coobybook Chapter 359 [Empire] When you grow up, come find me again.
Chapter 359 [Empire] When you grow up, come find me again.
My fingers gently stroked the palm-sized fragment of plant essence energy. Its translucent green shimmered faintly in the sunlight, as if pregnant with some powerful life force. I placed it in the center of the table and pushed it toward Nightingale.
"Nightingale, this is a lord-level fragment. I got it while hunting on a previous mission." I tried to make my tone sound casual, but there was still a slight murmur at the end of my words. "You... take it. It might be useful in times of danger."
Nightingale looked up at me, then down at the broken pieces on the table. His gaze was complicated. After a moment, he didn't reach for them. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a half-smile, "Are you giving me a breakup gift? Such a generous gesture, are you afraid I'll bother you later?"
His tone was as cynical as ever, but I caught a glimpse of a subtle emotion in his eyes, like a hint of deep-seated emotion.
"Whatever you want to understand." I lowered my head to stir the smoothie in the ice cream cone, trying to hide my emotions. "Anyway, the food is here. It's up to you whether you want to use it or not."
Nightingale chuckled softly, but there wasn't much joy in his laughter. He picked up the fragment of the Essence Core Energy and gently rubbed the surface with his fingertips, as if sensing its energy fluctuations.
"Such a good thing, and you're just going to give it to me so easily?" He looked up at me, his tone more serious. "You know how rare lord-level fragments are, right? Are you willing to give them up?"
"The fact that I was able to survive the mission and get it means I don't need it anymore." I raised my eyebrows, a smile playing on the corners of my mouth. "But you're different. You're always running around in dangerous places. Who knows when you might need it?"
Nightingale looked at me, his eyes shifting slightly, as if he were pondering my words, or perhaps considering something. He was silent for a moment, then finally put the fragment into his space button, a slightly teasing smile playing on his lips. "Alright, since it's a gift from you, I'll accept it with reluctance. But don't think I'll be overly grateful for this fragment."
I scoffed, feeling inexplicably relieved. "It doesn't matter if I'm grateful or not, as long as I can use it."
Nightingale glanced at me again, a look that seemed to carry a hint of meaning. He stood up, pushed his chair back to the table, and stretched. "Since you'll be busy with classes from now on, I won't interrupt your 'academic career'. If you ever find yourself in danger, I'll take this fragment with me. I'll owe you a favor."
He turned and walked to the store entrance, the sunlight shone on his somewhat unassuming figure. He glanced back at me, his tone as relaxed as ever: "Kid, study hard and don't give your caregivers too much trouble. When you grow up and have the ability to stand on your own, come find me."
I watched him push the door open and leave, his figure gradually blending into the busy flow of people on the street.
I looked down at the empty desk, a complex mix of emotions welling up in my heart. Perhaps this was a kind of separation, even if neither of us had spoken it out loud.
I stood up suddenly, pushed open the door and ran out. The strong sunlight stung my eyes, but I didn't care. Nightingale's back was almost blending into the crowd. I gathered my strength and shouted in his direction:
"Nightingale, stay alive!"
My voice cut through the clamor of the street, drawing the attention of many passersby, but I paid no attention. I simply stared at his back, afraid he wouldn't hear me, afraid my voice would be drowned out by the bustle of the city.
Nightingale paused for a moment, then slowly turned around and looked at me expressionlessly, as if he hadn't expected me to suddenly chase him out. There was a moment of surprise in his eyes, and then, that faint smile crept onto the corners of his mouth again.
"You really are..." He shook his head, his tone revealing a complex feeling, like helplessness, but also like a hint of tenderness. "You shouted so loudly, are you afraid that I can't hear you, or are you afraid that the whole neighborhood doesn't know who I am?"
I didn't answer, but just stood there, the sun shining on my shoulders and sweat trickling down my forehead. I looked at him intently, wanting to convey all the unspoken instructions to him with just one glance.
Nightingale stood there and looked at me quietly. After a moment, he sighed and his tone became softer: "Little boy, you have to live too. When you really grow up, come and see me."
After saying that, he raised his hand, waved gently at me, turned around and blended into the crowd.
I stood there, watching his back disappear completely at the end of the street. My heart felt like it was being pressed down by something, heavy, yet with a barely perceptible sense of relief.
Perhaps, we all have our own paths to go, but as long as we are still in this world, there is always a possibility of seeing each other again.
I took a deep breath, turned around and walked towards home. The sun was still scorching, but my heart felt more determined.