Chapter 31: Dreaming of the Past

Puchi!

Thud!

[ Skill+5%]

[20 Gold coins]

[Level up]

The crimson goblin's body hit the ground as these notifications echoed through the air.

Noah stared at the lifeless form of the red-skinned goblin before him.

He let out a sigh, tending to his bruised cheek.

Sitting on the ground, he didn't care about his current condition.

Luckily, the level-up had washed away most of his fatigue.

Suddenly, another notification chimed.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have earned the title: Goblin Slayer!]

"Yes!" Noah cheered, raising a victorious hand in excitement.

[Ding! Mission completed]

[5000 silver coins earned]

Additional reward:

A special discount coupon: Valid only on promotional days!

[Current silver coins: 5160 silver coins!]

The system even displayed his total coin count.

"Hurrah!"

Noah jumped to his feet like a child in a toy store. He couldn't contain his excitement, feeling deserving of a rewarding prize after his hard work.

Noah decided it was time to head back, but first, he wanted to test out his exclusive skill, 'The Seal of Death!'

He quickly found his next target and cast the Seal of Death on the enemy. An invisible skull appeared above the target's head, and as described in the skill's description, Noah was able to effortlessly eliminate the enemy due to the skill's debuff. He was certain there was more to this skill, but he postponed exploring it further for now. It was time for him to return.

After spending over five hours in the tower, Noah made his way back.

°°°

The night descended upon the world, draped in a cloak of midnight velvet, guided by the stars under the shimmer of a full moon. As the colors of the day slumbered, dreaming of tomorrow, the hillside transformed into a monochromatic tapestry, with shapes that formed an ever-changing, ever-present puzzle, where questions and answers merged. On this night, all beings became one, from rocks to plants to animals, united in the promise of life awaiting the sun's return.

Late into the night, Noah, lost in slumber, found himself drifting into memories he wished he hadn't recalled.

They floated across the still pond. Noah dipped his hand into the crystal-clear water, watching the ripples expand from his fingertips.

He gazed up at Lilith, her long white hair dancing in the breeze as she steered the boat. Her dark brown eyes squinted against the wind. She looked so beautiful with the wind tousling her hair, he thought.

The boat glided across the calm water, disturbing the delicate pink cherry blossom petals that adorned its surface. When the pond was tranquil, it resembled a sheet of glass. But when a motorboat sped through, walls of glistening white water surged from its sides, splashing everyone on board.

Noah and Lilith laughed, their eyes meeting amidst the flying water droplets. Noah couldn't help but notice the liveliness and joy in her laughter.

Lilith was just like that pond. At first glance, she seemed cool and calm, but as soon as you explored deeper, more layers were revealed, just like the pond's hidden depths.

The pond was beautiful, sometimes serene and quiet, sometimes vibrant and energetic. But always astonishing.

The boat gradually came to a stop, and Noah watched as a flock of Canada geese flew overhead, their honking filling the air.

He was surprised to see them flying in formation at this time of year. Noah pondered where they were headed and where they had come from.

Then, the geese disappeared from his view.

Suddenly self-conscious and unsure where to direct his gaze, Noah fidgeted with his clothes, feeling Lilith's eyes on him. He looked up, and his cheeks flushed.

Lilith looked enchanting with the glistening water droplets in her hair. But she was smiling at him, so Noah smiled back.

"This is amazing," he sighed contentedly.

Lilith chuckled and replied, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. We should do this again sometime."

"Yes," Noah breathed, already imagining what their next adventure on the pond would be like.

°°°

The scene shifted to another memory.

~The air outside was warm, and red and orange leaves danced gracefully in the breeze. Twigs scattered across the parking lot of the high school, while translucent clouds floated lazily in the vast blue sky above. People hurried down the sidewalk, eager to reach the fall festival.

Inside a beautiful red brick house, Lilith was getting ready for another day of school. Her red sheets lay in a tangled mess on her bed. She pulled her long white hair out from under her black and gray checkered hoodie, then frowned as she examined herself in the mirror. She applied a light shade of purple eyeliner and slipped into a pair of slightly baggy jeans. She noticed they were her childhood jeans, but shrugged it off and completed her outfit with black high-top Converse.

On her way out, Lilith grabbed her skateboard. The bottom of the board displayed a hand-drawn dragon skeleton against a black and purple background. She held the skateboard in her hand and stepped outside.

Across the street, Noah was scribbling on his wrist with a Sharpie, looking hurried.

Lilith dashed across the road, hiding a present behind her back.

"Hey, cutie," she greeted him with a half-smile, gazing up into Noah's golden eyes. Her own amber eyes seemed dull in comparison. Noah quickly tucked away the Sharpie and smiled back.

"Good morning, Lilith." He leaned in, melting into her embrace. Pulling away, Noah planted a light kiss on her lips.

"Happy Autumn."

He chuckled and placed his hands on Lilith's shoulders, angling his wrist so she could read the poem he had just written.

Lilith pretended not to notice, but she knew Noah wasn't one to spend a lot of time on gifts.

"Roses may be red,

And violets are surely blue,

But no flower poem,

Can express my feelings for you."

Lilith remained silent, observing Noah's innate romanticism. He continued.

"I know we're young,

So I can't propose,

Instead of a ring,

I present you with this rose."

From his sleeve, Noah produced a beautiful red rose. Lilith accepted it with a smile.

"Aww, you're so sweet." She gave him a quick kiss.

"It's definitely better than what I got you."

She slowly revealed the skateboard from behind her back, proudly displaying the dragon drawing.

"I drew it myself." Her smile was a little forced, but it was a smile nonetheless.

"It's magnificent." Noah took the skateboard, suddenly feeling guilty for not putting much effort into his own gift.

He admired her artwork.

"I love it."

Noah embraced Lilith for a few seconds, inhaling the scent of her pomegranate perfume. He pulled back and noticed her jeans, laughing.

"Again?"

"You were the one who left them," Lilith pointed out with an expressionless face but you could feel her happiness. She then took his hand, and they headed off to school, dressed in matching shades of black and gray.

°°°

"Huff! Huff!" Noah suddenly awoke, breathing heavily. He frowned, displeased with the dream that had resurfaced from his past.

"Damn! Why am I dreaming of something so embarrassing? That was the past, the young Noah is no more. I'm an adult now." Noah declared, attempting to convince himself.

He tried to push the memories out of his mind and go back to sleep. Meanwhile, in another dorm room, in the girls' dormitory, a certain white-haired woman was also dreaming, no calling this a nightmare would be more fitting.