《Demonic Dragon: Harem System》 Chapter 1: Prove to me that youre real Truck-kun! One day, I realized that my existence was insignificant compared to everyone around me. I was never someone communicative, I never had long-lasting friendships, and I was never present in others'' lives. I never left a mark on their lives; on the contrary, I was a complete burden to everyone. I''ve fallen and risen many times, I''ve overcome enormous difficulties that could have kept me bedridden for days, groaning and crying over my problems. I''m not weak, I never have been and never will be. That was a thought I frequently held to try to maintain my sanity in this place, but in truth... I was a compulsive liar, a complete liar, to them and to myself. I was never truly loved, that''s how I felt. I fought against my own thoughts while battling severe depression that consumed me for years, the abuse I endured left me completely shattered. Not just physical but psychological abuse, things that made me dream every night, sleep restlessly, and fear for my safety within my own home. The abuse started early, at eleven years old I was already psychologically affected by my family, mainly by my father. He was an alcoholic, drinking until late and when he came home, he beat my mother, that was the beginning. My mother had no choice but to accept it, with my other siblings and her, it was impossible for us to leave the house he owned, only she worked to support the household. It was a life of suffering, but gradually I grew up and the treatment got worse, my father treated me like garbage, I was worth nothing just because I liked to stay in my room and play video games. Not only did my father get worse, but school and high school contributed to the worst time of my life, gradually, I started attending therapy and was diagnosed with severe depression at twenty years old. I wanted more chances, I wanted to have had a better life, I wanted to have the courage to stand up against difficulties, but in the end, I wasn''t capable of doing anything but giving up. He screamed but on the second stab I had already cut his throat so he wouldn''t say anything else, he started thrashing, but I held him, not stopping for even a second, after the first stab, more came, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, fifty, seventy-two stabs. That was the number of times my hand went up and down without even hesitating for a second, my whole body was covered in blood as I did such a horrific act, but who cared? I didn''t. That was a historical reparation, that was for all the suffering of my life and finally, I left the crime scene, yeah, who cared? I didn''t. I was covered in blood, completely broken inside and yet I went out onto the street, I lived near a crossroad, it was there that I decided to put an end to this life of eternal suffering. "Let''s see if it''s true, God" I said as I walked down the street towards the intersection where many trucks and buses usually passed. I stumbled slightly, luckily the street was empty, there was no one to stop me, finally, I could do this. I reached the intersection, and looked both ways waiting for something to come, and fortunately the time was right: a truck was coming full throttle well above the speed limit of the road, which was forty miles per hour. "So, let''s test if the novels were right? I have nothing to lose anyway!" I said with a smile on my face, as the truck approached. "Let''s meet in the afterlife, you piece of shit, so I can kill you again!" I shouted with a smile on my face. Ssssssss The driver tried to brake, but I was already very determined, I opened my arms and waited for the impact; fortunately, he couldn''t stop. Of course, he didn''t expect that, on an empty road, someone would throw themselves in front of him. Well, tough luck for him, who asked him to be reckless? Let''s go! Truck-kun, I know you can do it! Don''t make me look like a lunatic praying to you! Prove to me that you''re real! Bam The cycle of shit in my life ended, with my best friend, Truck-kun. Chapter 2: Fuck! I was right! I felt excruciating pain, as if every bone in my body had been destroyed and reconstructed and destroyed again. Of course, I was hit by a truck... "Okay, it looks like it worked," the boy said aloud as he tried to recover from the shock. His whole body was burning with pain, and his head hurt badly. "Damn it, Truck-kun, I thought you were my friend, why did you kill me like this?" He questioned as he tried to recover from the last few seconds; it was like a blink of an eye, and he was awake in an unknown location. "It was too quick for me to have been in a coma, and what kind of hospital would this be?" He questioned. After all, the place he was in was no different from a room inside a cave. "A door, a wooden bed, and a straw pillow... Okay, we''re not alive anymore," he said as he got up, surveying the area. "Okay, maybe you really are my friend, Truck-kun," he said upon seeing a small mirror. Approaching it, he looked at himself. He was of average height, not exceeding 1.80m. His body had some muscles, as if he played sports, something he would never have done in his previous world. His hair was black, quite messy, and cut around shoulder length. He saw himself with his eyes as red as blood, observing the symmetry of his face, and his charming smile didn''t fail to appear. "Hahaha! Yes, Truck-Kun! You''re my best friend! My only true friend! You bastard, could''ve told me it was that easy to get out of that crappy life! Hahaha!" He laughed loudly and then returned to the bed and lay down with an excited expression on his face. "Let''s wait for some idiot to show up. I want to know this body''s name quickly," he said, his eyes shining with motivation. Hours passed, and no one came to see him. "Okay, let''s get out. Since everyone doesn''t want to see me, I''ll see everyone," he got up and opened the door, coming face to face with three men. The three had pickaxes in their hands and looked at him with fury. He slowly blamed his friend Truck-kun for not handing over the memories of his predecessor, but he didn''t let it bother him. "Why weren''t you at work?" The tallest one questioned. He presumed he could be his boss. "Oh, sorry boss... I... I was sick," he replied with an ironic smile as the men''s stares in front of him got worse. "Let''s go, you slacker," he replied, this time his tone lighter than before. "Sure," he quickly replied, but without the slightest clue as to what it was about. Logical thinking? Sure! He wasn''t even afraid of the pickaxes in the hands of the workers in front of him; imagine, him being afraid, what nonsense. He followed the workers to a mining field; in fact, he already lived in a mine, so the stone walls and the floor without any kind of coating or flooring. The guy was a miner. "Now I understand why I have these muscles," he said, watching other miners working. "Hey, what are you doing, Strax? Come on, lazy," the leader said, and he immediately picked up the pace and started walking behind them. "So my name is Strax... it''s a good name," Strax thought. Really, compared to his generic name from his past life, Strax was really good! Before long, the group arrived at the entrance to a cave. The leader, the tallest man wearing a helmet with some sort of lantern, went in front, though Strax couldn''t exactly tell what it was; clearly, it wasn''t something technological. A cave with humidity and a strange concentration that he didn''t know the origin of; it was something he had never felt in his life. ''This feeling in the air... what is this?'' He kept walking, feeling strange; he kept his mind sane and continued to explore. Nothing was found; nevertheless , the feeling of strangeness continued. Not long after, something happened. "There''s something wrong here... I feel it," he said, looking at the paths he had followed; instinctively, he turned, feeling a strange noise coming from his back. A strange shadow appeared in front of Strax, causing him to instinctively recoil. A monstrous spider, with hairy legs and glowing eyes, advanced towards him, emitting a shrill and threatening noise. "Damn it! What is this?!" He stepped back even more and held the pickaxe tightly, terrified but prepared; the spider lunged with its venomous jaws ready to tear his flesh. Strax dodged, in an act of pure luck, and instinctively struck back with the worn tip of the pickaxe, which hit the right side of its head, completely piercing it; yet it rose again. "Damn it, are you kidding me?!" He shouted angrily and, again, holding the pickaxe more firmly, attacked again. Sweat fell on his face as he continued to crush the spider''s head with the flat part of the pickaxe, but it still moved. He faintly saw a glow on its belly, like a jewel, and then decided to attack there successively; finally, it stopped moving. Panting, he watched the creature''s inert body on the cave floor. "Phew... that was close. But I can''t stay here for long. Who knows how many more of these things are lurking in the shadows." [Ding!] [Congratulations! You received a gift from "Entity 000000007" from Sector Prime!] [You obtained the Demonic Harem System of the Dragon God] [Starting...] Strax heard the sound... and he freaked out internally when he heard the little bell and read the notification in front of him... "Damn it! I was right!" Chapter 3: My System appears to be broken! [Ding!] [Congratulations! You have been chosen by Entity 000000007 from Sector Prime!] [You have obtained the Demon Harem System of the Dragon God] [Initializing...] Strax heard the sound... and he internally freaked out when he heard the little bell and read the notification in front of him... "Damn! I was right!" Strax was thrilled by the discovery; finally, he could have his cheat in concrete form in this new world. [Ding!] [Connection completed with user''s soul!] [Character Information] [Name: Strax Vorah] [Age: 18 years old] [Cultivation: None] [Talent: None] [Race: Human] [Physique: Dragon-Demon (Destroyed)] [Level: 1 (XP: 35/100)] [HP: 87/100] [Vitality: 7] [Stamina: 4] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 3] [Intelligence: 1] "Okay, it worked," Strax said, who was now already at the entrance of the tunnel where he had excavated; he quickly climbed up and sat in the corner, waiting for Eron to return. It might have seemed like a long time, but all of this happened in less than twenty minutes, enough time for him to enter and leave without being noticed. ''I can''t believe how fast that was,'' thought Strax, slowly closing his eyes as he waited for his mining partner to return. Some time passed, suddenly he heard someone shouting his name, and his thoughts quickly returned to reality. "Ah, hi," he said when he saw three men casting their gaze upon him, then they questioned, "What are you doing that''s so tiring you dared to sleep here?" That man from before, taller and burlier, questioned while looking at Strax. "Ah, sorry, I had to deal with some spiders," he replied in his own way, but the three didn''t believe a word he said. ''These people are annoying, let me be free already.'' Strax thought inwardly, noting the expressions of the older men; he felt like a child next to these orcs! "Get up, the expedition has been canceled," he ordered, and Strax quickly got up while discreetly hiding the pickaxe on his back, not to show that it had broken. Time passed, and night fell, Strax realized it was time to escape. He didn''t know what he was exactly or where he was, but clearly, he wasn''t an ordinary worker; on the contrary, he seemed more like a slave, but since he had nothing to lose, he stood up and walked towards the door of his dwelling. Through the cracks, he observed some soldiers watching and patrolling continuously; perhaps escaping wasn''t a reality at the moment, so he contented himself with observing the place first. [Ding!] [You have received a mission: Leave the Mine] [Deadline: 20 days] [Reward: 1* Ability] ''Look at that... it really seems like an RPG. The situation arose, and the system encouraged me to face it head-on, but at the same time, it gave me the possibility to ignore it since there''s no kind of detailed explanation. Maybe I can just leave and come back, and the mission will be completed? Seriously, you System creators need to be more specific, besides giving loopholes for the user to break the mission, you make it even more difficult with the lack of information, be more specific. And this ability? You don''t even provide the name? This seems highly suspicious. "Hey, system!" Strax tried to contact the system vocally, but to no avail... he was being ignored by the very system that should help him; nothing happened. ''This is all I needed, a system that doesn''t even work properly. Just missing the system not having its own consciousness, then it''s screwed. Not only the lack of information, now I''ll have to guess what I have to do. Seriously, what a tedious reincarnation. Well, at least Truck-kun didn''t abandon me; my sacred god was by my side until the end!'' ''Well, I have twenty days for this now. If I manage to enter the cave again, I might even level up a few times; now that I have experience, killing spiders will become easy peasy!'' Chapter 4: I need to level up! The day dawned heavily monotonous, the weather felt... strange. Strax woke up after a poorly slept night, his dreams of what happened before his death echoing around him, but he didn''t feel regretful; on the contrary, he felt proud of what he did. But that wouldn''t change the fact that he had succumbed to his worst side, and that couldn''t happen again. "What a damn headache, I just wanted to be free from this stupid burden of abandoning my family." His thoughts still led him to that, but he had nothing more to worry about, as they say. "Out of sight, out of mind." *Knock* *Knock* The door made a noise, knocks like the ones from the previous day; again, those same three workers that Strax didn''t even think to remember the names of were there. As he got up to open, he was already ready for work, and if everything went as he wanted, he could start leveling up, maybe even escape safely. "Well, it looks like the lazy one is ready for work; I just hope you don''t fall asleep in the mine again," said one of them, leading the way. "Seriously, I don''t understand the dynamics of this place. What am I exactly here? A slave? A prisoner? I have no idea. That idiot of my predecessor didn''t help me at all other than being a pretty face." Pretty face would be blasphemy compared to these animals he worked with. I am a god among mortals, damn it. Strax''s thoughts reflected on his face; if anyone saw the disgusted grimaces he made behind his coworkers'' backs, he would probably be in trouble. "Strax," the eldest called him by name, as his musings about his appearance began to fade. "Y-Yes, S-Sir?" He stammered slightly, but was ignored. "The Baroness wants to meet with you to give you the reward for discovering a cave," the man said, and Strax''s body shivered slightly with the news. "W-where?" He questioned, and the man turned, looking into his eyes. "At the main house, obviously. Tell the guards, and they will take you there." "Why me? Or better yet, why only me? Eron was with me, why isn''t he being called too?" He couldn''t help but think about the strangeness of this call, but despite that, he focused on what he needed to do today. "We have work, but this time, the Baroness requested that Strax go back to the cave alone and make a report for her," the man said, pushing him forward. An unsatisfied expression appeared on Strax''s face when he heard about working alone. They even chuckled lightly, but inside... "HAHAHAHA, I AM THE GOD OF DESTINY!" Of course, a manipulation game made by him. Dissatisfied? It was what he wanted most at the moment. He could level up! So, he quickly went back into the abandoned mine, which was now reasonably lit. Apparently, during the process, some miners visited the site and hung lanterns along the paths already traveled, including the same ones from before, where Strax had destroyed the spiders. [+35XP] "It''s been two hours since I got here. It seems like I''ve cleared these caves already. Maybe I should go down a bit further while looking for more spiders." His thoughts were understandable; the ecstasy of leveling up and getting stronger was really noticeable. After all, who wouldn''t want to be strong? Especially remembering his previous life, Strax was excited. "Let''s go down." He descended a few meters into a round cave that slightly resembled a slide. He couldn''t resist and slid down a bit. When he got up, he saw some old remnants. He really had a good opportunity. The spot he hit was an important point. He hit her directly in the stomach, with the power of the first blow being completely overwhelming. She had no choice. From the beginning, the winner was already decided. She tried to walk, but her body wouldn''t allow it. Before she could even turn to try to shoot web at Strax again, the man was already behind her, with a maniacal smile preparing to mine her head. *SKRIIIIII* She screamed in fear, but before she could do anything. [You Defeated the First 2* Poisonous Cave Spider] [+188XP] [You leveled up!] [Defeated: 1/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] "Well, now that I know it''s easy to kill them, all I need to do is find these damn things," said Strax, and thus began his hunt. [Defeated: 4/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] [You leveled up!] [Defeated: 9/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] [You leveled up!] [Defeated: 12/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] [You leveled up!] [Defeated: 18/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] [You leveled up!] [Defeated: 24/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] "Ah~" The heavy sigh of the man sitting on the ground was proof of how tired he was. Actually, tired was an understatement. Unlike the first ones, the others weren''t in blind spots he could use and abuse. Many of them fought him head-on. Of course, that didn''t mean he would lose, but it was exhausting. The spiders were quite dumb in fair fights; they were assassin hunters, not heavy fighters, and that was proof that Strax had a total advantage. It was just a training for him. *SKRIIII!* *Thud* [Defeated: 25/25 Poisonous Cave Spiders] "Well, let''s see what I''ll get, shall we?" He questioned himself, and a different tab appeared. [You completed your first side mission! Distributing rewards] [You received 10 White Points!] [You received the System Skill: Inventory.] "I worked my ass off... for you to give me a basic skill that comes with any system without needing to complete missions? Are you kidding me, System? Am I a joke to you?" Chapter 5: Okay, its a Joke Strax decided to return to the surface while it was still daytime, as he would have to meet the Baroness the next day, who his "work friends" said would reward him. "Okay, I have fifteen white points, what should I increase? I need more agility at the same time, it would be good to have higher vitality, damn, I really don''t know... ah, screw it, I''ll put 5 points into each: vitality, stamina, and agility, so I stay balanced between the three." [Character Information] [Name: Strax Vorah] [Age: 18 years] [Cultivation: None] [Talent: None] [Race: Human] [Physique: Dragon-Demon (Destroyed)] *** [Level: 8] [HP: 171/171] [Vitality: 12] [Stamina: 10] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Intelligence: 1] [Defense: 5] *** [Points to distribute: 0] [Abilities: Inventory (System)] [Harem Members: None] "Okay, we''re doing well. At least now I have stamina that rivals my strength. I''ll be able to last longer in fights, and my agility is much higher than normal. You could say I''m in shape now." "The real problem will be intelligence and defense. I need to know how cultivation works in this world. I can''t just distribute points randomly, but now I have another vital piece of information." "Missions can start anywhere, even a cave can be the target of missions. Furthermore, the system can also give points, not just leveling up gives me these points." *** [Level: 8] [HP: 171/171] [Vitality: 12] [Stamina: 10] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Intelligence: 1] [Defense: 5] *** [Points to distribute: 0] [Abilities: Inventory (S)] [Harem Abilities: Incubus (SSS), Analysis (SSS), Dual Cultivation (SSS+)] [Harem Members: None] [Congratulations on finally reaching level one of the system! After finally understanding what the Harem world means! Obtain more knowledge to unlock the next levels of the System! Be the Dragon-Demon God and love your beautiful wives!] "Eh?" Strax had nothing to say, in fact... he hadn''t read the previous name when the System appeared... "Harem of the... of the... D-Demon D-Dragon G-God?" He finally read the name correctly... Well, he was too excited about the System, he actually liked being able to level up so much that he ignored the name of the system. "Okay, calm down, let''s see what this system has to offer." ''Harem abilities in... let''s take a look.'' He just thought and the screen changed, this time the system was really working. "Incubus..." [Incubus Ability: A passive, you have greater affinity and charisma with women who you consider or attract your attention, your appearance is as attractive as that of an Incubus!] "Let''s see... Analysis." [Analysis Ability: Ability allows once a day to check a target, the ability is at level one, so you can only check the name and cultivation of the target.] "Well, dual cultivation I already imagine what it is... but it''s good to check, isn''t it?" [Dual Cultivation Ability: You can cultivate during sex with your partner, during the process you and your partner can match in cultivation depending on the required affinity, dual cultivation is a passive, so it is always active, in all situations.] "Well, I didn''t expect anything different from that. At least now I know the System will never fail, right? Let''s see." "Inventory." The portal opened instantly over Strax''s hands, and he smiled slightly. "Finally, this is working properly, let''s see how this will unfold. I want more abilities!" Chapter 6: First reward for completing a mission Strax woke up that day determined to find a wife... or at least he thought so. In reality, he woke up with a terrible pain in his back that was killing him! Well, he woke up with that pain every day, after all, he had a wooden bed! Yes, wood! He certainly felt like a slave! Well, at least that''s what he thought, but it wasn''t quite like that. With the worst start of the day, he already had a scowl since early morning. After all, today he would have to go meet the Baroness and report about the cave he had found, as well as the mine. I don''t need to say that he definitely didn''t want to, right? If that bastard he met named Eron didn''t go receive the reward, there was a reason for that, right? Of course! If there weren''t some problem, he would have gone, right? How could someone who is almost treated like a slave not be able to go? His scowl persisted throughout the walk to the mine. He again did everything they had asked and mined a little more. Despite this, he didn''t waste any time. He already wanted to go meet the Baroness and disappear from this place as soon as possible. Well, that''s what he wanted, after all... just because we want something doesn''t mean we get it, right? "I''m here to see the Baroness," said Strax to the two guards who were keeping an eye on the place. They looked at each other and then at the young man in front of them. Again, they looked at each other and then at him as if he were a "rare piece." "Alright, we''ll take you to Her Ladyship," the guards replied. Unlike how they treated the other employees, they treated him with a lot of courtesy. In fact, he was even scared at how polite they were. These same guards previously yelled at the employees like kings ordering the commoners, but now... well, they were two very gentle soldiers, though. That was the discomfort he was feeling as he walked with these soldiers. He hadn''t received this treatment since he took over this body. Strax followed them quietly, and before he knew it, he was arriving at a mansion. Well, it was very strange to see this, as it seemed like something from the Victorian era. Very strange. Strax then saw the entrance to the Mansion, with a large wrought iron gate adorned with the coat of arms. He then just received a stare from the guards that clearly said "Now it''s your turn," and he entered, receiving the first sight of a beautiful, well-kept garden. ''I understand, so you also suffered a lot, didn''t you?'' He began to see the causes of Strax''s life and continued walking. Soon, another memory. "You''re not worthy." A tall man said while Strax was on the ground, weakened. He was around ten years old. The man was his father, who despised him for not having sword skills. ''You''re like me, you have an unbearable father.'' Strax thought as he continued walking and saw only bad memories. Strax was a son of a family devoted to the sword, a family completely obsessed with the sword and was extremely strict about it. However, he was born without the most notable skill of his family. With the death of his mother, he became powerless before his relatives, and so, his brothers and sisters began to torment him. He suffered bullying within the Vorah Duchy. Duke Albert Vorah, Strax''s father, excluded him, leaving his support completely aside and treating him as nothing in front of the family. And so, Strax''s life ended in this miserable way. He was expelled from the clan until he developed the Vorah grip, a unique technique that only clan members can obtain. "Strax Vorah, your life was a mess. Do you have any wish?" Strax questioned to the black abyss in front of him, waiting for an answer, and soon it came. "Prove to be the strongest of all." The child''s voice came and he smiled. "I would have done that anyway." [You are absorbing the memories and soul of Entity 913232494, Strax Vorah.] [You have successfully absorbed all memories, returning to the original body.] "Beatrice, it''s good to see that you''re well, miss," Strax said and bowed after observing the eyes of the woman in front of him. Chapter 7: Beatrice Von Steinhardt "Baroness, it''s good to see that you''re well, miss," said Strax as he bowed after observing the woman in front of him. ''Analyze,'' Strax thought as he looked at the woman in front of him, who gave him an empty expression. Of course, she would do something like that. [Analysis] Name: Beatrice Von Steinhardt Age: 21 years old Cultivation: Advanced Stage Body Cultivator. ''Beatrice, a young baroness who recently lost her parents and my employer. Originally, Strax was supposed to marry her, but her parents died and the marriage was discontinued. However, Strax was not accepted as her husband and was thrown into the mines to work for his freedom. A cold and heartless woman.'' "I won''t say it''s the same on my end," she replied coldly while examining how Strax was. She lightly clicked her tongue and continued, "good job finding the mine and the Mithril." She said and fell silent as he stared at her. ''And yet you maintain this empty shell. I wonder how we ended up in this relationship,'' Strax said and turned around, seeing the message box. [The Reward for the mission: Escape from Mining cannot be delivered until the user receives the reward from Baroness Beatrice] "Please, give me the reward already. I have things to do in my miserable life that you gave me, Beatrice," Strax said, playing the game of the cold woman. "You are paying for your sins," she said, and Strax looked at her deeply again, his memory was very clear about what happened for her to hate him. ''Hahaha you will be mine! Damn hot!'' He roared internally and Beatrice stared at him. "I''ll ask one of the knights to bring your things." She said and walked out. While Strax looked into nothingness with a completely doubtful and very, very malicious expression; [Reward for the Previous Mission: Vorah Sword Cultivation Technique] He couldn''t be happier, but something new came next. [Ding!] [Main Mission added! Beatrice doubts your love for her and cannot accept you as a fiance? until your innocence is proven! Find a way to prove your innocence and show Beatrice that you love her! Duration: One Month Reward: Beatrice''s Affection, ???] Looking at that, he couldn''t help but smile, one of his theories was correct, the System acted in a way that always got him out of situations, and that was reflected in the missions. Initially, he would ask for a cultivation technique, but knowing his memories, he decided to ignore that and follow the hardest path and was rewarded in this way. ''Since the reward wasn''t given immediately, the quest change time made the reward change. I doubt I would receive that cultivation technique if I asked her for a technique. I need to test more this way of manipulating rewards. If it really is attested that way, then the harder the route I choose, the better the reward and I may even get two or more!'' Strax was trying to unravel the system in his own way, and well, if he thinks he''s succeeding, that''s better like this. "OK, let''s go to my beautiful room," he said as he ascended the stairs, almost dancing towards the hallway. Luckily, no staff members were seeing him, so he continued to his room. He walked through the corridors, which were refreshing in his mind, and finally reached a large door. He hesitated slightly, but opened it and entered. Despite the dust, it was as it had always been. From the wooden wardrobe to the bed and the rug on the floor, he found himself in a nostalgic scene. After all, when he regained the memories, he absorbed everything from the previous Strax. Now, however, he was Strax in full. Chapter 8: The first step towards Cultivation After finally arriving in his room, Strax sat on the dusty floor and opened the Inventory, pulling out a technique book. He tried to open it, but couldn''t; he forced the sides where the pages should be, but it felt more like a box than a real book. "Open already," he said, hoping it was just a glitch in the system. As suggested, the book opened in half, and a notification window appeared. [Do you want to learn [|Vorah Sword Cultivation Technique|] Yes/No?] He read the message and simply agreed. There wasn''t much else to do in that situation. Finally sitting on the floor, a light appeared and slowly covered his body. He began to feel different. The energy around him shifted, his sense of the world transformed, like a blanket over the entire world, something warm and soft to the touch, yet voracious and rough to cast. His hands tingled trying to touch that cozy sensation, but his eyes denied it with awakening. [You Have Learned Cultivation.] The basic notification appeared in front of him, and he just smiled slightly, feeling his entire body circulate with a new energy, like blood, imperceptible but present. He closed his eyes and began to analyze the technique he learned. It suddenly appeared in his entire knowledge, but he wasn''t proficient in it. It was like knowing how to ride a bike; you could know, but after years without practicing, the beginning would be difficult, but you would remember how it always was. With his eyes closed, he began to breathe heavily and gradually calm down, feeling the energy around him. He started to absorb it slowly, as if it were a common breath. His body felt the mana enter and leave, calm and haunting, and thus, focus. Soon, hours passed without him realizing, without feeling tired or hungry, just absorbing, condensing, and storing mana throughout his entire body. He felt a sudden surge of energy in his body and opened his eyes, completely sweaty and with his clothes stained black and reeking. He looked at the message in front of him and read it aloud: "You have fully understood the Vorah Sword Cultivation Technique, however, your body did not adapt correctly and created a new path. Congratulations! You have upgraded the Technique to: Vorah''s Complete Cultivation." "Let me see if I understand this correctly, my body forced me to upgrade the technique just so I could absorb the energy?" His questions made sense, how did he create something that he didn''t even understand? Of course, his main conclusion was this. "System." He really didn''t care, as long as he could cultivate, everything was fine! So, he opened his Status window. [Name: Strax Vorah [Age: 18 years old. Strax looked closely and saw the changes. He really didn''t understand what was happening, but he continued to observe the physical changes generated through cultivation. He noticed that his body was lighter again, just like when he upgraded with his system points. This was good, actually, it was excellent. "So Cultivation is outside the System''s statistics, so even though the System says I have so many points in agility, in reality, these points only apply to me, not to others. Ok, I need to understand cultivation methods and ranks, so I can have a clearer idea of what this extra strength the system gives me is all about, and whether or not it reflects on other people. It may seem like a game, but it''s nothing like that." With his thoughts in order, he increasingly wanted to understand what the system was about, but that would take too long. So, he would continue his experiments to take full advantage of the System, in the best possible way. Of course, he was intelligent for that. Thus, he would always do his best to become stronger, it was the promise he made with the previous owner of the body, he would be the strongest of all! "I need a bath." He said, getting up to take a shower. Fortunately, his room was a suite, despite looking Victorian, they had running water and showers, which was really a great advantage. Strax entered the bathroom, letting himself be enveloped by the steam that hung in the air, granting him a long-desired sense of relaxation. As the hot water caressed his skin, his mind wandered through the small things of the day, anticipating his plans about what to do in the Baroness''s mansion. After the invigorating shower, Strax ventured through the luxurious corridors of the mansion, guided by the seductive aroma emanating from the kitchen. Arriving at the dining room, he glimpsed a lavish table, adorned with delicacies that aroused his voracious appetite. "Good afternoon, Strax," said the butler, whose uncomfortable demeanor denoted an undeniable antipathy towards him. His name, known by all in the mansion as a whisper of suspicion, was Oswald. Strax returned the greeting with a mere nod of his head, his distrust of the butler remaining intact. "Oswald," he murmured, choosing a chair near the window, overlooking the well-kept gardens. "It seems we''re bumping into each other again, I almost feel the urge to kill you." Oswald raised an eyebrow, emitting a discreet grumble. "I''m just doing what I''m told, Strax. I don''t have time for nonsense." Tension hung in the air as the two men faced off with penetrating gazes, as if they were measuring each other in a silent game of chess. "Ah, Strax, you''re here," said Beatrice with a bored look. "I hope you don''t spoil the food with your presence." Chapter 9: An old friends tavern "Ah, Strax, you''re here," Beatrice said with a bored look. "I hope you don''t ruin the food with your presence." Strax heard those words from Beatrice and glanced at her as he sat down to dinner; in truth, he was quite bothered by it. In Strax''s memories, Beatrice was cute, loving, and kind. Seeing her like that, all he could think about was shaking her until she returned to normal. At the same time, he was upset; the situation was complicated. However, he took on the role of Strax in this world and needed to move forward. "Since my presence bothers you so much, please, eat to your heart''s content," he said, and instead of eating, he left. Did it really matter? He was already feeling down after seeing her again and having his memories; he just wanted to leave. "Wait¨C" Beatrice was about to say something, but the noise of the closing door had already been heard. She looked at the scene with slightly drooping eyes. ''Damn,'' she thought as she continued to eat. Despite being hungry, Strax went out to wander; he didn''t need much, just a bit of bread, and it was okay. He had been starving for days due to the lack of quality food in the mines, so he didn''t really mind spending a few days eating crumbs. ''Ah, seriously, when will I start with the fun stuff?'' he wondered as he began to leave the Baroness''s property. He started walking down the cobblestone street that led to the city center. He headed towards the market to try to buy something. He had some copper coins that he could use to buy a piece of bread and a glass of milk. And so he did; it was still early evening, and the sun had just set. Strax had many things to think about, but for now, he wanted to focus on how to improve his image with Beatrice. "If only I could solve my problem with Beatrice... maybe I can get out of here faster." He reached a kind of square and began to walk towards a famous commercial district called Crafts Alley, the main location in the city of Valoria where Strax was. He kept walking and came across a sort of tavern. Of course, he entered the place because he remembered it well; it was his friend''s tavern. "Hey, Gladius! I''m back!" he said loudly as he entered the place, which by the way... was having a fight. Two crazy drunkards were grappling with each other while everyone watched. Gladius, the bartender, was just watching the scene as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Strax began to approach the counter while he saw some men playing pool on one side and the other three drunk idiots. [Secondary Mission in Progress: Defeat Three Enemies.] ''You''re quite smart, aren''t you? I already imagine what the reward will be when I finish this.'' [No Cultivator Found] The analysis had already worked, but this time, it couldn''t detect anything, and that made Strax feel powerful. The man''s hand slapped the waitress''s butt, and Strax walked up to him. "Take your hand off," the girl pleaded; the man didn''t restrain himself. "Aw, come on." She then slapped his hand away. "Stop that," she ordered, but the man didn''t seem to want to stop and grabbed her arm. "Sit down, let''s drink, cutie," he said and pulled the woman, lightly hurting her arm. "Hi," Strax said grabbing the man''s shoulder, who stared at him. "Let her go." He suddenly stood up and asked, "Or what? Vorah''s little crybaby." The man recognized him even when drunk. "Or I''ll shove your head up that guy''s butt, and that guy''s butt up that guy''s butt," Strax said pointing to the other two men who laughed at the situation, and they became serious. "Hahaha, I think you''re feeling too good about yourself," he said and grabbed the beer glass and threw it over Strax''s head. "Oooo he''s just like her now, all wet," he said mocking. Strax looked at Gladius, and he nodded. After all... this man had just committed a crime, hadn''t he? "Embarrassment, Defamation, and assault..." Strax said murmuring. "That''s enough, let them go," the woman said, embarrassed and afraid; her trembling hands took him by surprise. "Aww, is he going to cry?" the Man said, and Strax lightly smiled at the girl. "Get out," he said imposingly and turned around. *CRACK* The punch was so strong that the man''s jaw dislocated, and his face resembled... "HAHAHA IT LOOKS LIKE THAT PAINTING, THE SCREAM HAHAHA," Strax laughed loudly and glanced at the other men. "Come at me, princess." Chapter 10: A disagreement between drunks "Humiliation, defamation, and assault..." Strax muttered. "That''s enough, leave them be," said the woman, embarrassed and afraid, her trembling hands catching him off guard. "Aww, is he gonna cry?" the man taunted, and Strax smiled slightly at the girl. "Move." He said, authoritative, and turned away. CRACK The punch was so strong that the man''s jaw dislocated, and his face... "HAHAHAHA, IT LOOKS LIKE THAT PAINTING, THE SCREAM HAHAHAHA," Strax laughed loudly and looked at the other men. "Come at me, princess," Strax said, facing the other friends of the idiot. "It''s gonna be quick..." he murmured, and both advanced towards Strax. The table was pushed to the side, and both lunged at Strax, who promptly dodged and kicked one of them in the rear end. "Ugh!" One of them grunted as he fell face-first to the ground. "Hahahaha, what an idiot!" Strax said, seeing the reasonably chubby idiot with his rear end up in the air and his face planted on the ground. "Hey, kid!" The other shouted, trying to hit him with a chair, but Strax stopped him bare-handed. "Look at that, he likes to play with melee weapons," he commented mockingly and kicked the man''s knee. "Argh! You bastard!" He roared, trying to retaliate, but Strax threw himself backward, teasingly. "Come get me!" He said and ran backward. The third man, or rather, the first idiot who received the blow, stood up disoriented as he adjusted his slightly dislocated jaw. "Pff..." Strax started to laugh, seeing the man still trying to fix his distorted face... "HAHAHAHAHA," he laughed loudly, making the man even angrier. "Come on, old man! Are you scared shitless?" Strax shouted, mocking, and the men all came running together. Unfortunately for them, they were dealing with someone very disturbed. Seeing them running towards him. "Ah, it''s so good to live in a new world, with new opportunities, but with the best humor ever," he thought and swept the carpet covering the floor with a trip. BONK The three stooges fell as they tried to approach him, and finally, he got what he wanted. Very happy that Strax had changed a lot and was managing to protect himself. "Well, he''ll clean up when he wakes up," Strax said and turned to leave, leaving the man to fall into his own urine. "Gladius, I''ll be back tomorrow, I''ll pay you what I owe when I prove to Beatrice that that stupid butler messed with me!" He said, waving to Gladius, who watched the situation from afar. Gladius just laughed, he didn''t have much to say actually, he was just happy. "Wait!" The female voice came as the sounds of panting were heard. Strax turned around and saw the girl, distressed and euphoric, looking at him. "Please! Let me repay you!" She said quickly, but Strax just laughed lightly. "It''s not necessary, I did it for my big friend over there, if you want to thank someone, thank your boss, miss..." "Clara! My name is Clara!" She said quickly. "Clara, that''s a nice name, miss. Help that old man a lot, okay? Age catches up with everyone, and he''s almost reaching insanity if he keeps going like this," Strax said, laughing, while the woman just felt embarrassed. "Can I... maybe... pay for the help?" She asked, but Strax quickly refused. "Maybe another day, right? I need to get back to the Baroness now, I''ll be back here another day." Strax said. "Maybe we can have a drink, alright?" He commented, realizing that the woman wanted to pay him at all costs. "Of course! Come back anytime!" She bowed quickly, and Strax nodded. "You have a good employee, Gladius, take good care of her," he said and walked away. Clara stood there watching Strax walk away... "Dad, did he forget about me?" Clara questioned Gladius... "He''s been through a lot of trouble, maybe his memory has been affected? Usually, many things happen in those mines. But he sure isn''t the same," he commented as he wiped a glass. "And you should stop avoiding using your strength. Since when can a man touch you?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. "And since when does a father not act to help his daughter?" She questioned. "Tsk, you''re just like that bitch of your mother," he said. "Don''t talk about mommy like that!" Chapter 11: A quest chain has been opened Strax walked through the night as he searched for someplace to eat. He had forgotten to do so after the fight, and now he seemed like any drunken person suffering from a hangover. Well, he was perfectly fine despite that, as cultivation supplied his lack of food. However, of course, it''s still good to eat. Strax wandered through the bustling streets feeling completely exhausted. His day had been too much... even for him. Actually... "What a crappy life this is. Why is it so complicated?" he pondered as he walked tiredly down the street. "La la la la," he began to hum as he walked. Well... maybe he wasn''t as okay as he thought he was, or seemed to be. "Let''s see how long you''ll keep following me," he thought, having noticed at the bar that a man was following him. Strax walked again towards the Baroness''s mansion. He had some plans. "This guy... he seems like an idiot, doesn''t he know how to hide?" he said as he stopped under a kind of streetlamp. Insects surrounded it, emitting only high-pitched buzzes. As he stopped, the man in the distance did the same, trying to pretend he wasn''t interested in going in that direction. "Damn, who sent such an idiot after me? I know I''m weak, but this is ridiculous!" [Ding!] [A surprise mission has arrived! Discover who sent the kidnapper!] [Reward: ???] [Reward for defeating the three individuals will be delivered upon completion of the surprise mission.] "Kidnapper? Hahahaha! This guy? A kidnapper?" Strax thought as he stifled a laugh, seeing the man in a trench coat and black hat, looking like a total idiot. "Okay, let''s pretend this is fine," Strax thought and started walking in a different direction, heading towards an alley. Of course, he had a plan... Hit and run. He entered the wide alley and saw that it had no way out. Then finally the man following him cornered him. [The mission has been completed; however, a new chain of missions has been opened. Continue to tread your path; rewards will be distributed at the end of the Act.] ''Was this a mission? Damn, this was just a casual encounter, why did the System turn it into a mission?'' Strax questioned. Understanding the system was complicated; he was trying in every way to develop his own logic of how the system worked, but it was completely strange. ''This is starting to confuse me; why did the system give me such a simple mission? Of course, I don''t know the reward, but it''s strange that something so simple triggered a mission, isn''t it? Is this system still broken? Ah, screw it, it doesn''t matter, this damn thing wants me to follow my own path? Fine, then stop forcing these inconsistencies!!'' He recovered from his little mental debate and tried to formulate his thoughts. Of course, he still wanted to understand this mission; after all, it had rewards! "Jason, what are you doing here?" Strax asked with a hint of apprehension; indeed, it had been several years since they had seen each other. "I''m on a mission; I''ve come to take you back to the Duchy of Vorah," Jason revealed, and Strax slightly recoiled, stepping back. Strax''s real memories were really confusing him. Just thinking about that place made him want to throw himself off a bridge and disappear. But he couldn''t do that now. "Who requested my return?" He asked, he had no idea who would call him back; after all... just like his past life, most people there hated him too. Strax waited for an answer, but Jason, after a long sigh, looked into Strax''s eyes and commented. "Xenovia Vorah." The words passed through Strax''s mind as if a sword had cut it. He felt his body slightly tremble with fear just from the pronunciation of this name. "Your older sister, she... she made a personal request to the Patriarch; normally, I... would try to speak with her, but... well, Xenovia is a bit restricted at the moment," he commented, and Strax looked deep into his soul, seeing the former bearer and the moments he had in his "home," or rather, something that could have been his home. He began to have various visions and insights about the world before he arrived, the years before Strax came to the Baroness''s house, and the miserable and agonizing days he lived in the mansion and the properties of the Duke. Strax... felt a shiver so strong in his soul that it made him tremble just to think about the possibility of returning. "Damn mission! Was this what you were referring to! Okay, I give up trying to understand this system; I''ll just go with the flow." Chapter 12: Memories from a few years ago Ten years ago. "Please, big sister! The brothers are mistreating me!" A little boy with black hair shouted to the older girl, she had long white hair and lilac eyes, extremely lonely and profound. The girl herself looked like a large doll who could barely speak. She was quiet and serene most of the time, completely indifferent and uncaring of cruelty. "Leave," she said, as cold as ever. Once again, the little brother clung to her dress. The age difference between them was quite significant. The boy was only eight years old, and the girl, sixteen. "Please, sister!" He cried as he knelt down and clutched her black dress. However, the girl didn''t care. *Bak* The boy received a strong kick strong enough to send him flying. It wasn''t a fatal kick, just a big shove to push him away from the girl. The boy''s tears began to fall as he watched the woman walk away. Like he was just a bag of garbage, he stood there for hours until a man appeared and took him away. Jason, the name of the knight who helped him and accompanied him in his recovery. Several days passed, soon days turned into weeks, and so on. "The youngest son of Vorah?" He said as he struck a dummy, using his wooden sword, which unfortunately had no technique whatsoever. "I failed the selection ritual, no spiritual weapon wanted me," he said, slicing through the wind, clumsily guided by anger. "Sword talent? I don''t need that!" He roared as he struck alone in the empty training field. "Effort surpasses natural talent!" He shouted and hit the dummy again. "XXXXXXXXENOVIA!" He quickly shouted. However, before he could say anything, "Kneel, I never allowed you to speak to me." She said, and the two were forced down to the ground, leaving a huge crack in the ground as their bodies were crushed by the purple aura emanating from Xenovia. Strax watched that scene as his brothers agonized, and then, soon, he returned to reality. "Why did it have to be Xenovia... What does she want?" Strax asked Jason in front of him, who couldn''t help with that. [Main Mission - The return to Hell has been opened. Complete the remaining missions to begin this act.] "Unfortunately, I can''t go now, Jason," Strax said, seeing Jason''s expression change completely. He now seemed... grim? I guess that''s how you can say it. "I don''t think you understand, Young Master Strax. It''s not a request. It''s an order," he said, raising his aura. "Even if you can''t go, you will go." He said, looking into his eyes. Strax, however, blinked twice and looked at the man confused. "Hey, idiot brute, I''m saying I''ll go, but not now! I need to deal with an issue that Beatrice''s Butler caused me," he commented, and Jason looked, clearly wanting an explanation. Strax sighed heavily and began to explain what had happened between him and Beatrice. Of course, he left out some details, like the mine he found and the problems he faced. He just gave a brief summary. "How dare a mere butler..." He murmured, and Strax looked at him and just said, "And since when do I have any status? Since those idiots banished me, I''m no longer the Young Master, only you treat me like that, Jason," Strax said emotionlessly. To him, it was completely natural. "Even so... You''re still a Vorah..." He murmured. ''Of course, always this nonsense about being a Vorah. How could I not take that into account, huh? Well, if my older sister is calling me, the Vorah are still keeping an eye on me, aren''t they?'' As he thought, Jason stood up. "I will help you so we can go to the Duchy as soon as possible. Once we''re done, you need to quickly go meet Xenovia. Are we understood?" Jason asked. Strax, however, couldn''t deny a second. "Okay, follow me," he said, and they both headed towards the Baroness''s mansion. Chapter 13: The main quest has started Strax and Jason headed towards the Baroness''s mansion. Along the way, they began conversing about the Duchy of Vorah. "I see. So things really escalated like that," said Strax as he listened to Jason''s account, which was delivered without displaying any positive emotion. "The Vorah Academy is in a complicated situation," remarked Strax, and Jason nodded. "The Vorah Swordsmen have been increasing every year. However, it''s been challenging for them to be hired by the Kingdom''s forces. It seems like the Grand Duke is being suppressed by the King," agreed Jason as they walked. "But that''s strange. Why would Uncle Aldric take such action? I understand my father isn''t a legitimate son and only rose due to his ability, but he''s still royalty, isn''t he?" queried Strax. "It''s hard to say. Despite being more active in recent years, it seems Your Majesty is truly at odds with the Patriarch," explained Jason. "And my brothers?" asked Strax, though he didn''t really want to know. Information would never be wasted, and Jason supported him, even without knowing the reason. "Hmm... Virgil and Dominic have gained seats at the table," said Jason, and Strax''s eyes widened in surprise. "Those two arrogant idiots? Please, what did my father see in them? They are failures," remarked Strax, and this time it was Jason who was surprised. "Young Master, Virgil and Dominic reached Master Rank at only twenty-two," commented Jason. "However, I agree with Young Master. Those two shouldn''t be in such high positions. Even Xenovia took time to rise through the ranks of the Hierarchy," he added, leaving Strax unsure of what to think. "Those two... awakened their weapons? No, it''s not possible. They probably were helped by some fortunate encounter. These guys are complete idiots. Their existence already disgusts me. They''re not capable of success," reflected Strax. "Furthermore, I doubt their behavior would be tolerated... unless... they really have exceeded expectations... Well, if Father has such low expectations, they''ve probably been met," he concluded. "It looks like we''ve arrived," said Strax, bringing his thoughts back to reality as they reached the entrance of the Baroness''s Mansion. "Just give it already!" ordered Strax, and Jason tossed the sword. "God, what am I doing? It''ll be alright if I stop when necessary," he thought. [You obtained your first One Star weapon, you have begun to create part of your legacy, your story has begun to be written.] "Huh? Despite being a Harem System... you''re also quite the capable evolution system, now being activated by obtaining an item...," he momentarily denied what that could be and began entering the mansion. The lights were really having issues, most of them broken. He approached the entrance, and the kinds of lamps were on the floor, completely destroyed. "Still think it''s a daydream?" he whispered to Jason, who saw the small glass shards of the magic lamp. "Let''s go," said Strax, starting to enter the mansion, and saw a rather complicated scene. The floor was stained with blood in the main hall. "Damn," he muttered, and Jason approached the small puddle of blood. "This happened some time ago. The blood is completely cold now," explained Jason as he examined the blood. "Whatever did this, it''s badly injured," concluded Jason, and Strax trembled slightly. Unfortunately for him, time froze again. [Main Mission started - Save the Baroness, Beatrice Von Steinhardt] [Reward: Beatrice.] [Time: As soon as possible, if delayed, Beatrice''s death will be the punishment.] "Now you''re back to being a Harem System? Damn, let''s do this!" he shouted internally and stood up, looking at the stairs that had bloodstains. "Jason, do you trust me?" asked Strax, and Jason looked heavily at him. It''s not that he didn''t trust... it''s just that Strax was weak, at least in his eyes. Nevertheless, he decided to nod and agree with the question. "Prove to me that you''re not a failure, Young Master," he said in his thoughts. "Alright, search this floor. I''ll go up and see what happened on the second floor," decided Strax, and with the sword in his hand, he began to climb the stairs. "Strax, you''re no longer a failure," he thought, to himself. Chapter 14: No one will harm her. The gloomy atmosphere of the place was worthy of a horror movie set, with stairs stained with blood and visible fight marks on small cuts in the wooden walls and staircase. Was Strax distressed? Yes, he was very scared, with fight? No, absolutely not! Strax was worried about Beatrice, fearing she might have gotten hurt. After absorbing the memories of the body''s original owner, he regained much of his thoughts and emotions, including his feelings for Beatrice, something that in his past life was completely troublesome, as he had social anxiety among several other disorders. However, now he seemed to be cured. As these emotions returned, his feelings for Beatrice resurfaced with full intensity. "You need to be okay," Strax murmured, though his real thoughts were different... "Anyone who dares to hurt her will bitterly regret it," he was furious, especially if the blood he saw belonged to Beatrice. Heads would roll. Although the hallway was empty, puddles of blood still stained the floor. Strax looked at the scene with surprising calm, his courage inexplicably increasing. "This feeling..." he murmured as he advanced. The atmosphere was getting colder, and the house seemed to be shrouded in silence, further increasing the mystery of what could be happening. Strax began to run towards Beatrice''s room without hesitation. His face was serious, anticipating what was about to happen. As he approached, he noticed the door was broken. "I''m going to end whoever is on the other side," he thought, kicking the door with all his might. The next scene? Strax couldn''t believe it. Beatrice was gagged, with her arm bleeding, and in front of her were two men. One of them was holding his stomach, from where blood was gushing abundantly, clearly he was the source of all that blood. When Strax entered, he had no reaction other than to kill those people. As Strax entered the room, his mind was flooded with a burning mixture of anger and hatred. His body moved almost automatically, propelled by the need to protect Beatrice at all costs. Without hesitation, he advanced towards the attackers, whose faces twisted in surprise and panic at Strax''s sudden appearance. "Stop!" He shouted, but Strax''s blood-stained sword, because of his partner''s head, was coming towards him. "Die." He said neutrally, without any emotion. His enraged eyes turned cold, and his sword cut the man''s forehead down to his belly, causing his body to split open slightly. "Tsk, so weak." He said and looked at Beatrice, who stared at him deeply. Meanwhile, Jason watched everything from the door, holding a man like a sack of potatoes. "It seems the young master has learned to use a sword." Jason remarked and Strax turned to him and smiled. "And you didn''t want to give it to me a few minutes ago." [You Leveled Up] [You Leveled Up] [You reached level 10, you gained a bonus of 3 points!] [Blank Points: 5] [You completed the mission: Kill the Invaders, you obtained a one-star cutting technique. "Brutal Cut"] "The mission changed during the fight... it seems I have to get stronger, but before that." He turned to see Beatrice, who was injured. "Jason, get some bandages from the kitchen, leave this old man here. I have a lot to talk to him about." Strax said, looking at the man Jason was carrying. "Yes, Young Master." Jason said and dropped the old man to the ground. Strax looked heavily at that scene and turned to Beatrice. "Congratulations on denying my truth and standing by those who wanted to kidnap you, my dear Beatrice." He said, smiling in an ironic tone, which left Beatrice extremely uncomfortable. Chapter 15: Closing one wound, opening others. Strax completely ignored the System notification window. In fact, it hardly mattered. As he untied Beatrice, he murmured, "I was worried, you idiot," as Beatrice''s eyes opened in surprise. She could say something, but she didn''t. She just bowed her head, pondering over what she had done all this time. "Your arm, how did this happen?" He inquired, and she replied in hoarse whispers, her voice strained from screaming. "He cut me when I stabbed his belly," she said, simply and directly. However, Strax looked at the man''s slashed body. Disgust swept over his mouth as he uttered the words to Beatrice, "Next time, I''ll protect you." Faithful, strong, and fearless, that''s how Beatrice saw him. "I thought you hated me...," she murmured. However, Strax didn''t respond to her musings. He stood up, went to the old man''s body, the damned old man. "Don''t worry about it, my hatred is directed at the right people," said Strax, pulling out his sword and thrusting it into the old man''s back. "Urgh!" he grunted in pain as he writhed, still tied up. He tried to break free from the bindings, but it was futile. "Ah, you want to break free... I think not, my friend," said Strax with a sadistic smile, lifting the man''s head and examining him closely. "You have much to suffer, little Oswald," said Strax, his eyes seeming like those of a demon. Soon after, he released him quickly, hearing footsteps coming from the corridor. Strax got up, lifted Beatrice, who was sitting on the floor, onto the bed. She showed no fear or hesitation. She simply accepted Strax''s care and waited to see what he would do next. Jason soon appeared holding a small white box with a green cross in the middle. Strax quickly took it and opened it. "This will sting a bit, but you''ll heal quickly," said Strax, like a healer. Beatrice would heal in a few days even if she didn''t tend to the wound, but he wanted her to recover quickly, so he decided to do something he knew quite well. As the last stitches were made and the wound began to close, a sense of calm spread throughout the room. Strax finally stepped back, took a small clean rag from the Medical Kit, used to isolate wounds, and began to wrap it around Beatrice''s arm to finally finish the dressing. "I''ll take care of things around here, can you please rest? I''ll inform about what happened and ask them to clean up the mansion. Go to my room, the corpses will start to stink soon," said Strax before leaning in to gently kiss Beatrice''s forehead. It wasn''t just a gesture of affection, but a silent promise that he would come back to see how she was doing. He turned to the door where he saw Knight Jason, smiling. "What''s up?" he questioned, but Jason just retorted, "I didn''t say anything," raising his hands. "Quit being a wuss, grab this old man," he said, and Jason agreed again, picking up the Butler like a sack of potatoes. "What are we going to do with him, young master?" Jason asked, and Strax smiled slightly, "Give him back what he did to me, of course." The malicious grin even surprised Jason, but Strax didn''t care. "We''ll have a little chat with him, in the basement," he said, smiling. Strax descended the bloody stairs, leading the way, as Jason didn''t know the mansion yet. Of course, he followed his young master very well, as ordered. Reaching the back of the staircase, there was a small wooden door, which was quickly opened, revealing a rather dark staircase. "The interrogation is starting, welcome to hell," Strax said and ordered, "Throw him, he goes down the stairs first." With a sadistic smile on his face, Jason raised his eyebrows, but didn''t mind. ''I''m against this, but you asked for it, old butler,'' he thought and threw the man''s body, which descended, breaking on the stone steps of the staircase. Not even his screams were heard, after all, he was still gagged. Chapter 16: Revenge is pleasurable. Disclaimer: This chapter contains scenes of torture that may cause discomfort to certain readers, if you don''t like this type of reading, I recommend that you skip this chapter! ------------- The old man''s body began to fall upon the cold, hard stairs of the basement. It had been years since they were polished, and all the corners were serrated and broken, something that, fortunately for Strax, helped old Oswald to shatter completely. Still lying on the ground, he screamed in pain through the bindings in his mouth, which still managed to muffle the noise of his cries. He was so badly hurt that his knees and ribs probably even broke. However, did Strax care? Not at all. He descended the stairs slowly while turning on the lights, seeing the man, unable to move, looking at him, he had only one reaction. He walked over the broken body of the man, while Jason just watched the scene, with conflicting feelings. "He''s not the young master I knew..." he murmured. "What made him change so much in just six years?" "Pay him," Strax said as he picked up an old chair, which had two braces on the legs and two on the arms, which served perfectly to... restrain someone. "The Baron was someone I didn''t like very much, but he loved to kill some people who bothered him. One day I came down here and saw him torturing a man, I was hidden, of course," Strax said and Oswald''s eyes widened. "Put him there, I''ll get some things," Strax said and went to the storage area at the end of the basement, which was filled with liquor. Jason didn''t see anything, but heard noises of metal against metal echoing through the walls, as if it were a toolbox. Inside the box were things like hammers, wooden saws, and nails, as well as a sort of crowbar. "We''ll have a lot of fun tonight, Oswald," Strax said, taking out a hammer, as he started to approach the man''s completely immobilized body on the chair. "Let''s see... A crowbar," Strax said and picked up the tool. Holding it firmly, he struck Oswald''s face. "Aargh!" He screamed in pain as he felt the metal piece hit his chin. He could barely stay conscious; everything in front of him was fear, just fear and more fear. His eyes, that''s what Oswald felt the most fear of, so much fear that he started to want to die rather than spend another minute in that basement. "Ki... kill me...," he muttered, but Strax... "Of course," he agreed, as he turned to the back of the basement. He went to fetch something, which he found when he grabbed the tools... An old, rusty pickaxe, just like the one he used in mining. "Go to hell, and never come back," he said, and with just one blow, the pickaxe pierced through his chest, making blood splatter everywhere. But Strax didn''t stop there. Again another blow, another, followed by another and a few more, as if... he was mining the man''s still living body. Only his eyes could move and see the whole scene happening in front of him; his strength was draining away. He could no longer speak, he was in a deplorable state, but there was a reason why he didn''t die immediately... Fortunately for Strax and unfortunately for him... His cultivation saved him, although he was a beginner, it didn''t let him die immediately. "That is!" Strax shouted, hitting his legs, which were taken out by the impact of the pickaxe on the joints of his knees. "For hurting!" he shouted, ripping off his arm, again hitting the shoulder joints. "My wife!" he shouted even louder, and this time, the pickaxe pierced his skull, killing him instantly. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!" he said and spat on the dead man''s body, as he turned to Jason. His body and clothes were completely blood-soaked, and he had a huge smile on his face. "It feels so good to get revenge on a worm like this," Strax said, sighing with relief. He honestly didn''t care about killing this man who caused him so much suffering. He was going to be the strongest of all, just as the owner of the body asked. [You have obtained Revenge, your story is being written] Chapter 17: The feeling of power "Ah~ I feel lighter," Strax said as he let the pickaxe, stained with blood, fall to the ground. He was completely calm, despite having just killed three people, one of whom had been tortured. "Young Master, what happened to you?" Jason questioned. Strax really thought about what to answer and even considered saying "I have been reborn," but he just commented, "I have matured." "Maturity doesn''t make someone kill another through torture without any remorse, kid. You killed three men." Those were Jason''s true thoughts, however, he was content. "Now you can cultivate and still fight with a sword... even if it''s clumsy and needs polishing, your technique is solid," he judged as he watched the man, who was still a child to him, climb the stairs. "What? Are you staying here?" Strax questioned, and Jason shook his head, beginning to ascend the stairs and following him. Strax climbed the stairs and encountered two staff members and a maid who had heard the noises and awakened. Strax didn''t have much to say, just commented, "Intruders, and a traitor. Miss is in my room resting, prepare a bath for her, Monica," Strax said to the maid. Her name was Monica, and she was one of the oldest employees in the place. Despite Beatrice''s managed city being very small and everyone knowing each other, Monica was truly loyal to the Baron''s family. "Was it Oswald?" She questioned. Of course, she had always stood by Strax''s innocence, she had known him since he was a child, despite being around thirty years old. "Sharp as always. His body is in the basement. If you don''t have a weak stomach, ask one of the men to go down and set fire to his remains, and they will remove the two corpses from Miss''s room," Strax ordered, as if he were the Baron himself, something Monica didn''t doubt could happen, as she knew quite a bit about Beatrice. "Jack, Mason, listen to what Strax said. I believe Lady Beatrice would agree with your orders, bury the bodies," she ordered. Now, the two men truly listened to her and quickly began the work. "Remember to prepare the bath for Beatrice, and please, something to eat, she''s tired now," Strax said, and Monica nodded. "Help those men bury the bodies. I''ll check on Beatrice." Strax said to Jason, who agreed and commented, "Don''t forget what needs to be done, we need to go to the Duchy." He reminded Strax, who sighed in agreement. "All in due time," he commented and climbed the stairs again, this time, however, heading towards his room. He walked, seeing some remnants of the fights, and began to think about what he would say to Beatrice. Strax wasn''t someone with good relationships, and he could hardly talk, especially about such a delicate matter. He crossed the cold corridor and passed by Beatrice''s room, where the corpses of the men who had tried to kidnap her were still lying. "Disgusting," he said and continued walking. "First, I''ll deal with the problem with Beatrice and then... I''ll go after those stupid thieves who wanted to use her." He commented mentally as he walked down the corridor, finally reaching the door. He thought about knocking, but remembered this was his room, so if she wanted to complain, she could do it elsewhere. [Level: 10] [HP: 171/171] [Vitality: 12] [Resistance: 10] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Intelligence: 8] [Defense: 5] [Points to be distributed: 0] "I still don''t really know how the system works, but I''ll keep the points balanced until cultivation starts to be effective. If my guess is right, maybe the stats can also increase with each level of cultivation," Strax thought. He didn''t have much to think about, he just wanted to tread the best path, but without understanding the system, something had to be done, even if only he had to test it until he understood. "Now... let''s get to the point." [Skill: Brutal Cut (1*): A fatal and lacerating cut, the user''s strength increases by 80% to deliver a crushing blow to finish off the target, can only be used for finishing.] "It seems strong, but it''s a pity it can only be used as a finishing blow. Ah~ I wish I had a sword technique. Maybe I can improve it and create my own style? I don''t know, these swords are so... useless. It feels like something is missing in them. Has my perception of them... improved?" he thought. The feelings of the Old Strax were still clear in his mind. When he held the sword, he felt nothing, not even a trace of the will to wield it. The current... he felt like the sword rejected him, as if his style didn''t match it, as if his aura denied it. "I don''t have time for this," he said as he left the bathroom only in a towel. When he opened the door, he saw Beatrice standing in front of the door, staring at him. Chapter 18: You are just mine When he opened the door, he saw Beatrice standing in front of it, staring at him. Strax was only wearing a towel around his lower parts; in fact, he was still a little wet. "You''re awake," Strax said, and before he could say anything else, Beatrice lunged forward and hugged him tightly. "Oh," he startled slightly, but accepted the embrace, wrapping his arms around her as he felt her body trembling lightly. It was understandable; Strax put himself in her shoes. She had just undergone something that could evolve into trauma; her life was in danger, and who knew what could happen to her integrity and her body. Honestly, to Strax, he could have even tortured the other two, after all, they had laid a hand on someone who belonged to him. "It''s okay, dear," Strax said, pressing the woman''s body even closer to him, so she could feel his warm body. She was surprised, but didn''t let go, even though he was still slightly wet, she held onto him tighter. They stayed in that position for a few minutes. Beatrice was so... defenseless that Strax couldn''t do anything but support her. [The mission was completed. You received Beatrice''s Affection] "The reward is..." he thought, hearing the notification sound... "I missed you so much," Beatrice said, squeezing him even tighter. "Since that happened... I was so angry, but... I missed you so much." She said, and Strax didn''t understand at first, but she spoke a truth. "You should have taken me away from there," he commented as he hugged her. "I could have helped you overcome the grief; we could have been okay now, and none of this would have happened." Strax said. Of course, he didn''t blame her, so he asked, "Was it Oswald?" Beatrice''s heart was racing; she was feeling something in that moment, something she had never felt in all her life. "I like you," Strax said, catching Beatrice off guard, then again, "You have to be mine, just mine." He said, making the woman even more euphoric and her heart still beating so strongly. The words entered her head as if she had been struck by lightning. Strax began to get even closer to the girl, and "You''re only mine," Strax repeated, his voice a whispered promise against Beatrice''s parted lips. "I don''t know if I can, Strax," Beatrice whispered, her voice almost lost in the whisper of the wind, but charged with an urgency that couldn''t be denied. "So many things have changed between us..." Strax''s breath was uneven as he leaned in, his gaze fixed on Beatrice''s parted lips, as if he was about to taste the sweetest of forbidden fruits. The heat of his presence enveloped her, wrapping her in a web of almost unbearable anticipation. "I understand, Beatrice," murmured Strax, his voice hoarse with a need that matched hers. "But sometimes, you have to risk everything for what''s worth it." Beatrice felt a shiver run down her spine as Strax slid a hand down her face, his fingers tracing a line of fire on her skin. She closed her eyes for a moment, losing herself in the overwhelming sensation of desire that his simple touch provoked. "I''ve already said it, you''re mine," Strax repeated again, his voice so close that their lips lightly brushed against each other''s, as if begging for a kiss. And it was in that moment of pure surrender that Beatrice couldn''t resist any longer. She leaned forward, capturing Strax''s lips with hers in a passionate and voracious kiss. It was as if the whole world disappeared around them, leaving only the delicious sensation of their lips melding together in a frenzy of desire and passion. And in that moment, nothing else mattered besides the warmth of the fiery kiss that consumed them, sealing the beginning of a journey of love and lust that promised to last forever. [The First Member of the Harem, Beatrice, successfully conquered] He didn''t see the message; he was too focused on the long kiss. Feeling for the first time what it was like to kiss someone, what it was like to feel the warmth of the person, he was also slightly learning about Love. Chapter 19: A alone moment (R-18) With the initial action taken by Beatrice, he ignored any thought and focused only on one thing: her lips. Soft and sweet, he began to savor the taste of her mouth slowly, without any malicious intent, just the calmest and most sincere kiss. A kiss that originally might never have existed, though now it was possible. Beatrice was shy, moving slowly as the touches on her lips were sudden and slightly startling; of course, she had never done this before, the same went for Strax, they had never had this kind of experience. So they were learning together; of course, it didn''t mean it was bad, quite the opposite. "This feels so good," Beatrice thought as she felt his lips lightly against hers. She soon felt her whole body tingling as Strax''s warm hand trailed down her neck, pulling her closer. He was almost naked, only held by a towel around his waist; Beatrice didn''t even think about it, she just held onto him even tighter. Soon, a simple kiss turned into a loving and romantic one, with various sensations permeating both of their bodies. "This is amazing," he thought as he continued to explore Beatrice''s mouth; he lightly caressed her face while his other hand held her waist; of course, he was still a man. His hand began to move up as the kisses grew more intense; the entire place was warm, completely hot, as if the place were a sauna, but it was only in that small spot where their bodies met. Strax''s hand gave up moving up and went around back, resting on her buttocks. She was startled, but didn''t push him away. He broke away from her lips and said, "Are you mine?" Clearly, he wanted to hear it directly from her; after all, just the affirmation wasn''t enough, he wanted her, wanted her entirely, wanted all of her. "Yes..." she murmured, blushing. She never would have imagined she''d say something like that to someone, "I''m yours." The confirmation came. Strax lifted her again by her buttocks; she showed no hesitation and followed what he wanted. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she began to kiss him again. Wet sounds echoed in the room. Smooch* Smooch* Smooch* The only thing passing through both of their minds was... "I want more," he said aloud, carrying her to the bed. She looked embarrassed, how could she not? She saw the man in front of her semi-nude, her eyes trailing over his lightly defined chest; obviously, the sensation she felt was no different. "Yes," she said, agreeing that he wanted more, and he attacked her again as he ran his hand over the young woman''s helpless body, like a wolf hunting a sheep. "Fuck!" He roared "This feels too good!" Before he could fully enjoy this new sensation... Smoosh Beatrice started kissing... An entire shock ran through his body as he felt Beatrice''s lips on his intimate area. "Fuck!" He shouted again. "Not bad, should I?" She questioned as she stuck her tongue out. Strax wanted to say something, but he felt the woman''s tongue touch his member and soon, she began to lick it like a popsicle. Strax couldn''t do anything; he just felt helpless. "Fuck! This feels amazing!" He thought; he didn''t want to make it clear to her how good it was. Beatrice, however, had already noticed this, so she simply did what she wanted with Strax. Her mouth completely wet Strax''s big friend with enthusiasm; she was just licking but soon changed, and began putting the head in her mouth, giving it small kisses. His reaction was nothing else; he was already reaching the peak. "Beatrice" He said but the woman didn''t stop; in fact, her reaction continued to influence her to be even more bold, putting his member entirely in her mouth. "Beatrice, I''m gonna-" He wanted to warn her but the woman wouldn''t stop; on the contrary, she wanted this as soon as possible. "I''m gonna cum!" He said and Beatrice continued. "Aaaah!" He said as he released everything he had into Beatrice''s mouth, who was initially startled but didn''t remove her mouth for a second; she continued to suck even with everything coming out inside her mouth. After he emptied all his load, she stopped for a few seconds and lifted her head, Strax looked at the girl who was... in a trance. He soon saw her opening her mouth to him; he saw only one thing... All his semen inside her mouth, completely filling it, and any words he could have simply disappeared, because next. She swallowed it all. The crazy look he saw on the woman''s face as she swallowed, shocked him... Previously Beatrice was an immaculate flower of beauty and calmness... now, however, she seemed like a pleasure demon, a Succubus. "That was so delicious" She said to the wind, and Strax''s friend had already risen, ready for another Round. Chapter 20: Beatrice is all mine (R-18) "This was so delicious," she said to the wind, and Strax''s friend had already risen, ready for another round. ''That feeling, so hungry,'' Strax thought, watching the girl clean his cock with her mouth after swallowing all the semen without any complaint. ''That smell,'' she thought, mesmerized by what she had just done. Despite feeling ashamed, she showed no hesitation for a second. She had already completely surrendered, and she didn''t even know why. ''The smell, the taste of him...'' she murmured in her thoughts. ''She''s never looked at me so intensely before...'' Strax thought, seeing the look of a wolf in the woman''s eyes, completely ecstatic feeling his cock in her mouth. ''I really love everything about you,'' he thought. The moment was just total silence, with no noise other than wet kisses and suckling. "You''re a pervert," Strax said, completely breaking the silence of wet sounds. She, on the other hand, smiled like a succubus again and commented, "You know... you can do whatever you want with me." Hearing this, his whole body trembled. She didn''t answer him, just gave him what he needed. Yes, she was a great pervert. ''It feels like a dream... but it''s not... I''m really going to have sex with her.'' Strax thought, remembering all the moments of the original owner, who loved this woman, or rather, they loved her now. The current Strax was him, and the old one, the fusion of the two. "Your breasts feel heavy and soft against my cock," he said, watching his cock nestled between the woman''s breasts as she put it into her mouth again. "You''re hard again," she commented, seeing his cock actually bigger than before. "Let me touch them," Strax said, and the woman climbed onto his body, showing her large naked breasts to him. She showed a little shame now that she saw his face so close. "I''m embarrassed..." she murmured, and he commented, "You don''t need to be ashamed, I love them." ''They''re bigger than I thought,'' Strax thought, as he began to hold her breasts. His two hands went directly to her nipples. ''Your skin is so white and your nipples so pink,'' he thought, he was already salivating just seeing those big and beautiful breasts. He held at the base, then felt them as a whole. Finally, ''Wow! They''re so soft.'' He felt Beatrice''s cavity over his cock. ''She''s so wet.'' Still over him, he pulled her closer and finally kissed her again as their tongues intertwined and he squeezed her pink nipples. ''She''s dying for it, she must be loving this.'' "Mmm," she moaned softly while still kissing him. Her reaction could only be ''She''s so cute. ''Her lips are amazing, they''re holding my tongue. And her nipples are so cute.'' He was already delirious with the feeling of pleasure he felt. To him, this was completely new and at the same time, completely familiar, as if it were natural. Then, releasing from the kiss, he finally went for one of the main dishes. "Oh! That," she moaned feeling Strax''s mouth sucking her nipples completely as he played with the other. Strax''s hand lightly went down to her cavity and brushed against her clit. "Oh, yes!" she moaned as she held the sheets and arched her back up, bringing her breasts even closer to his mouth. Her pussy was already begging for a cock. "So this is your pussy, just touching it made it even wetter," Strax thought, seeing the sudden reaction of the woman in front of him. "I never thought it would be this wet." "I''m sorry, I got carried away," He said as he wiped Beatrice''s tears. Well, the tears were of happiness, not because it hurt, but she didn''t say anything. "That''s great, just keep fucking me," She said, letting out a warm breath from her mouth. "Damn, this woman is going to kill me!" He thought, but he loved it. He then pressed his body against hers again, traversing the dirty path of cum again, and thrust as deeply as possible. "Oh Heavens! <3" She moaned as he continued to thrust. "Does this hurt?" He asked. "No, keep going, harder," She said. "Damn, your pussy is amazing," He commented. "Your cock is wonderful, fuck me more," She said. "You''re so wet and tight, this is incredible!" He said. "Ahn! Yes! I love this! <3" She moaned as she held his face and watched his cock go in and out non-stop. "I''m going faster," He said, and she agreed. "Yes, keep moving <3" The climax finally arrived for both of them. Strax thrust so hard that Beatrice''s uterus was already feeling the strokes. She, on the other hand, didn''t mind at all. The warmth she felt was too pleasurable. "Cumming!" He said, again filling her entire cavity with his warm semen. This time, however, it wasn''t just him. "We both came at the same time," He said as he fell to the side, lying down next to her. He was panting, just like her, who already seemed to be almost asleep from how tired she was. "If I had known sex would be so good, I would have tried it in my past life," he thought as he panted, his heart beating very fast. "Damn, I can''t take it anymore." He thought, but Beatrice... turned slightly and said, "Put it in from behind. Your cock is hard, fuck me more." She said authoritatively and slightly flushed. Strax... looked at that pussy dripping with cum and couldn''t help but get even more excited. "Damn, she''s so cute! As if I could resist this! There''s no way!" He roared in his mind as he thrust even deeper while she got on all fours to receive his cock even more. Beatrice''s fluids overflowed with each thrust. It was slippery at the same time, something squeezing his cock even tighter. "This feels so good! My hips won''t stop moving." "This is too good! Don''t stop, love!" She said as she let her tongue hang out, she was in a trance. "More," she said. She threw Strax back and changed positions, now she was on top while he was sitting, then she started to ride. ''She was so cute a few days ago... now she''s sucking all my cum with that tight pussy!'' "I want more," She said, "Me too," Strax agreed. As she rode, she started talking to him. "To be honest, I''ve wanted this for a long time, I''ve always wanted you to fuck me since you came here," She revealed and Strax was surprised. "Don''t hate me for being like this, for being so perverted," She said as she intertwined her arms behind his neck and sat down harder and harder. "You''re too sexy," He said and pushed her, thrusting even harder into her pussy. "Ahhh!" She moaned loudly. "Let''s do this many times!" He said and then, again. They came together, but didn''t stop. "That''s it! I''m all yours! <3" She said as he kept thrusting into her, "Oh Beatrice," He groaned. "Go deeper!" She said. "I love deep! Really deep!" "I''m gonna cum!" He said and again, her uterus was painted white. "Are you all mine?" He asked as they lay down, completely exhausted. "Always," She replied. [The first wife has appeared, a chain of rewards will be delivered to the user when he wakes up, stay strong! Congratulations on completing the tutorial!] Chapter 21: A calm Day The day began calm, after all the insane excitement of the previous night. Strax was sleeping peacefully with Beatrice on top of him, completely naked. The sheets were stained with blood and other residues that we should not comment on. He had a complicated night. It was the first time he had done that with someone, and honestly, he loved it. He could easily wake up now and do it again if Beatrice asked. His whole body was sore from having sex all night with that crazy woman. If he could be clear, he turned into a bunny in front of Beatrice. After all, she was older and it was also his first time, but he swore to himself that it would never happen again. He was going to completely tame her! The sun''s rays began to enter the room as they gently hit the faces of both who slept embraced. It was a cute scene if you didn''t know the wildness that had happened the day before. However, Strax couldn''t just keep sleeping. He had to go visit his older sister. Well, maybe that could be a problem for him in the future, but currently, at his family''s house... "You asked me to bring that failure back. What''s your plan?" A commanding man questioned the woman in front of him. She had long white hair that fell to her knees and wore a black combat dress, with a completely black sword on her back. "And does that concern you? You have no right to question my bounties, or do you want to argue with me about what my brothers have been doing behind the scenes?" She asked seriously. Her eyes sparkled slightly as she looked directly into her father''s eyes. "You''re being disrespectful," he commented, and she retorted sharply. "Treat me as others treat you. You were disrespectful first and received the same treatment," she replied as she turned away. "Give me a reason not to kill him when he arrives," he commented, and the black sword began to float. "Jesus... what did we do here?" she questioned, and Strax chuckled softly. "You know very well, my wife," he said, approaching her and planting a quick, calm kiss on her mouth. "Now go take a shower and clean up, you still... have semen in there," Strax said, pointing to her naked pussy, and she blushed even more, remembering how she begged for more; she quickly got up and started running to the bathroom, while Strax remained naked in bed watching that scene, laughing. "The maids will have a lot of work...," he murmured, seeing that whole scene... "Screw it, they can handle it, they''re paid for it," Strax said, and he got up, waiting for Beatrice to come out of the bathroom while putting on pants. "Now...," he murmured. [You have completed ACT I - The First Wife] [You received: 20 blank points, a sword technique, +1 attribute bonus in all, your cultivation received a boost to further improve and reach new ranks.] [Beatrice has joined the Harem! The Title: The First Wife has been unlocked. Continue with dual cultivation and you can increase your level!] [ACT II - The House of Vorah has been successfully opened, follow the mission chain for new rewards.] [The Physique of the Demon Dragon has been repaired as a reward for rapid advancement with the first wife, ascend to the Master Realm to unlock the abilities of your physique.] "Okay, this is really a lot for just one night of sex, this is a Harem System after all," Strax said to the air, as he saw the notifications appear. Chapter 22: The next steps After all the time Strax had spent with Beatrice, now, however, he was sitting at Gladius'' bar table with Jason across from him. "Here you go," Clara, Gladius'' daughter, said, placing two beers on the table, smiling sweetly at Strax. Yes, now Strax remembered the girl, yet he still didn''t have a clear notion of who Clara was; he only knew she was Gladius'' daughter. "Thank you, Clara," Strax replied, and she nodded, leaving the two alone. "I didn''t know you drank beer," Jason remarked. "I could say the same; you''re so gentlemanly," he retorted sarcastically. "Now that we''re here, let''s talk business," Strax spoke seriously, and Jason nodded. "How long do we have until one of Vorah''s envoys comes after you to check on the delay in meeting me?" He asked, already expecting something like that. The knights of the Duchy of Vorah are trained in groups and teams; each of them has their functions and instructions. However, when a knight is sent to fulfill the Patriarch''s order, in this case, to find one of the heirs, even if it''s just someone like Strax who was abandoned, these knights have a code of conduct. Firstly, the Knight will go alone to avoid drawing attention and cannot use any method that hints at their affiliation with the Duchy of Vorah, after all, the situation with the king is not good currently, and that could lead to conflict. Imagine one of the knights causing trouble with the nobles? That would provide ammunition to the enemy, and the Patriarch wouldn''t want that to happen. Secondly, would be the letters sent by trained carrier pigeons to confirm that the knight has reached the ordered location and completed their first objective, in this case, that would be Jason finding Strax and sharing with him the Patriarch''s order. However, the Carrier Pigeons don''t reach the small town of Stainhardt, where Baroness Beatrice leads. Thirdly, if confirmation doesn''t arrive, a squad may be sent to assist the dispatched Knight. "What will you do?" Jason asked, and Strax gave up. "I can''t do anything; I thought I had been completely banished; that was the information I had, not that they were still supporting me. So, I''ll have to go to the Duchy; I have no options. Besides... your comrades should be arriving any moment now, right?" Strax asked, and he nodded. "It''s complicated... I''ll have to talk to Beatrice," Strax sighed and stood up. "Let''s go to the mansion," he ordered, and Jason agreed, leaving a gold coin on the table. Both returned to Beatrice''s mansion and met with Strax''s