The Smiling Death-Chapter 322: This was nothing! This won’t stop him

The dinner gradually returned to its usual noise, but the earlier excitement still lingered in the air.

Amon decided it was enough for today. He stopped talking to Scarlett and quietly finished his meal. The rest of the dinner passed in silence between them.

After eating, they collected their plates and returned them to the counter.

Scarlett gave Amon one last glance and left the canteen.

As if nothing had happened, Amon walked toward his friends, casually humming under his breath. His posture was relaxed, hands behind his head, like a man who had just achieved something great instead of narrowly escaping death.

"What’s up, guys?" he asked lightly.

The moment he stopped in front of them, he noticed their expressions.

Julian was biting his lip so hard it looked painful. Ethan had turned his face away, shoulders shaking violently. Katherine was covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling with amusement. A few others in their group weren’t even trying to hide their laughter anymore.

Amon blinked. "What?"

That was all it took. Ethan burst out first. He clutched his stomach and bent slightly forward. "Pfft—HAHAHA! ’She’s adorable,’ he says!"

Julian lost control right after. He turned around, dramatically wiping imaginary tears from his eyes. "Calm down, Scarlett, calm down," he imitated in a high-pitched, exaggerated tone.

The group exploded into laughter. Amon’s eyebrow twitched. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Katherine tried to compose herself, but her shoulders were still shaking. "I... I didn’t know you were that bold, Amon," she said between giggles. "Confessing in the middle of the canteen? In front of everyone?"

"Confessing?!" Amon straightened immediately. "Who confessed? I did not confess!"

Julian threw an arm around Amon’s shoulder dramatically. "Brother... we all saw it. The blush. The tension. The stare. That was not normal conversation."

’What the heck? They were observing me and Scarlett from the start.’

Ethan pointed at him accusingly. "And the way you kept staring! You weren’t even blinking!"

"I was not!" Amon protested. "I was just observing."

"Observing?" Julian repeated slowly. "Is that what we’re calling it now?"

More laughter.

One of the other boys leaned in. "Honestly, I thought she was going to stab you with that spoon."

Katherine nodded seriously. "For a second there, I really thought you wouldn’t survive dinner."

Ethan wiped his eyes. "When she said, ’Don’t stare at me like a creep,’ I almost choked on my food."

"How did you hear that? You people were away from us," Amon asked with irritation.

Ethan smirked and pointed at his wolf ears. "My hearing is far better than others. Even compared to other beastmen, I am pretty special. All I needed was to focus on you two. And I heard you guys low but clear."

Julian crossed his arms, pretending to analyze the situation. "Yes. And he told us everything. Let’s break this down. You annoyed her. She told you to shut up. You continued. You stared at her like a possessed spirit. Then you called her adorable."

He paused dramatically. "And you’re still alive."

The group clapped sarcastically.

Amon clicked his tongue. "You all are exaggerating."

"Exaggerating?" Ethan stepped forward. "The entire canteen went silent. Even the old man at the corner stopped chewing."

"That’s because you all were staring like hungry wolves watching a show!" Amon shot back.

Julian grinned mischievously. "Well, what do you expect? A fight between a cold beauty and a fearless idiot? Of course we’re watching."

"Idiot?" Amon frowned.

Amon couldn’t believe it. They just met today. Yes, a few hours ago and here they were already making fun of him. The biggest reason for it was Amon himself. His personality was good enough for them to joke around him easily.

"Yes," Ethan and Julian said in unison.

Katherine sighed softly, though she was still smiling. "Still... you’re brave. I wouldn’t dare talk to her like that even though I am a girl."

Amon lifted his chin proudly. "See? Someone understands."

Julian immediately ruined it. "Brave? No. He has no sense of self-preservation."

Ethan nodded. "Exactly. That wasn’t bravery. That was pure stupidity."

The group laughed again.

Amon folded his arms. "You all are just jealous."

"Jealous?" Ethan gasped dramatically. "Of what? Getting glared at like we committed a crime?"

Julian leaned closer with a sly grin. "Be honest, Amon... do you really like her?"

The teasing tone immediately made the others lean in with interest.

Amon froze for half a second. Then he scoffed. "Like her? I just find her interesting."

For the first time, he told the truth. He does like her, but not love.

"Ohhh," Ethan dragged out the word loudly.

"Interesting," Julian repeated suspiciously. "That’s how it starts."

Katherine chuckled. "You two should stop before he actually gets embarrassed."

"I am not embarrassed," Amon said firmly.

Julian smirked. "Your ears are red."

Amon immediately covered them. "It’s cold!"

"It’s literally warm inside the canteen," Ethan replied flatly.

The group burst into laughter once more.

Despite the teasing, there was warmth in their eyes. They weren’t mocking him maliciously. They were enjoying the moment, like true friends.

Amon eventually sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Laugh all you want," he said casually. "But one day, you’ll see."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "See what?"

Amon gave a mysterious grin. "You’ll see.See you guys tomorrow. Good night!" Amon left the canteen.

’This is nothing! This won’t stop me.’

---

Next day.

Amon woke up from his sleep. He was lying on the wooden bed. Yup. There was no soft mattress on it. But Amon was used to sleeping on hard places now.

Getting up, he stretched a few times.

He went to the living room only to see Vetaal hanging on a wooden log above. He was again in deep slumber, or more like trying to regain his power through meditation.

Amon didn’t wake him up and left.

’Let’s get fresh.’

Amon walked toward the riverside. The same place where he went yesterday.

’Last night was kind of fun.’ A smile formed on his face.

Just when he got closer to the river, he heard water splashing.

Amon looked around and then saw Scarlett.

She was there, kneeling on the edge of the river. Scooping water in her hand, she splashed it on her face to freshen up.

Amon’s smile widened. ’I can’t be luckier than this.’