Chapter 136

"No, we've got business to handle," Jaden replied flatly, his expression cold as ever.

"Yeah, yeah..." Hope chimed in, immediately latching onto Jaden's arm, pressing her soft body against his side. Her exaggerated display made Jaden visibly cringe.

This girl... always inviting trouble, Jaden muttered internally, shooting her a side-eye glance, but said nothing aloud.

The beachgoer, still hovering with that forced grin, wasn't backing down. His gaze flickered between Hope's curves and Jaden's stone-like expression. His confidence wavered, but only for a moment.

Her boyfriend's cautious... I'll have to bait them differently, the guy schemed silently.

Feigning casual conversation, he chuckled, “You folks heard about the Sea Feast happening in Ravenmoor lately? Biggest event in years."

Jaden raised a brow, feigning mild interest. "Yeah, I've heard. But those kinds of events are invite-only. People like us wouldn't know how to get in."

The man's eyes lit up. Hook, line, sinker.

"Heh, lucky for you, I know someone,” he boasted, puffing his chest. “My brother's not ordinary—he's one of the qualified few invited to the Sea Feast. Stick with me, maybe I can sneak you two in... especially if my brother likes your vibe," he added, shooting Hope a knowing wink.

Hope tilted her head, playing along. "Really? That sounds fun..."

Before the guy could bask in his imagined victory, a loud, unmistakable voice sliced through the chatter of the beach crowd.

"Brother Jaden! Over here!"

Everyone's heads turned.

A towering cruise ship anchored just offshore, its sleek black hull shimmering under the sun. At the rail stood Fate, waving with a proud grin, her voice carrying over the

waves.

The man's smirk collapsed. His eyes widened. Wait... someone from that ship knows him?

Panic flickered across his face. The ship's size, the people aboard-it screamed power. And Jaden wasn't dressed like a beach bum; that suit suddenly carried a

et weight.

"Excuse me,” Jaden said, his voice calm but laced with quiet dominance, brushing

past the stunned guy as Hope clung to him, clearly enjoying the attention shift.

The beachgoer stood frozen for a second before slinking back to his group, his earlier arrogance deflating with each step.

"Pfft, you crashed and burned, didn't you?" one of his friends mocked, nudging him.

The guy, James, gritted his teeth.

"Skinny guy got lucky, that's all. Look

at him walking around like he owns the place just 'cause some girl shouted his name. He's nothing, compared to my brother."

"Your brother, huh?” a deep, measured voice interrupted from behind them.

The two friends flinched, turning around to find Captain Kelvin standing there, exuding the sharp, commanding aura only seasoned warriors carried.

"B-Brother Kelvin, you're here already?" James stammered, trying to regain his composure. "Toh you just missed a hot girl-gorgeous, wearing pink. But some nobody beat me to her."

Kelvin's eyes narrowed slightly, glancing toward the anchored ship. His gaze sharpened, attempting to make out the silhouettes, but the distance was too far.

“Hmm...” Kelvin muttered, filing the moment away in his mind. There was something... familiar about that guy, he thought, but let it slide.

“Forget it,” he waved dismissively. “We've got work to do."

Kelvin's tone shifted, commanding and absolute. "You two-pack your things. We're leaving now."

"Yes, Brother!” James and his friend scrambled, stuffing towels and bags hurriedly, their earlier bravado long gone.

Meanwhile, back at the ship, Jaden leaned casually on the rail, watching the beach in the distance.

“Looks like Captain Kelvin's here for the Bloodborne Trial this year," Jaden remarked, his voice cool, eyes gleaming with subtle amusement.