New World with Four Husbands

Chapter 394: Strange encounter

The sun had made its way across the sky, signaling the change from morning to afternoon.

The passing hours had blurred together and Coco didn’t even notice because she was focused on the thoughts that lingered in her mind.

She spent the rest of the morning engaged in various tasks to get rid of them, now she found herself pausing, a moment of silence taking over as she looked out the window, seeing the afternoon sun casting its warm, golden hues upon the city outside.

Coco, along with the four mediators, and her friends, strolled out of the building, blinking as they adjusted to the light.

The afternoon air carried a gentle breeze, rustling through the leaves and bringing a touch of refreshment on their aching heads.

Coco shielded her eyes for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings, taking in the sights and sounds of the area as they stepped out into the open air, then the rest of the group followed suit, their footsteps falling in sync as they navigated their way out into the sunshine.

Coco and her companions made their way towards the awaiting carriage, their strides slow and unhurried.

The carriage, parked patiently on the side of the road, stood ready to transport them to their home— and as they approached, the horses pulling the carriage whinnied gently as if sensing their approach.

The carriage driver, perched on the front part of the vehicle, acknowledged their arrival with a polite nod.

Coco was just about to step into the carriage when the sound of someone calling her name caught her attention.

"Coco? Coco Hughes?"

She paused, her foot still mid-air as she turned, curiosity piqued by the unexpected call.

The others, having already climbed into the carriage, looked back at her in confusion, awaiting her response, but Coco’s gaze darted around, trying to pinpoint where the voice had originated from.

However, her confusion turned into intrigue as she took in the appearance of the stranger who slowly approached her.

The man’s skin was unnaturally pale, almost ghostly grey, and his eyes held a deep, ruby red color that seemed to glint and glow.

Coco’s gaze lingered on his face, taking in the eerie details.

The man’s voice was soft yet firm as he asked. "Are you Coco? Coco the outlander?"

He regarded her with a calm, almost unsettling expression, waiting for a response, and this caused Coco to narrow her eyes, her face contorting into both confusion and caution.

The name he had called her— outlander— had struck a nerve, bringing back memories of her time in the arena.

It was used by the goleter she faced to pass the second stage of the examination.. But how did he know what to call her? The goleter died.

She stared at the stranger with a guarded stance, body tense and her hand placed on the carriage door.

"Who might you be?" She echoed, her voice holding a touch of defensiveness because the man’s unusual appearance and the fact that he knew the name he goleter called her had set her on edge, her mind racing to piece together any possible connection between them.

The stranger’s smile widened, the corners of his mouth almost unnaturally curled upwards, his red eyes seemed to glow even brighter, their intensity becoming almost unsettling.

"Finally." He murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction. "Your presence has caused quite a stir."

The man’s words hung in the air, the underlying implication sending a chill down Coco’s spine. What exactly did he mean by "quite a stir" and why was he so creepy?

Coco’s face twisted into a frown, her displeasure at the stranger’s enigmatic words evident.

The vague nature of his statements only added to the growing sense of unease that was filling her— Coco’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the information she had just received, and the fact that this man seemed to know so much about her.

Her instincts told her that there was more to the situation than what he was revealing.

The stranger’s gaze was fixated on Coco’s face, studying her expression and when he noticed the look of confusion and surprise that flickered across her features, a small, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips.

He spoke again, his voice soft yet carrying a hint of amusement. "Judging by the look on your face, I can tell you weren’t aware of what you’ve just done, were you?"

The question was posed almost casually as if expecting a confirmation of his observation, then he shrugged his shoulders and smirked, an air of indifference in his casual gesture.

"Oh well." He remarked, his tone nonchalant yet tinged with dismissiveness. "It would be quite the sight to witness once you realize what lies ahead in the coming days."

The man’s confusing words only served to make Coco nervous and deepen her sense of uneasiness.

The thought of an impending unknown event, coupled with the fact that this stranger seemed to possess knowledge regarding it, left her even more puzzled.

"What do you mean—" She tried to ask, but she was cut off as the man’s smile widened and he slowly started to disappear into thin air.

Coco’s eyes widened at the scene, her words catching in her throat, and she stood there, flabbergasted as the stranger slowly faded away, leaving her standing alone and utterly bewildered.

The sudden vanishing left Coco with even more questions than before.

Coco remained standing outside the carriage, reeling from the strange encounter, when suddenly, Zaque’s voice broke through her daze.

She turned her head, meeting Zaque’s gaze as he peeked out of the carriage, a look of curiosity in his eyes.

"Who are you talking to, Coco?" He inquired, his tone laced with confusion and concern.

Coco was still processing what had just happened, but now, she felt scared, she glanced around, realizing that the stranger was now indeed gone without a trace.

She hesitated for a brief moment before responding, slowly trailing off. "No one.."