Chapter 508 Do You Want Me To Let You Go?

Chapter 508 Do You Want Me To Let You Go?

"Then you will pay for it!" As Bernard lunged forward, his fist aimed with a precision born of years of combat experience, the crowd's collective breath hitched. It seemed an inevitable conclusion, a swift defeat for the brash and crippled newcomer challenging an established veteran. Yet, in a display of agility that belied his earlier casualness, Asher sidestepped with a fluid grace that rendered Bernard's attack not just ineffective but embarrassingly so. In the same motion, Asher's hand snapped out, applying a technique that targeted Bernard's balance and leverage points, twisting him into a vulnerable position.

"What the!!" Bernard cried out in shock, and before the audience could even gasp, Bernard found himself immobilized, his own momentum used against him, before his back was violently smashed against the floor by Asher. He couldn't even get the chance or the time to use his mana since for some reason his mana circuit just seemed to be sluggish.

The hall erupted into a stunned silence, the spectacle leaving them bewildered.

Rachel stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. This was not the Asher she remembered, and yet, it unmistakably was. His prowess had surpassed even her own expectations.

Bernard should have had the advantage in speed, defense and attack even if he wasn't using mana. Yet she was stumped to see that Asher overwhelmed Bernard in at least two of the factors, even if he wasn't that fast compared to Bernard.

It was more than just these three factors since she also saw that Asher read Bernard's move like a veteran before Bernard even finished unleashing his attack which allowed Asher to compensate for his speed.

Just how strong did he become after the quest? If he kept up this pace...he might really have a chance at finishing what he set out to do. But what still made her nervous was that she could never tell what he was thinking and if he might suddenly decide to try and destroy her world.

The only reason she agreed to help him was not only because he had a hold over her but because she also believed in taking down the unworthy Hunters. Since she personally saw him punishing the unworthy ones during the quest and freed Emiko, Yui, and Amelia, she decided to try believing the fact that he wasn't like other demons.

She wanted to see if he could really change things like he claimed and also see if her father had lied about what had happened to Golden Prince. Maybe his ideals and nature were also alien, just like his bloodline, and were not the same as the other bloodthirsty demons who would blindly kill any human in their way...just like the demoness standing behind him.

Rebecca, for her part, managed to retain a semblance of composure, though a flicker of surprise betrayed her expectations. It wasn't the swift takedown that had her caught off guard; it was the method, the utter ease with which Asher had handled Bernard.

Just how skilled was this alien bastard? Previously, she blamed his luck for getting born with a ridiculously strong bloodline that allowed him to get this strong so quick.

Yet seeing him take down someone far more experienced and older without using his mana made her feel like she had still yet to grasp the extent of his true abilities.

Still, she clicked her tongue since he went too easy on this human dog instead of making it a bloodbath. But thinking about it, it was better this way since they had to be careful here, especially her.

She can't afford to get exposed because of him.

—

Rachel, accompanied by Asher and Rebecca, stepped into the sanctuary of her private quarters within the headquarters. Asher looked around at the quarters that spoke of refined taste and luxurious lifestyle, reminding him of the rooms he used to stay in as Golden Prince, though now he only felt disgusted by certain memories he was reminded of.

The room exuded an air of opulence, with plush, deep-pile carpets in a rich shade of ocean blue, complementing the sleek, modern furniture upholstered in soft leather. The walls were adorned with abstract artwork in metallic hues, adding a touch of sophistication and depth to the space.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a panoramic view of the seas afar, bathing the room in natural light during the day and allowing the owner to have a mesmerizing view, making them feel like they were standing on the top of the world.

Asher shot a glance at Rebecca to see if she made sure there was no surveillance inside this quarters since he couldn't say for sure Derek wouldn't try to monitor his daughter's activities.

Rebecca simply harrumphed in response, letting Asher realize he didn't have to worry about that.

And no sooner had the door clicked shut than an unexpected tension filled the air as Rachel took a deep breath and slowly turned around, "Let's tal-"

But she gulped down her initial response when Asher unexpectedly stood before her, his tall frame overshadowing her.

"Ah!" She gasped and had her eyes widen when his strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer still - mere inches separating them. "L-Let me go..." she began hesitantly, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks at his nearness. Those piercing golden eyes bore into hers, igniting sparks within her she couldn't comprehend.

A hushed murmur escaped Asher's lips: "You are ordering your master so casually? Have you forgotten the moments we shared during our quest together? Some of those were quite eye-opening for you, weren't they? So, do you really want me to let you go?" He trailed off, gently tracing her delicate red lips with fiery fingertips that sent shivers down Rachel's spine, leaving her thoughts scrambled and her heart racing.

She didn't know why, but all she could feel was his hot breath tickling her ears and something within her getting drawn towards his heat radiating off him.

This warmth of his heat...Why did it feel so familiar and intoxicating just like 'his'?

"That's what I thought," Asher whispered with a charming smile as he leaned in to taste her lips. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyelids began to close on their own while her hands clutched his shirt as if wanting to push him away, though not letting him go as well.

Meanwhile, Rebecca watched this interaction unfold before her disbelieving eyes. Shock etched across her features, she spluttered indignantly, "Is this some sort of jest?? This human, the WHA's President's own flesh and blood, is YOUR slave?!"

Rebecca couldn't believe that he was hiding such a powerful secret all this time when this secret could have been used in countless ways to put a deep dent in the WHA.