wife. "Hm? I''m coming with you," Beatrice said, and Strax was surprised. "How come you''re coming with me? You''re a baroness!" Strax said, and neither Beatrice nor Jason understood his reaction. I mean, he didn''t know she could... "What?" Strax said, "Yes, I''m going to sell my title of Baroness. It doesn''t make sense to have it after knowing that my father has been stealing from you all this time; I''ll just sell these lands and follow you to the duchy. I can buy a house nearby your family," Beatrice revealed, and Strax was just staring... ''How didn''t I think of that? Damn! Is my head still wrestling with my sense of the former world?! I didn''t even have a simple idea like that!'' "W-well, that''s also a good idea," Strax said, and Beatrice asked, "Were you planning to ditch me after making all this mess with me?" She looked serious, with a poker face. "N-no! Definitely not, I just didn''t know what to do!" Strax spoke quickly. "Still, it will take me a while to sell these lands and title, maybe a few weeks, and since you have to leave immediately, we''ll be separated for a while," Beatrice said, and Strax agreed. "So be it," Strax said, and everyone agreed with the plan; now he had to go to the Duchy. Chapter 23: Jason is very competent. Naturally, Jason''s arrangements would be swiftly made, but the speed at which it was done... My God, this man was incredibly competent! In just one day, Jason managed to fix several things he didn''t necessarily know this town had. Firstly, on horseback, he went to one of the nearby towns and placed a special order at the adventurers'' guild. This guild was a general entity that hired cultivators and other guilds to carry out missions requested by citizens, mayors, barons, and dukes. This worked very well, and there were several guilds in this world that offered the same service. In a general view, they were people who worked as hired mercenaries to improve the quality of life. After all, even though the world was a place of cultivation and danger, not everyone was suited to follow that path. Look at the citizens of the Barony of Steinhardt themselves; hardly any cultivators lived in the city. Even in the mines, where cultivators could emerge due to extreme effort, due to the low concentration of mana and energy from the sky and the earth, here in Steinhardt, cultivators were almost impossible to find. Of course, it wasn''t an exception for one or two to exist, but they would be really rare and would have to be wealthy... like Beatrice, who really had a lot of help from her non-cultivator parents. Influence and money were still very much needed for the individual growth of a cultivator. Of course, the story would be different if you were someone like Strax, whose latent talent was directly linked to his lineage. Jason hired a guild to accompany them to the Duchy of Vorah. He would love to go alone, but the journey was really long. At this moment, he was talking to the leader of the Flame guild. As the knight in charge of completing an official mission, everything was on his shoulders, and Strax... just focused on having some more "private" time with Beatrice while Jason did his job. After all, they would soon be parting ways and wouldn''t see each other for a few weeks. Jason was now in a tent set up on the outskirts of the town near the barony. He was having a meeting with a mercenary famous for her strength. The succession competition must already be starting, as Xenovia Vorah has announced that she has given up being the Matriarch ." This information caught Jason by surprise; his whole body burned with anger. "Of course... If you want an alliance... we can pass your young master through the mountain range and no bandit or mercenary will bother you," she said predatorily, cornering him against the wall, after all, probably no guild would accept this commission. "What do you gain from this, woman?" Jason said, and she smiled sweetly, yet maliciously. "Who knows? I like to have fun," she said. Jason, however, didn''t give in for a second. "Come to Steinhardt. My young master will decide this. I have no power over this negotiation, since the conditions have changed," Jason said. Indeed, it was Strax''s order. If anything changed, he was to bring people directly to him and he would check what could be happening. In fact, Strax already intended to use "Analyze" to get personal information about people, and if it were a woman... He wouldn''t hesitate to do his best to read her completely and discern whether it would be good to hire her or not. Well, it was one more of Strax''s plans that sought to quickly understand the System and the world around him. He needed subordinates, and if he could get them, he would hire them to make everything easier. He had already foreseen the internal dispute among the Vorah Commanders; his brothers could be preparing something like this. So, at this moment, Jason knew... Strax was already starting his plans. ''You managed to think of all this in just a few hours... You''re not the Young Master I knew, you... are almost a different person... yet, still Strax... Damn, what a mess! How did you change so much in six years? Have you been studying? Weird bastard!'' Jason thought and turned, seeing Samira''s serious face, which seemed to calmly consider the decision. After all, it wasn''t just her involved in this problem; her subordinates were also being drawn into this escort. "Ah, alright, I''ll go along with what you want. After all, I''d love to meet your young master," Samira said, while her eyes and mouth seemed mocking. She was thinking of some fun things that could happen, and that was what really mattered... Money? She already had money, she wanted adventure! Chapter 24: First meeting with Samira Blaze Xenovia Vorah, the eldest daughter among all of Strax''s siblings, is described as a goddess of the moon and darkness. She has never displayed any broad emotion in public, never had any interaction with high society, and above all, never bowed her head to anything or anyone. Her powers are unknown; all that is known is that she possesses the Matriarch''s Sword, the Night Abyss of Nyx. A sword forged by the flames of a Primordial Black Phoenix and sealed within it, a weapon so terrifying that not even the Patriarch can lay his hands on it without being affected by the corrupt flame that resides within the sword. Xenovia Vorah, the Black Empress. Despite being indisputably the strongest, she has no desire to have power superior to that of the Patriarch or anything of the sort. She is simply herself, without ulterior motives or plans, being unparalleled and, in direct line, equaling the Empress of Thalassia herself. She has completely disassociated herself from the future Matriarch line, completely denying the succession war that occurs behind the scenes. However, now, with the declaration to bring Strax back, Xenovia is once again involved in the war for the sheer convenience of the others, who consider her a threat. She is the greatest threat of all. A bird that flies aimlessly to the depths of the Abyss without any fear. She never showed interest in anything or anyone... But now, however... Strax has been turned into a massive target, despite being considered a complete stranger to the family and its affairs with the Kingdom. Xenovia is a risk. And because of that, the other siblings have begun to point their weapons at Strax. However, despite not understanding how this family worked, the Strax of now is no longer a failure. The permanent knowledge of his past life made him aware of what could be happening, and everything was predicted in minute detail. He wasn''t the smartest man, but he had seen scenes like this too many times, which gave him a certain advantage. Although the mechanisms of this world were still not within his knowledge, aristocratic mechanisms of families like this were easily something he could handle, even without knowing about the problems that would come. "She wouldn''t call me back, we''re not close. In fact... she never showed anything for me... except for that day," he thought, remembering how Xenovia knocked his older brothers to the ground after they hit him. "Is something big happening? Yes, she hardly would talk to me if it weren''t a big problem," he commented to the wind as he sat in the Baroness''s private room, awaiting Jason. "What do you mean?" She questioned. In fact, this was good for her. Why was she still questioning something? "Hm? I don''t have time to deal with a mercenary like you. You''re just here for fun. If money were needed, you''d be in the capital. A master-level cultivator? Please, you just want challenges ahead of you to feel alive," Strax said. Samira''s face turned completely dark. She was too shocked to speak. In less than ten minutes of conversation, she was completely read. "With you..." before she could question, Strax just smiled and said, "It will be a pleasure to work with you, Miss Little Fire." Strax said, and Samira''s whole body trembled with anger, and... another place melted after being called "Little Fire". "L-L-Little Fire??" She questioned loudly, and Jason looked at that scene, shaking his head. "It''s not possible, young master. You just hired one and you''re already trying to get your claws into another?" "Yes, I will call you that, Little Fire. Now go get ready. We''ll leave tomorrow morning," Strax said, and she was starting to get furious at being treated this way. "How dare you? Who do you think you..." Before she could question, Strax interrupted: "I am your master. Go get ready or I''ll find another to accompany me from the guild, Little Fire." Samira just accepted and left, stomping heavily on the ground. "What was that?" Jason questioned. Just a short while ago, he could barely handle that woman, and he barely negotiated... now... Strax seemed to have completely dominated her. "Hm? Don''t you know how to talk to women like that? It''s simple. She doesn''t even care about money. She just wants entertainment. She probably accepted this contract as soon as she saw the reward on my head. She just wants to have fun. So, I started the show for her. Women like her like to be challenged. Probably now, she''ll try to be the best possible and prove herself so that I treat her with more respect." "How do you know that? You only had contact with Beatrice!" Jason said quickly, trying to understand how Strax worked, but he just shrugged. "I just know, and you should get ready. We''ll leave tomorrow," Strax said, and Jason sighed heavily. "Alright, young master." [You have successfully initiated the undercover mission] "Predictable System," Strax said as he sat in the chair and put his feet up on the table. "Now... what will I do with those points?" He questioned, seeing the number on his screen, but that would have to wait for the next day. [Image of Samira] Chapter 25: She secured her place, the First Wife! Strax glanced ahead at the status screen as he prepared to leave. Initially, he thought about highlighting the stats that would aid him in close combat. Assuming, of course, that Intelligence was relatively Mana, then this would be his least problem at the moment. What he wanted to focus on was the sword; after all, his family would look at that first, and then the other abilities. Considering his current self and his stats, he had 20 blank points to be distributed, and so he did. First, he used 10 points on defense. Sure, he could increase this attribute further down the line, but his first thought was, "We''re going through unknown places, and my head is at stake. Survival capability will be the best bet at the moment. Of course, it doesn''t mean I have to spend everything on defense, but I''m facing a big problem... Just 5 in defense won''t help with this issue," he said as he pondered what to improve first. Nevertheless, ten points in defense were his best option. "Distribute 10 Points in Defense, 5 in Vitality, and 5 in Strength," he said, and the System followed suit, revealing his new statistics. [Level: 10] [HP: 242/242] [Vitality: 17] [Endurance: 10] [Strength: 15] "Now that you''ve calmed down, tell me what happened," Strax said, looking into her eyes, which were very different from usual. "We''ve only been together for a few days, and you already want to betray me?" She said hurriedly. "You''re mine only!" She proclaimed. ''This is going to be a problem... Damn Harem System,'' he cursed as he understood what kind of situation was about to unfold. ''Having this conversation... right now...'' "Beatrice, sit down," Strax said, placing the woman on the small sofa and sitting beside her. "Who told you this?" "The woman! That woman with fiery hair outside!" Beatrice said quickly, and Strax felt a bad taste in his mouth. ''Damn... is that how you want to play?'' He roared, but then asked, "Beatrice, who am I?" "Strax... Vorah," she commented, and it seemed that she partially understood the situation. "Yes, unfortunately, I am a Vorah," he chuckled awkwardly and continued, "In the future, I really won''t be able to have just one wife. Being completely honest with you, I don''t even know if that will be possible for long, as I''m being forced to return," Strax said, and Beatrice bit her lip. "I don''t want to share you," she said proudly, looking deep into his eyes. ''At least she has attitude and doesn''t hide,'' Strax thought. He didn''t have much to say to the girl, and he didn''t know if he could reveal the existence of the system to her. Of course, that would be much more convenient, but something would probably stop him from telling her. He had seen too many stories where the System simply blocked the user and punished them, and he didn''t want to take those risks now. "Beatrice, I will find more women, yes. But I won''t stop loving you because of that. I know that''s your fear, believe me, I know. That''s why I promise that forever, you will always be the first wife," Strax said. But Beatrice, in turn, "Ah~ Really," she sighed, the air changed completely. "I did it!" She smiled. After all that scene, she just accepted it and smiled? Strax... broke. "B-Beatrice?" He questioned, seeing how well she seemed. "Oh, darling, come on, we live in an era of cultivation, do you really think there aren''t many men with many harems out there? What I''m doing is just common sense, I''m securing my place!" She said quickly and excitedly. "The First Wife!" [The Title: The First Wife, has been duly linked to Beatrice Vorah.] Strax read the message with a poker face. Was this all a big joke? He didn''t know, but now he was sure. "This world is crazy, even for me," he thought, as he saw the beautiful smile on Beatrice''s face as she agreed to him having more wives... Chapter 26: Leaving Stainhardt The day dawned gloomy, with fog lingering throughout the city of Stainhardt. Naturally, some might view it as a scene from a horror movie, but... "It seems we''ve entered winter," Beatrice remarked as she observed the landscape obscured by dark clouds and dense fog, which, besides being gloomy, was truly chilly. "Yes, the mountains have started releasing this strange fog again; it''s not a good sign," Monica, her maid, said as she gazed at the somber surroundings. "What will you do?" Beatrice asked, clearly referring to what she would do after selling the estate and relinquishing her title as Baroness. "Hm? What do you mean?" Monica questioned, confused, and Beatrice was more direct: "Where will you go after all this is over?" She was straightforward, not caring much about material possessions, let alone the place her father built with blood and theft. In fact, after Beatrice discovered some of her father''s deeds, she no longer believed in the paternal love she had received. A man who kills, steals, tortures, and mistreats his employees does not deserve respect. He might have seemed like a good father, but she realized various issues she hadn''t been aware of before, especially the fights with her mother. Now, a lot of things made sense, and it made her furious to have been deceived by her own family. "I will stay by your side, Little Beatrice," the maid said, drawing Beatrice''s attention, who hadn''t heard that in a long time. Monica raised Beatrice much more than her mother did. Her mother wasn''t a very kind person, and her father... well, her father was a blatant traitor. "What?" Beatrice asked, and Monica smiled. "How could I abandon my little Beatrice just because she won''t be a noble anymore? Well, for a while, since Master Strax is one of the greatest nobles in the kingdom," she said, laughing, and Beatrice blushed. "S-s-stop!" She spoke quickly, just the thought of truly marrying Strax... she had a "system malfunction." "You can count on me, Master Strax; Beatrice will be under my care completely, and I will protect her with everything I have." "I rely on your services," Strax said, lightly bowing in respect, as did Monica. "I''ll be going," he said, looking at Beatrice, who nodded. Again, a calm kiss was planted on her lips. "Stay safe, my dear," Beatrice said, giving Strax one last tight hug, he nodded and kissed her forehead, "See you in a few weeks," with a final smile, he parted from his wife and turned to leave the mansion. "Finally," Samira sighed, watching the man leave through the front door. Well... being a body cultivator, she had better senses and heard all the idiotic conversation that had taken place. ''Tsk, sentimentality will get you killed, idiot,'' she thought, seeing Strax''s happy face, allowing a scowl to rise on her expression. "What''s with that look?" Strax asked curiously, but Samira bit her tongue and commented, "Are you done playing house already? We don''t have all day." She said and continued turning towards the armored carriage her guild had set up. "Get in quickly, let''s go." She ordered, and Strax chuckled lightly. "My ''Little Fire'' is very competent; what awaits us, huh? An adventure!" he teased. Samira had some of her veins exposed, and her face turned red with fury, but before she could yell at Strax, "Shall we? The fog is thickening," Strax said, seeing the area becoming denser. Strax looked back and saw Beatrice waving, and he waved back. "See you later!" he shouted, and she nodded. "Now, let''s go find my lovely scary sister," Strax said, this time... quite serious. Strax entered the carriage, and Jason was already inside waiting for him. Meanwhile, in the distance. "Is that him?" a hooded man questioned, while the other two nodded. "How much time do we have?" one of the three asked, "Fifteen days until they reach the Ducato, if that''s where they''re going, as the information says. We can ambush them." "Have you informed the leader?" the third asked, and the first and second nodded. "Then start moving; we need to reach the mountain range before them, let''s prepare some surprises. We need money, don''t we?" He chuckled lightly, and the three vanished into the fog. Chapter 27: The journey begins. The fog was thicker than usual, yet the journey commenced nonetheless. At least, Strax wasn''t worried; after all, it was just a foggy stretch, what could go wrong, right? "Young Master, what do you intend to do?" Jason asked as he watched Strax gaze into the forest covered by the dense layer of fog. "What do you mean?" Strax questioned, and Jason continued, "I''m referring to Lady Xenovia." Strax looked at the trees as he recalled some words he had heard from Xenovia in the past. "Forgiveness is the excuse of the weak, who lack the strength to stand on their own. Strength is justice, Weakness is sin." That was one of the few phrases he remembered his sister saying, that is, when his sister defeated all of their older brothers in duels. She always repeated that same phrase. His sister was relentless, to the point where it was impossible to read her intentions. Honestly, it was impossible for him to do anything against her; he just had to accept it, otherwise... well, he would be in a complicated position. "There''s nothing we can do, Jason. Xenovia is supreme when she wants something. My return is a request for reward. If that''s what we think it is, it''s impossible to do anything against her," Strax bitterly replied. It was really bad to be at the mercy of someone else against whom you couldn''t do anything. Strax, in fact... was helpless. However, this wasn''t really bad in the grand scheme of things. After all, Strax''s dream remained firm and strong, and that gave him even more motivation to move forward. "I just need to become strong enough not to be intimidated," he said to the wind. Jason looked at him again, wondering where his old master had gone. This time, he decided to confront him for real. "It''s a trap," Strax said, drawing the attention of the two who were fiercely arguing with their exchanges of bitter words. "And shut up," Strax said, approaching the obstruction ahead. "We''ll go through the mountains, but stay alert. It''s a trap," Strax said, and Jason stared at him. "Don''t look at me like that; you know full well what will happen if we continue straight. Probably, if they''re smart, they already have a much larger group ahead to stop us. Through the mountains, we''ll face fewer problems," Strax explained, but that wasn''t enough for Jason. "There are various beasts in the mountains, Young Master; it''ll be more dangerous," Jason said, but that didn''t affect Strax''s decision; in fact, it only encouraged him even more to go through the mountains, after all... "Yes, that''s right! Hahaha, I need to level up! To kill those idiots who call me brother! Let''s move forward!" he roared determinedly... "Despite there being beasts, they''re not strong; on the contrary, with our numbers, it''s almost impossible for us to be ambushed. We have ten expert cultivators and me, besides this idiotic knight," Samira proudly said, while her subordinates looked at her with an expression of "Our boss is the best! Trust her!" Well... they were lackeys. Strax saw that scene and sighed, thinking about how problematic the journey would be with these two verbally killing each other with dirty and idiotic attacks. Damn it, you''re older! Act like adults! "Follow what Little Fire says, Jason; she has more experience than you in this type of territory. Stop acting like you''re in charge," Strax ordered. Jason felt as if he had been stabbed by a sword in his back. Strax remained impassive watching that ridiculous scene. "You''re a knight, act like one; she''s a lady," Strax scolded, and another sword pierced his back, this time the thickness of the sword was the size of a pillar, it would probably kill a dragon. "That''s right, I''m a lady!" Samira affirmed. Strax saw a big pointy nose grow on her face. "Tsk, I hate dealing with people," Strax said, going back into the carriage. "Go ahead, I want to kill beasts." Chapter 28: The calm before the storm The calm moment of the journey had arrived, but in truth, everything was too calm... Strax was already beginning to grow suspicious. After all, the clear warning of an attack had already been seen; it was only a matter of time before they were ambushed. Samira knew this and assumed the role of a bodyguard, now seated in front of Strax while Jason was by his side. Strax was cultivating as the carriage advanced through the mountains. "He''s quite self-taught. I just gave him a few tips, and he''s already applying them accurately," said Samira, analyzing the young man with closed eyes who breathed in warm air as he cultivated. "He wasn''t always like this. In fact... it''s surprising," commented Jason. The atmosphere between these two had stabilized after Strax gave them both heavy scoldings. They had reached a consensus that both were in a similar situation, both were in the palm of this man before them. "How so?" Samira questioned. Although everyone knew that Strax was a failure, it was hard to think that one of the sons of the strongest man in the Empire was a failure. Perhaps many outsiders thought Strax was just an ordinary man, unlike his brothers, who were aberrations. These comparisons... Irritated Samira. After all, she too was the daughter of a noble and had been compared to her sister a lot. "He... wasn''t even capable of cultivation years ago. Now... he has the talent of a genius, apparently," commented Jason. Since returning to Strax''s side, he had already noticed several changes in his strength. "Tsk, I hate geniuses," Samira muttered. "Don''t think of him like that. He''s been through a lot. Besides, he''s not what you''re thinking. He''s quite serious," defended Jason his master, while observing him slightly sweat, his face slightly damp. "Is he really? Tell me what this ''seriousness'' would be," she smiled. Of course, she would love to get to know more deeply a man who had such a large bounty on his head. She wanted to understand what and who she was dealing with. "He tortured a man in a brutal way and killed him by mining his head with a pickaxe," said Jason, and the place fell silent for a while. Even Samira found what he had done frightening. "Why did he do that?" Samira asked, and Jason spoke simply. "They conspired against him a few years ago, causing him to separate from his wife, and when he got a chance to reconcile with her... the Butler conspired to kill her. Well, it was just a cut on the arm, but for Strax... Well, let''s say he didn''t like his wife getting hurt," Jason concluded, and several thoughts crossed Samira''s face. First, of course, she felt he was a fool for making a fuss over something as small as a cut on an arm. Then, she felt he was not someone to be underestimated. And lastly. ''Must be nice to be important to someone,'' she thought, her final thoughts before hearing a gruff voice. "Finally," Strax''s voice resonated in the small carriage, and the two of them stared at him. Strax seemed a little different. "Young Master?" Jason questioned, but Samira just smiled at him. "It seems my advice was quite important. I should be rewarded, don''t you think?" She said, and Strax smiled lightly, reading the system notification in front of him. [Congratulations, User! You have advanced to a "Condensed Stage Supreme Cultivator", due to your Superior Talent in having competent people by your side, your talent has evolved!] [Name: Strax Vorah [Sword of Tomorrow: Unique sword style, although basic, is a good choice for those who have just entered the world of sword cultivation.] "Tsk, didn''t earn any extra points. What''s that supposed to mean? Not only do I not get points in all stats when I level up, now even with cultivation, I don''t get these points? What the hell is this problematic system?" He thought, his frustration already evident in the eyes around him. "Hey, brat, I''m talking to you," he heard the female voice and quickly turned to her. "Ah, finally woke up to life," said Samira, and Strax stared at her sternly. "Tsk, I''m not saying anything else," she said, turning her face away. "Damn it, I don''t have time to deal with you. What the hell are these ''Sealed Points''? Shouldn''t you at least warn me about that? Crappy damn system, it''s already pissing me off!" He frustrated again. Maybe he should stop looking for sense in a system to avoid these headaches. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for helping me advance," said Strax, shaking his hands which were still numb from the previous position. He looked out the windows and couldn''t see anything but fog, which worsened by the moment. That was already strange. "Do you know anything about this fog, Little Fire?" Strax asked, and the woman snorted angrily. She really hated being called "Little Fire." "Hey, you son of a bitch, if you call me ''Little Fire'' again I-" "Shh, beautiful women need to take care of their appearance. If you keep making that expression, your celestial beauty will be damaged. We don''t want that, right?" Strax asked with a smile, interrupting her. "Damn it, young master..." Jason muttered. On the other hand, Samira... Well... she was a bit out of it... ''Celestial beauty? Who? Me?'' She questioned herself. ''But...'' she murmured, recalling some bad memories. ''Liar,'' she thought. "Tsk, annoying," she muttered and commented, "This fog comes from the peak of a nearby mountain. Every year it falls over the mountains nearby and comes to Steinhardt and Lazune, the next stop after these mountains," Samira said, still furious. "Lazune?" Strax questioned. Actually, he didn''t know anything about the next destination, since he knew nothing but Stainhardt and one of the houses where he lived in the Duchy of Vorah. "It''s a city popular for fishing. Steinhardt is further inland, but we''re still on the coast of Thallasia, so it takes a while to reach the capital. We''re at the edge of the continent," she explained, and Strax understood what she meant. As they talked, ahead, a stop. "Hm? Why did we stop?" Strax questioned, and Samira held her sword and looked out the window. "Tsk, we have company," she said, and her sword began to be enchanted with fire magic. "Damn," Strax said, reading the notification. [The Hidden Mission is happening]. "Yeah, yeah, kill the enemy, I already know!" Strax mentally growled. Chapter 29: Ambush? Okay, but why are they so cold?! "It''s snowing," Strax said as he stepped out of the carriage, something he had never witnessed in his past life, considering he lived in a location with a reasonably tropical climate. "Watch your step, the accumulation might confuse your battle sense, stay alert," said Samira, her expression completely changed. Now, Strax could truly say, ''A strong woman,'' he thought. "When we pass through this mountain, we''ll have to camp in a cave or clearing. Descending the mountain at night and in a snowstorm and fog will leave us one step close to death," she commented. Jason and Strax nodded as they began to walk forward, where Samira''s Guild group was waiting. They were on horseback, and some were on guard. "It''s an ambush! Protect the contractor!" shouted one of them up ahead, starting to retreat as growls began to echo around the area. The narrow passage was sealed by beasts. "Wait inside the carriage!" ordered another. However, Strax looked at Jason, who nodded. "Alright, but don''t overdo it," said Jason, and Strax smiled. Before Strax knew it, an arrow flew towards him, but he had enough time and reflex to dodge it. "Tsk, idiots," he muttered and drew his sword, a plain sword with no special features. "Damn, this uncomfortable feeling again," he said, gripping the sword. "They''re ten common beasts, white wolves," said Samira, and Jason added, "Ten warriors and a mage, plus the idiot archer who tried to attack the young master," he said angrily. "None above the condensed realm," said Samira, sheathing her sword and putting it back on her waist, sitting down. Strax looked at that and... "Seriously?" he questioned her, who promptly looked at him disdainfully and replied, "If you want to get yourself killed, go ahead. I''m confident in killing them all, but you? Please, you''ll die," she commented with a smile, and Strax responded, "Are you going to let them fight alone? They might die." "Hm? Since when does that matter? We''re Adventurers, our life is like this, day after day we sell our lives for money. They''re working," she said, as if... "I care about them, but I trust in their abilities. Before you ask with that moralistic look," she said and then. "WOOSHH" Something flew past Strax very quickly, and he looked to the side, seeing only a corpse of a White Wolf completely cut and bleeding. Its fur was stained red with blood. "Sorry!" he heard the excited shout of a man, who was fighting ahead with two more wolves. "This is..." He murmured, feeling a bad feeling. Soon, he completely lost track of where he was, as if caught in an illusion. However, that was not the case. Strax was now... trapped in the sudden snowstorm, which clearly was nothing normal. He held his sword tightly, increasing his caution even more. He prepared for the impact that could come, after all, he was still fighting against creatures adapted to climates like this. Despite the chaotic moment created by the abrupt weather change, he couldn''t falter. Suddenly, his sharp eyes caught movements in the distance, a stealthy movement amidst the snowflakes and dense fog. The first wolf, agile and fast, made a violent lunge towards his neck. The creature''s teeth were sharp and gleaming like ice. His movement was swift. He dodged the attack by spinning to the right of the wolf and delivered a decisive counterattack to its side. His sword sliced through the air, meeting the wolf''s flesh and tearing it apart completely. "Howwwl!" The wolf emitted a sharp sound of pain as the sword blade deeply cut its icy skin, blood gushing onto the ground. The first wolf fell. However, the others advanced, each more ferocious than the last. One of them came from Strax''s flank, trying to hit him from behind, but he wasn''t caught off guard. His instincts were so sharp that he could easily sense his opponents. Thus, Strax quickly spun and blocked the sneaky attack with his sword before slashing a Brutal Cut across its head. "This is getting complicated," he said, seeing the corpses of the two wolves. As far as he remembered, there were only three or four wolves left. He could no longer relax like before. The visibility kept his whole being constantly alert. Aiming for survival, he positioned his sword for attack, already sensing another of his opponents ahead. Strax didn''t see his opponent, but he heard the sound of the leap and swiftly ducked, completely avoiding the wolf''s advance. With another quick movement, he landed another Brutal Cut on its stomach. "Howwwl!" It felt the pain and fell backward from the impact, its organs spilling out of its stomach. Strax was in a deadly dance in the snowstorm. With his lunges and counterattacks, he managed to hold his ground. Thankfully... "Ah~ It must be over now," Strax said panting, seeing the wolves'' bodies staining the snow with a distinguishable crimson red. "I didn''t receive any notifications..." he muttered. Despite all his efforts, any XP notifications simply vanished. He took a deep breath and stood up, the vapor from his breath dissipating into the cold air. He was exhausted, but in these conditions, he could no longer rest. "This was strange. Out of nowhere, a snowstorm... I need to find Jason and Samira," he said and pulled out his sword, which was stuck in one of the wolves. "Damn, it''s cold." Chapter 30: A meeting on the snowy cold "Darn it, what the hell was that?" he muttered, huddling against the cold. He lacked any gear for this, not even appropriate clothing, and that could spell his demise at any moment. Snowflakes fell at speeds his eyes could barely keep up with. Every second was crucial, and he needed shelter as soon as possible. With visibility reduced and the temperature dropping steadily, he was starting to grow worried. "Darn it... cursed mountain, cursed weather!" He inwardly roared, afraid of triggering an avalanche if he spoke too loudly. He didn''t know where he was, or how he could survive, but he already had in mind what needed to be done in this situation. "First, I need to find shelter; then, get warm... Darn it, why did everything have to get so complicated?" His mind was disturbed, and that wasn''t good. In a situation like this, calm and caution were necessary, but Strax... he wasn''t in a situation where he could have control, and that made him uncomfortable. Moreover... "Samira and Jason vanished suddenly. I need to find either of them, and it doesn''t make sense... how did I lose track of them so quickly?" Strax had a lot to ponder, especially about what had happened. After all, this snowstorm was anything but normal; in fact, it could even be part of the hunters'' plan. What bothered Strax was something else... "They didn''t have a proclaimed leader..." He muttered, reanalyzing the whole situation. "They had wolves, warriors, a mage, and an archer. That alone is strange... how does someone bring only a mana cultivator to an ambush? No, worse than that, how was there no one giving orders among them?" There were several silly questions, but they pushed away his negative thoughts about his potential death... "[The hidden mission is still active]" He thought as he tried to bundle up in his own clothes, sitting in a place where the wind didn''t hit him. "I will survive this," he said aloud, the words sounding like a promise to himself and to the relentless universe around him. "I have to survive. I will kill those idiots when this is over." With a burning rage in his chest, Strax waited, knowing that the only way to beat the storm was to face it with courage and perseverance. Hours passed. As Strax sheltered under the rocky overhang, seeking refuge from the furious storm raging outside, a indistinct figure emerged from the snowstorm. A woman, wrapped in a heavy cloak and with her face partially concealed by the hood, only letting strands of her orange hair peek through it, slowly made her way towards the makeshift entrance of the cave. Strax quickly sensed the woman''s presence and looked alert, but when he saw her expression, he couldn''t help but feel relieved. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but also the determination burning in her gaze. Her arm, completely injured, her cloak slightly reddened by blood, and her eyes sharp with anger: she was familiar, of course. "And to think I would find you just now," she said, her voice echoing in the cave entrance, falling into the darkness. Strax saw that scene and couldn''t help but wonder ''What happened to you?'' But it wasn''t time for that; now... Samira needed help. She took a few steps forward and almost fell to the ground; fortunately, Strax managed to catch her. He reached out in a gesture of solidarity and questioned, "Need help?" The proud woman swallowed her pride and nodded, allowing Strax to hold her and sit her down on the ground, leaning her back against the wall beside him. He saw the battle marks, but couldn''t question now. When he saw the tired face of the woman, she had already fallen asleep. Chapter 31: A temporary bandage Samira slept peacefully, leaning against Strax''s shoulder. In fact, it was the only thing he could do now, just support her. "A woman like her was injured. What hurt her?" Strax pondered. After all, it was difficult to understand what could have happened without a clear explanation from her herself, but Strax couldn''t ask at the moment. The cold weather continued to worsen. It was probably already ten degrees, and Strax had nothing to cover himself with. The woman''s cloak was already being used as a blanket to warm them both, but it wouldn''t help him for long. And the worst of all? He couldn''t do anything in this situation except wait for Samira to wake up and regain some of her strength. After all, he saw her use flames as an enchantment on her weapon; if she could conjure her flames to warm them, that would be the best-case scenario. "Come on, wake up..." He thought as he slowly closed his eyes. Fatigue and cold were already consuming him as the blizzard grew stronger. Time passed, and Strax had already fallen asleep to preserve and recover energy. The cold didn''t stop, but he and Samira were huddled together, sharing a certain amount of body heat, something that was necessary for survival. [The hidden mission is taking place] Every minute, the system alerted about the mission. Strax noticed this, but he couldn''t do anything at the moment. However, the System seemed agitated, as if something very important was about to happen. At the same time, as the night began to fall... "Strax!!" "Young Master!" Far away from the cave''s location, Jason tirelessly searched with the remaining members of the guild... "Enough already, Mr. Jason, we have to wait out the blizzard," one of the guild adventurers, the same one who tossed a wolf between Strax, said, while staring at Jason. "We have to find them." Jason commented, and the adventurer named Hog agreed: "I know, Knight, believe me, but my boss is strong. After that attack, she must be looking for the Boy. Let''s wait until dawn, the weather will drop significantly." He commented. Strax approached and gently lifted her arm, carefully wrapping Samira''s injured arm with the cut sleeve, gently securing it in place with a soft touch. His eyes focused on the task, his skilled hands moving delicately as he worked to tie it carefully without hurting the woman. It wasn''t the best of bandages, but it was enough to prevent infection while Samira''s regeneration began to work slowly. "They never took care of me like this..." Samira murmured to herself, many complicated feelings already running through her head at this moment. As Strax finished making the bandage, he looked up and met Samira''s eyes, conveying a mixture of... complicated feelings. "There," he said softly, his voice echoing in the cave. "This should help protect the wound while it heals." "Thank you," she said, her voice still hoarse and sleepy with pain. Strax smiled back. "Let''s wait until dawn," he suggested, and she agreed. However, the System went crazy after this interaction between them. It was as if... Well, Strax didn''t understand anything that happened there. [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have completed another part of the mission] [You have exceeded expectations completely. You have received a bonus after skipping several stages of the mission!] Chapter 32: Are you afraid of something? Strax barely felt his body, and Samira''s magic was slowly fading. Unfortunately, they hadn''t managed to find anything to make a fire, and Samira, being a body cultivator, had a really small Mana stock. Maybe she could last a few more hours with her flame, and that was alarming. A shitty situation that Strax never thought he would encounter after just one day of travel. It''s idiotic to think about it, but he had traveled for only one day, and he was already in a surreal and difficult situation. "I don''t know what to do," he thought. Of course, besides the negative thoughts, he saw those messages in the system, and it seemed like... the System wanted him to do something... Something he wanted to avoid now, but he went ahead. [The Hidden Mission is at its Apex] By changing his thoughts, the notification changed, proving that what he was thinking was right... "Damn," he thought. "How''s your arm?" Strax asked, breaking the silence. Samira gave a crooked smile. "Wish it wasn''t like this," she said and added, "But thanks for the bandaging... no one ever did this for me." She replied, that astute and wild woman had slightly dimmed. "You look different," Strax commented with a smile. The woman gradually... was catching a glimpse of a future that for her would be impossible. "I... I''m not good at dealing with these things," Samira commented. Not even Strax knew exactly what she was thinking. "Hm... I don''t understand, but I can comprehend if you tell me, how about that?" Strax commented. To improve the atmosphere of the place and at least reduce the emotional burden of the imminent end, it was the best solution now: to talk. That would calm both Strax and Samira, and maybe their thoughts would become clearer... Of course, that''s what Strax was thinking... As for Samira... ''He''s so... handsome,'' Samira thought, seeing his flame illuminating Strax''s determined face as they talked. She hadn''t noticed before, but... this man... was special in a way. They were very close, basically leaning on each other''s bodies while sharing the cloak as a blanket... Silence enveloped them, only the soft sounds of shared breathing breaking the stillness of the night. Samira looked into Strax''s eyes. She was thinking of various things, but something had slightly changed. Strax was the same, he felt... attraction. Their hearts beat in unison as they both shared the complicated situation they found themselves in. Without saying a word, seeing Samira staring at him, Strax slowly leaned in, his warm and familiar breath caressing Samira''s face. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, as the warmth of his body mingled with hers in a cold and uncertain atmosphere. Their lips met in a gentle touch, as if confirming something they both already knew. It was a soft and delicate kiss. Time seemed to disappear around them, leaving only the comforting sensation of each other''s presence. The warmth of their bodies seemed to dissipate the snowstorm and the cold weather. No intrusive thoughts disturbed that moment of pure intimacy, only the certainty that they were exactly where they should be. When they finally parted, a tender smile played on both their lips, illuminating their faces with a unique glow. Strax ignored the system messages for a few minutes as he tried to understand what had just happened between him and this beautiful woman... In fact, he didn''t even know why he did that. He just... felt it was his destiny. It wasn''t something the System programmed. He had ignored the system and followed his heart in a complicated moment, and that had brought him a reward. [You received a reward for the surprising advancement - You obtained the Skill (SSS) from the Harem System - Love Copy] Chapter 33: Warming up with body heat That moment could be described with just one word... ''That was... unique,'' Strax thought after kissing Samira... The feeling was something new yet familiar, it wasn''t like with Beatrice, whom he knew; it was more like... ''This feeling... why does it seem like I''ve known her for years?'' He thought as he stopped staring at the woman who was also turned away, preventing Strax from seeing her face. "What did I do? Hey! What did I do?!" Samira thought. In reality, she was mortified. "My first kiss! It was with a kid?! He''s what? 20 years old? No! I''m thirty! I''m too old for him!" She thought desperately, trying not to make any eye contact with Strax... The atmosphere between them became a bit awkward, however, it wasn''t the time for that. The cold was starting to increase with each passing minute... Strax looked at the notification ahead: "[You received a reward for the surprising advancement - You obtained the (SSS) ability from the Harem System - Love Copy] [Love Copy: Allows the user to copy only one ability from a Harem member; this ability will not have the same proficiency or strength as the original ability, but it can be enhanced with your own effort. Available targets: Beatrice.]" "What a convenient ability, this is actually quite good..." Strax began to think about the various ways to use this ability, however, he was interrupted by Samira''s voice. "My mana is running out..." Samira said. Strax looked at the hand and the small flame that began to flicker. "Damn..." Strax muttered. "We won''t be able to survive..." Strax said, but... he had a bold idea... "Maybe... maybe we need to do something a little... embarrassing," he said, trying not to look at Samira, after all, he felt a bit embarrassed thinking about it. [The mission continues at its peak] He saw the message just by thinking about what he was about to say. ''He reacts to my thoughts in...'' Nervousness hangs in the air as they exchange hesitant glances, aware of the urgency of the situation. The faint light from the fire flickered and finally went out, leaving the area completely dark. The only source of light was the moonlight streaming through the small crevice. ''Her breasts... are amazing.'' Strax thought, feeling those large breasts that seemed like soft marshmallows. As time passed, they continued to embrace, sharing heat, the initial tension giving way to a feeling of comfort and intimacy. "I never imagined we would be here, naked, embraced inside a cave," Strax remarked in a comedic tone. "Neither did I... but it''s better than being alone in this situation. I''m glad we''re together," she said, lightly smiling. Of course, Strax couldn''t see anything of the woman''s body, but just feeling was something... ''Incredible...'' "Hey... I want to do something," Strax said. Samira... became fearful of what he would ask. "What?" She timidly questioned, and Strax smiled slightly. "I want to kiss you, it will make us warmer, right? After all, you are my ''Little Fire,''" Strax said, and Samira certainly sensed a smile on his lips, even though it was completely dark. "Idiot," she said and pulled his face, which made Strax widen his eyes in surprise. Strax''s hands were already well positioned on Samira''s back, something that sent shivers down her spine as she felt the man''s hand gently rubbing her back, moving toward a place... Badump Badump Samira felt her heart beating so fast, so warm... so... passionate. Smooch Smooch Smooch Everything else disappeared. Blizzard? Who cares about the blizzard! Cold? Does that even exist? The heartfelt kiss simply filled the entire place, echoing throughout the cave as Strax felt the deep desires of the woman in front of him, her hands gripping his neck, pulling him closer. She was intoxicated with passion, continuing to press her sinful and voluptuous body against Strax, who felt her completely. ''A warrior, huh? What a joke,'' he thought happily, as his hands moved towards Samira''s buttocks, which startled her but she continued kissing him with all she had. Her breasts continued to press against him, savoring every second of that situation... ''I want more...'' Strax thought. Chapter 34: Finally, the Sun Neither of them had any reason to simply stop. They were completely intoxicated by pure attraction. Samira''s voluptuous body was engulfed in Strax''s firm embrace. *Smooch* The wet sounds as Strax lightly sucked on Samira''s lips were truly a divine symphony, one neither of them could deny. They were enveloped by the silence of the cave and the cold wind blowing. Their lips met in passionate kisses, each touch, each caress, a silent expression of what words could not capture. What could be said about this situation? It was simply enchanting. ''More...'' He thought, ''I want to touch her.'' He thought again, as his eyes turned completely black. Of course, there was barely any light, and Samira certainly wouldn''t see his eyes, but... Strax seemed like a wolf hunting its prey. Samira, on the other hand, trembled every second she felt Strax even closer to her body. ''This feels so good...'' She thought, almost giving up her rationality and surrendering completely. But she tried to keep at least her mind alive because if not... ''I need to control myself! I''ll end up devouring him!'' Time had disappeared, the blizzard outside becoming distant and irrelevant as both felt a warmth so palpable emanating from their embrace, a warmth united in pure passion that simply melted the coldest ice of all. They continued kissing for many, many minutes, as if in a trance. Strax''s hands were already grabbing and groping Samira''s buttocks, playing with them and massaging as he pulled her closer. Her breasts pressed against the man''s body as their lips continued to work. After a long, long time, they finally parted. The kiss ended, but the air between them still vibrated with the heat of the moment. Samira could hear Strax''s heavy breathing, a sound almost like a rough whisper in the silence of the night: "Haah... haah..." Ploft! He received a snowball right in the center of his forehead. "Hahaha, look at your face!" Samira laughed, seeing the snow ice wet Strax''s entire face, leaving him completely stunned. "Who''s wet now?" She questioned, and Strax turned, with a... scary face. "You''re going to be punished." He said, and Samira felt a chill down her spine. She was already fully dressed, of course, a warrior has to dress quickly! It''s not because she was dying of embarrassment! "Samira Blaze..." Strax said, and she looked at him, teasingly commenting on his face, "Look at that, now he knows my name... I thought you''d call me Little Fire forever." She smiled as she began to prepare another snowball. He had no options. There was no snow next to him, unlike Samira, who was at the cave entrance, full of ammunition to unload on him. "Tsk." He bit his tongue and ignored. "We need to get out of here while the blizzard has calmed down." Strax said as he finished cleaning his face. "Yes, the loser gave up," she said smiling, but... she wouldn''t expect what was to come. They began to get ready to leave, with Strax fixing his clothes and Samira trying to smooth out her dress. As they left the cave, a slow flurry of snowflakes began, even with the sun. "This is..." Strax said, and Samira finished, "Beautiful..." They watched that scene, Samira''s arm had almost completely healed. "What are we going to do now?" Samira asked. She really didn''t know what to do at this moment. They were isolated in a snowy mountain, not knowing if their companions were alive. Her mana was depleted, and her world could end quickly with just one slip-up. "First, let''s try to get off the mountain." Strax said, holding Samira''s hand. "We need to stick together. If another blizzard starts, we can''t separate." He said, and Samira... blushed and turned her face. "Okay," she replied. "So cute." Chapter 35: The snow is so beautiful... like you They began to walk through the snow, while tiny flakes fell upon their heads. At every moment, Strax and Samira held hands to avoid stumbling and getting hurt, despite the woman''s body being very resilient... "Being protected... is it really that good?" She questioned herself as she watched the man in front of her holding her hand firmly while leading the way. "This feeling... is so comforting..." Her thoughts were already starting to drift away. Honestly, she really didn''t know what to do with her feelings anymore. "It''s been a few hours but... they''ve completely changed my heart... How?" Strax''s back seemed gigantic compared to the boy she had met days before the journey. She already knew he was different. Well, how would a weak person treat a strong cultivator like Samira with such disrespect? Just that behavior alone had really piqued her interest in the man, but... "Loving... respectful... when he wants to be... and... kind," she thought, feeling the warm hand of the man leading her forward while being her shield in case something happened. "I should be doing this, but... it feels so good to be protected that I don''t want to leave his side." Her mind was really a mess, and it led her to a state of reminiscence, of her old life when she still lived in her cozy home, before running away and leading an adventurous life. "Samira! Come here! It''s training time!" The stern voice of the older man sounded, and a young Samira, ten years old, appeared holding a wooden sword. She trembled in fear at the man''s voice. "Let''s go! Hurry up, raise that sword!" His voice grated on her ears and she was forced to do something she didn''t want. Fight. Raising her sword, she waited for him to attack, but her fighting stance was flawed and at the old man''s first strike, Samira lost her sword and her balance, falling to the ground and twisting her ankle, her hand holding the sword broken. "AAAA," she screamed in pain, an agonizing scream, but the old man just looked at her and commented, "Pathetic and weak." He said with a hateful scowl. "Father...", Samira murmured, as she was still guided by Strax along the sad and lonely path of the snow. The weather... was not something Samira liked very much. "Issues with your father?" Strax questioned after hearing Samira murmur. "It''s... complicated," Samira said, trying not to delve deeper or confront her thoughts, while Strax continued to try to explore his new partner. After all, he had already decreed Samira''s future. "You''re mine." It was his only goal now, screw his damn scary sister, he just wanted Samira now. "I also have a complicated family," Strax said with a smile to her as he put her by his side, instead of staying in front, now both walked side by side without looking at each other while the snowy mountains were their sight, something really beautiful. "I''m going back to the Duchy because my sister Xenovia called me," Strax said and Samira turned white. "X-Xenovia? That XxXenovia?" She stuttered, even Samira who was reasonably strong compared to the cultivators on this side of Thallasia, was nothing compared to this woman. "Hey, calm down, she''s not a monster," Strax said, lying. "Damn, she''s a Supreme Monster indeed!" "I''m not an object! Stop treating me like an object you can have!" She said quickly, clearly bothered by this. "Hm? I''m treating you as I please, if I said you''ll be mine it''s forever, what kind of object lasts forever?" Strax questioned, and Samira was left speechless. ''This man... is he crazy? I mean, we all are but...'' "Are you questioning these things now? We spent a whole night kissing while you were naked on top of me, if we weren''t wearing underwear, we probably would''ve had s-" before he could finish Splat! He received another snowball directly in his face... And that left him... quite irritated. "Stop talking about that! It was a slip-up! I just succumbed to temptation!" She roared preparing another snowball. "Oh, really? So, I''m a temptation to you? That''s very good information..." Strax commented and Samira shouted again "You''re not a temptation!" Throwing another snowball, which this time Strax quickly dodged. "Oh, she''s angry," he said laughing and crouched, preparing a snowball just like her. "Do you really want to start this?" He questioned. "Bring it on!" She said throwing another snowball ahead. A snowball war began, something that if anyone saw would think it was a newlywed couple enjoying a snowy day... despite being in a really complicated situation, these two, nothing was really happening and they could already find a way out of this big problem they got themselves into. "Come on!" Samira said throwing a snowball that was quickly dodged, while Strax prepared to run towards her with a snowball in each hand. "Come here, Little Flame!" He said as Samira started running. "Stop it! Hahaha" She laughed while throwing more poorly made snowballs at Strax to try to keep him away, but Strax managed to get closer to her and hold her by the waist. "You''re not getting away from me." He said holding her firmly, but she was mischievous and used her strength to pull him down, knocking him over! "Ouch!" He hit his head and closed his eyes, when he opened them, he saw the beautiful woman on top of him, with the white dress having its straps slightly loose, he stared into her eyes. "You''re so complicated, you know that?" She questioned, preventing him from making any move. "Is that so?" The moment he felt the woman''s hands loosen, he quickly changed positions "Kyaa!" she screamed in surprise and now he was on top of her. She felt embarrassed and turned her face, feeling her wrists being held. "If you want, I''ll stop." He said, but Samira didn''t say anything, slowly he started to get closer to her neck and lightly kissed it. "Mmmm" She moaned. Soon, he reached her ear and lightly bit it, making her shiver all over. "Str-" She was going to speak but was completely silenced by his lips. Chapter 36: Problems on snowy days They rose after another long kiss. Strax simply smiled at her, who was still quite embarrassed, but now couldn''t deny it anymore. "No matter the age, or anything else... I''m enjoying this insolent bastard," she thought, watching him offer his hand to start walking alone again. "Tsk," she bit her tongue. Was she annoyed? Yes, but with herself, not with Strax. On the other hand... [The hidden mission was successfully completed, however, your rewards will only be delivered at the end of the arc.] "Tsk, disgusting system, why delay the rewards so much? Isn''t the level system already a complete failure, giving me only 1 point per level instead of increasing all the statistics, what else do you want to steal from me? Even the rewards?!" he roared, growing increasingly irritated with the system that completely limited him on all occasions, something he had no control over. "I''ll have to manage. At least this beautiful woman is by my side. I just need her to recover her mana and we can have more chances of surviving," he thought, directing his attention to Samira. "We need to head North, right?" Strax questioned, and Samira nodded, explaining, "We''ll have to find the nearest road first and I can better locate us, but heading north, where the sun rises, is our best option currently. Lazune isn''t too far from here," she remarked. "Can you tell me more about this place?" he said as they resumed their path. "Well, there''s not much to say. It''s a port city, a major trading center that encompasses spices and valuable resources, mainly because it has good connections with the Vampire continent. Although they only drink blood, their land is reasonably rich to sell their resources," Samira explained... "Vampires in..." he murmured. ''And to think there would be something like that around here. So far I''ve only seen humans and some mutant creatures, like the wolves...'' "What are Vampires like?" Strax asked curiously. "Sometimes I forget you were discarded by your family and thrown into a backwater like Steinhartd," Samira sighed and unloaded all her frustration... "They''re idiots! They only think about blood and lust, besides being naturally strong and born with superhuman strength! These bastards are still arrogant! I hate Vampires!" she said quickly, as if venting about a bad day at work. Strax couldn''t help but laugh at that. "Hahaha," his laughter echoed. "You seem to have been frustrated by a Vampire, why so much bitterness?" he asked amused. "That damned one! She always took my expensive jobs and told me to stick with the stupid things of those retarded nobles!" she vented in anger. "Haha, it''s so funny your face when you''re angry." "You!," she turned but saw he was smiling in a different way, at least she saw it that way. "Hey, what''s this?!" she quickly exclaimed in surprise upon noticing something. "What?" he said smiling. ''Why did this bastard start to look so handsome?! Was he always like this? How is this possible!'' she screamed internally, and shortly after, "Humpf! You drive me crazy!" she said and continued to walk ahead, leaving Strax speechless. "Hey, wait for me! Finish telling the story about Lazune!" he ran quickly to catch up with Samira''s steps, at least she didn''t start running. If she did something like that, Strax would probably fall far behind. Samira and Strax glanced at each other, their eyes widening in terror as they realized what was happening. "Why are we so unlucky?" Strax questioned, as everything trembled and the noise of rocks started to grow louder. "An avalanche!" Samira shouted, her voice almost lost in the deafening roar of the approaching snowslide. She quickly grabbed Strax''s hand and started to run. They ran desperately through the tunnel, the flickering flame''s light wavering as they struggled to stay upright on the unstable ground. "It''s the bear!" Samira shouted, feeling the heavy footsteps above her head. The sound it made was truly different from the noise of the snowslide or the mountain breaking. It was a desperate moment. They knew they needed to find a way out as soon as possible, before it was too late. With their hearts pounding uncontrollably in their chests, they surged forward, ignoring the fatigue and fear consuming them. "Don''t stop!" Strax said, starting to use everything he had, even though his tired body wouldn''t stop now. By a miracle, they spotted an opening ahead, a faint light shining beyond it. With their last bit of strength, they ran towards the hope of escaping the imminent avalanche. With a desperate leap, they emerged from the cave just in time, being swallowed by the snow. For an agonizing moment, everything was dark. When the avalanche finally stopped, Samira and Strax found themselves lying in the snow, panting and covered in ice. But, miraculously, they were alive. "Ahrgt, I''m sore all over," said Samira as she began to dig. They were buried, but they could still breathe. Quickly she began to emerge from the snow. "We made it," Samira murmured, looking at Strax who emerged from the snow just like her. "Damn. That was close," said Samira, but... it wasn''t what she expected. The magical bear, now emerging from the snow with fury, roared loudly, unbearable. Strax and Samira glanced at each other. "We don''t have a second of peace," Strax commented. When Strax said that sentence, the bear emerging from the snow quickly prepared and launched ice spikes toward Samira with frightening precision. Before she could react, Strax acted instinctively, jumping in front of her, shielding her with his own body. "Ahhhrgt!" The ice spikes hit Strax hard, piercing his skin and making him scream in pain. Samira watched in horror as Strax fell to his knees, wounded and bleeding, but still determined to protect her. "You son of a bitch, why target her?!" she roared in anger. "Strax!" she cried, running to help him remove the small spike that hit him. "I''m going to pull it out!" She said and pulled it out "AHHHHHH!" He screamed in pain. "Hey, you damn bastard, I''m going to kill you," Samira roared with so much anger, so much anger that her hair partially caught fire. Her hands were bathed in flames, and her eyes were extremely furious. Chapter 37: A fierce and rewarding battle "Ei, you son of a bitch, he''s mine," she said after seeing Strax on his knees, injured. "I''ll be right back," she said. Her fists bathed in flames, ready to attack the guardian bear, which started running towards Samira. She didn''t hesitate for a moment, focused on protecting and killing that piece of crap. "I''ll turn you into ashes!" she shouted in fury. The guardian bear growled, standing almost five meters tall with its sharp claws gleaming like pure chromed steel. It was ready to face Samira, to protect its territory at any cost. Despite the bear''s size, it wasn''t something that could be defeated quickly, and it wasn''t slow either; on the contrary, it had good speed that initially startled Samira. "It''s not an ordinary bear, it''s at least in the early cultivation levels," Samira concluded. She was a Master Corporal cultivator, not a Mana user, but she used her flames because it was her best skill when she was without a sword. As it came running towards Samira, she dodged the first onslaught of its blows, moving with grace and speed to her right and landing a punch to its stomach, followed by a kick. With a spinning kick, Samira tried to destabilize the bear, but the creature resisted, shaking its head in fury. Its claws shimmered in the light of the flames as it charged again, forcing Samira to quickly dodge backward. "Tsk, the problem with dealing with beasts is that those without intelligence and acting on instinct are always more difficult to handle," she said, completely forgetting about Strax and focusing entirely on fighting the huge guardian bear. Despite all her efforts, nothing seemed to be enough to defeat the bear. It was a force of nature and was in its territory, determined to protect its home at any cost. Samira didn''t have time to think about what to do; she began to use everything she had. Her injured arms started to move. "Screw this shitty arm," she said and began to endure the pain. "Come on, you piece of crap!" She shouted as she advanced again, landing an extremely powerful punch on the bear''s side. "ROOOOOARRR" The bear roared loudly, feeling the blow with all the impact it could receive; Samira''s hand left a mark on the bear, and again... The snowstorm began as the bear''s eyes turned neon blue. "So it was you all along! You little bastard!" She shouted and punched the same spot again. KRAK Samira felt the spot she punched give slightly; she had broken one of her ribs. But unfortunately, a blast of ice hit her in the stomach. "Ughtt!" She couldn''t even scream in pain; she was thrown backwards, her back hitting a tree. "Ahrgt!" She growled, her back hurt, but none of her bones were broken; fortunately, she was physically strong enough. She lost her breath for a few seconds, but decided to pull herself together; otherwise, Strax could die... "Wait, where is that bastard?" She questioned. Despite the fight having been brief, Strax should... She wanted to think more about it, but... "Roar!" The bear''s claws came at her, and she quickly ducked. "He''s getting tired!" Samira yelled, and Strax nodded. When the bear prepared to shoot ice stakes, Strax came at him with all his strength, landing a blow to its stomach. Samira didn''t stand still and delivered a blow to its jaw, making it fall backward, but it regained its balance, its white fur now almost entirely red after so much fighting. Now, however, it was surrounded. In front of it was Samira in a combat stance, and behind it was Strax. It didn''t have a good field of vision and was still dazed from the previous impact on its jaw. At the moment it roared even louder, Samira leaped onto it. "You''re going to pay for hurting him," she thought, putting all her strength into her fist. "Even with empty hands..." She shouted, "I am strong!" "!!!" The bear was completely brought down to the ground, its body went limp but it wasn''t over yet. Strax, who had been holding back his final blow, finally came to finish it. [Brutal Cut!] He struck, much stronger than before, completely destroying the bear''s head with the blow. "Wow, where were you hiding that?" She questioned, seeing that the bear lost almost its entire upper part with the impact of the strike. "Oh~ That? I can only use it when the target is almost dead," he said, sweating from the heat and panting. It demanded a lot from him, so he fell backwards into the snow. "The blizzard has ended," Strax thought, looking at the sky now completely clear. "Yeah, it seems like it''s finally over," she nodded and lay down on the ground next to him. They both gazed at the sky as they rested. Meanwhile, the System was going crazy, sending numerous messages to Strax, who decided to completely ignore them after all, why bother, right? [You defeated a "Mountain Guardian" - the Ice Bear, as a reward you obtained one of its abilities "Glacial Ice Manipulation (5*)", this ability requires training for full control] [You have broken the limits imposed by the system on the user, the System update will start soon after the completion of Act II''s mission] Meanwhile... "The blizzard has stopped!" One of the surviving adventurers said, and Jason nodded. "Let''s start the search! We need to find the two Bosses!" Jason said, and the rest of the guild decided to follow his orders, after all, he was the strongest at that moment. "Young master... be alive... I will die if you are dead, do not condemn me along with you... I have a wife and family," Jason said to the wind, looking at the sky that was beginning to brighten as the clouds drifted away. "How strange..." he thought upon hearing a strange sound and the sky clearing completely a few seconds later. "Hey! Let''s head in that direction!" He pointed, calling the remaining others, and they set off in search of their bosses. Chapter 38: Finally, Food! "Are you okay?" Samira asked as they both lay in the snow, gazing at the blue sky for almost twenty minutes since they killed the Bear. "If ''okay'' means having immense back pain after that stake pierced me, then yes, I''m okay," he mocked, while still watching the skies. "And you? How''s your arm?" "It''s seen better days," she said, lightly chuckling. "You''re quite skilled," she remarked, turning to him, who didn''t meet her gaze, just allowed her to observe him. ''A man who puts his companion''s safety before his own... I like that,'' she thought. "You say that, but you did most of the work," Strax commented, staring at her. "Why does a body cultivator use flames better than her muscles for fighting?" He questioned. It was something Strax had wondered about for a long time. Despite her being a Master Body Stage Cultivator, Samira wasn''t as strong as she should be. Even though the weather and conditions weren''t favorable to her, she should have... destroyed that guardian quickly, or he didn''t understand how fights between cultivators and beasts worked. "My magical talent... is extremely high," Samira commented. Strax already knew about the Talent system; he himself was average, so why was this... "Then why choose to be a body cultivator?" He asked, unafraid, but saw a bitter smile on Samira''s face. "I... didn''t want to be mistreated by my father anymore," she commented and began to tell more about herself... "My body was very weak, weak to the point where the impact of a sword almost killed me. My body was like glass, small impacts completely destroyed my bones and muscles. I always got hurt in any kind of training, but my sister... She was perfect. A massive magical Talent, a surreal physical Talent. She managed to be a Supreme Cultivator on both sides easily," Samira commented, starting to watch the passing clouds and continued to tell her story. "The comparison between us was always made unfairly. She was a complete genius and I was a poor weak girl who got hurt just from the impact of a sword," she said bitterly. Strax felt a slight sadness. "I hope I never meet my father-in-law," Strax said, and Samira quickly turned around. "Father-in-law?!" She questioned quickly. "Of course, you don''t think that after spending a night kissing you I''m just going to let you go away? I''ve said it already, you''re mine," Strax said, staring deeply into her blue eyes as she blushed softly. "You''re so beautiful, did you know?" He questioned, and she turned her face away. ''This bastard, why does he keep teasing me? Isn''t it enough to have done all that...,'' she thought of her private moments with him. She really now... was giving herself to him. After that, they remained quiet for another twenty minutes, with no interaction. They seemed to be looking at the sky lying in the snow, but they were focusing on cultivation, waiting for time to pass as they rested until their strengths were restored. Samira looked closely at the small skewer of grilled meat; she was curious about the taste, after all, it was the first time she would try meat from a guardian beast, and the idea of ??eating the meat of such an imposing and powerful creature sparked her imagination. Cautiously, she took a small bite of the meat, savoring the unique flavor unfolding on her tongue. To her surprise, the meat was delightfully tender and juicy, with a robust and slightly smoky flavor. A smile of surprise and pleasure spread across Samira''s face as she savored every piece of the meat, of course, Strax couldn''t help but smile seeing that she was enjoying it more than he expected. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "I never would have imagined bear meat to be so flavorful. It''s like each bite tells a story about the forest itself!" She said, quite excitedly, and he just smiled "It''s my first time doing something like this," he commented and she stared at him "You''re kidding, right?" She questioned, that didn''t make any sense! "It''s true, I''m serious, I wouldn''t lie to you," he said smiling and tasting the meat, which really... "Damn, this is really good, I''m amazing!" He exclaimed, not even believing that it was good. They continued to eat for a few minutes until finally they heard something that wasn''t the blowing wind or the noise of nature. They finally heard the voice of a person. "Young Master! Samira!!" As the voice echoed through the forest, Strax and Samira looked at each other with a relieved smile. After all, that voice was very distinctive and they knew exactly whose it was. They stood up and shouted in response, "We''re here!", catching the attention of the people searching for them. "Young Master! We finally found you!" Jason smiled in relief to see that Strax and Samira were safe. After all... Jason''s life would be pretty miserable if he didn''t find Strax... "We were worried about you," Jason said, his serious expression softening with relief. The men accompanying him, members of Samira''s guild, also nodded, more relieved. "Let''s go, we need to get back to civilization. I need to get some sleep, my last night... was very hot," he said with a mischievous smile directed at Samira, who completely changed her posture. "Humpf, it''s your fault for not knowing how to sleep," she said and turned around walking ahead... ''What happened between them?'' All the men immediately asked. Chapter 39: The guesthouse in Lazune The calm after the storm came. After reuniting with their companions, the newly formed couple was finally free from the problems they had. In fact, now... "Why are you two holding hands, Boss?" one of those adventurers asked, and Samira didn''t know what to do or say. She looked at her hand and hadn''t even noticed what had happened. She was truly confused. "How did I not feel this?" she wondered. "Give me your sword," Samira ignored her subordinate. And he handed her a sword. "Much better, I feel less defenseless," she commented, and they looked at that. "I would protect you," Strax commented with a smile, and Samira''s face turned completely red. The four men looked at the situation and couldn''t help but sigh deeply, especially Jason, who saw that and simply gave up on any thoughts. He just thought, "Young master... having several women isn''t good for you..." Was he worried? Of course, after all, Strax is a huge target. Having several people by his side means one thing for the Vorah... Weakness. Regardless of how strong Strax may be, in Jason''s mind, that''s just weakness. People like Strax should avoid this kind of weakness to grow and become strong. Jason had seen countless cases of men who died for their women. Damn, this is just for one woman and Strax now has two? It''s a pity that Jason doesn''t know what kind of person Strax is... After all, he is stronger the more women he has. "What happened to those idiots?" When they resumed walking, Strax questioned about the hunters. "We killed six of them, and they killed all of ours. We wanted to kill more, but the Young Master disappeared, and Samira followed shortly after, leaving our field of vision. When we realized, you two had disappeared," Jason commented, something that Strax quickly noticed. "Only the two of us were isolated? Why? I mean, it was good, of course, but isn''t it strange that only she and I were separated?" His thoughts always seeking a reason for everything again left him confused. He had always been the kind of person who likes an explanation for what happens, but this time he only had one conclusion. "Destiny in... like when I felt it was her..." He thought. "And their bodies?" Strax questioned. "We left them well exposed, so they can be found by their leader," Jason replied. Strax thought and really understood their plan. "Sending a message, huh, it''s a good idea, Jason," Jason felt confident when Strax quickly understood his plan. "It will work out," he said. "Even if they find someone alive, it will serve as an example for their comrades. You did well, Knight," Samira said, wondering if there was another way to deal with this situation, but she concluded that Jason was quite clever doing it this way. "And the tracks?" She asked. "Completely erased, Boss," one of them replied. "Hmm, good." "We''ll reach Lazune if we walk for another two hours," Jason said. "Really? Then we''ll have to pick up the pace to get there; more than half the day has already passed," Strax said. Indeed, it was already past noon. Fortunately, the snowstorm disappeared only with the death of the Bear, and the path would be much faster and smoother. Strax had already observed something in Jason that seemed to bother him. "You may be a knight, but you''re my escort. Don''t blame yourself for losing me; the circumstances led to that," Strax said, as if saying "I forgive you" to Jason, who had his burden taken off his shoulders. Unfortunately, despite being a knight, Jason is an honest man. Accepting and almost losing his young master means that he was a failure. "So... do you want the good news or the bad news?" Jason questioned, clearly feeling... awkward. "Just spit it out, man," Strax said, and he squared up. "We are five, right? But... they only have two rooms available that would meet our requirements." He explained. "That''s fine, we have a place to stay, and what''s the bad news? The price?" Strax asked, but Jason''s face... "One of the rooms has three beds... but the other... is a double bed." Upon hearing this, a broad mischievous grin spread across Strax''s face. It was a satisfied expression, accompanied by a touch of malice, after all, it was another opportunity given by fate directly into his hands. "Well, that''s interesting," he murmured, looking at Samira with a playful gleam in his eyes. Samira, on the other hand, couldn''t help but release an ironic smile. The unexpected always had a way of making things more interesting. "So, who''s going to take the double room?" she asked, her smile suggesting she already had an idea in mind, of course! ''You''re going to sleep with a man, you idiot!'' She thought clearly looking at Strax, she wanted revenge but... her shot backfired. "I prefer to sleep alone in a bed," one of the guild members said, as did the other two. "Yes, we prefer not to share the bed, we''re too big," they commented. Slowly... Samira''s mischievous smile broke like a mirror... after all... she didn''t want to spend another night with Strax, if not... she would probably never be the same woman as before, and she would just be a lovestruck little girl. Strax looked at Samira with a playful gleam in his eyes. "I think we both can take the double room, right?" he suggested, his voice loaded with mischief, which everyone felt, but did he care? Of course not! Samira accepted defeat with a slightly hurt nod, although a spark of curiosity burned beneath the surface. What could happen by sharing a room with Strax? She wondered, as the warmth of anticipation began to spread through her body, remembering the night in the cave... "Well, what are we waiting for? I need a hot bath!" Strax said excitedly, completely changing the mood of the place. ''Damn it... I''m going to be caught in this sly man''s tricks again...'' She muttered, already foreseeing what could happen, after all... Samira wasn''t foolish, and despite feelings blossoming lightly, she was almost given in to the arms of that man, it was only a matter of time until she gave up denying and just accepted the warmth of his body. She was fighting a truly lost war. [The Mission Has Been Updated] Strax read with a mischievous smile. Chapter 40: A hot bath, a hot night (R-18) When entering, Strax wasted no time and waited for Jason to get the keys to the room they would be staying in, a very well-appointed and luxurious suite that cost just over 10 gold coins, something they really had in abundance, as Strax theoretically was rich. But that wasn''t something for him to worry about. "That... was quite expensive," Samira commented upon entering the room and seeing the quality of the place, it was actually the first time she would sleep in something so expensive since her home, several years ago. "Don''t worry about it and enjoy," Strax said with a smile, without any ulterior motive, although his system was screaming with various very intuitive messages that clearly said "Take her for yourself!" "Who''s going to shower first?" Strax questioned, he was already starting to have mischievous ideas, but Samira didn''t notice, in fact, she was much more focused on thoughts like "He''s so... thoughtful." In fact, a lot was going through her mind lately since she met this man. I don''t need to say that Strax is a very different starting point in her life. She never had time for romance, but she decided at least not to just dismiss it and pretend like nothing happened. In fact, she couldn''t even do something like that. She felt extremely drawn to him, and with every passing moment with Strax, she wanted even more to go on with him because somehow, they understood each other. Samira was rejected for being weak and trained all she could to rise through the ranks of cultivation, and even so, she is theoretically a failure, she just reached a point where cultivating didn''t make sense anymore and the place she was in, she was the strongest. This was just a psychological victory, and she realized that when she met Strax. Strax compared to her, he was amazing, and she realized this gradually. In fact, every second that passed she really wanted to understand him more, wanted to get to know him more, wanted to be more with him, so much so that she didn''t even care about sharing the room with him. She would probably accept if he invited her to shower with him. She wasn''t even thinking rationally anymore; she just wanted to follow her instincts... "Hey, I''m talking to you, my sunshine," Strax appeared in front of the woman, lost in thoughts that quickly resumed and she looked at him. "Sorry, I was distracted... I have some thoughts swirling around my head, what did you say?" She questioned, Strax looked at her suspiciously but just asked again about the shower, and she nodded. "You can go first, you''re paying for the accommodation anyway," she said, not even realizing that Strax called her "Sun." As for Strax? Well... "She''s very distracted..." He thought as he entered to prepare to take a shower. He didn''t know much about Samira, but his thoughts about her were becoming more and more positive. Of course, the System was trying to bring them together, he already knew that, but he realized one thing over time... "?!?" Strax looked at the scene completely surprised to see the warrior wearing only a tightly wrapped white towel, which left her large breasts almost bursting. "What''s going on? Why... did she come in here? Wasn''t she... kind of distant from me? Why is she here?" Well, let''s say that part of this simple man''s brain began to stop working when he saw such beauty in front of him. "As you''re paying, I decided to help you wash your body," Samira said. Strax felt the woman''s face slightly reddening, but every word that came out of her mouth seemed like just one thing... "What a lame excuse," Strax thought. "Hey, this is definitely weird, don''t do something you don''t want to just because I''m paying for the place..." Strax said, trying to get a confession out of her; "I said I''ll do this, so just stay quiet!" She quickly responded. "Sit here now and do as I say, or I''ll turn you into soup! I''ll cook you alive!" She said so seriously that Strax felt her hair slightly singeing and rising, as well as her eyes seeming to burn. "She''s dead serious..." He thought. "Thinking that such a sturdy warrior would be washing my body..." Strax thought as he felt Samira''s hands move over his arms with a soapy sponge. "I''m definitely going crazy," his eyes fixed on the woman''s breasts, not letting a second pass without staring at them. "Stay strong, young warrior, we need to control ourselves!" He thought. "Damn, I can''t take my eyes off this woman..." Strax said, feeling something hardening beneath the towel. "So beautiful..." "Stop looking at me like that!" Samira thought, she couldn''t believe what she was doing. She had just thought it would be a good thing... and followed her feelings. "This is so embarrassing!" After completely washing his arms, she turned around and commented, "Now... I''ll wash your back." She didn''t receive a response, just a nod, as Strax had his eyes closed. Of course, he had already noticed that staring was making her uncomfortable, and he didn''t want that. "Just hold on a little longer." Strax thought. "Hey... I have something I want to ask." Samira commented, as she began to glide her hands over Strax''s back, who quickly felt a gigantic shiver run through his body. "Yes?" He questioned. "Do you like my breasts? You haven''t taken your eyes off them." She remarked. Strax swallowed hard, but he wouldn''t lie. He was trying to take control. "Yes, I love your big and delicious breasts." He commented, a bit descriptive and provocative. Of course, he couldn''t see Samira''s expression since his eyes were closed, but she saw herself in the reflection. Her face seemed as red as an apple, so she did something... that she never thought she would do. Dropping her towel and fully exposing her breasts, she lathered them with soap and then... She hugged Strax from behind, making her large breasts press against his back like soft sponges. "But wha-" Strax opened his eyes and tried to look back, but "Don''t move, or you die." "If you move, you''ll be barbecue." She threatened again, her whole body was hugging him, and every inch of him was felt by the skin contact. Strax entered paradise. Chapter 41: A hot bath, a hot night II (R-18) "If you move, you''ll turn into barbecue," she threatened again. Her entire body embraced him, every inch of him being felt through the touch of her skin. Strax felt like he was in paradise. Honestly, Strax''s mind had already gone to places I couldn''t even describe. He was so... aroused and satisfied with the situation that, for a brief moment, a small spark of thought almost made him lose control, while Samira''s ample bosom rubbed against his back, massaging him. He didn''t utter a single word after the threats. "Focus," he tried in every way not to think about what he wanted to do, trying to keep his thoughts steady, but it was difficult... More and more, he felt her breasts, which had slightly become pointed, aroused, something that really sent an electric shock through his back, making him yield slightly. Something had already started to get really hard. Samira''s heavy breathing began to echo throughout the damp bathroom, a breath of pure lust, something she didn''t even know she would feel just by rubbing her breasts on a man''s back. "Haa <3 Haa <3" She was already panting as she tried to do a good job. "Very good," she thought, it wasn''t even about Strax alone anymore, now it was about both of them, together. The physical contact was truly exciting, the expressions Samira made were erotic and truly amazing. She no longer realized, but Strax was looking at her through the mirror, his face completely depraved from the sweat of the perverted movements, his swollen breasts bathed in pure lust and foam, she was dripping, and it wasn''t just sweat... "Damn! If I don''t stop this soon, I''m going to..." Strax thought. He didn''t want to show this side to her now, for a reason that didn''t even make sense, but he thought to keep up this facade. "We have to get out, I''m hungry," he said, but she ignored him and her movements continued and then abruptly stopped. Then Strax sighed heavily, he was really turned on... "Now, let''s go here," she said as he heard the sound of water and foam. He had his eyes closed because of the panting moment. When he opened them, he saw her sitting on the floor on her knees, holding his arm and "cleaning" it with her ample and pink breasts. For the first time, he really saw them, previously everything was dark and he could only feel them, but now? "Holy shit, they''re huge!" he exclaimed, while swallowing hard. Those big breasts almost called him to devour them, and he was slightly drooling... "Damn, they''re beautiful," he thought as Samira saw his face. He didn''t even realize she was staring at him, but she had something in mind... "He really loves my breasts..." she thought, satisfied of course, knowing that her body was pleasing him was really good, and she didn''t even know why. Just like before, she continued rubbing her big melons between Strax''s arm, first his left arm, then his right arm. "Aaa... Mmm..." Their moans mingled and could hardly be distinguished. They were inert and Samira was already making expressions that he saw as those of a very perverted woman, her eyes were watery and cloudy, following only one thing: her pure and simple desire for Strax, to be with him, to want him, to... fall in love with him. "I''m done," she said, pulling Strax out of his focus, which, of course, were her large, pink, and delicious breasts. She looked at him from bottom to top and saw something... "That''s-", she said, noticing the towels over Strax''s slightly raised thighs. Of course, she wasn''t naive... She knew exactly what that was. Instead of shrinking away, she looked at him. "You''re mine," he said, but she didn''t hear anything else, she was just focused on the good feeling that having her breasts sucked transmitted, which continued to electrify her entire body with each passing second. Samira was lost in the vast whiteness of her mind; she couldn''t think of anything else but Strax, who continued to suck on her nipples ever harder. Her only focus was to satisfy herself. Strax noticed she didn''t even care anymore about what he was doing; she just moaned and accepted, so he became bolder, but he didn''t have time. She grabbed his hands and started to lead him elsewhere. "Here..." she said, embarrassed, as she placed his hand on her groin. "I want it here," she said, completely red-faced. She had never asked a man for something like this before, but she was trembling with excitement, her legs were slightly weak as Strax touched her wet pussy. "Hah" "Mmng," she moaned and trembled completely when Strax''s fingers entered her love hole, which was completely drenched in divine nectar. Strax was initially startled, but he didn''t falter and continued to penetrate with his fingers, which seemed to be sucked into the beautiful woman''s pussy in front of him. "Hmm," she moaned, feeling Strax''s finger and squeezing tighter. "She''s so tight," he thought, already wanting to withdraw his fingers to try something else, but... "AHHH AHHHH HMMMM," she began to moan louder until finally, an even hotter liquid came out over Strax''s hand as he stared fixedly at his woman''s perverted face. "Ahh ahh ahhh," she was panting, but Strax didn''t let her continue breathing and planted a deep kiss, changing the girl''s position, laying her on the floor. Samira was panting, feeling her heart almost bursting, she felt her face was burning, putting her arm over her eyes so she wouldn''t see Strax''s expression, she just slightly opened her legs for him, revealing that breathtaking sight. "Don''t keep me waiting..." she said, even though she