Zack's expression hardened as his silver gaze fell on the pink-haired woman before him, his brows knitting into a deep frown.
He wanted to tug Charles away—because this pink-haired woman was the reason his favorite side character had died in the story. Monica had used him like a plaything, then tossed him aside when she was done.
"Charles..."
His next words caught in his throat as he glanced at Charles—only to find him staring at Monica, his eyes glued to her face. It was as if time had stopped just for him.
Zack's face fell. Oh no. Some things, it seemed, were just inevitable—like Charles falling for Monica Wales at first sight.
Even though his fate had changed.
She hadn't saved him this time when his parents kicked him out. It wasn't Monica.
And yet, still...
He grabbed Charles's arm, wanting to pull him into the building they stood outside.
However, Skyler beat him to it.
He draped his arm over Charles's shoulder, pulling the man out of his daze, and walked forward calmly as if the two women before them didn't exist. Because of his actions, Monica finally looked at Charles and Zack.
Her eyes sharpened with disdain as they settled on Zack—the man who had spent three years clinging to her, professing how he loved her, only to run away with his tail between his legs after Max beat him up.
However, when her pink gaze shifted to Charles, she blinked, quietly surprised.
The uneasy feeling that she had missed someone important—a meeting she was supposed to have—vanished instantly as she looked at him, and her eyes widened.
Monica quickly composed herself despite the sudden surprise, then waved her hand. Her face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Hey, guys..."
Her words trailed off, her radiant smile stiffening as Skyler brushed past her as if she were invisible, talking to the beautiful white snake on his arm and poking fun at Charles for his foolishness in the Crystal.
He had planned to use only Zack as bait to lure the hyenas away; however, Charles had fled as well, even though he was supposed to stay by his side from the beginning. They had spent hours in the Crystal—entering in the afternoon and returning in the evening.
And yet, Skyler was still mocking Charles for his blunder—because he had to put in extra effort to pull Charles away from the hyenas while Zack was distracted.
Monica paused, taken aback. It was the first time she had been so openly ignored. She turned around and reached out to grab Skyler, forcing a smile back onto her face. But the moment her eyes met the glowing crimson gaze, her hand faltered—and she ended up grabbing Charles's shirt instead.
'Huh…'
She was stunned. Did she really just get goosebumps from a mere snake's stare?
Before her gaze could scan the snake, Skyler pushed her hand gripping Charles's away. A deep frown creased his face, and his words were sharp, shocking everyone.
"He's a married man. I know he's become famous and you like him, but you're a lady—please don't be inappropriate in public."
Monica's face flushed with shame as she let go of Charles. Three pairs of shocked, confused eyes snapped to the ash-brown haired youth—Charles, eager to know just when the hell he had gotten married.
Perhaps in Skyler's dream?
Still, who was the bride?
Was she beautiful...?
Charles scolded himself as his thoughts drifted off. Staying with this jerk was really messing with him—in all the wrong ways.
Zack and Jenny Ironhart wore the same stunned, surprised expressions as he did.
Yet, Skyler said nothing aloud.
Instead, he spoke to Charles telepathically, ensuring no one else could hear his words.
'You don't know the rumors because you were in the Battle Royal. But I do—since I came back earlier. She has six boyfriends. I know she's beautiful, but don't you dare fall for her—I don't want you to be the seventh and end up wiping her feet like a servant.'
Charles snapped his head to him, eyes wide. Really? Such an innocent lady? Yet, when he saw the genuine solemnity in his clear blue gaze, he believed his friend.
Instantly, the tiny amount of fondness he had developed for Monica evaporated into thin air. He wouldn't judge her for her weird taste in relationships, but he really wasn't a fan of polygamy. His unreadable stare left Zack even more baffled. What the hell had just happened? Where did the Charles who was dazed after seeing Monica go?
No one noticed the slight, sheepish smirk that tugged at Skyler's lips. Damn, he knew he was the best at talking nonsense.
He laughed inwardly, his calm expression betraying none of it as he turned to leave. But this time, he was stopped—by Jenny.
His dear older sister.
Skyler waved his hand dismissively, his presence now looming over her frame.
Despite the tension hanging in the air, his face remained calm. It was almost as if he had already erased her from his world.
