In the dark cave at the base of the mountain, Riven Veylor stood above the unconscious body of Meika Noctshade. "What should I do? Should I treat her or not?" he murmured.
He thought The system didn't say anything regarding her... Let's just treat her. Maybe she'll become a useful pawn. If not... well, she does have a really good body.
Riven licked his lips, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.Her chest is still small, but her ass is really well-shaped, rounded... a perfect pear-shaped figure.
He brought a potion from his system inventory and placed it near Meika's lips. With a controlled surge of pure elemental energy, he guided the liquid down her throat.
A cold blue screen flashed before Riven's eyes:
Task Alert
Objective: Move to the other side of the mountain — encampment already made by students.
Mission Duration: 24 hours
Reward: Dagger Art Book
Punishment on Failure: Death
Note: This task cannot be denied.
Riven clicked his tongue. This fucking system... Always forcing everything with the same punishment: death. Or maybe... maybe it truly wants to kill me.
Meanwhile, in the dense forest far away from the mountains, Alex, Rina, and Selene arrived near a serene lake, the Sun's reflection shimmering on its glassy surface. After walking all day, their legs heavy with exhaustion, they finally rested.
Alex, stretching his limbs and rubbing his sore shoulders, turned to the girls. "You two should freshen up in the lake. Change your clothes if you have extras, or wash the ones you're wearing. I'll stay over there. If you're in danger, just scream — I'll come running."
He pointed toward the dense line of trees, then started walking behind them.
Selene stood abruptly, her expression flustered. "Wait! Wait, hold on! I can't do that. You're just going to peek at us from there, you bastard!"
Alex blinked, surprised. "Why would I peek?"
"To watch us without clothes!" Selene shouted, her face now the shade of a ripe tomato.
Rina, standing beside her, burst into laughter, clutching her stomach, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
"Why would I be interested in that?" Alex asked, genuinely confused.
Rina was now breathless from laughing. Selene's red face somehow deepened in color.
Still giggling, Rina put a hand on Selene's shoulder. "He doesn't know anything — you could say he's illiterate in that area."
She turned to Alex, nodding toward the trees. "Go ahead. We'll call if there's danger."
Alex nodded obediently and disappeared behind the trees, leaning against one and thinking, What were they talking about?
Selene exhaled and turned to Rina. "Why doesn't Alex have common knowledge?"
"According to him," Rina replied thoughtfully, "he lived in a forest near Romania City. He didn't say how long, but it sounds like most of his life. That's probably why he doesn't know a lot of things."
Selene's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes, I was just as surprised," Rina continued. "I don't even know how he survived — let alone in a danger zone. But according to him, the only time he truly felt in danger was when my brother attacked him."
Selene's mouth gaped. Her thoughts struggled to keep up. She splashed her face with water, trying to calm herself.
"Why are you dropping bombs like this?" she muttered. "Are you trying to kill me with a heart attack?"
Rina chuckled. "I just wanted you to feel what I felt when I found out."
After some time, the sound of Alex's voice carried through the trees. "Hey, hurry up. We don't have all day — this place isn't exactly safe."
Rina sighed. "I was enjoying this... but he's right."
Selene nodded, and they both changed into fresh clothes before returning. As they emerged, sunlight danced off the lake, illuminating Selene's features.
Alex's eyes locked on her, and before he could stop himself, he blurted, "You're really beautiful."
He blinked, realizing what he said, then quickly looked away said "Sorry."
He stepped into the lake with his ragged clothes, washing up in silence. When he removed his shirt, both girls froze.
His body, carved and defined like a statue, shimmered in the morning light. Water traced his abs and v-line. His silver hair glistened, and those deep violet eyes gave him an otherworldly charm.
Rina cleared her throat. "He really is a clueless, handsome boy. And to think, he was moving around in those rags — I must be blind to not notice this before."
She clenched her fists. "I'll make sure he keeps wearing those rags. If other girls see this, they'll eat him alive."
Selene stood still, unable to blink, her eyes drinking in every inch of Alex.
"I never thought a man could be so... beautiful and handsome at the same time," she whispered.
"Ahem!" Rina coughed, snapping Selene out of her trance.
Selene's eyes flicked to the scar on Alex's chest. "That scar... it must have been from William."
Rina followed her gaze. Reality settled like a stone in her heart. Her brother tried to kill the person who saved his life.
She sighed. "Let's wait over there."
The girls sat by the lakeside, watching the flow of lake. Wink
Alex finished up, pulling on an old pair of shorts and wrapping himself in a monster pelt he had taken from an invisible tiger-like creature.
"I need to catch some big monsters soon," he murmured, "with better fur."
Selene smiled. "Remind me when we get out of here — I'll get you new clothes."
Alex nodded.
Rina whispered, "Why would you do that? Let's keep him like this — he can be our secret. If he starts wearing proper clothes, every girl will go crazy."
Selene blushed, but replied seriously, "He doesn't have any clothes, Rina. He's wearing monster pelts. Let's at least thank him with clothes once we're back."
Rina nodded, conceding. "Makes sense."
Selene, meanwhile, thought to herself with a small smile, I can't wait to see how he looks in real clothes...