What the hell was Elara Voss planning? With another wave of her hand, over thirty machetes and iron rods went soaring into Kael Voss's black flames.
The metal melted instantly into liquid.
Her purple metal Superpower, like a bright satin ribbon, poured into the molten iron, stirring and purifying it relentlessly.
Not until the molten iron took on a faint purple hue beneath its black surface did Elara start shaping the axe's form.
This axe was nothing like ordinary ones.
Elara's design looked as if two axes had been joined together, their fan-shaped blades spreading out on either side.
The edges were extremely thin—no more than two centimeters thick at the thickest point—shedding the usual bulk of an axe for agility and sharpness.
A protruding diamond-shaped spike jutted out from the center, about half a palm's length beyond the axe head.
The forty-centimeter handle was seamlessly integrated with the rest of the axe.
Most amazing of all, the color faded from deep black at the blade to translucent black at the top of the handle, glowing beautifully in the sunlight!
A thin layer of sweat beaded on Elara's forehead.
Once the axe began to spin slowly in the flames, solidifying its shape, she wiped the sweat away.
Turning to Reno Stark, who'd long been stunned, she smiled. "Well? Anything you don't like or find unsuitable? You might not get another chance like this!"
Reno stared wide-eyed, stammering. "N-no… It's just… it's damn beautiful!"
Kael watched Elara's sweat-glistening, flushed face—she was clearly exhausted.
Surprise stirred in his heart, mixed with a twinge of jealousy.
He frowned abruptly. "That's good enough. I think it's perfect."
Elara admired the axe's smooth lines and unique shape, nodding in satisfaction. "Alright, then I'll stamp the Blaze emblem on it."
"Blaze?" Reno glanced confusedly at his boss.
Kael's eyes stayed fixed on Elara as he briefly explained their earlier decision to Reno.
He told him to start drafting plans for Blaze Legion's recruitment immediately.
He also ordered Reno to inform their men and Dorian Hale, and spread the word around the Safe Zone.
By the time Kael finished, Elara had already stamped the emblem.
With a wave of her hand, the black axe floated over to Reno, who scrambled to catch it.
His excitement at the news of Blaze Legion now reached a new high.
Reno caressed the giant black axe obsessively, his face lit up with disbelief and joy. "This… is this really mine?"
"Of course," Elara smiled. "Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it! Thank you, Miss Elara! Thank you, Boss!"
Reno bowed repeatedly, his eyes red with emotion. "I'll go inform the guys about Blaze Legion right away! Don't worry, Boss—I'll get it done!"
With that, he grabbed the axe and hurried off, full of energy.
Elara smiled and unfolded the list Reno had brought, reading it carefully.
Including Reno and Jax Stark, Kael had only twelve men under him.
Jax and Reno each led five, acting as squad leaders.
Ordinarily, Jax handled external matters while Reno managed internal affairs.
That meant Reno stayed stationed at Champs-Élysées, while Jax led teams to gather supplies outside.
When both squads were present, Reno stayed close to Kael, and Jax was responsible for protecting Mr. and Mrs. Voss.
"Rest for a bit. No rush," Kael said domineeringly, snatching the list away.
With a flip of his hand, he pulled a double sofa out of his spatial storage, pulled Elara down to sit with him, and rested his chin on her shoulder, taking a deep breath.
Elara's faint, cool fragrance filled his nostrils.
He grinned secretly, satisfied.
Elara squirmed uncomfortably, trying to break free.
Kael wrapped his arms tightly around her slender waist, burying his face in her hair, his voice muffled.
"Don't move. Let me hold you for a while…"
Elara stiffened, her ears growing hot.
She wriggled slightly, still unaccustomed to such intimacy. "Let go… Someone might see us!"
"So what?" Kael refused to budge, his large hands clamping around her waist like a vice.
"We're siblings! Who knows what people will think if they see us like this!" Elara snapped, annoyed.
"Let them think whatever they want. Who cares? If anyone dares to gossip, I'll crush them!" Kael said nonchalantly.
"You… Always threatening to crush people. Do you think you're invincible?" Elara huffed.
"I'm not invincible, but I can handle the people around here. Otherwise, how could I be their boss?" Kael nuzzled her neck ingratiatingly, his tone softening despite his usual brashness.
"It still won't do. What if Mom and Dad hear about this…"
Elara frowned, suddenly recalling that dream.
Were the things she'd seen in it real?
"What's the big deal if they see? We're not even blood siblings…" Kael muttered unhappily, his voice low as if he was afraid of being overheard.
He frowned, then reluctantly let her go, as if thinking of something unpleasant.
"What did you just say?" Elara turned sharply, her eyes sharp as a blade, staring at him intently. "You said we're not blood siblings?"
Kael's expression froze, panic flashing across his face. He laughed awkwardly. "You heard wrong…"
"Did I?" Elara stood up.