covered her eyes, she knew he was completely inert in the sight, after all, one thing she was sure of was that. "It''s so wet and beautiful..." Strax thought, approaching her beautiful pussy. "I want to eat this..." he thought then. "I''m going to taste," he commented as he approached. Samira was startled to feel the man''s breath nearing her private area, but the real shock came when... "AHHHHHHHHH" "MMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNN," she moaned extremely loud as she felt his tongue make contact with her lips and her clitoris. "Ahh" "Ahhhh," he tasted that beautiful pussy as if it were the best thing in his life, his focus completely on making her feel good. "I''m so horny... Please, keep going..." Samira murmured, muffled by the moans, and finally, she accepted it and started to get involved. "Yes... just like that... Ahh," she moaned constantly as Strax moved his tongue well in every part, but soon that was getting tiring, and he became bolder. "I''m going to thrust my tongue in," he thought, without informing her, to catch her off guard... His tongue entered her cavity, and immediately, Samira squirmed all over. "Yes! That''s it!" she said in ecstasy, beginning to arch her body and grabbing onto Strax''s hair, forcing him to go even deeper with his tongue into her precious place. "Ahhh Straxx," she moaned his name and in the next second... "I''m cumming!" Chapter 42: Should we stop love... Of course not (R-18) "Ah, Strax," she moaned his name, and in the next second... "I''m coming!" Strax''s hand was flooded by a warm liquid gushing from Samira''s pussy. She barely noticed how wet she was; she was completely ecstatic, her heavy breathing visible, her large breasts rising and falling at an extremely high rate. After all... It was the first time she felt this. Strax saw the scene, and Samira''s eyes locked onto him after catching her breath. She saw him... licking his fingers. "W-what are you doing!" she exclaimed quickly. Strax smiled, "Savoring my woman," he remarked, and Samira entered a trance-like state again. "What am I doing..." she questioned, not why she was doing this, but... "Why am I standing here resting?" she asked. Her toned body quickly rose, and she grabbed Strax''s towel. "Eh!? Wow, calm down!" Strax spoke quickly, but when he tried to step back, he already felt the touch of Samira''s hand on his shaft... She gazed deeply at his cock, "It''s grown quite a bit..." she murmured as she stared at the head and gently touched it, her mouth already literally salivating as she asked, "C-can I taste it?" It was an irrational request. "For God''s sake, yes," he said, sighing. Samira didn''t get straight to the point; she first stroked it slowly while sniffing. Her nostrils caught the virile scent of Strax''s member as she gently felt it with her hands. Then, finally, he couldn''t take it anymore. "Be careful," he said as he slightly faltered feeling her hand. "What do you mean? I am being careful," Samira said, smiling. Despite her embarrassment, she finally started to kiss his cock slowly. "Damn... that''s unfair," Strax thought, watching that divine scene. "You lick my pussy and I suck your cock, it''s quite fair," she commented, loosening up more. Now she was really more bashful and prepared for what might happen. "Just relax, I''ll reciprocate," she said, and finally... licking from the base to the head, she finally put it in her mouth. "Her blowjob is fucking good!" That was Strax''s first reaction. "Her mouth is so warm." He began to fully feel the woman''s mouth going up and down as she gently sucked his cock, which was really.... "Surreal... Shit, this is too good!" He thought as he completely relaxed. Just like before, Samira continued to suck, but she was bolder. "It should fit, right?" She questioned herself, then, taking his entire cock into her mouth. Suck, Suck, Suck. It was the only sound that could be heard as Strax firmly held back his grunts. "Damn... I''m gonna cum," he revealed, but did Samira stop? Of course not. Cum. In the next moment, he just saw Samira gently start to withdraw her cock from her mouth, coming from the base to the tip and finally, closing her mouth completely and holding with her hand. Then. Ha Ah Ahh! Yes! That''s it! Samira released moans with each thrust, her body responding to the frantic rhythm of the act, while pleasure grew inside her. Each of Strax''s thrusts took her to new heights of ecstasy, her insides tightening around his cock, a symphony of pleasure echoing through the room. "Cum inside! Cum inside me!" She pleaded and finally, her cavity was filled with shades as white as clouds, "Cumming!" He said, and the viscous white liquid painted her completely. "Ain! I''m cumming too," she commented as she covered her face, so red it was. Spuuurt! Splurt! She stopped completely, she couldn''t even move anymore, he did the same, but he didn''t remove his cock for a second. "Wow! That was so good!" She commented then "Your cock doesn''t stop throbbing inside me," she said. "Your pussy is throbbing too much too," then he finally pulled out his cock. Leaving a cascade of cum to drip directly from the woman''s pussy. "You let go so much! Was it that good, Inside me?" She asked quickly, even though she was still on all fours. Paf! "KyaAaa! Ow!" She said quickly as she felt her butt being slapped by Strax, after all, she was still quite sensitive after receiving such a big load inside her love cavity. "Now you''re marked, you''re mine forever, My Sun," Strax said with a greedy smile. "Should we continue?" He asked with a confident smile and Samira didn''t answer him, at the same time... she didn''t change positions, just waiting for him to continue what he had started. At the same time, while they were very busy with the beginning of the second round... The System began to launch various notifications and finally, the only notification that Strax read with a smile as he continued to do things with Samira''s body... [Samira joined the Harem! The Title: The Adventurous Wife was unlocked. Continue with the dual cultivation and you can increase your level!] Chapter 43: You are completely mine, body, soul and spirit [Samira has joined the Harem! Title: The Adventurous Wife unlocked. Continue with dual cultivation and you can increase your level!] [Your cultivation has advanced to the peak realm. Keep cultivating to advance to the next level.] [Your rewards are still being calculated.] Strax saw these messages in the morning. The bed was completely messy, and in his arms, Samira slept like an angel. They had spent almost half the night doing obscene things in the bathroom, and in the end, she passed out in the bathroom, and he had to carry her to bed. Both were still naked, and he just watched, pondering what should happen now. "The System has limited my progress, but this is still interesting," he thought as he read a notification window. [A lover''s skill has been detected, Copy Love wishes to copy the 6* Fire Manipulation skill, do you wish to copy it?] "Not yet," he replied, actually curious about something else. "When I defeated the ice bear, I obtained a similar skill... "Glacial Ice Manipulation (5*)," he read, then the skill description was revealed. [Glacial Ice Manipulation: Allows the user to create and manipulate ice, however, it only works for artificially created ice from water; naturally occurring ice cannot be molded.] Strax still didn''t know how to manipulate mana correctly, but he could already feel his core itching slightly in his chest. So, despite not having such control, he focused on this "itch" and tried to activate the skill. "Ice Manipulation," he muttered, and a small icicle emerged from his hands. "This little thing... it hurt my back quite a bit last time. I imagine it could easily kill people who don''t cultivate," Strax liked to analyze these things frequently whenever the system updated something in his body. After all, theoretically, the system was a guide for his development to progress, but... "I need to get stronger... Xenovia is preparing something for me, and that''s starting to bother me," he thought. In fact, currently, he wasn''t even 1% of Xenovia''s strength. He knew his sister, knew who she was and what her strength was... and that scared him. He didn''t understand what she was referring to. "What do you mean? Let''s go to the Ducate. I can''t take too long, or they''ll send the special guards. That will be a problem," Strax said, putting on the top of his clothes. "I''m not talking about that..." She muttered and gathered her courage. "I''m talking about us." Strax looked at her. He really didn''t know what to say, like "What about us?" he commented. "You''re married!" She spoke quickly, blushing, after all, she really was, theoretically, being the lover at this moment. While Beatrice was working hard to sell the title, this woman was sleeping with her husband wildly... "Is that what you''re worried about? It''s okay, you''re mine," he said firmly, "Of course I''m worried! I don''t want to be a mistress!" She replied quickly, and Strax could only laugh about it for a few seconds. "Hahaha, you''re so cute." "Stop laughing, you insolent! I''ll burn you completely!" She said quickly, conjuring a fireball, but suddenly. "Not today, Sunshine," Strax said with a smile, and the woman''s fire began to turn into a massive ice ball. "Huh?!" She quickly questioned, withdrawing her hand as she saw the ball forming and almost hitting her hand. "What did you do!" She roared quickly, and he approached her. "A fire as hot as yours has to be extinguished, don''t you agree?" For some reason... Samira thought maliciously about what he had said, but ignored her obscene mind and spoke again "I already said! I don''t want to be a mistress!" She snarled. Strax looked amused, but decided to speak seriously with her and looked deep into her eyes. "When I said you''re mine, no matter your status, you''re mine, only mine, and will always be only mine. My wife, my reason to live, my willpower. You are completely mine in body, soul, and spirit," he said, his eyes were like a black hole that began to swallow the woman slowly. "So... beautiful," she said, murmuring to herself, seeing that man approaching her and holding her by the back as he prevented her from moving away. "Forever," he spoke, completing his previous sentences and finally kissing her again, a rather aggressive kiss that lasted almost five minutes until she finally ran out of breath and pushed him back. "W-wait," she said, as she tried to recover. He, however, didn''t yield to Samira''s thoughts and concluded faithfully. "You will be my wife," he said, without even asking if she wanted to. It was just an order and not a request. And who was Samira these days? She was a woman completely in love who would do anything to move forward with this sneaky and charming man and she couldn''t even deny it, after all, she wanted this. "This bastard... why is he so..." She thought, trying to find words but she just nodded, Strax saw her and could only think about what an extremely cute woman she was. "I hope I don''t have any more problems... I need some time to enjoy my life with these beautiful ladies." Chapter 44: The journey returns "Master Young." Jason knocked on the door of the luxurious room that Strax had rented, but no one answered. Curiously, he thought the door might be unlocked and tried to force the handle, managing to open it. "How strange..." He murmured. Strax wouldn''t be foolish enough to leave the door open when he was being hunted by guilds aiming for his head... or would he? Initially, he thought of ignoring it, after all, he didn''t feel any sense of danger. However, upon entering the pseudo-apartment, he came face to face with a hallway leading to the bedroom. Jason began to walk around the place, passing through the hallway leading to a black door, presumably the bathroom, and another entrance, which was probably the bedroom. For some reason, he started to be cautious and, as he approached, he heard a wet sound. *Smooch* "It can''t be, can it?" Jason questioned himself, but he already expected things coming from Strax. However, he didn''t expect to find what he saw when he looked at the bed. Samira was lying down, and Strax was almost engulfing her with his kisses. Thank goodness she was fully dressed, but that didn''t change the circumstances much. "Damn." He let his voice slip, and they both stopped quickly, especially Samira, who pushed him back completely red while turning her face away. "That''s not very polite, Jason." Strax said in an extremely serious tone that made Jason''s bones tremble. "What the hell is this? Why am I being intimidated!" He quickly thought, trying to regain his composure. "You didn''t answer the door, I thought something was wrong, so I opened it. Be careful next time and lock it properly." Jason said calmly, trying not to show any hesitation before his Young Master, who didn''t even seem like the same person as before. "I''ll be careful... when you''re doing these things." He finished, trying to ease the clearly uneasy situation. "Tsk." Strax bit his tongue and continued. "Is it time for us to leave?" He asked, and Jason nodded. "Lady Samira''s subordinates wish to speak with her..." Jason said, being careful with his words as he felt that any slip-up and he could simply die. That was something scary he never even thought would happen one day. "Fine, we''ll meet you downstairs." Strax nodded, and Jason left his sight. "Damn..." he muttered. He was really angry about being interrupted. "Tsk, we''ll continue later... sorry, I must have forgotten to lock the door." He said to the woman who had already fully recovered and was already standing. "No problem... just... be careful next time." She replied. "My sunshine is so cute..." he said, stroking her head, but he couldn''t stay much longer. "We have to move on, my sister... is probably already waiting for me." Strax said. "Is there something wrong with that?" Samira asked, not understanding much about Strax''s relationship with Xenovia. She only knew one thing: never speak, comment, or stare at Xenovia Vorah in her presence. A cold woman who kills without any scruples or discernment. If something bothers her, she just finishes it. "You need to calm down," the black sword said. A woman with white hair paced back and forth in pure anxiety. "How am I supposed to calm down? They put a bounty on my little brother''s head for nothing," she commented while biting her nails, pacing back and forth. In truth, she was extremely angry as well as anxious. She was having her fits she didn''t show to anyone. "Xenovia, calm yourself," the Black Sword said, materializing into a phoenix in front of her to try to stop the woman, who seemed somewhat desperate. "If he''s someone you care about, why are you so nervous? He shouldn''t be strong enough to overcome this?" The black phoenix questioned. "He''s the weakest of them all," Xenovia commented, not even sure what to think, knowing her brother... "He''s a failure?" The phoenix questioned, and Xenovia could do nothing but ignore and continue biting her nails in constant motion. "After all, if he''s so weak, why did you call him back to the wolf''s den?" She questioned Xenovia, who ignored her, while she continued to suffer from her anxiety. "Lady Xenovia, I have a message from Jason for you." The voice interrupted her trance, and she quickly turned and went towards the man who appeared in her room. She looked like a dragon walking, and the soldier almost peed himself just feeling this woman approaching. Quickly he bowed and handed the letter to Xenovia and left desperately. "What happened to him?" She commented, and the phoenix looked into her eyes with a look that basically said "Are you serious?". Xenovia, however, simply ignored and hastily opened the letter and began to read. [We are currently in Lazune, we have already been attacked by bounty hunters, and Strax almost died trapped in a blizzard. We hired a mercenary leader from a guild named Samira; fortunately, she protected Strax during this incident while he was lost. We are leaving Lazune this morning, as this letter is being written. We will meet soon.] Xenovia read the paper and began to crumple it completely; the edges began to be torn by the woman''s nails that pierced the paper. "Hey, what''s wrong? Why are you so furious?" The phoenix asked. "They attacked my brother," Xenovia spoke, and everything began to tremble, while a black aura emanated from her body... "I think I should talk to my siblings," she said as her steps began to destroy the floor where she walked. Xenovia was furious, so furious that the phoenix could barely utter a word; it was like a massive barrier, she had many things to do and many things to resolve, but just knowing that Strax had been attacked, she was already heading to personally address what was happening. "I''m going to have to start setting things straight; these bastards think I brought Strax back to be a target? They are very wrong," she said heavily as she continued to walk, destroying the ground as her aura rose into the air, weighing down the entire atmosphere. "Why did I accept such an irrational woman as my user..." The black sword muttered, seeing that Xenovia wouldn''t stop. Chapter 45: A Horse Seller After the awkward moment with Samira''s former subordinates¡ªnow ex-subordinates¡ªthey simply stared at each other for a while and ate their food quietly. "What should we do now? Do we really need an escort?" Jason questioned, and Strax began outlining his plans again. He had already been preparing for something like this to happen. "It won''t make much difference, really. The strength of Samira''s guild was just her alone anyway. You saw for yourself, they couldn''t even kill wolves with just one blow like I did, they weren''t really reliable. She even let them kill each other first because she would solve everything with little effort," Strax said, and Samira, who had been quite silent lately since... well, she was caught in a passionate moment with Strax, looked at Jason confirming. "Yes, he''s right. Most of those men weren''t really important or strong enough to sustain themselves. I only took them in because I needed to create a name for myself and stay in minimally good places with the money," Samira confirmed. Now it seemed like she had regained her natural position as a leader. Although... "My wife is very competent, trust her," Strax said, leaving her completely uncomfortable again. However, did he care? Of course not. "S-stop it!" She stuttered, while Jason looked at the situation. His thoughts were in the clouds, and he really wanted to say something, but he didn''t have that right. In fact, he even tried... "Young Master, are you really going to take her as your wife?" Jason questioned a bit uncertainly. After all, theoretically, Strax had only met her a few days ago and he already fell in love? Isn''t that too much? It took him ten years to get married! "Don''t look at me like that, love knows no bounds," Strax said laughing as he held the woman''s hand, which quickly turned away ignoring him, but she didn''t let go of his hand or push him away. In fact... "So good..." she whispered to herself, feeling the warmth of the man''s hand... "Damn it..." she thought. "I''m sure Lady Xenovia won''t like this..." Jason thought... Although he still couldn''t tell Strax some things... he was already afraid of what might happen in the future. After all, he didn''t even believe in what Xenovia had asked for... "Well, we lost a carriage and it was expensive. What will we do now?" Strax questioned, and Samira told him. "There''s a stable of a friend of mine. If we still have money left after paying for such a luxurious room, we can buy horses and hit the road," she commented as she wiped her mouth, but she hadn''t removed a small stain. Strax saw that and quickly smiled, advancing on the woman and kissing her. She was surprised by Strax''s sudden advance and quickly pulled away. "W-what was that!" She said angrily. After all, she was doing this in front of her beloved''s subordinate, and that was extremely embarrassing. "Oh, I was just cleaning the dirt off your face," he said with a lecherous smile. Then he advanced again, and Samira closed her eyes, but she... didn''t feel his lips, just his thumb. "Looks like I missed..." he said, wiping it with his finger. Samira stared at him until he commented again: "Don''t tell me you wanted another kiss?" He teased, and she huffed: "Idiot!" Jason, on the other hand, was ignoring the lovey-dovey couple and more concerned with practical details. "And what about the price? Do we have enough money to buy horses and supplies for the journey, and are they of quality?" Samira nodded, confidently. "We have enough to ensure a comfortable journey. And, as I mentioned before, prices here are lower due to the fishing season. We shouldn''t have trouble negotiating a good deal with Malik." "Malik in..." Strax murmured seeing some of the horses, observing them with interest. "Looks like we have a good selection here," he commented, examining a majestic black horse that neighed as it saw the group. "This one looks nice..." Strax said. "I''m sure you wouldn''t want to ride on this one, Young Master." Strax heard the gruff voice coming from the side, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile on his face approached them. It was Malik, the stable owner. "Samira, my dear, it''s been a while!" exclaimed Malik, warmly embracing her. "And who are your friends?" He asked as Strax''s face... turned quite dark... "I''m going to kill him." Strax thought upon seeing him hugging his woman... Jason quickly put his hand on his shoulder before he pulled his sword from his waist. "Calm down," he whispered, and saw Samira turning around. "This is Jason, a new friend I made during a Guild venture." Samira introduced Jason first. "Oh, he seems like a nice guy, it''s been a while since you''ve hung out with nice guys, especially Knights," Malik commented laughing, and Samira huffed, "For your information, I''ve always hung out with good people!" She commented quickly, a second later "And this guy? Who looks like he''ll kill me just for breathing near you?" Samira shrank slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed to say what she was about to say, but she knew it was necessary to clarify things. "This is Strax," she began, feeling Strax''s piercing gaze burning into her back. "He''s... an acquaintance of mine from a long time ago." She lost the courage... Malik raised an eyebrow, observing the tension in the air. "An acquaintance, huh?" He murmured, his mischievous smile hitting Samira like an arrow. "Yes, an... acquaintance," Samira replied, struggling to find the right words. She still couldn''t bring herself to utter the words; she was too ashamed. Jason, sensing the problem escalating, decided to intervene. "Mr. Malik, we''re just passing through," he began, trying to calm the moment. "We need some horses and supplies to continue our journey." Malik nodded slowly, understanding the unspoken message behind Jason''s words. "I see," he said, wiping the mischievous smile off his face, he already understood Samira and Strax''s situation, but it was still comical. "Well then, let''s talk about those horses and supplies you need." He smiled and led the way. With a sigh of relief, Samira felt the embarrassment gradually diminish, but as she stood next to the man, she heard a whisper pass by her ear, "Didn''t know you had fallen in love, naughty child." It was Malik''s voice, who laughed lightly... Seems like Samira got caught... Chapter 46: Apocalypse, the Mystical Horse. As they walked through the stable, Malik led Samira, Strax, and Jason to see the available horses, taking the opportunity to talk about how things were currently. Strax remained silent, observing the scene. This man... well, Strax was quite uncomfortable, actually. "So, Samira," Malik began, with a nostalgic smile on his lips, "I remember it like it was yesterday when you first appeared here, small and scared like a little bird. Your sister, unlike you, was much braver." "D-Don''t talk about that!" She quickly said, embarrassed. Strax arched his eyebrows and questioned Malik, "Was this woman scared?" Malik turned around, laughing, and began the story as they walked through the stable corridors. "How many years has it been? I can''t even remember, but this woman you seem to admire so much was just a young maiden who wore frilly dresses and was less than 1.50 meters tall," he said, laughing, and Samira started to shrink. Strax noticed and gave her a smile while holding her hand firmly. "She showed up here one day, with her sister Stella. They were small and passing through town," he commented. Strax thought... "Stella Blaze... that''s your sister then... why do I feel like I''ve heard that name before...?" Strax thought, trying to pull his memory, but nothing really came. "Our first meeting was just professional, but one day this little rascal ran away from home and came here, after walking several kilometers alone," he commented, turning to her. "When I saw her drenched from the storm''s water, I had to take her in," he said with a smile. "Malik was like a father to me," Samira explained, her voice filled with gratitude. "He taught me everything I know about horses and gave me a home when I had nowhere else to go." She replied, and he agreed. "At least I''m better than that bastard you called father," he laughed as they continued to walk. Strax listened attentively, gaining a new perspective of what Malik had been to Samira. He realized that, despite everything, Malik had always been there for her, offering support and guidance when she needed it most. And he seemed like a nice guy, he just... didn''t quite warm up to him initially, especially with the hug... Well, Strax is a bit possessive, but since she refers to him as "a father she never had," he would treat him with due respect. They continued to walk through the place, which was actually larger than it appeared, the comforting sound of horses'' hooves echoing through the wooden walls. Malik began to talk about how he himself got involved in horse breeding and care, while Samira and Strax exchanged looks, a bit awkward... "So, how did you two meet?" Malik asked, curious, as they stopped in front of a row of beautiful horses. Samira smiled, recalling the events that led her to cross paths with Strax and Jason. "Well, I met Strax a few days ago, actually, when he arrived in the town I was in to hire a guild," she began, with a sparkle in her eyes as she remembered their first encounters. "He had a kind of strange way, but he was a really different person." While Malik continued to describe his horses and how amazing they were like a true father presenting his children, Strax felt an unusual aura in the air, a presence that seemed to challenge even the strongest of wills. His gaze quickly scanned the entire space where his sight reached until he spotted something in the distance, an imposing black mare, standing with an unshakable majesty. Her eyes were like burning embers that instilled fear, emitting an intensity that echoed throughout the stable. He quickly realized that all the horses were staying away from the Mare, by a simple feeling... Fear. "Malik," Strax called out, his tone serious and intrigued, "who''s that mare over there in the background? She seems... different." He questioned while staring firmly at the mare. Malik followed Strax''s gaze, and his eyes met those of the Mare. A faint smile curved his lips as he approached the group. "Ah, Apocalypse," Malik began, his voice laden with respect and reverence. "She''s an extraordinary mare, left behind by a renowned breeder. She''s one of the few I haven''t trained here; she''s a wild spirit, and her strength rivals that of a breeder. Hardly anyone approaches her; her aura is too monstrous and makes my horses shrink back." Strax observed the mare with a smiling gaze, feeling drawn to her presence since horse. He could feel the latent power emanating from her; she had... Mana, as if she were on the verge of unleashing a storm of destruction at any moment, a wild and untamed mana, which for some reason invited him. "It''s impressive," murmured Strax, his eyes fixed on Apocalypse. "But also a bit intimidating. She seems to be in her own world." Malik nodded, agreeing with Strax''s observation. "Yes, Apocalypse is a force of nature herself. No one has managed to earn her respect; she''s always ready to take on anyone who dares to ride her." He said regretfully. "I''ve had her here for ten years already, and she''s never been bought; those who try to ride her... well, they don''t come out very well, if you catch my drift." [You''ve encountered a Mystic Horse] He read the message after hearing Malik''s whole story... With a smile on his face, he made his decision. Malik, observing Strax''s eyes, raised an eyebrow in surprise, but then smiled, acknowledging the young man''s courage, "If you want to try, I''ll give her to you for free," he said with a smile... "You''ll regret it, old man." Strax said smiling, he remained silent, allowing Strax to proceed to the physical encounter with that animal. With steady steps, Strax approached Apocalypse, "Come on, girl," Strax murmured, slowly reaching out his hand towards Apocalypse. "I know you''re strong, but I have my own desires too. My desire is to be the strongest of all, and I need the best companion, the strongest mare." He said with a smile. With firm steps, Strax approached Apocalypse, "Come on, girl." Chapter 47: I will erase Vorah from the Map With steady steps, Strax approached Apocalypse. "Come on, girl," Strax murmured, extending his hand slowly towards Apocalypse. "I know you''re strong, but I have my own desires too. My desire is to be the strongest of all, and I need the best companion, the strongest mare," he said with a smile. Apocalypse softly neighed, as if assessing Strax and his offer. She takes a step back, keeping a cautious distance, but shows no signs of aggression. It seems she''s willing to give Strax a chance, but only if he proves himself worthy of her trust. At least, that''s how it seemed. Strax was already sure he would win this mare over, after all, the System had proven quite favorable to him. It''s a unique opportunity, a chance to gain more rewards from the system. "Come on, my little one," says Strax, his voice gentle and reassuring. "I know you''re powerful, but you need someone to support that strength. Together, we can overcome any obstacle. Give me a chance." Apocalypse watches Strax with renewed interest, her expression softening slightly at the young man''s comforting words. She takes a hesitant step towards Strax, seeming to consider his words carefully. "You understand, don''t you?" Strax continues, his voice now tinged with hope. "I''m not here to dominate you. I''m here to be your companion, to support you, and I won''t abandon you like your previous owner." Apocalypse softly neighs, as if giving her silent approval to Strax. She lowers her head, allowing him to stroke her neck with gentle, reverent gestures. Malik and the others watch in silence, he at least knew what to say, well, this was really complicated for him, but at the same time relieving, he already had a basic idea now of who Strax was. "He managed to connect with a mythical beast, a beast that cultivates... haha, this world just surprises me," he thought as he prepared the other horses. "So, which ones do you want?" he said with a smile, and finally negotiations began. As time passes, the group finalizes preparations for the rest of the arduous journey to the Ducato. They buy the horses, ensuring each one is well-equipped and ready to face the long road ahead. While helping to prepare the horses for the journey, Malik decides to have a discreet conversation with Strax. He takes the young man to a quieter corner of the stable, where they can talk in privacy, away from curious eyes and ears. "Strax," Malik begins, his tone serious and cautious. "There''s something I''d like to discuss with you before we depart." Strax looks at Malik, intrigued by the seriousness in his voice. "Of course, Malik. What''s wrong?" By this point, he already figured Malik suspected him and Samira, not that it''s negative, after all, Strax doesn''t care about anyone''s opinion except hers. "Hey, what''s this?" Samira questioned seeing the old man sweating cold and Strax looking at him. "What''s this? What are you thinking?! You married a damn Vorah? You idiot, do you want to cause a war?!" He shouted at her and she looked at him coldly. "I didn''t marry anyone." She commented. "Yes, you did, you agreed." Strax spoke. "I''m leaving, you deal with this old man, I don''t want to be part of these couple fights anymore or be around conversations like this." He said as he walked towards the horses... the three looked at him... "Is he okay?" Malik questioned, Samira and Strax looked at each other and "He must be okay, he must be missing having sex with his wife." They said together and looked at each other. "We think alike," again, in unison. "Bizarre," they commented. "Okay! Enough!" Malik said, however... "Yes, old man, we''re together and she will be my wife, whether she wants to or not." Strax spoke seriously. "Tsk, you don''t understand, do you?" He questioned. Strax and Samira looked at the man waiting for him to explain what was so wrong with their relationship. "The Grand Duke Vorah and Duke Blaze have hated each other for years." Malik explained and Strax and Samira looked at each other, laughing lightly. "Hey! This isn''t funny, you know?! They could go to war!" Malik said, however... "Hey, how about we get married in a church when we get to the Ducato?" Strax suggested with a mischievous smile. "I approve, we can officially announce to the whole world afterwards." She agreed with wicked thoughts. "Hey! Are you listening to me? I said this will cause a war!" Malik roared, however. "It''ll be the perfect wedding!" They spoke in unison. "I''m getting old...", Malik muttered. "Why perfect wedding? Have you gone mad?" "We get married, live happily ever after, and put two idiots to kill each other, is there anything more perfect than that?" Strax questioned as Samira nodded in agreement... They seemed... like two demons plotting various plans as he stood there, incredulous... "Old man, you''re worried too much," Strax said giving a smile. "I''m going to destroy that damn Ducato, and kill whoever gets in my way." Strax said looking at him with a dark look. "You didn''t understand, old man... I''m going to wipe Vorah off the map if necessary." Strax said leaving Malik white... Even Samira looking at that couldn''t say anything, he... "Why is he so handsome?" She thought, letting her feelings leak slightly into a drunken gaze... Malik watched that... and was speechless... He stood there, witnessing that, it was one of the most absurd things he had ever heard in his entire life, which led him to believe that Strax and Samira... "They''re insane..." Chapter 48: Manipulation Skill At first, Malik didn''t know what else to say to them; he simply agreed. Arguing wouldn''t be necessary and would be a waste of time for both of them. So, like a lucid person, he just went along with what those two demons were planning, even if it meant the end of one or two cities. He had nothing to do with it. "[Mission is updating]," Strax read the message, but at first, he didn''t understand. After all, he hadn''t done anything, he was just talking. So, he ignored it. "I think it''s best if we go," said Samira, pulling both men out of their thoughtful state. In truth, she wanted to get out of there before Malik had a heart attack; he was already too old to deal with youth. Although Samira wasn''t that young herself. "Yes, you''re right," Stax nodded as he looked around. "Old man," he commented, and Malik looked at him. Samira was still nearby and felt a sudden shift. Malik rose from his chair and looked directly at Strax. Strax looked at Malik seriously; his eyes shimmered slightly as he spoke: "Samira is an amazing person, Malik. Since I met her, she has changed my life in so many ways. I can''t imagine my life without her from now on." As he said this, Malik arched his eyebrows while Samira slightly recoiled. Strax ignored them both and nodded in gratitude. "Malik, I''m willing to take on these responsibilities. Samira means everything to me, and I''ll do whatever it takes to protect her and make her happy." Strax already knew that Samira''s father would never approve of him, which is why he''s speaking this way to Malik. Despite doing what he wants, he still knows how to value those who might be of great help in the future or who have helped a lot in the past, and Malik fits both aspects. Since Samira considers him a father figure, he will consider him even more. Malik smiled, looking more at ease now, even after hearing all the absurd things Strax had said. "Well then, I wish you both all the best, Strax. And may you make this scared little girl happy." Strax smiled back, feeling grateful for Malik''s understanding and support. "Thank you, Malik. It means a lot to me to hear that from you." Samira watched the scene; the embarrassment had passed, but it was as if she felt something different, something even more binding with Strax. She felt that the best thing she did in her life was to accept that contract to escort a noble idiot. With a handshake, the two men bid farewell and returned to the task of preparing the horses for the journey. Samira returned quietly, but finally broke the silence as she approached him and held his hand. "That was reassuring," she commented with a sweet smile. Strax just nodded and continued walking, holding her hand tightly. "Are we ready to go?" Jason asked, the three horses already well stocked with supplies like water and food. He had prepared almost everything. "Why isn''t my horse ready?" Strax questioned, and Jason said, "I''m still too young to die." Strax looked puzzled, but he grabbed the saddle and placed it on Apocalypse''s back; the mare neighed slightly in refusal, but he stroked her fur and quickly calmed her down. "You''re a good girl, it''s okay," he soothed her and looked at Jason. "Simple, isn''t it?" "Tsk, you think I didn''t try? She only likes you," Jason said, and Strax laughed. "Well, usually women only like me, isn''t that right, my love?" he said with a mischievous smile, addressing Samira, who just huffed and ignored him. "I hope I won''t regret this," Strax thought as he agreed with the System and again... "[You have used the Copy Love Ability. You have forfeited the right to copy any future abilities from your companion Samira Blaze. Fire Manipulation (5*) has been implanted into your body.]" [Fire Manipulation: Allows the user to Create and Manipulate Fire. However, the user cannot manipulate fire created from other mana sources, other than nature itself.] Strax felt something warm entering his body, at the same time as he felt something cold colliding. "Mana," he thought. When he acquired Glacial Ice Manipulation, he felt the same sensation, and the cold air was more noticeable in his perception. Now, however, the warm light was what he felt, as if his world was more perceptive... "This... doesn''t seem like it''s completing the ice ability, does it?" He questioned, as he began to pass mana throughout his body to try to verify if anything had been damaged. However, he felt nothing. It was as if... "Everything is in perfect harmony. "[You have gained knowledge about your physique. As a Dragon, your strength over nature is supreme. You mold nature as your ruler; your bond with nature has grown stronger.]" He read. Then, another message appeared in front of him. "[You have initiated the ACT - (???)]" [Acquire all abilities from the "Manipulation" scale to fully evolve the Demonic Dragon physique.] [Manipulation Abilities Obtained: 2 of (???)] [Completion Time: Indeterminate.] Strax looked at that notification, and a smile spread across his face. After all... "Affinity with all elements," he murmured. That was the best thing he could obtain now, after all... "Infinite Strength Scaling. If I can obtain all manipulation abilities... Astral Manipulation, Spatial Manipulation, Temporal Manipulation... Obtaining this practically makes me a God..." The System aligned with what he wanted... To be the Strongest. Chapter 49: Damn, were back in action Strax''s journey continued as his first wife began to face problems and her own challenges... After all, selling the noble title was no easy task, especially for a baroness like her, whose family was seen as bloodsuckers. "Why do you ask?" Beatrice''s father was just a big piece of shit who only brought harm to everyone, although she didn''t know it directly. She already had an idea of what that man was capable of, and if her family had that reputation... There was a reason. "Damn," she muttered, biting her nails as she waited in the armchair for the accountant to arrive. "Calm down, my Lady," Monica said, gently placing her hand on her shoulders. Beatrice took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions that were not at all well. She couldn''t let this anxiety consume her at this moment; a lot needed to be sorted out, and she had to think carefully about all her steps. Unfortunately, even dead, her father was still causing her problems, and that made her exhausted just thinking that the stakes now were very high. Monica by her side, as a loyal confidante, was serene. She wouldn''t leave her side and would offer all the support amidst all the problems Beatrice would face. "My lady, what troubles you?" Monica asked, trying to gently calm the girl. Yes, the girl. Monica was around thirty-eight years old, while Beatrice was only twenty-one, so, for her, these were just the problems of a child. "My parents... even Strax bothers me! I''m exhausted. After he left, it''s like an endless flame is burning inside me, wanting to see him." She sighed heavily as she looked at the paintings on the wall of the room. "Is that what bothers you? Fufufu," Monica chuckled lightly. She thought this girl was afraid or bothered by something, but it was just her passion. "There''s something else that bothers me," Beatrice said, and Monica waited for her to speak. Then quickly, she spoke: "I''m afraid of him leaving me now." She blurted out. "I understand... You don''t feel enough?" Monica questioned. It was a conversation between women now, and Monica stopped seeing her as a child. "I was foolish not to trust him... and to let him suffer. The guilt is killing me..." Beatrice commented. Monica looked at her with a melancholic look and revealed, "I was prevented from warning you." Beatrice, upon hearing those words, quickly turned and looked at Monica, questioning, "What do you mean, forbidden?" Monica took a deep breath, hoping she could get out of this situation smoothly, but she had already said too much... "I don''t blame you for not going after him, and you shouldn''t go. After all, his life was at risk." Beatrice heard that and became increasingly curious, and Monica just revealed, "Everyone around you was lying to you. Even I was forced to lie. After all, Lord Steinhardt put a killer to stand by Strax in the mine. If you went near that place... well, he would die. That''s why I never told you anything." Monica said, lifting a weight off her shoulders. "You''re saying that..." Beatrice didn''t even finish, and Monica had already agreed. "Any wrong step, his life was in danger, and you would never forgive yourself if something happened to him. That''s why I took the initiative to keep everyone under control and always treat him badly, to influence your mind." She concluded. Beatrice... fell into thought for a few moments. "Why did he accept me then? My family wanted to kill him..." Monica heard that and faltered for a second, but she commented, "Not everyone in your family wanted to kill him." She said. Beatrice, however, didn''t understand what she meant, but they couldn''t continue this conversation anymore; finally, the noise of the door was heard, the accountant had finally arrived. "Jason!" He called, but he didn''t hear or see the man. However, he had no choice. "Behind them!" A male shout came from the background, accompanied by several horse sounds, as if an exploration troop was chasing them. "We''re going to have to face this!" Strax shouted as Samira looked at him, galloping strongly, the men pursuing them were getting closer. Both their hearts were racing, beating heavily as they galloped through the vast forest. The sun was already setting, bathing only the orange light over them and small sunbeams ending at the horizon, and it would soon get much more dangerous with the darkness. Strax looked around, searching for Jason, but only saw something graze his arm. "Arrows!" He shouted, seeing several projectiles coming his way. Fortunately, Apocalypse was already aligned with Samira''s white mare. With a move... [Ice Manipulation] He created a shield supported only by his muscles to protect both the horses and their backs. Holding the broad shield with his hands, he made Apocalypse walk slower due to the elevated body weight. Crik! Crik! Crik! He felt the countless arrows hit his shield, giving him a slight shock, startling him, but he didn''t stop holding, just kept steady protecting Samira''s back. "Take down the shield!" Samira said with a fireball in her hand. Strax quickly removed it, and she threw the fireball, hitting two of the pursuers. However... the sound of horse hooves was approaching even faster. They didn''t have time to look back, because ahead of them was a wall of leaves and vines. "Fuck!" Strax shouted and prepared a fireball, making Samira''s eyes widen completely. "Get out of my way!" He shouted, launching something. [Fire Manipulation] The fire was quickly shot ahead of him, opening a hole in the spot. Fortunately, they had somewhere to pass after the leaf wall. With a jump in the middle of the circle hole, they finally emerged within the dense vegetation and entered a spacious clearing. The space was a relief, but it didn''t change the sounds of horse hooves accompanying them in the background; they were still in danger. Several horses began to emerge, about fifteen men wearing armor and thicker clothes. Strax could run, but no, that would only make things worse. What if the arrows were poisoned? What if they had more people ahead? Combat could no longer be avoided. Strax looked directly at Samira, who agreed. "Get ready for battle," he said seriously, summoning an ice sword. Chapter 50: Assassins Everyone die. "Prepare for battle," he said seriously, summoning an ice sword. Strax had already given the sword he had kept to Samira, and she did the same. "I''m always ready," she said as her sword burst into flames. "And you''ll have to explain why you were using my ability," she commented seriously and felt something coming towards her face, but promptly stopped it. *Swoosh!* The arrow that came towards Samira''s face was quickly cut by her perfectly and with a subtle and carefree movement. "That wasn''t cool," she said, pointing the sword at the archer, "Didn''t they teach you manners?!" Samira said, hearing from a taller man among them, who seemed to be the leader of this group, "Just hand over Strax Vorah!" The pseudo-leader shouted, "We have no interest in you, Samira Blaze! We just want the newbie!" The shout came from the hooded man in the background. "Tsk, they already know about me," she muttered angrily, after all, as Malik had said, the Blazes and the Vorahs were troublesome. If they knew about her at this point, they would probably come after her. Strax, smiling, raised his hand. "A quick question, who do you think you are to demand something from me?" He said, widening his mischievous smile, which provoked the group that aimed their bows at him even faster. "Hey, quiet down, don''t make things worse," she whispered to him, already knowing that this fight could be intense. *Trot-toc* *Trot-toc* *Trot-toc* The sound of horse hooves came from behind Samira and Strax, who saw Jason arriving holding a cloak in one hand; his body had several bloodstains. "I''m sorry, I just dealt with some assassins, but it seems I''ve found our pursuers," he said, holding a black and gold badge. "They call themselves the Shadow League. From the information I have, they''re led by the Assassin Queen, that stupid woman who never showed her face, at least that''s what they say." He explained, showing the badge engraved with a crow''s skeleton and three wings of black wood. Strax saw it quickly, but returned to observe the enemies who seemed to have become really annoyed with what Jason referred to their Mistress. "Tsk, well, it looks like we have no choice," Strax said and looked at the men who raised their bows and pointed them at him, as well as a mage who had a magic circle already conjured, pointed by the tip of his staff directly in their direction. It didn''t seem to be anything important because even Strax could see that the magic circle had only one circle, showing that it wasn''t really strong. If it were, the circle would be much more complex. A precise and flawless advance, cutting, breaking, and dodging arrows in the fastest and most efficient way possible. "What nonsense, and they call themselves assassins." Jason appeared in front of one, plunging his black iron sword into his head. He wanted to say something, but when he looked to the side... There were five charred skeletons... "I warned that everyone would die for trying to touch him!" He heard the female scream beside him. Then, another skeleton flew charred and hit a tree, destroying it. This time, this skeleton still had... pieces of flesh stuck to its bones, but they were completely burnt. Jason just saw that and couldn''t help but repeat. "Young master... what have you done..." But soon his thoughts were taken from him with an assassin trying to ambush him from behind. It was clear that he had already sensed him a long time ago. "Tsk, you guys are idiots." The sound of the dagger being blocked came, and Jason turned around, giving a spinning slash and decapitating the assassin. Jason heard a sound and turned back, seeing Strax kicking the stomach of the leader of the assassins. The blow was so powerful that the sound reverberated through the area, making the leader of the assassins stagger back, leaving a trail on the ground marked by the force of the impact, half staggering, trying to recover, but he didn''t stop showing a clear expression of pain. The strength he felt... "Fire and Ice," the Assassin commented, "You''re full of surprises." Strax looked at that, what was the assassin referring to? "Using fire to propel and ice to fortify, it seems I''m quite creative." He said to the wind, looking at the semi-frozen state of his leg, which quickly melted with the heat of his fire... "You''re not weak as they say out there," the assassin spoke, as he put his hand on his belly, which was visibly frozen. "Well, you can''t trust what they say, can you?" Strax mocked, smiling. Although difficult, Strax had no problems with this fight. "Out of nowhere? Strax, don''t be naive... We''ve been watching you for years." He said. Strax looked at him and commented, "The Assassin Queen is interested in me?" He smiled. "I have no reason to answer anything to a Vorah," he spoke, and again... he turned invisible. "You know, sometimes I think it''s destiny, but why don''t you introduce me to her? I''m heading to the Duchy." Strax said aloud, while he focused and controlled his breathing. He needed to find out where the man was. Strax stayed quiet. For a moment, he thought he might lose his concentration, but his mind entered a state of focus so surprising that with just one wrong move... Crack! One of the plants, just a few steps away from him, shattered like glass shards, causing his blade to automatically aim for the head of his target. The strong wind of his strike stopped just inches from the assassin''s throat. "You come to me without information, with a squad of recruits to intimidate me. I hope the person who put the bounty on me and your Mistress are strong enough to bear the consequences of defying an order from Xenovia Vorah." Strax bluffed, slicing a part of the man''s neck, while a layer of ice formed, trapping his body as he tried to move. "X-Xenovia?!" He stammered upon hearing what Strax said... Chapter 51: Contact your master, we need to talk. Even though frozen, he didn''t stop complaining when he found out what had happened. The assassination was really proving not to be as professional as it should have been. "Damn it! Did those bastards deceive us?!" He shouted, even with his body frozen, he... didn''t care? "Hey, did you forget where you are?" Strax asked seriously, looking into the man''s eyes, still with his sword poised to decapitate him. "Let me go, let''s talk," the man said, but Strax refused. "You don''t have that right," he replied calmly, turning away and leaving the man''s head still attached to his body. "Are you guys okay?" He asked, seeing Samira and Jason return. "Yes, we''re fine," Jason confirmed, holding the head of one of the assassins, the same one who had tried to ambush them from behind a few minutes earlier. Samira, on the other hand, carried nothing but her completely red sword. "Of course I''m fine, these guys are weak, we were just intimidated by numbers," she said coldly, still annoyed and angry at being attacked again. "Tsk, I hate this place," she muttered. "Calm down, my love. We''ll reach the city by passing through this forest. Just calm down, and we can sleep together again," Strax said with a mischievous smile. But Samira didn''t show anything this time. She knew that if she fell for these tricks, she would always be teased. So, instead of denying it, "Yes, I need to relax," she commented, turning and looking at the destruction they had caused. "What are we going to do with this one? He''s the last one," Jason commented, as Strax approached the man again. "I''m sure someone requested my assassination. Do you know who did this?" Strax spoke seriously, his voice laden with the intention to kill. The assassin trembled as he felt Strax''s gaze... it was as if... a Dragon was staring at him. "Y-yes! If we knew it was something related to X-Xenovia VVV-Vorah, w-we would never have accepted this contract!" The assassin said desperately, no longer looking like the fearless man who had faced Strax in a fight to the death. "Is my sister that scary, guys?" Strax questioned with an impassive face, trying to understand where all the fear of Xenovia was coming from. "Yes," everyone present replied together, including the still shocked assassin. "Why?" Strax questioned the assassin. "Your sister is crazy. Just by feeling her presence, people can start going mad. And I''m not even talking about duels, people just die from breathing near her or those disgusting black flames," the assassin said quickly, and Strax narrowed his eyes. "I-I''m sorry! I didn''t mean to offend!" He hurried to say. Strax turned to Jason, the only one there who could confirm the man''s story, which could very well be a lie. "Everything he said is true," Jason said. Strax sighed deeply. "I wonder why my mind still thought Xenovia could have improved, that irrational woman..." He sighed and looked at the assassin, who was in shock, really looking like a different person, as if he had turned into an abandoned puppy. "Oh, what are we going to do? Honestly, I wouldn''t mind just killing him," Strax said, accepting that the fight was over. But just in case, "Do you still want to fight, coward?" He looked at the assassin, who remained speechless. "By the way, tell me your name. I''m tired of only thinking of ''Black Hood Assassin'' in my mind," he said unconcernedly as he wiped his nose... he... [You''ve increased the System level progress. To reach the Next Level, a greater understanding of it will be necessary. Keep understanding more about the System to surpass your limits. Good luck, Host...] "Does that sound like... a conversation? The messages are becoming more humanized?" Strax thought, noticing that the messages now even wished good luck, something he had never seen happen before. "Young Master?" Jason called, seeing Strax standing still as if he were seeing something beyond the landscape. "Y-Yes, hi, I''m back," came the System message. "Let''s go, we need to head to the next city," Jason said, seeing that everything was already arranged. "As competent as ever," he commented with a smile, and they resumed their journey, now keeping an eye on this man ahead of the convoy. Carlos would contact his Mistress as soon as possible, after all, they had gotten into big trouble. They resumed their course and thus, several hours passed, with Carlos finally sending the message as requested. His mistress would be informed about the events. Elsewhere, in a slightly more religious setting, an old church in ruins, a woman prayed to her God. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound," her voice echoed through all the walls, returning a calm tone to the hymn. A woman on her knees in front of a black altar, with the statue of a man. Combined with a piano, this woman could be one of the best musical artists in Thalassia. "That Saved a Wretch Like me," her voice reverberated in the silence, echoing in her own solitude. A calm woman, dressed in black and white robes, sang sentimentally as she prayed. With her hands and eyes closed, she continued to sing, the stained glass windows began to be filled with the remnants of light from the fabulous morning sun. "I once was lost, but now am found," her chant continued, solemn and quiet. "Was blind, but now I see," she concluded. The sound of her voice was covered by the flapping of wings of a small white dove that entered the slightly damaged church. Doves usually meant peace, but for her, just seeing that dove... "A little trouble, isn''t it?" She questioned the dove that landed on her hand. She carefully took the small paper from its little paws, looked at the dove, and gave it a gentle stroke on its head. "Thank you for the work, little one," she said, and the dove flew away peacefully. Upon reading the paper, the only reaction she had was... "Almighty God, why do you keep sending me into the mouth of the demon? Is this a trial, my dear Lord?" She said, looking at the statue of a man with six black wings and a scythe. "It seems I''ll have to meet you, little one," she said as she stood up, abandoning her position. "Strax Vorah... it''s a name I didn''t think I''d come to know." Chapter 52: Strax Vorah has returned. It wasn''t hard to see that Strax was worried, not only about reaching the Ducato d''Vorah but also about Beatrice, who had disappeared and still hadn''t given any news since he left Steinhardt. While the system had blocked his progress, he was lying in an inn late at night; in his arms, Samira slept peacefully after another round, but he, on the other hand, couldn''t fall asleep. Many concerns had already begun to arise and disturb him beyond what he expected, especially regarding the next day, the day he would arrive at his home, at the Duke D''Vorah''s house... It wasn''t something he really wanted, but he was being forced by his sister. Although he wasn''t just Strax Vorah at this moment, he was still Strax, and he knew everything that had happened in that place. Despite harboring only resentment, he knew he couldn''t just kill everyone; he didn''t have the strength, and that led to his next concern. The Assassin Queen, a woman whose name he didn''t even know, whose appearance he didn''t even know, if she was really a woman at all. Was he lucky to find Carlos? That''s relative; in fact, he was impulsive and used his sister as a threat even though he wasn''t sure what she could really do if he revealed the attacks... In fact... "She must already know that this group came after me," he thought. If he knew his sister as he remembered, she was a perfectionist, and if something went against what she did, she would cut it off immediately. And that could apply even to her siblings; if she knew that something had happened within her order, she would go against whoever made the attack, and that was the reality. Xenovia was a cold, calm, and patient woman, but... when something involved her own interests, she was irrational, to the point of killing armies if necessary. That was the difference between her and Strax''s other sisters and brothers. Xenovia was the driving force that worked only for herself; no one, not even the patriarch, had the right to order her, and that was something beyond normal. Although his father was much stronger than Xenovia, he never interfered. "A man who barely cared about his youngest son... Did he really allow my return, or was it just my sister''s pure insistence?" Strax couldn''t help but question, especially because everything was so cloudy now. He hardly knew anything about his mother, his father, and his siblings; to him, they were just names and empty relationships. "My only family is Beatrice and Samira, the rest... is the Rest," he said as he stroked the woman''s head. "The problem will be the Assassin Queen. Carlos may have pretended to be afraid to lure me to that assassin, but I find it difficult, especially because of the exaggerated reaction; it seemed like real fear." "For some reason, I have a strange feeling about this person..." Strax commented to himself; sometimes talking to himself made him feel more relaxed. "Mm..." Strax heard a grunt from the woman in his arms, who lightly sat up, rubbing her eye. "Wh-what are you talking about?" She questioned sleepily as she yawned. "Nothing, just thinking out loud," Strax said as she lay back down. "You''re very worried, aren''t you?" She asked, feeling the caresses on her long orange hair. She neighed lightly at him and approached, asking for affection on her head. He complied and petted her. "You seem tired," Strax heard the voice approaching, Jason already seemed ready to leave at any moment. "I didn''t sleep last night; I''m trying to focus on something," he said. Jason nodded, commenting, "Are you sure it''s okay to take Samira with you? I mean, as Malik said, that could cause a war." He commented. "Tell me, why didn''t you inform me about Samira and her family, Jason? I''m sure you knew about her," Strax said seriously. If Jason hadn''t told him, why should he still trust what he said? He felt betrayed, but he had avoided talking about it because he was constantly with Samira, and it could provoke a misunderstanding. "I''m sorry, Young Master, I avoided saying to not worry you; I already knew the rumors about Samira and judged her as someone who wouldn''t threaten you for not following the Blaze Dogmas." Jason admitted and bowed. "I''m sorry. But when you... decided to stay together, it was too late to talk about it, and I''m sure that wouldn''t matter to you, so I just stayed quiet not to stress you out." He apologized bowed, Strax looked at the scene and couldn''t help but sigh. "Next time, don''t withhold the facts; I would like to have more confidence in you," Strax commented. "You can stand up," he ordered. "I''m sorry, young master, but this is probably the last time I will serve you." Jason revealed, and Strax raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean by that, Jason?" Strax asked. "I need to go back to training, and I will ask to be removed from my position. I have observed that I will not be able to accompany you on your journey, so I want to get stronger." He admitted. It had been a while since he had been thinking about it; he was basically useless the whole time he was with Strax; he just watched while his Young Master solved the problems himself. Strax looked into his eyes and saw determination; he didn''t understand what lit that flame, but he just smiled. "So it''ll just be me," he smiled faintly. "I hope you come back well," Strax commented, and Jason bowed, "Yes, my Lord." After that scene, little happened. Returning to Carlos''s side, a member of the group of assassins, they rode for two hours. Samira accompanied him, and finally, they had a view of the Gates of Justice, a wide gate marking the entrance to the Ducato. "It seems the journey is over," Strax said, Jason and Samira at his side and Carlos following in front. As agreed, he would contact him later to discuss the meeting with the Assassin Queen. "I''ll stay at a hotel until Beatrice buys a house for us; go to your family," Samira commented still on the road before approaching the Gate... "I''ll meet you at night." "I''ll be waiting," she smiled... Finally, Strax was returning to the world he once belonged to. Chapter 53: Receiving the Rewards, Before Facing the Problem Strax and Samira separated, initially for the obvious reason that any association between them could now cause problems for him. While they would love to incite a war, they needed to gather strength first. For now, they would not appear together, although this did not mean much. They simply did not enter the duchy together, maintaining appearances for the time being. "Shall we go straight home?" Strax asked, and Jason nodded. At this moment, Strax was wearing a classic black Victorian suit, with golden cufflinks adding an extra charm to his appearance. "I informed them of our arrival yesterday. Fortunately, no squad was sent to our location, or we might have had issues with appearances; they still believe the young master is weak," Jason commented. Strax smiled with satisfaction. If they knew that Strax now used magic instead of swords, there would be a significant problem. This was precisely why they left no assassins alive besides Carlos; Carlos wouldn''t spread information about him so easily, unlike the others. "All we have to do is pass through the gate," Jason commented. However, Strax was not very confident. It seemed as if something different might happen, as if he could sense something coming. They rode lightly, cutting through the lines of visitors. Everyone looked at the man and the knight in silver armor with the duchy''s insignia. Strax heard some murmurs of discontent, as many of these people had been waiting for hours and this man was cutting the line. It was indeed irritating, but what could they do besides curse under their breath? "Tsk, I hate this," Strax commented. He had long endured the malicious looks directed at him, but the current Strax would not accept such treatment. It might seem like arrogance, but he wanted respect for once. "Calm down," Jason said, turning his attention back to him. After all, he needed to maintain peace now. He didn''t know the current state of the knights; the probability of this place being in chaos was high. "Halt, identify yourself," two halberd-wielding knights stopped Strax, who was ahead of Jason. He looked at the two knights with a serious gaze. "Identify yourself or go to the back of the line," one repeated. Strax was not pleased with this treatment and was about to cast a spell, "Isolen¡ª" but fortunately, Jason intervened. "First-Class Knight Vorah, Jason Gorthan, reporting back from a contact mission," Jason stepped in front of Strax. "And who is this man?" Another knight, a bit farther away and seemingly older than the halberd bearers, approached. Jason looked at Strax and nodded. Seeing this with disdain, Strax pronounced, "The youngest son of Duke Vorah, Strax Vorah." The knights quickly changed their demeanor and knelt immediately, the sounds of their armor echoing in the air. "Welcome back, young master!" they said in unison. Strax''s expression turned slightly confused. It was the first time he received respect like this; it was very... new to him. "She notified them of my arrival," Strax said, and the knights trembled. "Y-Yes, Lady Xenovia personally delivered the message," the older knight commented, as if he had seen a ghost, and quickly handed Strax a white letter with a fire mark and a black seal. "Damn..." he murmured, breaking the seal on the letter. He had already feared the worst, but... "Welcome back, my dear brother." Upon reading this, Strax froze, and even Jason turned pale upon realizing it was just a... welcome letter. "I hope the knights didn''t treat you poorly. I spared their lives earlier, hoping they would recognize you and not treat you like any commoner. Come to our home and seek me in my building," he read aloud. The knights trembled completely. "P.S.: If they mistreat you, I will return later to fulfill the promise I made to them," the letter added. Strax lowered the letter and looked at them. "You guys are quite clumsy with your lives, huh? You should resign. If you can''t follow orders, you should go to the fields," Strax said, and the knights exchanged glances. Part of it was true, but... "The salary is really good," one of them commented. Strax looked at Jason, who let out a light chuckle upon hearing them talk. "Pff..." It was the first time in a long while that he saw Jason smile or laugh at something. Jason had been quite anxious throughout the mission, possibly because of Xenovia? It wasn''t something Strax could know, seeing how supportive Jason was of the men. He observed the scene, and the knights ended up laughing at their comrade. "Alright, I won''t tell Xenovia about today," Strax said, smiling. The three knights looked at him, surprised, and said in unison, "Thank you very much, young master!" Even Jason couldn''t believe what he saw, but he kept the smile on his face. "Let''s go, Jason. I need to meet that demon," Strax said, smiling. "Don''t tell her about this, okay?" Strax said to the knights who had already regained their composure. "Tell her what? Did you hear anything, guys?" the older knight asked, and they shook their heads. "Not a thing," Strax just laughed and continued through the massive gates. "He''s... not a bad guy, is he?" one of the halberd knights said, and the other agreed. The leader, the gatekeeper, commented, "He''s already a cultivator..." The two knights looked at him. "But wasn''t he a useless person?" These questions lingered in the minds of the three knights, the first people to see Strax, now curious about who this man was and what he might represent in the future. As for Strax? He had no idea what those three knights were thinking. He just thought they were foolish enough to disrespect Xenovia. [Name: Strax Vorah] [Age: 18 years old] [Cultivation: Supreme Cultivator of Condensed Stage (*Energy Condensation* and *Mana Condensation*)] [Talent: Rare] [Race: Human] [Physique: Dragon-Demon (Advance Cultivation to unlock its sealed powers)] [Level: 20] [HP: 385/385] [Vitality: 27] [Resistance: 20] [Strength: 25] [Agility: 20] [Intelligence: 18] [Defense: 25] [Blank Points: 0] [Harem Members: Beatrice von Stainhardt, Samira Blaze] [Abilities: Inventory (S), Complete Vorah Cultivation(5*), Brutal Cut (1*), Sword of Tomorrow (1*), Glacial Ice Manipulation (5*), Fire Manipulation (5*)] [Harem Abilities: Incubus(SSS), Analysis(SSS), Dual Cultivation(SSS), Love Copy(SSS)] Strax saw the message and internally... "HAHAHAHA IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! NEVER DOUBT A SYSTEM!" He roared internally. Chapter 54: The Grand Duke, Albert Vorah. Strax felt his entire body burn with power. His veins heated up as he felt all his mana being pumped alongside his heart, as if his strength had doubled with a simple advancement of ten points in all his stats. Strax became immensely stronger, to the point of feeling something... "This is mana," he said, seeing small currents of mana flowing through the wind. He had discovered something... [You have discovered one of the abilities of your physique. The Dragon Eyes have been passively unlocked. Continue ascending the ranks to perfect them.] A message appeared, and his eyes slightly changed color to a brighter red. His perception of himself increased, and his entire body entered a new stage of strength. He hadn''t advanced, but it was obvious that his evolution was much greater than normal. "Description," Strax said, thinking of the passive ability he had just gained, but... [Unlock the Physique to access the descriptions of your abilities derived from the Demonic Dragon.] "Tsk, a poor man''s joy is short-lived... I need to evolve more," Strax said, seeing the gates still open. Now, however... The mana he saw concentrated in that place was so immense that he didn''t know what was happening there. It was as if a huge ball of concentrated energy was present, but it wasn''t just that. There was something else that seemed to call him from afar, right in the place he hated the most. "The Garden of Swords," he said, looking in a direction. He couldn''t feel what it was or see what was there, but something clearly called him in an extremely brutal way. "I''ll go there later..." he thought. Still focused on the apocalypse, he entered through the gates, following the path leading directly to the main mansion. Strax completely changed his demeanor. His previously somewhat cheerful face now gave way to a cold and emotionless man, with a stern and unyielding expression. "I won''t be humiliated this time," he said to himself while following Apocalypse. "Girl, don''t let anyone touch you. Anyone who tries to touch you can be killed." Upon hearing this, the horse neighed in agreement. He gave a slight smile and finally approached the entrance. He saw some gardeners tending to the plants. The mansion grounds were truly vast, with numerous staff taking care of the exterior of the buildings. There were various gardens and pathways, like small roads paved with carved bricks. "Tsk, I hate all of you," he thought as he felt something familiar. "I hope I can hold myself back..." he muttered as he approached the entrance arch of the mansion. The facade was truly imposing, with a mix of limestone, red bricks, and carved wood. "This damn place hasn''t changed at all," he commented, approaching the entrance door. He sighed deeply... She had rosy hair and blood-red eyes, around her forties but appeared almost twenty-five, a testament to the remarkable nature of cultivators. The Demonic Rose of Two Blades, that was her cultivator name. At least, that''s what other cultivators called her. "Yes, Grand Duchess," he nodded, bowing his head slightly. "Did you have a good trip?" Albert''s deep, strong voice resonated across the table. All of his siblings trembled, but... Strax didn''t even flinch. "If you''re wondering how many groups attacked me, it was two, and a mountain guardian bear," he stated without hesitation. "I see," Albert said. ''This boy... he''s very different.'' Albert felt something coming from the table, it was Dominic''s mana trying to reach Strax. He let him try to do something; it would be a good test, but... The mana was completely severed as it approached Strax, as if... "Intimidating the weaker makes you even weaker, Brother," Strax said, looking seriously at Dominic, who trembled. The aura Strax emitted... it was pure killing intent. "Stop looking at me like that, you disgusting lot," he said, picking up his fork to eat the food on his plate. After all, he hadn''t eaten in a long time. He tasted the food and immediately spat it out. The taste? It was rotten. "Putrid," he remarked, surprising even the Duchess herself. "Ah, seriously..." Strax sighed. "May I speak?" Strax said, feeling the Patriarch''s gaze in agreement. "Tsk, you''re only agreeing with me because Xenovia asked," he murmured, standing up. "I''m not here to fight over this ridiculous patriarchal nonsense. I couldn''t care less about all of you and this entire family. I''m only here because Xenovia asked. Not for you and your petty squabbles," Strax said, summoning an ice sword into his hand and making a cut. [Brutal Cut ¨C Concentrated] The blow hit Dominic''s hand, which was immediately severed. Then he turned his hand towards Virgil in front of him and launched another attack. "BOOM!" A fire explosion hit Virgil''s face, sending him flying backward. "What do you think you''re doing!" one of the sisters shouted, it was Hinna. "Attacking your brothers in the middle of a meeting?" another questioned, Vine. "Shut your mouths, or you''ll be next," Strax said firmly, and they trembled. "You!" Virgil recovered from the explosion and was about to attack him, but... "Stop," Albert''s voice echoed through the room, making everyone pause, except for Strax, who looked directly into his eyes. "Explain yourself." "Having the strength to intimidate the weaker doesn''t make you strong, it makes you a failure. My dear brothers like to be the biggest failures, so I merely gave him a punishment," Strax said with a macabre smile on his face, which frightened Hinna and Vine. They had never seen that happen before; they could hardly recognize their brother. "Was it necessary?" Albert questioned; he wanted to see how far Strax would go. "Is your family made up of failures?" Strax countered this time. "No," Albert replied. Strax looked at him and said, "Then you''re turning a blind eye to your family; it''s already full of failures." Strax continued. "Are you questioning how I manage the family?" he said seriously, and Strax responded, "Yes, you''re a terrible patriarch for allowing two disgusting beings like these two to have any kind of bond greater than slaves. They''re the ones tarnishing the Vorah Name, not me, as you all like to say," he said, leaving everyone incredulous with what they had just heard. Chapter 55: The meeting with the older sister "Is your family made up of failures?" Strax questioned this time. "No," Albert replied. Strax looked at him and said, "Then you''re turning a blind eye to your family. It''s already full of failures." Strax said. "Are you questioning how I manage the family?" He said seriously, and Strax responded, "Yes, you''re a terrible patriarch for allowing two despicable beings like these two to have any bond greater than slaves, tarnishing the Vorah name." He said, and everyone looked at Strax in disbelief at what they had just heard. Everyone couldn''t take their eyes off Strax... did he just challenge the patriarch and insult the entire family? No one could really believe what was happening. "Are you going mad?" Virgil murmured, and Strax turned to him. "Madness is relative; I just know my position," Strax replied. Again, he seemed like another person, as if they had never known him. "Knowing your position?! You''re the failure!" Dominic retorted. "And the failure, after insulting the entire family, stands intact in front of the Sword God of Thalassia, perhaps the strongest human," Strax said, and everyone trembled. "There is something you lack: a sense of reality. Right now, Albert can''t do anything to me, no matter how much I speak. At this moment, in my current position, I am not a person," Strax said and started walking around the table towards Virgil, who still had his face dirty from the explosion. He looked into his eyes and said, "Due to the Rules, I am untouchable," he revealed. "What an... interesting man," Diana thought, watching how he was establishing his position while everyone looked at him with even more contempt than they should have. "How are you so sure of that?" Hinna asked. Strax smiled at her macabrely, "I am not a person; I am a reward," he replied, leaving everyone in silence. He then started to walk, about to continue his monologue while Albert smiled slightly, enjoying the situation. "He did as he pleased, spoke as he wished, and challenged me without running any risk," Albert thought, and Diana saw that smile. She thought Albert was enjoying what was happening. It had been a while since she had seen that, so she decided to join in his game. To them, the strongest, people like Strax were just insignificant worms, and therefore, this humiliation barely made sense; after all, it didn''t matter. "Are you saying nothing would happen to you?" Diana smiled, her red eyes gleaming. Strax looked at her with a mischievous smile and replied, "And would you risk breaking a Vorah Law? Something that hasn''t happened since the Patriarch died? Please, Diana," Strax said and turned to his siblings. "You are too much of failures; even though you are stronger, you can''t do anything. Your strength is fictitious. Weak people are clever, they are cunning; you are trash, relying on physical strength and combat skills, not on mentality. That''s why you can''t do anything." "W-What was that?!" She thought, quickly heading outside, feeling... a bit embarrassed. While Strax was lost in thought, he heard, "We have a lot to discuss," coming from behind him. Strax snapped out of his reverie when he saw the woman approaching, beautiful as a work of art. He hadn''t known women as beautiful as she, and to think that in just six years, she had changed so much. "It''s good to see you again, sister. It''s been a few years, hasn''t it?" Strax bowed in reverence, while being hit by the woman''s cold, lifeless gaze. Well, she had always been like that; he was expecting something similar. "Yes, it''s been a long time. You''ve grown a lot," she said and then added, "Come on, you''ll stay at my mansion. It''s not safe here." Strax had no choice but to agree, after all, he probably didn''t even have a room. He just followed the woman in silence, not that he wanted to talk much, but there was no room for conversation; Xenovia was very serious. They began to walk calmly, Strax remaining silent until they left the main mansion and entered the smaller connections on the property. When he turned to look, he saw a strange scene. "Jesus, what happened here?" He asked, seeing some mages reconstructing the landscape with magic. He was really surprised by the destruction; he hadn''t seen this before and hadn''t felt any impacts since he arrived, meaning, "When did this happen?" He asked. "Less than a week ago," Xenovia said while stopping and her black sword started to float. "Xyn," Strax said, clearly still remembering the sword that gave Xenovia her name, the sword... that his mother once used. A phoenix appeared, flying and burning the debris that needed to be discarded. "It''s good to see you''re in good health, little bird," the black phoenix said as it perched on his shoulder, shrinking its body size. "Have you been well? Has Xenovia not taken good care of the sword? I''m sorry for not being able to wield it; I was very weak back then," Strax commented. He never had the opportunity to speak to the sword, despite knowing his mother was one of its users. "Don''t worry, despite this woman''s temper, she is still better than that idiot of a father you have, can you believe? He wanted to wield me," she said. Strax swore she was pouting at him. "What a strange combination..." Strax thought, seeing these two women, yes women, despite not having a fixed gender, Xyn had a female voice. "Can you stop talking as if I''m not here?" Xenovia turned, speaking with a serious face that made Strax tremble slightly for a few seconds, but he quickly regained control of himself and nodded. "Come, let''s go inside," Xenovia said, and Strax looked ahead, seeing a smaller mansion that seemed quite luxurious despite its simplicity. "You''ve renovated this place..." he thought, after all... that place brought him many memories, which he didn''t even know if he could categorize as good Chapter 56: Now tell me... Why you brought me here, Xenovia. "Big sister! Wait for me!" The little boy ran after the teenage girl with white hair and a black dress, while she walked steadily without slowing down. She really seemed not to want his company, but the little boy kept pestering her as he followed her to a mansion slightly older than the others. He looked at the mansion''s entrance and trembled slightly with fear at how old it was. Cobwebs hung everywhere, and the pillars were covered in black dust, as if it hadn''t been cleaned in years and had been abandoned. "S-sister! D-don''t go in there!" He trembled with fear as he watched his older sister enter the place, her black dress starting to get dirty with dust, turning the edges of her skirt gray as it brushed against the mansion''s old wood. The boy clenched his fists tightly, glanced at the place, and took a deep breath to follow his sister inside. "Calm down, it''s just an abandoned mansion," he thought, mustering up courage and entering the foyer. Passing through the shadowy entrance, the boy felt a shiver run down his spine. The mansion seemed even more frightening inside. The walls were lined with faded wallpaper, torn in several places, revealing dark, aged wood underneath. The furniture was covered in yellowed white sheets, and the air was thick with the smell of mold and decay that quickly irritated the boy''s nose. "Atichnn!" He sneezed, kicking up even more dust in the air. But quickly recovering, he called out again, "Big sister!" His voice echoed through the empty hall. The teenage girl with white hair didn''t respond, continuing to advance down the main corridor, her steps echoing on the creaking wooden floorboards. "Why are you like this?! Why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice still trembling with fear. His sister finally stopped and turned to him, her lilac eyes looking at him, making him even more afraid. "You wouldn''t understand," she said calmly, her cold tone hitting the boy brutally. "There are things you wouldn''t understand," she remarked. The boy swallowed hard but couldn''t back down. He didn''t want to be there, but he couldn''t leave her alone, especially seeing the state of the place. He took more hesitant steps, watching as she began to descend a wooden staircase that seemed to be on the verge of collapsing at any moment due to the creaking sounds of the wood. When his sister stepped on the last step leading to an underground door, a strange sound echoed through the mansion... A faint whisper, as if the walls were trying to say something. The boy looked around, searching for the source of the sound, but found nothing but darkness. "Sister... did you hear that?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear as his body shivered. "I heard," she replied, without looking back. "I-I think we should go back..." he commented, but his sister ignored him and held firm, "This is why we''re here," she said. She was already at the beginning of the staircase, heading towards the narrow hallway with only one door at the end of it, her hands sliding along the walls, feeling the rough texture of the tattered wallpaper. Despite hesitating, the boy followed her, his little heart pounding in his chest. With each step, he felt the fear growing, but also a certain determination to accompany his sister. Strax knew Xenovia was strong, but... "I''m fine," she replied coldly, despite the visible pain. "Let''s get out of here." Strax saw that... "Get out of here?! You almost died! I was worried about you! You idiotic sister!" He shouted at her, and even trembling, he pulled the girl, demonstrating a strength he didn''t know he had. Turning his back, he gestured. "Get on my back, I''ll carry you." He said firmly, and the girl looked at him while holding her wound, "You''re weak," She said coldly, and Strax ignored it. "Weakness is not being able to help my injured sister," He replied, without looking at her. Xenovia''s eyes opened in surprise, and then she agreed, letting her heavy and tired body rest on the back of her younger brother, who made a tough face due to the weight, but didn''t retreat, slowly he... carried her to the main mansion... "Xyn told me it was good to refurbish this place, it seems like your mother really liked it." Xenovia said, bringing Strax out of his thoughts. "And this is an important place for me," she murmured. Strax read the message in front of him, "Xyn... the sword that carries the will of a Black Phoenix, how could I forget that day?" [You unlocked sealed memories, you advanced in understanding yourself] Strax read the message somewhat nervously. "Damn System... sealing my memories to control my life and do what it wants with them... I''ll kill whoever created this crap," He thought. *Come get me...* A strange sound echoed in his ears as he began to enter... A faint whisper of a hoarse woman... "Did you hear that?" Strax questioned, but Xenovia said nothing and continued to walk towards the mansion entrance... "You''re being called by a sword," She said, without any hesitation, just speaking into the wind, and Strax looked at her. "The voice you heard is probably the sword that chose you calling you," She concluded and opened the doors as he entered, seeing the scene that he could never forget... the same entrance, the same furniture, the same wallpaper... "Wow," He murmured at the sight, how luxurious and beautiful that structure was, unlike before when it just seemed like a big abandoned mansion from a horror movie. "I kept it exactly like the original construction," Xenovia said as she guided him to a guest room, where there was a table with tea prepared, two sofas facing each other with only the table separating them. "Now tell me... Why did you bring me here, Xenovia?" Strax said, looking into her eyes. Chapter 57: A serious conversation "Xenovia, why did you bring me here?" Strax asked, seriously this time, he was not at all happy and Xenovia noticed that, deep inside she might even feel guilty for this, but she didn''t care enough. "You''ve been away from home for too long, it was time to return." Xenovia said, seriously, but... for some reason... Strax was slightly worried about his older sister, she... "Blushing eyebrows, dry lips, and fidgeting with your right hand hair, you''re nervous?" He asked again, more precise and sharp, but she didn''t give in. "Stop imagining things." Xenovia said, coldly again, maintaining her composure. "O-oh, what''s wrong?" Xenovia started to rise up to question, but with a cold look as hers... "You made me ride through three cities, pass through mountain ranges and port cities, be attacked by a group of mercenaries, a mountain guardian, and an assassin group. And now, instead of simply telling me what''s worrying you to the point of caring about me, which by the way, you''ve always treated me the worst possible way," Strax said, his eyes became fierce, he was really not satisfied with the events that had happened, but he also... "Forcing sentimentality can work with her." Strax thought. Said and done. "I brought you here to get a sword." Xenovia said, seriously again and looked deep into his eyes. "A war may explode, and unlike what you think, I don''t hate you." She revealed... "I don''t know how to show these feelings, but I don''t reject you, and among all our brothers, you are the only one I could risk something with, just like I did. Or do you think that the mission I did was just something simple that would allow me to bring back an expelled member?" Xenovia said, attacking in the same way as Strax. "Tsk, a sword? Why would I need a piece of crap sword?" Strax said, summoning a frozen sword in his hands, Xenovia saw that and didn''t help but raise an eyebrow, Strax noticed the curiosity and commented "I learned from the bear." He said, "It''s useless" Xenovia said and with a flick of her hand, she launched a small burst of black fire. *WUUUSHHH* The sword began to melt with just one touch. Strax looked at that and didn''t help but sigh. "Cursed monster." He murmured, Xenovia looked at him and explained "The concentration of mana is weak, its composition is good, but its ice will be weak if you continue to focus on the element and not on the mana condensation, concentrate on the element''s temperature, not on the sword''s structure, first train that and then shape it, so your ice will be indestructible as long as the mana is more concentrated." She said quickly like a teacher... "Is it a strong spirit?" Xenovia asked, but... "No." Xyn responded, "I''m not allowed to talk about other sword spirits." She said, as if she was... "I''m prohibited from commenting on the other sword spirits." She said. "Tsk, you''re just inventing excuses," Xenovia said and left the scene... Meanwhile... "Damn sister, what''s this crap about calling me to protect me? You''ve never cared about me!" He shouted internally while taking deep strides towards the exit, when he least expected it... "Girls are as weak as I am, sisters." Strax said and dodged a red blade, then quickly jumped away from a green blade. The fierce little dance sent the two women flying back, then Strax turned in mid-air, preparing a fireball. "How you- "Vine said, but her body was paralyzed as a fireball flew towards her face. Swin The Hinna''s sword cut the fireball in half, and Strax just looked at those two with disdain. "Freeze." He said, and the women''s feet began to freeze. "I never did anything for you, so explain why you''re attacking me?" Strax asked seriously while summoning a pair of double-edged ice blades. [You improved your "Glacial Ice Manipulation" technique, continue to increase your experience to level up your skills.] "You! You''re humiliating us!" They said together, although they were only half-sisters, their synchronization was really good. "Tsk, you don''t know what humiliation is," he said and started to freeze the girls'' bodies even more, the ice began to rise up their thighs and made them... "Kyaaa! My butt!" Hinna said quickly as she felt the ice probing her rear end, while Vine remained silent, but her face was completely red with embarrassment. Strax looked back with a smile on his face then... changed the shape of the ice to something like tentacles. "Learn not to mess with those who are quiet." Strax said, and the ice tentacles began to lift the girls'' bodies as they passed through their curves, unlike Hinna who was really uncomfortable... Vine... "Ahhh..." She moaned slightly as she felt the tentacle pass between her legs. "I- brother! D-deseculate!" Hinna said, but... "Good luck, I''m going to the city to find my lovely wife. That was the last word they heard before... "Please! Someone save us!" Hinna shouted, while Vine continued... well, I need to explain? Chapter 58: Saving a defenseless woman Strax left the mansion without waiting or speaking to anyone; he didn''t need to. His conviction was clear: he controlled his life, not his family. So, he simply walked away without any problems¡ªexcept for those two idiots who tried to attack him. "I''ll first look for my lovely wife, then find that bastard Carlos and talk to the Assassin Queen. After that, I need to start leveling up again. My strength is almost tripled now because of those extra points, which is good, but I can''t rely on that after putting a huge target on my back," he thought as he reached his horse, Apocalypse. "Hey, girl, sorry for taking so long. I had to deal with some foolish women who don''t know their place," he said with a smile, stroking the fur on Apocalypse''s neck. The horse neighed softly, as if speaking to Strax. "Yes, they don''t know their place. I should have punished them more," he said and mounted his saddle. "Can you take me to Samira?" he asked, and the horse nodded. "Thank you," he said, and they slowly rode through the city. Times were tough, and the conversation with Xenovia brought back many memories for Strax, especially that poorly remembered story. He remembered Xenovia''s sword, but... he had no idea how she obtained it, and his mind was completely jumbled. "This system... is doing things it shouldn''t do according to its name... I''ve read many webtoons and novels in my past life where the system did what it was supposed to do. Harem System? Why do you keep pushing me up and giving me things to get stronger? Shouldn''t you be helping me get women? This is confusing," he questioned, returning to the same thought as before. His analyses of the system were vague, his knowledge didn''t help him understand better, and it was all fueled by the system itself, which made Strax think about it, offering rewards and levels for understanding it better. So once again, exploring the system was the obvious thing to do, and Strax didn''t want to be controlled by something he didn''t know. "Ah~ There''s no point in thinking about this now. There are things to be done that I can''t ignore now... the voice... If Xenovia is right, one of the swords has already chosen me. I just need to keep going and survive until I can get close to it. After that, it will be bound to me forever, unlike those idiotic swords of Virgil and Dominic that have no connection to the spirits," he said, starting to increase his horse''s pace... [Multiple missions are being executed simultaneously. The System will enter Silent Mode to ensure the user does not experience a mental collapse. Just open the system tab to see your missions.] This message suddenly appeared, and Strax read it and sighed. "You should stop reading my thoughts and acting this way. Damn, it would be so much easier if you were an AI or something that I could talk to." [Advance the System.] He read, as if... "Are you kidding me? You turn into an AI? Damn, forget it! If you''re annoying just with messages, imagine as an AI!" He ranted... again... Strax looked at the man on the ground, who was now struggling to get up, and put his hand in front of his face. "If I see you near her again, I won''t be so gentle next time," Strax said coldly, and his hand began to turn cryogenic. "AAAAAA!!" The man screamed as Strax''s hand marked his face, freezing it and causing a burn in the shape of his hand. "Next time, it''s death," Strax said, as cold as winter, mounting back on Apocalypse. The horse neighed lightly in pleasure, as if approving Strax''s action. Well, companions are alike. The nun was still there, watching him with a look of gratitude. "You... you''re not from around here, are you?" Strax gave a small smile, though his eyes remained serious. "I was born in this city, but it seems they don''t like me much here, but that doesn''t matter. Take care." She gave a slight bow, her hair shining in the moonlight. "God bless you," she said softly. He touched the reins and Apocalypse started moving again, leaving the scene. The streets were still busy, and the people around continued to whisper about what they had just witnessed. But for a second, he questioned something... "Why didn''t I use Analyze?" This thought stuck in his mind. This time, however, he at least remembered Analyze, it was as if... he had completely erased the existence of this ability from his mind. "Not only did I not use Analyze in that situation, but... I haven''t used Analyze since I arrived in the Duchy. Not on my father or brothers, not even on Xenovia. I didn''t even remember its existence... isn''t that too strange?" He questioned himself, but was brought out of his thoughts by Apocalypse neighing for his attention. He found himself facing the hotel where Samira might be staying, where Apocalypse had led him. Well, he would have to arrive sooner or later. As he approached the hotel entrance, Strax dismounted from Apocalypse and handed the reins to one of the stable staff nearby. Then, he entered the hotel lobby, or rather, an inn. The receptionist looked up as Strax approached the counter, her eyes meeting his instantly. