12 Love and blood in the air.

It took Marcus five days to finish building the coil acceleration pathway, in this time he didn't abandon the practice of his other techniques and his stats increased again.

Name: Marcus

Age:15

Health: Good

Aptitude: MAX

Muscle strength: 8.2

Flexibility: 8.3

Speed: 8.2

Energy: 54

His energy needs to breakthrough 80 to be in the range of rank 5. His body was getting stronger, and soon it would catch up with his energy as it entered rank four. Walking out of his home, Marcus found a place to test the coil acceleration pathway.

Standing in front of a huge boulder, Marcus joined his palms and started to move the energy inside him, the energy in the coils began traveling faster, and soon the energy in the circle already was reaching unimaginable speeds. Slowly separating his palms lighting flowed in between, then throwing his right hand forward, he broke the circuit, and all of the energy was released. The bolder was hit by what it looked a flash of light, and it exploded with lightning spewing in all directions. The scope of the destruction was more than twenty meters. Everything touched by lighting was instantly destroyed. When everything calmed down, and Marcus fully saw the scope of the destruction he wrought and was dumbfounded, it was insanely powerful.

But Marcus was wondering how it worked? How did the Coil make the energy move faster? Marcus couldn't comprehend it.

"Host in the library there is a book that will help you understand it if you want to, it's called introduction to physics. It will give you a basic understanding of how the world works, and this includes how coils work."

I will check it out later, thanks Es.

For now, Marcus had to go to the city. He would sell a few parts to Cheng Gang as well as buy spices which was one if very few things he wasn't able to make by himself yet. And making food become one of his now many hobbies, so spices became something he spends a lot on.

Arriving at the city, Marcus noticed that there were many more guards patrolling the city. Exiting the hunters guild with a bunch of silver coins.

"Marcus!"

Looking to the side, Marcus saw Zhi Ruo. During his stay close to the city, they met many times. By now they were close friends, so close that calling them a couple wouldn't be entirely wrong. Together with Zhi Ruo, Marcus went to a restaurant where they ate and talked until the sun was about to go down. Going out of the restaurant they started to walk. Zhi Ruo guided them to a small pond with fishes.

Marcus was deep in thought, he liked Zhi Ruo, but his future was not bright. It was as dark as darkness surrounding Mr.Ethan. He would take revenge and kill his clan; there was a very high chance that he would die in the process. And even if he survived, there was still the deal with Mr.Ethan. He wasn't sure what would happen to him, but for sure he would have to leave. And Zhi Rou knew nothing about any of this.

Zhi Rou was deep in her thoughts, she liked Marcus, although his name was a bit weird he was a good person. She was aware that Marcus had some sad past, she could tell from his eyes. The first thought that she had when she looked into those eyes was… that she wanted to help him. She wanted to be with him and take some of the weight off his shoulders. Ever since they arrived back at the Hundred temples city, she wanted to see him every day. She talked with the receptionist to send her a message whenever Marcus came back. They met many times by now, and every time it was the best time of her life. She knew that she loved him, she also knew that her clan wouldn't accept him. But she was here now, and they were there. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, that she wanted to be with him, that she would support him, that she will leave with him. But it was hard; she feared that he would say no. So she tried to find what he thinks about her. But she wasn't able to see through his sad eyes.

With the same thoughts in their minds, they sat on a bench and looked at the pond in front.

Time passed by and nightfall was nearing,

"Zhi…"

Marcus tried to say Zhi Ruo name but before he could finish Zhi Ruo lips touched his. Shocked, his first instinct was to back off, but realizing what is happening, he closed his eyes and responded to the kiss.

In his mind, everything was set. He would protect Zhi Ruo, have his revenge, and become strong enough to resist Mr.Ethan. Everything so he can be with Zhi Ruo.

For him, Zhi Ruo was the most beautiful in the world. Others would call her average but not Marcus, in his eyes, there was nothing more beautiful than Zhi Ruo.

Holding her in her arms, she was the only thing in his world.

In silence, the kiss stopped. Looking into each other eyes, they knew everything. With no words, they stood up and started walking while holding each other hands.

The city was still bustling with life as they walked. But for them, everything except for each other was a blur.

"YOU!"

A sudden shout pulled them out of their own world, in front of them was a group of people, wearing the same clothes, one of them was already throwing a punch at Marcus's chest.

Seeing the punch coming towards him, Marcus knew he wouldn't survive, and taking a last look at Zhi Ruo, with regret he closed his eyes.

Marcus heard an impact, but he didn't feel any pain. He opened his eyes and saw, a young man that was throwing a punch at him, looking down with blood on his hands.

Following where the young man was looking Marcus looked and saw…

Zhi Ruo.