University's building is basically inside the city, so it only takes a few minutes to reach the central area. It's Friday afternoon so the market is not as crowded as it is on the weekend. I invite him to have lunch before we stroll the area.
"Do you have somewhere you want to visit?" I asked him while paying for our lunch. "Not really," Caden replied, picking up the business card on the counter before we walked out.
"It's delicious, we don't have something similar in the North?" he asked. "I'm glad you like it, sadly we don't," I answered. The restaurant where we ate our lunch is relatively new, offering menus that can't be found anywhere else. He just nodded and follow me behind.
We start to walk nearby. I led him to the market area where most stores gathered. I first walk slightly in front but then Caden starts to take interest and walk ahead of me. Most of the time, he only windows shopping, getting interested in several stores, and trying to peek inside to see what they offer. Sometimes, he goes in to see products sold in closer looks. I smiled every time he suddenly halts and asks me to explain to him the products that the store is selling.
We spend quite a long time in the bookstores, where he goes shelves by shelves, picking and putting out the books before he grabs some and brings it to the counter. "What did you buy?" I asked, peeking inside the paper bag that the shopkeeper prepared. "Just random books and some stationary," Caden answered, picking the bag and walking outside.
"By the way, I've been curious about this," he started as we continue strolling down. "Are there some kind of online marketplace?"
"Online marketplace?" I asked, unfamiliar with the term.
"You know. a site where you can buy things through your computer and get it delivered?" he explained briefly.
Huh? What a unique idea, but... "Who's lazy enough to shop like that?" I said. Caden only shrugged and continued walking in front.
We spend the rest of our walks visiting a few more stores. Caden doesn't buy anything else, but he spends quite some time in an antique shop where he took interest in an old typewriter. Afterward, he said he already tired and asked for a cafe to take rest. We spent the rest of the afternoon inside the cafe where he slowly gulped down his cold latte.
"Let's head back, Darren," Caden said after finishing his drink. "I haven't finished packing my belongings and we need to have dinner."
I look at my watch. "I have one last place I want to show you," I said. Caden raise his eyebrow, asking for detail but I just gave him a smile and hold his hand towards our destination.
We reach our destination after a good thirty minutes of hiking from the ground. Caden silently walks beside me, able to catch up pretty well, but I sense a little annoyance as he needs to carry the books. I offer my help to bring the bag but he kindly rejects it, saying that he needs to take responsibility for the things he bought.
Reaching the peak, the scenery of the whole capital city warmly greets us. Glittered with the gold color of the evening's sun, making it look more mesmerizing. The breeze of wind from this higher place soothes the tiredness before.
"At least it is worth the effort," Caden said as he put down the bag and enjoyed the view beside me. This small park on the hill where I can see the beautiful landmark of the city from the above is very quiet. I encountered this place by accident when I was young and it has always been my secret comfort place here in the capital. As this place is very secluded, currently, it is only us around.
Caden pulls out a notebook and a pen, then starts writing and drawing on it. I let him be unbothered while enjoying the sight of his beauty all by myself. The breezy wind makes his soft hair dance. His eyes focus on the scenery before he looks down and continues writing in his notebook. I enjoy this silent space until the sun is almost set. I should spend more time with him like this.
A sound of steps approaching interfere with the silence.
I turned around and found five men cautiously coming out from the shadow, surrounding us. They all dress in black, wearing a black mask, only showing their eyes. All of them holding knives or daggers in their hands.
Assassins? Shit! Why now of all time? It's not an unusual sight for people wanting to take my life. As the current head of Sealgair's house, it is bound to happen. It's just very annoying to me that they have to come on my rare date. Caden realized my sudden movement and now has also turned around to face them.
"No heart feeling, but we've been paid to kill you," one of the men said so.
I drew my own hand dagger from the sleeve hidden inside my casual suit and walked in front of Caden, feeling bad that he caught up to my problems. "Let's see you trying," I said and immediately started attacking.
I disabled the man closest to us and rapidly continued slashing the one who came after me. I stuck them in the most vital point, easily knocking them down one by one. Two down. I dash towards the third person. He manages to block my attack but it left his other side wide open. I change my handle and attack him with my other hand. After I cut the third one, a fast knife was thrown at me. I manage to avoid by slightest, giving me the position of the source. Still in the shooting distance! I throw my dagger to the fourth assassin who comes at me while pulling the gun and pointing it to the tree, then pull the trigger. A loud bang was heard, followed by a sight of a body falling from it. I walk slowly, pulling the dagger from the body of the fourth assassin who already left unconscious.
Who tries to hire these unskilled people? I grumbled down. Their level is nowhere near what I used to deal with.
"Stop right there if you don't want him to be hurt!"
I turn back and see a man holding a knife on Caden's neck. The sharp edge is closed enough to injure him if he moves the slightest. I immediately got angry and scared at the same time. The fear of Caden getting injured halts my movement but I still hold both my dagger and gun.
Looking towards them, I found a small area where I can hurt the man. I point the gun towards him, ready to aim but he sneakily moves behind Caden and tightens his grip. He manages to make Caden his shield against my gun.
"Don't try anything funny! Drop your weapon before I hurt him!" he shouted. Such a cowardly move yet I can't do anything now. From their position, even with a precise aim, I would definitely injure Caden if I shoot him.
Seeing I don't lower down, his knife was pushed harder to Caden's skin and blood started to run down from the slice on his neck. "Drop it now!"
My body trembles but I have no choice but to back off for now. I slowly kneel down to put my sword and gun. I can't let him hurt Caden even more! It won't be hard to kill a man like him, but I have to ensure Caden's safety first.
"Arrrgh!!!"
The sound of scream brought my head up. There, I saw blood burst out from the man tight where a short thin object sticking out from it. Caden's hand is on that object and when he pulls it out, making another scream of pain from that man, I notice it was the pen that he used before. Caden snatched the knife from the man's loose grip as he bent down to hold his tight. He slipped out, turned his body facing the man, and stabbed him in his neck, with the same pen that he used before. Another stream of blood gushing out from the man's neck, spoiling the surrounding with the red fluid. The man gapping and coughing blood before he fell down in the ground. Unmoved.
Caden looked up my way and I got a chill down my spines. His bloodlust is overflowing. Without warning, Caden dash at me, picking the gun that laid there and pointing it at me. A loud bang was heard and my ear rang from the sudden loud noise nearby. I reflexively close it to subdue the sound, while looking over my shoulder to see what he aims for. A body fell not far behind me, with a knife on his chest and a bullet in the middle of his forehead.
"There's one escape. Should we catch him?" Caden asked, narrowing his eyes towards the bush of trees above.
I got my sense back from my shocked state. Slowly stood up, picking my dagger, trying to look composed. I know Caden has good combat skills, I've seen it from his practice before. But this time is so different. His movement is too unpredictable and seems like it only depends on his muscle memories. I can only feel pure brutality. He looks emotionless when taking the first man's life. At that time, he looks no different than those assassins. Or even worse. A killer looking for his prey.
"Caden, what was that?" I asked slowly.
Caden looking back at me with a questioning looks. "What? Those men are still alive if you want to interrogate," he said, pointing to the people I knocked down. He sounds like he is trying to justify his action of killing the other two.
Looking at him, I can feel some bloodlust linger from him. He's not satisfied. I can't worsen the situation. "Just stay close, I'll call people to come and catch him," I asked. Caden seems unsatisfied, but he does as I said. He gave my gun back and just stayed quiet while I handled the rest.
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