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked, her voice professional but friendly. Strax didn''t waste time on formalities. "I''m looking for my wife, Samira Blaze. Is she staying here?" The receptionist''s expression changed to one of recognition. "Ah, yes, Mrs. Blaze. Please follow me." She indicated the stairs, and Strax followed without hesitation. A few seconds later... "Strax!" a female voice exclaimed, standing up and running to embrace him. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear at any moment. Chapter 59: She is coming. They remained like that for a moment, lost in each other''s embrace and warmth, after all, it had been a while since they had seen each other... a few hours were too much for them! Soon, they finally separated, their eyes still filled with love and a bit hazy, as if every time they felt each other they were completely intoxicated by romance. Soon, Strax was the first to inquire. "How are you? After we parted ways earlier today, I ended up not being able to come back faster due to some issues... well, you know," Strax asked, again, explaining more than he should, but he didn''t mind, after all, he owed explanations to his wife, after all, she meant everything to him. Samira smiled, a gentle smile. "I''m fine, Strax. Worried, but fine. Where were you? What happened? I''m sure this meeting with your damn family wasn''t anything normal," she said calmly, but soon returned to her usual fierceness. Strax took a deep breath, preparing to share everything that had happened since he left the mansion. He knew he would hear some things that, well... He already knew Samira and knew what she would say, well, there was nowhere to run, right? Sure enough, Strax recounted everything that had happened, but she ignored everything and only commented on the last part; he was already expecting that, so he was already preparing himself. "You''ve been quite chivalrous lately, haven''t you?" Samira questioned, her eyes narrowing as she looked deeply at Strax as if she were about to stab him at any moment. "Hey, calm down! I just helped an innocent nun!" Strax said, raising his hands in surrender, but that didn''t convince Samira. "Tsk, you''re terrible," she bit her tongue as she accused him, her eyes still quite possessive as he approached her. "Stop this, I did it because I thought, ''What if it were my beautiful wives?'' Then I had to act, besides, I don''t like to think I''m neglecting a servant of God," Strax said with a charming smile, but Samira wasn''t going to fall for it. "Since when do you believe in gods? You''re a demon!!" She growled, Strax just smiled and hugged her tighter. "You love this demon, that makes you a demon too," Strax said, smiling at her. "You''re annoying," she said, surrendering to his arms. "And you love it," he murmured, leaning closer to her lips and kissing them gently. A very calm and controlled kiss, unlike usual. "Your lips still taste as good as ever," he said with a mischievous smile, and she just replied, "You''re still shameless"... A few hours passed, and Strax and Samira, after eating, were lying in bed talking. "Hinna and Vine... it''s been years since I heard about those two," Samira said, hugging Strax and laying her head on his chest. "Yeah, I barely remembered them at the same time, those two..." Strax said, seeming to remember many bad things. "What surprises me is Xenovia, she doesn''t seem..." Samira began to speak and Strax completed, "Different." "Of course, I would understand if she were just being cold with me, but worrying? That''s far from my expectations... besides, she wants to send me to that Idiotic Academy," Strax said, "That will be a problem for us, after all, I don''t plan on being away from you for anything in this world." Strax continued as he stroked Samira''s head. "I... Beatrice reflected for a moment. "Privacy is important, especially for Strax. He needs a place where he can recover and train without interruptions. However, we also need to be connected to the center, perhaps a property that offers a balance between the two things would be ideal, something with a training field but close to commerce." Monica flipped through the documents, picking one of the pages. "Here''s a property that seems to fit well. It''s a mansion located a reasonable distance from the center, surrounded by a forested area that ensures privacy; we can make a training field. At the same time, it''s only a short trip from the main facilities of the duchy." She said, she was really committed to getting a place for them, after all, it was also for her in a way. Beatrice took the document and read it carefully. The mansion was impressive, with enough land for future expansions and an environment that exuded tranquility. "This one seems perfect," she said, looking at Monica with a smile. "Let''s schedule a visit as soon as possible." Monica made a quick note. "Of course, madam. I''ll make the necessary arrangements as soon as we arrive at the Duchy." A few minutes later, Beatrice and Monica''s carriage finally approached the imposing gates of the duchy. The knights kept watch, watching carefully as the carriage approached. Beatrice, with her always elegant posture, observed the scene in front of her. Monica, beside her, organized the necessary documents for entry. "We''re finally here," Beatrice said, "Finally I''ll be able to see Darling." She said, "Yes, madam. Soon you''ll be able to see him again," replied Monica, a sweet smile on her lips. The carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the gates, and one of the guards approached, lightly tapping on the door. Monica opened the window and handed the guard the documents confirming her identity and the reason for their visit. "Beatrice Von Steinhardt," the older guard said, but she simply replied, "Strax Vorah''s wife." Coldly... upon hearing that... the guard gave a slight tremble and quickly responded, "You may pass!" The guard looked to the other two who held halberds for approval, and they nodded quickly... The gates began to open slowly, and the carriage continued its path... "What was that about?" Beatrice asked Monica, who didn''t even know what to say, only commented, "Perhaps he has caused some chaos around here before..." Meanwhile, Beatrice returned to looking out the window, absorbing the beauty and grandeur of the place. It was one of her first times coming to the Empire''s Capital, so everything was new to her. "Monica..." she murmured, "Yes?" Monica questioned after arranging all the documents in her small purse... "Why do I have the feeling that Strax isn''t alone?" She asked, feeling something... strange... "You''re overthinking it, aren''t you? I mean, he wouldn''t find another woman in two or three weeks," Monica said... "Well... I hope not." Chapter 60: Training with Xenovia The day did not start as well as Strax would have liked. Today he would have to meet with Xenovia again to discuss simple things and... "She wants to train you?" Samira questioned as she dressed, putting on her black, floral padded bra. "Yes, I also don''t understand why so suddenly," he replied. There was a lot to do, and he didn''t want to get involved with his family anymore. In fact, he wanted to distance himself from them at the first opportunity because they had completely abandoned him. "Xyn herself came to me a little earlier before you woke up. Honestly, I really don''t want to go, but I''m afraid that irrational woman will hunt me down through the city, causing even more problems for me." He sighed, hurt. He really didn''t want to see his sister... not because she was scary, but... well... apparently, he had forgotten many things or hadn''t been shown the whole story between them. "At least she is currently the best to train you. If you want to be stronger and protect me, you will have to work much harder than you do now," she said with a mischievous smile. "You''re getting quite used to this, aren''t you?" he said with a mischievous smile, advancing toward the woman and kissing her deeply on the lips. "So delicious," he said, holding her chin as he continued to kiss her intensely. Samira responded to the kiss, her hand sliding around his neck, pulling him closer. "Don''t worry, Darling. I know you''ll overcome this difficult day," she teased between kisses, her playful voice making Strax even more attached to her. "I hope so, if not... I might have to punish my wife," he said playfully, following her shameless teasing in kind. With a final kiss, Strax left the room, his mood a bit lighter, but he still didn''t want to face his sister. However, it was necessary. So, he left and mounted Apocalypse, heading towards the mansion. Strax walked through the mansion, feeling the growing tension as he approached the place where he would meet Xenovia. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. There was a lot at stake, and he needed to be at his best. Upon arriving at the main training hall, he found Xenovia already waiting for him. His sister stood there, imposing and with a calm expression, her eyes closed as if she were meditating or something similar. Soon, her voice resonated in the room. "You came," she said, her voice firm as she opened her eyes and looked at him. "Of course I came. Do I have any choice? Let''s get this over with," he replied. Xenovia really knew he didn''t want this, but she would force him anyway. In her mind, it was the only way to keep him safe. "This is going to be complicated..." she murmured internally. Xenovia observed him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Let''s begin," she said and tossed one of the swords to Strax. ''You''re doing well,'' she commented, her tone emotionless. ''But you need to be more efficient. Concentrate your energy. Imagine you''re redirecting the force out of your body, like an external barrier of mana, strengthening yourself this way.'' Again, she explained, but Strax was feeling far more than he showed externally; his legs were already trembling. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to visualize what she was saying. When the next blow came, he felt the difference. The impact still hurt, but it was more bearable. ''That''s it,'' Xenovia said, her tone slightly softer. ''Keep going. Don''t let the pain distract you.'' They continued for several more minutes, the sound of blows echoing through the hall. Strax started to sweat, but he was beginning to see results, so he kept going. He could feel his endurance increasing, his body adjusting to the rhythm of the training, and this made him want to continue even more. ''Now let''s change,'' Xenovia said, stopping suddenly. ''I want you to attack. Use all your strength. I want to see how much you can channel into a single blow.'' She said, and Strax picked up the sword. Unlike Xenovia, who could send attacks from a distance, he couldn''t. ''I''ll defend with the sword,'' she said, and he nodded. Strax took a deep breath, feeling his muscles tremble with effort. He advanced, launching a powerful strike at Xenovia without using any System abilities. She blocked it easily with her sword, but the impact made her take a few steps back. ''Impressive,'' she murmured, almost inaudible. ''Again,'' she said loudly, not allowing him to breathe or recover; this was also part of the training." Strax repeated the movement, each time putting more force into the strike. With every attack, he felt his energy concentrating more precisely. Xenovia continued to block as if his attacks were nothing, but he could see that he was making progress. "You''re improving," she admitted, finally letting a small smile escape. "But you still have a long way to go; you''re very weak." Strax smiled back, feeling something different. "So you can smile. I think it''s the first time I''ve seen that. I must be improving a lot if I get to see your smile more often," he teased, which only made Xenovia... become even more rigid. *WUUUSHHHHH* A gust of wind passed by, hitting him and throwing him back. "Crazy bitch," he muttered very quietly. After hours of intense training, the hall was marked with numerous cuts on the floor and walls, looking like a war had taken place inside. Strax was breathing heavily, every muscle in his body trembling with exhaustion. It felt like his muscles had been destroyed; there were various cuts on his body. Gasping, he heard, "That''s enough for today," Xenovia said, sheathing her sword and walking over to him. Her tone remained cold, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "You''ve shown progress. Your resistance is better, and your strength is being channeled more efficiently." "Should I call you sensei?" He smiled, but Xenovia merely ignored him. "Come back tomorrow," she said, looking at him with an expression difficult to decipher. She mentally analyzed him again, "You''re strong, Strax. Much stronger than you let on... this body... is not normal." Strax noticed Xenovia''s gaze. Xenovia seemed like she wanted to say something, and Strax picked up on it. "What is it? Is something wrong?" he questioned. She pressed her lips together as if wanting to say more, but only replied, "No, just rest a bit. We''ll continue tomorrow." Chapter 61: An irrational man Strax left the training grounds, his muscles still aching from the intense workout, but he felt a certain satisfaction with his progress. However, he was still irritated by having to leave Samira alone for such training. Walking through the mansion''s corridors, he overheard some staff whispering among themselves. "The failure of Vorah, how does a man like that have the nerve to come back?" someone muttered, but Strax pretended not to hear. He was used to these murmurs by now; it wasn''t the first nor the last time, but it didn''t lessen the irritation he felt each time he heard it. "You''ll see the failure of Vorah soon enough, you wretches," he murmured to the maids. Even though they couldn''t hear him, the intensity of Strax''s presence made them scurry away. "Tsk, lucky for you I can''t do anything about it yet, or your heads would have rolled already." He continued his path, wanting to leave this unpleasant place as quickly as possible. However, by a twist of fate, he didn''t expect to encounter Diana Vorah, his stepmother, standing in front of him as if waiting for him. She was elegantly dressed in a sensual black dress, as always, her gaze fixed on Strax. "Hello, Strax," Diana said, her tone soft but with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. It was clear she had been waiting for him. "You look exhausted. How was the training with Xenovia?" She commented while running her fingers over her lips in a rather... provocative manner. "It was... tiring," he replied, trying to keep a neutral tone and avoid any explanation to her, as it wasn''t her business. "But it was quite productive. She hit, I took it, and when I hit, I took it too." He shrugged, causing the woman to laugh lightly with amusement. "Haha, I can imagine, she''s a monster, isn''t she?" Diana said, taking a step forward, her gaze softening a bit. "I''m glad to hear that. You know how much that irrational woman has been worried about you, don''t you?" Strax raised an eyebrow at that. "She wants something," he thought. "Ah~ I can already guess what it is." A phrase from just a few days ago flashed through his memory; "What did you mean by ''You''re too beautiful to be wasted on an incompetent'' little boy?" Diana said with a slightly mischievous smile. "Did I say something wrong? As far as I can imagine, that man has never touched you, or am I wrong?" Strax smiled provocatively. Diana paused for a moment, her eyes fixed on Strax, as if deciding how to respond, but they seemed furious. "You have always been bold, Strax," she finally said, her voice soft but with a touch of amusement. "And to answer your question, no, you''re not wrong." Strax took a step forward, his presence imposing, but his eyes locked on hers. "Then you understand what I meant. You deserve more than that, Diana. Much more." He said, trying to enchant her. "Incubus, work," he thought. She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly do you think I deserve, Strax?" He stepped even closer, his voice low and intense, almost whispering. "You deserve someone who sees your true strength and beauty, not just as a piece in a power game. Someone who values you for who you are." Diana remained silent for a moment, her emotions mixed. "You are very perceptive and bold for your age, Strax. And quite daring, to court your own father''s wife." "I only say what I see," he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "And what I see is a woman who deserves to be happy." [A hidden mission has begun.] He read those words and smiled, knowing his objective was just starting; he would take everything he could... She smiled, a smile that contained a mixture of gratitude and something deeper. "Maybe you''re right," she said softly. "Maybe I do deserve more. But who could truly give me my worth? I wonder about that, after all, I''m quite a costly woman, don''t you agree?" Strax just smiled. "The world turns, ''Mommy,''" he said provocatively, something that wasn''t entirely wrong in a sense. "Analyze." He finally remembered and used Analyze on Diana, revealing just the basics about this woman who intrigued him quite a bit. [Name: Diana Vorah "Saving time," he said simply, walking swiftly towards Apocalypse. He placed her on the saddle with a firm movement, mounting right behind her. Monica stiffened, feeling the warmth of Strax''s body against hers, his hands holding her securely by the waist. "T-This isn''t necessary!" she protested, trying to move, but he held her more firmly. "Stay still, Monica," he said softly but with an authoritative tone that brooked no argument. Monica blushed deeply, feeling Strax''s strong body pressed against her back. His touch was firm but not uncomfortable, and she found herself struggling against the blush rising in her cheeks. "This irrational man..." Monica murmured in her thoughts, not entirely rejecting the situation but finding it quite complicated for her. "Strax, I..." "Don''t worry, Monica," he interrupted, keeping the reins firmly as he gave a gentle command to Apocalypse to move forward. "Just relax. I won''t let anything happen to you." She tried to protest again, but the sensation of his body so close left her speechless. The steady rhythm of the mare, combined with the warmth emanating from Strax, made her feel sensations she had never experienced in her life. "Alright," she finally murmured, resigning herself to the situation and trying to calm down. She could feel Strax''s heartbeat strong against her back, making her blush even more. Thus, Strax made yet another bold move with another woman in his life. [New Missions Have Emerged, keep up the good progress.] "Stupid system... does it keep giving me missions just for touching different women?" he thought, but he knew it wasn''t exactly that... As they rode through the estate''s grounds, Strax''s thoughts drifted to his plans. His encounter with Diana had set a new path in motion, one that required careful maneuvering and strategic alliances. Monica''s presence added another layer to his intricate web of relationships and objectives. Monica, on the other hand, found herself in a whirlwind of emotions. Strax''s sudden assertiveness had caught her off guard, but there was a certain reassurance in his presence. Despite her initial discomfort, she couldn''t deny the underlying sense of security he provided. The journey back to Beatrice''s new home was quicker than expected. As they approached the gates, Monica couldn''t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Strax''s hold on her never wavered, and she found herself leaning into him, even if just slightly, for comfort. Upon reaching the destination, Strax dismounted first, then helped Monica down with surprising gentleness. She steadied herself, still flushed from the ride, and looked at him with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Thank you," she said softly, not sure what else to say. Strax nodded, his expression serious but with a hint of a smile. "You''re welcome. Let''s go see Beatrice." As they walked towards the house, Monica couldn''t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger. Strax''s confidence and determination were infectious, and she found herself oddly drawn to the young man who seemed to have the world at his feet. Inside, Beatrice awaited them, her eyes lighting up as she saw Strax. "You''re here! Finally!" she exclaimed, rushing to embrace him. Strax returned the embrace, a sense of purpose solidifying within him. He had plans, and with each step, he was closer to achieving them. Monica watched the reunion, her own thoughts a jumble of emotions and newfound respect for the young man who seemed capable of defying all odds. Chapter 62: Spending time with Samira (R-18) The journey to Strax''s new home was relatively short, but for Monica, every minute seemed to stretch endlessly. She tried to focus on the horizon or anything else: the sounds of the city around her, people, animals, carriages, buildings¡ªliterally anything to distract herself from Strax''s strong presence so close by. However, with each movement of the horse, she felt his grip on her waist, a constant reminder that she was being protected. When they reached their destination, Strax stopped Apocalypse and gently helped her dismount. Monica, still blushing, tried to compose herself while he dismounted behind her. "Calm down!" she shouted to herself, but she was truly falling into the abyss of Strax''s eyes when she looked at him. "CALM DOWN!" she screamed inwardly, closing her eyes to avoid staring at him directly, while Strax... Well, he was enjoying the moment. Despite having a System that encouraged him to pursue women, he had decided to readily choose those who made him happiest, and perhaps, Monica, who was truly a mystery¡ªa disguised cultivator¡ªhad slightly enchanted him. After setting her down, "Thanks for the ride," she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice still trembled slightly, and she avoided eye contact. Due to the clear height difference, Strax placed his hand on her head and gently patted it. "I won''t come in now; I have matters to attend to with an assassins'' guild, and I need to bring Samira along. Beatrice already expected not to be my only wife, so she''ll probably accept it well¡ªat least I hope so," Strax said. He was really too tired now to face Beatrice and her antics. "I''ll be back tomorrow afternoon after training, alright?" he said, and Monica agreed. He then moved closer, startling Monica, who took a few steps back, but Strax''s hand held her. Slowly, he approached her face and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you for taking care of her for me. You both are important, take care of each other," Strax said, stepping back and smiling. "A-Alright!" she said quickly, bowed, and ran into the mansion. "So cute, but this served a purpose after all... this woman is not a danger; in fact, she''s a good ally," Strax said. He already had some suspicions about who Monica could be, but was that necessary now? As long as Beatrice was protected, everything was fine with him. With a final glance at the new house, he mounted Apocalypse again and headed towards the inn. He was in a pensive mood... "My Stats are all close to or above 20, but that''s not enough... Even training my body hasn''t increased any Stats, so the Status Sheet is only related to what the System gave me and not my entire body... This is complicated," he thought. Many things had been bothering him about the System, which constantly seemed to either prevent him from advancing or not provide the tools for it. "I don''t want anything easily, but this is getting frustrating. It seems broken again, but I can''t ignore that this is still a Harem System, not a System to become the strongest. But offering tools to become stronger this way... Maybe I need to have a lot of sex?" His thoughts were almost delirious, but it wasn''t his fault, without any instructions from the System and having to figure everything out on his own. "So complicated." He sighed, realizing he was already approaching the inn where Samira was staying. Apocalypse stopped gently in front of the inn, and Strax quickly dismounted. He patted the mare''s neck, silently thanking her for being a reliable companion. "Mmm..." Samira moaned softly, her nimble fingers undoing the buttons of his shirt, eager to feel his skin against hers. "I need you," she whispered, her voice heavy with desire as her hands traveled down his abdomen, feeling each tense muscle beneath her fingers. "Now." He gently laid her down on the bed, kissing her deeply as his hands explored every inch of her body. Samira arched her back, feeling the heat of excitement grow inside her as he moved lower, his lips and tongue tracing a path of fire along her skin. When he finally reached her pussy, she was wet and ready, every fiber of her being craving his touch. "S-Strax, please," she moaned, her hips moving involuntarily towards him. He smiled against her skin and began to lick her with intensity, his hands firmly holding her thighs as his tongue worked magic on her clit. "AAAAH," Samira let out a loud moan, her fingers tangling in his hair as her body trembled with pleasure. "Yes, like that... don''t stop," she pleaded, feeling the pleasure build inside her like an uncontrollable tide. "I''m almost there..." With one last skillful move, he brought her to a peak climax, her body arching as waves of pleasure coursed through her like lightning. "Oh, Strax!" she cried out, her nails digging into the sheets as her body surrendered to ecstasy. Samira looked at him with half-closed eyes, a smile of pure satisfaction on her lips. "Come, fuck me," she said, her legs opening for him. "Fill me up until I can''t take any more." He needed no further encouragement. Aligning his hard cock with her entrance, he began to penetrate her slowly, savoring the feeling of every inch of his shaft being engulfed by her warm, tight pussy. They both moaned in pleasure as he finally buried himself completely inside her. "You''re so tight," he murmured, starting to move inside her, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through their bodies. "You drive me crazy." "Faster, darling," she urged, her hips meeting his rhythm, seeking more, wanting more. "Don''t stop." He increased his pace, his thrusts becoming stronger and deeper, each movement bringing them closer to the edge. "Samira... I''m almost there," he warned, feeling the pressure build inside him. "Me too," she moaned, her nails digging into his back. With one last desperate thrust, they both surrendered to the pleasure, their bodies shaking as their orgasms washed over them. "Ah!" Samira cried out, her body trembling as she felt his hot cum fill her pussy. "Damn, that was good," he murmured, his voice breathless as he released inside her, feeling a connection from his member to the woman in his arms who was thoroughly satisfied, but... "Ready for the next round?" she asked with a smile after recovering from her orgasm. Chapter 63: The two wives meet... As the sun began to rise, Strax approached the new mansion Beatrice had purchased. It was located in a prime spot, not too far from the city center and conveniently close to all necessary shops. He had seen it briefly when he brought Monica, but it had been nearly dark, making it difficult to properly assess the structure. Now, however... "This must have cost a fortune..." Strax thought as he took in the magnificent construction, with its light stone walls and large windows reflecting the golden sunrise in his eyes. There was a well-kept garden in front, with colorful flowers and a marble fountain at its center. The solid wooden doors were intricately decorated, exuding luxury. "I thought the Steinhardts were poor..." Samira commented, sitting close to Strax on Apocalipse. "So did I," he admitted. "Well, we don''t have time to just admire it." Strax said, pulling out a key Monica had given him. He dismounted the horse to open the main gate, which was unattended. "She probably spent all the money on the house and forgot about the staff, right?" Samira suggested. Strax couldn''t help but smile, knowing it was likely true. Despite Monica being by his side, it didn''t mean she controlled 100% of Beatrice''s interests and decisions. "Let''s go in." Strax said, leading the way after opening the gate. He was genuinely eager to see Beatrice and even more eager to have something to call "home," something he didn''t really know the feeling of. He reached the front door, took a deep breath and... "Let''s do this." He said, opening the door and stepping into the main hall, greeted by the soft sound of laughter and conversation from two women ahead. The hall was spacious, not as grand as his family''s mansion, but very pleasant, with polished marble floors and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The walls were adorned with tapestries and old paintings he had seen in Beatrice''s previous home, adding an elegant touch. "Wow," Samira said, looking around. "I''m here," Strax announced loudly, catching the attention of the two women who had been engrossed in their conversation. "Darling!" Beatrice''s cheerful voice echoed through the space. She ran towards him with a wide smile on her face. She was... very dressed up. Her loose, slightly curly hair was a light purple, almost silver, her amber-gold eyes gleaming, and she wore an elegant black dress that highlighted all her curves. "She''s... ready to pounce on me," he thought with a smile. "Not that it''s a bad thing." Strax simply opened his arms and she threw herself into them, wrapping him in a warm, tight hug. "Missed me?" he asked playfully, and she just smiled and nodded. "Monica told me," he laughed. Monica gave a slight nod, acknowledging her role, and she seemed fine with it. "The house is beautiful," he commented next. "I knew you''d like it! I loved it when I saw it!" she responded, taking a step back. Strax held her hand and murmured, "I need to introduce you to someone..." Beatrice looked behind him, noticing the woman with orange hair in a white dress looking at them with neutral eyes, like a lion ready to pounce. They''d probably accept because it''s profitable." They spent the next few hours discussing training strategies and possible problems and solutions for the future. Even Monica was part of the conversation because she truly understood the world, and Strax knew she could help. After all, she hid her cultivation from everyone except his eyes. Beatrice suggested doing group training to improve coordination and combat skills when Strax wasn''t training with Xenovia. Samira, in turn, spoke about the importance of strengthening individual skills and finding a balance between physical training and rest. "I think it''s a good idea, even though I can''t be with you all the time," said Strax. "We can start with small group training sessions in the morning and then each person can focus on their specific skills in the afternoon. This way, we can all improve and still have time to rest and recharge." Beatrice agreed. "That sounds like a plan. Besides, we need to ensure the house is secure. Monica and I are working on that, hiring some people, but it would be good to do a complete review of the defenses, especially since we are being targeted by your jealous brothers." "That''s right," commented Samira. "We can start tomorrow. Meanwhile, let''s enjoy tonight and relax a bit. We all deserve a rest." With the plan set, they decided to explore more of the house. Beatrice guided them through the corridors, showing the bedrooms, the library, and finally the garden in the back. It was a spacious area with fruit trees, various flowers, and a well-equipped training area. "It''s perfect," commented Strax, looking around. "We can train outdoors and enjoy nature." Samira smiled, picking an apple from one of the trees. "And we even have fresh fruit. Really, Beatrice, you thought of everything." Beatrice laughed. "I wanted it to be a complete home for us. A place where we can feel safe and happy." After the tour, they returned to the living room and settled again on the sofas. Monica returned, bringing more tea and a freshly baked cake. "I hope you like it," she said, serving the slices. "Thank you, Monica," said Beatrice, taking a slice. "You''ve been a great help." Monica smiled shyly. "It''s a pleasure to serve. I''m glad you''re all enjoying the house." Thus, the day came to an end. Chapter 64: Everything as it should be The sun had barely risen, but Strax was already out of bed and getting ready to face another day of rigorous training with that monster disguised as his sister. He dressed carelessly, and after a simple breakfast of eggs and bacon, he mounted Apocalypse and headed straight for the Vorah Family territory, specifically to his sister''s mansion. "I hope today isn''t another day of nearly dying or feeling like I''m about to die... at least she doesn''t use a sword to hit me, just wind impacts... imagine if that hit my flesh? I''d be dead!" He was already somewhat tired of feeling like he might die at any moment, but he had no choice; he needed to get a sword from the Sword Garden. Finally, he arrived at the location without any issues, though three minutes late, and was met with a cold look from Xenovia. She had already prepared the entire place waiting for him, and he was late, which didn''t make her very happy... "Damn, was he having fun with his wife?" She wondered mentally, without letting her expression betray her thoughts. She quickly questioned him, "Are you ready?" Her voice firm and emotionless, something that really bothered Strax in a way. "Yes, I am." Strax replied seriously, his eyes fixed on the woman who began explaining the day''s training. "Today, we will focus on your endurance and bodily and mana control. You have been learning to channel your energy effectively to maximize your potential, but you need more control over everything you possess." She explained, taking a combat stance that Strax was very familiar with. He sighed internally, nodded, and positioned himself in the center of the hall. Xenovia began the training with basic endurance exercises, testing Strax''s new capabilities after the first training session. Once again, he endured the increasingly powerful attacks that Xenovia delivered, each stronger than the last, but he resisted without moving, concentrating his energy on protecting himself and enduring the pain. This was the best way for warriors like Strax to learn about their limits, by feeling it firsthand. "Concentrate, imagine you are creating a skin over your own, a shell, like armor, strengthening from the inside out," Xenovia instructed, her voice calm but demanding. Strax closed his eyes, visualizing the energy flowing through his body, forming a thin protective layer around him. The blows returned, each impact felt different, becoming more bearable, lighter, and more contained. After several minutes of incessant strikes, Xenovia stopped and observed him with that evaluating look that made Strax uncomfortable. "Frightening..." He thought. "You did better than before, but you need more refinement." Xenovia admitted, giving a small nod of approval. "Now, let''s work on mana. We need to go beyond what you know. I want you to channel your energy to create that same ice sword from before, using your strength to mold the mana into a weapon as robust as steel." She said, sitting on the ground, waiting for him to begin. Strax looked at him, intrigued. "Oh really? She judged me worthy?" He said with a smile. "She has determined that you can be beneficial to her," he replied firmly. "I see, a deal, I presume," Strax said, "Time and place, and we shall talk." Carlos listened and stood up, bowing slightly. "I will find you on the day of the meeting. Please be careful tonight," he said, and quickly disappeared back into the shadows. Mounting Apocalypse, he continued his way home, still on alert while trying not to think of anything other than getting home. "I wonder what kind of woman you are, Miss Assassin," Strax thought. Again turning the nearby corner, he found himself once more facing the nun he had saved. Strax didn''t dismount from Apocalypse and talked to the woman in front of him. "You seem busy again, aren''t you?" He said, and the woman looked at him with a rather... cute smile. "I was helping the orphanage again. They were causing a ruckus once more! They never tire!" She said quickly, seeming angry but sweet. "You seem to always be helping others," Strax commented with a smile, she shrugged modestly. "I guess it''s my calling, but tell me... what is your name? Last time you left in a hurry," she commented, seeming to want to repay him in some way. "It''s Strax, just Strax," he said. "Alright! Whenever you have time, come to the orphanage or the church! I''m always in one of those places, I could pray for you! Oh yes! My name is Cristine, Cristine Blair," she said, bowing. "Thank you very much for saving me last time!" She thanked, Strax just smiled and asked her to rise. "Raise your head, you''re like me, feel free to come to me whenever you want. I''m going home now, but I''ll come see you sometime," Strax said, and Cristine nodded, understanding. "The path of a knight is arduous but rewarding. If you need anything, I''m here to help!" She said, Strax could feel the determination in her gaze, he kept his smile and understood, "Thank you, Sister Cristine. Your kindness is a relief amidst so much chaos." "Well, I need to get back to the house. I have much to do today before resting," Strax finally said, ready to leave and return home. "Of course, take care, Strax. And remember, you''re never alone, God is always by your side!" Cristine replied, giving him an encouraging smile. Strax nodded, thanking her again before heading on his way. Upon arriving at the mansion, Strax found Beatrice and Samira waiting for him at the entrance. Both seemed worried, but upon seeing him, their faces lit up. "Strax, are you okay?" Beatrice asked, running to hug him first, which made Samira... well, not very happy about it. "Yes, I am. Just had a long day," he replied, hugging her back. "Come here, you too," he said, calling Samira, who kissed him quickly. "All as it should be," he thought. Chapter 65: A day of shopping The sun rose again, and a new day began brilliantly, illuminating all the busy streets of the Duchy. Strax and Samira walked hand in hand, side by side, enjoying the fresh air as they ventured through the city. "Why do you think Xenovia canceled her training today?" Samira asked as she looked at the streets filled with merchants, artisans, and adventurers of all kinds. "I don''t know, she''s not someone who cancels commitments so easily," Strax said, observing the diversity of people and goods that truly captivated him. "What exactly are we doing here? And why did I come with you? I thought you''d want to spend time with Beatrice," Samira said, looking at a merchant selling small jade vases. "We need some training tools, and you have more experience than I do in shopping and battles, so it''s the perfect task for you, Little Fire," Strax said, smiling. She pouted slightly, "Hmph! Alright. And we need to get some things for the house, it still feels a bit empty," she huffed. Over time, they passed by various stalls, tents, and large shops, each displaying a wide range of tools and different trinkets. Eventually, Samira spotted something. "Look, that store seems interesting," she pointed to a large shop with a variety of armored mannequins and hanging swords, as well as training equipment like gloves and some polishing artifacts. Strax decided to follow his excited companion. "Alright, let''s take a look." As they approached, they were greeted by a middle-aged woman who was truly beautiful, with a warm smile on her face. "Welcome! My name is Liora! Can I help you find something specific?" They looked at each other, a bit startled by the charming saleswoman, who was really different from the others they had visited earlier. "We''re looking for tools to aid in training and cultivation," Strax spoke first, taking the lead. He glanced at the displayed weapons and equipment, "Mainly something to help with hand-to-hand combat." Liora smiled and nodded. "You''ve come to the right place. We have a wide variety of training equipment. Wooden swords, weights, practice targets... everything you might need." As Liora showed them the different items, Strax and Samira tried out some of them. Strax picked up a well-balanced wooden sword, while Samira chose a set of adjustable weights that could be used as weighted cuffs for training body control, something that caught Strax''s eye. He wanted to get better accustomed to and train at the same time, so he really had come to the right place. "Why don''t you have a little training duel right here?" Liora suggested, with a sparkle in her eyes. "Are you sure? I wouldn''t want to break anything before buying it..." Strax said, but Liora just smiled, "It''s always good to test the equipment before buying, isn''t it? If they break, it means they aren''t good enough." Strax and Samira exchanged glances, both smiling at the idea. "Why not?" Samira said, positioning herself with the weights on her hands and feet. They moved to an open area near the shop, where there was enough space for a duel. Liora and some curious passersby stopped to watch. After several hours of exploring, they decided to return home, having bought some weapons, jewelry, and sweets throughout the day. It was something they hadn''t expected to do, as the simple task of buying training equipment had turned into a rather fun outing. As they walked back, Strax reflected on how the day had been... "What a calm day... more days should be like this," he thought, looking at his finger and seeing the ring he had acquired, feeling a certain curiosity about it. "I''ll need to see a master craftsman to see if he can tell me more about this ring, maybe it''s a talisman or a rare enchantment," he thought, continuing to walk while holding Samira''s hand. "It was a good day," he said, looking at Samira. "We needed this." "Yes... I never thought I''d walk hand in hand and go shopping with someone... it''s really a new experience," Samira said with a shy smile. "You''ll still have many new experiences, don''t worry," Strax said, and they continued to walk in silence, enjoying each other''s presence without any outside interruptions. When they arrived home, Strax helped Samira carry the small items they had bought. "We''ll try out these training tools another time since Xenovia will probably ask you to come back for training tomorrow. Leave them with Monica and let her know about Liora''s delivery," she said, and Strax agreed. Xenovia would likely disrupt his moments with his wives, so it was better to wait until all that was over. "Agreed," Samira responded. "And maybe we can use the new jewelry for a special night soon." She smiled, "Oh, what are you planning, huh?" Strax questioned while hugging her from behind, holding her waist. "I''m not telling you," she said as he turned her around and planted a passionate kiss on her lips... *Smooch* Strax laughed. "I like the idea," he said, pulling back from the kiss. "Impulsive as always. Should I punish you?" Samira asked, and Strax whispered in her ear, "Like in the bathroom?" Samira had a brief flashback and turned completely red, pushing him away. "Cheeky," she said, turning her face. And again, another tiring day came to an end. The night filled the skies and the mansion. They went inside and settled in the living room, sharing some bread and sweets they had bought at the market while discussing the various problems that could arise... But in the distance... "He seems like an interesting man," a female voice echoed from the darkness of a rooftop of one of the houses. "Master, I..." the kneeling male voice tried to speak but was interrupted. "It''s okay, it''s my fault for not being more responsible. I should have checked better and sent the best by your side. That man is strong, very strong. The duel he had... he almost surpassed a cultivator several levels above him. Samira Blaze is by his side as a lover... He is not ordinary. We''ll observe a bit longer." "Yes..." Chapter 66: Troubles, and a sad wife In the depths of the city, hidden from the curious eyes of common citizens, there existed a place known to only a few: the headquarters of the Guild of Shadows, an assassins'' guild. The unassuming and unadorned building, almost abandoned in appearance, concealed a meticulous and lethal organization. Within its walls, the atmosphere was indeed... complicated, to say the least. The guild master, a woman known only as "The Black Blade," sat like a queen in a meeting with her best assassins. "Xenovia is closing in on us, all because we took that stupid contract with one of her family''s sons," The Black Blade said. She dressed like a shadow, revealing only her blue eyes. Her voice was calm like an angel''s but tinged with a hint of worry. "We shouldn''t have meddled with her, and she won''t stop until she finds out where and with whom we are. We need a plan." The assassins, sitting around a sturdy wooden table, listened intently without uttering a word. Among them was Carlos, the envoy who had recently made contact with the youngest heir, Strax. He knew the situation had become complicated. Initially, Xenovia wouldn''t have come after them; she wouldn''t have cared. After all, the Guild of Shadows was quite large and had many ways to counter brute force. But Xenovia was different. She was a Supreme, as those who couldn''t be challenged directly or indirectly were called. Like Albert D''Vorah, Xenovia was relentless when she wanted something. "Master," Carlos began, choosing his words carefully as this was a serious moment, and he couldn''t afford to joke with those present at this meeting. "The situation has changed. Strax Vorah already wanted to meet you, so why not change our plans and seek an alliance with him? Xenovia only started pursuing us after we began watching him." He said, hoping for a positive response. The Black Blade sighed, running a hand through her ashen hair. "We''ve already discussed our meeting. Simply approaching him directly would reveal our location. When I agreed to meet him, we didn''t have this problem with Xenovia. We need to change our approach if we want a chance to talk to him. She has started watching us very closely; any false move, and we''re finished." Another assassin, a woman named Lena, raised her hand. "Master, we can use our contacts within the Nobility. Maybe they can create a distraction or provide information about Xenovia''s location. If she''s far from him, the meeting can occur peacefully." The Black Blade shook her head. "It''s a good idea, Lena. However... we''re talking about a woman with a Legendary sword who can use black flames to teleport. We don''t know the range of that, but I''m sure it''s quite extensive. If we can''t find a solution, I will act personally, with my true identity." She said. Everyone looked at her, shocked, as no one knew her true identity, not even Carlos, who was the closest to her. Risking it meant a lot. "Carlos, do you believe Strax will come to the meeting? You''re the person who''s interacted with him the most," The Black Blade said. "I believe so. He''s perceptive. I think he''s already noticed we''re watching him; after all, he sensed my presence in the alley," he commented. The Black Blade smiled slightly behind her mask. "I hope you''re truly the one who came to save me," she thought, then said, "Great, continue with the precautions and stay hidden until this problem is resolved. I don''t want any assassins on the streets. And Carlos, keep an eye on him until the meeting. We''ll need any possible information." She said, and everyone vanished. Back to the main scene... The mansion was quite quiet... Unlike others, Strax remembered his childhood with this woman and knew she was his first love. Although he was no longer just Strax, being two people in one, he still knew the truth in his heart. He became Strax, and Strax became him. That''s why he accepted Beatrice, because despite everything, she was still a decent woman who was used, just as he was used by her parents for money. She was a victim, just like him, and that''s why he accepted her from the beginning. Strax sat beside Beatrice and pulled her closer, looking into her eyes. "Beatrice, I don''t know what''s been going through your mind, what you''ve done, or thought about me and our relationship, but I know you well. I know who you are and that you wouldn''t do something like that for no reason. So, if you want to be forgiven, just stay by my side. You''re special to me, and that won''t change because of a mistake caused by others." Beatrice finally met Strax''s gaze, tears forming in her eyes. "Do you really think so?" she asked, still a bit insecure. "I''m sure of it," Strax responded firmly. "We''re together, aren''t we? Then we''ll continue to stay together." Beatrice smiled timidly, wiping away the tears. "I''m sorry, I was overthinking," she said, making Strax smile. Strax hugged her, feeling the weight of her insecurity lift a little. He looked at her for a moment, now seemingly calmer, smiled, and kissed her forehead. "You are mine and no one else''s," he whispered in her ear. Beatrice felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, the closeness and certainty in Strax''s voice soothing her worries. She snuggled closer into his embrace, feeling the warmth and firmness of his body against hers. "Thank you for always being here for me," she murmured softly. Strax pulled back slightly to look into her eyes again, a loving smile playing on his lips. "I always will be," he promised, his fingers gently caressing her face, wiping away the last traces of tears. "Now, let''s enjoy this moment. Just the two of us." He leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a tender, yet passionate kiss. Beatrice responded to the kiss, feeling all the love and security he offered. His hands slid down her back, pulling her even closer, while she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. It was time for a romantic scene to happen, and he really wanted it. "Now, let''s enjoy this moment. Just the two of us." Chapter 67: Fuck me already (R-18) Beatrice felt a wave of desire wash over her body. Strax''s hands explored every inch of her back, and she couldn''t help but let out a small moan against his lips. He pulled her even closer, feeling her body pressed against his. The sensation was intoxicating. "Now, let''s enjoy this moment. Just the two of us," he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a tender yet passionate kiss. Beatrice responded to the kiss, feeling all the love and security he offered. His hands slid down her back, pulling her even closer, while she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Beatrice felt a wave of desire wash over her body. Strax''s hands explored every inch of her back, and she couldn''t help but let out a small moan against his lips. "Mmmm... slow down," she said, but he pulled her even closer, feeling her body pressed against his. The sensation was intoxicating. Beatrice pulled away slightly, breathless, locking eyes with Strax with a burning intensity. "You mean everything to me," she said, her voice hoarse with desire. He smiled, his heart racing. "And you mean everything to me," he replied, his fingers gently tracing her jawline. He took her hand and guided her to the bed, where he laid her down gently. He hovered over her, their bodies still intertwined. Strax began kissing her neck, each kiss sending waves of pleasure through her body. His hands explored every inch of her skin, caressing her gently yet with a firmness that made her tremble with desire. Beatrice sighed contentedly, her fingers tangling in Strax''s hair. "I want..." she whispered, her voice filled with need. "Is that so?" he replied playfully, his hands moving to her hips, holding her with a possessiveness that made her ache inside. His hands began to delve into her clothing, skillfully making their way to her breasts. "Hmmm," she moaned as she felt the cool touch of his hands on her breasts, which had already begun to harden. He smiled, feeling her nipples harden beneath his fingers. "You like that, don''t you?" he murmured, his lips now trailing down to her chest, leaving a trail of hot kisses, while he held her blouse and pulled it up, revealing only her bra, which he had already undone with his heavy hands as he appreciated that pair of breasts. Beatrice arched her back, pressing herself further into Strax''s hands. "Yes... Don''t stop..." she begged, her voice interrupted by soft moans. Strax ripped off her clothes, eagerly, but she felt almost nothing, just inert in that feeling. Strax''s fingers skillfully moved over her nipples as her slightly loose bra fell, stroking Beatrice''s breasts with precision, teasing her with every touch. He could feel her body''s response, the way she trembled under his touch, and that only increased his desire. "You''re so beautiful," he whispered, nibbling lightly on her earlobe. Strax pulled her closer, Beatrice''s nails lightly scratching his back. "I need this inside you," she almost whispered, her voice filled with excitement. He then began sucking her breasts, with a will and strength much greater than the last time. Beatrice felt a shiver run down her spine at being teased, Strax could see the blush on her cheeks as her body responded to the invitation, she let go of her shyness and with a mischievous smile nodded, "I''m more than ready," she replied, her voice filled with desire. "I want to feel you inside me, filling me completely." Strax smiled, his desire burning even more intensely, with a gentle movement, he positioned her, getting ready to enter her. Beatrice felt her heart race with the touch of Strax''s "Big Brother" at the entrance of her wet cavity, with a smooth movement, he positioned her, preparing to enter her. Beatrice felt her heart race with anticipation, after all, it had been a long time since she felt Strax''s virility inside her. She longed to feel the deep connection between them... "Fuck me already..." She murmured, and Strax was happy to fulfill her wish, and then, finally, he penetrated her, his entry slow and deliberate, savoring every little throb of his cock entering her. "Ahnw" Beatrice let out a cute moan of pleasure as he filled her completely, her body responding to his touch with overwhelming intensity. She could feel every inch of him inside her, every movement sending waves of pleasure throughout her being. Strax began to move, his hips pounding against hers in a rhythmic and passionate pace. Each thrust was an explosion of sensations, each moan an expression of his burning desire. "Oh, yes, deeper!" Beatrice pleaded, her eyes shining with lust as she surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure that Strax provided her. He looked at her with a hungry gaze, his expression truly beautiful in his eyes. "You like it like this, don''t you?" Strax murmured, his voice husky and full of desire as he continued to sink into her, each thrust sending waves of pleasure throughout her body. "Yes, yes, fuck me harder!" Beatrice moaned, her hands gripping the sheets tightly as she surrendered completely to the moment, her body arching in ecstasy under Strax''s domination. He smiled with satisfaction, his movements becoming more intense and voracious as they approached climax. "You''re mine, Beatrice," he growled, his words filled with possessiveness and desire as he took her with overwhelming passion. "Yes, all yours! Fill me up completely!" Beatrice screamed, her voice echoing through the room as she surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure he provided her, her body trembling with waves of ecstasy coursing through her. And then, finally, they reached the peak of pleasure together, a cry of ecstasy escaping Beatrice''s lips as she was consumed by overwhelming waves of pleasure. Beatrice was in a state of ecstasy and lust, completely surrendered to pleasure. As he withdrew his cock from inside her, she felt flooded by his hot and sticky essence, filling every part of her pussy. Her insides pulsated with his presence, the swollen and sensitive lips witnessing the intensity of the moment. Without hesitation, Beatrice acted on impulse, guided by the overwhelming desire that consumed her. With her own hands, she descended to her pussy, her fingers exploring the wet and slippery depths. The white liquid flowed out of her, an intoxicating mixture of pleasure and intimacy. And then, in a bold and provocative gesture, Beatrice brought her fingers to her mouth, savoring the mixture of cum and her own fluids with voracious lust. She drank every drop, her lips enveloping her fingers as she sucked them eagerly, her body trembling with the forbidden pleasure of that bold act. Finally, she looked at him and said, "So delicious, why don''t you come here and fuck me some more?" Chapter 68: The scary and cute sister Strax woke up the next day, remembering almost nothing of what had happened. After all, it had been an intense night of sex, and even his hips ached from the vigorous movements he had made. He left the bedroom without waking Beatrice and descended the stairs. The soft morning light had already penetrated the mansion''s windows. He didn''t go for breakfast; he just left, feeling a familiar presence. "I was sure you''d come earlier," Strax said, seeing the Phoenix hovering. "I wanted to, but the brat caused a huge problem at that mansion. Knock some sense into her; she''s waiting for you," Xyn said and flew ahead. "At least you let me talk a bit..." Strax murmured. "She''s gone for two days, and the first thing my sword tells me is to knock some sense into her. Seriously... what am I going to face today?" He lowered his head and started walking, holding a carrot in his hand. "Come on, girl, we have quite a day ahead," he said, giving the carrot to Apocalypse and mounting her. "I had sex again... and still, the System hasn''t increased my cultivation. Dual cultivation skill? Shouldn''t this improve my cultivation speed? I feel like I''m falling behind," he thought, galloping towards... Not much time passed before he approached the Family Mansion and saw a strange scene. The gate was ajar, which was unusual, and in the distance, he heard a faint rumble and sensed an aura. His eyes detected a large concentration of Mana coming from the main building... "Xyn... you could have told me to come more prepared," he murmured and dismounted Apocalypse. "Stay here, it could be dangerous," he said, stroking her neck. "I''ll be back soon." As he approached, each step he took made him feel an invisible pressure coming from the mansion... "Holy shit," he said and opened the door. Upon entering the mansion, Strax encountered a scene that left him slightly dazed. The entrance hall was somewhat destroyed, with overturned furniture and combat marks on all the walls. Four of his siblings were lying in different corners of the room, even those who had been punished were there, something that already aroused Strax''s suspicion¡ªthey were visibly injured. Looking at the epicenter, six swords were attacking Xenovia while only her aura held off six other people... But with just one look... All of them were sent flying, breaking the rest of the house, when he saw one of the older women... It was one of his sisters... "Repeat what you said," Xenovia''s voice echoed, causing a strange chill to run through all his hairs, then all the windows shattered. Her eyes burned with fury, her firm posture, and her face marked by disgust remained in Strax''s mind. He had never seen such rage, such a feeling of hatred... such a bad sensation. Her fists were clenched at her sides, and her breathing was heavy as if she was trying to control an uncontrollable anger. "Xenovia?" Strax called, his voice carrying a mix of fear and caution. After all, he could be a target if she didn''t control herself. She turned slowly to him, her eyes still flashing. "Finally," she said, her voice low and laden with tension. "You''re quite late." Strax heard this and raised his eyebrows, "But what happened here? And how am I late? Xyn warned me about you not ten minutes ago!" he asked, taking a few hesitant steps towards her. "Since you''ve arrived, I''ll give you a lesson," Xenovia replied coldly. "A lesson they all needed to learn." *CRACK* The wooden sword of the woman in front of him split in half, flying in various directions. "You''ve improved," Xenovia said, but that wasn''t what he wanted to hear. "Xenovia, stop hiding things from me," Strax said, approaching her. "You wouldn''t send me back just because you''re worried about me, nor would you put me through training without a good reason. If you were really concerned, you wouldn''t even let me leave this mansion." Strax''s eyes pierced into hers, and she was at a loss for what to do. She wasn''t used to dealing with these issues; dealing with people was not something she was good at. "I-I..." She tried to say something, but nothing came out. "Ah~" Strax murmured, looking at her again. "If there''s something I need to worry about for the future and you can''t tell me, give me a hug," Strax said seriously. "Let''s take advantage of the beautiful sister I have, let''s see if this works," Strax thought. He had already confirmed it with the Mission he received; he was making this scene just to advance with Xenovia. Xenovia pondered for a second about speaking, but then she just dropped the sword and approached Strax, hugging him tightly. Strax held her firmly, feeling her entire body. "Is that all?" Xenovia said, but it didn''t seem like she wanted to pull away from him. On the contrary, she was holding onto him, not the other way around. "Sister, you''re the one hugging me," Strax said with a charming smile. She looked at him, confused, but soon she saw that he wasn''t even hugging her; it was she who was holding him tightly, feeling his warmth, his scent, his heartbeat. She quickly let go and pushed him away, blushing furiously. "W-what was that?" she asked herself, completely embarrassed and not knowing what to say. She was just trying to figure out where she had lost control for that to happen. "It seems like you like me," she heard, the man''s voice entering her ear and going straight to her heart, which began to race. "L-liking y-you?" she said quickly. "Hm? Isn''t it obvious? Showing me that cute expression clearly means you like me, the mighty Xenovia blushing," Strax said with a seductive smile as he began to approach her. He quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to his chest, hugging her for real now, making her feel his entire body just as he had felt hers. "I don''t know what worries you, but if this calms your heart, it''s all right. I trust you, little amethyst, but know that I also have my goals," he said and whispered in her ear, "And you are one of them." Xenovia''s entire body trembled as a message appeared in front of Strax... [Mission Advanced] Before he could continue, he felt something... His sister was hugging him much tighter than usual. "Hey, are you okay?" Strax asked, and she murmured, "The training is over." She then separated from Strax, quickly disappearing, even forgetting her black sword. "Xyn, did I do something wrong?" Strax asked, and the bird flew around him. "I''d say you did more than necessary. What do you mean, ''one of my goals is you''? Was that a flirt?" she asked, and Strax just laughed. "Let her have her own thoughts. Maybe I was talking about her strength," he shrugged. "I''ll be back tomorrow," he said, leaving the Training Room. Chapter 69: A deal with a Master Assassin Strax continued his journey home, riding Apocalipse. The streets were calm, the daily bustle slowing as the sun began to set. He was deep in thought, reflecting on the recent events with Xenovia and his siblings. Little did he know he was being closely watched. In the shadows, two assassins from the guild were discreetly following him. Carlos and his master, the Black Blade, experts in blending into the environment, kept a constant watch on Strax. Carlos, with his keen eyes, exchanged quick glances with the Black Blade, whose dark eyes gleamed subtly. "He''s getting stronger," Carlos whispered, observing Strax''s confident posture. "It''s becoming harder to approach him without being noticed." She said, her eyes analyzing Strax''s entire body. "He''s much stronger..." she murmured to herself, "What an interesting man," she concluded mentally. "We need to act quickly," replied the Black Blade, her voice cold and calculated. "Xenovia nearly killed several of his brothers. She doesn''t hesitate to use violence to protect Strax, and we''re on her radar. We need to at least secure some kind of contract with him to stop Xenovia; she seems to listen only to him." Carlos nodded, recalling the recent stories about Xenovia''s fury. "We need to avoid unnecessary confrontations. If Xenovia discovers our intentions, it will be a bloodbath." They continued to follow Strax, keeping a safe distance while discussing their strategy. Carlos glanced at the Black Blade, questioning with his eyes. "And the infiltrated maids?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice. The Black Blade paused, considering the question. "They''re doing what they can to gather information, but the security at the Duke''s mansion is tight. Even so, we''ve managed to get some clues about the political alliances and movements within the family. They''re getting involved with the wrong people, some of the big shots." Carlos frowned, concerned. "We need more information before making any move. We can''t afford to fail." The Black Blade nodded, agreeing with Carlos''s assessment. "We need Strax. He is the key to better understanding the dynamics within the Vorah family." "So, what do you suggest?" Carlos asked, knowing the Black Blade always had a plan. She looked directly at him, her eyes shining with determination. "We''ll approach him now. We don''t have time to waste. Take him to the church. I''ll be there, and don''t enter under any circumstances, or you''ll die," she said, disappearing without waiting for Carlos''s confirmation. Carlos just murmured, "You seem quite interested in a man like this." He knew her reasonably well, after all, they had been working together for over ten years... Strax continued his path, lost in thought, when he suddenly felt a presence. Before he could react, Carlos appeared before him, moving with the agility of a predator. "Strax, there''s been a change of plans," Carlos said, keeping his hands visible to avoid provoking a defensive reaction. "I need you to come with me now, the Master wants to meet you," he said. Strax sighed and grumbled, "Just what I needed, I''ve had a shitty day, and now you''re bothering me? Come back another time!" He continued to ride calmly on Apocalipse. Carlos... was left speechless. How should he react? How could he threaten Strax to go? He was an assassin, not a combatant. "Hey, don''t make my life difficult, buddy... I''ll die if I don''t bring you to that damn church." Carlos said, really just hoping Strax would agree to go. "Church?" Strax commented, "Why the hell does an Assassin Master want to meet me in a church?" He questioned, and a hint of curiosity arose in his mind, followed by a strange sensation in his body... [Hidden Mission started] Strax raised his hand and sparked a small flame to light the cigar. "Thank you." She thanked him, her demeanor completely changing. She seemed like just a tired woman. "So, what do you want? I''m sure you''ve already been thinking about it." Cristine said. Strax, however, just smiled. "I''ve thought about many things. Taking the whole guild to work for me was one of my goals." He said as he settled into a pew. She blew smoke into the air and looked at him. "We both know that''s not possible," she said, and Strax had already understood that wouldn''t be feasible, but many things still were. "I want one thing," Strax said with a mischievous smile, already reading various notifications from the System. Cristine raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "And what would that be?" she asked, leaning forward slightly. Strax looked her directly in the eyes, his expression serious now. "I want you to become my personal informant. You will provide me with all the information I need about the guild''s operations, their allies, and their movements. In exchange, I will deal with Xenovia and ensure she stops targeting your guild." Cristine considered his words carefully, weighing the risks and benefits. After a moment, she nodded. "Agreed. But remember, if you betray us, there will be nowhere for you to hide." Strax smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Don''t worry, Sister. This partnership will benefit us both greatly." As the deal was struck, Strax felt a surge of power and satisfaction, knowing he had just secured a valuable ally in his quest for dominance. The System notifications confirmed his success, but he couldn''t help but feel a strange anticipation for what lay ahead. "What?" she questioned, not at all enthused, realizing she was losing ground. Strax scanned her body from head to toe. "I want you for myself," Strax said with a mischievous smile. Cristine arched her eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, tossing her cigar to the ground. "It''s what you heard. I want Cristine Blair for myself," he repeated, and she froze. "I-I... I...," various scenarios flashing through her mind. "I don''t belong to anyone! I don''t want to prostitute myself!" she shouted. "Prostitute?" Strax asked. "Who''s asking for that? I want you to work directly for me whenever I need." He continued, and her face turned completely red with embarrassment. "Y-you...!" she shouted, and Strax just laughed. "You have a pretty dirty mind for a nun... Maybe that''s why your god abandoned you," Strax said, smiling again, and she was left speechless and embarrassed. "Using wordplay with women always works so well..." Strax thought, seeing the older woman deeply embarrassed. "To think she''s so depraved... well, she is an assassin nun. That should be an advantage for perverted thoughts," Strax mused, waiting for her to respond, but she was too flustered to think clearly. "So?" he asked. "What would I have to do? I won''t abandon my guild," she questioned. Strax looked at her with great interest, then crossed his arms. "Just the basics¡ªkill some people, gather information on others, destroy some places. Nothing that will affect you much, and of course, accompany me when necessary. After all, you will become my shadow," he said. After a few minutes of thought, Cristine looked at Strax. "Alright, but make sure Xenovia stops pursuing us," she said. Strax nodded. "Then we have a deal," Strax said with a smile, getting up and turning away. "You already know where I live. My wives are aware of our meeting, so you can come and go at my mansion. Only you. Do not send your subordinates to my house. Apart from you, everyone else is forbidden to enter, even Carlos. He attacked me, so I don''t trust him." "Understood, Young Master," Cristine said, bowing. "You learn quickly. I''ll handle your problem tomorrow morning," Strax said, walking away. Chapter 70: The maid gave in to temptation Strax left the church and found himself face-to-face with Carlos. He greeted him silently, "Have a safe return," Carlos said, bowing. Strax nodded; he now had a valuable ally. With two Master-level Cultivators on his side, not to mention Xenovia, his strength had grown considerably. He mounted Apocalypse and began riding through the city, resuming his normal route. "Now... I need to increase my cultivation. Once I reach the next level and stabilize my strength, I''ll start taking action... I need to focus on cultivation first. After that, I''ll follow that damn voice from the Garden of Swords. Running away won''t be an option then; I''ll have to face the Academy... What happens after that, only God knows," Strax thought as he descended into the city, leaving the church behind. After a few hours, he returned home. He placed Apocalypse in her stable at the back of the mansion. "I know you''ve been cultivating, but be careful," he said with concern, noticing small surges of strength from Apocalypse during their walk. "If you need me to let you loose to get used to your body, just let me know. I''ll let you roam the fields, but you have to come back, alright?" He asked, stroking her neck, and she neighed in agreement. "Good girl, rest well. Thanks for the help," he said, giving her one last pat on the neck as the mare lay down. "Now... let''s see what''s inside," he said, entering the house. "Tomorrow, I need to talk to Xenovia and prevent her from committing genocide in Cristine''s guild. I also need to understand what she wants and what she feels for me... She seems a bit obsessed with me. This situation is getting stranger by the moment. Why all this importance? I don''t even know what''s at stake anymore. I thought it might be a simple problem, but... those idiots, they''re already here." Strax said as he opened the mansion door, expecting to see someone inside, but it was late at night. The house was eerily quiet. The main room was empty, with no sign of Beatrice or Samira. He walked through the corridors looking for someone, until he finally found Monica in the kitchen, cooking something on the magical stove. "Monica?" he called out, and she turned, her smile softly illuminated. "Sit down, I''m making your meal. I thought you''d be late since you missed your usual time. The girls tried to wait for you, but they ended up falling asleep, so I sent them to bed," she said, wiping her hands on a towel. "So, how was your day? You look exhausted." Strax sighed, letting himself relax a bit. "It was... complicated. I had some unexpected meetings. Thanks for sending them to bed; I didn''t think I''d take so long to get home. And you, how was your day and theirs? I imagine Samira must be getting tired of staying here," Strax said, observing Monica''s graceful and efficient movements in the kitchen. There was something captivating about her, something he couldn''t ignore. Approaching the counter, he leaned on his elbows. "You always make everything look so easy. I''d easily burn myself." Monica smiled, a smile that was both challenging and seductive. She extended her other hand, lightly touching the sleeve of his shirt, her fingers gliding over his skin. "You might be surprised, Strax." He felt a shiver run down his spine at her touch, a warmth spreading through his body. "I like surprises," he murmured, his voice husky. She tilted her head, eyes shining with mischief. "Then maybe I should show you a few." Strax felt his breath quicken, her proximity making him increasingly captivated. "I''m looking forward to it," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. They were very close, even with the small counter separating them, it was possible to feel some breath coming from them. Monica moved even closer, her hands now lightly touching his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "You''re a dangerous man, Strax," she murmured, her lips inches from his. He smiled, a slow, predatory smile. "Only when I need to be." She laughed again, a soft, provocative sound. "Then maybe I should be careful." This was no longer just a flirtation, it had become a small war of interests. "Or maybe you should take the risk," he replied, his voice low and full of desire. Monica looked at him, her eyes filled with a strange mix of feelings. "Maybe I should," she murmured, pulling him to close the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a kiss full of passion and urgency. When they finally separated, both were breathless, their eyes shining with desire. "That was... intense," Monica murmured, her lips still tingling from the kiss. Strax looked at her, not knowing what to say, but in his mind... "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" he screamed to himself. He looked at her, "I didn''t expect that." He said, in a confused tone. "You started it," Monica smiled, a smile that promised many more surprises. "Maybe it''s good to continue," she murmured, before kissing him again, losing herself in the sensation of being in Strax''s arms. [Mission Completed] [Mission Completed] [Mission Completed] [Mission Completed] [Mission Completed] The System, which had been in silent mode, started firing notifications while Strax was surprised and feeling the woman consuming him bit by bit. "W-What the hell was that!" he shouted to himself, "Damn, I wanted this, but I didn''t think it would be so easy!" he thought... Before that attack on Strax, Monica had been suppressing something within herself for some time, even before leaving the small town of Steinhardt. It started with the day Strax and Beatrice first had sex. Chapter 71: Horny Maid (R-18) Before that attack on Strax, Monica had been suppressing something within herself for some time, even before leaving the small town of Steinhardt. It started with the day Strax and Beatrice first had sex. They didn''t know it, but Monica and the other maids practically heard everything, especially since the house was entirely made of less-than-quality wood, meaning the walls were somewhat thin. This meant Beatrice''s moans... filled the entire house. Obviously, no one said anything; after all, they couldn''t comment on their landlady having sex. But now... Away from the other maids who could talk about it, she was going crazy... Why? Because she was still a woman, and a woman who hadn''t had her desires satisfied for more than ten years. Heavens, she was almost a virgin again! Had she had sex before? Yes, but it was only once! And that drove her crazy. Monica was in her room, trying to focus on anything other than the sounds coming from the other side of the wall. The moans and sounds of pleasure echoed in her room, and she felt her body react involuntarily. "Damn... these sounds are going to drive me crazy," she thought, frustrated. Monica was naked, lying on the bed, holding one of her breasts while massaging her wet pussy, desperately trying to satisfy her lascivious thoughts. She was feeling envy and intense desire. She couldn''t shake the image of Strax fucking her instead of Beatrice. Especially after what he had done with her on the horse, treating her so well as if she were his own wife... it only fueled her lust. She could no longer ignore the repressed desires within her. Every touch, every movement of her hands on her body, wasn''t enough to calm the storm of pleasure she wanted to feel, which was almost overwhelming her. Monica chose to close her eyes, her mind creating images of Strax possessing her, their bodies touching... "Strax..." she murmured softly so that even those next door couldn''t hear her. Her voice carried an evident need. The hand that caressed her breast tightened, fingers pinching the erect nipple while the other hand moved frantically on her completely soaked pussy. "Ahhh... Strax...." She moaned as the sounds next door increased even more, feeding her fantasies. She imagined herself in Beatrice''s place, feeling Strax''s strong body over hers, his hands exploring every inch of her skin, his hot and possessive kisses. Each touch of her own hand drove her deeper into her wetness, soaking the mattress even more, bringing her closer to climax. She arched her back, pressing against her hands that caressed even more forcefully, her moans becoming even louder and more desperate. The image of Strax invading her insides, completely inside her, moving with passion and strength with each thrust, was almost vivid in her mind. "Fuck me, darling... ahh... harder..." She spread her legs, increasing the intensity of her touches with two fingers, then released her hard breast and placed her second hand on her clit, making her moan even louder. "AAHHH" she had already forgotten about making little noise, and she didn''t care anymore. As she focused completely on her pussy, she felt herself about to come, and it came when she removed her fingers. Strax couldn''t hold back anymore, with a quick movement, he rounded the counter, his hands quickly holding Monica''s waist as he pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss. Their bodies pressed against the edge of the counter, they could feel each other''s heartbeat. Strax''s hands explored Monica''s body slowly, moving up her back causing small shivers and down to her voluptuous ass, squeezing it against his body. "So delicious," he murmured against her lips, feeling something growing between his legs, his big brother was awake. Monica let out a low moan, her fingers entwining in Strax''s hair as the kiss intensified. "Strax... I want you... now," she whispered, her voice filled with pleasure, she wanted to feel something soon, she had been waiting for this for a long time, ever since she heard all that nonsense before, she wanted him, she was desperate. Without a word, Strax lifted her, placing her on the counter. His hands moved up Monica''s thighs, pushing her skirt up as his kisses descended down her neck. Monica arched her body, her moans echoing through the kitchen as Strax explored every inch of her skin with his lips. "Ah... Strax... more..." Monica pleaded, her hands gripping his shoulders as he continued to tease her. Strax paused for a moment, his eyes meeting hers. "Are you ready for this? If we start, I''ll never let you go," he asked, his voice full of obsession but also concern. He didn''t want her to feel pressured into this, but he hadn''t understood, she already wanted him for a long time, she just kept up appearances, but inside... She was on fire. Monica nodded, "I need you, Inside me," she said, her eyes overflowing with lust. Seeing that she was in agreement, he had no reason to deny her any longer. He pulled the woman''s skirt, tearing it completely, leaving only the sight of her lacy panties... she wore lingerie underneath her clothes. "You were well-prepared, huh..." He said with a smile as he pulled her panties to the side and lowered her pants, then he saw that breathtaking scene. Monica, with her torn maid outfit, a beautiful black lingerie, and her pussy with the panties aside, dripping her natural juices. Strax couldn''t resist. He knelt down, bringing his fingers to Monica''s wet entrance, the intoxicating sight and aroma. "You''re so delicious, sweetie," he murmured before plunging his fingers inside her, savoring every drop. "Ah... Strax... yes... more..." Monica moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair as he explored her with his fingers. She was lost in pleasure, her moans filling the kitchen. Strax intensified his actions, his fingers moving expertly, hitting every sensitive spot. Monica was trembling, her body responding to every movement. "You like this, don''t you?" he murmured against her skin, the sensation of his words making her shiver. "Yes... ahh... Strax... I... I''m going to..." Monica could barely form words, her mind clouded by the growing pleasure. And then, with a muffled cry, she reached climax, her body arching as the wave of pleasure washed over her. "Ahh... Strax... I''m coming... ahhh!" Chapter 72: Perverted Maid (R-18) "Yes... ahh... Strax... I''m... I''m going to..." Monica could barely form words, her mind clouded by the rising pleasure. And then, with a muffled scream, she reached her climax, her body arching as the wave of pleasure overtook her. "Ahh... Strax... I''m coming... ahhh!" Strax withdrew his fingers, bringing them to his mouth and savoring her taste. He looked at Monica with a mischievous smile. "You are delicious, Monica... but I still want more of you," he said, his eyes burning with desire. Her panties were still pulled to the side, completely soaked. She caressed her pussy and clitoris, then *RIP* Her sexy panties were completely torn apart, revealing her rare flower, a pink, dripping wet pussy, well-lubricated and waiting to be completely filled. Monica''s face clearly showed what she wanted. Her hungry eyes met his, and he saw the same hunger reflected in her gaze. "You really wanted this, didn''t you?" he murmured, his voice hoarse with desire. He held her hips as he spread her legs, positioning his "Big Brother" near her entrance, but she was too submissive, and Strax wanted to tease her. So, he lifted his cock a bit higher and rubbed it against her clit. "Mmm!!" she moaned with pleasure. He did it again, and she had nowhere to grab, leaving her aimless. "It seems like you''re out of options," Strax said, smiling, and then he did something that drove her crazy. *Tap* "Ahh!!" she moaned as her pussy received a slap from Strax''s cock. *Tap* "S-stop!" she said, her voice completely breathless, "Stop wasting time with that..." she murmured. "Oh? What should I do then?" Strax asked, eager to hear what she had to say. *Tap* Again, he slapped his cock against Monica''s sensitive area. She was already panting and could barely speak, her arousal overwhelming... "Ahh... please..." she said, breathless while still on the kitchen counter. "Please what?" Strax said, giving her pussy a fourth slap. *Tap* "Mmm... Ahh..." she moaned, trying to muster the strength to speak. In an intense plea, she held on and said, "Fuck me... please, put it all deep inside me," using all the strength she had left. Her pussy was too wet, her body breathless, just waiting for Strax to thrust deep inside her. Strax smiled at the woman who seemed drunk with desire; after all, he loved seeing her beg for him. "This drives me crazy," he murmured, his voice a bit hoarse as he held Monica''s legs open and positioned his rigid cock at her dripping entrance, almost ready to gush. He held her hips firmly and, with a strong thrust, pushed his virile cock inside her, filling her completely in a single motion, causing chills and internal shudders, followed by a scream of pleasure. "Make me yours, to the end," she said, her eyes almost piercing Strax with their possessiveness. He simply smiled, lifting her off the table and holding her while his cock stayed inside her. "You really are a naughty maid," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear. Monica clung even tighter to Strax''s shoulders, her whole body on fire. She began moving with him, feeling every inch of him inside her. "Ahh... yes, Strax... fuck me more... ahh!" she moaned, her fingers digging into his back, her moans filling the kitchen. Strax increased the pace again, his thrusts becoming fiercer and more possessive, taking her completely. "You are mine, Monica... all mine," he murmured between thrusts, his voice hoarse with growing desire. "Yes... ahh... I am yours... ahh... only yours," Monica responded, lost in overwhelming pleasure. Each of his thrusts made her body shudder, her mind clouded by the intensity of the moment. She wanted him deeper, harder, every second, her body responding eagerly to each movement. Strax pressed her against the kitchen wall again, using all his strength to thrust deeply into her. "You like this, don''t you?" he asked, his voice full of desire and dominance. "Ahh... love it... ahh... more... more..." Monica moaned, her voice punctuated by moans and sighs of pleasure. Their eyes met, and the raw desire in Strax''s eyes made her even more aroused. "I''m going to fuck you until you can''t take it anymore," he promised, his hands gripping her hips firmly as he pulled her into each thrust. The sound of their bodies slamming together echoed through the kitchen, mixed with their moans of pleasure. Monica gave herself completely, her body arching and moving in sync with his. "Yes... ahh... fuck me more... ahh... ahh," she moaned, her voice laden with lust. Strax felt himself nearing climax again, but he wanted Monica to feel everything first. He sped up his thrusts, moving in and out of her at a frantic pace. "Let it all out inside me," she ordered, her voice hoarse. And then, with a strangled scream, Monica climaxed again, her body trembling violently as a wave of pleasure coursed through her. "Ahhh... Strax... I''m... coming... ahhh!" She squirted hotly on Strax''s cock, yet he didn''t stop. The intensity continued as he reached his climax inside her. "I''m going to come inside you again," he murmured, his voice full of desire. "Yes! Give me everything!" she screamed, truly wanting more, completely giving herself over, and finally feeling an explosion of pleasure inside her as their lips met. Strax stayed for a few seconds with Monica in his arms against the wall, her legs rigid but weak, and she couldn''t let go of his waist. "Can you walk?" Strax asked, but she grabbed him in an embrace. "I''ll fall if I try to stand up, I can''t feel my legs," she said in a muffled sound. Strax could feel the heat of her heavy breathing. "I''ll put you on the counter," he said, and she nodded, but... "Don''t pull out," she said, and he just smiled. "You are naughtier than I thought you''d be," Strax said with a smile as he read a certain notification... --- [The Mission Chain "The Naughty Maid" has been successfully completed] [Your cultivation has improved] [Third Wife: The Maid Wife has been added to the Harem] Chapter 73: An unthinkable situation "That was crazy..." Monica murmured as she partially sat on the counter where Strax had placed her. Her pussy was overflowing with cum, which dripped onto the surface. Fortunately for her, none of it mattered. "If I could, I would have gotten pregnant," she murmured. Strax, sitting on the floor with his eyes closed, heard her murmur. "What do you mean?" he asked. "After my complicated pregnancy, I can''t have children anymore," Monica said without remorse. "At least I don''t have to worry about that anymore," she said, while using her hand to wipe away the cum, trying to clean up the mess on the counter. "So you''ve had a child? Your body looks too good for someone who''s had kids," Strax remarked, playing with his words, as he wanted to know more about what was happening. If Monica was his, as she claimed, he needed her honesty. "Life Stories of a Maid in the House of a Greedy Baron," she said, as if she were talking about a book, a very striking title. "Tsk, that''s silly," he said, and she just smiled. "I don''t want to talk about it, but in short, the Baron''s daughter looked a lot like him, and he needed an heir to fulfill the promise of the girl''s grandparents. The Baroness couldn''t have children, so I was the perfect solution," Monica said with regret. "So you had this daughter in place of the Baroness, and the Baroness raised her as her own," Strax said. It made a lot of sense. "My body wasn''t developing properly, and there were complications. I became infertile, even though I still have a uterus. There were some infections, and even becoming a cultivator didn''t cure them," Monica said, sounding truly sad about it. Strax couldn''t even imagine the pain it must be for a woman to be unable to have more children or start a real family. "I''m sorry. And the child?" he asked, opening his eyes and looking at her. "Oh, come on, stop giving me those eyes just to hear what you want. You know very well how the child is doing. You''re not an idiot," she said with a smile. "So you are indeed her biological mother. I thought you might be a relative, an aunt, or even a sister because of the resemblance," Strax said. "So you already suspected, huh..." Monica murmured. "What made you suspicious?" she asked, and he gave a calm smile. Strax still couldn''t reveal the System to anyone. He decided to keep it hidden until he was absolutely sure the System was an ally. After all, since he received it, the System had been limiting him incessantly in every possible way, blocking resources, rewards, and even his memories. So gradually, his distrust of the System was only growing. But returning to the conversation, Strax just smiled. "Your eyes are identical," he said, "equally beautiful," he added, and Monica just gave a contained smile. "At least I look like her in that way..." Monica said. "Are you going to tell her about this?" Monica asked, and Strax just shook his head. "That''s between you two. I don''t have the right to get involved in that now, but I think it''s better if you tell her. She already sees you as a mother. I know you''ve protected her all her life, and she wouldn''t be upset with you for hiding this from her..." Strax said. "But, you know... don''t take too long, okay? I think she''ll kill me if she finds out I''m sleeping with her mom," Strax said, scratching his head. "Hehe, I won''t deny, it''s quite thrilling," Monica chuckled softly, and Strax did too... well, he laughed but tried not to agree. He knew Beatrice and knew that would be... "HAHAHAHA" He laughed extremely loud, unable to contain himself. This situation was simply too absurd in every way, something he wouldn''t even think about in his wildest, most perverse dreams. "What the hell is this situation! HAHAHAHA" He laughed again as the women looked at him and then at each other... "He''s gone crazy," they concluded, in unison, watching the man almost crying with laughter in front of them. The situation... somehow surprisingly became calmer. "Come on, drop those faces, you knew this was going to happen," Strax said with a smile as he picked up his pants from the floor and began to dress. "My heart is too big to have just one or two wives, and I want to build a big family with the people I love," Strax said, dressing lightly, his chest still exposed, and the three women looked at him as if they were hungry... "See? I told you wouldn''t mind, you''re already looking at me as if you''re going to devour me." He gave a mischievous smile, and the women turned away. "So adorable." "Let''s go, first, about Monica. She''s mine just like you, and that''s it. If you want, you can try to leave," Strax said, and Beatrice stared at him seriously. "What do you mean ''try'' to leave?" She asked seriously, as Strax approached Monica to pick her up. "That''s what you heard. You can try whatever you want, you can scream, you can run from me, you can distance yourself," He paused for a moment, and his gaze hit all three... "But I said, you''re mine. Even if I have to lock you up in a basement, you''ll be mine," He said, his eyes... seemed black, as if they were sucking the women into him, a sensation simply surreal passed through them, as if... they were so loved, that this crazy man could take them to hell with him or to heaven, just with his massive love. "Now if you''ll excuse me, I''ll take this injured damsel for a hot bath to clean up, and get her some clothes, after all, we''ve made quite a mess here, and I''ll talk to you later," Strax said very seriously as he picked up Monica, who looked at the two with a threatening smile almost saying "I won, bitches!" Strax felt this exchange of looks, and really even thought about saying something, but he was a real man and wouldn''t interfere in his wives'' personal war. If they reached an extreme point, he would just punish all of them, as a man should be. He, with Monica still in his arms, calmly climbed the stairs of the mansion. "Are you feeling okay? I believe that after a fight with your daughter, something might have happened," Strax questioned, but Monica just smiled at him. "I know that little girl, she''s just putting on a show to keep her position, she already knew this was going to happen, I wouldn''t doubt she heard me moaning the last time she slept with you. It''s just a matter of time until she accepts the reality, that I''m yours too," She said with a smile, she really seemed satisfied with that, much more than he expected. "And what about..." He began to speak, but, "Let''s leave it for when we''re better, she''ll have an outburst and destroy some things, and we still don''t have the money to rebuild the house if something happens, right?" She said, she really seemed like a more determined woman... "And to think that one night of sex would make this woman like this," He thought. Chapter 74: Some Important Discoveries Strax walked calmly through the quiet mansion where he lived. He had left Monica to clean up, bid goodnight to Samira and Beatrice, and was now leisurely strolling through the corridors, lit only by the moonlight streaming through the windows. "You''re already here?" he questioned, sensing the presence of someone revealing themselves. Thanks to his eyes, he was acutely aware of any changes in mana in the environment. Even without looking directly, he could feel this shift, like a spatial sensor. "Quite competent," he remarked as the woman, dressed entirely in black, walked beside him. "Our organization works with excellence. We must be respectful to a significant client like yourself, Master," Strax heard Cristine say. He didn''t quite know how to respond, but he laughed. "I didn''t think you''d call me ''master'' so easily. I thought it would take longer," he said, and she retorted, "I am a faithful servant of God. I know my place in the world." After all, she truly served a god. "What an interesting god... perhaps I should take his place? I would love for you to serve me as a god," Strax said, and a dagger appeared near his neck. "Stop speaking blasphemies about my lord," she said, her eyes briefly flashing red, as if one more word and he would lose his head. But Strax wasn''t intimidated and grabbed the blade without hurting his hand. "You''ve advanced," she noted, trying to withdraw the blade, but he held it firm. Previously, during sex with Monica, Strax had advanced thanks to his dual cultivation ability, reaching the Advanced Realm, and his system updated, adding Monica to his Harem set. [Name: Strax Vorah [Age: 18 years [Cultivation: Supreme Cultivator of Advanced Stage [Talent: Rare [Race: Human [Physique: Dragon-Demon (Advance Cultivation to unlock sealed powers) [Level: 20 [HP: 385/385 [Vitality: 27 [Stamina: 20 [Strength: 25 [Agility: 20 [Intelligence: 18 [Defense: 25 [Unallocated Points: 0 "What is it, Cristine?" Strax''s tone changed, becoming more demanding. If she was holding back information, it meant it involved someone close to him. "Ah~" Cristine sighed before speaking again. "Political maneuvers involving marriages," she revealed. Strax''s eyes widened in shock. "Don''t tell me..." "Your sister, Xenovia Vorah, is being considered for marriage into either a Ducal family or the Royal Family itself..." Cristine''s words hit him like a dagger to the heart. "Who," Strax demanded, his voice cold. Cristine just shook her head. "The rumors came from the King''s palace," she said. "One of the princes?" Cristine nodded. "Xenovia..." he muttered, feeling notifications appear. [You have started a new ACT parallel to the current ACT, missions have been updated] [You have reached a significant moment in Xenovia Vorah''s story] [Consider your future, you have 10 days to decide Xenovia Vorah''s fate] Strax read the messages with a heavy heart, beginning to understand why Xenovia had summoned him and trained him so intensively. "Do they want to constrain her?" Strax questioned aloud. "Do you want my honest opinion?" Cristine asked. Strax nodded. "They already know Xenovia will resist the marriage with all her might, but if it''s a royal order, any refusal will be seen as treason." "Of course... it''s not just a matter of unequal interests. They want to reduce the threat of the Vorah family, even if it means turning the entire continent against us," Strax said. Cristine was terrified to disclose all this information, but then... "HAHAHAHA!" Strax laughed so loudly it made Cristine jump in fright. "How can this man laugh at such a situation?!" she wondered, increasingly scared of him. "Well, it''s a pity that this will never happen. My Xenovia will never marry anyone; she belongs to me," he murmured, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "I''d love to see the King and my father destroy each other and this idiotic kingdom. Let them all die," Strax said, his words dripping with a thirst for blood that reached Cristine. To a paladin, this would be blasphemy; to a knight, sheer folly. But to Cristine, it was perfect. Cristine saw the glint of death in Strax''s eyes. "Let them all die" resonated deeply within her. Her god was like this, the god of death she served. "My Lord, Lord Thanatos... is he a gift from you? A gift from god?" she wondered, the bloodthirsty aura of Strax striking her as beautiful and poignant. "Cristine? Cristine? Are you okay?" he said, and slowly the woman''s gaze returned to reality, clearly quite... impacted by Strax. "Y-yes, I''m fine... I was just... thinking about some things," she said, coming back to herself. "Anyway, tomorrow I''ll talk to Xenovia about you and your organization. I''ll tell her to release you all as part of our agreement," Strax said, and she nodded. "Now... I have a question," he murmured. "Why are you blushing? Are you hot? If you want, I can open the windows," Strax said, and Cristine completely broke down, "Uh? I-I mean, e-everything''s fine! I''m fine!" She stammered. Strax looked at her with a dark smile, and she realized it, her heart racing as she stood up. "I need to go! I have a lot of work ahead!!" She said and disappeared into the shadows of the dark room. "Hehe, just talking about death made you react quite differently, didn''t it..." he murmured, smiling in the darkness of the room. Chapter 75: Confronting Xenovia. "Stop pursuing the Assassin''s Guild that tried to attack me," Strax said, startling Xenovia, who dodged the blow despite her surprise. They were training again, and since Strax had increased his cultivation, Xenovia felt that now he could potentially break the wooden swords they had been using due to his increased strength. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she responded, running diagonally along the wall to attack him. But she was stopped by Strax throwing an Ice Sword in her path and another close to her step to throw her off balance. He had analyzed her movement patterns many times. He knew that at this moment, "Not today," he said, jumping before she could use the swords to propel herself forward. "Enough with the pursuit," he said, summoning more than twenty ice swords and throwing them toward Xenovia. She sighed heavily once, "Shadow Cut," she whispered, and Strax barely noticed it. Within milliseconds, his entire body was hit by a gust of wind resulting from the small movement of Xenovia''s sword. All the ice swords were cut and destroyed before he even saw where the impact came from. When he thought he could defend himself, Xenovia vanished from his sight. His poorly trained Dragon Eyes faltered. They hadn''t detected the trace of Xenovia''s change; her mana trail didn''t exist! He looked around frantically, as if she had disappeared. "Xenovia, I asked you to stop, so you will stop and listen to me. Enough of dodging the issue!" he said, his demeanor changing. This was really starting to anger him. Xenovia always used her strength to evade the topic or didn''t respond directly when confronted. "You''re a fool. They tried to kill you, and you want me to stop going after the people who, again, tried to kill you?" she said, appearing in front of him like a ghost, with her sword passing over his shoulder and pointing at his neck. "You let your guard down," she said, and Strax retorted, "And are you an enemy for me to need to stay alert? We''re training. Stop being an emotionless shell," he said, his eyes glowing red, something Xenovia had never seen from this man. She took a small step back in surprise, but her body was caught. "You let your guard down," he said while advancing, holding her waist and wrist down. They stood face to face, very close. She could feel his breath, but he didn''t retreat. "What is this?" she murmured, quickly losing herself in his touch. She became embarrassed, and for a second, her arms pushed him back, but Strax had already grabbed her back and pulled her close to his body. "Are you training me because you want me to save you from the Prince?" She trembled at hearing this, and Strax just smiled. "You may want many things, but you never go after them. I know you well enough for that. Now you, a cold woman, are training someone you despised many times and don''t even explain why," he murmured. Xenovia took a step back but was stopped. "I''m tired of you," he said, hugging her tightly. "What''s worrying you so much? I already know a lot," he murmured. "L-let me go!" she roared, her face slightly flushing at feeling the man''s body against hers. This was really too much for her... "Let me go!" she roared again, but Strax just laughed. "If you really wanted me to let you go, you would have freed yourself already. You are many times stronger than I am," he said in a mischievous tone while continuing to squeeze her. He could feel her completely, her breasts flattened against his chest, and he could sense how soft they might be. "Is that what you think of me?" she said, coldly, much colder than usual, but... when she looked at him. "Idiot!" she said, pushing him back. He saw... her eyes welling up, ready to cry. An expression that... he had never seen in his whole life. He ended up losing his balance and falling to the ground from the force with which she had pushed him back, but was it over? Of course not. "Do you really think that? Or are you testing me?" she asked, but she never let him answer, cutting him off completely. "Do you really think I''m just trying to run away from a marriage?" Xenovia shouted, her body burning with black flames. "You idiot! I brought you here because if I were to marry someone, it would be you!" she shouted so loudly that it echoed through the whole room, making Strax freeze... "W-What!" he shouted, startled. He had some idea about a few things, but... "Yes! I brought you because I want to marry you! Not to run away from a marriage! But if you aren''t strong enough, do you think anyone would accept the ''future of the Vorah family,'' as they call me, in the hands of someone they call the ''Family''s Failure''? Of course not!" she shouted, devastating Strax for a second. What? She wanted to marry him! "You~" Strax tried to speak, but was interrupted again. "Yes! I like you so much that I want to marry you! But I can''t show that! It''s embarrassing! Very embarrassing!" she shouted. She looked like a... little girl. "Is she... confessing like this?" Strax wondered. He was already seeing more than twenty notifications on his screen ahead, while still on the ground, with Xenovia looking at him, almost crying. "Do you understand now?! I''m not using you to escape. I want more than anything for this family to be erased from the continent. Since they sent you away, I feel alone! I only had you; only you talked to me, tried to stay by my side. Even though you were weak, you endured Xyn''s strength when she awakened in front of me! You cared about me, unlike all these people! Of course I''d fall in love with you, you idiot!" she shouted again. Her cries of embarrassment turned into anger. She was really furious, and Strax was... at a loss for what to do. Chapter 76: A long conversation with Xenovia Strax barely knew what to say... I mean, come on. Was it obvious that Xenovia might be using Strax to somehow gain freedom from this family? Yes, it was quite possible. Xenovia had been cold for a very, very long time, and honestly, it was hard to know if such a woman could even have any feelings... But now... "Why." Strax said; he really wanted an explanation. He wouldn''t accept just an "I like you." "How could I not fall in love with someone who tried everything to stay by my side? Tell me, little brother, tell me how I could avoid this." She asked, her tone shifting completely into a mix of seriousness and cuteness¡ªsomething Strax... never thought he''d see. She was pouting while speaking seriously, and he almost choked with the urge to laugh. "Ah~" Strax sighed. He didn''t know what to do in this situation. He wasn''t sure if he had any feelings for Xenovia, but of course, he wouldn''t reject her. "I have three wives." He said, to see what she would think, but... "Yes, I know. Well, I knew of two, but the third must be the maid, right? Well, it wasn''t hard to find out; Xyn already saw everything." She said without any hesitation. It seemed she had accepted her position from the start, and that would be even harder for Strax in a way; this meant she wasn''t joking. Okay, it wasn''t bad, but the challenges that would come from accepting Xenovia would be the most difficult of all, so difficult that even he, who wants to be the strongest of all... didn''t know if he could do it. He thought, really thought about what he could do, but the only question he had, he asked directly to Xenovia. "I can''t think of a way to accept you without going through various problems that I''m not even sure I can handle. If I accept you, you are mine until death, and I will continue to have more women as time goes by; I''m a free man." Strax said and continued. "What exactly do I have to do for this? As you said, they wouldn''t accept it." He questioned. Really, just thinking about a relationship between them was like a slave marrying a queen. Xenovia let out a low laugh, something Strax had never seen... and honestly, it was very beautiful. "Strax, dear, I''m not asking you to put me on a pedestal or give me special privileges. I just want to be by your side, and of course, I will be yours until death," she said after laughing, and now the mood had really calmed down... "however... for this to happen, you''ll need to be strong." "I don''t know what Father would demand for this to happen, but it''s easier if you achieve something through a reward." Xenovia moved away from him and sat on the floor. "Father thinks I went crazy when I brought you back, but I already knew about your unique body. Back then, I was an expert cultivator and barely endured Xyn, but you, you were not even a cultivator and didn''t suffer anything from it. Xyn has already told me it was impossible without having a unique physique, and a very strong one. That''s why I brought you back, to train you, to turn you into a strong man will be easy, but... what the hell are you? I mean, damn it! In five days of training you''ve already learned everything! I''ll have to increase the training; I thought it would take you a month to learn to condense elemental mana, but here you are, using ice as if it were nothing!" "Well, it''s impossible to have a Diacronic Physique being Human, at least it should be, and in all my years of life, I''ve never seen anything like it..." Xyn said, observing Strax''s reactions. "Y-Yes, it must be impossible, right?" he said, stammering as he looked at his Status. Of course, what was impossible for them wasn''t impossible for him; he still had this thing called System. Ah, speaking of the System... Well, it had been quite active in the last few minutes, with so many notifications that it automatically silenced itself... "What are we going to do?" Strax asked again. "First, let''s get the sword. In a few days, Father will allow you to take the Garden Test again. When that happens... Try to get one of the Superior Swords," she said. Then she added, "But focus on the sword that''s calling you. If its voice still calls you further... it means it''s not one of the superior swords. Abyssalith and Tiamat, swords with their own Will, would be good but quite complicated..." Xenovia murmured. "The founders'' swords..." Xenovia said. "Well, I find it unlikely since Father can barely hold them for a few moments," she concluded, but Xyn intervened. "Swords with Wills like mine cannot be held by those we don''t allow, so if it''s one of them calling, it doesn''t matter; it will be his," Xyn concluded as if making a prophecy. "I understand, so in a few days, I''ll have a decent sword..." Strax murmured. "And then?" he questioned. "You will reclaim what was taken from you, the position of Heir to Vorah," Xenovia said. "I don''t want that," Strax responded. "It''s easier for you to return to the family until you have the strength to leave. If you think I can protect you forever, that''s not the case. Your sister is strong, not invincible," she said, but Strax... couldn''t believe what she was saying. "There are people stronger than me within the Family, especially... Father''s aides. They are all at the King cultivation level," she added. Strax became thoughtful... Was his sister really not the strongest? I mean, the stories about her had always been terrifying, so terrifying that they made him believe she was the strongest after his father, but if that''s the case, then her concern makes sense. She wasn''t the strongest; she was the strongest of the Siblings, not of the Vorah Family, or rather, the Vorah Clan itself. After all, talented people were also part of his family in a way, as they provided resources in exchange for loyalty. "We need to start training again, this time... Training with everything," Xenovia said. Her eyes seemed really determined after theoretically being accepted by Strax... "Not even a little kiss..." Strax thought as he stood up. "This time, I think Ice won''t be Enough." He said, as a fire sword appeared in his left hand and an ice sword in his right. "So you were holding back... you arrogant boy." Xenovia murmured, summoning black fire swords. "Bring it on, big sister," he said. Chapter 77: Overloading yourself with training. Six days had passed, and overall, that time meant little. Strax continued training with Xenovia during the day and Samira when he returned home at night. He received some information from Christine and kept his composure. In general, his life was peaceful; with Xenovia and Christine on his side, he was currently untouchable. And this was irritating some people. "He''s being protected," a man''s voice echoed in the room, where several others were present. "It''s pointless to keep a bounty on his head. With Xenovia protecting him, we need something equal or superior," he said, crossing his legs on the dining table, staring at the ceiling. "What do you suggest?" he asked aloud, with four others in the room: three men and one woman. "I''m out," the woman said, standing up from the table. "If you want to get yourselves killed, go ahead. I don''t want to be a target of our sinister sister, especially with that boy being trained by her. Xenovia never even wanted to train with us, but now she''s training him every day. Do you think that''s normal? Of course not. Our sister sees potential and has been training him," she said, turning towards the exit. "Are you chickening out, Veronica?" one of them questioned. "Chickening out? The strong choose the right fights. According to the youngest reports, Strax challenged our father without even flinching, because he knew the rules and used them against him. Do you think someone who vanished for years would have such courage? There''s something off about him, and I''m not willing to find out as an enemy," Veronica said and left, slamming the door hard, unremorseful about being a coward in her brothers'' eyes. In the same room where the plans were discussed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. After Veronica''s departure, silence reigned momentarily until one of the men, with a calculating look, decided to break it. "With Veronica out, that leaves us with one less unpredictable variable," he said, standing up and starting to pace around the table. "We need a new angle. Direct attacks won''t work, but maybe we can exploit weaknesses that Xenovia can''t protect. We need to find something Strax values and use it against him." "What do you mean?" one of the other men asked, frowning. "Are you suggesting blackmail? The boy seems to have few connections besides Xenovia." "We need to be creative," the first man continued, his voice growing firmer with each word. "We can create distractions, force Xenovia away from his side. Perhaps even manipulate the information she sends. There''s always a loophole; even shadow guilds have flaws. We can spread false news again." "Wasn''t he supposed to marry that baron''s daughter?" The third man, who had been quiet for some time, questioned, and they all thought for a moment. "Beatrice von Stainhardt; she sold her title some time ago..." the second man murmured. "Let''s investigate further. If she''s in the Duchy... well, we can use that." The first man said, "Alright, let''s meet tomorrow. The constant training and pressure to become stronger were self-imposed, but he knew there was a fine line between dedication and self-sabotage. "Thank you," he said, his voice low but sincere. "You''re right. I need to find a balance." Samira gave a small nod, her gaze soft. "Strength doesn''t just come from the body or mana. It also comes from the mind and spirit. If you break yourself, none of it matters." She turned to walk towards the house, with Strax following closely behind. "Now, let''s eat something and rest. Tomorrow is a new day." "I didn''t know you could be so poetic," Strax commented, laughing, and received a light tap on his arm, and he could only laugh at the girl. "Idiot," she said and started walking ahead. "Hey, don''t be like that, you were really cute, you know?" He questioned, and she walked even faster. "So cute," he thought. That night, as the moon illuminated the sky, Strax allowed himself to relax a bit. The tension in his muscles eased, and for the first time in a long time, he simply rested without thinking about training, women, or any little thing that distracted him. He had dinner with the women and went to sleep in Beatrice''s room. The next morning, Strax woke up with the feeling that something was different. Beatrice was no longer in bed. The house was quiet, but he could feel a vibrant energy in the air with his Dragon eyes. He quickly dressed and descended the stairs, finding Monica in the kitchen, preparing a simple breakfast. She greeted him with a smile that seemed laden with passion. "Good morning," he heard from behind him, as Samira hugged him and grabbed an apple from the table. "You look like you have something on your mind," he said, looking at Samira. "Maybe," Samira replied, biting into the apple. "I''ve been thinking about our training, and I think we need to diversify a bit. Maybe a little trip? Something to change the scenery and challenge your skills in a different way." Strax raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A trip? Where to? Are you that bored?" "Well, it''s not exactly a long journey," she explained, her gaze fixed on him. "But there''s a place in the Shadow Mountains. I heard from some merchants yesterday that there''s a different beast roaming around there. Maybe it''s of interest to you, well, it''s just a rumor, of course." "Is that so? Sounds intriguing," he said with a smile, taking the apple from her hand and kissing her passionately. *Smooch* "Don''t do that in front of me," Monica said, pouting. "Well, if you want, it''s up to you..." Before he could finish, Monica pulled him into a kiss. *Smooch* A kiss as passionate as Samira''s. "Hm, today is going to be a good day," he murmured. "Where''s Beatrice?" Strax asked after pulling away from Monica''s lips. "She left early, went shopping," Monica informed him. "I see." Chapter 78: Kidnapping. Training, Training, and More Training. Strax had been living this way for days, and it was becoming a real problem. He was, in a way... aimless. Exhausted from his clashes with Xenovia, dealing with problems he couldn''t even make sense of. Being the strongest was one goal, enjoying life with his wives was another, and in between? The chaos of this damned family he had. At the moment, everyone was on edge and honestly, why? That was the question in Strax''s mind. Why does the idea of him coming back generate so much hatred? I mean, is it about power? He was trained by Xenovia; that should be enough to prove he at least has potential. Is it about greed? What does it matter? He doesn''t even want to be in this family; he''s forced to be here. That''s why he''s still around, otherwise, he wouldn''t even use Vorah in his name. Strax doesn''t care about being a Vorah, he never did. So again, why do his siblings want to destroy him so much? The conclusion he came to is that they want to eliminate him to reduce competition for becoming the Patriarch. But that clashes with his own ideals; he doesn''t want to be the Patriarch. He''d probably just use that position to destroy the family that threw him away just because he wasn''t like them. "You''re overthinking again." He got distracted and took a blow that sent him flying, crashing back against a pillar. "Urgh! Damn it, take it easy! I thought you wanted to be my wife!" he shouted at Xenovia, who was clad in black armor and wielding her sword containing Xyn. The training had intensified much more than it should have, pushing him to his limits. He was actually hurt now, with his arm bleeding through the kind of armor he wore. Xenovia, with a slight smile, lowered her sword for a moment, but her gaze remained sharp. "You''re daydreaming again, Strax. Your thoughts are a distraction. And a distraction on the battlefield is the difference between life and death," she said, approaching slowly but with firm steps. Strax tried to get up, rubbing his sore shoulder. "Daydreaming? I''m trying to understand what I''m doing here. This family is driving me crazy, and these relentless training sessions... it feels like there''s no purpose other than pain," he said, a mix of frustration and exhaustion in his voice. [Return the Missions] With the Garden open, we will have access to another sword that can strengthen your position and destabilize any ongoing plans against you." Strax took a deep breath, trying to calm the fire within him. "Very well," he said finally, his voice laden with determination. "Let''s prepare. We can''t waste any time." Xenovia nodded, grabbing her sword and walking towards the exit of the training hall. "I''ll coordinate with my subordinates. They will be ready to locate your wife." For some reason, Xenovia''s tone had changed, but Strax didn''t have time for that; first, he would go home to see Samira and Monica. "Alright," he nodded. As she left, Strax allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. He leaned against the pillar, his head tilting back, eyes closed. Every muscle in his body was tense, the weight of responsibilities and fear threatening to crush him. He couldn''t fail, not now. Beatrice was someone important to him, and especially to his old self. But he couldn''t falter now. He quickly stood up and left her mansion, "Girl, full speed ahead." He said to Apocalypse, not bothering to caress or speak beautiful words, but this horse... He knew exactly how Strax felt and neighed furiously; his hooves began to move with loud, strong sounds of galloping, the speed the horse reached was something Strax had never seen, yet he wasn''t impressed. He knew his horse was special, and he knew he cultivated it, so he didn''t care about its speed. Strax managed to reach his house quickly, the sound of his fast footsteps echoing in the hall. Strax opened his eyes to see Samira and Monica sitting on the couch, worry evident on their faces. "Strax!" Samira cried out, her big, bright eyes staring at him. "We heard what happened through your subordinate." Monica, sounding somewhat desperate, maintained the expression of concern, after all... it was her daughter they were talking about. "We heard that something happened. Please, tell us everything will be alright. Where is Beatrice? Have they found my daughter yet?," she pleaded, holding his hand. "Daughter?!?" Samira said, startled, but she saw that Strax didn''t show that reaction. "You knew..." "Not long ago." He commented, forcing a smile, trying to reassure them. "I''ll bring her back, okay?" he said firmly. "No one will hurt Beatrice and get away with it. I promise you, darling." He said, hugging Monica. "Wait... so you''re her husband and stepfather? I mean" Samira continued lost in her own thoughts, "Get back to normal, idiot!" Strax said, giving her cheeks a pinch. "L-let go!" Samira said, but he didn''t and pinched harder, "That doesn''t matter now!" Strax shouted at her, releasing her. "Alright alright! Calm down!" She said. Suddenly, a metallic noise caught Strax''s attention. He turned to see a hooded figure emerging from the shadows. It was one of the guild''s informants, a small woman with sharp eyes who always seemed to be where least expected. "Lord Strax," she said, her voice calm and professional. "I have information. I found traces of unusual activity on the outskirts of the city. Movement of forces we haven''t identified yet, but it seems coordinated and recent." Strax took a step forward, hope reigniting in his eyes. "Take me there," he said. "I need to see this with my own eyes." Chapter 79: V Maybe... Rage isn''t the only thing Strax is feeling right now... Well, at least not just that. He''s livid. For a while now, he''s been feeling strange. The problems he created and solved weren''t enough; he was harboring a fury so intense against the people he was supposed to call family. He joked, saying he would destroy them and that they needed to blow up, all together. But before... he thought he was just their target. Are there enough reasons for this? For the persecution? Yes, there are, but they''ve crossed the line. Strax knows not all his siblings, despite their hatred, would do such things. He knew they could be targets, but he didn''t expect it to happen so quickly. "Just eliminate all of them." That was his thought; he had given up on trying to do things the right way. Strax is a possessive man. For him, he would leave his problems with this family aside, enjoy moments with his wives, and spend his days training. But now, he had lost one of his wives and didn''t know if the others were safe. Strax was at the point of wanting to wipe out this entire family, and if necessary, manipulate the king himself through the marriage with Xenovia, he would do it. "Is it here?" Strax questioned the woman who brought him, one of Christine''s guild members. "Yes, Lord Strax," she said, bowing. "You''re dismissed, you can go." Strax said, but the woman hesitated, "Lord Strax, I think we should~" "Dismissed." He repeated, looking into her eyes. For a second, the woman trembled all over. His cold stare... it was so... terrifying... that it scared her. "Y-Yes, I will return." She said, bowing and running over the rooftops. **[Various Missions Advancing]** He read the message with disdain. This damn system was making him nervous; it wasn''t helping lately except for alerting what was happening. Even though it called itself a Harem System, it hadn''t really helped him in a long time. "Silence." He said, and the messages disappeared, the system tab closed, and he looked at the old building that Christine''s subordinate had pointed out as a place that might be related to Beatrice. What did he hope to find? At least some clues about Beatrice''s disappearance, that was the minimum he wanted. Almost three hours had passed since she disappeared. God knows what happened to her and what her condition was. He jumped to the entrance of the place, the door was still half-open. From what he heard from the guild member, there were men using the name "Vorah" in this place. "You!" Strax growled, recognizing the fierce look of the attacker as he quickly summoned his ice weapons to fight back. They exchanged blows rapidly, the room echoing with the clash of metal. Strax blocked and counterattacked with precision as Xenovia had taught him, his fury fueling every move. He was exhausted and needed his wife. Despite this, the enemy was skilled, but Strax was possessed with rage, the need to find Beatrice giving him unstoppable strength. "You wretched scum, bow before I kill you," he said, launching ice spikes toward the man''s feet, who quickly dodged. His slender build made him seem like a shadow. But Strax didn''t care about this nonsense. With a skillful move, Strax disarmed the attacker, the blade flying away and landing far. Without wasting time, he grabbed the opponent by the collar, pinning him against the wall. "Where is Beatrice?" his voice was a snarl, his gaze burning with deadly determination. The attacker tried to resist, but the insane look and twisted smile revealed the truth. "You''ll never find her," he spat, a bitter laugh on his lips. "V has already taken care of that." Before Strax could react, the man made a quick motion with his free hand. There was a metallic gleam, and in an instant, he brought something to his lips. Strax lunged to stop him, but it was too late. The man bit a capsule, and a sharp crunch followed. "No!" Strax shouted, gripping the man tighter, but the poison was already taking effect. The attacker convulsed, his eyes widening in agony. He tried to speak, but the words came out as a choking gurgle. His body slowly went limp, and the life drained from his eyes, leaving Strax holding a corpse. "Damn it!" Strax cursed, dropping the body to the floor. He looked around, his heart pounding as he gave one last glance at the body, then turned back to the desk, frantically sifting through the papers with a renewed sense of urgency. If "V" was involved, but it led to nothing... "Son of a Bitch!" Strax shouted, his voice echoing through the entire place. He was furious, almost irrational. He grabbed the letters and stormed out of the building. The first person he encountered was the same woman who had brought him to that place. "L-Lord Strax, are you alright?" she questioned, but he ignored her. "Take these, use them however you see fit, and inform Christine to go after this damned person called V," he said firmly and harshly, walking away before she could respond. He was truly in a cold rage, and that was bad news for anyone around him. In the distance, however, he was being closely observed. "It seems our little lamb is quite upset, isn''t he?" a figure remarked, watching Strax stride furiously through the empty streets of the night... Chapter 80: Dont let your fury out. "V..." Xenovia murmured, "At least he''s an idiot. That must be the case, right? Using the Vorah initial, having access to the Duchy''s permission? Virgil can''t be this V guy; he''s too dumb for that..." Xenovia said. Strax glared at her seriously, unable to believe she was making jokes at a time like this. "Whoever they are, everyone''s going to die, Vorah or not," Strax said. It had been six hours since he had last seen or heard from Beatrice. "You need to calm down, Brother," Xenovia said. "Thinking with a hot head won''t help; it''ll just make things worse, and you won''t be able to act as you should," she said sternly, almost like a scolding to snap him out of it. "Have they found anything yet?" Strax asked. Xenovia, unfortunately, shook her head. "Six hideouts of this V guy have been discovered, but we haven''t found any clues about Beatrice. I''m starting to think we''re following a false lead." Xenovia said, her eyes showing concern¡ªnot for Beatrice, of course; she didn''t even know the woman. The problem was... Strax... Xenovia knew many people; she had traveled a lot in her life, meeting various peoples and people of different social classes, different lives, ways of living, and personalities, and she had never seen anyone as possessed as Strax... She was good at reading expressions, but Strax... she could no longer see any emotion coming from him other than pure fury. "I need to find this woman... this man... is about to unleash everything inside him," she thought, while a voice came to her mind. "Be careful with him... that aura... it''s not of an ordinary human, or rather, it''s not even human." Xyn said in her mind, and Xenovia was intrigued and quickly questioned, "What do you mean by that? Of course he''s human!" Xenovia retorted quickly, "No. His physique is bestial; I sense an aura... of something very different from a human." Xyn said, avoiding too much comment. Xyn had been noticing several things about Strax, but now... his fury was not that of a human, definitely not. And it was making her impatient. She had extreme sensitivity to other beings, but Strax... was human and yet not, and it was driving her crazy. "Control," she said. "He cannot explode yet; hold on as long as you can. I have a bad feeling, a very bad feeling," the Spirit said, forcing Xenovia to stay by his side, not letting him slip away. [The main mission has progressed] Strax read in front of him. Something changed, something happened... why would the mission progress now? Nothing was happening except for one thing... Beatrice. "I''m going back to look," Strax said, standing up. He could no longer contain his anxiety. His patience was running thin; he needed to do something. Sitting and doing nothing was not in his nature; he really needed to do something. "No, you''re staying here." Xenovia said firmly, standing up and forcing him to sit on the couch. "I will call your wives; you''re not leaving from here." she said, her gaze much colder than before, as if something wrong was happening. Strax was speechless; for a second, he felt he should step back, but he didn''t. [The Main Mission Advanced] She backed away, her blade poised perfectly. "You have no idea who you''re dealing with!" With a swift motion, she tried to strike the nearest man, but the cramped space of the fitting room and the surprise of her attack reduced its effectiveness. He dodged, grabbing her wrist firmly, forcing her to drop the dagger, which fell with a dull thud to the floor. Beatrice was still weak, lacking the techniques and strength of Strax or Monica, let alone Samira. She already knew she was dead weight, but she hadn''t realized how much... Struggling with all her might, Beatrice tried to break free, her body twisting desperately. She kicked, bit, and scratched with her nails, but the number and strength of the men were overwhelming. "Strax!" she screamed, hoping her shout would reach someone, anyone, who could help. "Easy, miss," one of the men murmured while another pressed the cloth to her face. "V wants you alive." The sickly sweet scent of chloroform invaded her senses, and Beatrice felt the strength drain from her body. Her vision began to blur, the sounds around her becoming distant and indistinct. She continued to struggle, but each movement grew heavier, slower. "Strax... help" the word escaped her lips in a desperate whisper as darkness overcame her. When Beatrice woke up, she was in a cell, her hands and feet bound and a gag covering her mouth. Her body ached all over, and the only sound she could hear was the dripping of broken pipes echoing in the room. "Where am I...?" The question echoed in her mind, but the gag turned any attempt to speak into muffled murmurs. Beatrice tried to shift into a more comfortable position, but each movement was restricted by the tight bindings. Pain radiated through her body, each movement feeling like she had been beaten. She took a deep breath, trying to control the rising panic. Her thoughts turned to Strax, to the last memory of her trying to fight off her captors in the boutique. "He must be looking for me... I hope he''s okay... knowing that man, he must be about to explode." She murmured to herself, already knowing that Strax would come after her, but his mental state... that was hard to predict. She knew what he did to his former butler, knew he trained every day to become stronger, and knew his goal was to work hard so they would never face hardships, but here she was... kidnapped. She understood how his mind worked, so now... at this moment, she had no doubt he was preparing to kill anyone in his path... On one hand, it was comforting to feel loved, but on the other... she was afraid of Strax changing because of this. Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Beatrice lost track of how much time had passed, the seconds blending into minutes and hours. The sound of dripping became almost unbearable. "I need to get out of here," she thought, but she had no idea how. Finally, she heard a different sound. Heavy footsteps echoed from the other side of the wall. Beatrice lifted her head, her eyes fixed on the small opening where dim light filtered in. "Someone is coming," she thought, fear and hope intertwining in her chest. She tried to move again, but the ropes cut into her skin, and the gag prevented any cry for help. Chapter 81: I will kill him. Strax was reacting in a way no one expected. He was simply quiet... His mind was replaying various childhood memories with Beatrice, moments when he had started to feel a certain affection for her. These memories didn''t seem important now, but they painted a full picture of his feelings. Some might see Strax as foolish for accepting a woman who had simply tolerated his past behavior towards her. The accusations had merit; he should despise Beatrice. But the merging of minds caused by his reincarnation had created something different. Not only that, but the [Harem System] also seemed to have influenced his mind. Still, this didn''t matter now. Strax was an extremely possessive man. Knowing that one of the women he loved was sad already drove him mad¡ªher being kidnapped? Kidnapping the woman he loved wasn''t just crossing a line; it was devastating to his moral, his persona, his character. Strax was in a bad state, a very bad state indeed, and the System wasn''t helping at all. He tried to unlock everything he wanted, tried to ask for a GPS, a route to Beatrice... But nothing¡ªthis System was just useless, and it had already been not just one or two hours, but about a day. Everyone had blocked his exits. Even Cristine was no longer by his side; they were all with Xenovia, who decided she wouldn''t let him leave, and this frustrated him. His lack of information, his not knowing how Beatrice was¡ªeverything was confining to one thing: a desperate rage. "Hey, let''s go," Xenovia said. Strax looked at her, his eyes glowing red with pure anger. "Where?" he questioned, his voice rough but sharp. "We''ve found leads," Xenovia said. This time she seemed more inclined to be cold with him; her voice had a very superior tone. "Don''t talk to me like that," Strax said, getting up and following her. "Calm down and I''ll explain everything properly. Until then, I''ll talk how I want to and to whomever I want," Xenovia said as she continued to walk, extremely serious. They passed through the living room of Strax''s mansion. Monica and Samira, sitting on the sofa, glanced at Xenovia and nodded silently. "Let''s go," she said, opening the door and stepping out ahead of him, where he saw Apocalipse and Xenovia''s white horse waiting for them. "We''re heading outside the city," Xenovia said, mounting her horse and waiting for Strax to do the same. He approached Apocalipse and stroked her neck, not saying a single word, but the horse already sensed his turbulent emotions and neighed at him. "I know, girl, I know." "You talk to the horse?" Xenovia asked; she had never seen that. "Only when necessary," he replied and mounted her. "Where are we going?" he asked again. "You don''t need to know," she answered. Strax let out a long sigh. "Alright, do as you wish," he said, and Xenovia smiled at him. "Come on, I''ll show you something," she said, and they set off. The journey was long and silent. The dirt road stretched endlessly ahead of them, and he was tired. Strax couldn''t sleep or even relax until he found the woman. The sun was setting, painting the sky a deep orange, while the shadows of the surrounding trees danced like specters. "Let''s go home," Strax said, his eyes never meeting Xenovia''s¡ªnot out of anger at her or anything, but because he didn''t want her to see his face. A dark shadow with red eyes, large dark circles from lack of sleep, disheveled and messy hair, he mounted Apocalipse without another word. Strax had surpassed the limits of his restrained emotions... The System... was going haywire... [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] The System''s limiters were breaking, one by one, with each step he took. Numerous messages began appearing: "Mission Advanced," "Restriction Broken," "Mission Completed." Was Strax going mad? Even he didn''t know, but at this point... nothing mattered, not even his own life. "Strax..." Xenovia tried to say something, but she knew he wouldn''t listen. His shell was about to crack, and she didn''t understand this feeling; it was as if... "Be careful with that man," Xyn said in her mind, and Xenovia mounted her horse, noticing he had already started moving, silently. "What happened to him?" Xenovia asked Xyn. "It''s not hard to imagine... his world revolves around the people he cares about. I don''t know how a man can love a woman that much, or rather, how he can love so many women... it almost seems like a curse... the only thing I know is that those two swords... were trembling with anticipation when he found out about Beatrice..." "You mean that..." "Yes." [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] [Restriction Broken] The system continued to get crazier every second, reacting with the twisted mind of a man who felt he was on a tightrope, Nothing and no one would stop him and the System, was going into Collapse, breaking several restrictions that he imposed on Strax . Chapter 82: Devastate Everything The man walked calmly through the corridors, his eyes sharp, accompanied by two other men. "Darius... are you sure about this? Xenovia has already started looking for her," Dominic said, walking a certain distance behind him, with Virgil by his side. "What harm would it cause? She''s weak," Darius scoffed as he continued walking. "So weak she''s already found two hideouts," Virgil muttered. Darius stopped and turned. BONK! Virgil received a punch to the stomach, sending him flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. He coughed and writhed in pain as Darius stared at him with an icy gaze. "Darius, are you out of your mind?" Dominic exclaimed, rushing to help Virgil up. "He''s just concerned! Look at the mess you''ve gotten us into with your recklessness!" Darius remained impassive, anger flashing in his eyes. "Concern? I have no time for cowards who doubt my decisions. We need to move forward. Beatrice is the only weak link we can exploit now, and that''s how it will be done, even if I have to tear her apart and send her to that idiot," Darius said firmly, causing his two brothers to tremble at his words. "His greed is blinding him..." Virgil, still on the ground, thought. "If this continues... we''ll all die..." Was Virgil a coward? Not exactly... but ever since Strax humiliated him and proved he wasn''t what they accused him of, a bad air hung around him, as if... he was defying death itself... he felt it, but continued following Dominic and Darius nonetheless, even after his sister refused to help them, knowing she was one of the smartest... It was all a huge mistake. Struggling to catch his breath, Virgil pulled himself up, leaning against the wall. He wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and glared furiously at Darius. "Darius, we''re making a mistake. I bet Xenovia will tear you apart when she finds out what you''ve done," he said. Darius chuckled, a cold, cutting sound. "Strax is too wrapped up in his own emotions to care about what we do. Besides, he can''t stop us; he''s weak, and Xenovia can''t do whatever she wants. The rules still apply," he said, turning to Dominic. "Let''s go. We need to ensure our plan proceeds without interruption." Dominic looked worriedly at Virgil, who nodded, indicating he was well enough to continue. They followed Darius through the dark corridors of the abandoned facility, where the sounds of their footsteps echoed ominously. The dark corridors finally gave way to a heavy metal door, relatively new-looking. Without hesitation, Darius pushed it open forcefully, revealing a room. In the center, tied to a chair, was Beatrice, looking devastated. Days had passed, and she had lost hope after being moved twice before, this being the third time. She knew Strax was looking for her; otherwise, these bastards wouldn''t be so desperate to change hideouts. "Darius! We have a problem!" a man shouted, hastily opening the door. Darius released Beatrice, causing her to fall onto the chair, which broke, and she collapsed to the floor. Her entire body ached; she might even have suffered a bone injury, but he didn''t care. As she groaned in pain, he turned to the man. "What happened?" he questioned. The man, or rather the subordinate, quickly bowed and spoke frantically. "The Sword Ceremony has been moved to this afternoon!" he said, panting. Darius, Virgil, and Dominic looked alarmed. This shouldn''t have been possible at all. Quickly, Darius asked, "How was it moved? Is that even possible?" "Lady Xenovia... changed her return from direct competition for Heiress to opening the Garden," he murmured. Darius frowned. "She wants another sword?" he questioned. "She wants to give a sword to Strax," Dominic said. That meant... "They already know," Virgil spoke, and Darius walked ahead, his aura beginning to affect the environment as he moved, his heavy footsteps echoing and leaving Virgil and Dominic behind... "What are we going to do?" Virgil asked. Dominic just shrugged and looked at Beatrice. "Leave her here, let''s go," he said and walked away. It was already too late to turn back; whatever happens, will happen now. And this was the beginning of a big, a huge problem that no one would know how to fix. Virgil gave one last look at Beatrice and locked her up again. "You will all die, you will all succumb at the hands of my Husband, if you think this family will protect you, you are very wrong, my husband is not someone you should deal with, or can deal with, it will be funny to see your bodies mutilated, spewing blood in the most disgusting way possible," she said, as if casting a curse. Beatrice wasn''t enraged before, she was accepting the situation; it was the risk of loving that man. But upon hearing that he was coming, she already perfectly understood what was happening. "I want to see you soon, my dear... I don''t want you to become a man-devouring beast, you''re my beloved husband," she said, as if delirious, something completely accepted. She had been hurt, not eating, drinking, or sleeping for a long time; she was already falling into an abyss of madness, but... "It''s good to know you haven''t abandoned me, my dear," Beatrice murmured, closing her eyes to finally have a moment of peace. She was chained, bound, and injured, but she succumbed to exhaustion and accepted that everything was alright. "See you soon, my love," she whispered and fell asleep peacefully. On the other hand... "I''ve expended my last resource for you, Brother. Take the strongest sword of all, this is an order," Xenovia said seriously, her purple eyes consuming everything she saw; she no longer had patience to hold Strax back, now it was purely up to him. "These swords give strength to us. The moment you wield one of the strongest swords, make an absolute contract of equality, and everything will be fine," she explained. "From there..." she murmured... "Lay waste to everything." The expression she saw on that man was easily one of the most terrifying things she had seen in her entire life. Chapter 83: Lets go to the Garden. That day... Nothing was right. Strax heard everything Xenovia had said, but honestly... it didn''t matter to him. Nothing mattered; at that moment, he was nothing but a pit of hatred. It wasn''t just Strax who was like this... Monica was on edge, not knowing what to do about it. She felt useless; her daughter... wasn''t among them, and it was driving her crazy. She, who usually didn''t train, was now with Samira, destroying all the training dummies¡ªthey had already replaced them more than twenty times, and with just one blow... Monica shattered everything she touched. "You need to control yourself," Samira said, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her somehow. She couldn''t do anything for Strax, but she wanted to at least do something for Monica. "I won''t control myself until I see my daughter well." She said, serious and unyielding, her eyes burning with fury, the amber almost turning red from the anger she felt. Monica was a simple woman. As long as she and her daughter were well, she wouldn''t care about what she had to do. Even though she protected Strax in the past to keep him from being killed, she would still choose her daughter. Well, the current moment was different. After all, she accepted being with that man, but she still loved her daughter more¡ªhow could she not? In fact, only now, with the freedom this man gave her, would she really be Beatrice''s mother. But all of this could be lost now. Just thinking that her daughter might die without even knowing that she was her mother... Just this small thought made her tremble with rage, and she... couldn''t do anything. With each passing second, she felt more useless, more of a failure, more mentally exhausted. When she heard from Strax that it was one of his brothers... She wanted to punch him, but she couldn''t; he was suffering as much as she was. Monica now... was constantly rebuilding herself inside... If Beatrice came back, she would tell her the whole truth. If she didn''t return... Monica would use everything she had, all her desire for revenge, to become the strongest person possible to wipe out everyone involved in this. And no one, absolutely no one, could stop her from following her path, not even that man. "I''m going," Strax said to the two women sitting on the staircase before the training field Samira had built. "Are you sure you don''t want us to follow you? We can wait outside, and if something happens..." Samira began to say, but she saw Strax''s expression, who shook his head. "I don''t want you to be their targets, and..." He murmured quietly, "I don''t want you to see me... that won''t be me." He said, his eyes were not those of the mischievous man who called her Little Fire, but of a man who... was ready to die. "Be careful," Monica said, she was serious. "Any misstep and... Beatrice could die." Monica said, serious. She wasn''t worried about the swords or what would happen there, but if both died, she would go crazy. Her body and mind were no different from Strax, but she wasn''t blessed like Strax, who always had a way to get stronger. "Alright." Strax said and turned to leave, his steps were heavy, his body alert and trained. In just a few days, he advanced as much as he could. He even fully honed his skills, but the System didn''t advance his Status. In total, there were ten people in the room. Of Vorah''s twelve children, only 9 were there. "Where are those three?" Strax asked, but no one wanted to answer. "They''re coming," he heard the voice behind him; Xenovia had arrived. "Is everything okay?" She asked. "You tell me," he asked. Xenovia approached him and whispered, "She''s alive. They didn''t arrive because they decided to move her again. Absolutely everyone is after her now." She commented in her whispers scrambled with magic. None of them could hear what she said, but they realized that Strax had somehow calmed down. "Understood." The tension in the air only increased, so finally... Darius, Virgil, and Dominic arrived. Darius, Virgil, and Dominic entered the mansion''s meeting room, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. Strax, seated at the table with his other siblings, watched them with a hateful gaze, ready to explode at any moment. Even knowing she was alive... he wasn''t calm. Every fiber of his being was in fury, fueled by a hatred that seemed almost tangible. Despite this, Xenovia controlled his aura with hers, making sure his aura didn''t escape his body, at the request of his spiritual. Xenovia quickly glanced at the newcomers, a neutral expression hiding her immense urge to kill them. The air in the room grew heavier as Darius, Virgil, and Dominic approached the table. Strax kept his gaze fixed on Darius, who led the trio. "Took you long enough. Were you too busy?" he said, his voice cutting like a blade. Darius raised his chin, a cynical smile forming on his lips. "I was quite busy taking care of a rare animal; he seemed quite helpless," Darius provoked, trying to deny, even a word game was enough. It really had been him. And why? Why did he want to affect Strax like this? What did he do to Darius? Just because he was another competitor? Because he was the weakest? Did this shit really make sense? Damn, this asshole just wanted to play; he forced Xenovia back into the stupid competition; he made the whole scenario worse! And why? FOR WHAT! This was the current scene in Strax''s mind, but there was no point in questioning anymore; none of this mattered. If he wanted to provoke a dragon, then fine... He provoked the worst of dragons. Suddenly, an extremely strong aura entered the room, accompanied by Diana... Albert Vorah. "It seems that in less than ten minutes together, you''re already causing trouble," Albert said, ignoring what was happening. "Now that everyone is here... We should start." He said, drawing the sword he carried, and with a swing, "Let''s go to the Garden." Everyone was teleported. Chapter 84: Two Superior Spirits are watching you The garden where Albert teleported them was a vast space, surrounded by ancient trees and exotic flowers that seemed to glow under the setting sun. It was a place overflowing with tranquility, a stark contrast to the numerous, or rather, thousands of swords thrust into the sacred ground of the Vorah Family. Upon entering the Garden after teleporting, the first thing Strax saw left him completely stunned for a whole minute. His anger momentarily dissipated as he beheld not just several notifications, but thousands of them. "[Several Spiritual Entities are observing you]" "[Several Spiritual Entities are observing you]" "[Several Spiritual Entities are observing you]" The moment he laid eyes on those swords, a garden entirely made of swords, of every type, color, mold, and size, Strax felt as though each blade driven into Vorah Family''s sacred ground told a tale of past battles, sacrifice, and devotion. The metallic gleam of the blades reflected the light of the setting sun, creating a surreal yet imposing spectacle. But he paid no mind to that. Instead, his attention was drawn to a small structure in the distance¡ªa place that seemed to be calling out to him. "Father, was it really necessary to teleport us twenty minutes away?" Xenovia broke the silence, and everyone blinked twice, coming back to themselves, indeed impressed by the surroundings. "I want to get this over with quickly. I have matters to attend to in Skavannher, an important meeting, but you''ve dragged me here with your nonsense," he replied seriously to Xenovia. She agreed this time; it was all quite nonsensical, but she had an extreme feeling about it. Albert walked ahead, leaving them behind, then turned to face someone in particular. "Stop suppressing his aura, Xenovia," he ordered. She felt resentful but released Strax''s aura. *WUUUSHHHH* The garden trembled for a second as Strax''s aura burst forth. Anger, fury, a thirst for blood surged into the sky like a jet of air¡ªenough to make Albert hesitate, not out of fear, but curiosity. "What happened to you..." Albert thought, genuinely wanting to understand what had led to this, such contained fury. He looked around at all his children... trembling, except for Xenovia who was accustomed to it; something seemed off with the others. "I see... directed his aura; one of them must have done something that deeply angered him." Strax remained silent for a moment, battling the torrent of emotions within him. The air around him felt electrified by the intensity of his presence, but soon it began to calm, his aura fading or rather subdued by Albert''s. "Start," Strax finally replied, his voice low and rough. "Just get this over with." Albert looked at him, what he saw deep in Strax''s eyes truly intrigued him. Despite finding Strax''s arrogance foolish, if he weren''t here on contract, he might have punished him himself. Albert realized the small structure in the distance emanated a powerful aura, drawing not only his attention but that of everyone present¡ªthey were all looking at the structure. Xenovia glanced at her father, noting for the first time the tension gripping him as he observed the site react to something. She knew that something important awaited beyond the doors of that building, something dangerous. "The only one touching a sword here will be Strax; you all know why you''re here," he said. "Weren''t you the one who ignored him and left him at the mercy of these pieces of trash with legs?" She looked at some of her siblings, then continued, "Deal with the consequences of abandoning an Absolute Genius." They all looked at her with a sense of unease, as if she had been planning this for... years. "Absolute genius, huh? I would love to see something like that," Albert said, looking at her, surprising her. "Is this man... excited about something?" she wondered internally, but... A tremor occurred where Strax stood, and she saw... "I don''t want swords that don''t share my goals," Strax said, and his aura spread, causing all the swords to... sleep? [You have caught the attention of 606 Spiritual Entities] [You have caught the attention of 540 Spiritual Entities] [You have caught the attention of 300 Spiritual Entities] [You have caught the attention of 130 Spiritual Entities] [You have caught the attention of 2 Spiritual Entities] "What is he doing..." Liam, who had been quiet the entire time, questioned. "He''s throwing out the trash," Mason, one of the elders after Xenovia, said. He had been quite quiet too, as he had no reason to be otherwise; he just wanted to leave, and he was almost asleep, but the tremor startled him. Xenovia and her brothers were watching carefully; this was new. The air around pulsated with Strax''s intention, for the first time... it wasn''t a sword that was choosing its wielder, but the reverse. Diana, who still had some uncertain thoughts, looked at Strax with a faint smile. Now, she really had a reason to admire this man, unlike before. The arrogance he had shown was maintained in some way. "Tsk... why these two swords..." Albert murmured. *ROOOOOOOARRRRRRRRRRRR* *HAHAHAHAHAHA* The roar and laughter echoed through the halls of the Awakened Garden, sending shivers down everyone''s spines. It was a laugh that exuded a sinister and unfamiliar presence, arguably demonic. [Two Greater Spirits have their eye on you] [The Golden Dragon King - Tiamat challenges you to a duel.] [The Abyssal King - Ouroboros challenges you to a duel.] Chapter 85: The Dragon King, Tiamat Strax felt a chilling cold run down his spine the moment he opened his eyes, realizing the vast darkness of the cave he found himself in. The space around him was an unfathomable void, where the only source of light was the sword floating before him, emitting a pale, mysterious yellow glow. The blade seemed to pulse with ancient and powerful energy, its warmth contrasting with the coldness of the place, leaving him on high alert. [You have entered the Dragon''s Cave ¨C Tiamat] The warning echoed in his mind, as clear as the touch of the blade on his soul. The sword, made from a long, curved bone like a fang, seemed alive, shimmering with an energy not belonging to the human world. Strange runes covered the blade, flickering in harmony with the yellow glow, and an aura of ancient power emanated from it. Strax observed the sword carefully. He already knew what it was about; Xenovia had told him everything before the expected event happened. Even so, his breath caught for a moment when the voice echoed through the void, the cave vibrating with its resonance. "A human." The voice was like muffled thunder, reverberating in a distorted tone that was impossible to identify as either male or female. Strax felt a tremor in his body but forced himself to stare at the blade; he needed to show that he was more than just a mere human. "So the human dares to stand before a King," the voice echoed again, carrying an intensity that made the cave tremble. The darkness around seemed to contract and expand with each word, as if the very space was alive and responding to the presence of the sword. Strax planted his feet firmly on the rocky ground of the cave, forcing himself to maintain his composure. "Tiamat," he said, his voice echoing through the vastness. He expected a different reaction when he directly addressed the sword''s name. The darkness around him began to move, nebulous forms swirling around the sword, and he felt a hot breath coming from above. The light of the sword revealed a massive skeleton of a dead Dragon. "Yes, I was Tiamat," the voice responded, each word reverberating like a whisper in Strax''s mind. "King of Dragons, the one who sees all and governs all in the shadows." [You are in the presence of Tiamat''s Spirit, the Dragon King] "Why did you bring me here, Tiamat?" Strax asked, directly questioning the Dragon. Despite trembling from its aura, he was not afraid of a skeleton, nor should he be. "Prove yourself worthy," Xenovia had said, and so he would, treating the Dragon King as an equal. "Because you, human, carry within you a power that many fear and few understand, the physique of the Demonic Dragon," Tiamat replied, the voice hissing through the darkness. "You are a flame in a world of shadows, a force that can be shaped for great deeds... or destruction." Tiamat spoke like an old sage, but Strax couldn''t see him that way. It was as if... "Don''t think about things like that now!" he snapped himself out of his thoughts. "Survive my will, and I will let you wield this sword," Tiamat said as the skeleton began to transform. Ancient bones moved, cracking with renewed energy. The sword''s light intensified, molding itself around the skeletal structure. The air around Strax crackled with power, and he saw, with a mix of terror and a bit of fear, the skeleton gaining real flesh, golden scales appearing and expanding like lightning. Tiamat''s eyes ignited with a light that seemed to burn with the intensity of a thousand suns, and in a few seconds, the Golden Dragon, majestic and terrifying, stood before him, completely alive. He stood, trembling but firm, his gaze fixed on Tiamat. The cave seemed to vibrate with the clash of their energies, Tiamat''s yellow glow contrasting with Strax''s burning red. Tiamat observed with renewed interest, the intensity in his eyes increasing. "Then show me, human. Show me the true power you possess. Prove that you are more than a fleeting flame." ROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRR Tiamat roared, amplifying his aura, but Strax focused all his strength, his red aura exploding into a blinding brilliance. He charged forward, the sword still floating before him now responding to his call, filling the cave with a power that resonated with his very soul. Strax grasped the sword in front of him, disregarding the Dragon''s aura pressing down upon him. ROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRR Tiamat''s roar reverberated through the cave, but Strax did not retreat. He fought with everything he had, each invisible blow dealt by Tiamat''s pressure leaving a worse expression on his face. Strax was furious as his aura intensified. The ground cracked beneath his feet, the cave around them crumbling under the pressure of their combined power, but Strax continued advancing. Strax struck with the sword against the center of the Dragon''s force, a vertical blow carrying all his aura, all his will, all his essence. Energy exploded in a blinding flash, and the entire cave was enveloped in light. When the light finally dissipated, Strax stood panting, using the sword as support. The spirit of Tiamat stood before him, a look of respect in its ancient eyes. [You have defeated the Dragon King] "I misjudged you, you are not human," Tiamat said. "The sword is yours. Use it well." Tiamat began to fade into the air, but Strax intervened. "No! I don''t want a sword without will," he said firmly. "Make a contract with me!" He shouted, driving the sword into the ground to halt Tiamat''s disappearance. The Dragon turned to face him, and though Strax couldn''t see its expression, he felt a tremor of power approaching. "It''s not me, stupid boy. That bitch is here," Tiamat said, with a tone that seemed to be disdainful. The air around Strax was suffused with overpowering energy, causing him to fall to the ground as another devastating aura manifested. "How dare you ignore me, insolent human like you," a female voice echoed, radiating anger, fury, and disgust. Once again, the System sent a message before him as the tremors intensified with each passing second. [You are before the Spirit of Ouroboros, the Abyss King] Chapter 86: Lets make a contract Again the System sent a message ahead of you while the tremors only grew stronger, every second. [You stand before the Spirit of Ouroboros, the King of the Abyss] The message echoed as the residual dimension around him began to fracture, pieces of the environment cracking and breaking like glass under immense pressure. Strax looked around, his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He stood before something more vast and terrible than the Dragon. Tiamat, until now a towering presence before him, remained still, observing with an expression that was hard to decipher what was going through the dragon''s mind, something truly strange was happening. The tremors continued, the darkness around engulfing everything, as if the abyss itself was materializing to claim its prey. Tiamat, unlike before, was now silent, waiting, as if acknowledging the authority of the new presence. Strax struggled to keep calm, but the aura emanating from this spirit was entirely different from Tiamat. Ouroboros did not exude Tiamat''s pride; instead, it was an abyssal force, a presence pulsating with a devouring hunger and a fury that seemed to want to consume everything around it. The tremors became even more violent, and Strax felt the pressure in the air intensify, crushing him. Stax fell to his knees on the ground, trying to maintain composure, but it was an even harder struggle, even with the aura of a dragon, it didn''t matter, he just fell to the ground, almost powerless. The air was infused with a new and devastating aura, and Strax was forced to the ground by the overwhelming force of the new presence, and his knees gave way. A female voice, laden with anger, fury, and disgust, echoed again through the dimension, "How dare you ignore me, insolent human!?" She shouted as before. As he struggled to rise, the ground trembled again. The sound of something colossal being dragged reverberated through the cave. Strax, with great effort, lifted his face slightly and saw something that filled him with a new form of terror. A gigantic serpent emerged from the darkness. Its body seemed endless, a creature so vast and infinite that only a fraction was visible before him. The scales gleamed with a dark shine, each movement causing a new tremor that reverberated through the environment. [You stand before the Spirit of Ouroboros, the King of the Abyss] Strax read that message again, this time it seemed heavier than before in front of his eyes. "Where have I got my hands on ..." He commented. "Damned whore." Tiamat commented again and Strax looked at her. "Release the Boy, if you''re going to talk to him, be polite!" She shouted with a native spirit of justice, something that Tiamat didn''t like was lack of education. Strax looked at Tiamat confused, but saw that Ouroboros''s colossal body began to glow with an ethereal light. The scales shimmered and rearranged themselves, the serpent twisting and shrinking, metamorphosing. In a matter of moments, before him, where once stood the colossal serpent, appeared a feminine figure. "Talk about being polite when at least using a humanoid form to speak with a human, your Proud Whore" Ouroboros said. "You speak as if you have any control over him, Tiamat. But the truth is, he chooses who he will take with him! And it seems you can''t handle the competition." Tiamat advanced as well, her chests were already almost touching, but she remained upright! "This is not a matter of competition, it is a matter of principles! I will not let you drag him into your idiotic darkness!" Ouroboros cast a disdainful glance at Tiamat, then turned back to Strax. "So, boy," she said, her voice now sweet, quite sensual "The choice is yours." "Which one of us will you choose?" The two shouted together... Strax... who managed to get out of Ouroboros''s aura looked at the scene and just wanted to go away... "And I thought I was going to get a quiet spirit that didn''t talk to anything and stayed by my side, I got two old bitches" Strax said, "Well, a man has to take responsibility" Strax said and stood up, apparently neither was listening. Tiamat and Ouroboros were with their faces almost glued, sparks literally flying between their looks and the air was charged with hostility. Strax arrived at the center of the dispute, and with an effort, he raised his voice to be heard above the turmoil. "Both of you!" he shouted, trying to make himself heard over the noise and tension. "Stop this shit now!" The two entities turned to Strax, their surprised and angry looks fixed on him now. Tiamat and Ouroboros seemed almost hateful for having been interrupted, and the silence that followed was deafening. Strax stared at both, "I''m not a prize to be fought over between you. I am a man, a being with my own will. The prize here is you! Not me!!" Ouroboros stepped back slightly, her expression of anger softening into something more thoughtful. "You are bold, boy," she murmured. Tiamat took a step back too, "You have courage, Boy," she said, "And maybe, that''s what really matters." Strax was already getting nervous, he was the one who should be the winner here! He was to be the person who won the prize! When the values were reversed ?! Who is sealed were they! Why are you turning it into an object! He was furious, he had been a long time, for all possible reasons, but now? Now he broke. "I came to this shit to choose a sword for me to kill a fucking son of a bitch who kidnapped my wife, and you two... You damned bitches are messing with my mood." Ouroboros and Tiamat exchanged brief glances, but he continued. "You know what? Fuck it." He said and raised his hand. "Both of you come with me, Both are mine." He said, his anger was already at the limit and he had no more time for that. Tiamat had already agreed with him and Ouroboros seemed favorable then. "Do this shit of Contract, I Have to Kill a Rude and Save My Wife!" He shouted at the women who were left unreactive. [You''ve made a contract with two Higher Entities from Sector #######] Autor Note: The images of Tiamat and Ouroborous are in auxiliary chapter 3! It could be that the bot is blocking the images, so go to the discord server for more details, no big problems! Chapter 87: The beginning. Everyone stood staring at Strax''s motionless body after he took a few steps into the middle of the Garden and the swords stopped trembling. No one understood what had happened. "What a waste of time," Noah said, turning to leave the dimension, but... "Stay quiet," Albert said, his voice carrying such an aura that Noah fell to his knees. Albert continued to watch Strax closely, unlike these fools... He knew what was happening, clearly seeing the aura of a dragon, a furious dragon, emanating from Strax''s body, marking the ground around him in red. "Xenovia," he called without looking at her, still observing the scene. "Yes, Father?" she questioned, despite her dislike for him, still respecting him. "What happened to him?" Albert asked, his curiosity spiked after seeing all the swords react to Strax. What intrigued him more was the strength Strax was emitting, mixed with frustration and anger. Albert knew such a colossal aura required a terrible experience, and he wanted to know. "Our brothers..." Xenovia murmured, hesitant to jump to conclusions despite having some evidence. "I see. What did they do?" Before Xenovia could respond, Darius, Virgil, and Dominic''s gazes turned towards Albert. It was a subtle movement, but charged with tension. Albert, rarely deceived by appearances, noticed the change in their expressions. Though he didn''t involve himself directly in his children''s daily affairs, he maintained constant vigilance through his subordinates, who reported everything. "It seems one of you is involved," Albert said, his words sharp as blades. "Were you implicated?" Darius was the first to speak, his voice defensive as he realized his grave mistake. "Father, we... did nothing more than was expected. He needed to be tested." "Tested?" Albert repeated, his voice cold as ice. "You call this a test? Look at him." He pointed at Strax, whose body now exuded an intense aura, causing the air around him to ripple. "That is not the response of someone merely being tested." Albert silenced him with a severe look. "Tested? Or did you exceed the limits?" He turned to Xenovia. "What did they do?" Xenovia nodded slowly, her expression now a mix of anger and concern. "They kidnapped his wife," Xenovia spoke with regret, and Albert raised an eyebrow. "You must be joking," he questioned. "Ask them," Xenovia said, her gaze truly grim. Albert stared at his sons, his eyes burning with an intensity they had never seen before. "Kidnapped his wife?" His voice was cold yet vibrating with restrained fury. "You have crossed every imaginable boundary." Darius, ever bold, tried to justify their actions. "Father, we thought it would push him to his limit. We..." Albert interrupted with a sharp gesture. "You played with the life of an innocent woman for experimentation. What happens from now on is your concern." He spoke seriously, seeming unusually indifferent to the consequences. Strax''s body finally moved, reaching out for the two swords that flew into his hands as if drawn by an invisible magnet. As he gripped the hilts, a tremor ran through the entire dimension, vibrating the air with a terror-inducing energy, as if an Abyssal Dragon unleashed all its fury. It seemed like the world slowed down as his head... Fell from his body. In his final moments, Virgil saw his own head spinning in the air. He was still conscious enough to see what came next, his eyes capturing a terrifying and final sight: a colossal, immense, and imposing Golden Dragon, staring directly at him. The dragon''s eyes were filled with deep contempt, a disgust that pierced Virgil''s soul. This vision seared into Virgil''s mind, the expression of horror etched on his face until his last moment of life. The impact of the severing and the falling of Virgil''s head were met with deadly silence. The air became charged with tension, the ground beneath Strax now stained with blood. Virgil''s head rolled across the ground. "Who''s next?" Strax asked with pure coldness, quickly turning his body to strike at Dominic, but Dominic drew his sword in time and protected himself. Unfortunately, the attack of the two swords was worse than he could imagine. The impact of the black sword sent him flying backward, crashing to the ground; his entire body trembled with fear, his sword trembling with fear at the mere thought of being wielded by Strax, refusing to follow his orders. "Damn it... what was that," Dominic muttered, seeing Strax rise and look at him. "Still alive," Strax said, unsatisfied, turning when he felt a sword approaching. He quickly dodged and countered it with Tiamat. "I would save the end for you, but you continue to be a coward without honor," Strax said, defending himself against Darius''s sword. "Shut up, you worm," Darius said, forcing the sword towards Tiamat. The Golden Sword glowed and radiated an aura, "Don''t you dare do anything to him, you little worm," Darius heard, and a woman emerged from the sword; he quickly backed away, feeling immeasurable danger... "What the hell is this!" He growled, seeing that the sword was strange in Strax''s hand. "Ah, looks like you''ve met her, haven''t you, Tiamat?" Strax asked with a smile, "They''re a bit temperamental, but you know? I love women like that," Strax said and planted Tiamat in the ground, "Take care of him for me, okay? I''ll be back." When Strax finished speaking, a woman emerged from the sword. She wore a blue dress with golden carvings, large red eyes, and pink lips; she really looked like a sexy busty milf, but what caught the most attention were a pair of golden horns. "And I thought there was something wrong with that sword... The Spirit of a Dragon," Albert said, "And to think it was a woman who refused to be wielded by me all these years." Tiamat turned to Albert; of course, she heard his comments, with just one look, she completely understood what Albert wanted, and she just felt something bad. "A man like you doesn''t deserve to wield my sword," Her gaze turned to Xenovia, or rather... Xyn... "You''re still pretending to be weak, old hag?" Tiamat asked, but Xenovia''s sword didn''t react to her comments. "Stop kidding around!" Darius shouted, rushing towards Tiamat. "Quiet, and bow to a Queen," She said and Darius fell to the ground, his knees sinking into the garden''s soil. "Wait until your turn, filthy trash." "Soon, you will be well looked after." Chapter 88: Wont you stop him? Tiamat stood in front of Darius, preventing him from advancing. Meanwhile... "Are you not going to stop him?" Veronica asked her father, who stood with arms crossed, observing the "execution." "Why should I do anything?" Albert spoke into the wind, his tone so indifferent that it startled everyone, except for the older ones like Noah, Liam, and Xenovia. "B-but! He killed Vigil!" Veronica tried to counter-argue but was interrupted by Xenovia. "The rules are absolute in the family, even if our father wanted to stop it, it''s impossible. The patriarch''s seal doesn''t allow going against it. The rules of the first patriarch were absolute, ''Never compromise the Family.'' That was his motto, and these three... are simply disgraceful." Xenovia concluded. "Do you even know why you''re fighting each other? All of this was a big joke from your distorted minds." She said with a sharp look at the confrontation. Everyone fell into silence. In a way, what she had said was true... "Kidnapping a Family Member''s Wife, for simply Nothing." This time, Albert said, who only saw the whole situation in a general way. "What did they think would happen? That I would stop a confrontation with quite plausible motives?" He wondered, seemingly viewing his children as just... "A bunch of idiots." Diana said seeing that it all happened because of a simple, foolish envy. Meanwhile... "S-Stop! It wasn''t me who planned this!" Dominic shouted as he parried Strax''s Black Sword, which came with all its force. He was constantly on the defensive, with no room to strike back, and Strax... Just silent as he pushed him back. Dominic instantly recognized that unique sword style... Sword of Eclipse... the way Xenovia fought, but... "Ahgt!!" He roared in pain as he felt his wrist injured by the pressure of Strax''s sword... his movements were too fluid, the sliding of the sword was like a... "A snake..." Dominic thought, seeing the seriousness with which Strax attacked. His sword had a strange blade as if it could change location. With each strike, it was as if he was unleashing all the frustration and anger accumulated in his soul. The ground around them was marked by the fight''s trail, bits of grass and earth thrown around as Dominic tried to dodge and block the deadly attacks. "Do you think you can escape what you''ve done?" Strax finally spoke, his voice a low and dangerous growl. Fury burned in his eyes, a rage that seemed to grow with each passing moment. "Do you think your apologies will stop me?" Dominic didn''t have time to respond. Strax moved with nearly imperceptible speed, the black sword glowing with a threatening aura. Dominic raised his sword in a desperate last effort to block the attack, but Strax was relentless. With a fluid motion, he diverted Dominic''s blade and advanced, cutting through any defense Dominic could offer. He was on his knees, utterly defeated, his entire body burning in pain and bathed in the crimson of his own blood, the pain that was passing before his own soul, and all he could see was a blur of red approaching him. "Do you think you can touch what''s mine and get away with it?" Strax''s voice echoed throughout the garden, laden with cold rage and relentless determination. Each word seemed like a death sentence, heavy as lead. Dominic, soaked in blood and clinging to life by a thread, looked up, eyes wide with terror. He tried to speak, but only groans of pain escaped his cracked lips. His expression of despair mixed with the recognition of his terrible fall before Strax''s fury. Strax stopped in front of him, placing his hand on Dominic''s head. "You should tuck your tail between your legs and stay quiet," Strax said in a low, icy voice, looking into Dominic''s eyes. "And you wasted that chance." Grabbing his head, he pulled it up, tearing it completely off with his own hands. Strax then held it firmly and headed towards Darius, who was still powerless because of Tiamat, who was already reaching her limit in physical state. Strax''s aura reached its peak. "Let him go," he ordered, and Tiamat obeyed, turning back into a sword and into Strax''s hands, a storm of power that enveloped the garden, causing the flowers to wilt and the swords stuck in the ground to tremble. The silence that followed was deafening, only the echo of the wind and Strax''s heavy breathing filled the tense air. Strax turned slowly, locking eyes with Darius with a gaze burning with pure, natural hatred. "Are you going to tell me where my wife is?" His voice echoed, all because of his wife. He killed a brother in a way that no one expected, just a clean cut with no trace of mercy, and the other... He tortured him until the last second and ended it with the absolute strength he had. "If you''re not going to speak, come at me," Strax said in a superior tone, looking down at Darius as various windows of missions and achievements from recent events began to appear. [You eliminated two marked targets; your rewards are being saved.] [You contracted with two Legendary Spirits from the Aetheria World; your cultivation has advanced.] [You partially awakened your Demonic Dragon physique.] [The Act''s Mission Chain has not been completed yet.] [Your rage created the ability - Predator.] Chapter 89: We found her but... The messages meant nothing to Strax. Everything he was doing wasn''t for gain; on the contrary, none of this was for a damn System that had been holding him back. It was pure fury¡ªthe fury of a man whose wife had been kidnapped. His rage made him act... "Get up." He said to Darius, who was still on the ground, but Darius didn''t move. "I said get up." Strax commanded and kicked Darius backward, his kick landing on the man''s stomach. "Urgh!" Darius groaned in pain. Because of Tiamat''s Aura, Darius''s body was completely weakened; in fact, he could barely move at this moment. The pressure the Dragon exerted on his body was