The Hybrid (blessed or cursed) ---Chapter 18---I love you--

In a dark and creepy cave, Minos could be seen punching a piece of rock as with each punch, debris fell to the floor. He had been doing this for the past two days along with some sword practice and experiments involving ki. Minos figured out that if he coated his body with his ki, he was four times more powerful and if he moved it to the sword of Theseus, the sword glowed brighter and was able to slash and hack even faster.

Minos also tried legendary moves he saw in a movie using the sword of Theseus, like creating afterimages of the sword and also trying to control the sword with his mind, but none worked.

On his fourth day of training, Minos was able to achieve little progress on moving his sword with his mind, but the progress was so little that it was negligible.

Minos became more efficient on his distribution and circulation of ki and also learned the perfect use of it as defense and offense.

Finally leaving his room, today was the day he was meant to bring Xin to his side as part of the agreement or pact. During the four days of his training, he had talked to Xin more than forty times through Eren.

Using his speed, Minos was already in front of the Akkaba clan's barrier. He instructed Xin to wait outside very close to the barrier the last time they talked so as not to attract too much attention. So after appearing in front of the barrier, Minos waited for a while before spotting Xin walking towards him. He let out a chuckle before channeling his ki to his hands and he just ripped a human-sized hole through the barrier in seconds.

Xin, spotting Minos, ran with all her might and hugged him, shocking Minos who immediately recovered as he sensed people coming towards the barrier. It seemed that a distress signal was sent to the village once there was a breach in the barrier.

Holding Xin in his arms, he channeled his ki towards his legs and like lightning he was out of sight. After a few seconds, he was already in the cave and dropped Xin who vomited as soon as her feet touched the ground again.

"Wow, you're super cool, hubby." Xin said after recovering as her eyes were glittering.

"Of course, I am cool. Do you expect anything less from me?" Minos said with a prideful look.

He later took Xin to the room reserved for him as he planned to tell Xin about the fight as he couldn't muster the courage to tell her over transmission.

After a while, Xin noticed a puzzling look on Minos and asked, "Hubby, what's the problem?"

Minos breathed out before narrating everything to Xin. After he was done, the joyous atmosphere in the room immediately changed to that of shock and worry. Initially, Xin was angry that Minos put his life on the line for a shitty clan like Akkaba, but she later calmed down and the anger was quickly replaced with worry.

Minos, I don't know what's going on in your head, but please, when making such decisions about your life, even if I don't deserve it, please think of how I will feel. Do you know how selfish this decision is? If you die, do you think I will be able to survive it? Minos, you're the best thing that has happened to me since my mother. Please, I don't want to lose you too. I love you very much, Minos. Xin confessed her feelings, leaving Minos in shock as he pinched himself, trying to check if this was reality or he was dreaming.

After a while, Minos simply embraced Xin in silence as he was truly speechless. They spent the entire morning in each other's arms.

(T/L = Character I created have found love. I'm still here (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠).

Later in the day, Xin was already fast asleep and Minos just cast a soft gentle gaze over her as he was somewhat lost in thought over the confession Xin had just laid out. He decided to go for a walk to clear his mind.

During his walk, Minos could see the living conditions of the lower ranked in the dark council and couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Most of them had no clothing. From their bodies, one could see that they were all malnourished, with filth all over them.

Of course, even this strange land favors power over everything. Minos muttered in a melancholic tone. The truth was, after Xin's confession, Minos's mind went blank as he remembered how his last love experience went, from the beginning where she approached him to the end when he was insulted and put in his place. Minos immediately let out a wild laugh. Damn it, I'm married to this girl. Minos said, feeling stupid already.

He was about to enter a pub when he got distress signals from Eren. In a dash, he ran towards his house and saw guards trying to force their way into his room, most of them already had burn scars courtesy of Eren.

In a cold tone, he asked, "What's going on here?" and the guards turned to him before ignoring him and still trying to break into the room. Using his telepathic waves, he ordered Eren to stand down and the guards burst through the door immediately. Looking at the sleeping Xin, they couldn't help but lick their lips.

"I know our Master wants this lady, but I don't think it will be a bad idea if we had the first taste. Don't you think?" One of the guards said as he was completely mesmerized by her beauty.

"No one ever taught you to respect your elders, huh? How dare you break into my room, a crime I can likely forgive, and try to touch my woman, now that deserves nothing but death." Minos said, and a guard suddenly flared up and brought out his sword in order to end it right there. As he thrust his sword, it broke into pieces seconds before it could reach Minos. Seeing this, the guards were alarmed and knew they had offended the wrong person.

The first guard, seeing this, dropped to his knees, saying, "Please, master, I'm sorry. Treat me like fart, I'm not worthy to die by your hands."

Minos just walked past him and moved to the one who suggested to have her first. Reaching him, the guard felt like suffocating as he couldn't draw a single breath. He immediately drew his sword but couldn't even muster the energy to strike. Seeing this, Minos smiled before snapping his neck and a lifeless body was already on the floor, which sent shivers up the spines of those who witnessed it.

Sitting casually on the bed, he said, "If you answer me truthfully, I promise you won't die by my hands." Minos said, and all of them nodded as they were all on their knees.

"Who sent you?" Minos asked, and all of them started to answer at once, which gave Minos a very good image of the man behind the attack. "I see, well, as promised, you won't die by my hands." Minos said before saying, "Eren, roast their souls…"

T/L= (⁠+⁠_⁠+⁠)