World Apocalypse: Apocalust

Chapter 46: Chapter XLVI - Timed Quest Completed

Her vibrant red hair spilled over his chest and shoulder in glowing waves, catching the last remnants of sunlight until individual strands seemed to shimmer like threads of copper.

Noah’s gaze lingered on her. Then, unfortunately, his eyes dipped a little lower.

For a fleeting moment, his eyes were drawn to the gentle swell beneath the edge of her jacket, a subtle curve that hinted at more beneath the black fabric.

He immediately snapped his head ahead, forcing his attention onto the fading light. His right leg began bouncing again, faster this time, the repetitive motion returning almost instinctively as he tried to settle himself.

Then a hand gently settled against his thigh, and the movement stopped.

Noah looked down where Sage’s hand rested casually against his thigh, her fingers relaxed as though the contact were the most natural thing in the world. He swallowed, unsure whether to move or pretend he hadn’t noticed.

She didn’t look at him. Instead, she remained exactly as she was, her head resting against his shoulder as she watched the traces of sunlight spill across the distant rooftops. Neither of them spoke, but the silence between them pressed against him and him alone.

Noah’s eyes drifted toward the violet timer.

〔06:42〕

Six minutes.

He stared at the countdown for a moment, watching the seconds steadily tick away. Then his gaze fell on Sage as she shifted slightly against him, despite his efforts not to.

Before he could think too much about it, her index finger began tracing small, idle circles against his thigh. The touch was almost absentminded, yet the warmth of it sent a quiet jolt down his spine.

Noah’s body reacted before his mind could catch up, and he became painfully aware of the thrumming beneath his jeans demanding his attention. His jaw tightened, forcing his gaze to remain fixed on the landscape ahead.

Sage seemed completely oblivious to his internal struggle, continuing to stare ahead as though she were enjoying the evening breeze.

Then she spoke.

"What made you want to help me?"

Noah blinked, coming to himself.

"Hmm?"

Sage turned her head, lifting her gaze toward him.

"What made you want to help me?"

Her finger stopped moving.

Those emerald eyes looked directly into his, and for a moment, Noah found himself caught off guard by how genuinely curious she seemed, despite everything. He glanced away, buying himself a second to think.

"Honestly?"

Sage gave a small nod.

"I don’t know."

Her eyebrows rose slightly.

"You don’t know?"

Noah shook his head.

"Not really." He paused, glancing down at her before looking back toward the trees. "I guess you could call it a feeling."

Sage studied him quietly.

"A feeling? You barely knew me."

"I know."

"And you still decided to help."

"Seemed like the right thing to do."

"That’s a pretty simple answer."

"I’m a pretty simple guy."

She continued looking at him for another moment, as though trying to decide whether she believed him.

Noah let out a quiet breath and leaned farther back against the window behind them, allowing himself to relax into the glass. He wasn’t worried about it breaking. The windows had already been reinforced, after all.

"Besides, you had a bow."

Sage blinked.

"Seemed like a good idea to have someone around who could shoot things from far away. Silent but deadly."

She stared at him for a second before letting out a quiet laugh.

"So that’s why?"

"Partly."

"Partly?"

Noah looked at her.

"You’re useful."

Sage’s expression flattened.

"Wow."

"What?"

"That might be the least romantic answer I’ve ever heard."

Noah chuckled.

"I wasn’t trying to be romantic."

"Clearly."

She turned her attention back, though the small smile remained on her lips.

Noah followed her gaze, keeping his expression as composed as he could. Internally, however, he was practically punching the air.

I’m a fucking dumbass.

I’m actually an idiot.

It’s gotta be Levy; he’s been rubbing off on me.

It wasn’t.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

The wind moved between them again, carrying the faint rustle of leaves from the trees below. Noah found himself settling into the silence, even with the violet countdown lingering in the corner of his vision.

〔04:56〕

Four minutes and fifty-six seconds.

He grimaced internally.

I’m running out of time.

Sage, however, seemed perfectly content to sit there. Her head nestled back onto his shoulder, her hand still resting on his thigh, and the casualness of it somehow made the entire situation more difficult. If she had been nervous, Noah could at least have convinced himself that she was feeling the same tension he was. Instead, she looked completely comfortable.

Then again, maybe she was.

Sage shifted slightly, lifting her head from his shoulder just enough to look at him. "You really are different."

Noah raised an eyebrow at her. "Different how?"

"I don’t know." She said. "When I first saw you, I thought you were going to be another asshole trying to take advantage of the situation."

Noah gave a small shake of his head and chuckled. "I’m more of a spear guy. Never had a knack for using a bow. And trust me, I tried."

Sage smiled.

"That’s exactly what I mean."

Noah glanced at her. "What?"

"You don’t think like other people."

He gave her a puzzled look, and she continued, "Most people would’ve focused on the fact that I’m a girl. Especially now." Her smile faded slightly. "The world’s falling apart, people are desperate, and suddenly there aren’t many rules keeping them in check."

Noah’s expression hardened for a moment because she was right.

Sage noticed.

"But you didn’t. Thanks for that."

Noah’s face softened.

"Thanks for the compliment."

"It’s the bare minimum."

"Still taking it."

Sage rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "You know, you and Levy are pretty alike."

Noah scoffed. "That’s probably the meanest thing you’ve said to me."

"Get used to it."

Her smile remained as the two fell quiet again, but this time the silence felt different. It wasn’t awkward or strained. If anything, it felt comfortable, as though neither of them needed to fill the space with meaningless conversation.

Noah turned his head slightly, his gaze settling on her. She was already looking at him.

For a moment, neither moved.

Something in Sage’s expression had changed. The guardedness that had been present when they’d first met was gone, replaced by something softer and more difficult for Noah to read. His eyes lingered on hers, and before he realized it, his heartbeat had begun to quicken.

〔04:12〕

Four minutes.

Sage’s gaze dropped briefly toward his lips before returning to his eyes.

Noah noticed.

His breath caught.

She leaned closer, only slightly, but it was enough to make the remaining space between them feel suddenly insignificant. Noah didn’t move. He wasn’t entirely sure whether he was supposed to, and some part of him was terrified that if he did anything, he’d somehow ruin the moment.

Sage hesitated for the briefest instant, as though giving him one final opportunity to pull away.

He didn’t.

Her fingers tightened slightly against his thigh, a subtle anchor, before she closed the small space between them. Her lips met his, soft and questioning at first, a tentative exploration. Noah froze for half a heartbeat before instinctively relaxing into it. It was fleeting, a whisper of a kiss, but it was enough.

〔Timed Quest Completed〕

〔First Kiss〕

〔Reward: 250 AP + Gacha System Unlock〕

Noah barely registered the notification. Sage was still there, close enough for him to feel the warmth of her against him. For the time being, the System wasn’t the thing occupying his mind.

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