overwhelming. "Damn coward," he cursed... "Coward?" Strax questioned... [Dragon''s Aura] he used, making the man curl up on the ground, his strength still stagnant, and he couldn''t do anything. "You kidnap my wife, and I''m the coward?" Strax questioned. He had already killed two of his brothers; killing the third would not be a problem. "That''s enough, Strax." Albert''s voice came into his mind, and he turned around, his red eyes landing on his siblings, some of whom, like Veronica and Eva, trembled. "Enough?" Strax questioned, no longer thinking about the consequences, driven purely by hatred. "Yes, enough." Albert repeated, releasing his aura upon Strax, who resisted it firmly; [Dragon''s Aura] held faithfully against Albert''s. "A mere Master withstanding the aura of an Emperor..." Liam murmured from a distance. "Do you really want to challenge my orders?" Albert questioned, "Getting rid of those two trash was fine, but you are crossing the line." He said while Strax looked at him. For a moment, a massive Giant Tiger appeared behind Albert. Strax saw it and even felt fear for a moment. "Byakko, the White Tiger of the West." Strax heard from one of his swords, Tiamat to be precise. "Is he strong?" he asked mentally. "One of the Four Greats, as strong as us," Ouroboros responded. Strax looked at the White Tiger with pure disdain. "Strong or not, I don''t care." The fury boiling in his eyes increased, his aura radiating like red flames around him. "You all... have no idea what it''s like to lose someone you love. I don''t care about rules, hierarchies, or this damn power game!" He roared, feeling every fiber of his body pulsate with rage. Albert, standing with his imposing Emperor''s presence, kept his arms crossed, his gaze steady and emotionless. "You''re letting anger consume you, Strax. It will only destroy you." "Destroy?" Strax let out a dark laugh, tilting his head to the side while his eyes sparkled. "Do you think I care? That bastard took my damn wife, you useless fool. Just because you failed and lost your wives doesn''t mean I have to lose mine." Strax followed Cristine with long strides; the Vorah mansion felt oppressively silent, as if everyone were waiting for the storm he would bring. The fury that had consumed him earlier now transformed into a sharp fear about what he might find. Every fiber of his being was focused on Beatrice. "If something happened to her..." He left the thought unfinished, his mind already forming scenarios that made him tremble with rage. "She''s upstairs; we brought her to the main mansion," Cristine said, leading him down a corridor to a room where the light was dim. Strax entered forcefully, flinging the door open with a bang. His heart pounded as he saw Beatrice lying on the bed, her body covered in wounds. Her skin was pale, her eyes closed, and each breath was a painful effort. He fell to his knees beside the bed, his face contorted in a mask of pain and fury. "Beatrice..." The word left his mouth as a groan, his hand trembling as he touched her gently. Every mark on her body was an insult, a direct attack on his being. He felt a wave of despair, something he rarely allowed himself to feel. Cristine looked at him with silent sorrow. "We did what we could to stabilize her, but she needs time to recover. She has suffered greatly..." Strax couldn''t contain the fury rising in his throat. "Who did this...?" The question came out as a roar, his voice trembling with rage. "Who dared to touch her?" Cristine hesitated but then pointed to a ring on Beatrice''s finger. "That ring... it''s a symbol of the Olarin clan. They were responsible for all this. Your suspicions were correct; Dominic, Virgil, and Darius had contracts with them. The property where we found her... was in Darius''s name. We killed many people in the process, but none of them were innocent." He turned to Cristine, who had followed him silently. "Take care of her. Do whatever is necessary." His voice was a command, an unquestionable order. "Yes, Master," Cristine responded, the gravity of the situation clear in her eyes. Xenovia stood outside, merely listening to him speak. Strax left the room, his mind already planning the vengeance that would fall upon the Olarin. "I''ll make a massacre and be right back," he promised silently to Beatrice. "Wait!" Cristine shouted, feeling she should give him something. "Take this; it will protect you." She handed Strax a black bracelet and continued, "My assassins are outside the mansion; I''ll have them take you to the Clan that hurt Beatrice..." [You have obtained Thanatos''s Bracelet ¨C Legendary Item] He read the message, puzzled at how Cristine had such an item. But that didn''t matter now. "Thank you, I''m sorry for using you this way; I will reward you in the future." He said with a gentle smile that made Cristine blush slightly, but she said nothing... Chapter 90: A dark night "He is..." Tiamat murmured, watching how Strax was walking, after they had made a contract with him. Both Tiamat and Ouroboros now sort of... shared the room, if we can put it that way. "Yes, he is very angry," Ouroboros said as she observed her master from afar, for some reason... "Why is he so handsome?" She questioned to the wind and Tiamat''s face turned dark, then she roared, "Of course he''s handsome! He''s my Master!" She shouted, "Your master?! He''s MY Master!" They started to argue inside the spiritual world trembled, fortunately... Strax was just walking silently in the darkness, the night was... tense. The night was closed, and the shadows seemed to writhe around Strax as he marched down the path. Christine''s assassins were all around him, silent and deadly figures, ready to execute their orders without hesitation. Strax''s aura gleamed like a dark fire, his fury fueling the intensity of his presence. "The Olarin Clan is powerful," remarked one of the assassins, his face hidden in the darkness. "They have magical defenses and ruthless guardians. But nothing will protect them." "I don''t care about their defenses," growled Strax, his hand tightening on the sword at his waist. "I will destroy everything until I find who did this to Beatrice." First, all that was passing through his head was that, nothing really mattered, perhaps a foolish thought? Well, he didn''t care, once again, it was just a bunch of idiots who grew up to kill each other, that''s how he saw this Olarin Clan that Darius made a contract with. Strax from the shadows finally saw his target. His Real Target. The Olarin Clan''s estate was a fortified complex, surrounded by high walls and guarded by armed sentries and defensive spells. The shadows of the towers projected against the night sky, and a sense of threat hung in the air. Strax stopped at a distance, his eyes scanning the terrain. "Just guards and spells," he murmured, "they are not prepared for assaults like this, clear the sides, without mercy... We have to be swift and precise, I will create a distraction," said Strax, watching the guards with keen eyes. "We need to get in and out before they can alert anyone. Failures are not permitted," he said and the assassins nodded. Strax gripped his swords, feeling the power pulsating within them. "I''ll make a mess. Hopefully they won''t let any of them escape, that will be a problem," he sighed as he emerged from the shadows towards the main gate of the compound. He came walking calmly while opening his arms, giving wide spaces between his body and the swords that began to emerge in golden and purple lights. Tiamat''s voice whispered in his mind, a constant reminder of the power he carried. "They don''t know what awaits them, Master... Destroy them for Beatrice." Ouroboros, on the other hand, was a soft murmur, but equally seductive, "Be relentless, Strax. They must pay for what they did." Thalion, aware that his life depended on his answer, stuttered, "Darius delivered her to us... we only followed his orders." The mention of Darius fueled Strax''s rage. He clenched his jaw tightly, his fists trembling with anger. "You will pay for every injury you caused her," he said with a voice that carried promises of vengeance. Before Thalion could say anything else, Strax swiftly and accurately struck, his sword piercing the Clan Olarin leader''s chest. "AHHH!" Thalion let out an agonizing scream, his body falling heavily to the ground, blood spreading around him. The remaining counselors and guards who hadn''t died watched in horror as their leader was killed before them. Some tried to attack Strax, but they were quickly dispatched by Christine''s assassins, whose blades showed no mercy. Strax looked coldly around the hall, his mind already planning the next move. With a nod, he signaled for the assassins to advance and cleanse the entire clan. The night was far from over, and he was determined to erase them all from existence. "Ouroboros, he''s all yours," Strax said, and the sword took the form of a snake, beginning to pierce the still-living man''s body, expanding and shrinking in size, torturing him effortlessly. Meanwhile, Strax scanned the surroundings, searching for something... "We found this," he heard from one of the Assassins, who handed over a kind of contract... "Well, with this, we can go," Strax said. "Now, only Darius remains," he said... He turned and opened the System tab, after several days without even using it, now he had a lot to check before fighting against his incredible brother. "Predator," he murmured, reading the description. [Like a Dragon, you are the greatest living predator, the merging of the Dragon Aura skill and your immense will to consume your enemy and bring them to death created this ability. Skill: Every time the Dragon aura is used to antagonize creatures, they can feel colossal fear. It can be used on any race below your cultivation level] "This will be useful," Strax muttered to himself, briefly closing his eyes to focus his energy. With a quick movement, he closed the System and mentally prepared himself for the imminent confrontation with his treacherous brother. With everything in order, he looked at the assassins around him, "Let''s go," he said firmly. "Darius is next, and he will suffer greatly." The assassins nodded in silence. The night was no longer so dark now, the light from the burning property was something everyone in the Duchy could see, and of course, the soldiers quickly arrived and came upon the scene... So many burned and dead bodies, so many lives lost... They didn''t even know what to do, but they needed to put out that fire. Chapter 91: Deal with your problems Darius At this moment, Albert was quietly seated at the dining table with all his children, except for Strax, who was on his way back. "Vigil and Demonic are dead," he said. A heavy air passed over everyone as they felt the chill of his words. Xenovia was the only one who showed no reaction; to her, it was obvious. She had known from the beginning that this would happen. In fact, she had expected something to happen, but Strax had crossed all possible limits. "I understand very well that the rules mean a lot to us, but I don''t think you fully grasped that, did you?" He said with disdain, his eyes fixed on Darius, who trembled at what was coming. "You, I''m sure you''ll find a way to get rid of this problem, right? I mean, you wouldn''t enter a dispute like this without knowing the correct rules?" Albert questioned. He knew Dominic and Vigil were fools; their behavior had shown that. But Darius was a different case. "F-father, I..." He tried to counter, but he had nothing to say, just a vast silence between his words, an emptiness that couldn''t even be questioned. "So, you''re as stupid as your two dead brothers." Albert concluded, simply silent. That was all they could do; the women just exchanged glances, especially Hinna and Vine, who were really disturbed by the situation. "Can''t we negotiate?" Hinna asked. She didn''t want more bloodshed. The look on her brother''s face when he died... was engraved in her memory, and it was driving her mad. "There''s no room for negotiation anymore, sister. Strax won''t accept anything else." She heard Xenovia''s cold voice echoing through the room. "Darius''s problem wasn''t just messing with someone who was quiet, but messing with something he didn''t even know." Her tone of superiority loomed over the man, "Or should I remind you all that, except for Eva, all of you turned your backs on Strax? Especially Dominic and Vigil, who frequently beat him for nothing more than his mere existence." She concluded. "You talk as if you''re different, sister," Veronica said. "Yes, I am different from you. At least I realized my mistakes, apologized, and helped him in the best way possible," she said, as if boasting about something. "Are you going to keep lying, Xenovia?" Liam questioned in a rather calm tone. "You only helped him to get rid of the problem with the King. You''re trying to make him fall in love with you and fight against the prince," he completed, and everyone looked at her. Of course, this could be the reason Xenovia was helping the failed boy who had always been judged for being weak. They all thought the same... "You''re all so foolish..." Albert said in a lower tone, his arms crossed and eyes closed. It seemed like he was concentrating on something, but they didn''t interfere. "So, Xenovia, tell us! Is that why? Do you want to marry your brother?" Eva said enthusiastically. She was a bit... contrary to everyone else who seemed reserved and just watched each other... "No, little Eva, I''m not here to marry him because of that." Xenovia replied with a calm smile as she stroked her head, which had a big smile on her face. "What do you mean by that!" Liam was the first to roar. "Yes, what''s this ''dear'' nonsense?" Hinna followed, but Strax wasn''t patient enough to hear her out. "Shut up, Hinna." Strax commanded, his eyes blazing with pure rage, making her step back a bit. "Read what''s in this scumbag''s mouth." Strax said, throwing the man''s head onto the table. The head was deformed, full of holes and cuts, but its jaws held a letter firmly between the teeth. Darius felt a shiver down his spine at the sight. "What''s the matter? Afraid?" Strax questioned, but Darius remained silent as Albert picked up the head, retrieving the document. Albert calmly unfolded and read it. It wasn''t very long, more like a receipt for the services the Olarin Clan was supposed to provide the Vorah Clan in Darius Vorah''s name. In summary, it detailed everything that happened to Beatrice: the places she stayed, how she was treated. Strax could barely bring himself to read it all. "I understand," Albert said, placing the paper on the table. "That should be more than enough proof, right?" Strax asked, a macabre smile starting to form on his face. He was already getting excited about torturing and killing Darius in the most vile and repulsive way possible, so even his soul would live in constant fear in hell. "What do you want to do with him?" Strax heard Diana''s voice, who had been silent since his arrival. "You know very well what will happen to him. Your oh-so-important rules don''t allow him to survive this, or have you forgotten?" Strax thought of nothing else but Darius''s death. Nothing would satisfy this fury, this hatred, except seeing his body crushed like jelly on the ground. "You can''t just kill him," Diana said, but Strax... His eyes turned neon red as he stared deep into Diana''s eyes. "And are you the one who will stop me?" He questioned. Strax already knew Diana was just a puppet, a trophy in the corner of the room that did nothing but listen and accept. This bothered him, as she seemed more like an object than a person, which angered him. Especially since... Well, she was a great beauty, and Strax hated seeing beautiful women suffering like that. At least he wanted to force her to do something, to take some action, but just when she seemed willing to do something... "Darius," Albert said, drawing everyone''s attention and cutting off the conversation between Strax and Diana. "Handle your problems alone. You and your dead brothers caused this." He said without any emotion, as if... his own son''s life didn''t matter. "I don''t need losers in my family." This statement was almost laughable from Strax''s perspective. After all, he had been in Darius''s position. He had been the one called a loser, a failure... "What a joke," Strax said loudly. Everyone quickly turned to Strax, sensing a direct challenge to Albert in his words, but he remained unfazed. "Let''s settle this quickly, lamb to the slaughter," Strax continued, with Ouroborous gleaming, ready to strike and kill Darius. "Without those swords, you''re nothing," Darius retorted, and the room fell into silence. In a fit of anger and arrogance, Strax shot back, "Oh, really? Who said I need them to finish you off?" Chapter 92: The Last Target Sometimes people meet by chance. Minor missteps or encounters lead thousands of people down paths that may or may not be good, and the paths of Strax and Beatrice crossed long, long ago. A ten-year-old boy was huddled in a secluded corner of the courtyard. The tall walls and dense vegetation offered a temporary refuge but couldn''t dispel the crushing weight he felt in his chest. He hugged himself, his head bowed, his body trembling with stifled sobs. Silent tears traced salty lines down his dirty face. The cruelty of his siblings and the coldness of his father had broken him once again, leaving him overwhelmed by a devastating sense of loneliness and despair. The soft sound of light footsteps on the grass approached, but Strax didn''t lift his head. He was too engulfed in his sadness to notice the presence drawing near. It was then that a sweet, gentle voice, like a summer breeze, cut through the fog of his anguish. "Are you okay?" A smiling little girl asked, noticing he was in a bad state. She stood a few meters away from him, radiating happiness as if she was having a great day. She seemed like just an ordinary child, but for some reason, she exuded a maturity and understanding beyond her years. Her slightly purple hair shone under the sun, while her face wore a gentle and concerned smile. Strax tried to hide further, curling up as if he could disappear into the ground. He didn''t want her to see him like this, weak and vulnerable. She came closer, kneeling beside him, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey, look at me." Her voice was a whisper of kindness, an anchor in the stormy sea of his pain. Reluctantly, he raised his gaze, and the girl''s eyes met his, filled with a tenderness that almost made him cry more. "I... I''m a failure, leave me alone," he murmured, his voice breaking. "They... they always treat me like this. I can''t... I can''t be what they want me to be." Beatrice shook her head, her gentle smile never wavering. "You''re not a failure. You''re different, and different isn''t bad, and I know you have a strength they can''t see." She sat beside him, gently pulling him so he could rest his head on her shoulder. Strax, hesitant at first, finally yielded and let the little girl hold him. The warmth of her embrace drove away the cold that had settled in his heart. "I''m here with you," Beatrice whispered, gently stroking his hair. "You''re never alone. Whenever you feel like this, remember that I''m here, and I always will be. Together, we can face anything, right?" Strax closed his eyes, letting the tears fall freely now, but they were of relief and gratitude. "What a greedy man, a greed that borders on possessiveness," Xyn said in her mind. "Well, my foolish user has already fallen, there''s nothing more I can do to stop it... Damn," she murmured, and Xenovia heard everything. Xenovia didn''t even know how to react. "I''ll be back later," Strax said and left through the door, leaving everyone speechless. "Who''s going to prepare the funeral?" Eva was the first to say, her comical tone startling everyone who immediately looked at her. "What?! He''s dead already," she said, pointing to Darius. "I''m not dealing with this. In fact, I''m going with Strax. See you!" She said and ran off, following her brother... As Strax headed to the arena, Darius stayed behind, trying to gather his courage and composure. He knew this duel was not just about physical strength but swordsmanship. He couldn''t afford to lose, not at all. "You better take care, brother," Liam said, catching his attention while standing up with Mason and heading to the arena. "I tried to warn you, but you were arrogant as always," Veronica said, standing up. "Congratulations on killing two of your brothers, you worthless piece of shit," Veronica finished and walked off with Hinna and Vine, who seemed a bit frightened. The rest remained silent, and Darius was left alone... He turned his head to see where his father was sitting, but... He and Diana had disappeared, leaving only him at the table with the Clan Olarin Leader''s head in front of him. A growing rage began to radiate from within him... "Do all these bastards think I, Darius Vorah, am this weak?!" he roared, not at all happy. He had stayed silent for too long. "I''ll use this crap," he said, taking something from his storage ring. "Screw all of you, you pieces of shit," he roared and rose from the table, his heavy steps echoing as he headed to the arena, without any remorse. Meanwhile, back at the Mansion... Sniff-Sniff A woman cried as she looked at her own daughter, covered in bruises. "She''s alright... at least it looks like she''ll get better," Samira murmured. Unfortunately, in recent days... they had been completely confined indoors and couldn''t leave at all. Strax made sure to imprison them inside the house, and if anything happened, the assassins took care of it. "Are you going to tell her?" Samira asked. It was a delicate moment, but it was better to occupy Monica''s mind with something before she had another breakdown, like previously when she destroyed all the training dummies. She wasn''t a fighter, but she had done things and trained to become one if necessary, to avenge anyone who took her family away from her. "When she recovers, yes, I will reveal it," Samira heard, but she was still worried about something... "Don''t you think she will..." She was quickly interrupted, "If she has a problem with my relationship with Strax... honestly, I don''t know what I''d do." Monica replied. There were many layers to the subject. "But now is not the time to think about it. Let''s wait until she fully recovers..." They continued to observe Beatrice''s body. "Ladies, I have news," Cristine appeared. She had arranged everything to transport Beatrice safely to Strax''s mansion, and these women were very grateful. "Now, there''s only one target left," Cristine said with a sinister smile. "Darius Vorah will die today." Chapter 93: The battle between brothers Tension filled the air. Strax stood with a claymore in his hand, just an ordinary sword used by some knights¡ªa sword without a soul. His eyes were closed, fully concentrating on what he was about to do, how he would fight, how he would use all his strength. He had calmed himself somewhat; rage must be contained and controlled to increase strength, that was what he believed now, so for Strax, he was in complete focus. He was waiting for his opponent; he needed to finish this quickly. More important than his revenge was knowing how she was. A feeling beyond explanation, pure concern. He had realized for some time that his emotions were much stronger, not just his love, but everything about his self. He had analyzed thousands of possibilities, but only one existed. The System had influenced him. Once again, the damned System that was supposed to help him was consuming and manipulating him in some way. He didn''t understand its goals, but he had reached a single conclusion. "If the System uses me, then I''ll use the System." He had fully accepted the System. He had been trying to break the restrictions of his own mind regarding the System. If he had received it, there was a reason, a purpose, so he would find a way to use it. If the System always rewarded him for his advances, everything would be possible, and if it became a problem, then Strax would find a solution for that. "I gave you ten minutes," Strax said, still with his eyes closed, making the atmosphere even heavier. His swords, Tiamat and Ouroboros, were in Xenovia''s hands, as he had said he wouldn''t use them. But it seemed his opponent didn''t want to follow the rules. Darius was entering holding a weapon, not the same one he used to enter the Garden of Swords, but a kind of greatsword, bearing numerous battle marks. It was almost two palms wide and two meters tall. It was truly a colossal sword that even Strax couldn''t understand how he was holding so easily. [Three-Star Sword = Black Iron Sword] he read. It seemed that now the System was completely on his side, while his sword... was just one-star. "Coward," Strax said, seeing that Darius was already prepared from the start. He couldn''t use his Spiritual Weapon, so he would use a weapon forged by a competent blacksmith. Judging by the marks, he probably had been using it for a long time. "Apparently, you really are a coward," Strax said loudly for him to hear. "Not only do you not want to challenge me with my blades, but you also want to use a superior sword against someone who just advanced. Congratulations, Darius, you are a disgrace." Strax said, provoking, but Darius did not respond and remained silent. Strax barely had time to react. He raised his Claymore, trying to block the energy wave, but the impact threw him backwards, his feet dragging on the ground. He felt the force of the wave pass through him, tearing through his flesh and burning his muscles. "He really is strong, but it seems that''s all... His combat ability is much inferior." Strax thought, the blow had really had some effect on him, but it wasn''t enough, his body was much stronger after the Advancement. "Is that all you''ve got, Darius?" Strax said, starting to show a bit of arrogance to destabilize Darius. "You''ll need more than that to take me down, much more," he said with a confident smile. Darius laughed, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "You''re a fool, Strax. A stubborn fool who doesn''t know when to give up," he said, but Strax didn''t miss the opportunity. "I thought you were more aggressive. What happened? Losing confidence in winning?" he questioned. "But it''s true," Strax answered the question he had posed, raising his Claymore again. "I''d rather be a fool than a coward who needs so much advantage to defeat a simple challenge like me." Darius roared, his face contorting in fury after hearing such mockery. He raised his Black Iron Sword, his body emanating a dark aura, energy pulsing in waves. "You think this is all? I''ll show you true power! I''ll kill you!" He advanced with unexpected speed, his sword launching in a downward arc towards Strax. The ground trembled upon impact, but Strax, with agile movement, sidestepped and countered with sharp precision. Steel clashed with steel, Strax''s Claymore blocking Darius''s devastating blow. Blades screeched and sparks flew, but Strax didn''t yield. His muscles trembled under pressure, but his determination was unshakable. "I''m not here to play games, Darius. This is your last chance." The fight escalated, Darius''s strikes growing more desperate, while Strax, calmly, parried each attack with unwavering strength, deflecting, counter-attacking, and slashing. He pushed Darius back, each move calculated, each strike aimed at exposing his opponent''s weaknesses. "You''re weak, Darius. All brute strength, but no real technique. You rely only on the power of your sword, and that''s all. You''re too weak to be a challenge," Strax declared, his words cutting as deeply as his blades. "You don''t understand what true power is." Darius screamed in fury, his dark energy exploding around him in a chaotic frenzy. He attacked with wild desperation, his Black Iron Sword lashing out in a final assault. But Strax, with lethal precision, sidestepped the blow, spinning his Claymore in a perfect arc. And with a final, decisive strike, Strax completely disarmed Darius. Chapter 94: Strength vs Speed Strax completely disarmed Darius. The Black Iron Sword flew far away, spinning through the air before embedding itself into the ground, out of Darius''s reach. Darius fell to his knees, disarmed and hopeless. The frenzy of energy around him dissipated, leaving only a broken and defeated man. He looked at Strax, his expression a mix of hatred and despair. "This can''t be... I''m stronger than you! Always have been!" Strax didn''t respond immediately. He looked at Darius with a cutting coldness, his Claymore still in an attacking stance, ready to deliver the final blow if necessary. "Having power means nothing if you don''t know how to use it. This is just the result of my effort. Unlike the coward who kidnapped my wife." Darius trembled, his body exhausted, his mind struggling to process the defeat. He tried to rise, but his legs gave way, leaving him powerless on the ground. "You... can''t... defeat me... like this..." "I already have," Strax said, his voice a deadly whisper. "And now, it''s time to end this." "Strax, is this really what you want to do?" came Diana''s voice from behind. Strax didn''t turn his back; it would be foolish to give the enemy such an opportunity. "He''s going to be used as an example," his cold voice sounded. "I endured your treatment for many years this way, now there are no more excuses to be given. If it was just me I would let it go, as I always did, until because nowadays, you are all the cockroaches to be stepped on, the only opinion that matters is of my wives." He said, the cold gaze remained. "I see, so that''s how it is." Albert said, something that caught Strax''s attention and he unconsciously turned around. "Do as you wish." Albert said. Turning, he saw Darius, still kneeling, with a look of frantic despair in his eyes. "How pathetic," Strax commented, but suddenly from his tattered clothing, Darius took out a small glass flask containing a bright liquid and swallowed it in a single gulp, at an absurd speed. "No... it can''t end like this," Darius muttered through clenched teeth, the vein in his neck pulsing violently. The effect was almost instantaneous. A sinister aura enveloped Darius, causing everyone to quickly move away, including Strax, who took a big step back feeling danger. Darius continued with his body trembling as his skin turned a reddish hue. His muscles grotesquely swelled, stretching the already tattered clothes. He grew, surpassing two meters in height, his eyes now glowing with a supernatural fury. The dark energy around him intensified, forming chaotic whirlwinds of power. "This won''t end here, Strax!" Darius roared, his voice echoing through the room like thunder. Before Strax could react, Darius lunged forward with overwhelming speed. His fist, now colossal, cut through the air towards Strax with the force of a catapult. Strax barely had time to raise his Claymore in defense. The impact was explosive, pushing Strax backward with such force that he was thrown against one of the room''s columns, cracking the stone upon impact. Strax felt the weight of his decision as he prepared his strategy. The Claymore in his hand glowed with intense flames, while his left hand, enveloped in icy energy, began to release a cold mist. He had tried to defeat Darius with sword skills alone, but now the situation demanded that he use all his resources. "You asked for this," Strax murmured, his eyes fixed on Darius. With a fluid motion, he hurled the Claymore towards Darius. The hot blade cut through the air like a comet of flames aimed at its target. Simultaneously, Strax unleashed a blast of ice from his left hand, creating a frozen surface on the ground in front of Darius. He knew Darius''s balance, now overloaded by monstrous power, was completely precarious; the bigger the target, the harder the fall. Darius, with his brutal strength and uncontrollable rage, attempted to dodge the fiery blow. But Strax''s tactic worked perfectly. In trying to move, Darius''s foot slipped on the icy surface, causing him to stumble and momentarily lose balance. The Claymore, now a living flame, narrowly missed Darius, its fiery energy scorching the air around him. Though it didn''t hit directly, the intense heat affected Darius, forcing him to instinctively retreat to avoid the flames. "Damn!" Darius roared, his voice reverberating with a monstrous tone. The frustration and hatred in his eyes were palpable. Strax seized the distraction to advance. He felt mana flowing through him, albeit in a limited capacity. His reserves were low, but he needed to use them wisely. While Darius struggled to regain his balance, Strax moved swiftly, gliding on the frozen surface with an agility that Darius, in his overloaded form, couldn''t match. "I need to improve my stats after this," Strax thought, feeling the urgency of the situation. "I can''t keep fighting like this, with little knowledge of cultivation and mana." He knew his understanding of this world was still superficial. He hadn''t yet met people who cultivated mana, at least to the power that could be taught to him. It was a problem he had created himself, and he was well aware of that, but this could be arranged later. He focused on Darius, now struggling to stand, glaring furiously at Strax. "Do you think this will be enough? I''m invincible!" He shouted, his voice reverberating with supernatural strength. The black energy around his body pulsed, and he launched himself at Strax again, his sword cutting through the air with devastating force. Strax dodged, spinning in a fluid motion, his left hand still releasing ice. He reached out to retrieve the Claymore he had thrown, now embedded in the ground, flames still dancing around the blade. With a quick movement, he pulled it back, feeling elemental energy pulsing through it. "Invincible is just a word!" Strax shouted, raising the Claymore in a wide arc, fire intertwining along the blade. Darius roared again, but this time, his charge was less precise. The frozen surface hindered his movements, and Strax''s Claymore, now a weapon of fire, found its mark. He struck with precision, aiming for Darius''s joint. The incandescent blade cut deeply, the heat fusing to create a devastating impact. Although Darius''s hardened skin was difficult to penetrate, the combination of iron and fire created a crack in the protective armor, forcing Darius to recoil with a cry of pain. "Ah!" He roared, feeling the burn in his arm. Darius, panting and enraged, tried to compose himself, but it was clear that the combination of fire and ice had shaken his confidence. He glared at Strax with hatred, his eyes burning with uncontrollable anger. Chapter 95: Defeat Darius Darius looked at Strax, still furious, his eyes blurred with madness already burning, whatever he had taken was worsening the effects. He began sweating profusely. His body was already starting to give out, yet even after giving everything and sacrificing his body, he was still beneath Strax. "Why! Why do you continue to be the annoying ant!" He roared, advancing and grabbing his sword. As he swung horizontally in an attempt to strike Strax, it was deflected effortlessly by Strax''s practiced movements. The blows were heavy, but if redirected correctly, he wouldn''t feel any damage. Strax had completely dominated the battle, even as this frenzied man tried to attack him in every possible way. That''s the problem with entering "Berserk" mode. Converting fury into strength was common, but converting fury and sanity into strength was even worse. He wasn''t thinking rationally anymore about how to win, how to surpass Strax in skill; he was hoping that maybe, if an opportunity arose, he could land a hit and cause some damage. But that would never happen. Despite letting Darius use that thing in his body in a slip-up, the shock was momentary. Strax was superior before, and remained so. In battle, it only mattered how much more skilled you were than your opponent. If your skill surpassed the enemy''s strength, the duel was over. Simply put, Darius was doomed in every way. Mentally, his fury was subsiding; he was slowly coming back to himself. The anger persisted, but the turmoil in his mind was being controlled. After such humiliation... he began to evolve in battle. Strax continued to watch with his dragon eyes, sensing a sudden shift in mana in the environment. Darius''s eyes began to focus, losing their wild frenzy and gaining surprising clarity. "He''s plotting something," Strax thought. The mana around him, leaking uncontrollably, began to be contained by his muscles and sword, which had lightly cracked. [ The system recommends that the user re-engage contracted spirits [Ouroboros] and [Tiamat] for increased survival chances.] Strax read that red message without understanding what was happening. For the first time in all this time, the System was directly speaking to him about something that was happening? The surprise made him lose half a second of focus, and he soon felt a tremor as the mana was all drawn to one point... Darius''s body. The area began to fall silent as a different aura started to increase as if... "He''s advancing," Diana said in the distance. Fortunately, Strax''s ears were sharp enough to understand what she had commented on... If he advanced to Grandmaster, that would be a problem, a big problem! "No no no!" Strax shouted and focused everything on the Claymore, transforming its tip into a large, immense ice spike, like a huge spear! "Not this time, you damn wretch!" Strax yelled and launched the enormous stake, it shot forward with tremendous speed! Unfortunately, once again his attack had no effect at all, or rather... It didn''t even get close to Darius. The pressure of his aura halted the sword in mid-air, preventing it from striking him. His body seemed to be breaking down as it slowly transformed; the energy was too overwhelming, and once again, the System warned him. [< Imminent Threat > The system recommends that the user re-engage contracted spirits [ Ouroboros ] and [ Tiamat ] for increased survival chances] [ < Darius Vorah (Awakened) [35 ¨C 100] > ] It was his life bar, something that had never appeared before. Strax had fought against various opponents before, including what could be considered a boss, like the Frost Bear. Strax initially only observed; he couldn''t make any moves and was waiting for a reaction, but it seemed Darius wasn''t in a hurry to make the first move either. He simply stared at Strax, waiting for something. "Where has all your arrogance gone?" Darius questioned Strax, who continued watching him. "I don''t know what you did to evolve so much in such a short time. But I hope you regret being so arrogant, brother," Darius said, making a slight motion with his hand. His sword came to his hand, his energy¡ªhis mana, to be specific¡ªbegan permeating his entire body and his sword, fortifying them evenly. "You did everything to get stronger, used and abused, broke rules, and now you want to talk to me about arrogance?" Strax questioned, looking at Darius. "The difference between us is clear," he said directly to Darius and raised his sword towards him. "Let''s finish this," he said confidently. Strax looked into Darius''s eyes, and in a swift, silent advance, his sword emanating a unique aura, came towards Strax with astonishing speed. His sword sliced through the air towards Strax, the power in his attack visible in the distortion around the blade. Fortunately, Strax managed to block the attack with his swords; the shock reverberated through his arms, but he held his ground. Although Darius didn''t attack with full force, the angles and precision of his strikes had increased exponentially. Once again, he sacrificed strength for speed and precision. Strax remained intensely focused; now he couldn''t just act superior¡ª the battle had intensified. The clash of swords occurred again, sparks and smoke creating a visual spectacle for those watching. "You''ll have to do better than that!" Darius shouted, pushing Strax back with a powerful swing of his sword. ... "Don''t you think it''s better to end that fight, sister?" Veronica asked Xenovia, who was watching the battle with an analytical gaze. It was a fierce fight, but for some reason, she felt something different about how Darius was fighting. "There''s no need for that," Diana''s voice came from behind Veronica, who turned abruptly to her, seeking more concrete information. "Darius has the advantage now, but that man... seems to be waiting for something," she commented, noticing that Strax was no longer attacking Darius, only defending. "Intriguing..." Diana thought. Like Xenovia, her gaze was highly analytical, and as a dual-sword wielder, she knew how to fight against someone like Darius. Everything indicated that Strax was planning a counterattack, but how? When? Where? The truth was simple: everyone there was observing the battle intensely, so much so that they didn''t even blink as they watched the clash of swords. What had started as mere irrational vengeance had transformed into a formidable duel that would lead to only one conclusion. The death of one of them. Chapter 96: Spiritual Assimilation Sparks gleamed with enthusiasm. The battle had reached a point where nothing else mattered; Strax had entered an absolute state of combat. He had entered what some call the "Zone," a complete state of focus. Strax wasn''t an ordinary individual, and this was evident even before the System came into play. Though the System had helped him in its own way, he had always been a genius. His adaptive capability, his relentless drive to keep moving forward even when faced with insurmountable challenges... "Swords... guide me," Strax murmured in his mind. He wanted to continue, to advance, but the challenge was immense. It wasn''t just about a cultivation realm¡ªit was about advancing to a completely different level. The gap in cultivation was enormous. The early realms were easy to achieve, but beyond the Master level, things changed drastically. Now, this fight boiled down to nothing but raw power. At this moment, Strax was lagging in every aspect: strength, speed, reaction time, resilience, and mana¡ªhe was completely inferior. The only thing keeping him alive was his swords. He was nothing compared to Darius, who had reached a level nearly on par with Xenovia, a Peak Grandmaster. Though Darius had just advanced and wasn''t fully accustomed to his new body, it was inevitable to think that defeat could happen. SLASH! The slash grazed his arm, but with Tiamat''s help, he dodged and countered with Ouroboros. Again, the swords clashed, and sparks flickered amid the dust. Darius''s strikes grew increasingly precise, his reaction speed sharper¡ªit was a complicated battle. The aura around Darius''s sword darkened further, pulsating with a malevolent power that seemed to defy reality itself. Strax could only defend as another attack came from above. "Aaargh!" he roared in pain from the overhead impact. He was under immense pressure, and it was exhausting him more and more. This fight should have ended by now, it should have been over. Strax prepared himself after deflecting the blow, his eyes narrowing as he calculated every movement, every necessary dodge to counter Darius''s assault. Darius''s power was impressive, but Strax''s focus was so intense that his reaction speed began to increase, surpassing Darius''s limit. His attack speed adapted to his Dragon Eyes. "I won''t lose to you!" Darius shouted, charging with a devastating attack, his sword slicing the air with the power he had gained from this evolution. Strax began releasing ice from his hands... The air in the arena started to freeze... "Ice is my domain... the strongest ice there is..." Strax murmured, "Think of a form where ice could never be destroyed... think of a way for ice to be strong enough..." he muttered to himself. Darius paused, feeling Strax''s aura filling the entire environment. "How amusing, Master." Strax heard a voice intruding on his thoughts as the image of the black-haired Milf appeared behind his mental representation, embracing him... "The ice that surpasses everything... I think I understand what you want, Master." She said, hugging him even tighter. Strax''s body was immobile, his concentration so deep that even his spirit had entered a paralyzed state... Strax looked down at him, once more with a superior gaze. "You should have brought your sword, idiot. Maybe its spirit would have helped you," Strax said, unaware... After all, Darius''s sword wasn''t even decent for him. At least it could have been used in this battle. Strax pointed his sword at him, as if commanding, and the ice began to penetrate Darius. "W-Wait!" he shouted, terrified as he felt the ice creeping up his arm. The terror of Darius as he was consumed by the black ice was palpable, a primal horror that transcended physical pain and delved into the very essence of his being. The process was slow, meticulous, as if the black ice had a sadistic mind of its own, savoring every second of his agony. Well... the ice was still part of the Sadistic Serpent that lived within Strax... And it didn''t want to be kind to Darius at all. First, the insidious cold began to creep over his skin, freezing his flesh almost delicately. Darius felt every cell in his body shrink, vainly struggling against the inevitable advance of the cold, which soon turned into searing pain. "AAAHHH!! STOP!" he screamed in agony as his veins seemed to crystallize, the blood flowing slower until it stopped completely, transforming into a network of icy spikes extending throughout his body. "PLEASE STOP!" he shouted again. He tried to keep screaming, but his voice got stuck in his throat as the black ice climbed up his neck, blocking any sound that might escape. His eyes, wide in silent terror, reflected the sinister glow of the ice as it ascended to his head, imprisoning him in a shell of darkness and cold. The muscle fibers of his body were paralyzed in eternal contraction, as if the ice itself were slowly chewing through his tissue, grinding his hopes with cruel pleasure. His eyes, fixed and frozen, grew cloudy, the expression of terror immortalized as a horrific mask. Finally, the cold reached his heart, a final blow that spread like a wave of darkness through his soul. Each beat became a distant echo, an agonizing pulse that gradually slowed until it stopped. The black ice absorbed the last spark of warmth in his body, turning Darius into a macabre statue, his body petrified in a pose of eternal terror. Strax sheathed his swords, satisfied with the end, the black ice retreating at his command, leaving Darius''s body frozen as the climate returned to normal. He looked at the system, the notification confirming his victory: [ < Boss: Darius Vorah (Awakened) has been defeated > ] The black ice statue stood there in the wind, as if sculpted by a renowned artisan, but it was merely the body of an insolent worm who had been annihilated. The twisted forms of Darius were eternally etched in the black ice that had completely engulfed him. "Thank you for the meal, my dear Master," Ouroboros said with a mischievous smile. Her voice was soft and tempting, bordering on complete sensuality. Chapter 97: System is updating [ < Boss: Darius Vorah (Awakened) has been defeated > ] The black ice statue stood there in the wind, as if sculpted by a renowned artisan, but it was merely the body of an insolent worm who had been annihilated. The twisted forms of Darius were eternally etched in the black ice that had completely engulfed him. "Thank you for the meal, my dear Master," Ouroboros said with a mischievous smile. Her voice was soft and tempting, bordering on complete sensuality. A distinctive notification appeared for Strax after he sheathed his swords, signaling the end of the battle: [The System is updating, please wait for the update to complete >] [ Estimated Time: 3 hours >] Strax sighed, a wave of relief washing over him. He had defeated Darius. The fight had been exhausting, but something within Strax ignited when he assimilated with Ouroboros. He felt an overwhelming power, a strength that seemed invincible. "Thank you," he said, holding the black sword firmly and conveying his gratitude. There was no response from the sword, which struck him as odd, but he chose to ignore it. However, deep within a hidden realm... "You sly old hag!" Tiamat roared at the woman who blushed like a smitten schoolgirl, clutching her face in an endearing manner. She seemed to be lost in thoughts about Strax, which appeared... suspiciously sentimental. Upon hearing the dragon''s outburst, she snapped out of her reverie, "Quiet! The Master is loving me! Don''t interrupt!" she exclaimed, though her shout had an unexpectedly gentle tone. Tiamat was left speechless. How could someone speak in such a tender voice? Was receiving a "thank you" from a young man really that delightful? But Tiamat''s pride wouldn''t allow her to accept this or be outdone by that sly snake! She puffed out her chest and huffed, "Hmph! I will have him to myself! You crafty serpent!" With that, she turned and left the spiritual realm, retreating back into her own golden sword. Inside her sword, a fully gilded castle with a throne could be seen, where she sat, plotting various ways to attract Strax''s attention. Well, at least her pride was serving Strax well. The more these two obsessive ladies vied for his favor, the stronger he became! Though he wasn''t aware of this yet, he would soon find out... Maybe these swords wouldn''t remain swords for much longer if their obsession continued to grow. "Strax." He heard a voice calling him while he stared at the black ice statue in front of him. Many thoughts swirled in his mind, particularly about the manner of Darius''s death. He wished Darius had suffered more and was not entirely satisfied, but it was fine for now. "Strax." He heard the voice again, this time it was Xenovia nudging him back to reality. Watching Xenovia smile beside Strax intrigued him; something about the child piqued his sharp eyes, but he couldn''t quite grasp what it was. "Teach him how to use two swords," Albert instructed Diana, who looked at him, puzzled. "Give me a report on his training progress every day," he added, rising from his seat. A slight release of his aura caught their attention without him having to call out. Suddenly, Strax, Xenovia, and little Eva, still on the field, felt the aura permeate the space and quickly turned their gaze to Albert. "You did well," Albert remarked before turning to leave. The sensation was odd. They all expected something more to happen, but he merely spoke and walked away, leaving everyone speechless. Diana, bound by his command, approached Strax with crossed arms. She wasn''t exactly thrilled about being a teacher, especially for a man using dual swords. Though she knew he had potential, his clumsiness showed that he had a lot to learn about wielding two blades effectively. "He asked me to teach you how to fight with two swords," she said, her expression less than enthusiastic. Her mind wandered to the things Strax had mentioned to her in passing during their encounters in the mansion corridors. She was... interested but also apprehensive about what might happen. Despite her reluctance, she had to comply. "You? I''ll continue teaching him," Xenovia retorted, her voice sharp and cold, almost slashing at Diana with her words alone. She wanted to seize this opportunity to get closer to the man she had always loved, but even now, she realized she would have to proceed more cautiously. Diana''s gaze hardened, meeting Xenovia''s purple eyes with defiance. "Orders from the Patriarch. If you want to object, talk to him personally. After all, you''ve been causing enough trouble lately. I''d love to see his reaction to your critique of Strax''s training regimen," Diana said, her tone embodying not just Diana Vorah the swordswoman but Diana Vorah, the Patriarch''s wife. "Whatever," Strax interrupted. For him, becoming stronger was just a bonus from this training. He gave Diana a greedy grin, causing her to flinch back for a moment. "Hey! Don''t look at me like that!" she snapped, nearly drawing her sword to threaten him. "Quiet, we''ll talk later. I''m going home," Strax said, turning away and taking Xenovia with him, leaving Diana behind. At that moment, despite achieving a satisfactory measure of revenge, one concern lingered for Strax¡ªhis wife. Was she alright? That was all that mattered now. He intended to stay by her side while waiting for the message to disappear, eager to know what happened with the System. [< Estimated time for Update Completion: 2 hours and 43 minutes >] The messages seemed different, he read it and a strange air settled over him. Did he need to see Beatrice? Yes, but this System update thing. "I hope this is a good sign..." He thought, as he continued to stand firm Chapter 98: My biggest regret Walking was peaceful. I remember my best days, wandering through the Ducato with Monica holding my hand. I would explore the little corners, searching for some surprise, some adventure. Those were happy days for me, moments when I felt loved in some way. Despite being just a maid, she was my best friend, the only one I had to talk to, have fun with, to live a little outside the small bubble that was my house, that cold house that always scared me at night. I remember the garden, the colorful flowers that Monica tended to with so much care. I would always help her water the small sprouts she planted. We both sat in the shade of the big fig tree, she braiding my hair while telling stories of distant kingdoms, brave knights, and evil demons. The gentle breeze touching my face, her laughter when I asked if there was ever a knight who had saved a princess like me. "Of course, my little princess," she always said, her eyes shining with a sweet look that seemed to brighten even the cloudiest days I lived in that cold house. "You just need to wait for the right knight, a strong and fearless man who will make you sigh with passion even with the smallest smiles." I could feel the warmth of her embrace, even now, in the depths of this darkness where I find myself. The smell of the garden flowers mixed with the damp earth and the faint perfume Monica wore, all so vivid as if it were yesterday. There were also those rainy days when we stayed in her small room at the back of the house, hidden under old, warm blankets, reading her fairy tale books while the rain drummed on the roof. She always let me choose the story, and I always picked the most fantastic ones, the ones with dragons and wizards, and happy endings with princesses getting married. But it wasn''t just laughter and sunny afternoons. I remember the times Monica hugged me tightly when I woke up from nightmares, trembling and crying, my eyes frightened, searching for some security. She whispered soft words, assuring me that nothing bad would happen while she was there. And I believed it because Monica was my shield against the darkness that seemed to haunt that house. She was more than just a mere maid; she was my mother, much more than the one who claimed to be my progenitor, who barely spent time with me, as if I weren''t even her daughter. It wasn''t just her; my father also pretended to smile at me. It took me a while to realize, but I was quite a bother to him. The day I realized this, I ran to the garden wearing a long dress, not luxurious, rather ragged. I was so alone, so sad that I ended up stumbling and falling... I got a nasty scrape on my knee after fleeing from home. The pain was really intense, but I still remember Monica running after me, coming towards me with a sad look, her eyes almost crying. "You''ll be okay, little one. Don''t do this anymore, don''t run away from me," she said while applying a cold compress to my swollen knee. "I will always be here to take care of you, so if you need anything, I will be everything you need." Those words stayed with me for a long time; they were like a hug to my lonely soul. But no... even after all the pain I caused, you accepted me. And that, more than anything, destroys me. Because I know I''m not worthy of that forgiveness, of that unconditional love you offer me. Knowing that I can still be a part of your life, even after everything, is a weight that seems to crush my heart. I wish I could go back in time, change my choices, believe in you as I should have from the beginning. But I can''t. I''m trapped in this cycle of pain and guilt, and every memory I have of you is a knife twisting deeper into my chest. "You''re so silly." His voice came into my mind, after so long without hearing it I heard it again, loud and clear, like a direct speech. "If something ever happens to me one day, I will try my best to come back to you." His childlike voice, yes that same voice I saw when I ran through the Vorah family mansion "You know, I feel like something could happen to me, I''m from a very large family and it could be dangerous" He said while sitting on a wooden bench, swinging his legs back and forth. "If one day this happens to you, never forget. I will find you and save you just like a fairy tale prince!" Those words comforted me, it seemed that since I was little he already knew what would happen... "Beatrice! I''m going to be the strongest man in the world, and I''m never going to let you get hurt! We''re going to have a huge family and I''m going to protect everyone!" Those words struck my heart, they were simple and innocent, but they broke me in every possible way, as if my heart were hit by arrows of missile. Tears began to fall on my face, sliding silently as I saw Little Strax''s face running in front of me... Why? Why, knowing how much he loved me, how much he believed in us, did I let fear and doubt push me away? Why, instead of holding onto that promise as my shield against the darkness, did I let it disintegrate under the weight of the lies they told me? I feel so bad, but... Why do I love this man more and more? Why does he keep making me love him more! "Because you''re mine." I heard it as a deep whisper that entered my ears and made my whole body tremble... "I said you''re mine, so you, Beatrice Von Steinhardt, are only mine, forever." Those words deeply entered my soul, as my crying continued to fall. That was it... It didn''t matter anymore... He had already decreed... even though I was being tortured, I still continued to be his, even though I was sorry he didn''t care and continued to nurture his love... **I felt my body crumbling, and then, my consciousness began to return... and I came face to face with that man, sleeping in the chair while he was all beat up, with his clothes full of blood, but peacefully... Chapter 99: Back home Strax had left the arena and immediately ran to check on Beatrice. His entire body was aching, bloodstains covered him, and even the healed wounds still hurt. Was this a problem? Of course not. He just ignored all that and headed home. He had many thoughts, but finally, his mind was clear. The insatiable thirst for blood had vanished, his mind was calmer, and he didn''t regret anything, not even killing his brothers. It might seem cold to take three lives in such a manner, and not even feel sad. Especially for someone who had never killed a human before. But Strax... didn''t care. It didn''t matter to him; it never did. When he arrived home, the first thing he saw was his wives. Samira and Monica looked at him, almost crying, and ran to hug him tightly. "Ow!" He growled in pain, but they didn''t let go and kept holding him. "It was taking so long! We thought you had died!" Samira was the first to say something, followed by Monica, "That''s right, you idiot! Why did you take so long?" she added, her eyes also shining with tears. She held him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear again. Strax let out a heavy sigh, trying to relieve the tension still coursing through his body. "I had... some problems. But I''m here now. And I''m not going anywhere." He looked at them, feeling the warmth of their love and concern envelop him. For a moment, the world stopped, and he allowed himself to feel the security of being home, surrounded by the people who meant everything to him. But then, his mind turned to Beatrice. She was his focus at that moment, and he couldn''t afford to forget her situation. "How is Beatrice?" he asked. Samira and Monica''s expressions grew darker, the worry returning to their eyes. "She... hasn''t woken up yet," Samira said softly. "We''re doing everything we can, but..." Strax nodded, the fear of her not waking up already starting to settle in his chest. He gently pulled away from them and smiled as he headed to the room where Beatrice was. His steps were heavy as he climbed the stairs to her room, feeling a chill down his spine when he reached the door. "Courage," he murmured to himself. When he entered the room, the sight of Beatrice lying on the bed, so pale and still, hit him like a blow. He approached slowly; he really wanted to do something for her... but nothing was possible now. "Beatrice..." he murmured, kneeling beside the bed and taking her hand. "I''m here. I promised you, remember? Please... wake up. I said you are mine, so you have to wake up..." He stayed there, holding her hand, feeling the silence around him... "God! Did you send me such a being of darkness just for me? I would love to stay by his side! So much bloodlust, such a desire to kill! I love him!" she roared mentally to herself. This woman was really growing fond of her master... Well, she saw something she had never seen in her life: a being so strong, with so much potential. He was like a great malevolent demon, and this made Cristine''s eyes gleam with joy, as if her own god had sent him to her, this divine gift for years of devotion. "Lord Thanatos, thank you! I will enjoy this divine gift!" she thought. Perhaps, if her god saw this, he would be quite... disappointed with this crazy woman... Strax just looked at that woman. He couldn''t just dismiss her; she was too competent a woman not to have a master, and she seemed in favor of it, so he couldn''t simply dismiss her. He was already starting to have problems managing his life, and having someone capable of scouting everything and everyone would be very useful. It was like gaining an entire arsenal of possibilities, especially with the current problem of Xenovia and the Royal Family, which wouldn''t take long to reach his door. Of course, at the moment we were only talking about CRISTINE serving him, but considering her actions, probably the entire guild would follow her out of trust. Strax figured Cristine had already made these calculations in her head... Hadn''t she? Well, Strax thought so. After all, she was very competent. So he had no choice. He had stayed silent for a moment, and after struggling with all these issues, he decided something. "All right, keep up the good work." Strax said with a smile, offering his hand to help her up as she was still kneeling. A gentle smile appeared on Cristine''s lips, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. "I promise, Master. I will always be by your side, protecting you the best I can," she said determinedly, letting a smile escape. She really looked like the happy nun he had known. "All right, now could you..." Strax began, but he didn''t need to finish. Cristine nodded and bowed to him. "I will talk to her about what happened with your brothers," Cristine said, and Strax was surprised after all... "It''s okay, Xenovia allowed my entry. I watched from afar what happened¡ªwell, the fight with Darius, yes. As for the other two... well, they didn''t come back, did they? There''s no way to say they are alive after the way you were," she commented with a smile. "So competent..." Strax thought. At least this ensured he could be more at ease regarding explaining what happened there... At least now, he could stay there by her side. "Thank you, tell them the details. I''ll stay here," Strax said, adjusting himself in the chair. His body was still aching as it slowly regenerated. "Yes, if you''ll excuse me." She left, closing Beatrice''s room door... His body was tired, a bit injured to the point of people wondering why this man wasn''t being treated. Well, he didn''t care about any of that. His clothes were still disheveled, with bloodstains, not just his of course, but still, it was a bad appearance. Even so, he decided not to take a bath; he would stay there until time passed. [< Update Soon >] Chapter 100: The primordial instincts Strax spent several hours by Beatrice''s side as she slept peacefully; she already looked like an angel to him. She was gradually healing, and the wounds and cuts had completely disappeared from her body. Strax''s body rested calmly in the chair as if nothing had happened to him in the past few hours. However, his mind was elsewhere¡ªsomewhere very, very distant. "Master, what are you doing here?" Ouroboros asked as she sat on Strax''s lap. For some unknown reason, he was inside Ouroboros''s spiritual world, which resembled a grand palace, and he was seated on her throne while her voluptuous body pressed against him. She truly was... She was a MILF. She approached slowly, her sexy body rubbing against him provocatively, as if dancing a celestial dance. Strax felt a shiver run down his spine as Ouroboros enveloped him with an aura of desire. He looked into her eyes, losing himself in the depths of her Abyss. "Stop!" Strax heard another woman''s voice enter the scene. "Get away from him!" she said to the black-haired woman who continued to rub herself and rest her warm body on the man''s. "Ah, that bitch," Ouroboros muttered as she looked at her. Ouroboros remained on his lap and began to move even closer to his face, ignoring the intrusion. "My master... why don''t you get rid of that giant lizard? You only need me," she whispered extremely sensually as she intertwined with him, closing in for a tight embrace... Like a snake that had cornered its prey. [< Update in Progress ¨C Estimated Time to Completion: 45 minutes >] "So that''s why I''m here," Strax said, not caring that he was with Ouroboros and Tiamat, but they were staring at each other very seriously. Across the palace of Ouroboros, Tiamat stood with her arms crossed, looking sternly at Strax as if he were making a grave mistake, while it was the abyssal snake that was cornering him. "Do you want me to cancel the contract with both of you? Learn to get along, or I''ll leave," Strax said seriously. He had already let this situation go too far; every time he appeared before them, they started this stupid fight. Both looked at him seriously as well. "I won''t get along with her!" Ouroboros pointed to the blonde woman who still had her arms crossed, staring at them. "She''s a Lust Dragon!" Ouroboros continued. "I won''t let my master be possessed by that Lust Dragon! She is full of lascivious thoughts, and I will ensure the safety of MY master!" she declared. Strax could hardly believe what was happening. Why was this busty milf acting like a jealous schoolgirl? She was an adult! Or rather, a SUPER ADULT! She must have lived longer than this universe, and she was acting like a little girl! Besides, what''s this?! Why is Tiamat the Lust Dragon? You hypocrite! You''re on your master as if he were the love of your life, rubbing and tempting his mind with that sexy body! "Lust Dragon? Look at yourself! If I look under that dress, you''ll be practically drooling down there! Just because he has a physique that catches your attention, you''re acting like a crazy slut!" Tiamat shouted back, and Strax turned to face Ouroboros, who was slightly flushed while gnawing her nail... "What do you mean by physique?" Strax questioned, looking at Tiamat since she seemed the most rational at the moment, and Ouroboros would say nothing; she was... too busy feeling the warmth of his body. Second... Despite being spirits, they could feel their instincts acting normally. For some reason, he had barely thought about this possibility, maybe because he always thought of them as women due to their appearances. Well, Strax hadn''t had much time to live and coexist with them. He killed his brothers in one day, massacred others the next day, and then went back to fight again. They hardly had time to talk and get to know each other. "What a headache..." Strax murmured, throwing his head back and covering his eyes with his hand. "I thought I''d have to deal with two children who don''t like each other, but this is even worse..." He seemed to have momentarily forgotten the presence of the two women, but Ouroboros and Tiamat were watching his every move attentively. "So, that''s how things are..." Strax murmured, slowly opening his eyes and fixing his gaze on Tiamat. "Come here." He ordered with an authoritative tone. The command echoed in the air, making Tiamat tremble just from feeling that emotion. Strax''s eyes, which he hadn''t noticed yet, had transformed into Dragon eyes¡ªred with vertical reptilian pupils, causing the woman to nearly collapse. In fact, Strax hadn''t realized it yet, but his body was changing as the System updated. To the two Dragonesses watching him, they already saw his real appearance, and that''s why Ouroboros was acting this way, because his Awakened Body, or rather, his Spirit itself, was already beginning to emerge in the spiritual world of the contract. Tiamat, feeling a mix of fear and excitement, began to approach. The throne was large enough to accommodate Strax and Ouroboros, with space to spare. Strax sat with his legs spread in the center, while Ouroboros occupied just one side. "Come here." He repeated the order, the tone of his voice sending a shiver down Tiamat''s spine. She took a deep breath, her steps slow and hesitant but driven by an impulse she couldn''t control. She climbed onto the throne from the right side, each step bringing her closer to Strax, her body instinctively reacting to his presence. Ouroboros, sitting beside Strax, watched with an irritated look; the atmosphere was becoming tenser, but with a single movement of Strax''s hand, invading her abyss-black hair, she melted. "Ah~" She moaned with pleasure in a muffled sigh, feeling his touch on her body. She completely melted when her hair was caressed. While she felt pleasure from just a touch, Tiamat, now very close, looked at Strax with eyes that glowed; she too wanted to be pampered like the Lust Snake. He extended his hand, pulling Tiamat closer until she was practically on his lap. Her body''s warmth mingled with his; she was in the same position as Ouroboros, occupying the other half of Strax''s body. Strax pulled her even closer, resting the woman''s head on his chest, which was more muscular than it had been before. "You two." He said, and both looked at him, "Until you have real bodies, I won''t do anything with you." He said. It wasn''t a promise or a thought; it was a statement, a decree. The two women trembled at his next words. A tremor so strong it made them melt into their thoughts... "You two will be mine when you get real bodies, so you don''t need to fight... Or rather, you''ve always been mine from the beginning." [< The System will restart in a few minutes >] Chapter 101: System update is being applied At the veil of the world, Strax had been lost for some time. One moment he was beside his spirits, and the next he was falling into total darkness. He barely knew what was happening, but he was there, falling endlessly in his personal limbo. "How long have I been here?" Strax questioned himself, bathed in the surrounding darkness. It seemed endless, yet he continued. [< System update is being applied >] [< Please be patient. Once the system is restructured, you will return to your world >] "I forgot you''re responding correctly now... I wonder what made you start functioning less ridiculously. I''ve read enough novels to know systems don''t work like this," Strax said in the darkness, slowly calming down. The System had always been problematic. It was vague about many things, and the missions were so confusing that Strax had to rely on his instincts to complete them. Every time [New Missions] appeared, and they didn''t even show up correctly, it left him a bit annoyed. I mean, Strax had always been moving forward, always advancing toward the future, letting problems resolve themselves and pressing on, but the rewards... Why were they so trivial? The points didn''t make much difference, and the skills barely worked. An example was Analysis. Analysis constantly failed, or the System made him forget the skills... Jesus! Inventory! He hadn''t used that ability even once! It seemed these abilities didn''t matter for his advancement, so what exactly was this System? Why did it seem so... dysfunctional? It wasn''t an ordinary system; it always kept Strax limited... But why? Even the name of the System was confusing and seemed jumbled, and yet, even after all this, it still seemed like something was missing. Demonic Harem System of the Dragon God¡ªwhy didn''t that name even match what the System was? "Demonic Dragon Physique... it''s just a physique, which at least makes sense... I mean, I''m sure my mother couldn''t have given me something like this. She wasn''t physically strong or skilled enough to be a swordswoman, and my father... ah, that idiot... What did he do? Or rather... what could have happened for me to have this physique... Only the System, huh? That''s the most likely." "What bothers me is the fact that just one physique makes two extremely old dragons feel like two young girls in love with a knight. It''s not an ordinary physique..." "Damn, stop being an idiot! My existence in this world is already out of the ordinary. My rebirth or transmigration, whatever, was already completely out of the ordinary. A stupid physique from the System is nothing! Being alive is already out of the ordinary!" Strax was arguing with himself. [< You have been forcibly disconnected from the memory, user disconnecting >] Strax read the message as he continued to fall eternally into the limbo, feeling his body in motion as it began to change, as if something was being etched into his skin. "What the hell is this?" He shouted into the limbo as he continued to feel something on his back, almost tearing at his torso. "Urgh!" He felt the pain, as if two swords had been thrust into his back and torn. Whatever was happening to him, it wasn''t something that could be stopped or avoided. At the height of the agony, a strange sensation came from the area that was hurting, and something emerged from his body as he continued to fall. Then, everything stopped... "What?... this might be..." he whispered through clenched teeth, his words muffled by the pain and the unknown that consumed him. "Agrth!" His nails seemed to be ripped off, his bones ached, and he fell to his knees wherever he was. [< Demonic Dragon Physique has been Fully Awakened >] [< The system will now restart, thank you for waiting. >] While all this was happening within Strax, much was occurring around him, especially with his first wife, who had just awakened. Beatrice had opened her eyes calmly, her body still sore, feeling the sting of the small cuts on her legs. The first scene she saw was Strax sleeping; he was still recovering from the fight with Darius, but of course, she didn''t know about that. To her, it was her man, wounded and waiting for her, even after suffering so much. She felt guilty for being by this man''s side, who, despite his injuries, stayed with her. What was really disturbing Beatrice was all that blood. What had happened? How long had she been kidnapped? She didn''t know. In the midst of the entire torture, she had lost consciousness. Her mind swirled with a tumult of confused emotions, almost all involving Strax and Monica. She remained silent for a long time, watching the man having some kind of dream. Something was happening to Strax, but she didn''t call out to him, nor did she have the strength to do so yet. She couldn''t move because her entire body burned with pain. Only her eyes could move, and they never left Strax. At some point, Beatrice managed to hear some footsteps coming from the corridor and some female voices. "Are you going to check on him?" Samira asked Monica, who was walking beside her. They stopped in front of the door. "I don''t know, but I feel something is wrong." She commented, about to enter, placing her hand on the doorknob. "Hey, when this is all over and Beatrice wakes up... are you really going to tell her about you~~~" The voices became distorted, and Beatrice couldn''t hear them because, beside her... the man''s body was slightly emitting a strange aura, and she wasn''t the only one who noticed it... "AAHHH!" A scream of pain came from Strax, and the door was quickly opened, "Dear!" Samira and Monica shouted. Chapter 102: Version 1.0 Strax''s body trembled in the air, lifted by an unseen force, while the women who had rushed into the room stood horrified at the scene. It was not a pretty sight; it was as if he... was dying. His body was covered in wounds that glowed with a strange light, and he screamed in agony, as if his body was breaking apart and destroying itself from the inside out. "Ahhh!!" The scream reverberated through the room like that of a beast, a clear and distinct roar of a creature in fury. Strax''s eyes had turned completely red¡ªwas he out of his mind? These terrified women didn''t know what was happening, but Samira, who was at the forefront, and had the highest cultivation among them, tried to approach him. However, the scream started pushing her back. "S-Strax! Wake up!" she shouted, fighting against the devastating force that pushed Beatrice''s bed away, causing a loud creaking that made the women turn towards her. They saw the girl scared but thankfully awake. "Monica! Protect her!" Samira shouted, and Monica rushed to stand in front of Beatrice, positioning herself between her and Strax''s aura, which was truly out of control, her body tensing to resist the crushing pressure filling the room. Thankfully, her training was paying off; she could never have withstood this force without prior preparation. The force emanating from Strax continued to increase, his aura expanding like a hurricane of pure energy. It was as if something ancient and powerful was awakening within him, a force that surpassed the limits of his mortal body. The wooden walls began to shake, threatening to break while Samira struggled to get close to him, constantly being pushed back. ROOOARRRRR Strax''s face was twisted in an expression of pure pain, his mouth open in a continuous roar that echoed like thunder through the room. His hands, now transformed into claws, trembled as if something were about to emerge from his back, the pain was so intense that it seemed he would die. Gradually, his mouth started to close, and blood tears began to stream down his face. "How much pain are you feeling?" Samira wondered; she had never seen such an expression in all her years as an adventurer. It was one of the worst scenes she had ever witnessed, made worse by the fact that it was happening to someone she loved. Unfortunately, these women could only watch, completely powerless in the face of the supernatural events happening to Strax. Samira continued to struggle against the energy spreading through the environment, each step harder than the last. The storm of power emanating from him was something beyond anything she had ever dealt with. She needed to help him, but the intensity of this transformation was something beyond anything she had ever encountered. "Stop... please..." Tears began to fall from her face. Monica and Beatrice were no different; they were anguished by the sight, but that didn''t mean it would simply stop. Something began to happen to Strax. His body slowly started returning to its human form, the claws began to disappear, but from his back, a pair of Draconic Wings emerged. "Ahrgt!" He let out an even louder cry of pain. "Hold on, Strax!" Beatrice shouted, her voice clear and loud enough even for Samira to hear, who was very close to the scream. The walls began to break, and the floor was no different, with splinters of wood flying everywhere. "We''re here with you!" Monica said this time. If they couldn''t stop Strax by force, they would use the only thing left. "Whoa," he said, holding her, "Not so tight, my love," he remarked, and just by saying those words, she became even more embarrassed, burying her face in his chest. "W-what''s wrong with you?" Strax questioned, but even they didn''t know the answer. However... [< As an Incubus, you passively release your charm to the women you desire. They are intoxicated with love for you. >] "I thought that was just decorative... I never felt like I was really using that passive ability," Strax thought, seeing that the women were indeed getting heated looking at him. [< Previously, the System was incomplete in "Beta" mode. It is now fully activated in its version 1.0. The more you advance, the more the System will update! >] The System responded immediately to Strax''s question. "Finally..." he murmured. A lot was going through his mind, but having the Complete System was the best thing that had happened. "Hey, calm down," Strax said, seeing how the girls were almost euphoric. They really seemed to be in the mood for something... which we need not mention. But Strax wasn''t in the mood for that right now. First, he turned to the two swords lying on the floor. He stepped away from Beatrice and picked up the two swords, which trembled just from his touch. "Ah~Master!" Ouroboros moaned. "M-master, c-careful," Tiamat said more restrainedly. They seemed extremely delicate. Strax took a deep breath. There was much to think about and much to do, but before that... "I need to learn to control this... Maybe if I... yes, it should work," Strax murmured, trying to do something. He wanted to reduce his presence, to keep his aura bound to his body without having to constantly think about what to do with these women. In summary, he was treating this Incubus passive ability as an aura in his body, and he wasn''t entirely wrong. By focusing on keeping his aura within his body, he managed to slightly prevent the Charm from spreading uncontrollably. "Okay, now it should be better," he murmured and held the swords again, and they said nothing... well, if he knew how those two were in their respective resting places... he wouldn''t think it was any better. But let''s leave that for later; he had something more important to do. He turned to his only target. In a single movement, he almost teleported directly in front of Beatrice and hugged her very tightly. He could finally feel her warmth after all the enormous problems that had occurred. After so many troubles... he was finally with her again. "D-darling, y-you''re crushing me!" Beatrice cried out, blushing, almost out of breath. "Oh, sorry, I''m still not used to this body yet," Strax said, smiling. When he looked at Beatrice''s clothes, he noticed something. "You''re covered in blood?" he questioned, a bit concerned. "It''s you who''s really dirty..." they said in unison. "Oh... true," he said, seeing his reflection in a mirror on the other side of the room. Chapter 103: Checking the System That day had just begun. Fortunately, Beatrice had not been hurt by the whole ordeal that Strax had created when his body underwent the Physical Reconstruction. In fact, that was the point now... Strax still couldn''t check the System that had piqued his curiosity after this massive update, and now he had to have a serious conversation with these three women. Well, he needed to take a bath first. Despite all his injuries being completely healed as if his body were brand new, he was still wearing dirty clothes stained with a lot of blood, so he decided to address the first problem. His smell. "I wanted to talk to you all, but I think it''s better if I take a bath first... Can you wait for me in the living room?" Strax asked. The women were already returning to normal after his charm had intoxicated them. "I have something serious to tell you. Well, I think you''ve already noticed, but it''s better to hear from my mouth what happened here." Strax said with a smile. He had wanted to trust them enough to at least tell them about his physique before, but he had no reason to. After all, he didn''t even have this physique awakened. "Alright." Samira was the first to agree. "I hope you give a good explanation for causing this destruction in the house! This costs a lot to fix!" She scolded him, which surprised him since Samira was usually the most relaxed. He thought it would be Monica, the housekeeper, who would say something like that, not Samira. At least he saw the smile on her face, even though it was still slightly stained with the small tears that had fallen when he was undergoing the physical reconstruction. "Okay, we''ll wait downstairs." Monica said, holding Beatrice''s hand and taking her with her. "You have forty minutes to get ready. You owe us a long explanation." Monica said, her gaze quite sharp. It seemed much worse than he had imagined... well, he would have to understand later what was coming, but he remained firm watching them all leave. Once they all left the room... "System." Strax said seriously, expecting something to happen. The screen appeared, but blank, a red screen with golden borders, seeming to await his command. "Status." He said, and the screen reacted, slowly extending to show everything at his disposal... Something seemed to have changed intermittently. A lot had actually changed, but he began to slowly read what was coming. [< Welcome, Strax Vorah. >] [< You have reached the initial level of the System. With Version 1.0 installed, new features have been added to your experience. >] [< Status >] [Name: Strax Vorah [Age: 18 years. [Cultivation: Supreme Cultivator, Master Stage [Talent: Rare [Race: Human (Draconian) [Physique: Dragon-Demonic [< Notice: After the System update, your body has been adjusted to withstand the full strength of your unique physique. As a protective measure, we have already applied all rewards from the last completed missions. That is, we have used all your bonuses to keep you alive.