Chapter 247: Splendid Counterattack, Marissa's Ultimate Move!
Marissa was not someone who yielded easily. Stubbornly pursuing a goal was one of her few hobbies; otherwise, she wouldn't have risked her life hiring someone to investigate the Sewer. So, after staying put for a while, she suddenly remembered something, leaped off the bed, quickly put on her Hat, covered her Face with her Veil, lifted the corner of her Clothes, turned around, and examined herself, confirming her attire was correct before Departing.
"What is this Little Squirt plotting now?"
Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, I saw the figure of Marissa, the Little Squirt, quickly darting across the Courtyard.
Could she be trying to sneak out to grab something to eat?
"Don't worry, she won't."
As if seeing through my Idea, Older Sister said with great Confidence. We had only been together for less than a day, yet why could she use such a definitive Tone, as if she had already figured out Marissa's thoughts? I had been Marissa's Master for several months, so why did I feel an undeniable sense of agreement with Older Sister's judgment? Is it true that only women can truly understand women?
Turning back reluctantly, I saw the culprit who had provoked Marissa, my Older Sister, lying casually in a large, comfortable rattan chair in an alluring posture. Her ten little toes, casually pointed high, emitted a suffocatingly fair and slender Aura, like Jade fingers that had never touched spring water. With elegant Movements, she was flipping through a magazine similar to a women's fashion weekly. On her Elf-like gentle and beautiful Face, the Corner of her mouth was pursed in a half-smile. Her cold and arrogant sea-blue Eyes made her noble Aura, which warned strangers away, even stronger.
Perhaps many people would be confused by the magazine in her hand. In fact, such things were often seen in the Adventurer's Bar. Adventurers could flip through them when bored, and if needed, the Bar Owner could make a copy for you. However, due to the high cost of Paper, the fee for this service was considerable. But this amount of Money was nothing to me, who considered myself a Parvenu, so I habitually requested a copy at every Tavern I visited, accumulating a thick stack as a result.
Of course, the content inside wasn't introductions to food or Accessories, but rather some relatively likely Trail Rumors and Gossip about Adventurers. For example, how a certain Party was doing, or how the Quantity of Monsters in a certain Zone had suddenly exploded. There was also one Single Point that was absolutely indispensable for Adventurers who loved Gossip: the Strength/Power ranking among the Adventurer Teams in Lut Gholein. Although the ranking Method was not fair, many Adventurers scoffed at it, treating it as a Joke. However, few dared to question the person at the very top of the ranking. Undoubtedly, this person was Sister Sharna, sitting right before my Eyes.
As for my own information, I was somewhat curious and paid attention. Since the ranking methods in each Adventurer's Bar were different, I generally fluctuated between 2nd and 8th place. Looking at the lonely string of brief Stats on the ranking list—one of the Lut Gholein Three Heroes, a Mysterious and Powerful Shapeshifting Druid, wearing a black Cloak and a blue Exceptional Helm. To this day, no one knew his Appearance or Name. This made me quite Enjoy the Feeling of being lonely at the top. Speaking of which, if I were to disguise myself as some Passerby Alpha and sell my information at the Tavern now, I wonder how much Money it would be worth?
As for my other Status, that of a Cleric, it was naturally impossible for it to appear on the ranking list. No matter how much Admiration and reverence people had for this Class that had been lost for many years, no one would believe a Cleric had much Attack Power. The concept that a Cleric of the same Level couldn't even defeat a Mercenary Rank Adventurer had been cited in countless Hero Novels and was now regarded as a Fact. Perhaps the Fact was indeed so. After seeing Little Ghost's Skill Tree, I gained a quite sufficient understanding of a Cleric's Damage output Ability.
"It seems Dinner won't be peaceful either."
Looking at that distant white Little Figure, I groaned weakly with foreknowledge. Lazily stretching, I walked to my spot on the rattan chair and lay down, holding Older Sister's petite Body in my arms.
"Just asking for trouble."
Sharna leisurely put down the magazine in her hand, wrapped her arms around me in return, and tilted her Chin up. But she found that the other person had already fallen asleep. The peaceful breathing gently brushed against her Eyes, ticklishly. A cold Corner of the mouth couldn't help but curve into a Smile. She then closed her Eyes.
"Forget it, an Afternoon Nap isn't bad either. Days like this aren't many..."
Meanwhile, Marissa, who was preparing to launch "The Final Holy War" at Dinner, was now patrolling the Street with determined Eyes full of Confidence. Her Line of Sight didn't deliberately linger on the shops Adventurers frequently visited. After walking for a moment, she stopped in front of a Tailor Shop.
Marissa glanced left and right nervously. If she pulled off her Veil, you would definitely see her little Face gradually turning red. Unfortunately, the people around didn't have this good fortune; unless they possessed See Through Art, their Line of Sight could at most only linger on her Figure, which, though small, was exquisitely proportioned. In Fact, most men along the way were doing just that. Marissa's Figure couldn't be described as full, it hadn't even developed much, but to be called the Flower of Lut Gholein, how many women could match her Body's proportion and sense of coordination?
Marissa, who was quite oblivious in certain aspects, didn't notice that she was being watched by countless burning Gazes. If not for the Mercenary Rank Strength/Power she displayed, perhaps some arrogant Man would have already stepped forward to strike up a conversation. After repeatedly confirming that there were no Acquaintances around, she darted into the Tailor Shop like a nimble little squirrel. About half an hour later, she came out again, seemingly having finished her preparations. She was holding a package of things in her arms as she walked back—one could imagine the fluctuation of her Mood at this moment. As a Mercenary, there was absolutely no need for her to hold things in her hands...
Passing through the Courtyard, she "accidentally" shifted her Line of Sight. Through the glass, she saw those two people, huddled together like a nest of newborn Kittens, their sleeping faces looking extremely happy.
