearing, each with a Sword in hand, dueling fiercely — the clash of steel ringing in crisp counterpoint to the forest’s birdsong.
"It’s a recipe from our hometown. I’m sure young master Daemon will enjoy the taste." Jia shot him a sly smile. "I hope you like spicy food."
Daemon raised an eyebrow, then snorted a laugh. "I see. That’s your unique way of paying me back for what happened between us. Having my anus burst into flames from the inside out isn’t so bad... Just be careful — once I’m grown, I might do the same to you!"
He savored the way Jia’s face went white, then pink as her mind conjured the image. Her lips parted in shock, then twisted into a sharp glare when she realized he was toying with her on purpose. Her eyes narrowed, but a faint flush lingered on her cheeks.
"You’re proving to be a lot for me to handle. Young master Ippo is much more to my liking." Jia tried to regain her composure, puckering her lips as she stirred the pot.
"Of course. He’s pure and simple — the kind that’s easy for an experienced woman like you to handle with just a little street-smarts. Anyway..." Daemon leaned closer, ignoring her glower. "Do you know the use of any of these things?"
He untied the cloth bundle, spreading its contents for her to see — flowers, fruits, and a few precious stones that glowed faintly even under the midday sun.
Jia gave the bundle a distracted glance at first, then froze mid-stir. A heartbeat later her head snapped back, eyes locked on the glow. Her hand, still gripping the ladle, trembled slightly.
"T-this... Y-young master Daemon... W-where did you get all this? D-don’t tell me you robbed some Cultivator on your way back!" Her voice broke on the last word.
Daemon plucked the ladle from her hand and set the bundle firmly in her lap. "Tell me everything. And don’t worry, pretty girl — even if the sky falls, this young master will hold it up for you." He couldn’t resist cupping her pointed chin, tilting her face until her wide eyes met his. His other hand stirred the pot, calm as ever.
Jia stared at him, her lips parting but no words emerging. Her cheeks bloomed red before she snapped her head away with a huff, pretending irritation to hide how easily he’d flustered her.
Instead of arguing, she focused on the bundle in her lap — the dangerous boy’s grin burning at her cheek like a brand.
Hiss—
She sucked in a breath. "Seven stalks of Moon-Leaf Grass... a complete Evil-Eye Flower with five intact petals... two Yellow-Scale Fruits, four Spirit Stones of the Fire Element, three Spirit Stones of the Earth Element, plus one Spirit Stone each for Wind, Water, and Lightning!" She counted each item aloud, her voice quivering. Then her eyes flashed back to Daemon, accusing. "Are you
sure
you didn’t rob these off some Cultivator? And how come a core member of a Great Sect doesn’t even know what these basic Spirit Resources are?"
Daemon’s smile cracked into a scowl. "Who am I supposed to ask? That old geezer refuses to teach us anything until we fulfill his damn task! The only one with a chance to learn anything is too busy fondling tiddies all day and wrestling drop-dead beauties under silk sheets all night. But while they’re stark naked and wrestling like beasts, his third leg is still years too early for any real fun!"
Jia’s face turned scarlet, jaw hanging open. Ru and Ippo both paused mid-duel at the clearing, their Swords dropping a hair lower.
Ru’s lips twitched — but he stayed silent, watching his sister’s ears practically steam.
One way or another, she’ll have to face this reality... At least this brat isn’t forcing her into anything truly shameful,
he reasoned grimly.
A soft
ehm
from Ru brought Jia back to herself. Daemon wasted no time, tapping the bundle with the ladle. "So? Who and how do we use these Spirit Resources?"
Only then did Ru’s eyes fall on the bundle in his sister’s lap — and he, too, froze, wide-eyed.
"T-this—!" He gawked. His breath caught in his throat as disbelief fought reality.
He and Jia had been orphans far too young. As the older brother, Ru had carried her through the grime of the underworld, taking every dirty task that paid enough to keep her safe. His first kill was at twelve — a man who tried to kidnap Jia to sell her into slavery. After that, the list of bodies only grew.
Together they’d spent nearly two decades in shadows — Assassins, Spies, or Thieves for hire across five Kingdoms and four Empires. But never — not once — had they seen so many Spirit Resources gathered in one place. Not like this.
The sheer weight of that truth pressed on both their chests like a stone.
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