Chapter 23: Twilight Departures, Unspoken Bonds
The sun bled across the western sky, casting deep crimson streaks that stretched like veins through the clouds. The golden light of day dimmed into a solemn amber, painting the canopy of trees in a surreal glow. A soft breeze whispered through the forest, rustling leaves and brushing across the stone where Lei Feng sat.
He stared at the sleek device in his palm—his phone. His fingers scrolled absentmindedly, exploring its features and hidden functions. Yet beneath that mechanical focus, a thought tugged at him like a persistent thorn.
Who was that man?
The thought echoed like a drumbeat in his mind. The towering figure with golden eyes. The one Orion called Mr. Leo.
A short distance away, Orion Vale looked completely out of place—like a child on a picnic. He lay reclined on a mat spread neatly over the grass, snacks piled beside him in carefully sealed containers. He munched absentmindedly on dried fruit, fingers dancing across his phone screen as animated characters clashed in a colorful, chaotic game.
Lei Feng couldn't help but let out a silent, bitter smile. I didn't even bring food... or a tent. He tilted his head, letting his blue eyes scan the reddening sky. It's getting dark already. I should probably get moving.
"Hey, Orion," Lei Feng called out, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
Orion paused the game and turned toward him, eyes still sparkling with childlike energy. "Hmm?"
"When will your team be here?"
"In a few minutes!" Orion beamed, sitting upright with excitement. "I can't wait for you to meet them! They're gonna love you!"
Lei Feng looked away, the warmth in the boy's voice cutting deeper than he expected.
"No... I can't meet them, Orion. I have to get going."
That man… he's too strong. And this boy's background... definitely not ordinary. I'm too weak to get involved with people like them.
Orion's expression faltered. "Can't you just wait a little? Mr. Leo will reward you for saving me—and compensate you for your time too."
Lei Feng looked at him, seeing the sincerity glistening in the boy's eyes. A reward like that could mean everything to him right now. But even more than the reward... it was the people Orion was with. If his name got tied to them—if he was seen by media or tracked by factions—he could lose his anonymity. And right now, he wasn't ready for the world to know he existed.
Just then, voices broke through the trees.
"Orion!"
Another voice followed—deeper, authoritative.
"Orion!"
Lei Feng rose to his feet. "Looks like your team's here," he said quietly. "I really need to go."
"But—your reward! They're already here! It won't take long, I promise!" Orion stood up, eyes wide. "Father always says we shouldn't owe favors…"
Lei Feng walked over and, without a word, ruffled the boy's hair with a small smile.
"I don't need a reward," he said softly.
Then, half-jokingly, "Though… if you've got an extra tent lying around, I wouldn't mind borrowing it."
Orion froze, lips parting in awe. "S-senior…"
His voice trailed off, eyes glimmering. He snapped out of it and scrambled for his spatial ring. "Oh, I do! I have a backup—you can take it! I don't need it anyway!"
With a flicker of silver light, a sleek, metallic tent materialized on the grass. Its frame shimmered with layered glyphs and pulsating circuits—arcane tech woven into alloy. A digital panel pulsed on the side, displaying biometric access settings.
[AegisMark Series 5: Autonomous Shelter Model X9]
Lei Feng's eyes narrowed in recognition. Autonomous Shelter.... expensive. He could tell from his memory, although Ling Chen had never used one, but he'd seen them in high-end commercials.
"Thank you," he said.
He pressed his fingers to the tent. "Inventory."
With a soft blue glow, the tent dissolved and vanished into his storage.
Ding!
He ignored the notification and looked back at Orion, who stood silently, still visibly affected by his presence.
"Anything else you need, Senior?" Orion asked, hopeful.
Lei Feng paused. He needed many things—power, food, resources—but he shook his head and offered a small wave before vanishing into the foliage, his silhouette swallowed by the trees.
---
I need to put distance between us. Fast.
Lei Feng's figure blurred as he moved deeper into the forest. If they have detection equipment—and I wouldn't be surprised if they do—they'll come looking for me. Orion might not be able to tell... but that man, Leo, definitely can sense my presence. My strength. My weaknesses.
He vanished into the wild.
---
Orion watched as Lei Feng disappeared into the woods, his figure becoming one with the deepening night. A sigh escaped his lips, quiet and thoughtful. Then he dismissed his mat with a flick of his ring.
Before he could stand upright—
Rustle.
The bushes behind him stirred.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Footsteps.
Orion turned quickly, eyes lighting up with relief as three familiar figures emerged from the forest path. The fading sunlight spilled over them, painting their outlines in gold and crimson. They were Ethan, Ember, and Leo.
