Reborn: Apocalypse Ready. War Goddess by My Side novel Chapter 88

17:57 Thu, Jun 11 M M

Reborn: Apocalypse Ready. War Goddess by My Side

Chapter 88 Close Enough to Breathe

Steven tucked the hundred level 1 beast crystals into his storage with a small smile. Another hundred. That meant another two levels he could push, maybe a little more.

“Alright, you guys keep talking,” Darlene said as she stood. “I’ll start dinner.”

“I’ll help,” Bianca added quickly, rising to follow her.

Peter watched Bianca disappear into the kitchen before turning his gaze back toward Steven

“Kid, there’s something I could say, but I’m not sure I should.”

Steven didn’t flinch. “I already know what it is–what’s between me and Bianca. People will figure it out eventually.”

Peter nodded slowly. “Good that you see it. I’m not saying I don’t think it’ll work. I’m saying you’re going to run into more trouble than you can imagine.”

“I know. When trouble shows up, you break it.”

Peter let the subject drop.

They traded a few more casual lines before Steven asked something that had been sitting at the back of his mind.

“By the way… Am I imagining things, or have beast incursions been happening more often lately?”

“Not more often,” Peter said grimly. “It’s almost every day.”

Steven straightened slightly.

“Every day?”

Peter nodded. “The scale varies.

“Most of the smaller attacks aren’t enough for us to step in personally, especially with me recovering.”

“That’s not normal,” Steven said.

“No, it’s not.” Peter’s expression darkened slightly. “The military has people looking into it. Those of us in the city can only hold the line.

“But some theories are floating around. One of them points to Bianca, to her SSS–rank awakening.”

Steven’s eyes narrowed instantly.

“That can’t be real.”

Peter’s face remained grave. “There’s no such thing as impossible where beasts are concerned. Too many species and too many abilities that humanity still doesn’t fully understand.

“The military suspects that Bianca’s Awakening may have triggered some kind of reaction among higher-

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17:57 Thu, Jun 11 MM

Chapter 88 Close Enough to Breathe

Finished

level beasts. Instinct, fear, territorial pressure, something along those lines. They may see her existence as a threat, which could explain why smaller hordes keep getting driven toward the city.

“The military will prepare accordingly.

“You should prepare too. I’ve got a feeling the missions ahead won’t stop coming.”

Steven nodded quietly. That possibility had never crossed his mind.

In his previous life, he had barely heard theories like this mentioned at all.

And during the years he and Bianca attended the Academy together, there had never been rumors of anything similar.

“Speaking of which, where the hell did your combat ability even come from? Aren’t you supposed to be B- rank?”

“What, B–ranks aren’t allowed to be terrifying now?”

Peter didn’t laugh. His expression stayed serious.

“When you go out on missions, keep your head down. Don’t die.”

Steven matched his tone.

“Same to you. Don’t die either.”

Dinner came quickly after that.

The four of them sat around the table, keeping the conversation light.

A little wine went around. Nothing heavy.

/

By the time the last light faded from the sky, Steven and Bianca said their goodbyes and walked back to the villa.

Bianca supported Steven lightly as they stepped inside.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine. Didn’t drink that much.”

17:57 Thu, Jun 11 MM

He caught her wrist, gentle but firm, and pulled her back down.

Steven felt something sharp and warm go through his chest. Damn. That had landed.

Bianca hid her face behind her hands.

“Stop.”

Steven grinned.

“Never.”

“I’m ignoring you now. I’m taking a shower. And I need to evolve. I have to focus.”

She started to stand.

Steven, maybe leaning a little harder into the wine than he should have, caught her wrist again.

“Don’t rush.”

He pulled gently.

Bianca’s balance tipped. She stumbled forward, catching herself with her hands on the couch cushions.

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17:57 Thu, Jun 11 MM.

Chapter 88 Close Enough to Breathe

And then she was braced over him, his body beneath hers.

Their faces were separated by no more than one inch of warm air.

She could feel his breath. He could feel hers.

Steven watched the blush climb up her neck, her cheeks, the tips of her ears.

She froze, remaining completely still.

Her eyes flickered with something caught between nerves and want.

“Bianca,” he said quietly. “Do you want to…”

She made a small sound. “Huh? I mean… Uh…”

Finished

The more she tried to speak, the worse it became. Finally, utterly overwhelmed, Bianca squeezed her eyes shut. Whatever happened next, she would leave it entirely to him.

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