He had no plans to acknowledge her, let alone entertain a conversation with her.
"Move."
But Jenny didn't budge. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, knuckles turning white.
"No. We need to talk. And is this how you greet your older sister? No respect at all? Not even a simple hello? Is this what you have learned since getting stronger? Sky... no, you are Skyler Thorne now!"
She snapped her voice was lowe yet filled with furious intensity as she met his gaze.
Skyler tilted his head, confused by her sudden hostility. What had he done now? Why was she lashing out? He hadn't really done anything... Well, okay—he had made a dragon chase after her and her friends. But he didn't feel guilty, not after everything he had learned from the original story. Still, he let out a quiet sigh and met her sharp gaze, his voice steady—not angry, just honest.
"Look, I really don't hold a grudge about what happened during the preliminary test anymore. I understand—you had to make a choice, and you chose to save yourself. I truly get it. So I have let it go. Honestly."
He paused for a moment, stepping away from the other before continuing quietly.
"But there were other things—things that hurt more than being left behind. So, yeah, perhaps what happened during the Battle Royal was my way of settling the score. I didn't do it to harm you or your... so-called group of friends. I just wanted you guys to understand what it felt like. That's all."
He shrugged lightly.
"And hey, it's not like anyone got injured. You're still here—alive, stronger even."
He reached out to pat her shoulder.
"We are even. Really. Let's just stay out of each other's business from now on."
Jenny stiffened. She wanted to argue—there were so many things she wanted to say. Yet, it all stuck in her throat when she saw his expression. It was too calm, as if Skyler truly no longer cared about her.
That angered her even more. He shouldn't be the one ignoring her—she should be the one doing it! As Skyler turned to leave, she grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
"Skyler! I am not done! You can't just say 'let's stay out of each other's business' and walk away! I'm your sister. You owe me and my team an apology for what you did in the Battle Royal. If you just hadn't woken up the blue dragon, we would have been the first to get out of that dangerous place! We would have been the ones to enter the tomb..."
She swallowed her unfinished words, but Skyler easily understood what she meant.
Why was she so snappy? Why had she come to confront him the moment she returned? It made him chuckle.
The answer was clear: she was jealous—jealous that her brother, who was so weak just a month ago, had achieved something far greater than she ever had. And yet, she still called herself his sister. Incredible.
Skyler ran his hand through his hair, while Charles's solemn eyes shifted between the two. Jenny's raised voice had drawn a small crowd, their murmurs adding to the tension.
Monica's eyes gleamed with fascination as she watched the drama unfold quietly, her earlier embarrassment already forgotten.
Nevertheless, she had already set her gaze on Charles, curious about who he was and why he seemed like he'd be a useful tool.
Zack just stood behind them, his brows knitted together. Even if he wanted to step in, he couldn't. After all, he had no right to interfere—he was just an outsider to the two siblings caught in their argument.
'Is this the point in the story where Jenny begins to feel insecure about Max? Skyler's presence—and how he's accomplishing so much—has made things worse for her.'
Ultimately, it was Charles who stepped in, his gaze shifting between the two siblings.
"You two, take this somewhere private if you want to argue—people are watching."
He turned slightly.
"Riruru, come with me—"
But he blinked in surprise when Skyler stepped back with a frown, protectively shielding Riruru's form from his view.
"Why should my wife go with you?"
The instant those words escaped his lips, he sealed his mouth shut. Damn, he had slipped up—because he was worked up.
Yet, his words were enough to silence the gathered crowd into a pin-drop silence.
Not just the crowd—even his sister was dumbfounded. Charles and Zack stared at him as if he had gone crazy. Monica sighed and chose to respect his decision. She was even willing to talk to Jenny on his behalf. Some people just have strange fetishes.
Skyler: "...."
Still, he wasn't embarrassed—not even a little. His expression remained composed.
After all, he was shameless.
But when Riruru's soft giggle echoed in his mind, his face finally flushed. Damn. Riruru understood. She understood the blunder he had just made in front of so many people.
He cleared his throat and stepped away from the crowd. Their eyes bore into him with a mix of pity, judgment, sadness, and stunned disbelief. Without daring to look back, he slipped into the building, fleeing.
Jenny was frozen in shock—too stunned and overwhelmed to stop him this time.