Chapter 10: Saving Beauty
Jack entered his new apartment and immediately noticed the silence. The two roommates who shared the place with him weren't around, but he didn't mind. It gave him time to settle in without any interruptions. He headed straight to his room, which was still a bit dusty and bare, and spent the next hour cleaning.
However, as he looked around his freshly cleaned space, he realized he had nothing. His clothes, daily necessities, and other personal items were all back at his old place. He'd need to buy everything anew. And on top of that, his stomach growled—he hadn't eaten since earlier in the day.
"Guess I need to head out," Jack muttered to himself.
As he stepped into the hallway, the sound of soft footsteps reached his ears. Jack looked up, and for a moment, time seemed to slow.
Walking toward him was a woman, and not just any woman—she was breathtaking. Her figure was slender yet perfectly curved, and she moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly. Her sky-blue cheongsam hugged her body in all the right places, accentuating her delicate lines. The fabric shimmered faintly under the hallway lights, giving her an ethereal glow.
Her long, purple hair was tied back in a neat bun, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. Her eyes, almond-shaped and lined with subtle makeup, caught the light as she approached, making them sparkle like gemstones. She was stunning, and Jack couldn't look away.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Jack's Celestial Eye activated on its own, the familiar golden light flashing before his vision. His gaze shifted involuntarily, and to his shock, he could see through her clothes. His eyes widened, and before he could stop himself, he continued watching as if in a trance.
The woman, sensing something off, slowed her pace and glanced at him. Her expression quickly turned from neutral to disgusted as she noticed where his eyes were focused. She stopped walking, her lips pressing together in irritation.
"Excuse me," she called out sharply, her voice cutting through the silence.
Jack blinked, snapping out of his trance. "I—I wasn't—" he stammered, realizing how bad this must have looked.
The woman crossed her arms over her chest defensively, her eyes narrowing. "Were you just… staring at me?" she demanded, her tone cold.
Jack's mind raced, and he quickly blurted out an excuse. "No, no! I wasn't staring at you… I mean, I was, but not like that!" He pointed toward her neck, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "I was admiring your necklace! It's, uh, very beautiful. The craftsmanship is… stunning."
The woman's frown deepened, her expression now a mix of confusion and suspicion. She glanced down at her neck, touching the small jade pendant that hung from a thin gold chain. "My necklace?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You were staring at my necklace?"
Jack nodded vigorously, forcing a smile. "Yeah! It's a rare piece, right? I couldn't help but notice. I have an eye for jewelry, you see."
For a moment, she just stood there, looking at him with obvious skepticism. It was clear she didn't completely buy his excuse, but she decided to let it go—at least, for now. Still, the coldness in her eyes didn't fade.
"Just… don't look at me like that again," she said firmly, her voice tinged with irritation. She gave him one last sharp look before turning and walking away down the hallway.
Jack exhaled a long sigh of relief as she disappeared from view. "That was close," he muttered under his breath, thankful he didn't get slapped. His heart was still racing, but at least he hadn't made things worse.
Deciding it was best to leave the apartment before anything else went wrong, Jack headed out to buy the things he needed. He wandered through the local shops, picking up essentials—some clothes, toiletries, a set of towels, and a few snacks to get him through the next couple of days. He also bought a small duffel bag to carry everything.
As he returned to the apartment building, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the street. Jack walked with a sense of satisfaction—he had handled the awkward encounter with the woman, and now he was getting settled in his new place.
But as he approached the apartment, he heard a commotion nearby. Turning the corner, he spotted the same woman from earlier, and she was in trouble.
Three large men had cornered her in a narrow alleyway. They wore rough clothes, and their menacing postures made it clear they weren't there to help her. The woman stood her ground, her expression fierce, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes.
"Come on, sweetheart," one of the men sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Just hand over that pretty little necklace, and we won't hurt you."
The woman's hand instinctively went to her jade pendant, her lips tightening. "Leave me alone," she said coldly, though her voice wavered slightly.
Jack's heart pounded in his chest. He could tell by the way the men moved that they weren't amateurs—they were dangerous. Normally, he might have hesitated, but this time something inside him told him to act.
His Celestial Eye activated once again, but this time, it wasn't just revealing things. It was showing him something else—weak points. He could see faint glowing lines tracing over the men's bodies, highlighting vulnerable spots on their knees, shoulders, and necks. If he moved quickly, he could take them down before they had a chance to retaliate.
Without thinking, Jack rushed forward.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" he shouted, drawing their attention.
The three men turned toward him, and the largest one laughed. "You've got some guts, kid, but this doesn't concern you."
Jack didn't waste time with words. With his Celestial Eye guiding him, he stepped forward and struck the first man's knee, making him buckle instantly. The man cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.
The second man lunged at Jack, but Jack sidestepped easily, driving his elbow into the man's shoulder with precision. The man grunted in pain, stumbling backward.
The third man, seeing his comrades go down so quickly, hesitated. Jack locked eyes with him and said firmly, "You should leave. Now."
The man's face twisted in fear, and without another word, he turned and fled, leaving his companions behind.
The woman stared at Jack, her eyes wide with surprise. She had clearly been prepared for a fight, but she hadn't expected anyone to come to her rescue, let alone so decisively.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked, turning toward her.
She nodded slowly, still processing what had just happened. "I… I'm fine," she said softly. She glanced down at the men groaning on the ground, then back at Jack. "Thank you."
Jack shrugged, trying to play it cool, though his heart was still racing. "No problem. Just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
The woman regarded him for a moment, her earlier suspicion replaced with a hint of gratitude. "I didn't expect… anyone to step in," she admitted. "Especially after…" She trailed off, referring to their earlier awkward encounter.
Jack rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Yeah, about that… Sorry again."
She gave him a small, hesitant smile. "It's fine. Just… next time, keep your eyes on my face, okay?"
Jack chuckled nervously. "Deal."
Then she introduce herself, Samantha.