His sharp gaze had caught on the worn knife in Noel’s hand — and he already felt something from it.
But Noel didn’t stop. He walked on, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
Irritation flickered in Gavin’s eyes. He stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Noel’s shoulder.
"Did you not hear me?" he asked, louder now.
And Noel finally turned to face him. A faint smile rose on his lips as he said, "Sorry. I didn’t think you were talking to me."
His eyes, calm and unreadable, settled on Gavin’s hand. And just like that, Gavin flinched. He withdrew his hand without thinking.
’What the hell? Why did I back off?’
He scowled, trying to remind himself — that this guy was just an ordinary person. Nothing to be afraid of.
And yet, his irritation only deepened.
"I like that knife," he said, his voice low, tight with contempt. "How about you hand it over?"
He stared hard at Noel, waiting.
But then, something else struck him.
Why is he this good-looking?
Gavin’s mood soured further. Even in the Hidden Society, he couldn’t recall meeting anyone with this kind of presence. It gnawed at him.
"No can do, brother," Noel said, his smile steady.
Now that Gavin was closer, Noel could get a better read. Oddly enough, he didn’t sense much danger from him.
And even if he did — it wouldn’t have mattered.
Still, without that threat, he felt more at ease. More willing to ignore the nonsense being thrown his way.
Gavin didn’t press the matter. He simply smiled sinisterly.
In his mind, the fate of the idiot who had refused him was already sealed.
And Noel, either unaware of that intent... or just not caring, stepped past him without pause.
He walked up to the counter, paid for the broken relic, and then made his way outside.
He could feel it — the man followed right after him.
But Noel didn’t panic.
He didn’t quicken his pace, didn’t look back, and didn’t lose his calm.
A smile that showed his white teeth, while his eyes gleamed with a dangerous, growing light.
And with steps unhurried, he walked straight toward a narrow, empty alley.
Everyone that had come for him so far, inside the simulation, had been beyond his reach.
Strong individuals. Ones he hadn’t yet been able to properly face.
So now — someone ? Someone so small?
A nobody, who didn’t even know his place?
Noel’s pride... his arrogance, long quiet, now began to stir awake.
And his presence, his aura — it started to ripple with something darker, something wilder.
But Gavin, unable to sense that shift, and believing the moment already under his control, grinned and called out, "Stop right there."
He stared at Noel, who turned his head just slightly, wearing that same smile as before.
"You... you knew you were being followed, right? Yet you still came here, to an empty place?"
"I can’t?" Noel said casually.
That made Gavin laugh — loud and hard.
It didn’t occur to him that anything was off about being noticed. He hadn’t even tried to stay hidden, after all.
"You into some self-defense crap or something? That why you’re acting so brave?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
His gaze was sharp with mockery — the gaze of someone staring at prey.
Just a small, helpless thing that dared to struggle before being toyed with... then crushed.
But Noel didn’t mind that.
And he didn’t care for the man’s words either.
Instead, he just said what was on his mind — the truth buried deep in his heart, spoken to someone who was already as good as dead.
"You know," Noel began, calm, almost casual, "I’ve been building up a lot of stress lately. Way too much."
He tilted his head slightly, that same faint smile playing on his lips.
"So you showing up?" he continued. "You really came at the perfect time."
He stepped forward — slow, deliberate.
"I want to vent a little," he said. "And you’re going to help me with that."
Then, quieter — almost sincere:
"So please... don’t die too quickly."
Gavin’s face twitched.
There was something in Noel’s voice — that insolent calm, that quiet confidence — that unsettled him.
And so, he was going to reply, to throw something back, to reassert control of the situation.
He needed to win — not just the fight, but the exchange. The conversation, too.
Those were his thoughts. But Noel had already lost interest in talking.
He calmly set the bag of antique items to the ground — and in the same breath, stomped the earth beneath him.
A loud crack rang out. Dust scattered.
And in a speed, no ordinary person could match, Noel shot himself, at Gavin.
Finally, Gavin’s expression changed.
Only now did he understand.
The one he had picked a fight with... wasn’t just anyone.
He was Awakened, the same as him.
His instincts kicked in. He flung up his hand — fast — and in a blur, a mirror-like barrier materialized in front of him.
Noel’s punch collided — not with Gavin’s body, but the barrier.
Glass rippled. The alley air trembled.
Gavin staggered back, boots scraping against the ground.
Noel felt the recoil bite into his arm — like part of the impact was turned against him.
But he didn’t pull back. He simply clenched his fist tighter... and pushed.
The half-formed barrier fractured.
And his knuckles drove straight into Gavin’s abdomen.
Gavin reeled, grunting as he clutched his stomach and staggered several steps.
Noel’s gaze sharpened, curious despite himself at this mirror thing.
He only has his physical body, after all.
But he didn’t pause to think.
He stepped forward again, fist raised to continue.
Before he could strike though.
Gavin moved. Despite the pain. Despite the hit.
This time, it wasn’t one mirror.
They flickered into existence — some forming around Gavin, others circling Noel. A ring of shimmering walls, cutting off every direction. No gaps. No exits.
Noel didn’t understand how it worked — but he didn’t care.
He turned, and threw a punch at the nearest mirror.
His fist rebounded. The recoil was harsher. His arm ached.
Still, he didn’t hesitate.
He struck again — same spot, same force — using his other hand this time.
His bones groaned from the blow. He could feel it. The force behind the rebound was increasing.
Only now did he realize — he had probably misjudged his opponent.
But Noel didn’t stop.
He kept hammering at the mirror in front of him, one fist at a time — while his free hand slipped into his pocket.
To the small watch there.
[Do you want to offer the Bent Pocket Watch to the Codex Null?]
[You have received 4 Null Points.]
Now, with those four points, his total was ten.
Enough for a premium simulation.
Enough to leave a way out — a future option.
He could finally stop holding back.
He could unleash everything without caring about consequences.