>] < Samira: The Guild Master. Well, she is strong... but sometimes she is so weak when it comes to emotions. She is also quite distrustful and doesn''t like being treated as a mere spark. She is a great imposing flame that likes to be respected... despite loving to be pampered. < Monica: The Personal Maid. She is an ordinary maid in her free time, she exudes an air of nobility in her service and would never ignore etiquette when speaking to important people. But in her intimacy alone with her loved one, she is a great pervert, to the point of dropping everything to feel the pleasure of being loved and acting like a Lust Maid. "Hm... These descriptions are pretty detailed, aren''t they?" Strax questioned as he entered the bathroom. He had stopped at the bathroom door to read all these descriptions which, well... were just his own perspective on these women. After all, he didn''t disagree with anything that was written. "Well... I think something is missing here... and what about Ouroboros and Tiamat? Given that they were so interested, I would love to add them here." Strax said out loud as he undressed and turned on the shower. The bathroom was quite spacious, even had a bathtub. It looked like a Japanese-style bathroom but was quite roomy with a shower, bathtub, and a washing area. Not to mention, of course, the sinks and mirrors. Strax calmly lay in the bathtub as the water continued to fill it, and with a thought, he began to heat the water with his fire magic. "Ah~ This is good." He said, relaxing his tired body. He had not only gone through the toughest fight of his life in some time but was also exhausted after the physical reconstruction. He deserved a break. "Let''s continue with this." He thought and used his fingers to scroll down the Harem tab. "Ouroboros and Tiamat..." He murmured. He wanted to add these two to his life, but there was a problem... [< Change the contract to "Master and Lustful Servant" to add contracted spirits to the Harem. >] "Lustful Servant? Is there such a type of contract?" Strax said, but the system didn''t respond. Strax, for some reason, thought... "You want me to ask them, don''t you?" Strax questioned the system tab. [< ... >] "I see... I''ll handle that later." He said. Now there was something else he was interested in... He used his fingers to slide to the sidebar, heading to the next topic of the System... [< System Supreme Skills (SSS Rank) >] "I see... so SSS meant that... That''s why only Inventory, Incubus, Analysis, Dual Cultivation, and Love Copy were in this tier." Strax murmured and went straight to the first skill... [< Inventory: The inventory skill has been restructured. Now you can store items in it without having to open the system. Simply think about it, and the item will be automatically teleported into the 50m2 space. In this space, it is impossible to send living beings, only inanimate objects or those possessing mana. >] "Understood, previously I didn''t even remember to use this skill because it was cumbersome to activate... Now it''s just a thought... But wait, can my swords be stored in this space?" Strax questioned, after all, there was no mention of spirits. [< Answer: Yes, it is possible to store spirit swords and weapons with sealed spirits. >] "Okay, this is better... they draw too much attention and become very... active, I guess that''s the best word I can find. I don''t want them to start... moaning every time I touch them. I hope to control this aura soon." Strax said, while scrolling to the next SSS skill. [< Dual Cultivation >] He read it. Initially, he already knew this was quite odd in the "beta version." He would have sex with his wives, but nothing would happen. It took him a long time to realize that this form of cultivation wasn''t very effective, at least that''s what he thought in the beta version... Now, the real skill had arrived. After much effort, he finally got the real deal! Chapter 104: Dragon Physique [< Dual Cultivation >] "Ah~ I sincerely hope this is more than just gaining that bit of energy I had before..." Strax sighed. He had needed to have sex with three women for his cultivation to advance by one level. In his situation, normal cultivation would be more practical. "Okay, let''s face this." He said and scrolled down the tab a bit to read what was written. [< Dual Cultivation is an advanced technique where two cultivators share and refine their spiritual energies during intercourse. This practice strengthens both partners, increasing their internal energy, abilities, physique, cultivation potential, and equalizing their cultivation levels in case you or your partner are at different stages. >] "Wait, what do you mean by equalizing cultivation? Does it only advance you to match your partner?" Strax questioned aloud... [< Exactly. >] The System responded. Strax was left speechless, and many things crossed his mind. It now made sense... After all, he only advanced when he was with Monica, who was a specialist and he wasn''t... "But... what about Samira?" He wondered. Currently, Samira was a Stage Master, and she was the woman he had the most sex with to date. "This is still confusing... Well, I have a lot of things to see yet, maybe because it was the beta version it worked differently." He said and continued scrolling down the System skills tab. [< Love Copy >] It was the next skill in the System. It really was a good skill that he had used a lot. After copying the skill (Fire Manipulation), his strength had increased significantly, and it had become one of his main abilities. Of course, he still didn''t know how to use it in battle beyond how Samira used it, bathing her sword in flames, but he wanted to improve that, to be more creative with these uses would be ideal, especially with such a strong ability as this. He then reread the description of the skill, which, well... [< Allows the user to copy only one skill from their wives marked with the Harem System. This skill will not have the same proficiency or strength as the original skill but can be enhanced with your own efforts. Currently, there are no targets with unique skills to be copied. >] "It probably hasn''t been changed; I don''t see how this skill could have been corrected." Strax thought, after all, it was a beta. Love Copy itself was already an extremely strong skill compared to most others. Just having the ability to copy a strong skill like Fire Manipulation was incredible, and it didn''t need significant improvement... He was still contemplating whether this change was good or bad... Well, he would have to figure that out on his own... Interestingly, Samira was the most impatient. She stood up and crossed her arms like a truly upset wife. "Strax, what happened to you?" Samira asked with an analytical look, her voice laden with many emotions, primarily anger. He didn''t even understand why she was so angry. "Is it because I broke the house?" He questioned himself... "Or because I kept them locked up in the house for a few days?" Well... while Beatrice was missing, let''s just say he might have been overly protective of his wives, perhaps even crossing the line. Strax took a deep breath once more, gathering his words. "Girls, let''s just say I''ve had a major upgrade. It''s resulted in some drastic changes to my physique," he said, not referring to the system directly, but rather trying to ease them into hearing these terms, at least until he had the courage to explain without sounding crazy. Of course, he wasn''t sure if the system would prevent them from hearing about it. "Yeah, we''ve all noticed that. You were handsome before, now you''re a temptation pit. We''ve all noticed, stop stating the obvious!" Samira replied, seeming a bit... "What''s up with her?" Strax asked the other two, who seemed to agree with Samira to some extent. "She''s horny," the two chimed in unison. "She just wants to finish this conversation so you can defile her in the best possible ways," Monica added. Well, they spoke as if... "Look who''s talking, peek under that maid skirt! I bet there''s a waterfall under those stockings!" Samira pointed between Monica''s legs, which clenched and closed quickly. "And you too! You''re itching to go into a coma again after a long fight session with him!" Samira pointed at Beatrice, who turned her face away. "I deserve it," she pouted quietly. Strax listened incredulously... these women... cared about all this? I mean, they just wanted sex right now. If they were human and felt this way, imagine if he gave a sword to his blades resting on the edge of the couch... Those two dragons had instincts thousands of times greater than Beatrice, Monica, and Samira. All Strax could do was sigh. Sure, he really wanted to seize this moment, but now was the time to get serious. "My loves... I have a special physique," Strax said, catching all their attention. And for some reason... "Aren''t you surprised?" he asked, seeing their lifeless gazes. "My husband... you couldn''t be more obvious, could you? Let''s be honest among ourselves... did any of you think this man didn''t have a special physique?" Samira, the most experienced cultivator present, questioned them. They obviously denied it; they already suspected he had something like this. In a short time, this man had reached Master Level; it was obvious there was something behind it, and rare physiques were known... the problem was... "It''s a Dragon physique," Strax said, shattering the women''s expectations like a mirror... they were in shock. Chapter 105: Small conversations "It''s a Dragon Physique," he said, shattering the women''s expectations like a mirror breaking into pieces... They didn''t know what to do. They simply lost all composure. "Dear..." Samira murmured. "Y-yes?" Strax asked, feeling a bit scared seeing the blank look on her face. He had never seen her so serious before. "Are you okay, dear?" Strax continued, since Samira didn''t respond immediately. The first thing she did was sit down again. Like a robot, she moved stiffly and there she was, between Beatrice and Monica. The silence was almost palpable... but it was broken by a long, heavy sigh... "Ah~~" she sighed, as she mentally prepared to say something. "Why is it so hard to love a man in peace? He has to be a ticking time bomb of incessant craziness, damn it." She swore. Everyone didn''t quite understand what had happened to her, but she seemed... disappointed? Well, that wasn''t exactly what was on her mind. She took a deep breath and continued, "How the hell am I supposed to keep up with someone with a Dragon Physique being just a human?!!" she yelled loudly, making the two women reflexively cover their ears... "What?" Strax said, surprised by this crazy woman''s reaction... she seemed extremely frustrated, but... why? "Man... how do you do it? We met when you were just starting out in cultivation, and now look at you! You''re already at master level at eighteen! Damn it! How am I supposed to keep up with you?! I don''t want to be left behind!" Samira roared, almost accusing him of a heinous crime. Well, to her, he was now a supercriminal who should be hunted down and punished! Silence... just a long, tense silence where no one could say a word, but Strax couldn''t hold back for long... "Puff..." He tried not to laugh; he tried really hard to hold back his laughter, but he couldn''t. He didn''t want to, but it was stronger than him. Samira was so cute, so tiny and feisty. He loved this woman so much that he couldn''t take her seriously... "Hahaha!!" He burst into laughter, breaking the silence, and that woman... she got furious... "You bastard!" she said, standing up and launching herself to punch him. But Strax wasn''t stupid. He wouldn''t let this cute, feisty woman do whatever she wanted. In the middle of her advance, he stopped laughing and turned, dodging her move at a high speed. But he didn''t let it go. The dodge caught her off guard, and his hands slid over her and grabbed her waist, pulling her close to him, pressing their bodies together. Samira immediately tried to break free, but the man''s hands had already sealed her completely. She wasn''t getting out of there. "Hey, hey, calm down, warrior," Strax whispered in her ear, his voice carrying a mischievous tone he reserved only for moments like this. "I know this is a shock. Your husband is incredible; you should be happy, you know? But it''s okay, I''m not trying to leave you behind. I''m here, with you, always... "What? What do you mean! I''m sure Glacial Ice Manipulation only appeared once! Other times it was Ice Manipulation!" he roared at the system, which responded again. [< Beta Version. >] "Ah, go to hell then! I''m not going to consider any abilities from the beta version!" he shouted at the system, which responded only with cold silence... [< ... >] "Damn, if it''s talking like that, how must the abilities tab look? No, damn it, I don''t have time for this right now!" he said, returning to reality as he heard Monica talking about how the woman was... "She''s quite strange, the strong survive, and the weak die..." Monica recounted, but it wasn''t anything too important, "Well, whatever. It''s just an example, she''s quite famous, but for some reason... I can''t remember her name..." Monica was really trying, but "It''s okay, dear, relax, I don''t need to know her name." Strax said, and Monica nodded. "Ah~ I''m tired." Beatrice said, already exhausted after everything that happened. "Darling... what exactly happened after they rescued me?" Strax loosened his hold on Samira and smiled at her, who smiled back and nodded. She went back and sat on the couch again while Strax sat on the other side, facing the three. "Well... where do I start..." Strax murmured and heard a seductive voice internally, "Tell them about when you came to get us, and that ''I want both of you for myself!'' and then took us with you," Ouroboros said with a smile that Strax could clearly feel even without seeing. Strax remembered that moment, but... "Ah~ what a hassle." He murmured as he began to talk about how he acquired Ouroboros and Tiamat, but in a less explicit way about what he had said, which left them unhappy... "Master, liar," Tiamat said, she seemed sulky, "Master liar!!" Ouroboros yelled at him while he talked about how he made the contract with the two, avoiding the part about "Be mine." Of course, that would irritate them since they had already agreed to be his! Strax could feel the two swords trembling with anger and frustration, so he picked them up but... releasing his charm aura directly over the swords and giving a slap on the hilt of both... "Anwn!" Ouroboros moaned loudly while placing her hands on her butt, which had a palm mark, "Mmm!" Tiamat also felt her butt receive a hard slap, but her moan was more restrained. "Don''t forget... just because I won''t have fun with you, it doesn''t mean I can''t do these things to you. Behave!" Strax said, shouting in the spiritual world of their contract... "Y-Yes." They agreed obediently, "We''re sorry..." they murmured, but... they had a smile on their faces... Chapter 106: Xenovia knows Xyns true face Strax was too relaxed while Xenovia was working hard to do her best for him... She felt even wronged by this, after all, she hadn''t even gotten a clear response to her confession, and it was driving her crazy. "Ahh! Damn man!" she roared, throwing a chair across the room. "I did everything! And he didn''t even show a bit of concern for me! Damn it!" Xenovia shouted as she threw another chair to the same spot. "M-Mistress, you should calm down a bit..." Xyn tried to argue with her, but it was impossible. Xenovia was out of her mind, and even Xyn felt a little intimidated by such a reaction... Xenovia had always been a calm and serene woman, but since Strax came back into her life after so many years, she seemed to have let go of all her coldness, replaced by a burning flame of passion. On one hand, Xyn, who knew her loneliness more than anyone else, was truly happy to see that she was finally beginning to melt that ice-cold mind she had... but on the other... It was frightening... "Why are human women like this?" she thought, as if she didn''t know the strange temperaments of Ouroboros and Tiamat, who were sealed with her in the same place for years... Before Xenovia''s mother awakened Xyn and made a contract. "Be quiet! An old woman like you doesn''t know how I''m feeling!" Xenovia shouted, she was really nervous to call Xyn old... "Oh... You damned..." Xyn murmured. She could accept Ouroboros bad-mouthing her because she was stronger, but her own mistress? No, this wouldn''t stand. "Wake up to life, woman!" Xyn shouted as she appeared in the form of a woman... For the first time in all this time by her side, Xenovia saw Xyn''s humanoid form... "W-What?" Xenovia stuttered, her shock evident as she saw Xyn''s true form. The expectations she had of a noble and serene figure shattered as she faced the rebellious and imposing figure before her. Xyn, in her humanoid form, was an... exotic vision? Xenovia didn''t know how to react; she just stared... Her arms, slightly muscular and well-defined, contrasted with her pale, translucent skin, adorned with intricate tattoos of flames and ancient ideograms that seemed to pulse like flames. The combination gave her skin the appearance of pure jade, smooth and flawless like a work of art sculpted with precision. Her grayish hair, with a subtle touch of purple, framed a face marked by gothic makeup: dark shadows highlighted her piercing eyes, and her lips were adorned with dark lipstick, creating a dramatic contrast with her paleness. She was a hypnotic fusion of the ethereal and the subversive. Assimilation is the final stage of a contract, where the spirit decides to risk its existence by merging with its contractor. For something like this to happen is extremely rare; despite the contracts being fair, they do not involve the sacrifice of either party. For a spirit to do this, it must be completely in sync, body and soul, with its host... "You''re saying that those two..." Xenovia murmured, "Yes, they are interested in him in a much more intimate way. Well, it''s not surprising, if his physique is so highly compatible it only means one thing..." Xyn murmured. Even she didn''t want to believe what she was saying, but she spoke anyway. "Strax has a Dragon Physique." As she spoke, the room fell silent for a few seconds while Xenovia tried to process what she had just heard, but Xyn didn''t let her think. "Ouroboros and Tiamat are primordial dragons, true dragons, not like those of Caelum, who are derived from a race of dragons that fused with humans... In other words..." Xyn paused... "His physique is of celestial level." they said in unison. Xenovia knew something was wrong with Strax, she always knew. He spent years unable to cultivate, and suddenly he managed to break through mana condensation, expert, and now was already at the master level, all this without even properly understanding cultivation. She knew this; she always knew. She trained him precisely so he could understand what strength was, but this went completely beyond her expectations. Not just one Primordial Dragon, but two¡ªthat was simply insane. Insane was an understatement; it only showed that the man was never meant to be a failure... Xenovia knew this, knew very well what it was about and what she needed to do to ensure he continued well, but with this, she felt a great headache... "That crazy man... he already knew this." she said, recalling in her memories all the times they faced each other and he already seemed to know how to deal with her when it came to mana... Something all dragons had, something that made her wonder how he learned so quickly without even having complete control or enough mana for that? "Dragon Eyes... that''s why he''s evolving so fast, the extreme mana control he doesn''t even realize he has." Xenovia said. She had many questions, but now part of her curiosity was satisfied. "Well, I don''t know about dragon eyes, but that man is truly crazy. Managing to put Ouroboros on a leash like that... I don''t even want to imagine what the spiritual world of those three is like; I''m amazed they haven''t requested a Master-Servant contract to be pampered. Just looking at them, I felt the lust; whatever power this man has, it''s a great one, you know?" Xyn said, she really seemed interested in knowing more, not about Strax but what happened for him to have received such primordial fortune. Note: Xyn''s appearance will only be on the novel''s Discord to avoid copyright issues, as she is inspired by a character named Zoye from a Chinese game called Path to Nowhere. Chapter 107: A moment alone with my wifes mother A few hours had passed since that conversation about his physique, after resolving so many issues at once, especially with part of that vengeance he carried, the bitterness over his brothers'' mistreatment that he loathed. In a way, it had all ended¡ªthose who had truly caused trouble were punished in the worst possible way. The incident concluded with three deaths, the deaths of the sons of a cold man who barely cared for them. Three Vorah were erased in a single day, and the result? A rising star within the Ascension emerged from the depths of that family. Yet... Perhaps that star wasn''t shining so brightly now. After yesterday''s conversation, Strax went to bed that day, and a question lingered in his thoughts like a fog¡ªwhat came next? What was the next step beyond his current strength? Would training alone suffice? He was exhausted from the day, not just physically with his awakened body, but mentally. So tired that he hadn''t even had time to spend with his wives that night, and thus, morning dawned upon him, awakened by the sunlight streaming through his window and hitting his face. He lay in a King Size bed, completely alone, the sheets completely loose and thrown about, clearly indicating others had slept there, but Strax didn''t even register it; the fatigue was such that he didn''t remember anything from the previous night. "Damn..." He muttered, rubbing his head, which still ached¡ªwell, he had plenty of reasons for that. He calmly got up, feeling his head throb with pain. "Ah... damn, so much shit in this fucking head, I need to stop thinking about things," Strax said as he dressed, realizing he was only in his underwear. Quietly descending the stairs, Strax noticed the house was strangely quiet. Normally, the kitchen would be bustling at this hour, but there were no signs of life. It intrigued him, yet also gave him a moment of peace to think. He sat down at the table, finding a breakfast already prepared. Eggs and bacon, a meal he had never eaten in this world. "Strange to see something like this..." he murmured, sensing an odd calmness in the air. Everything was too quiet, a silence he wasn''t accustomed to experiencing. "Okay... this is weird." Nonetheless, he picked up the utensils and began to eat, savoring each bite as he sipped some coffee. It was the first decent meal he had had in days, since the incident with Beatrice. Some time passed, and he heard footsteps and heavy breathing approaching. Turning around, he saw a familiar figure dressed in workout clothes that accentuated her sweaty body. Monica entered the kitchen, her face brightened by a smile upon seeing Strax enchanted by the taste of the food. She approached and, with a loving gesture, gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Monica said, her hair tied back and an ecstatic expression from just finishing her exercises. "Don''t worry," he said, leaning a little closer to her, the proximity making their breaths one. "I''ll be by your side when you tell her. Don''t worry about the minor detail of both of you being my wives." She smiled, feeling more secure, and now their lips were dangerously close to each other''s. "Thank you, Dear. I''m just afraid things will change because she knows that... well... her mother sleeps with her husband." "Really? I find it quite exciting to have both mother and daughter all to myself," she could feel the tension and attraction between them growing, like an electric current pulsing in the air, every little word just a disguised temptation. Strax''s fingers slid down her arm to her neck, and he pulled her a little closer to him, their lips almost touching. "Monica..." he murmured, his voice full of desire. She closed her eyes, her breathing quickened, and before anyone could say anything else, he kissed her. The kiss was slow and deep, filled with a need they had both suppressed for too long¡ªwell, it had been days since their last moment alone together. He could taste her, a mix of salt and sweetness, and the heat of their bodies seemed to meld into one. "Mm," Monica moaned softly, muffled by Strax''s lips, a sound that made Strax''s heart race even faster. She surrendered completely to the kiss, her hands gripping his face as they lost themselves in that moment of passion. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, their foreheads pressed against each other. "She''ll be fine, dear. If she''s not... well, I''ll set her straight, after all, I am her father now," he said mischievously, and Monica pulled back a bit. "Tsk, don''t talk like that, it''s too... provocative," Monica said, turning her face away, completely red. "You bastard! Stop suggesting these things!" Monica thought, she was already falling for Strax''s talk, and before she could even think of anything, he was already thinking of perverted things... Or was it her? She wasn''t even aware of it. "Now..." Strax murmured when suddenly a noise came from outside, where the training area would be. It sounded like weights being pushed very hard. "It seems they''ve started again," Monica said with a smile. "They?" "We, your wives were fighting each other, to see who goes first. Unfortunately, I was defeated, although it wasn''t a fair game, Samira even contained her cultivation to our level," Monica shrugged, she seemed very comfortable, since she was still sitting on her husband''s lap while the two fought outside, using the pretext of training not to be kidnapped so easily... "Wait... Go first in what?" Strax asked... although he had an idea of what it would be... "You know very well, dear, and you''re already quite excited, I''m feeling something big poking my butt," Monica said mischievously... Chapter 108: What are the next steps? "Monica, you really know how to drive me crazy," he murmured, his hands sliding around her waist, holding her firmly. She bit her lower lip, a shiver running through her body at his touch. "You have no idea, Strax," she whispered, leaning in to capture his lips in a deep, desire-filled kiss. As Strax enjoyed his beautiful wife''s embrace, the sounds outside grew louder, echoing through the house. Rhythmic booms and muffled shouts of effort mixed together, indicating an intense battle was underway. "COME ON!" Hearing that, Strax looked at Monica with a smile. "Sounds like things are heating up out there," Strax remarked, raising an eyebrow as he held her close. Monica stood up, adjusting her clothes and giving Strax a playful look. "You should take a look," she suggested, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I''m sure you''ll be surprised." "Oh... really? Well then, maybe I should take a look," he replied, moving towards the door leading to the training grounds they had built. Opening the door, the sounds of the fight became clearer. He could see Samira and Beatrice in the middle of the training field, engaged in a fierce combat. Samira, with fluid and precise movements, seemed to be giving her all, while Beatrice responded with impressive brute force, each of her strikes resonating like thunder. "Let''s see how they''re doing," Strax murmured, stepping out. Samira noticed his presence first. She stopped, panting, and gave Strax a teasing look. "Decided to finally grace us with your presence, Darling? Don''t you think you overslept?" she said, her breath heavy and her eyes gleaming. Beatrice, noticing Samira''s distraction, seized the opportunity to attack. With a swift motion, she landed a blow that knocked Samira to the ground, eliciting a surprised groan from her. "Ouch!" Samira growled in pain as she began to get up. "Hey you jerk, that''s not fair!" Samira complained, Beatrice was not at all happy with that duel, the defeat was so certain then... "In war, there''s no justice, only winners, and I''m not going to miss my chance to be the first!" Beatrice replied with a mischievous smile, reaching out to help Samira up. Beatrice took the pitcher with a smile. "Thanks, Darling. We really need this after the fight." Samira, already pouring herself a glass, looked at Strax with a gleam in her eyes. "So, what''s the plan for the next step? Anything special?" Samira asked as Strax sat down. "I don''t know," Strax replied, the girls could feel how tired he was; it seemed like he had already thought about this several times. "That woman... Xenovia... does she have problems with the King?" Beatrice said, they had already talked about what had happened to Xenovia and that she liked Strax but did not delve too deep into it. "Yeah, there''s that too..." Strax murmured, for a moment he felt a little guilty for simply leaving Xenovia behind after that bloody duel. "Honestly, I really don''t know what to do yet. I just know that my father wants me to train with Diana using two swords, but I''m feeling uncomfortable about that specific order. I don''t want to be a part of something like that, especially not in this family... In fact, I was thinking of creating a surname for us when I leave the family," Strax commented. They already imagined this could happen one day, after all, Strax never wanted to be part of his current family. "Have you thought about that?" Samira asked. She wasn''t much different from Strax; she would easily abandon her surname too, especially after the problems with her family. For her, her family was dead. Strax was enough for her, along with her new ''sisters''. "I have... but I''ll leave that for later," Strax smiled. "Now..." Before Strax could say anything else, he felt his Spirits trying to communicate with him. "Just a moment," Strax said, summoning his two swords, which quickly transformed into their humanoid forms. "What happened to you two?" Strax asked the two beautiful women who appeared from the swords. "There''s a spirit approaching," Tiamat said, resilient and controlled, unlike the other one, who had a heavy and serious expression. "Damn it, she broke the seals," Ouroboros said, sounding a bit angry... "Hm?" Strax was confused; his draconic eyes sensed nothing but... a void? "It''s no use, master; when that bitch removes her limiters, she becomes quite troublesome for us dragons," Ouroboros said, and Strax heard footsteps... Then the doorknob began to turn slowly, and the door opened... Revealing a woman they had no idea who she was. "Bitch," Ouroboros said. "Did you come here to take our master?" Ouroboros roared, ready to attack the woman, who just looked at her curiously. She had an athletic and defined body, short grayish hair with purple tones, and gothic makeup. "Hey, your brother has changed a lot," she said, entering nonchalantly followed by another person... "Xenovia? And who''s this?" Strax questioned, seeming like he hadn''t fully grasped what was happening yet. "S-Strax?" She stammered, seeing his appearance, which completely took her by surprise... "He underwent a body reconstruction; is his physique fully awakened now? Well, probably..." the woman murmured. "And who are you?" Strax couldn''t take his eyes off the woman... she was so... striking? That''s how he could describe her without being rude... "Oh, he hasn''t realized yet... Hey, Lust Dragons, tell him," she said with a mischievous smile... "It''s Xyn..." Ouroboros said. Chapter 109: Mother of the Night Strax saw that woman smiling at him sarcastically, she seemed laid-back and relaxed, completely different from the serious and slightly sarcastic Black Phoenix he had met when he returned to this city... "X-xyn?" he questioned, unable to understand how that strange bird had transformed into this... beautiful woman? He didn''t know how to categorize Xyn now; she just seemed like a very attractive woman who fit many of his tastes... after all, who doesn''t like a goth? And well, in his experiences before reincarnating, he was a big fan of goths... "Ouch!" He felt a slap on his head, and of course, it was a very jealous woman feeling a bit of what he felt through their deep spiritual connection caused by assimilation. "Keep that thing in your pants and don''t even think about anything with her, or I''ll cut it off," Ouroboros said, very serious, much more serious than the relaxed and perverted woman he had seen before. She was just... nervous. "Oh, does the snake want to fight?" Xyn said, provoking Ouroboros, who was near her limit, and Strax just watched... "Why are they fighting?" He thought, looking at Xenovia, who shrugged, responding with gestures, "Who knows?" Strax and the girls just watched them as it seemed like lightning bolts were shooting from their eyes as they clashed in front of them. The room had a very strange atmosphere, very strange. "Don''t you dare try to put your filthy paws on my master," Ouroboros said, pointing a finger at Xyn. "Wow, what''s so special about this boy? What has this turned into? I''m just here to talk, I have no interest in a simple human child," Xyn said, smiling. For some reason, Strax felt as if he were being attacked... "Human child?! How dare you!" Ouroboros started to walk towards Xyn, but Tiamat held her by the arms. "Calm down!" Tiamat said, pulling the milf back. "Calm down? No way! I''m going to kick this bitch out! She insulted our master, don''t you have any pride?!" Ouroboros said, struggling against Tiamat''s strong arms. "I have pride, but she''s clearly attacking you and not our master. Show some class; our master is much more important than a little bird in a cage," Tiamat said, clearly being more rational than Ouroboros. Well, we can see who the brains are and who are the muscles. "I don''t know where you got the idea that I would steal your master, but again, I''m here to talk, and I have no interest in relationships. He''s not even my type," Xyn said, pointing at Strax, who again felt attacked. "Oh, you... you really became a big target now. You will be mine even if I have to destroy an entire kingdom to create a masterpiece body for you three..." he thought, looking at her with a completely possessive gaze. "That''s right. It seems the boy has much more than just a physique; he''s a complete genius. You''ve only recently met him, but I''ve been observing him for a long time. This boy must already be thinking about how to create bodies for you, considering how he was looking at you earlier with so much desire." Xyn said, and the two dragons quickly looked at him, who just turned his face away... "Are you... are you thinking about that?" Tiamat questioned, a bit shaky... Gaining a physical body is something very different from a contract or something like that. It was giving them a new life, a life in which they didn''t even know what it would be like. It was like reviving someone... and this man was thinking of giving bodies to two dragons? How could someone be so... irresponsible? Creating a body for a dragon is not simple. On the contrary, it''s an almost impossible task for an ordinary being. Normal homunculi cannot host immense souls like theirs. It was actually... such an impossible desire that they had already accepted being just spirits until Strax died and transformed into a spirit to be with them. They were not like Xyn, who, if she died as a spirit, would be reborn as a phoenix. They only had one chance in this life and one body, and when they died, they became spirits against their will. "Yeah... I got caught," Strax said, raising his hands in surrender. "You..." Ouroboros murmured, her eyes looking somewhat strange... "As I said, I came here just to talk. That girl bothered me to try to help her with Strax, but I''m not foolish enough to let her throw herself at an idiot who wants to revive two dragons. So I came here to see if my suspicions were correct." Xyn said, insulting Strax repeatedly, which was starting to make him angry. Was every word from this woman''s mouth just a way to attack him? What had he done!? "Unfortunately, he really wants to take two Primordial Dragons for himself," she said with a sigh. "I''ve already warned her about the problems, and even so, she refused to listen, so there''s nothing I can do about it." Xyn seemed tired, "Now, let''s talk about what really matters." She looked at Strax seriously. Her hands trembled for a moment, and two black feathers appeared between her fingers. "Black Phoenix Feathers," Ouroboros said, looking at them with awe. It was something she shouldn''t even be able to produce with her current power... [< [Mythical Material] Detected! > ] "Hm?" Strax quickly read the message while paying attention to Xyn, "I wish to make a deal with you, Dragon," she said, looking into Strax''s eyes, which changed completely to a reptilian red eye upon hearing that. [< The Mother of the Night offers you a deal >] Chapter 110: Black Phoenix Feathers acquired [< [Mythical Material] Detected! > ] "Hm?" Strax quickly read the message while paying attention to Xyn. "I want to make a deal with you, Dragon," she said, looking into Strax''s eyes, which changed completely to a reptilian red eye upon hearing this. [< The Mother of the Night offers you a deal >] "Dragon?" Strax questioned her. Having the physique didn''t mean he was a Dragon; far from it, he was very far from being a Dragon. Xyn''s eyes glowed as a chilling cold swept through the entire environment. "Beast Physiques are like that, boy. Over time, you will become a Complete Dragon. Don''t give me that look; I know you know your physique is not of a Common Dragon," Xyn said with a mischievous smile. She seemed to be reading Strax''s entire figure without any pity. "Right..." Strax murmured, feeling a bit uncomfortable... "The horns haven''t grown yet, so there must be a few levels of cultivation missing," Xyn said, looking at him, waiting for a clear response. "You''ve been preparing since you discovered my physique, haven''t you?" Strax questioned while his red eyes looked at her, as if deeply judging her. "What do you think? I wouldn''t just stand by with this chance in front of me, Dragon." Xyn said, her blue-purple eyes glowing. She really seemed well above him, and he felt an air of superiority. "How tiring," he murmured, putting his hand on his head and shaking it... "Come on, start talking about what you want," Strax said, watching the woman''s confident smile stretch from ear to ear. "I''ve been trapped in this sword for a long time. I want freedom," Xyn said, seeming quite confident that he could do it. "I want a body," she said, making everyone fall silent. Ouroboros looked at Tiamat as if asking, "What is she up to?" and Tiamat replied with a look of, "How should I know?" After a bit of silence, Strax looked at her with an extremely serious look. "I presume you know how to create a body to support your soul," Strax said, waiting for her response. "I''m a Phoenix, of course, I know," she said with a mischievous look. "You want freedom... and my sister?" Strax questioned. After all, if this sword stopped working, what would become of Xenovia? She would have to find something new to use; a sword cultivator without a sword would be problematic. "You then want to create three homunculi, won''t that be a problem?" Strax questioned. "Well, probably," Xyn said, as she used her flames to create something, "We need an Alchemist, I recommend an Elf, they are the most reliable when it comes to magic and alchemy, and to create the artifact... a Dwarf would be my choice, especially knowing that the three swords will become almost useless when we leave them." Xyn explained, she had been planning this for thousands of years, but she didn''t have the right people for it, quite the opposite, she never even had the opportunity. Strax took a deep breath, trying to absorb all the information he had just received. Freeing Xyn and helping her create bodies was a complicated endeavor, but the rewards seemed promising, having Ouroboros and Tiamat in flesh and bones... He looked at the mythical feathers again in her hands, just from the way the message was still there, he was already thinking deeply... "It''s risky... but I don''t have many options..." Strax thought. He looked to the side to see what his wives had in mind, but the scene was a bit... strange. The three were sleeping, Samira on one end, Monica on the other, and Beatrice in the middle. "They seem to talk too much, they would get in the way," Xyn said. Well, she wasn''t wrong; those three would likely say things to prevent Strax from proceeding. "You really thought of everything," Strax said, seeing how determined she was to carry out this endeavor. "And you''re right, we will need the best for this. An Elven Alchemist and a Dwarven Blacksmith... that''s going to be complicated, especially with the current issues with the Kingdom..." Xyn smiled, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "Nothing worthwhile is that easy, but it will still take some time to get close to that. But I believe you can do it, and Xenovia will be with you, besides, it''s almost time for her to advance." "I understand, so let''s do this," Strax responded. If it was necessary to do all this to bring Ouroboros and Tiamat into the mortal world, he was ready. "But before proceeding, let''s establish the terms of our agreement." The voice of the woman came again; Ouroboros was beside Strax, her suspicious gaze fixed on Xyn. "I want to ensure this won''t put my master in danger. And don''t try anything shady." Xyn raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "I understand the concern. As a sign of good faith, they are all yours," she said, making the feathers fly to Strax, who caught them with a surprised look... [< Mythical Ingredient: Black Phoenix Feathers acquired >] [< You have obtained the first ingredient for the Creation of a Celestial Spiritual Body >] Chapter 111: Just kill him if he touches her. Xyn raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "I understand the concern. As a sign of good faith, they are all yours," she said, making the feathers fly to Strax, who caught them with a surprised look. [< Mythical Ingredient: Black Phoenix Feathers acquired >] [< You obtained the first ingredient for the Creation of the Celestial Spiritual Body >] "Celestial Spiritual Body..." Strax thought, reading the notification. The real question now in his mind was whether he would be able to achieve this goal. The word "Celestial" carried a lot of weight, and that intimidated him a little. However, he was embraced from behind while sitting in the armchair, where Ouroboros'' breasts rested on his head, and she murmured, "Everything will be fine, my master," she commented softly with a mischievous smile. "I don''t have any options anyway..." he murmured to himself, as the notification updated. [< All Missions deleted, the new mission system has been incorporated into the system. >] [< Mission Reminder Added, the mission tab has been unlocked >] [< First Mission acquired: Your possessiveness for wanting everything that is rightfully yours has been tested. To obtain the Primordial Dragons, you must get a body capable of withstanding their souls >] [< Objective: With Xyn''s help, you now have the list of priorities and ingredients for the creation of these bodies >] [< Black Phoenix Feathers: 2/3 >] [< Friendship with an Experienced Blacksmith [Missing] >] [< Friendship with an Experienced Alchemist [Missing] >] [< ? ? ? >] [< ? ? ? >] [< ? ? ? >] [< ? ? ? >] [< Note: All ingredients are needed in quantities of three. With the deal made, Xyn will offer the last feather at the end of the mission >] [< Reward: This mission does not offer System rewards; after all, it is a concrete goal of the user himself. The reward is already the creation of the Celestial Spiritual Body >] Strax answered her question. "I might sound arrogant, but in a few years, I''ll be at least one of the strongest in all of Thalassia. After that, I''ll be the strongest in this world. A mere prince won''t affect me, especially now that I''m starting to establish myself. This way, I can be sure Xenovia will be protected even when I''m not around." Strax explained with a smile, and Xenovia didn''t seem to disagree with him, but also... "I''m not a child," she said. "I don''t need that kind of protection." His gaze fell on her, serious and possessive. "If I''m saying you need it, you accept it. I give the orders." he said, his look really hitting her hard, making her whole body tremble. Xenovia opened her mouth to protest, but seeing the firmness in Strax''s eyes, she sighed and nodded slightly. "Alright... just don''t forget that I''m strong too," she murmured, a slight smile appearing on her lips. Strax relaxed a little, stroking Xenovia''s white hair again. "I know you''re strong. But extra protection doesn''t hurt, and it makes me feel more at ease. I don''t want any man touching my future wife." Xyn observed the interaction with an intrigued look. "You really did it, little girl. After all these years, he put a little collar on the cold and insensitive woman you are," she commented. "I''m curious to see how far this will go; it looks fun." As Strax finished his contract... something was happening not too far away... [Royal Castle, Capital of Thalassia, Thalion] In the majestic towers of the Royal Castle, built with ancient stones and adorned with golden banners, the Crown Prince paced nervously in his luxurious chambers. The high ceilings and arched windows allowed the golden midday sunlight to bathe the room, but nothing seemed to calm his anxiety. "She hasn''t responded?" the Prince asked, his voice laden with frustration, as he looked at his aide, a middle-aged man with gray hair, who maintained a rigid and respectful posture. "No, Your Highness," the aide replied, bowing his head slightly in a sign of respect. "I sent the message as per your orders, but we haven''t received a response." The Prince frowned, his blue eyes flashing with irritation. "Xenovia has always been so diligent. It''s unusual for her to ignore a direct summons. Something must be happening." The aide nodded in agreement. "I agree, Your Highness. Perhaps it would be wise to send someone to check on her personally." The Prince snorted, turning to one of the windows and looking out at the city of Thalion below. The bustling streets and vibrant markets usually brought him a sense of pride and security, but now they only heightened his unease. "After we received news about that man... what was his name again?" "Strax Vorah, Your Highness," the aide responded carefully. "He is just her younger brother, and the information we have indicates that they have been spending a lot of time together, mainly in training... perhaps she just hasn''t received it yet?" The Prince''s eyes narrowed. "Strax... I thought he was dead... Since that time... well, things have changed." The aide remained silent, aware of the delicacy of the situation. "Your Highness, perhaps we should consider other approaches to ensure Xenovia''s loyalty. It may be more effective than confronting her directly." The Prince sighed, stepping away from the window. "Yes, you are right. We can''t afford to lose a warrior like her. But we need to act quickly. My foolish father still wants to make that idiot General of his march to Vorah, and my brother must already have support for it..." Chapter 112: The Smiling Nun Many thoughts raced through Strax''s mind, so he decided to go out during the night to clear his head. There were many thoughts he needed to sort through, but honestly, he had no desire to face them all now. Strax was trying too hard to understand his circumstances, but he knew there wasn''t much he could do about it. He wanted to hasten the birth of Ouroboros and Tiamat in this world, but he understood it wasn''t the right time. In fact, he was lost, not knowing where to begin. "Women are so complicated, they probably haven''t even woken up yet..." he murmured. Those three were peacefully asleep on the living room sofa, exhausted after a whole day of intense training. He didn''t want to wake them, especially since he spent the day discussing ways to arrange for more wives... At least, that''s what they believed. Whatever Xyn had used on them during the conversation was strong enough to knock them out completely. Now, he was in the city, wandering the rooftops while observing a festival taking place. He didn''t know what the occasion was, but it seemed to be just a common event. Food stalls and hanging flags decorated the place, creating a festive and lively atmosphere. As he walked across the rooftops, Strax watched the city below. The full moon illuminated the streets, revealing a vibrant festival that seemed to fill the air with laughter and music. He moved silently, the sound of his steps almost imperceptible. His keen eyes took in the details of the celebration, but his mind continued to wander, absorbed in his thoughts. "It''s so calm..." he murmured as he watched the festival. He was really trying to occupy his mind with something. Following his observation, he found something, or rather... someone, a familiar figure among the crowd. Christine, his loyal subordinate dressed as a nun, was in the middle of the square, surrounded by children. She wore her characteristic habit, but her behavior did not match her feared title of assassin. Instead of executing her deadly skills, she was helping the children set up small stalls and distribute toys. "So this is how you are when I''m not watching you..." Strax murmured with a smile on his face. The scene was curious but comforting. Christine, normally cold and ruthless in her missions, displayed a softer and gentler side as she laughed and played with the children. Her movements were graceful and calculated, but they carried an unexpected tenderness. Strax paused for a moment, watching her with a slight smile. He knew Christine had a dark past or something like that. After all... who doesn''t in this world? But moments like that showed that even the most tormented souls could find redemption and purpose. Although he knew it was just a facade and she was indeed a maniac who loved to kill... He decided to descend from the rooftops to get closer. Moving silently, he jumped into the nearby alley and walked towards the square. As he approached, he could hear Christine''s cheerful voice encouraging a child to try a ring toss game again. "Come on, kids, you can do it!" she encouraged, cutting some small flags. "You''re doing very well," she said with a soft laugh. "Come on, try again, it''s not that hard." "Thank you for playing with us, Hero!" said Roger, smiling. Strax couldn''t help but feel a bit touched by the title. "Little Roger, why do you call me a hero? I haven''t done anything to be a hero," Strax questioned, finding it a bit odd after spending several hours being called a hero... "Hm? Haven''t you heard the story Sister Cristine told the other day? It''s about a strong man with black hair and red eyes who seeks his beloved, kidnapped by a cruel and demonic dragon. He slays the dragon, marries the princess, and they live happily ever after!" Roger recounted excitedly, clearly enchanted by the tale. It seemed to be his favorite. Strax couldn''t contain his laughter. "Hahaha," he chuckled as he ruffled the boy''s hair. "Go back to the convent, good luck." He stood up. "Come back more often!" Roger said as he prepared to leave. "I will," promised Strax. "Take care and keep being these cute little heroes." Strax chuckled as he noticed Cristine''s momentarily faltering gaze when he laughed, deducing a few things on his own. He looked at Cristine, who approached him. "I didn''t know I was a hero," he commented with a laugh. "I-I didn''t mean for you to know that... it''s just a silly story," she stammered, turning slightly embarrassed. "I thought you were cold and calculating at first, even knowing you were a nun and an assassin, but you''re quite interesting, you know?" Strax asked as he started walking through the streets, with Cristine by his side. Cristine let out a nervous laugh. "I guess we all have layers, Master. We''re not always what we seem at first glance," she said, speaking more about him than herself. It was the first time they had talked more than just about work and servitude, and for some reason, she felt happy... Strax nodded thoughtfully. "You''re right. I''ve been underestimated many times because of my past. But seeing you like this, helping these children, shows a side of you that few know. I''d like to see more of that Cristine," he said, looking at her with a curious glint in his eyes. "Is that what you want? It seems quite vague, considering you''re a man much darker than I am, you know?" Cristine replied with a question, her curiosity evident. "We''re both killers in the end, aren''t we?" he responded with a smile. "Someone who dedicates themselves as much to killing as to bringing joy. It''s a rare combination." A shy smile returned to her lips. "These children... they remind me that there''s more to life than just killing. I do for them what wasn''t done for me at their age." They continued walking through the brightly lit streets in silence, the festive atmosphere around them providing a perfect backdrop for reflection. After a few minutes of quiet, Strax looked at Cristine and asked, "Why did you choose me to be your master? It''s crossed my mind a few times since you asked for it..." "I like you, the aura around you is comforting... That''s all," she said, but inside, she didn''t quite think it was just that... in fact... well... let''s leave that for another time. Chapter 113: Hungry Women "I like you, the aura around you is comforting... That''s all," she said, but inside, she knew it wasn''t just that. Actually, well... maybe it was better to leave that for another time. "I still don''t understand..." Strax murmured as he kept walking, but in Cristine''s mind, the words flowed differently. "How do I say that he''s a great assassin and that his thirst for blood makes me happy? Ah~ My Lord of Death, why did you make me like this, Lord Thanatos..." She thought as she followed him. "What will you do now?" Cristine asked, walking with her hands behind her back. The time they spent together was ending, as the festival and lights slowly dimmed on the street where they were. "I would find you anyway... I need some information about the current world..." Strax said, a bit hesitant to ask her, but he continued. She wanted to follow him, so it was the least he could ask. "I need information about an experienced blacksmith and an alchemist, preferably a dwarf and an elf." Cristine was slightly taken aback by the request. "That will be complicated... Elves are really hard to come by around here. You would have to go to Sylvandor to be sure of getting an elf, but since you need an alchemist... hm, I''ll have to check with the guild..." She said, thoughtfully. "As for the dwarf blacksmith... this will be even more complicated. Here in Thalassia, there''s only one dwarf, and he''s the official blacksmith who works with the King." Cristine said, considering other solutions. Strax stopped, looking at her. "Sylvandor and the Capital in... Seems like I''ll have a long journey ahead." [] [] [] [Note: It''s not necessary to follow these exact mission lines; the user can continue to search for helpers across all continents, not necessarily requiring an elf or dwarf, although the chances are much higher with races and their specialties.] "I understand... So, I don''t necessarily need to search for specific individuals, but the chances of success will be higher with those who have greater proficiency," Strax thought as he read through all those messages from the System. Strax looked at her and smiled, a smile that always made Cristine feel warm inside. "Thank you for your help, Cristine. Your ability to gather information is unmatched. I appreciate it," he said, approaching calmly and placing a kiss on her forehead. Cristine felt her heart race slightly as she blushed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "I''ll do my best to help, Master," she said, and Strax gently ruffled her head with a smile. "I hope so. Now... I must go back. Take care," Strax said, smiling as he walked away after Cristine nodded... "A dwarf and an elf..." Cristine murmured as she approached her ring, which had a different gemstone. "We have a mission. We need an elf and a dwarf. Start searching in the frontier city of the Desert. There are many adventurers and explorers there. Look among the travelers and report anything you find," Cristine said, then she received a comment. "Central wants to speak with you, Black Blade," she heard and sighed, a kind of magic activated and her entire body shifted into black armor and a faceless mask. "How bothersome," she said and disappeared. "Sorry, dear. But it''s been so long," she murmured softly, leaning in to kiss his mouth. Strax opened one eye, looking at her with a mischievous smile, teasing her lightly by pretending not to want it. "Oh, come on..." she pouted. Strax opened both eyes, gazing at Beatrice with an affectionate smile. "I''ll take my first wife first," he said, holding Beatrice''s warm body. "In the coming days, I''ll ''play'' with you two, in the order that was decided." Beatrice smiled triumphantly, but for some reason, she felt like something bad was going to happen to her... Well, as she said... it had been a while since they did anything. She got up and took Strax''s hand, helping him up from the armchair. Samira and Monica watched the scene somewhat enviously... Since he became an even more charming man, now that was just how they all felt, they were all in the same mood, but unfortunately, they would have to wait. "Damn... we''ll have to be patient," Samira said, and Monica agreed, smiling softly. "Exactly. And when our turn comes, we''ll cherish every moment." Strax chuckled, feeling a bit lighter. "That''s right. Now... how about we go, dear?" Strax asked Beatrice, who tightly held onto his arm. "I''m on fire..." She murmured, not wanting to speak aloud in front of the woman who raised her and the new fighting friend... With that, Strax walked calmly to his room, where the largest bed was... But as they walked down the hall... "Hey... how long are you going to hold my hand... just grab me already!" Beatrice said, already out of sight of the women... "Oh... so that''s what you want?" Strax questioned with a mischievous smile. He had known all along what she wanted, but he was going to tease her to the fullest. Beatrice looked at him with a mix of desire and frustration. "Stop teasing me and just do what needs to be done quickly!" Strax chuckled softly, pulling her closer. "As you wish, my dear." With a quick motion, he scooped her up in his arms, and Beatrice immediately began kissing his neck, sending shivers of pleasure through him. As he carried her to the bedroom, each kiss from her sent waves of warmth through his body. "You know exactly how to drive me crazy," she murmured against his skin, between kisses. Strax smiled, savoring the intensity of Beatrice''s kisses. "And I love every moment of it," he replied, opening the bedroom door and stepping inside. Once in the bedroom, he gently laid her down on the bed, but Beatrice wasted no time. She pulled him closer, continuing to kiss his neck, her hands exploring his back. "My dear..." She murmured, feeling his touch after so long, the kisses on her neck, the way he explored her curves, and how he moved, putting his knee on her flower and teasing her as he rose over her body. "Come on... what do you desire?" Strax murmured, a mischievous smile on his lips. "D-don''t make me say things like that," she stuttered. Initially, she seemed like a wild succubus craving sex, but now... she was just a cute little bunny being dominated. Chapter 114: After so long (R-18) "Let''s go... what do you desire?" Strax murmured, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "D-don''t make me say things like that," she stammered. Initially, she seemed like a wild succubus craving sex, but now... she was just a cute little bunny being dominated. Strax loved seeing those adorable reactions, seeing her torn between desire and vulnerability was incredibly satisfying. He already knew that beneath her confident facade was a woman who wanted to be cared for, wanted to be taken, but he didn''t know she would change moods so quickly with just a few erotic touches. Strax leaned close to her ear, his melodious voice sounding, "You don''t need to say anything, darling. I know exactly what you want," he whispered, and the woman''s body shivered entirely with a shiver, his hand sliding up her thigh, slowly moving up to her lingerie. Once again, he was impressed by what she wore underneath her clothes, a beautiful light purple lingerie with garter straps; she was truly prepared for this. As his hand explored the curves between her legs and her groin, Beatrice arched her back, softly moaning at his touch. "Strax... please..." He smiled, tracing the edge of her lingerie with his fingers before removing it completely, leaving her completely exposed. "You''re so beautiful, Beatrice," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. Beatrice moaned again, her breath quickening. "Strax, I need you... inside me..." She finally confessed, her voice trembling with the intensity of her desire, as Strax removed his pants and approached her, who was already almost completely naked, only the lingerie remaining. "That''s how I like it," he murmured, positioning himself over her. "I want to hear you ask for more." He began to rub his member against her entrance, teasing her, moving slowly up and down, making her wet cavity react fiercely. Just feeling something on her flower, "Ahhh... please... don''t make me wait any longer," she begged between moans, her eyes meeting his, filled with desire. "I need you now! Let''s... fuck me..." She pleaded even more without giving him other ways. "So my confident wife turned into just a filthy woman..." Strax smiled, satisfied with her submission, "That''s why I love you." He held her hips firmly and moved the lingerie panties to the side, perfectly positioning his member at her wet entrance, and with a firm movement, he entered her. "AhHh! Fuck!!! YES!!" Beatrice screamed with pleasure, her fingers digging into his back as she felt every inch of him fill her inside. Her wet pussy squeezed him even more, she had missed that strong virility exploring her insides so much. "Ahh... you''re so tight," he groaned, starting to move slowly inside her, savoring every little space, every deep and intense thrust. "You like this, don''t you? Like feeling me inside you." "Yes... ahhh... I love it... more... more..." Beatrice moaned, her eyes closing as pleasure consumed her. "Don''t stop... Strax... fuck me all the way." She said holding his face as he started to speed up. "Oh, fuck" He murmured as his dick seemed to grow every second inside her, Beatrice''s guts were already molded with her size, but he kept growing inside her. "Yes, I love it ... ah ... so big ..." moaned, his eyes closing as pleasure consumed her. She felt every thrust, every inch of him inside her, taking her closer and closer to climax. "I''m... I''m going to come..." she murmured, her moans becoming louder and more desperate. "Ahhhhh!" Beatrice felt a wave of pleasure wash over her as Strax finally climaxed inside her. "Mmmm..." She arched her back and moaned loudly, feeling his warmth spread throughout her body. They stayed in that position for a few more seconds and Strax decided to withdraw from her, but when he finally did, Beatrice turned to face him, her eyes still shining with desire. It seemed like she had fully recovered, all of a sudden... She changed positions, leaving him lying down. She slid down, kneeling, and looked at Strax with a seductive smile as she held his hard cock. "We''re not done yet, Strax," she murmured, getting closer to him. "Let me take care of you." Strax could feel her breath pulsating on his member. Without hesitation, Beatrice wrapped her lips around him, cleaning him with devotion. The mixed taste of their intimacy was present, but it only spurred her on more. She moved her mouth skillfully, never breaking eye contact with him, as she cleaned him meticulously. "Such a wonderful mouth," Strax felt a new wave of pleasure coursing through his body as Beatrice worked on him, her warm and moist mouth causing electric sensations. "You''re amazing," he murmured, gently stroking her hair. Beatrice increased the pace, her hands and mouth working in perfect synchrony. She wanted him to know how much she desired him, how willing she was to satisfy him. "Oh fuck... this feels so good," he said as he felt her mouth move over every inch of him. "I can''t hold on anymore," he murmured as his cock throbbed, and Beatrice? She didn''t remove it from her mouth for a single moment. Clearly, she was saying, "Cum in my mouth," and Strax agreed with that... "Mmm..." he moaned as he released his hot milk into Beatrice''s mouth, who didn''t let a single drop escape, she left everything in her mouth and looked at him. "Ah," she said, opening her mouth and showing the white liquid, before closing it and swallowing completely. "Such wonderful milk," she said, with a mischievous smile on her lips, she turned her back, leaning on her knees and elbows, sticking her ass out to him with both hands she opened her pussy that was still dripping fluids. "I want you here, fuck me on all fours." Strax didn''t think twice, he approached her and penetrated her with force, feeling the heat and moisture of her intimacy. "AHHHHH!" Beatrice moaned with pleasure at each thrust, her hands grabbing the sheets as he possessed her with desire and intensity. The sounds were even louder, getting louder and louder as the synchrony of thrusts and moans began to be heard more and more, a frenetic rhythm of pure pleasure and lust, both bodies were completely sweaty and panting, and finally, Strax deposited his viscous liquid inside Beatrice again, the woman''s body trembled with pleasure as he came inside her. They both fell exhausted on the bed, panting and satisfied. Beatrice turned to him, a smile of pure contentment on her face. "That was amazing," she whispered, kissing him softly. "We still have the whole night," Strax said, pulling her onto his body, her breasts pressing against his chest as his cock teased the entrance of her pussy. [Dual Cultivation: Activated] [Transforming Yin and Yang Energy into Cultivation for both lovers.] Chapter 115: A happy and confident woman "YOU''RE VERY FUNNY!" The voice echoed with a comical yet slightly insane tone. "You killed your older brothers..." The man''s imposing voice cut through the air, hitting Strax''s ears like a sharp blade. He fell to the ground, powerless, crushed by the weight of the man''s aura before him, who seemed to be mad. What was he doing there? Well... [One day earlier...] Strax woke up next to Beatrice, their bodies intertwined on the bed. She was completely naked and asleep, her breathing soft and calm. In the moments before, she seemed like a fallen angel from the heavens. "Though she acts like an eager succubus... Never mind," Strax thought, trying to get out of bed without waking her. He moved carefully, but inevitably, his movements woke her. "Darling?" She murmured, yawning lazily. The morning sun was already beginning to invade the room, and soon she would need to get up. He wished she would continue sleeping, savoring that moment of peace. "Good morning, my love," he whispered, gently caressing her head. Beatrice snuggled closer, like a satisfied kitten. If she were really a kitten, she would be purring with happiness, feeling his caresses. "So cute," Strax said, feeling Beatrice''s heart beating calmly in his arms, the slow rhythms of deep peace. She was truly relaxed. "We need to get up..." Strax murmured, but the girl kept stretching, resisting the call of reality. "Hey... where did all that..." Beatrice murmured, half-asleep. When she checked her body, she noticed she was no longer "filled." This made her curious and slightly confused. "I transformed it into cultivation," Strax said with a mischievous smile, observing the surprise in her eyes. "C-cultivation? H-how did you turn semen into¡ª" "Shh, quiet. You just need to know this, and don''t tell those crazy women. It''s called dual cultivation, I learned it some time ago," Strax said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "I..." She tried to protest but realized he was serious. "Alright, dear," Beatrice said, making space for him. "So... by doing this... I won''t get pregnant if you... you know... finish inside." She said, trying to navigate around Strax with words, and he was surprised by the question. [] The system answered without Strax asking. "You probably won''t get pregnant," Strax replied, trying to reassure her. "Phew, I didn''t want to have kids at this age. Just imagining Monica... poor thing, she lost a child at this age and can never have children again..." Beatrice said, her voice tinged with sadness at the thought. "She lost the child?" Strax asked, wanting to know how much Monica had confided in Beatrice. "Yes... she told me when I was younger, said she lost the child and her father expelled her from the house for not producing an heir... so she came to my late father and became a servant," Beatrice said, her eyes reflecting a painful past. "I see... one day I''ll try to help her with that," Strax responded, and Beatrice gave a slight smile. Beatrice looked at her, her eyes shining with excitement. "I was thinking of visiting the market. They say there''s a new merchant with exotic items. It might be interesting." "Don''t go alone," Strax said firmly, eating slowly. "If you need to go out without an escort, let me know. I''ll have Cristine accompany you," he continued. "Do not go out alone; my brothers are still in the city," he concluded. "Don''t worry so much," Samira commented. "We can take care of ourselves." But Strax''s red eyes met hers, making her body tremble. "I won''t repeat myself," he said seriously. Monica, though silent, seemed relieved to see the smooth interaction between everyone. Perhaps there was a chance to resolve her personal issues harmoniously. She promised herself that when the right moment came, she would reveal the truth to Beatrice. "And you, darling?" Samira asked. "I''m not sure. Diana was supposed to come help me train with dual swords, but honestly... I don''t want to," Strax said, feeling somewhat apprehensive about it, especially knowing that this order was to keep a close eye on him. Whatever that old man was plotting was concrete, and he didn''t want to be part of it... not that he had a choice. "I thought you might try to seduce her too, to steal her from your father." Beatrice''s comment made all the women look at her in shock. "What did I say wrong? She''s a beautiful and strong woman, just the type for that pervert over there. Besides, I think it''s only fair¡ªtaking the father''s wife as payback for all those years of neglect," she concluded, leaving Samira and Monica blinking in surprise. "What are those faces for?" Beatrice questioned again. "I thought you were more... possessive," Samira commented. She was jealous herself but was certain that Beatrice was the most possessive of all. "First, I''m a happy and secure woman with the man I have," Beatrice said, raising a finger. "Second, if darling wants more women, I''ll support him, even if she''s his father''s wife. Besides, she''s a trophy wife who probably hasn''t felt a hard cock in that virgin pussy of hers. She deserves happiness too, and it would serve Strax''s father right," she added, leaving the other women speechless. "Third, I don''t mind him having more women. Even if it were my mother, I would support her happiness. After all, my husband is everything I would wish for someone I love like my mother. He''s the perfect man who would never hurt her!" Monica was drinking her juice when Beatrice made her final declaration... PUWHHHHH Monica spit out her juice in sheer shock at the absurdity of Beatrice''s statement. "Are you okay?" Beatrice asked, handing her a napkin to clean her mouth. "Y-Yes, I''m fine," Monica stammered. Strax and Samira exchanged glances, trying hard not to laugh. Chapter 116: Joint training That morning passed quickly, so quickly that afternoon arrived and the sun was still up while Strax lay on the sofa, still recovering from the aftermath of his fight with Beatrice the previous night. "I wonder how many times it will take to level up..." Strax murmured to himself, trying to find a way to understand Dual Cultivation. "Anyway, any excessive activity can cause problems in the future. I''m not indestructible, and this isn''t like the novels I used to read where the protagonist has infinite stamina to keep going endlessly." He thought, many things crossing his mind, but he didn''t want to rely on dual cultivation; that was his main stance. "I''ll continue cultivating through meditation as I always have. Using dual cultivation will be only for very specific moments. I still don''t know the purpose of the System or how it was given to me, but I can''t rely solely on this tool. I need to become strong on my own, not as a tool of the system." He was both right and wrong at the same time, presuming a lot and thinking deeply about what he could or couldn''t do with the System. He saw the System as an entity beyond his conventional reality, something like an auxiliary program from some strange god who wanted to have fun. Perhaps it was just his vast knowledge of novels and things he had seen in his past life on Earth, but he was someone on the path to Absolute Strength, and if a System wanted to give him that, he would accept it only if he could surpass the system. "So lazy..." Strax said as he settled back on the sofa, closing his eyes, trying to get some more peaceful rest. BOOOOOOOOM! "Damn... what''s happening outside?" Strax murmured, a bit annoyed, feeling the ground tremble as he just wanted to relax for a bit. After all, in a few days, he would have to be back at his best. But what was happening? Well... There were three women in the center of that makeshift Training Field, surrounded by trees and large rocks, which served as markers for their bursts of strength. The air was fresh, filled with sweat and complicated emotions, but the energy emanating from those three... that was what made the ground slightly tremble. They were excited. Beatrice, with her long purple hair tied in a ponytail, was in the center, focusing. Monica, the perverted maid, was moving with surprising agility, especially for someone who had only just started real combat training, despite her still delicate appearance... Well... as for Samira... how to put it... She was still acting as the guild master, wasn''t she? Her stance was firm, and her eyes, burning like flames, were closely observing every movement of the women in front of her. She sighed and focused on a target... Yes, a single woman would receive her attack, the very one who had... well, mocked her for having enjoyed a wonderful night with her husband. "Let''s see what you''re capable of, Beatrice!" Samira shouted, launching a swift and fierce attack with her fists engulfed in flames. Beatrice, seeing this move, elegantly dodged, spinning in the air and landing softly a few meters away. "Don''t underestimate my daughter," Monica murmured inaudibly... well, she couldn''t say that out loud. With a mischievous smile, she moved to support Beatrice, turning the battle into a two-on-one. She was still inexperienced but wanted to improve; she needed to become stronger to keep up with the man she loved. "Can you all stop?" The man''s voice entered the arena, making them all turn, curious. "I thought you were sleeping," Beatrice said, running to hug him. But Strax didn''t reciprocate; he had a scowl on his face. After all, he wanted to rest a bit, but they didn''t let him with all this noise. "He''s angry," Samira said, observing how Strax was acting. "You deserve to be punished," Strax said, changing his scowl to a mischievous smile. Beatrice stopped, looking at Strax with a mixture of expectation and caution. "Punished? How so?" she asked, trying to decipher his tone. Strax crossed his arms, his smile widening. "You think you can make so much noise without facing the consequences? Let''s see if you can handle a bit more training... with me." Samira, still panting, smiled back, accepting the implicit challenge. "So, the great Strax finally decided to join us? This will be interesting." Monica, noticing the seriousness in Strax''s eyes, prepared herself mentally. "We''re ready. Show us what you''ve got." Strax took a few steps forward, his presence imposing an aura of authority and power. "Very well. Let''s begin." With a swift movement, Strax released a wave of energy that made the ground tremble even more intensely. The three women felt the pressure but didn''t back down. Beatrice was the first to react, channeling her own energy to form a protective barrier around them. "Good, Beatrice," Strax said, impressed. "But you''ll need more than that." He disappeared from sight, moving with impressive speed, and reappeared behind Samira, launching a direct attack. Samira managed to dodge at the last second, but the force of the blow created a fissure in the ground. Monica seized the opportunity to attack from the side, her hands glowing with concentrated energy. Strax blocked the attack effortlessly, spinning to face her. "Monica, your precision has improved, but you need to be faster." The fight intensified, with Strax pushing each of them to surpass their limits. Beatrice, Monica, and Samira fought together, synchronizing their movements in an attempt to overcome the powerful adversary. With each strike, the training field was marked by the force of the battle. "And I thought you would be resting," a fourth woman''s voice emerged, making them all stop immediately. "And I thought you wouldn''t come after me for now, Diana," Strax replied, seeing the woman shrug. "The Patriarch wants to see you," Diana said. Chapter 117: Why does he want to see me? The interruption of the fight left Strax far from happy. On the contrary, he felt completely uncomfortable. Not because of the woman''s presence¡ªshe was the least of his problems. The issue was what she represented, the man she still represented, who, to be honest, was not someone Strax had any respect for. "The patriarch wants to speak with you," Diana said seriously, though not as much as Strax was. After all... "I''m pretty sure I asked for a week without this whole family nonsense, especially after the mess his children made with my wife," Strax said protectively, making Beatrice shrink a bit in frustration at being captured. "I don''t have the details, and I don''t care about them either. If he wants to see you to the point of breaking a promise, it''s because it''s necessary. So shut that mouth of yours and answer the damn call quietly." Diana''s hateful words reached Strax and the girls, making Samira scratch her hand to avoid attacking her. "And suddenly you''ve become so imposing? Was it him who asked for this?" Strax questioned, his eyes glowing red. She had already noticed... This man was no longer the same since he slightly changed his face; she was already sensing the same aura she saw leaving Tiamat when she restricted Darius. The aura of a Beast... a very strong beast that shouldn''t be toyed with, but to her, Strax was just a Master cultivator despite that. "Child," she thought, seeing he might even attack her, but upon hearing something, she immediately stopped and looked at him more calmly. "It''s an urgent matter. He''ll have to leave soon, so he''ll probably give you a task or something, considering you killed three of the guys who were handling certain things. So, on deeper analysis, in my view, he''ll assign you tasks." Diana said, completely changing how she was reacting. Of course, she was still angry. She had been assigned to be nothing more than a messenger girl. There were thousands of servants, thousands of employees, knights, and even Xenovia seemed to be drooling over this man, but she, of all people, was the one chosen. And that was irritating her more than it should. "Just go without asking questions. I''m as fed up with all this as you are." She said, putting her hand on her head, and Strax felt that this time she was serious. Well, at least she spoke the truth, and that was a significant step forward. After all, he was trying to understand more and more about what was happening with Diana. Such a reaction was probably not insignificant, right? "This will be interesting..." Strax thought as he considered how he might get closer to this woman in some way. This woman was clearly dissatisfied with her precious marriage. "Alright, just let me change into better clothes and grab my swords," Strax said, staring intently into Diana''s eyes, who nodded in agreement. "Beatrice and Monica, Samira is in charge. If anything happens, follow her orders; she is the most experienced in combat," Strax said, his gaze moving with precision over theirs. "Do you think we''re going to attack you?" Diana scoffed, and Strax turned to her. "If you think I''m your subordinates whom you can command at will, you''re completely mistaken," Strax said, making the atmosphere heavy again. "Do you think we''re going to attack you?" Diana asked. "No, you wouldn''t be crazy enough for that... After all, I now have some value to the old man, but sooner or later I''ll be leaving this family," Strax said, his eyes shining. "Really, I''d love to see you try," Diana said, unable to believe any of Strax''s words. On the contrary... "This man is crazy..." She thought, knowing that what he wanted was almost impossible¡ªindeed, impossible, since no one had ever seen it happen. It was easier to enter Vorah than to leave Vorah, and she knew it well. After all, her repressed dream of freedom still pulsed in her chest. "Dreams of Weak Children," she thought. "What a strange woman..." Beatrice commented as she settled more comfortably on the sofa. "Why is she acting like this?" she asked, looking at the two women. "Don''t take that conversation seriously," Samira said, looking outside in the same direction Diana had looked. She saw some tree branches swaying. "Of course..." "What do you mean?" Monica asked curiously, as Samira had just moments ago wanted to lunge at Diana and ravage her with brute force. "Just ignore her for now..." Samira concluded. Outside... "Stop acting like a crazy bitch. What happened?" Strax asked, seeing that the woman seemed to have changed completely again. He had already noticed because... She didn''t avoid his advances and was quite... into the real thing, as she always let it slide. And now she seemed furious? It didn''t make sense. "That damned old man..." Diana muttered, mounting the white horse she had as a companion. "Not only did he use me as a messenger girl, but he also put a spy team on me," she said, looking around and spreading her aura throughout Strax''s mansion. "They''re gone now... It was a good move to put the girls on alert with Samira in charge." Diana praised him. "I thought you wanted that, after irritating them so much, it was surely to make them even stronger if someone attacked. I appreciate that," Strax said with a smile, though he thought it was all a big idiocy after all... "Cristine, keep an eye on them for me." Strax said, and out of nowhere, a woman appeared from invisibility. "Yes, Master." She said and disappeared, entering the mansion directly... "Since when do you~ Ah, never mind." Diana said, starting to walk ahead while Apocalypse appeared for Strax to ride on. "Hello, girl," he said, stroking her neck... "So, tell me what really happened. I know you didn''t say because they''re not part of the Vorah Family," Strax said. There were many things he couldn''t tell them, unfortunately, to truly keep their lives from being in danger... "I don''t have many details... I only know that Albert already spoke with Xenovia, Noah, and Liam. Mason was summoned when I left the mansion." She concluded and continued, "It seems something is happening in the capital of the Kingdom. I don''t know if it''s good or bad, but... Well, your father will have to travel there... Even though it''s not far, I''ve never seen him with that look..." Diana said. "I don''t know how to react to this, I just find it strange that he wants to see me now." Strax said, looking ahead without facing her. "Well... despite being within the family laws, you still killed three direct heirs..." Diana murmured because she couldn''t believe her own words. A/N: Hello to everyone who follows daily, sorry for the delay in these last chapters, I feel like I''m not giving a good sequence to this story and I''m really sorry about that. I''ve been having some creative and personal issues lately (as some of you know, I''m a trans woman, so there are days when actually existing is a problem). I''m sorry if the quality has dropped or if I''m not paying enough attention. Believe me, I''ve been demanding more than you think and soon I''ll really try to improve... Thank you for your great support this month, I''ll continue posting daily as normal, I just ask for patience with me. Thanks again, we''re almost reaching 1M views! <3 Chapter 118: The patriarch A vortex of fury formed in the skies, a celestial blue rage casting cold throughout the small forest. "General..." a soldier murmured upon seeing the skies turn blue, nearly frozen, and the trees around transforming completely into ice. "T-This area has already been cleared..." He stammered in fear, feeling the piercing gaze of the insane woman before him turn towards him. Gathering all his courage, he tried to continue. "T-The mission will end when we reach the clearing, in the fifth area," he said, trembling with fear and cold, as the temperature around the woman was already below zero. "Two months should be necessary," she said, looking at the knight with disdain. "Tell the knights to move forward." She concluded while pulling her crystalline sword from the ground. "B-But General... they are exhausted..." The knight murmured, trembling with fear. The woman''s gaze turned to him again, colder than ever. "The strong survive, and the weak die," she said. Ice began to climb up the knight''s legs, slowly trapping him. He screamed in pain as the unbearable cold took over his body. "Please, General... no... I beg you...!" he pleaded, his voice trembling as the ice climbed up to his waist, his limbs becoming numb. "Aaaah! I was... I was wrong...!" The general showed no mercy. With an impassive look, she raised her crystalline sword and, with a slow and deliberate movement, pierced the heart of the frozen knight. He let out one last cry of agony. "Ahhh... no... please...!" His voice broke as the blood instantly froze around the blade. His eyes widened in pure terror before finally closing, his body falling lifelessly to the ice-covered ground. The deadly silence of the forest was broken only by the sound of the icy wind as the general withdrew her sword and looked at the rest of the soldiers approaching. "Advance, we are heading to the border," she ordered coldly. "Y-Yes Ma''am!" They said, fully recovering from their exhaustion... after all... none of them wanted to die. "I wonder how I will kill that old man..." She murmured as she walked behind the soldiers... [Meanwhile...] Strax''s footsteps echoed through the spacious hall. He had just arrived at the main mansion, where his father awaited him for a "serious conversation." Many things crossed his mind, but the moment he stood before the massive dark wooden door and placed his hand on the handle, all his worries concentrated into a single question: what was the true reason for this conversation? Moreover... The System made a small noise, revealing a golden tab. "That''s a good answer." Albert said, though it didn''t really matter. He wanted to test whether Strax still knew the rules or if it was Xenovia behind his activities. The first time they met, Strax had challenged him by strictly following the family rules and attacking him with them. "I summoned you for other reasons, but you may address me as you wish." Albert said and sat down again. "I''ll ask you the same question I asked your brothers." Albert said, tapping his finger on the armrest of the chair, making a noise. "What is your mistake in killing your brothers?" He questioned. "So... you''re here as a father who lost his children..." Strax thought... but he soon took a breath to respond. "Revenge and Justice." He said, looking at Albert this time... on equal terms, using the Dragon''s Aura to protect his spirit. "I was forced to suffer for many years, simply for having a small difficulty in cultivation. And because I was standing out, they felt entitled to treat me like a nail to be hammered." Strax said, but he didn''t stop, "If you''re a member of the Vorah clan, you should repay what you''ve received. But... We know very well that this wasn''t a fair battle. First, an attack by assassins, then kidnapping my wife, and finally plotting against me using a clan." Strax replied, his tone heating up as remembering Beatrice''s kidnapping didn''t make him happy. "I''ve been watching you for a while. Even when you were imprisoned in the mines, you didn''t give up. Even with those idiots robbing your money and using you as a slave, you didn''t give up. And even after all that, you still forgave that woman and took her for yourself." Albert said, continuing to think of more things to point out. "Even the lost daughter of the Blaze family was involved, and I don''t even need to mention a Storm, as you probably don''t even know what that is." Albert said, drawing Strax''s attention. "What does Monica have to do with this..." He wondered as he saw his father pacing back and forth, as if he were... anxious? "And this bodily reconstruction... A beastly physique? What is this power you have that causes so many problems at once?" Albert questioned, as if blaming Strax for something he didn''t even know about. Strax was surprised by the question... He thought his father would be colder, but it seemed like he had... broken? I mean, this man was really starting to seem like a normal person... "I-I don''t understand?" Strax said... "Blaze and Storm are Ducal houses, and considering you have two potential heirs in your hands... You are now the greatest target in all of Thalassia." Albert said, shattering Strax''s face... like shards of glass. "I will tell you why I called you here." Albert said, staring at him while crossing his arms... "I will go to the Capital." He said, continuing after a brief pause, "Currently, the General is about to break through to the next level; she will become the fourth person of the Emperor stage." Albert said, Strax had already heard about her, the General in charge of transforming the Kingdom into an Empire, who had a special physique... "Soon, Thalassia will become an Empire." Albert said, and Strax felt a strange tension in the air. Chapter 119: The Patriarch Test Albert''s words penetrated deeply into Strax''s mind... By a whim of fate, two of his wives could still be considered members of their families, after all, they continued to use those names. Strax was already pondering the issue of the surname; he did not want to carry Vorah in his name, he desired something of his own, his own family. "You called me here to protect me? Tell me another, come on, tell me," Strax said, his voice dripping with disdain. He knew his father wasn''t that foolish, and in that cold heart, there was nothing but an insatiable hunger for power. While Strax continued to nurture that incessant hatred for being abandoned... "Stop being arrogant. I called you here to ask you something. After knowing all this, tell me, boy... What do you desire?" Albert said, and Strax immediately felt the pressure in the room change. Was it a test? [] "Of course this bastard was testing me..." Strax muttered, watching as Albert''s gaze returned to being completely cold. For a second, he almost believed his father still had some humanity. Strax remained silent, but soon Albert''s aura violently pushed him back, forcing him to jump from the chair. "I don''t have all day, boy." Albert said. "Come on, tell me, what do you desire most?" He stood up, and it seemed like his body was growing... in fact, it was. His muscles swelled, reaching almost two meters in height... "A beastly physique..." Strax thought, seeing Albert''s claws. Strax had much to ponder, many doubts, but a single phrase came to his mind... the phrase he had said long ago. "I want to be the strongest of all," he said, without trembling or showing fear. It was pure arrogance, something really surreal to think about. For a moment, everything went silent, only to be broken by something even more terrifying. A laugh. "YOU ARE VERY FUNNY!" Albert''s voice echoed with a comical, yet insanely dangerous tone. He truly seemed to be on the verge of losing control. "You killed your older brothers..." Albert''s imposing voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, striking Strax with brutality. He fell to the ground, powerless, crushed by the pressure of Albert''s aura, which seemed to be completely insane. "Killed your brothers brutally for revenge, and now you dare say you want to be stronger than me?" Albert took a step forward, each movement making the ground tremble slightly. The aura around him seemed like a raging storm, threatening to swallow Strax at any moment. The air was heavy, difficult to breathe, as if it was charged with electricity. "You think you know what strength is?" Albert growled, his voice reverberating through the room. "You''re nothing but a boy, a pup trying to pass as a wolf. I have seen true strength, I have conquered and destroyed it. What have you done? Killed your brothers? For revenge?" He laughed again, a cruel and insane sound. "You understand nothing about power." Albert advanced further, and Strax felt the ground give way under his weight. Each word was a blow, each step a sentence. "You want to be the strongest? Want to surpass me?" Strax tried to get up, but was pushed again by the invisible weight of Albert''s presence, even his Dragon aura was no match for it, his swords were vibrating, but Tiamat and Ouroboros would not come out. He could feel his own heart beating uncontrollably, despite all this, he felt no fear; in the depths of his eyes, there was still a spark of defiance. "Yes," he whispered, the word barely audible but laden with conviction. "I want to be the strongest. I want to destroy you and everything you stand for, wasn''t that what you wanted? You created your worst nightmare." This might sound strange, it might even sound arrogant, and it really was. If Albert wanted something, then Strax would give it, and he would give it with everything he had. "Tiamat," Strax spoke, gripping the sword tightly. He felt a weak response, a whisper of power almost fading away... "Assimilation," Tiamat''s voice echoed in his mind, and suddenly, he understood. The sword was not just a weapon but an extension of his very soul. He needed to merge with it, let its powers flow through him. Strax closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. He felt Tiamat''s energy envelop his body, a sensation of warmth and strength beginning to pulse within him. When he opened his eyes again, he felt a power far beyond what he had ever known. It was as if... his body had been coated with some strange force... [] Reading the message, Strax remembered something... the assimilation with Ouroboros had a similar effect, turning his ice into Black Ice. "I understand..." he murmured. "Now you''ll see," he said, his voice firm and resolute. With a swift movement, he launched himself at Albert, Tiamat''s sword glowing intensely. Albert smiled, a cold and calculating smile. "Finally, something interesting," he murmured, preparing for the confrontation. Albert blocked the attack, but for a moment, he seemed surprised. Strax''s strength was growing exponentially. [] "You''re starting to impress me," Albert admitted, his voice laden with a strange mix of pride and disdain. "But it''s still not enough." He launched a fierce attack, his claws glowing with Byakko''s energy. Strax felt the pain sear through his body, but he didn''t retreat. Instead, he used the pain as a catalyst, intensifying his resolve. "You''re starting to irritate me!" Strax shouted. He realized one thing... His father... wasn''t using his full power. If he had been, Strax would have felt fear. But despite the strength, he felt nothing. Then, he focused all his energy into a final attack, Tiamat''s blade glowing like a shooting star. "Extending this damn fight won''t change anything," Strax said, watching his father charge at him again... "Focus," Strax heard as if Tiamat were embracing him from behind. With newfound clarity, Strax channeled the combined strength of Tiamat and his own willpower. As Albert closed in, Strax felt the world slow down, every detail sharpening with intense clarity. The final clash was imminent, a convergence of raw power and unyielding determination. "Now," Strax whispered, feeling Tiamat''s presence fully merge with his own, "let''s end this." With a roar, Strax unleashed his attack, the blade of Tiamat cutting through the air with blinding speed. The clash of energies created a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield, shaking the very foundations of the ground beneath them. Chapter 120: You failed "Pathetic," Albert said, his voice dripping with contempt. The attack seemed to have hit him squarely¡ªor so Strax thought. He felt the impact and knew he had struck something. But as the dust settled, revealing the scene with a chilling clarity, Albert was there, apparently unscathed, a mocking smile dancing on his lips. His eyes shone with cold and cruel amusement as he looked down, holding the sword with his bare hands. "Is this the best you can do?" Albert taunted, his voice echoing in the now silent battlefield. "No... it can''t be..." Strax murmured, gripping Tiamat even tighter. The sword''s energy still pulsed through him, but the reality of his father''s invulnerability was a crushing blow to his self-esteem. There was no chance, there never had been, but he thought, just a little... that he could do something. "Did you really think you could defeat me with that?" Albert continued, stepping forward. "You can''t even use your sword, you can''t assimilate properly. You can''t even sense the world around you." Albert said, preparing a punch. Strax''s vision blurred with the effort; his body was already at its limit, and he couldn''t push any further, but he refused to back down. "It''s not over," he said through gritted teeth, but his words carried no weight anymore, just thrown to the wind, lost in the vastness of the impending defeat. "Have you given up?" Albert asked, staring into Strax''s still determined eyes. He would lose the battle, but not the war, that he was sure of. Even if he had to be reincarnated and return to Thalassia with force to find his wives and kill this old bastard. "Just kill me and get it over with; I have more to do," Strax said. At no point did he feel fear; he had only accepted and was already thinking about what he would do to come back to life. "You''re quite interesting, boy." Albert said before delivering the Final Blow. The strike was quick and devastating, a blur of movement that Strax barely managed to follow. Pain exploded in his chest, a searing fire that burned both his flesh and soul. He felt the brutal force of the impact, every bone in his body vibrating with the intensity of the blow. The world around him blurred, shadows dancing in a chaotic whirlpool as he fell into an infinite black void. "Look... I''m here again," Strax said, floating in the infinite blackness he knew so well. "Well, let''s wait now... When I reincarnate, I''ll start over and return to them. It''s not some decrepit old man who will sentence my death or judge my determination." He murmured, his eyes fixed on the void beyond life. "Thinking about it... it seems I have a really bad problem with my parents. In my past life, it wasn''t much different... Despite having these memories of Strax..." He continued to murmur, his tone echoing in the silence of the void. "System, are you there?" Strax asked, and even in the infinite void, the System tab opened. "Oh, so I''m not dead yet, how amusing." Strax said as he continued to feel the nothingness... It was as if his fear didn''t exist. "Maybe dying once has already consumed me, especially in such a brutal way..." "Thinking about it now, I''d like to know more about my mother from this world. For some reason, she came to mind. But does it matter? I don''t know, but it seems that this boy... Strax, was destined for something greater." He reflected, navigating the system interfaces, examining every little trace of information. "System, is this body''s physique original to his world or is it something from the System?" He asked, trying to keep his consciousness. After all, if he fell asleep, he probably wouldn''t wake up. Strax lifted his head, the pain still throbbing in every fiber of his being. "I''ll do whatever it takes, so get used to it," he said, his voice firm despite the suffering. "You can knock me down as many times as you want, but I''ll always come back. And one day, I''ll defeat you, simple as that." He finished as he placed his arm over his eyes and tilted his head up. "Damn, the pain just keeps going." He murmured while hearing Albert laugh again, a cold and emotionless sound. "We''ll see, boy. We''ll see." He