"Mr. Leo!" Orion shouted.
Leo strode forward, eyes sharp as ever, his powerful frame casting a long shadow across the clearing. Without a word, he reached Orion and rested a firm hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. I'm fine," Orion said, grinning. "Really."
"Tsk. Look at him—acting like a baby," Ethan muttered, rolling his eyes.
Ember gave a half-shrug, her reddish-brown hair swaying as she tucked a strand behind her ear. Her expression remained unreadable.
Leo's gaze swept the clearing. He inhaled deeply—then narrowed his golden eyes. "Someone was here."
"Yes!" Orion nodded. "His name is Lei Feng. He saved my life—and found my phone so I could contact you. He even stayed with me until you got here to make sure I was safe."
Leo raised a brow. "Where is he now?"
"He left. Said he didn't want to meet you."
"What a coward," Ethan said with a mocking laugh. "Probably some weak nobody afraid of being noticed."
"Ethan," Ember snapped, her voice cold.
Orion's face turned red. "Don't insult him! Senior's strong—way stronger than you. He uses dimensional magic! Maybe he just didn't want anything. Maybe he's just kind."
"Easy, Orion," Leo said calmly, placing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. His gaze flicked to Ethan, who suddenly looked pale, sweat sliding down his temple. "That man didn't have to help you, and yet he did. That deserves respect."
Leo's gaze lingered on the shadows where Lei Feng had vanished. Dimensional magic… He narrowed his eyes. Interesting.
"So…" Ember said lightly, changing the topic. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."
"Yeah," Orion smiled, his chest swelling with pride. "Thanks to him."
"Still..." Leo looked at Orion, "you got his contact details, didn't you?"
"Hehehe..." Orion grinned mischievously.
Leo smirked. "The Vale Family never owes favors, you know that."
"Exactly!" Orion said triumphantly. "That's why I got his number. I'll find a way to repay him."
Ember rolled her eyes. "Let's just hope you don't sneak off into a monster-infested zone again just to play a game."
Ethan grumbled. "Yeah! Next time just don't drag us all the way out here."
Orion laughed, eyes still lingering on the place where Lei Feng disappeared.
---
A few miles away, Lei Feng stood silently on the edge of a cliff, the night wind tugging at his coat. His blue eyes reflected the moonlight as he gazed into the star-speckled sky. The full moon hung high, casting a pale silver glow over the endless forest below.
What a day... he mused, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Then a thought struck him.
Wait… I haven't even assigned my stat points from the last level-ups.
He raised a hand.
"System."
---
━━『 OmniClass God System Interface 』━━
[Status Panel]
Name: Lei Feng
Level: Awakener Lv. 5 (Magic Initiate)
Talent Rank: ???
Mana Core: ??? (Special)
Class: None
Elemental Affinity: None
EXP: 30/200
HP: 140/140
MP: 90/90
[Attributes]
Strength: 13 (+3)
Agility: 10 (+3)
Endurance: 9 (+3)
Intelligence: 3 (+3)
Perception: 4 (+3)
Free Stat Points: 15
---
Lei Feng studied the screen with a grin.
Today really did turn out well.
He recalled the chaotic dance against the Bloodthirsty Boar—the way his strength had kept him from being crushed, how his endurance let him tank the boar's rage, and his agility helped in his final moment avoid the boar's pursuit.
He nodded to himself.
More strength... but I can't neglect the others.
With a flick of his fingers, he allocated the points.
> Strength (+10)
Endurance (+3)
Agility (+2)
---
━━『 Attributes Updated 』━━
Strength: 26
Agility: 15
Endurance: 15
Intelligence: 6
Perception: 7
Free Stat Points: 0
---
The glow of the interface faded softly as he exhaled, satisfied.
"That should help with whatever comes next."
He turned away from the cliff's edge, stretching slightly as his eyes scanned the forest floor below.
"Now… time to find a good spot to set up camp—"
Beep!
His Corelink bracelet buzzed against his wrist, flashing a vivid blue.
> [1,000,000 Credits have been deposited into your account.]
Current Balance: 1,010,000 Credits
Status: Registered
Bank: Celestial Credit Union
Lei Feng blinked. Then stared.
"…What?"
His eyes went wide, heart skipping a beat. He stared at the notification again just to be sure.
Then realization hit him.
"…That kid."
He laughed under his breath. "He really didn't have to…"
Outwardly, he wore a calm smile.
Inwardly?
He was screaming in joy.