Chapter 26 Silent Ascension

Chapter 26 Silent Ascension
The sun over Noctaria didn’t just rise; it slammed down upon the city like a brutal reminder of the social hierarchy. Eric woke with a start, not from a nightmare, but because his senses—now heightened by the System—had become a curse in this dilapidated neighborhood. Through walls as thin as paper, he heard everything: the incessant chatter of the woman upstairs, the metallic screech of the monorail three blocks away, and the electric hum of the train lines passing behind his building.

Every sound struck his skull like a hammer on an anvil. It was the price of his new nature. He realized, with icy clarity, that he could no longer endure this hovel for much longer. He needed a sanctuary worthy of his bloodline.

He rubbed his eyes slowly, yawning as he sat on the edge of a sofa whose grime seemed etched into the very history of the city.

"Is this why Catherine lives in such an apartment?"

The question echoed in his mind, his thoughts lingering on the distant sounds of the city coming to life. It had only been a few hours since he arrived home, yet his body vibrated with a terrifying vitality. In the past, it took him 11 hours of sleep just to feel functional. Today, after an extremely short night, he felt amazing, better than sleeping an entire day.

Eric stood and stretched. A dull crack, like a branch snapping, echoed through his vertebrae. His muscles, denser and more defined than yesterday, traced under his skin with anatomical precision. He checked his phone. Notifications were piling up: the deliveries from Obsidian Luxury were on their way. A new bed for him, another for his father, Gilbert, and a series of comfort items he would never have dared look at a few months ago.

"Thankfully, Alexis paid extra for them to handle everything: installation and removal of the old debris," he thought, smiling at the idea of the beautiful woman from Obsidian Luxury and wondering if he should get her help when buying things for his new apartment.

"Oh... dad, you didn’t message after that single 'good job'? Damn old man, tell me you are doing well from time to time!"

After spending the next 3 minutes checking his notifications and sending a quick message to Gilbert, Eric spent the next 63 minutes cleaning and tidying his apartment. He was not the kind to keep a messy home, but he couldn’t allow a guest to enter without cleaning the place first. Not to mention, the old furniture and fridge were older than 13 years and looked horrible even after he scrubbed them twice.

"Well, can’t help that…" Eric then heard a woman’s voice from outside the window and realized it was her.

"Where is it… um… Oh? That’s it! Let’s give him a call; though he spent so much, why does he live in such a rundown place? Maybe he’s only just come into money and is yet to grow… I should try to become friends with him, at least."

The voice came from the beautiful blonde, Alexis. She had come here to drop off the last few items Eric needed, though he knew this and didn’t rush to the door.

"No, no… I can’t do that. What if he isn’t there? Let’s call!"

A moment of silence as he watched her from the window, amused while drinking an iced coffee.

Brrr! Brrr!

Eric’s phone began to ring while he watched her paint her lips with more gloss, adjusting her neat blouse to show her explosive cleavage and push it up further. However, she wanted to become friends. Alexis wouldn’t mind something more, though Eric knew he would never date her—there was already too much bullshit in his life. Though maybe he wouldn’t be against a one-off thing, he believed that would be unlikely.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Mr. Eric? It’s Alexis from Obsidian Luxury. You asked me to help arrange your furniture and various insurance documents, and I have brought them to your apartment. By chance, are you free right now?"

While she was speaking, Eric pressed the buzzer and unlocked the door, though he didn’t change his clothes and instead sat on a spare chair because the enormous truck arrived to pick up and deliver his new things. He could hear them mention his name from their cockpit.

"Ah, the door is unlocked. I will be waiting here."

He ended the call and waited, watching as she stepped inside the building, wearing a short white skirt and a large black shirt.

"Well, she really is going for a powerful impact… a tiny bit smaller and less volume than Catherine, bigger than Naya… not bad."

A minute later, Eric could see her stepping out of the elevator and into the corridor, her long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail with a fringe hanging down her face, though the smile she had made her appear innocent and sexy.

\[Notes: Desperate to rise with the help of her newest customer, interested in his wild charm, but understands he doesn’t seem interested in her that way. Decided to settle for a friendship or business partnership and earn his trust. After his rejection, she realized she should value herself more and swore never to act in such an unfitting manner.\]

Alexis walked towards his door and knocked twice, her small knuckles tapping lightly on the wooden surface. Although the place was horrible, with dirty and rusted walls, the paint peeling off the ceiling, and a strong smell of moss, Alexis’s heart skipped a beat when Eric opened the door, wearing nothing but a pair of tight black shorts.

"Come inside, sorry. I only just woke up and didn’t dress properly."

"Ahem, it’s fine; you are the owner and can wear what you like."

Although she was struggling to hide her burning desire, her eyes lingered on him until the moment he turned away. The scent of Eric was different from two days ago; now it was like Naya’s pheromones, and in such a high density, it made her feel dizzy with the delightful scent.

"I can hear her little heart racing," Eric laughed in his head as he led her to the kitchen table because he had cleaned it spotless. However, he didn’t offer her a drink and instead stood by the counter, leaning back and watching her place the paperwork and a large bag of items on the table.

"If you want a drink, there’s tea and iced coffee in the fridge; feel free to take what you want, Alexis."

"Oh? It’s cold; did you buy these recently, or did you make them?"

"I made them myself; the beans are my dad’s favorite, so I practiced over the past 13 years on them. How? They’re not bad, Right?"

"Wow, they taste great. It’s sweet and fresh… and refreshing, the taste can easily be those new coffee drinks from Nebula Dynamics!

"Haha, calm down. Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Oh, no, no, no. I’m not lying! These are really good!"

Eric smirked, "I know, I was joking with you."

The doorbell sounded; Alexis froze in the middle of drinking because the deliverymen all waved at her.

"Oh, the furniture is here."

Eric’s calm voice made her nervous. "Can you open the door and let them in for me? They are taking most of our old stuff; I replaced it all for Gilbert; since he refuses to move, I’ll make this place nice before I leave."

"Wait, he’s moving?" Her thoughts were all over the place, her chest tightening, though Eric pretended he didn’t notice and continued messing around in his room while she finally sighed and walked to the door, closing the top buttons of her shirt.

"Are you Mrs. Vance?"

"Huh? No, no, I’m just a friend helping him."

"Oh, well, we are here to dispose of these items and replace them with the ones purchased. Can you confirm and allow us to enter the premises?"

Sarah looked at them for a moment. "May I see your identification first, just in case?"

"This girl..." Eric could only laugh, surprised by her intelligence. He would have to thank her for her caution.

"Sure, I’ll show you."

While they were taking out their identification cards, Eric put on a t-shirt and then left his room and entered the hallway, smiling at Alexis as he stepped between her and the delivery men. "Let me see, I’ll sign; otherwise, the poor girl might die of stress. Cheers, you’re free to enter, thanks."

He signed and then smiled. Eric’s smile was dazzling, causing the man to feel slightly jealous.

"Alexis, let’s talk about something I wanted your help with in the kitchen," Eric added, his hand wrapping around her waist as they left the room.

\[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION\]

Strength: 51 (+12)

Intimidation: 61 (+11)

Black Fang Reputation: 33 (+13)

Status: Ascendant Alpha