**** North's PoV
[Me]: Yeah?
His response came almost instantly.
[Boring Billion]: Still awake?
I rolled my eyes.
'No, idiot, it's my ghost replying to you.'
I smirked but didn't send it. Instead, I settled for something simple.
[Me]: Yeah. Was watching some training videos.
[Boring Billion]: Me too. Just finished training. Heading back.
I blinked. He was still training this late? A smile crept onto my lips before I realized it.
My fingers hovered over the screen for a few seconds, then I typed,
[Me]: Of course you were training. Do you even rest?
The reply came almost instantly.
[Boring Billion]: Yes, sometimes.
I chuckled. "Cheeky idiot."
[Me]: Walking back alone?
[Boring Billion]: Yeah. The night's peaceful.
Before I could type back, another message popped up.
[Boring Billion]: But not as peaceful as talking to you.
I bit my lip, my eyes staring at the message. My grip on the phone tightened as warmth spread through my chest. I knew he was trying to flirt but I liked it. More than I should.
I coughed, forcing the grin off my face before I typed back.
[Me]: .…That was smooth.
I could almost picture him frowning at his screen, debating how to respond.
[Boring Billion]: Just telling the truth. Haven't you read the poem?
My brows furrowed in curiosity.
[Me]: What poem?
A moment of silence stretched between us, and then his reply came.
[Boring Billion]: "I asked the sages where peace may be found,
They pointed North, where the winds echo sound.
Through drifting snow and skies so wide,
A quiet solace, where calm resides."
I stared at the words, reading through them a couple of times.
It wasn't grand or overly poetic, but somehow, it felt… nice. At least he knew how to piece words together.
[Me]: …Did you write that?
[Boring Billion]: Maybe.
I laughed softly, shaking my head. I wasn't sure if he was lying or not, but either way, the poem was perfect for the moment.
[Me]: You're such an idiot.
[Boring Billion]: A charming one, though.
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. His confidence was so effortless, yet it never felt arrogant. Just… natural.
I waited for his reply, but for a moment, nothing came. I could picture him walking, his expression thoughtful as he typed his next words.
[Boring Billion]: You smiled, didn't you?
I scoffed.
[Me]: Go to sleep, idiot.
[Boring Billion]: On the way.
I sighed, shaking my head.
[Me]: Good night, Billion.
[Boring Billion]: Good night, North. Sleep well.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds before locking my phone and leaning back into the couch. The fight video played in the background, but my focus was elsewhere.
**** Billion's PoV
I smiled a little. Some flirting was needed after a day of hard work.
North was easy to talk to.
She didn't overthink my words, didn't get flustered like some others might. She played along but never let me get too far ahead. It was a balance, one that made our conversations strangely enjoyable.
I glanced at my screen again, rereading her last message. Good night, Billion. Simple words, but they left a warmth lingering in my chest.
It was funny. Before, I never really cared about things like this.
Talking to people outside of training had always felt like a waste of time. But with North, it didn't. I liked teasing her, liked seeing how she would react. And despite her calling me an idiot, she still answered every time.
I sighed, shoving my phone into my pocket as I continued walking.
'I need to sleep,' I thought.
But even as I told myself that, I knew I'd be thinking about her a little longer.
Soon, I reached my room and opened the door, stepping inside. The lights flickered on automatically as I moved forward—
And then I froze.
Edgar was sitting on my couch, casually eating a sandwich, one leg crossed over the other. The TV was on, some action movie playing in the background, the flickering screen casting moving shadows across the room.
He turned to me mid-bite, chewing casually, then spoke.
"Oh, you're here."
I blinked.
My brain struggled to process the sight before me, this esteemed gentleman, sitting on my couch like he belonged here, calmly munching on a sandwich.
"Uh…" I tried forming words, but nothing came out.
Edgar waved a hand dismissively.
"Oh, no need to feel sorry. There wasn't much to eat, but don't worry, I brought my own sandwich."
My jaw nearly hit the floor.
In shock, I took a step back.
'What the hell is this old man?'
He took another bite, completely unbothered, then gestured toward the couch.
"Don't just stand there. Come, sit. Make yourself comfortable. No need to be shy around me."
I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay calm. Lashing out wouldn't do any good. Instead, I plastered on a polite smile and spoke.
"Hello, Sir Edgar. It's nice to see you again. May I ask why you're here?"
'And how shameless can you be?'
Edgar shook his head, clicking his tongue in mock disappointment.
"Such bad manners, Billion. At least let me finish my food first."
I clenched my jaw but said nothing.
He took another bite, chewing slowly, deliberately dragging out the silence just to test my patience. Then, with his mouth still half-full, he casually asked,
"By the way, why are you so late? What were you doing? Have you already found a girlfriend?"
I shot him a flat look.
"Please don't joke, Sir Edgar. I don't have time for such things."
He nodded sagely, as if he completely agreed with my words.
"Yes, yes, that's how the younger generation should be. Focused. Dedicated. No distractions."
Then, as if it was a passing thought, he added.
"Unlike some fools out there who waste time writing poetry instead of training."
I stiffened. A faint chill ran down my spine.
He continued, smirking.
"Something about peace in the North and snow. Eugh." He gave a dramatic shudder. "Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."
My body snapped upright. My hand pointed accusingly.
"You… you were following me. No, you were spying on me! How could you do this, Sir Edgar?"
He tilted his head, feigning innocence.
"What do you mean, following you? Why would I do that?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Then how do you know about the poem? If you weren't spying on me?"
My eyes widened further as a horrifying thought struck me.
"Wait, don't tell me you were spying on North?"
Edgar finally stood up, dusting crumbs from his robes. Then, his expression darkened as he locked eyes with me, his voice turning grave.
"Kid, do you take me for a pervert who goes around spying on girls?"
I opened my mouth to reply—
But he cut me off, smiling as if nothing had happened.
"Ah, don't worry. I'm just kidding. Forget I said anything."
I screamed internally.
'Forget? What do you mean forget? How is this something I can just erase from my memory?!'
He casually adjusted his robes, completely unbothered, then tilted his head at me.
"What's with that face? You look constipated. Do you need to use the washroom? Go ahead, take your time. I can wait."
And with that, he pulled out another sandwich from somewhere in his robes.
I hurriedly waved my hands.
"No, no, Sir Edgar. I'm perfectly fine. Please, just tell me how I can help you."
"Ohhh, if you say so." He stuffed the sandwich back into his robes, making me wonder just how many he had hidden in there.
"And what's with this 'Sir Edgar' nonsense? Just call me Edgar. I like it that way."
I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around the whole situation.
He strolled back to the couch, plopped down like he owned the place, and stared at the TV in complete silence. A whole minute passed. Then another.
Just as I was about to ask him again why he was here, he suddenly spoke, his voice calm and firm.
"Sit."
It wasn't a request.
The sudden change in his tone caught me off guard. But I didn't hesitate. Taking a step forward, I sat down on the couch beside him.
He raised his palm, and shadows swirled over it, shifting fluidly between forms. A deer flickered into existence, then melted away into the shape of a man. A moment later, the figure twisted into something monstrous, an Abomination with jagged limbs and hollow eyes.
I watched, fascinated, as Edgar manipulated the shadows with effortless ease. His control was absolute, as if the shadows themselves obeyed his every whim.
Finally, he spoke.