turned and went to his desk to fetch something. "I did all this to see if it was wise to trust you with anything," Albert said, holding a small pocket watch, engraved with runes and showing worn golden coloration. "This watch," Albert began, his voice laden with subtle sarcasm, "is not just a symbol of your failure. It''s something your mother left for you. I don''t know what it is, but knowing that woman..." He paused, observing Strax''s reaction. "She must have believed you would know what to do with it, considering she wanted me to give it to you, even knowing you were a failure in cultivation. I was told to deliver it only when you reached the Master Stage." "My mother?" Strax questioned, and Albert tossed the watch to him, which he caught with a reflexive motion, his fingers trembling slightly as they touched the cold, polished metal. Strax looked at the watch with an expression of surprise and confusion. His hands, which had already felt pain and fatigue, were now pressed against the object with a mix of anticipation and curiosity, especially since he barely remembered his mother clearly. He opened the watch slowly, the mechanism emitting a soft click that seemed to echo in the vast, silent room. Inside the watch, an image of his mother was engraved on the inner side of the lid. She had a serene look, appearing as a warrior rather than the figure he remembered, with an unmistakable strength, much more imposing than his own father who claimed to be the strongest in Thalassia. Beside the image, a name was engraved in elegant, detailed letters. "Scathach Antares," Strax read softly, his heart racing faster. The name resonated within him as if he had heard it before... Yes, that name... in his previous life... In some mythological story... Strax had noticed something for a while... In this world, there were entities with names from mythological gods. First, it was Thanatos and his bracelet, then the title "Mother of Night" that Xyn carried... or rather... Nyx. Not to mention, of course, Tiamat and Ouroboros... both dragon names he had heard before but didn''t know much about their stories. But the name didn''t shock him. How many women could be named Scathach in the world? Many. What really caught his attention was... "Why... is she red-haired in this picture?" Strax questioned, as he didn''t remember her hair being like that, or rather, he barely remembered anything. "Your mother died from a degenerative disease due to her physique; the color of her hair faded as time passed and the disease consumed her," Albert explained. "Physique, huh..." He thought, "Maybe... No, better think about it later." "All this was just to give me the watch?" Strax questioned, still somewhat in pain. "She asked me to do this, blame her, not me. I have many matters to attend to; I just wanted to finish this quickly before I get busy with that foolish king," Albert replied, sitting back in his armchair. "As for you being a target... Use your mother''s surname outside the Ducato''s walls. It will be difficult to attack you here, but outside... Well, you''re an adult, do as you please. And I recommend that those women do the same," Albert said. "You can leave now." Chapter 121: New Mission. "What the hell was that..." Strax murmured as he left his father''s room. A lot was going through his mind, but now he only wanted to understand one thing... "Antares... what a strange name." He muttered. For some reason, he couldn''t see this name as a human name. It seemed related to... "Dragons?" He had heard this name somewhere, but he couldn''t remember where, especially now that he knew some of his memories were corrupted. This became clear with the System giving them as rewards earlier... "Why is everything so difficult..." His tired murmur showed that his emotional state was compromised. At least he didn''t want to deal with more of this crap. "I don''t know why that old man called me, but... why did it feel like a farewell?" Strax started walking through the mansion''s corridors calmly. The atmosphere seemed gloomy, and he couldn''t see any staff working; it was as if they were on vacation. As he turned the corner, he encountered Diana, leaning against a pillar with her arms crossed as if she had been waiting for him. Seeing him approach, she turned around. "How was it?" she asked, seeing that he looked very tired. Tired was an understatement. After suffering a spiritual attack of that magnitude... well, he was alive, right? So, he was okay... "Besides being hit with a spiritual attack and him telling me I have a big target on my head, I''m alive, aren''t I?" he said, sounding quite sarcastic, but she noticed he wasn''t doing too well with it. "Did he tell you about Scathach?" Diana asked, and Strax nodded, pondering some important things before deciding to ask something... "Did you know her?" Diana''s face darkened as she looked down as if something came to her mind, a distant memory she didn''t like... The silence became somewhat uncomfortable, and Strax just commented, "Seems like you don''t have good memories, well, I don''t have many either," and continued, "You don''t have to answer, it''s okay." "It''s not that I don''t want to... it''s just that I don''t like remembering that scary woman..." Diana said as if she were... afraid? She really didn''t want to remember the woman who was Strax''s mother... "Are you okay?" he asked, seeing her hand give small spasms and tremors. "Y-yes... I just remembered something bad." Diana said, trying to compose herself. "How strange... I thought my mother was kind and cute." Strax said, and Diana almost fell backward at the declaration... "K-kind? C-cute? Boy... I recommend you do some research on who your mother was twenty years ago..." she stammered and continued firmly, "But this is not the time for that. I have a mission for you." Diana said, and Strax''s attention was completely captured. After all, he really needed to complete missions to get out of this hellish Duchy and go after what really mattered... "Good... now I just need it to be far away," he thought. He still needed to find an elf and a dwarf skilled enough to make homunculi for Ouroboros, Tiamat, and Xyn. "What do I have to do?" he asked, somewhat excited. "All in good time. Your father just asked me to alert you about this, but I forgot because of my anger... In a few days, a messenger will come to your house to inform you about the mission." Diana said, and Strax''s face looked lifeless. "What''s wrong?" she asked, trying to understand his reaction. "Hey, you idiot, you could have said this earlier! Now it makes sense why he was warning me about leaving the Duchy and that I had a big target on my back! It was because I was leaving! You idiot!" Strax said, leaving Diana without a reaction, after all... it was her fault. "So, first. Let''s start with the fact that I am a huge target," Strax said, and the women''s eyes widened in surprise. "W-What do you mean by that?" Beatrice asked, and Strax began to explain calmly, of course, without mentioning Monica''s part for now. "But being a target of the Samira Family is that serious?" Beatrice asked, but Monica beside her already looked at Strax a bit upset... She had already understood what he meant, how could she not? "Tsk... that crap," Samira muttered. "Blaze is considered one of the biggest producers of Mages and Swordsmen after Vorah, besides... there''s my sister... Damn it." She muttered furiously. Samira''s words went over Beatrice''s question, and Strax took advantage of that to shift the focus. "Besides, we have a mission soon, and we need to prepare," he breathed deeply. "Many problems ahead." "What kind of mission?" asked Samira, the elf, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of anxiety and desire... Well, she couldn''t stand being stuck in that place anymore, especially when she felt like she was being held captive; she loved exploring new places! "I don''t know all the details yet," admitted Strax. "A messenger will come in a few days to inform us more. But one thing is certain: we need to be ready to leave the Duchy and face whatever comes." "Additionally," he continued, "we need to locate a skilled elf and dwarf to create homunculi for Ouroboros, Tiamat, and Xyn. This will be an extra task of this mission; if they informed us about our names, it means this mission is outside the walls." He said, turning around. "And now, we have a name to use." Strax said, placing the pocket watch on the table. "Isn''t this the..." Monica murmured, after all... She had seen that woman before, and although she didn''t know her... she had seen her many times before... "That crazy woman." Monica said, catching Strax''s attention. "You knew her?" He asked, after all... "Who is she to you, Darling?" Monica asked... after all, none of them knew Strax''s mother, how could they? His mother had been sick since his birth and was always "hidden" from others... "She''s my mother, before the illness." Strax''s words hit Monica''s ears like a flaming arrow. "Ah, damn it... of course, you''re strong... you''re the son of that monster." Monica said as if she were frustrated with something... "How did I not think of that? Of course, that was it." She said as if a memory passed through her mind. Chapter 122: Im yours... "Do you know my mother?" Strax asked Monica. He really was interested about her. "Yes, not directly, but I''ve heard a lot about the name Antares," she replied, crossing her legs as she searched her memory for information. Monica always had memories stored in her head that could be considered useful or useless, but like a flash, she remembered something from when she was 16 years old. "Your mother was quite intimidating, but she was a great promise to the world, although nowadays probably no one knows about her. Cultivators don''t care much about famous names like they did back then." Monica said while taking a sip of coffee. "They called her the Battle Queen. Although she was a complete cultivator, she was very famous as a spear user." Monica tried to recall more details. "She was famous? Strange... I never even heard about her when I was with the family before I was expelled," Strax said, trying to remember something, any moment with his mother that wasn''t just the visits when she was dying. He remembered nothing. "So foggy..." He felt something was missing, something that would change many things, but he couldn''t grasp it. "I guess we can say she''s like Diana; she joined the family just for being strong but didn''t change her surname. It was the golden age of swordsmen, and she was a lancer, very skilled, by the way, even called the Battle Goddess." Monica said as she sat more comfortably. "So how... how did she die like that... if she was strong... dying from an illness? I thought cultivators couldn''t get sick once their cultivation levels were high," Strax pondered. "Her body probably couldn''t take it anymore. I''d say it might have been destroyed, or she destroyed it giving birth to you. Maybe just giving birth caused something inside her to shatter... Believe me, I understand how she feels." Monica''s tone grew somber as she touched on this sensitive topic. "It''s okay," Beatrice said, holding her hand tightly. "Even without the ability to bear life, you are still special. Don''t dwell on it too much." Beatrice tried to ease the situation. Strax could only smile at this; after all, he couldn''t understand what it meant, he could only listen and support, but in his mind... "Maybe in a few years, I can help you with this, I just need to understand how this system works." He thought; in fact, there was something Strax wanted from the system... "A shop... if I unlock a shop in the system, maybe I can solve this somehow..." He had thought a lot about this, and so far, the system had been developing well, giving him several appropriate changes. With its evolution, it was possible that in the future, the system would develop into something beyond missions, and that''s what he counted on... Or he would look for a divine doctor capable of curing her; after all, he would continue to pursue the path to become the strongest of all. The room plunged into a tense silence. All eyes were on Beatrice, but no one dared to move or say anything, both Strax and Monica were overthinking, but he decided to leave it in Monica''s hands. Beatrice''s eyes were now completely red and irritated, tearing up as she struggled to keep her composure. She was held together only by the anger she felt, and any small break in her resolve would cause her to collapse. Monica felt that sad look lingering in her mind, while she sensed what needed to be done... "I..." She tried to say, but the words wouldn''t come out. She wanted to tell her, wanted to say, "I am your mother!" But she was scared, so scared that it would make things worse... but... why couldn''t she say it? Why couldn''t she just let go and tell the truth? Beatrice waited, the silence crushing every second. "What are you trying to say, Monica? Just speak!" Her voice was now a mix of desperation and impatience. "Calm down," Strax said, this time more seriously, addressing both of them. They both needed to calm down, but couldn''t; this moment... was not the best, but Strax had accepted that it was now, it was time to end this. "Samira, come here. Let them talk." He called, pulling Samira away from that side and having her sit next to him. "What happened?" Beatrice asked, looking at Strax, who only looked back at her seriously. "Calm down and listen to what she has to say. It''s very important to her. We didn''t lie to you because we wanted to; it was because she didn''t want to change things," he said, taking the lead, leaving her confused. "What do you mean by changing things?" Beatrice questioned Monica, who looked like she was about to cry... That broke Beatrice for a moment. Monica took a step forward, standing up and coming face to face with Beatrice, their eyes meeting. "Beatrice... the truth is..." She was still choked up, but with Strax''s nod of encouragement, she swallowed her fear and said, "I... I am your mother." The words finally came out, a trembling whisper, laden with decades of secrecy and fear. Beatrice blinked, her anger momentarily replaced by confusion, not just confusion but as if her entire body had lost its strength completely. It hit her like a lightning bolt so powerful that she staggered to the side but managed to stay upright. "What? How... how is that? You said that...." "Yes... I''m sorry for hiding it... but I am... your mother," Monica said with a somber look. When she stood up and looked at Beatrice, both of them already had tears in their eyes... Monica''s words penetrated Beatrice''s head, and she had no reaction, she simply began to tremble and her eyes began to shed tears, so many things were going through her head... "M-mom?" She stammered in slight fear Strax stood back just letting Monica and Beatrice understand each other while holding Samira''s hands. "Now it''s up to them..." Samira murmured, "Yes." Chapter 123: Mother and daughter The tension in the room was almost palpable. Since Strax had appeared in this world, he had never felt such a... strange sensation? That''s how his mind was processing it. It was exciting in a way, but he had no idea how Beatrice would react, because she was quite explosive... well, that was evident from her reaction to a few silly lies... "She''s going to explode, isn''t she?" Samira murmured, seeing the two just staring at each other, not knowing what the first words between them would be. The silent gazes of the two women crying... without a sniffle or a sad grunt, just tears streaming down their eyes... "I''d like to say no... but for some reason, I only hear the sound of the clock," Strax murmured to her. Well... he didn''t know what would happen, but... "Why... why did you..." Beatrice was the first to break the silence between them. Her golden amber eyes were looking directly into Monica''s, trying not to focus on the tears of the maid claiming to be her mother. "I-I didn''t want... you to grow up in misery... so I..." she murmured, and Beatrice commented, "You... gave me to that family..." Beatrice said. That wasn''t entirely true, but she knew the words carried much more weight than her thoughts... "Why... didn''t you tell me before... Why did everyone know and not me?" Beatrice said, looking at Strax, who was probably the first to know. After all, he had a guilty look he couldn''t deny. "Things aren''t always the way we want them to be," Strax commented. "It''s only been a week or two... it was before you were kidnapped." Strax clarified and looked into her eyes, "I found out that day that I and she... well, I had suspicions since I left Steinhardt," he continued, "Even so... did you never notice your similarities?" Strax questioned, now not understanding... "I mean, you even have similar birthmarks. Didn''t you ever notice that on Monica? Not only that, but your eyes are identical." Strax said, and Monica shrank back, and Beatrice remembered something... a faint mark she had on her butt... "You... you bathed me with a towel because you didn''t want me to see..." Monica heard that and couldn''t help but feel guilty for a moment, but... Despite her toughness, Beatrice was feeling many things in her small heart... "I was afraid to tell you and affect our relationship. I agreed to Mr. Steinhardt''s contract to maintain this lie... but after he died..." Monica wanted to say more, but the words wouldn''t come out. It was as if she were stopped multiple times by something in her mind, in her heart... She knew she was wrong, she was well aware of that. Damn it! She gave up everything for Beatrice. The best moments of Beatrice''s life were recorded by another woman, her first words, her first crawl, her first moments with teachers, the first time she tried horseback riding or riding in a carriage. Damn! She gave it all up for Beatrice to have a comfortable life while she lived as a maid. Still, she felt so guilty, so... lonely... She had so much trapped in her throat, so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to express and apologize to Beatrice, who lived a life of illusions. She was always there but could never be what she was. And that made Monica feel terrible. She didn''t want Beatrice to see her now... Beatrice would never be sad to know that her mother was Monica. He always had this conviction and knew very well that Monica was the first person Beatrice thought of when asked about her family. Even he didn''t have a place in this equation compared to Monica, and he didn''t mind at all. After all, Monica was, without a doubt, her mother. "Mommy..." Beatrice kept repeating it over and over as she hugged Monica, who couldn''t hold back any longer and finally spoke... "My daughter... my little Beatrice..." Monica and Beatrice continued to hug, the world around them seeming to stop as they surrendered to that moment. Monica''s tears fell silently, each drop carrying years of pain, regret, and love. Beatrice, for her part, felt a mixture of joy and euphoria. There was much she still wanted to know and understand, but just knowing this fact already made her so happy. Strax and Samira observed the scene in silence, respecting the intimacy of the moment. Strax knew that Monica had always been a maternal figure to Beatrice, but seeing the confirmation of this bond was something different. Samira, with a soft smile, felt the emotional weight in the air, almost as if she could touch that renewed connection. Beatrice pulled away slightly, just enough to look into Monica''s eyes. "Mom," she repeated, the word now full of new meaning, of complete acceptance. Monica smiled, a shaky but loving smile. "My daughter," Monica replied, her voice breaking with emotion. "I''m... so sorry... I''ve always been here for you, even if you didn''t know... I know it doesn''t change things but..." Beatrice shook her head, "It''s okay..." holding Monica''s hands tightly. "I know that now. And that''s all that matters." She smiled, a smile that lit up her face despite the tears. "I love you, Mom." Monica couldn''t hold back her tears, but this time they were tears of joy. "I love you too, my little Beatrice." Strax and Samira exchanged glances, sharing a moment of mutual understanding. Strax gave a slight nod, indicating that everything was fine. Samira smiled in return, her eyes shining with emotion. Finally, Beatrice and Monica pulled back a little, still holding each other''s hands. Their red and swollen eyes reflected the intensity of the moment, but now there was a light in them, a new hope and love. Monica looked at Strax, her smile shy but sincere. "Thank you for supporting this... I thought that... no, it''s better not to think about that," she murmured. "Thank you for helping me get here." Strax nodded, a confident smile on his face. "You were always her mother, Monica. You just needed to believe it." Chapter 124: Finally! Filled! (R-18) Later... Monica and Beatrice spent several hours talking about everything they wanted to say to each other. In a way, it was a really friendly situation. So, Strax left them alone and went upstairs to the bedroom with Samira... "You seem satisfied," Samira said as she took off her clothes. She was wearing an orange dress that perfectly complemented her sexy and hot look, she looked like a flame. "Hmm, but I''m sure I can be much more satisfied with you here..." he said, now wearing nothing but his underwear. Samira smiled, her eyes gleaming with desire as she let the dress fall to the floor, revealing her sculptural body, something Strax hadn''t seen or felt with his own hands for a few days. For her, it was no different... Especially after hearing all that noise from Beatrice, she could hardly contain herself. She approached Strax, her hands sliding across his chest, feeling the tense muscles beneath the skin. "Let''s see what we can do about that..." she whispered, her voice low and seductive. She looked even more beautiful than usual, well, of course, she did, a woman hungry for him was always more beautiful, and those eyes... "So possessive..." Strax murmured, feeling her body against his. Strax pulled her close, his lips finding hers in an intense and passionate kiss. Smooch The kiss was quick for them, but it was satisfying enough for her to want more and more. And so, the wet sounds began as she felt Strax''s mouth gradually consuming her. Her body was already burning with excitement, and this man... "He''s sucking my soul..." she thought, enjoying that calm and silent moment that only mattered to the two of them. Her soft, sweet lips never stopped moving. "So sweet..." Strax thought as he held her body calmly, keeping his hand in the right place. The kisses and touches continued calmly and controlled... his intention was to drive her crazy at that moment. He wanted to see her go wild, to see her lose control without any fear of feeling that burning love like a pure and immaculate flame. Smooch "So delicious..." she murmured as she freed herself from those bonds and broke away from that man''s possessive kiss. Her body was in chaos, she felt hot, but not a temperature heat, an entire heat, a yearning. And even as she pulled away, she felt that man was not satisfied, seeing his hand reaching towards her. It was just a touch, but when his warm hand held her neck, she immediately felt her whole body shiver as she was pulled even closer to him, and again, a passionate and loving kiss. Smooch With a firm and decisive movement, Strax penetrated her, causing both of them to moan with pleasure. "Ah~ Darling," she said, feeling the heat completely filling her without any hesitation. The warmth and intimacy of the moment enveloped them completely. Samira felt every inch of him entering her with unimaginable pleasure, her body adjusting to his in a way that felt destined. "So different..." she thought, not because it had been a long time since she felt him inside her, but... "Loving more and more... is that why it feels so much better? The power of love?" she thought, her body writhing as she felt his hands holding her waist. Strax''s movements were slow and intentional, hitting all the right spots, each thrust deep and rhythmic. He watched her every reaction, every sigh and gasp, adjusting his pace to maximize her pleasure. "Getting cuter every time... Ah~" he murmured. "Harder..." she murmured, gripping his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin as the pleasure intensified. Their breaths mingled, their sweaty bodies moving in a rhythm that felt like an erotic dance. The room was filled with soft sounds of pleasure, each movement and touch creating a symphony of desire. Strax lowered his head to kiss Samira''s neck, his hands urgently exploring her body. "You''re so beautiful, you know that?" he questioned as he continued to kiss her neck, while she moaned quietly, aware that others might hear her if she got too loud. "Hmm, and you''re so naughty, you know that?" she replied, feeling his manhood hitting the deepest spots. "I want more..." she said, and he stopped being gentle. In a quick movement, he grabbed her neck with his hands and pressed her into the bed, thrusting deeper and harder each time. [Dual Cultivation: Activated] [Transforming Yin and Yang Energy into Cultivation for Both Lovers.] - - - - Note: I recommend that those who pay for the priv to wait until Friday to resubscribe. A new plan with 15 extra chapters will be released, so I''ll leave these messages until the end of the month to make sure you''ve been notified... By the way, thanks again! This week we''ll reach 1M Views! I''m grateful for all the comments and interactions. Remember that I''m always here to chat and answer questions about the work. Thank you! Chapter 125: Mission: The City That Never Sleeps One night later... The sun was already rising on the horizon, casting its first rays of light over the sleeping landscape. Inside a cozy room, a man and his wife lay surrounded by the gentle warmth of the morning. The sunlight radiated across the polished wooden floors, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Strax lay comfortably in the King Size bed, with Samira nude on top of him, sleeping like an angel. He could feel her gentle breath, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, while an angelic smile adorned her face. The scene was so purely tranquil that, if a photo were taken now, with the white sheet softly covering her body, one might think, "Wow, an angel fell into this demon''s lap!" Strax observed Samira''s serene face for a moment before glancing towards the window, where the sun was slowly rising, illuminating the room with a golden glow. Suddenly, a notification appeared in his mind, interrupting his contemplation. [] Strax read the message, somewhat confused. He had never received specific numbers about his cultivation progress before. Usually, the system provided only a vague sense of advancement without precise details. Perhaps it was because he had never asked the system about it before? It couldn''t be said that the system was hiding the information; he simply had never requested it. "So... the more sex, the faster this should increase... but depending on the person in question... if it were with Xenovia, maybe I would advance faster?" He was reflecting on a few things, and when touching on this point... [] As he read the System messages and pondered what could really happen if he focused solely on cultivating this way, Samira moved slightly, adjusting on his body, and he turned his attention back to her. Her beauty and purity were a striking contrast to the intensity of his own existence. Strax smiled softly, appreciating the moment of peace and Samira''s company. "I hope I can continue like this for a while longer... Before returning to my journey..." Strax murmured, already contemplating what he could do to become stronger, but... "I won''t rely on dual cultivation... especially knowing this system may or may not be advantageous. Besides... I won''t be with women to become strong... only because I want them." He thought as he continued to stroke the woman''s fiery hair, feeling the softness of the strands between his fingers. He knew he needed to get up and start the day, but he wanted to savor every second of that peaceful moment. Slowly, he moved, taking care not to wake her. With gentle and precise movements, he slid out of bed, adjusting the sheet over her body to keep her warm. Despite the rising sun, it was still early, and the cold dew permeated the entire house. He got up and walked to the bedroom door, casting one last affectionate glance at Samira before leaving. He silently descended the stairs, the wooden steps making no noise under his bare feet. When he reached the kitchen, he found Monica, as usual, already busy with the morning chores. Monica had her back to him, focused on preparing breakfast. The delicious smell of freshly baked bread and fresh coffee filled the air. Strax smiled at the familiar scene. Every time he saw Monica preparing something, he fell more and more in love with her. Calmly, he approached her from behind and hugged her, which didn''t surprise her. Strax stood up. "Thank you, Aric. I will prepare immediately," he said in a serious tone, trying to show some respect for what had been said... but inwardly... Aric knelt once more before standing and leaving the house. Strax stood there for a moment, absorbing the information... "What a bad joke..." he murmured as he saw Monica entering the room. "That was the so-called important mission? What nonsense was that," Monica said, having heard everything completely. Even Strax was surprised by that, as Monica wasn''t usually... aggressive like this. "You~" "I am like this... I just try to control myself, but even I know this is a big joke," she said, sitting down in the chair. "And so..." she said, "We''re going there, right?" Monica questioned, and Strax nodded, "Even though we have a map, first I''ll ask Cristine for information about this city. By the geography, it seems like a merchant city since it''s by the sea... Not to mention its size, it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack... this is going to be difficult," Strax murmured. "Not necessarily," Monica said, reminding him of something... "Samira had a guild, and she probably still has the access card of a guild master. We can access the internal information market; it will be easy to find famous merchants that way. The more famous, the harder it is to buy information, and judging by the level of information, we already know it''s something big," Monica said in a quick analysis. She had always been quite intelligent and always remembered things, even knowing that sometimes she forgot one thing or another. Strax was impressed by how quickly she thought of such a... simple solution? "I''m glad I love you so much and won''t let you escape so easily. This time, I''m quite impressed," Strax said, pulling her from the chair for a hug. "Let''s try that then," he said with a smile, giving her a calm kiss on the lips. "If it works, I want a reward," she said with a mischievous smile. - - - - Note: I recommend that those who pay for the priv to wait until Friday to resubscribe. A new plan with 15 extra chapters will be released, so I''ll leave these messages until the end of the month to make sure you''ve been notified... By the way, thanks again! This week we''ll reach 1M Views! I''m grateful for all the comments and interactions. Remember that I''m always here to chat and answer questions about the work. Thank you! Chapter 126: Preparations are necessary "Why the long face?" Samira asked as she descended the stairs and saw that the day had already broken. Monica was calmly washing the dishes, while Strax, sitting at the breakfast table, had his arms crossed with a pensive look on his face. "The mission''s been delivered," Monica said without turning around, focused on her tasks. "So, what''s it about?" Samira asked, sitting at the table beside Strax. "Finding a spy," Strax commented, taking a sip of coffee. In front of him, an invisible screen displayed crucial information. [] [] "A reputation system? Make your name... This sounds like that crappy game that was released full of problems... Why now, all of a sudden? The more reputation, the more fame, the more fame, the more problems... This isn''t good... It''s a disguise to create future issues," Strax thought as he refocused on Samira, who was eating a toast. "Do you have friends in Eldoria?" he asked, and Samira''s eyes turned to him, intense. "Damn! It''s in fucking Eldoria?! Damn!" Samira said, clearly upset. "Do you have problems there?" Strax asked, noticing Monica also sitting at the table. "Don''t tell me you have issues with someone from that place. It''s the damn black market," Monica said, leaving Strax even more confused. "How do you know that?" he asked, looking at Monica, who shrugged. "I used to send letters to a slave supplier. The former Lord Stainhardt wanted to buy some slaves to work in the mines back then. Well, he bought a few," Monica said, and Strax was speechless. He didn''t even know she had such a thing... Damn, this woman was like a living encyclopedia! Strax sighed. As the leader of this group, he had much to think about regarding what to do at this moment. He looked at Samira, who still seemed nervous about having to go to Eldoria. "Are you okay? You seem more nervous than usual," he finally said, breaking the silence. "Eldoria isn''t a common place. It''s the heart of trade, guilds, adventurers, mercenaries, and the information center of the continent of Talassia. Besides, it''s the center of the underworld, the black market... The problem is that... well, I''m not very accepted there after I fought with someone..." Samira said. After the brief explanation, she looked at Strax. "I''m afraid that just by being with me, I''ll cause problems this time," she said, making Strax''s eyebrows furrow as he looked deeply into her eyes after the insinuation. "Who cares what they think of you? I''m not leaving you here alone, and that''s non-negotiable. There''s no time limit for this mission, so even if it takes a while, I don''t care. You''re coming with me, no matter what. I''m not risking having another wife kidnapped." Strax said, almost piercing the girl with his words. Possession swept through his heart, feeling there was no other way. "This man... irrational..." Samira thought with a long, tired sigh, still upset but agreeing. "I have some friends and... adversaries, let''s say, but I can handle it. We''ll need to be extremely careful..." The leader hesitated for a moment before answering. "We don''t have all the information, but we know it''s an object of great magical value. The buyer''s identity is confidential, but we know several factions are interested in it. This makes our mission even more crucial." She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So, our main focus will be this artifact. We need to ensure it is protected at all costs." The leader agreed. "Exactly. Let''s review our positions and coordinate the final details of the operation." Those words were enough to make Cristine question various things, one of which crossed her mind... "Would the master be interested in this?" she pondered. "Well, it doesn''t matter... I''ll have a lot of work. Should I let him know I''m busy? Well, Carlos will likely serve just fine." She thought as she returned her attention to the discussion. Over the next few hours, the team discussed every aspect of the security, from guest verification to contingency measures in case of an emergency. Cristine, attentive to every detail, made mental notes and contributed suggestions to improve the plan''s effectiveness. Finally, the meeting ended. The leader stood up, signaling the conclusion. "Remember, the security of this auction is our responsibility. We need to be prepared for anything. Be ready to act in ten days. Good luck to all." "So... I have to go to that damned city," she said as she left the meeting. - - - - NOTE: I had recommended that those who pay for the Tier wait until Friday to resubscribe, this recommendation still applies, but I came to say that along with a price adjustment I ended up opting to have not just one, but two new Tiers. (I had warned at the beginning of the novel''s posts that after the third month I would adjust the prices, following my main novel and I would make the first volume completely free) Adjustment: TIER 1 - 02 CH for 1 Coin - TIER 2 - 05 CH for 250 Coins - TIER 3 - 10 CH for 500 Coins - TIER 4 - 15 CH for 750 Coins - TIER 5 - 25 CH for 1250 Coins - (20% discount = 1000 Coins) Chapter 127: Lets get to the point "Did you find her?" Beatrice asked, taking a sip of juice and watching Strax return empty-handed. "No..." Strax muttered, his frustration clearly visible. He had searched every possible place where the nun could be: from the large ruined church to the convent and the city markets. The answer was always the same: "We haven''t seen Sister Cristine since the festival." "Is this worrying you?" Monica asked as she entered the room. Observing his face, she noted that he didn''t look entirely bad or well; his expression was more one of indifference. "She''s a guild-affiliated assassin; I figured something like this could happen when I accepted her following me. After all, she isn''t mine yet," Strax said, sitting beside them. "And with that, now we have no way of getting more accurate information about this Eldoria. We can only rely on old information." He commented, hearing footsteps from the kitchen. "Not exactly, my love," Samira replied, with a sword hanging on her back. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a black top, sweat still dripping from her body, showing she had just finished intense training. "I know a guy who knows a guy who can help us." "Great, then," Strax said, relieved at the possibility of a new lead. "Where can we find this ''guy who knows a guy''?" Samira smiled confidently, despite her evident fatigue. "He''s in the city''s underworld, in a little tavern called ''The Mangy Wolf.'' It''s a bit of a dangerous place, but he''s reliable. We can start there. Besides, the place also serves as a small information trade center. It could be a good opportunity to find new contacts. We need to make the most of the trip." Strax nodded. "We really need contacts. To achieve our future goals, it will be essential to have a solid network. And considering what we''re trying to accomplish..." He murmured, looking at the horizon thoughtfully. In the background, the main mission seemed almost irrelevant compared to the real priority. If they were in a game, the real focus would be gathering the necessary helpers to create the bodies of Ouroboros, Tiamat, and Xyn. In the context of these priorities, the search for Sister Cristine seemed almost secondary. Strax was determined to move forward, focused only on what truly mattered to him. "Let''s get to the point," Strax interrupted, his tone firm. "Carlos, can you give us more details about Cristine''s mission? Knowing what she''s planning in Eldoria could be crucial for us." Carlos took a deep breath, still sore from the punch. "I don''t have many details, only that she met with some important allies and that the mission is high priority. They are preparing for something big, something that could affect the security of Eldoria and possibly beyond." Monica and Beatrice exchanged understanding looks. "So it''s a critical situation," Monica commented. "We need to act quickly. If Cristine is going to Eldoria, we might be able to find her and get more direct information." Samira nodded, still with a stern look. "Carlos, since you were sent to find us, maybe you have other useful information to share. And please, avoid insulting our husband, the next time it will mean death." Monica said with a smile, seemingly agreeing with Samira''s tactics. Carlos, now more cautious, gave a small nod. "There''s not much more I know. But if you''re going to Eldoria, you should prepare for a complicated situation. And please, don''t kill me for my words. I''m really just trying to help." Strax walked over to the table, starting to prepare some equipment. "Very well, we''re going to Eldoria. Carlos, you can accompany us to ensure Cristine''s message is delivered correctly." Carlos, visibly relieved that he wasn''t in immediate trouble anymore, nodded in agreement. "Of course, I''ll do what I can to help, but first... well, we need a carriage or a cart, we can''t get there on foot." Strax paused, considering the suggestion. "You''re right. We''ll need proper transportation for the trip. But it can''t be me... it seems the citizens already recognize my face, I can''t let it slip that I left the city." "I can arrange that," Carlos offered, visibly more comfortable now that he had avoided further trouble. "I know a man who can rent us a reliable carriage. He''s in the transportation sector of the city. If we go there now, we can sort this out quickly." "Great," Strax agreed, starting to gather his belongings. "Let''s go to the transportation sector then. We need to be ready to leave as soon as possible." Chapter 128: Buying a carriage Following Carlos'' suggestion, the group headed to the transportation sector he mentioned. Carlos quickly made the necessary arrangements to rent or buy a carriage. As they walked with him, the streets of the Duchy were bustling, with a significantly larger number of merchants and passersby hurrying about their daily activities. "Why are there so many people?" Beatrice asked, but none of them knew how to answer. Carlos turned and commented, "Harvest season. Many people come to the center to take advantage of the sales," he said indifferently. They continued walking after the response. Monica and Beatrice seemed much closer than the others, Samira remained quiet the whole time, and Strax was no different. In fact, he was thinking about some things that couldn''t be said. As they kept walking, the group arrived at the transportation sector, an area filled with stables and carts. The smell of hay and horses was strong in the air, and the sound of hooves hitting the ground echoed around. "Over there," Carlos pointed to a tall man with a thick beard who was tending to a carriage. "That''s Gregor. He can help us; he''s an acquaintance." Gregor looked up as the group approached, his gaze narrowing when he saw Carlos. "What do you want, Carlos? I''m sure I told you to only come back here when you have work," the man said with a smile, placing his hand on his hip and eyeing the group. "Turned chauffeur now, have you?" He asked, smiling, seeing that the group behind him was not ordinary. "We need a good carriage, preferably a simple one, without drawing too much attention," Carlos replied, trying to sound confident. "One that can take us to Eldoria; we have some business to attend to there." He concluded, and the man looked thoughtful. Gregor scratched his beard, pondering what he wanted. "Eldoria, huh? It''s a long and dangerous journey, three days one way, not counting the troubles on the road... It won''t come cheap, Carlos." Strax, snapping out of his thoughts, intervened, his firm gaze meeting Gregor''s. "We have money, we can pay for any carriage here. What do you have available that''s really worth it for such a journey?" Gregor looked at the group, assessing each of them. Finally, he nodded and motioned for them to follow. "Come, I have something that might do." "Let''s go," Carlos said, snapping the reins. The horses started moving, pulling the carriage down the road towards Strax''s house. [< Quest Chain Initiated: With the increase in the number of missions involving the City of Eldoria, the System will consider a complete Act, and rewards will only be distributed when the main mission [Capture the Spy] is properly completed and delivered to [Diana Vorah]. Until then, any action related to Cristine''s missions, Samira''s enmity, and other things, all of them will be addressed only with the complete conclusion of the act. >] "I see... so that''s how it''s going to be." Strax thought, realizing that everything was indeed happening... "At least this time it warned us that it would happen properly; last time... damn, the other system was a mess." He concluded, noticing that the horses were already walking down his street. "Looks like Apocalypse will have company... I hope it won''t be problematic for her... for them actually, she seems aggressive." Strax thought as Carlos slowed the pace, stopping in front of his house. "Wait a moment, I''ll be right back." Strax said, getting off the carriage. "Girls, prepare your things. We don''t have much time, we need to be quick. Grab clothes and your weapons, and give them to me; I have something to store them without a problem." Strax said, already planning to use something he wanted to test... "Inventory will be good for this... let''s see if it all bears fruit." He thought as he headed towards the stable on his property. The first thing he went to do, of course, was to get Apocalypse, as she was what really mattered now, and he did so quickly. "Hey, girl," he said, stroking her neck, "we''ve got work ahead, what do you say we go, huh?" He said, and she neighed in agreement... But well... "Okay, okay, you won''t be trapped, I''ll keep you in escort, alright, alright, you win." He said, raising his hands in surrender. With Apocalypse ready and the girls gathering their things, Strax returned to the carriage, preparing for the journey ahead. They were on a tight schedule and every moment counted. Chapter 129: Tidying things up While Strax had left the carriage and was heading to the stable to retrieve Apocalypse, the women began to organize for the journey. Samira, Beatrice, and Monica knew it was best to hurry, as they faced a two- to three-day journey, so they needed to be ready quickly. Inside the House... Monica was the first to act, going upstairs to open the large wooden chest that stored her weapons she had bought for training. Choosing two sharp daggers and a short sword, she placed them in a large bag. "These will be useful if we run into trouble," she murmured to herself. She then grabbed a set of lightweight yet durable clothes and a cloak to protect her from the cold night. Monica descended the stairs with the items, finding Beatrice and Samira in the living room. Beatrice was organizing her own arsenal. She picked up her favorite sword, well-balanced and deadly, along with a small collection of healing potions she had bought from a merchant a few days before that damned kidnapping. Beatrice also chose a set of travel clothes and a long cape. Looking at Monica, she said, "We have to be prepared for anything. We don''t know what awaits us in Eldoria. Besides... I don''t want to lose my mother." She finished, a bit shy, while Monica smiled, thinking, "So cute." Samira, who was already well-acquainted with long journeys, was checking her equipment and clothes, which were thicker than the other women''s, as well as her large, sharp sword. She grabbed a pair of black boots and small water canteens, along with a bow carved from dark wood. Samira also chose a set of thicker but functional clothes and a hooded cloak that would help conceal her identity if necessary¡ªthose thoughts about that city still lingering in her mind. "On the road, don''t get distracted. Strax won''t always be able to protect us, and you need to learn to fend for yourselves. "I see... how strange," Samira said, thoughtfully. "Do we have anything else to get before we go?" Monica asked, wanting to make sure nothing was left behind before they left. "Well, remember to close the entire house before we leave. We might be gone for a month or two," Strax said, stepping outside and looking at Apocalypse, who was waiting for him outside. "Do you believe this nonsense?" Of course, his words wouldn''t go unnoticed, especially by Samira, Monica, and Beatrice, who had already started to understand Strax very well. "When it comes to power, he hasn''t been very fair with us, don''t you think?" Samira concluded, making the mother and daughter duo look at him. "Yes, for some time now I''ve noticed that he isn''t entirely honest with us when it comes to his evolution... he seems to be hiding something very serious that he can''t tell us directly. Do you remember him ever going out? I mean, he likes to stay at home; this man is obsessed with us," Beatrice said, making all the women look out the open door at Strax, who was brushing Apocalypse''s fur. "Have you ever thought that... he might want to tell us but can''t? He''s not a man who hides things. Even with us, he always tries to be as humble and understanding as possible. I don''t need to mention his desires. He loves us too much... don''t overthink it," Monica said, closing the living room windows. "Just trust him. At some point, he''ll need to talk to us about his secrets; just be patient," she concluded, making Beatrice and Samira look at each other and nod. "Okay, let''s see how long it will take for that to happen," Samira''s words reflected what Beatrice was thinking. She nodded and commented, "Let''s go; soon he''ll start complaining that we''re too slow." "Yes, let''s go," Monica finished. Chapter 130: Leaving the Ducato With everything properly in place, Monica, Samira, and Beatrice left the house and found themselves face-to-face with Strax, waiting with Apocalipse and the carriage they had bought. Returning to the carriage where Carlos awaited impatiently, he eyed Strax with a raised eyebrow. "Everything okay?" As he watched the women approach, Strax nodded, mounting the carriage and taking the reins once again. "Yes, we''re ready. Let''s go." Beatrice, approaching, asked him something, "Aren''t you coming with us in the carriage?" Strax regretfully shook his head, explaining, "If I don''t control her, she might end up harming these two innocent horses. She''s a bit... jealous about me using another means of transportation." He explained with a wry smile; it was quite strange for him to talk about a mare like that, but it was the truth. Whenever Strax got close to others of her kind... well, she would blaze with fury, her eyes turning red, showing only one thing... Danger... A lot of danger... So Strax wasn''t keen on discovering what might happen if he put Apocalipse among those two horses. At first, it might seem like a disadvantage for her to be among two sturdy horses, but... He had the impression that she would kill both at the first chance, so he decided not to risk it. The girls were curious, but Strax''s expression told them all they needed to know, so they accepted it. "I''ll join you later. I just need her to calm down a bit... she''s quite temperamental. It''ll be better this way." He concluded, making them nod as they entered the carriage, disappointed they couldn''t initially enjoy the trip with him. Strax mounted Apocalipse and pulled the reins while holding them to prevent her from charging at the other horses, something he thought would be amusing, but wasn''t. He looked at Carlos and nodded, and soon the carriage began to move slowly. It was necessary to go slowly within the Ducato due to clear rules, but outside of it, they could act more freely. "Do you have any plans for the trip?" Strax asked Carlos, who was acting quite calm while guiding the horses. "I have a few plans. The condition of the roads on this side isn''t as good as last year." Carlos said, looking ahead without wasting time, already thinking about the route. Few knew, but Carlos was actually a good coachman; it was his first profession before he became... well, an assassin. "What do you mean by that?" Strax asked, noticing Carlos was pondering something he didn''t quite understand. "The main road might be busier this time of year, especially with the exponential increase in mercenaries. Many factions have been shifting lately; even our guild no longer controls this information." Carlos said as he pulled out a map and handed it to Dante. As they got closer, they could see Ducato soldiers patrolling the area. The checkpoint was a part of the wall surrounding the city, with a gate similar to the other entrance, and a barrier blocking the road. Two soldiers were positioned in front, watching the approach of the carriage. When Strax stopped the carriage, one of the soldiers, a burly man with a thick beard, approached. His eyes narrowed upon recognizing Strax. "V-Vorah?!?" He questioned, trembling... It was the same soldier who had passed Strax at the entrance on the other side... Strax looked at the soldier and immediately recognized him. "It''s been a while. Could you open the gate for us?" He asked kindly while maintaining a smile. The soldier looked around, noticing the others in the carriage. "I need to catalog your departure. Could you provide me with some information? The Grand Duke... hasn''t been too keen on leaving things loose." He said, and Strax nodded. "Mission," he simply said, and the soldier''s eyes widened, nodding quickly. Strax dismounted Apocalipse and approached the soldier. Strax took a step closer, lowering his voice to ensure only the soldier could hear. "I need you to pretend you never saw me here. Report only to the main mansion. We''re on an important mission, and discretion is crucial." "I understand..." Strax gave a faint smile. "Thank you. Just do what you can to facilitate our passage." He stepped back, signaling the other soldier, who raised the barrier. "You may proceed. Good luck on your journey, young man." Chapter 131: Travel Problems The carriage calmly departed from the Ducato of Vorah and was now advancing along the winding road that stretched beyond the region''s borders. The surroundings were serene, but the trees and vegetation were becoming increasingly wild, the density of the area growing exponentially, closing in on the road. The group was still adjusting to the pace of the journey, especially the girls who had never traveled this way before, like Beatrice and Monica, who had only taken short trips between nearby cities of Stainhardt. After leaving the Ducato, Strax and Carlos discussed the best routes they could take. Carlos suggested a safer, albeit longer, route that could extend to three or four days if any problems occurred on the road; it would avoid the more dangerous areas of the forest. However, Strax decided he preferred a more direct route through the forest, believing it would save time. Besides, he had confidence in handling any issues that arose, given... Let''s just say he had received some encouragement and insights from two swords that seemed quite eager to slice through human flesh and tear it apart with tortuous and deep strikes... Well, he certainly followed their lead... Carlos furrowed his brow, clearly worried but reluctant to insist, knowing that even if this madman wanted to get himself killed, he could manage. "Alright, if that''s what you prefer. Just be aware that the forest is known for being treacherous." "Understood," Strax replied with a resolute expression. "We''ll go through the forest. The route may be shorter, and we have the advantage of being a well-prepared group." The decision was made. The carriage moved forward, entering the forest which, although beautiful, offered a narrow and complicated path. The vegetation became increasingly dense, with the trees intertwining above, creating a green tunnel. "You can do a kilometer?" Monica asked, curious, but the answer wasn''t very satisfying. "No," Samira shook her head. "I can manage 750 meters, but I still have a long way to go to reach a kilometer, and I can only maintain it for a few seconds." Inside the carriage, they continued discussing the technique Samira had explained. Well, it wasn''t exactly a technique; it was something cultivators of Mana could do, like an enhanced vision... If they knew how Strax saw the world with his Dragon''s eyes, they might have felt even worse for only being able to do this. As they advanced and talked about techniques they could easily learn and share with each other, the sound of the horses'' hooves and the carriage wheels resonated in the tranquility of the forest. However, the uneven road began to show its challenges, as it was still a dirt road. The potholes and roots emerging from the ground frequently jolted the carriage, causing the group to feel the impact. "This road is in terrible condition," Beatrice commented, observing the terrain from inside the carriage. "It''s no wonder it''s so difficult to pass through here." "I should have anticipated this," Strax said, approaching the open window where Beatrice spoke, then moving to the front of the carriage to inspect the terrain. "Let''s try to continue like this and see how far we can go before making a stop." CRACK* There wasn''t even time for Strax to think about anything. Shortly after checking the path ahead, a loud crack echoed through the solitary forest. The right rear wheel of the carriage had broken due to the uneven terrain, and the carriage began to tilt dangerously to one side. "Damn it!" Strax exclaimed, pulling on the reins and trying to control the agitated horses. "Stop!" he quickly told Carlos, who halted the horses almost immediately. "I warned you," Carlos said... Strax went to the back of the carriage to check what had happened, and well... the problem might be relatively simple. "If we go slowly, we can manage until the next village," Carlos said, assessing the situation. It wasn''t that the wheel had broken; it was actually a wooden wheel, and one of the spokes had snapped. Chapter 132: A fight? Strax went to the back of the carriage to check what had happened, and well... the problem might be relatively simple. "If we go slowly, we might make it to the next village," Carlos said, assessing the situation. It wasn''t that the wheel had broken; in fact, it was a wooden wheel, and one of the spokes had snapped. "Great, just what we needed," Carlos said, looking at the broken spoke with frustration. "We''ll need a replacement. We can''t continue with a wheel like this." Strax examined it closely... "If we go slowly, could we still make it through the forest? Even with the carriage tilted, maybe we could," Strax asked Carlos. "It''s impossible, not with these second-rate horses; they''re too weak to pull this like that," Carlos commented, and Strax looked at the horses, stopping to think now... "Aren''t they... mares?" Strax noticed they were much less muscular than the horses from other carriages... "Damn it! Is that why Apocalypse created a rift? Damn it!" He thought before Strax heard Carlos speak. "I thought you knew and just called them horses because the gender didn''t matter," Carlos said, and Strax looked at him seriously, almost as if to say, ''I''m going to kill you,'' clearly not happy at all. In fact, he was really considering it... especially after hearing what those two dragons were saying in his head. "Kill him!" Ouroboros shouted furiously seeing Strax was having trouble, but what was surprising wasn''t Ouroboros; her reaction... was predictable coming from her, who was really quite obsessed with Strax. The problem was the other dragon woman... "I agree, you can kill this idiot," Tiamat said, sitting cross-legged and watching through Strax''s eyes what was happening in his life. "I''d love to have fresh meat, though I think he must taste like trash." Tiamat concluded, quite cruelly... "What happened to you?" Strax questioned mentally while still considering solutions for his current problem. "Nothing happened, I''m just tired of holding back. I''m going crazy trying to be something I''m not. Screw being serious; I''m tired of being mocked by that ugly snake!" Tiamat shouted, causing even more of a headache for Strax, who was already dealing with a lot of complications in his head. "Okay, we''ll talk about this crap later," Strax said, annoyed as he stood up. "Apocalypse." He called the mare, who came walking over, calmly stamping her hoof on the ground. "Can you push this carriage on your own?" He asked, after all, he knew Apocalypse wouldn''t cooperate with those other mares... "Hi! Ihiihi! Ihhii! Ihhi!" She said in agreement, almost saying: "Yes! How dare you ask such a simple thing! I should have done this earlier!" Strax sighed, relieved to have a solution. "Carlos, unhook those mares. We''ll put Apocalypse in their place." Carlos began to unhook the mares while Strax guided Apocalypse to the front of the carriage. Apocalypse, an imposing creature, easily replaced the other mares and took charge. With a firm pull, the carriage started moving again, though slowly. "Alright, let''s move on. We''ll stop at the next village and get a new wheel," Strax said, resuming his commanding position as he walked alongside, holding the two mares that had been on the carriage before. Samira, with her large sword, cleaved one of the bandits in half, creating a huge pool of blood on the ground as the severed body fell. Her strikes were precise and lethal, cutting down any bandit who came near her. She held her position firmly, protecting the group''s rear. Carlos, despite his initial fear of being a killer rather than a fighter, didn''t back down. He had techniques that could still be effective against these... idiots. He drew his sword and joined the fight, dealing with two bandits. But the battle seemed more like an awkward dance compared to the lethal efficiency of the others. The fight was not intense at all... in fact, it was more of a massacre. The group of bandits, made up of twelve men, turned into a small pile of corpses within minutes. "This was just a big joke. What''s with these so-called strong groups? Damn, they were stupid bugs! What the hell, they didn''t even have any cultivation!" Strax said, wiping the blood from his sword. "What a mess." He was truly disappointed with the encounter. There was no time to waste or corpses to loot; the bandits were completely poor, with nothing of value. Well, at least they had somewhere to fall dead. With the path clear, the group decided to resume their journey. After all, what would they do if night fell while they were still in this strange forest? The carriage, now pulled by Apocalypse, moved down the forest road, even slower to keep them more alert. The heavy silence of the woods was interrupted only by the creaking of the broken wheel and the sound of Apocalypse''s hooves. They knew they needed to find the next village quickly to repair the carriage. Strax was at the front, his senses alert, while Carlos drove the carriage cautiously. Monica and Beatrice were behind, keeping watch, trying to relax, but the tension from the forest and the recent attack was still visible on their faces. Samira, ever vigilant, walked alongside the carriage, her large sword ready for any eventuality. She was expanding her mana and using it like a sonar to immediately identify anyone approaching. The first time they were idiots, but nothing prevented them from being strong next time. "How long until the next village?" Monica asked, glancing nervously at the forest sides. "It shouldn''t be much longer," Carlos replied, knowing exactly what was ahead. "If we keep up this pace, we should get there before nightfall." The path was difficult, with roots and rocks hidden beneath fallen leaves. Twilight was approaching, and the fear of spending the night in the forest began to grow among them. "Damn it..." Strax murmured, impatient with the situation. However, Carlos pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a stop. Apocalypse whinnied angrily at him, clearly irritated by the sudden halt. "There''s something ahead," he said, pointing to a faint light on the horizon. "It''s the way out of this damned forest!" Beatrice said, excitedly. "Watch your mouth," Monica pulled her ear. "Ouch, ouch, Mom!" Beatrice protested, rubbing her ear. Strax let out a sigh of relief at the sight of the light. "Finally, some luck," he said, keeping his guard up. "Let''s go, we need to get out of this forest before it gets completely dark." Chapter 133: Fix the Wheel Strax''s sigh of relief echoed through the group, everyone sharing the same sense of relief as they finally left the cursed forest behind. They moved toward the light, revealing a small town nestled at the foot of the hill. "It''s quite small..." Beatrice murmured, mentally comparing the village to her hometown, Steinhartd, which seemed enormous in comparison. "Not all places are like the ones you''ve seen, many places go through different situations. This village is called Lariaen. It''s a connection point; many people stay here overnight," Carlos explained, while Samira added, "It''s quite common for small connection towns like this to exist, especially between major cities like the Duchy of Vorah and Eldoria." "I see..." Beatrice murmured, absorbing the new information. "Let''s keep going. We have much to do," Strax said, taking the lead and pulling the mares ahead. They began descending the hill, heading toward the small village. As they approached, Lariaen''s features became clearer. The wooden houses with thatched roofs exuded a cozy and rustic charm. Small gardens around the houses indicated a self-sufficient community, where each family grew their own vegetables and herbs. The main street was dirt, illuminated by torches and lanterns hanging from wooden posts. Small shops and workshops lined the street, offering basic goods and services similar to Vorah''s commercial zone. The local forge emitted rhythmic sounds of hammers striking metal, while the bakery exuded a tempting aroma of freshly baked bread. In the center of the village, a small square with a stone well served as a meeting point for the villagers. Wooden benches around the well offered a place for rest and conversation. Children ran and played, their laughter echoing through the air, while adults attended to their daily tasks. "It seems quite welcoming..." Monica murmured as she walked alongside Strax. Beatrice commented, "Despite appearing poor, I haven''t seen a single crooked smile..." She said, confirming something she had been thinking. "Common towns like this usually have the highest rate of satisfied people. People move easily; after all, Vorah is four hours away, so opportunities are plentiful. "Hm... thank you, we''ll take a look," Monica said, bowing in respect, being as polite as she could be. But before she could leave... "You were a maid, weren''t you? You don''t need to bow to anyone; we''re just common villagers." He said, standing up and picking up his hammer, "We''re all in the same boat." He spoke, smiling kindly at her... Well, that was enough for something... Strax''s eyes became two black holes in a split second. The girls noticed this quickly, and Monica acted, "Yes, I was a maid, but I married the best man in the world!" She said and ran to grab Strax''s arm, which calmed him down immediately. "So possessive..." Samira murmured, seeing that he could actually attack the carpenter just for saying... Normal things? "I''m not going to run away, stop acting like that, you silly," Monica murmured just for him to hear. "Take it easy, it will be ready by tomorrow morning," he commented, and the women nodded, with Monica and Strax leaving first. "Apocalypse, go with Carlos to the stable, and don''t kill the other two," he ordered. "Hiii-hhiii," "Obey, tomorrow you''ll be with me all day," he said, as if negotiating with the mare. "Hiihihii!" She responded as if agreeing, and he understood what she meant... "Alright, just two," he said, and she agreed. "You... can communicate with her? I mean, it seems like you really talk to her..." Monica commented, she had never seen anyone talk to a mare and get responses almost immediately and as if she understood... "Believe me, I don''t know either... I just know what she wants, like a feeling," Strax said, but the explanation couldn''t sound more absurd than that... I mean, it was already absurd enough. "Let''s go to the tavern, meet us there. We''ll rent some rooms..." Strax said, and Carlos nodded, "I''ll be there soon, I''ll try to send a carrier pigeon letter to Cristine to make sure she knows we''re heading there," he finished and went ahead. "So... how many rooms will we get?" Samira asked, after all, there were three women and one man. "You and Beatrice will share one, and I''ll stay with Monica tonight," Strax said, and the women looked at him... in this case, Samira and Beatrice who understood immediately. "It''s her turn, you''ve already had yours," Strax said, smiling, and Monica blushed... she had been expecting this in some way. Chapter 134: Night at the tavern... I (R-18) "It''s her turn; you''ve already had yours," Strax said with a smile, and Monica blushed... she had been expecting this in some way. "Alright, shall we head out then?" Samira asked. "Preferably, get a room far from ours; I don''t want to hear any moans," Samira said casually as she went ahead. Beatrice chuckled, while Monica tried to hide the redness in her face. When they entered the tavern, they were greeted by a rustic and cozy atmosphere. Wooden tables were scattered around the room, and the smell of meat stew filled the air. The innkeeper, a burly man with a graying beard, greeted them with a nod. "Welcome! What can I do for you?" he asked with a smile. Well, customers were always welcome; money was always needed. "We need rooms for the night," Strax replied. "How many do you have available?" "We have three rooms free. You can take them as you like," the innkeeper said, handing them the keys. "Dinner will be served in an hour, and we have a great stew today. All for five silver coins," he said, with a smile on his face as if he was making a great deal. "Alright, Beatrice," Strax said with a smile, and Beatrice took five silver coins from her small purse and placed them on the table, without even questioning the price. "Oh, it''s good doing business with you." "Thank you," Strax replied, taking the keys. He handed one to Samira and Beatrice and another for himself and Monica. "Let''s go upstairs and leave our things in the rooms." They climbed the wooden stairs that creaked under their feet and soon found their respective rooms. Samira and Beatrice went to theirs, while Strax and Monica headed to the other. Monica entered the room with a mix of anxiety and nervousness. The room was simple, with a double bed, a small table with a candle, and a window overlooking the main street. Strax closed the door behind them and looked at her with tenderness. [< Ambient Sound Sealed >] The message appeared, but Strax didn''t even care, after all, he wasn''t even looking at the system anymore, only that woman completely given to him, and well... he would focus on what was most important. That woman, of course. She was already flushed, craving more, and it wouldn''t last much longer. The stimulation continued, and she could already feel her panties completely soaked; if she continued like this, all her underwear would be drenched... And well... she was embarrassed to say it, but she gathered all her strength, swallowed her shame, and finally said something Strax wanted to hear directly from her... "T-take off my clothes, Darling..." she said as they finally separated. Strax just smiled like a predator, eager to savor his prey with his claws and teeth... With eager hands, he began to slowly descend over her waist until reaching the edge of the brown leather pants she wore, part of the light battle outfit she had chosen. She had many words to say, but remained silent, feeling his hands traverse her body with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He initially intended to start by removing her pants, but after a moment of hesitation, he changed his mind. He moved back up, his hand exploring her smooth, flat belly. As he touched her skin, she involuntarily shivered, a reflex of the mix of sensations she was experiencing. Calmly, he continued moving up, tracing the lines of her body until he reached the white blouse. With a delicate gesture, he began to unbutton the blouse, gradually revealing what was hidden underneath. As the garment opened, her large breasts became visible, supported only by a sexy padded bra that kept them well lifted and voluptuous. Strax''s hands moved directly to the small clasp between her large breasts. With precise and careful movements, he unlocked the clasp, allowing the bra to come undone smoothly. Finally, his eyes fell on that beautiful pair of breasts. They were generous and voluptuous, with a firm and well-defined shape. The skin was smooth and slightly flushed, radiating a healthy, natural glow. The contour of the breasts was perfectly defined, with the nipples, now visible, slightly erect, suggesting a mix of cold and excitement. "I''d love to devour them..." Strax said with a smile, as his hands began to explore that lovely pair of breasts. Chapter 135: Night at the tavern... II (R-18) Finally, his eyes fell on that beautiful pair of breasts. They were generous and voluptuous, with a firm and well-defined shape. The skin was smooth and slightly flushed, radiating a healthy, natural glow. The contour of the breasts was perfectly defined, with the nipples, now visible, slightly erect, suggesting a mix of cold and excitement. "I''d love to devour them..." Strax said with a smile as his hands began to explore those lovely breasts. Slowly, he started to move even closer to them, and Monica wasn''t stopping him, but she shivered slightly, especially because she could feel her heart racing with his warm breath on her skin. Not only was he warm, but the entire woman''s body started to heat up with the intensity of the moment. With her breasts exposed to him, she thought he would immediately pounce on them, but that wasn''t quite how it was. Strax liked to savor every second; every tiny movement was enjoyed. So, he returned to a spot that drove her crazy... her neck... or rather, her ear, giving small, calm, intricate kisses that left her almost hyperventilating and breathless. She was excited, very excited. "D-Darling ~Ah... Mmm..." she moaned. She wanted to say something, but he bit her ear, causing a shiver to run through her entire body. She trembled with pleasure as she felt her ear being bitten. "So cute," he murmured in whispers. "You smell so good, my love..." he whispered again, inhaling the scent of her neck. Monica had already clutched the sheet tightly, trying to control the tremors her body felt with every slightest touch... "It''s so different from the first time..." she murmured to herself, "So good...". He continued to explore her erogenous zones on her neck, having already noticed that this woman was much more sensitive than Beatrice and Samira. He wanted to elicit several new reactions this time. Strax kept kissing her neck and nibbling on small parts of it, teasing her more and more as she surrendered further to the moment. She tried to resist, really fighting against the pleasure, trying not to let her lips give away what they wanted. She didn''t want people to hear her moans; she didn''t want the monster inside her to come out and everyone to hear who she was... The perverted maid she was... so she held on, held on with all her strength, but... "Ahh..." she moaned again as Strax played with her nipples. He sucked one while massaging the other with his hands, and her body arched forward, feeling him taking her. When he bit Monica''s nipple, she felt such a strong electric shock that her lower parts became even wetter. Strax, with his knee brushing against her most intimate area, felt the moisture seeping through her leather pants, something he didn''t even know was possible but didn''t care. He simply enjoyed those marvelous breasts while teasing her, pulling on her nipples. "You''re driving me crazy... Ahh... Darling..." Monica said, her whole body trembling with desire. The hardness of her nipples was incredibly exciting, and it made Strax''s virility very aroused and hard. Strax sucked on her nipples avidly, trying not to think about his own excitement, but he could no longer endure it. He finally released her breasts and continued to move down as he kissed her, eventually stopping at her soft, smooth, and exposed stomach. He ran his hand over her waist and lightly kissed just below her breasts, near her navel. Now... He placed his hands back on the edges of her leather pants, which seemed to beg to be removed. He could feel the woman''s legs trembling with excitement; she was truly very aroused. "Hmmm..." she murmured, clutching the sheets even tighter. "I-I can''t take much more," she stammered, lost in her own world where nothing existed except Strax, honestly... "Why is my wife so beautiful, hmm?" Strax said, staring into her eyes. He had already noticed that her waist was trembling and moving as if she wanted him to fit with her... "So... you" "I want more..." she said, interrupting him, giving him the green light to go all in. Chapter 136: Night at the tavern... III (R-18) "I want more..." she said, interrupting him, it was the green light for him to go all in. He could no longer hold back... He carefully lowered her leather pants, revealing black panties that were visibly damp, showing the intensity of the situation. He carefully removed the pants completely while the woman was still in ecstasy. She hadn''t even noticed he had stopped, but continued to enjoy the sensation; she was on the brink, any slight movement would push her to the climax. After removing the leather pants, he began to remove her panties with careful and gentle movements to avoid hurting her in the process. The garment slid down slowly, revealing more of her skin as he removed it. Then, he finally saw it... Her lips completely moistened, wet with pleasure; she was visibly soaked and dripping with love juices. She was really very aroused. Strax felt the panties in his hand were completely saturated; the color wasn''t even so black anymore, she was truly very excited... He could no longer bear to see that beautiful pink pussy... unable to resist the temptation, he leaned over her legs, placing his head between her majestic thighs and those phenomenal legs, and finally, he kissed the swollen, red lips of her wet pussy. Its warmth, its taste, was completely intoxicating, and he wouldn''t be satisfied with just that. "Ahhhh!" She moaned loudly as her body arched backward, feeling her clitoris being kissed by Strax. Taking great care with his movements, he slid his tongue along the outer lips, exploring every tiny fold. "Mmm." Monica let out a soft moan, her hips again writhing in response to the extreme stimuli he was generating with his touch. Then, he found the clitoris, swollen and pulsing with desire. With circular and rhythmic movements, he began to gently suck it, provoking waves of pleasure that coursed through Monica''s body. Her moans grew louder, more urgent, as she surrendered completely to the ecstasy he was giving her. "You taste great, my dear wife," Strax said, smiling, and moved toward her mouth, kissing her aggressively, not giving her time to think about anything else. She didn''t even realize, but he was sharing her own taste with her. She then decided that it was her turn now... She looked at that large and robust cock that was almost bursting through his pants and smiled mischievously, letting all her allure shine through. The entire perverted woman who had been constantly holding back emerged from her body, and the wicked smile on her face showed it. "Someone is quite excited..." she said as she slightly lifted herself and stroked his cock through his pants. She gently took hold of the waistband and lowered it, finding herself face-to-face with something much bigger than the last time... "You''ve grown." She said, startled, as it was larger than the last time she felt it... big and virile in her hand. "It seems my dear husband is eager to fuck his wife''s mother..." She teased him in a way, and well... He loved it... "Hmmm, it looks like someone needs a little attention now," she said in a seductive voice, as she moved closer to him, firmly grasping his cock and rubbing it slowly. "It''s your turn to receive pleasure, my Darling," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with desire. "Let me have a taste of this." She said, holding the hard and pulsating member, which seemed to burn with heat. She fixed her eyes on it with hungry desire. Without saying a word, she wrapped her mouth around Strax''s cock, beginning to suck it lovingly and slowly. Her lips and tongue worked in perfect harmony as she stimulated him with a mix of gentle and teasing movements. "Ahhh, damn..." Strax murmured, feeling that hot and wet mouth playing with his cock. NA: Sorry for the long and extensive scene, there will be just one more chapter... I wanted to give more prominence to Monica who had fewer sex scenes with Strax... Beatrice and Samira are equal in terms of scenes but Monica was behind, and I felt the need to give her her own scene, bigger and less rushed than the one in the kitchen. Chapter 137: Night at the tavern... IV (R-18) "Ahhh... Damn..." Strax murmured, feeling that hot and wet mouth playing with his cock. But now... "You will pay for what you did," she said with her mouth full as she continued to suck him. She wanted to get back at him for everything that had happened to her in the last moments... "Don''t talk with your mouth full," Strax said, stroking her head as she continued to play... She saw that he was very comfortable and had even settled in better, giving her full space to "work" with his... well, he was just enjoying it, feeling the heat of Monica''s mouth enveloping his hard and rigid member. "Yes... oh, yes, fuck this feels so good...," he gasped, his fingers gripping her head as he surrendered to the pleasure she was giving him. She continued to increase the intensity, savoring every inch of him as if it were the most delicious thing she had ever tasted. She wanted to be slightly in control, but with him holding her head, she was helpless while at the same time attacking, it was a complicated situation, but she wasn''t behind... on the contrary, she was very attentive and fully in control. Monica wrapped her lips around Dante''s cock with a mix of firmness and softness, she licked rhythmically up and down, her skillful tongue dancing along his length that trembled every time she reached the tip, sending shivers of pleasure throughout. She was determined to make him feel every moment, every sensation, as if it were the last time. "You''re very good at this..." he said as his body trembled every time she went up and down, but what caught him was when he moved some of the woman''s blonde hair out of the way, and their eyes met briefly. After that, he was hypnotized watching how she sucked him so well, while staring at him, with those beautiful amber eyes looking at him, without rest. "Ahh... ohhh you''re going too fast..." he let out a hoarse moan of pleasure, his fingers tangling in her hair as he forced her to suck even deeper, giving in to the ecstasy she was providing him. His body burned with desire, his cock was throbbing, his mind clouded by the intense pleasure her mouth was giving him. She began to use her hands in addition to sucking, stroking him skillfully. He was already reaching his limit. He couldn''t think of anything else anymore, in fact, it didn''t matter, he only thought about this woman, he wanted her, he wanted to feel her more and more, his eyes were blurred, and he could only see her, only her and just her. Nothing else in this world mattered anymore, except her... His possessiveness was overflowing along with the pleasure, not just that, but many feelings began to fill him as she continued to be dedicated to giving him pleasure. He couldn''t even believe what was happening, this woman, so beautiful and perfect... is his destruction, just one word from her, and he would do anything, anything for her. His love, his obsession was expanding and expanding... Monica arched her back even more as his cock hit the right spot, a wave of pleasure coursing through her body as she felt Strax filling her completely. "Ahh..." Her moans were a mixture of ecstasy and relief, her body responding instinctively to his touch. He couldn''t think of anything else but that delicious pussy he was experiencing once again, feeling like every thrust was the first, with pleasure increasing each time. Monica was no different; she felt like she was floating on a cloud of pleasure. After all, the first time they had sex was rougher and more desperate than now... At this moment, she was just loving him, much more than the first time. "Ahh... Uhh..." Their moans echoed through the room, it seemed like both were close to climaxing together. "More, Strax... please," she murmured between moans, her body trembling with desire, craving more of the intensity only he could offer. When Strax looked at her, for a mere moment, he saw that pink heart in her eyes again, and it vanished in an instant... "I--I''m at my limit..." he said as he continued to thrust into Monica''s pleasure spot. "Yes! Come inside! Fill me with cum!" she screamed, releasing everything she had been holding back for so long... "Ah..." he moaned as he felt his cock being completely trapped and squeezed by her pussy, and the white liquid began to fill her insides. "Hm... mmm," she moaned, completely in ecstasy. "Ah, fuck, that was so damn good..." she said, falling to the side as he pulled his cock out of her, and soon, the white cum began to drip from inside her. [Dual Cultivation: Activated] [Transforming Yin and Yang Energy into Cultivation for both lovers.] Chapter 138: Back on the road That moment passed quickly, and even though he had rested only briefly, Strax was already awake with the beautiful woman lying on him and a few system messages awaiting his attention. But did he care about that? Of course not. He was simply there, enjoying the post-intense intimacy moment with her. "And here we are again..." he murmured to himself, while watching Monica sleep like an angel in his arms. "I hope they didn''t hear... well, they probably did, but fuck it, right? It won''t change anything. I''m free to do whatever I want." Strax continued to think to himself as he ran his fingers through her flawless golden hair. [] The system message appeared while he was thinking. "Really, my thoughts are connected to the system... it''s getting more and more... ah, whatever, no use thinking about it." He concluded as he checked the other notifications. "Sealed the sound? Like, literally?" Strax questioned, but the system did not respond. The answer was already in the message, after all. Feeling it was time to start the day, Strax gently woke Monica. He softly ran his fingers along her arm and whispered, "Monica, it''s morning. We need to get ready to leave." She opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the soft morning light coming through the window. "Good morning," she murmured, smiling at him as she stretched, the previous night... was etched in her mind. "Good morning," Strax replied, returning the smile. "We have a long day ahead. It''s better we get prepared." Monica got out of bed, still feeling the softness and warmth of the sheets. She picked up her clothes, which were scattered around the room, and began dressing. Strax did the same, grabbing his own clothes and preparing for the day ahead. As they got ready, Strax couldn''t help but watch Monica. "Are you okay?" he asked, making sure she was comfortable after the night before. "More precisely, an entire floor with four rooms, although it''s not necessary, of course. If we run low on money when we get there, we still have the option of a master suite with a bed that fits all four of us." She confirmed. Monica, still worried, nodded. "If we''re attacked, we can loot the bodies of the idiots who try something. It''s simple," Strax said, drawing their attention. "Come on, we know we''ll be attacked again; we''ll just profit from the dead, as they would from us." He said with a shrug, and the women looked at him incredulously at what he had said... "He''s not wrong, really. Just do what''s necessary," Samira said, supporting him, and the girls proceeded. "Well, if we''re going to risk our lives anyway. It doesn''t matter." Beatrice said, already spotting the carriage. As they approached, they saw Carlos leaning against the wall, watching the carpenter finish assembling the new wheel for the carriage. The mares were already positioned, and Apocalipse was standing by, waiting for Strax, who, when he saw him, whinnied quickly, "Hiiihii!" And Strax just smiled, "Yes, here it is." Strax said, approaching and giving not one, but two carrots to her that he had gotten from the kitchen. After greeting the mare, he turned to Carlos, "Is everything alright?" Strax asked, seeing Carlos carefully watching the carpenter''s work. "Yes, he did an excellent job. We''ll be ready to leave soon." The carpenter stood up and wiped his hands on a cloth, looking at the group with a smile. "Everything is ready. It was a pleasure to help you. The wheel is as good as new; you can continue your journey without worries." "Thank you, sir," Strax said, shaking the carpenter''s hand. "How much do we owe for the repair?" "Don''t worry about it; the young man over there already paid," the carpenter replied, waving his hand. "Just travel safely and come back anytime." Strax heard this and looked at Carlos, "Cristine sent money this morning, and a letter for you." He said, pulling out from his pouch a letter that had no noble appearance, looking more like a crumpled piece of paper... Well, she was an assassin, not a grand duchess or anything like that. Chapter 139: Roads and more Roads "Cristine sent money this morning and a letter for you," he said, pulling out a letter from his pocket that looked far from noble, more like crumpled paper. After all, she was an assassin, not a grand duchess or something like that. Strax glanced at his hand and took the tattered letter. Unwrapping it, he noticed Cristine''s quick handwriting. He began to read silently, his expression changing as he absorbed the words. Dear Strax, Well, I''m currently on a mission, so I won''t be able to keep in touch with you. I know I should have warned you earlier, but on the same day we met, I had to go to a meeting. In short, there will be a dangerous auction that our Main Guild has been tasked with providing security for. Things have been busy here, but nothing I can''t handle. Be vigilant on the roads; I''ve heard rumors that they are being taken over by a guild called Zaratz. Be careful, and remember not to trust anyone blindly, even if they seem to be working together with you or something like that. PS: I sent money because dealing with that insufferable Carlos deserves real payment, sorry about that. Did he offend you? Probably... Anyway, have a good trip and take care. Cristine As he finished reading the letter, several thoughts crossed his mind. He was now quite interested in what might happen when he met her again. "An auction, huh..." Strax murmured as he saw the girls getting into the carriage. The morning sun was already high in the sky, it was a calm morning, and everything was ready for them to continue their journey. The carriage began to move through the wide streets of the quiet village. Strax was still deep in thought about what he had read. "Roads taken over, huh..." he murmured while mounted on Apocalypse, following alongside the girls'' window. As the carriage moved on, Monica turned to Strax, observing him with concern. "What did the letter say?" Strax looked at her, pondering whether to share everything. He decided to be honest. "Cristine warned that the road is taken or being watched. We need to be extra vigilant." Beatrice agreed. "Yes, it has a strange feeling. Like something is watching us." Monica, always the most practical, placed her hand on the dagger she carried at her waist. "Let''s stay alert. It might just be our imagination, but we can''t take any risks." Strax looked at the forest ahead, his eyes narrowing. "Let''s slow down. I want everyone to stay vigilant. Carlos, keep the carriage on the main trail and let us know if you see anything suspicious." As they advanced, the forest became increasingly dense. The tall, twisted trees blocked most of the sunlight, creating a dark and silent environment. The sound of the horses'' hooves and the creaking of the carriage wheels were the only audible noises, breaking the oppressive silence of the forest. "There''s something wrong with this place," Beatrice murmured, looking around with distrust. "It feels like we''re being watched." Monica held Beatrice''s hand, trying to calm her. "Calm down, we have a strong team here, nothing will happen." Monica said, but Beatrice replied, "I''m not scared, I just feel a very strange sensation..." Carlos remained alert, his eyes constantly scanning the surrounding vegetation. "We''re almost at the heart of the forest. Stay ready for anything." Carlos abruptly stopped the carriage, raising his hand in a signal of alert. "There''s something on the road ahead," he whispered. "Something big." Everyone fell silent, trying to hear any sound that might indicate the presence of danger. The silence was almost deafening, increasing the tension in the air. Strax dismounted from Apocalypse and approached the carriage. "Stay here. I''ll check." Monica grabbed his arm. "Be careful." The mana in the environment was somewhat scrambled, and even expanding his mana, it was impossible to identify what was around... as if a barrier was preventing them from getting closer. Chapter 140: A deadly clash As Strax cautiously advanced, his senses heightened as he approached the obstruction on the road. The trees seemed to close in around him, their dense foliage creating a nearly tunnel-like effect. He could feel the eyes of the forest upon him, an unsettling sensation that sent a shiver down his spine. "Damn..." he muttered as he neared the source of the disturbance¡ªa massive fallen tree blocking the path. But it wasn''t an ordinary tree; it was enormous, its trunk as wide as a small house, with twisted, knotted roots as if it had been ripped from the ground by some immense force. "This isn''t a natural tree," he murmured. "Magic? No... there''s something wrong..." he thought as he activated his eyes. [