She glared down at the flustered Kael, her voice cold and sharp, not missing a single flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"Did I?" Elara stood up, glaring down at the flustered Kael, her voice cold and sharp, not missing a single change in his expression. "While I was unconscious, I had a dream. I dreamed that when we were kids, you and Mom and Dad went to Sunshine Orphanage and adopted a little girl named Tongtong as your sister…"
Kael looked up suddenly, staring at Elara in disbelief.
Elara's heart sank—her hunch was correct—but her expression remained calm.
"I also remember that back then, you told Tongtong her name was ugly. You said she was as cute as a marshmallow, so from then on, her name would be Elara—after marshmallows."
Kael stood up abruptly and pulled her into his arms, his body trembling violently, his voice choked with emotion. "You remember everything… I thought you'd never recall it…"
"Why didn't you tell me when I forgot? Letting me misunderstand you for all these years?" Elara hugged him back, her emotions a jumble.
"It's my fault… I didn't take good care of you… Waking up was already a miracle. The doctors said you couldn't be stressed again—your head was injured, and they couldn't guarantee there'd be no after-effects… I'd rather you hated me forever than see you in any danger…"
Kael's voice was hoarse and low, yet it cut through Elara's heart like a sharp knife.
She froze for a long time, closing her eyes as tears streamed down her face.
So this was why Kael never told her the truth, even until his death in her past life!
He was afraid—afraid she couldn't handle the truth and would hurt herself!
And he was right. If Kael had told her about her birth when he was taken to the research institute, or that night before he died, she truly wouldn't have been able to accept it.
She couldn't have believed she wasn't the Voss family's biological daughter!
They loved her so much…
Even when she treated their biological son so poorly, they never showed her the slightest displeasure…
Elara felt her heart being squeezed tightly, the sharp pain making her both sober and grateful.
Finding out now was a blessing. It was better than living another life filled with confusion and conflict.
Kael pulled back slightly, holding her at arm's length, staring at her anxiously. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Elara blinked, then smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. Perfectly fine."
"Really? You're not lying to me?" Kael pressed, unconvinced.
"Really! I'm not lying!" Elara sighed helplessly, a warm sweetness stirring in her heart.
"Then since you know we're not blood siblings… does that mean you'll accept me now?" Kael asked, his voice a mix of hope and urgency, suddenly cupping her chin and pulling her closer.
Their breaths mingled. At this distance, Kael could clearly see her thick, curved eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
Elara turned her face away instinctively, her cheeks suddenly flushing. She hesitated, her voice unsteady.
"I…" She bit her lip, unsure what to say.
Admittedly, she owed Kael a great deal.
She was eager to repay him—even in her past life, she'd known full well his unhidden feelings for her.
Back then, she'd hated him from the start.
But another reason she couldn't accept him? They were blood siblings.
Now, though, the truth was out.
What should she do?
Thoughts raced through Elara's mind, multiple answers popping up at once.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Kael raised an eyebrow, inching even closer—their bodies almost touching.
"If you don't answer, I'll take it as a yes." He grinned, his usual domineering streak flaring up.
Before Elara could object, he captured the lips he'd long coveted.
Elara froze for a moment, then struggled violently. "Mmph… Let go…"
Kael clamped a hand tightly on the back of her head, forcing her lips open, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, dancing with hers.
Elara felt a fire ignite within her, her whole body going weak as if submerged in hot water.
Kael was like a cat that'd gotten the cream.
Not until he felt her breathing grow ragged did he pull away, licking his lips.
He stared at her swollen lips and hazy eyes, a tingling current surging through his body.
"You…!" Elara came to her senses instantly, shoving Kael away angrily, her eyes wide.
This brute—he actually dared…!
With a wave of her hand, she summoned her longsword and lunged at Kael.
Kael jumped back in alarm, cursing under his breath. "Damn it!"
He'd lost control for a split second.
And now he'd pushed her too far!
He was in deep trouble now!
Dodging her attacks, he put on a pleading smile. "Elara, Elara! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Swords are dangerous—you'll hurt yourself!"
"I'll kill you, you brute!"
Elara's face was as red as a cloud, her swollen lips trembling as she swung her sword faster and faster, golden sword light blurring into a single sheet!
"Ah! Elara, stop! You're trying to murder your husband!"
Next Chapter Highlight:
Blaze Legion's recruitment announcement sparks a frenzy! A mysterious Superpower user with a hidden agenda sneaks into the Safe Zone, targeting the newly forged weapons. Just as Elara and Kael's relationship remains tense after the kiss, a horde of Mutated Beasts suddenly launches a ferocious attack on the Safe Zone's gate. Kael is forced to lead his men to fight, while Elara is ambushed by the mysterious intruder! In the chaos, will Kael rush back to save her in time? And how will Elara face Kael after that ruthless kiss—reject him outright, or give in to her tangled feelings?