"Hmph—"
Her nose twitched slightly. Her beautiful right foot, wearing pink Princess Shoes, drew a high arc and fiercely landed on the trunk of an innocent Large Tree nearby.
"Buzz—" The Large Tree trembled violently, and even the newly grown Tender Leaves rustled down.
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
Like performing a Combo Attack, she kicked five or six times consecutively until the kicked spot was clearly dented and the ground was covered with a layer of tender green new leaves. Only then did she stop, feeling relieved. Her Expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. With a straight Face, as if nothing had happened, she walked through the Courtyard.
I have to say, the other victim of the incident, those seemingly flashy Princess Shoes, were quite durable...
After returning to her little Home, Marissa threw the things in her arms onto the bed. Then she picked up a Mirror and spent the rest of the afternoon looking into it, as if performing some terrifying Curse. What Conspiracy was she planning in her Heart? What useful (?) Knowledge had she learned from Books? What terrible (?) Situation would appear at Dinner? Besides her, no one could predict...
When I woke up groggily, it was already evening. The weary Sunset was gradually sinking below the tips of the trees. The Surroundings were shrouded in darkness. The Desert in the twilight had quietly begun to stir with Wind, but the Feeling was very Warmth. Looking down, I saw that Older Sister was curled up tightly in my arms, asleep. Her soft sleeping posture was as cute as a Kitten. Looking at her like this, it was impossible to imagine that she was the cold and arrogant Queen of Lut Gholein.
I gently got up. Older Sister, who was usually more alert than a Cheetah, was surprisingly not startled awake. Only the disappearance of the Warmth beside her made her murmur a few "Ah ah" sounds. As if cold and Solitary, she curled up her Body even tighter. I couldn't help but smile wryly. I had never thought Older Sister's sleeping face was so cute. I started to feel a little envious of Kashya. She probably got to see such a beautiful Scenery often before.
Carefully taking out a blanket, I wrapped her up. Then I stood up straight and stretched my waist and shoulders. Inadvertently, I noticed that a few Magic Lamps had been lit in the dark Corridor. There seemed to be some Movement/Activity in the Kitchen. Calculating the Time, it should be Marissa preparing Dinner.
I quietly took Footsteps towards the Kitchen, thinking that if I could nip Marissa's little scheme in the Cradle, that would be for the best. Maybe if Older Sister was happy, she might even mercifully bestow some Leftovers upon her...
The soft Magic Light spread through the Corridor. The wooden floor, stepped on with bare feet, still emitted the residual Warmth of the Sun, making the Time and space in the entire Corridor seem to lag behind the outside. The morning and evening in the Desert were the most beautiful moments. At this Time, the Desert was neither overly enthusiastic like during the day nor as irritable and dry as at night. It was like sitting beside a Campfire at night, poking the glowing red coals with a Branch, occasionally sipping a cup of fragrant hot milk tea. It was warm but not scalding, only making one feel comfortable enough to want a good sleep.
And at this moment, being in a foreign land, walking inside a Building with a Western-style architectural Style, the Sunset carrying a trace of residual Warmth, and the somewhat deserted Magic Lamps reflected each other, casting a golden Light on the Wall Corridor. Outside the window, surrounded by a peaceful and hazy sense of tranquility, I felt an even greater sense of being in a dream. Although I wasn't a literary figure, it didn't affect my intoxicated Mood at this moment. Yes, if I hadn't opened that forbidden Door, the Scenery should have been peaceful, quiet, and beautiful.
The bright light from the Kitchen broke this hazy beautiful Scenery, forcing me to squint my Eyes. In the haze, Marissa's petite Figure still stood upright in the same position as at noon, with the same flat chair from noon padded under her feet, doing the same thing as at noon, that Cutting Board... Yes, that's how it was. Isn't it natural for a wealthy family to prepare hundreds of spare Cutting Boards?
Then, the things in my Eyes gradually became clear, gradually... gradually...
"Boom—"
In an instant, the Earth trembled, the Sun roared, the Galaxy was shocked, the Universe exploded...
Standing frozen at the Doorway, I was completely stunned by the scene before me. My Consciousness paused, my Brain froze, my whole Body turned to stone, only my nose was faithfully dripping red Liquid.
(The Little Ghost in the Necklace also knelt weakly on the ground at this moment, muttering with a pale Expression: "Th... there was this move... As expected, there are mountains beyond mountains... I... I lost, completely convinced...")
In the bright Kitchen, Marissa's Back, which emitted a faint Aura, was like an exquisite glass artwork, truly Shocking. Her snow-white skin, without a single wrinkle, revealed the delicate luster only found in High-Level silk satin. Her softly curved Back was simply like a masterpiece of nature; adding or removing even a single bit would cause infinite regret. From her shoulders down, her small buttocks, which were perked up due to her standing posture and hadn't fully developed, were equally charming. Most importantly, there was nothing covering her below. That clean, pink cleft... Cough... I couldn't look any further. Forcing my Line of Sight downwards, it was still a section of slender, snow-white, tempting little legs...
What was revealed in my Line of Sight was Marissa, wearing only a cute Apron from head to toe. This was simply...
I stared blankly at Marissa, who looked as if nothing had happened. The Shocking impact was so great that even my Voice trembled slightly.
"Wh... where did you learn... learn this from? Didn't I tell you... tell you not to read those strange Books? If you're like this, I... I..."
"I...?" Her cherry lips parted slightly, seemingly confused by my unfinished words. I felt Marissa's Gaze become confused.
"My... my Soul..."
"Soul...?" Her Voice became even more confused.
"My Soul is about to explode..." I angrily swelled up, about to turn into a Super Saiyan.
"Explode your dead Head."
A kick that seemed to come directly from the Void intercepted my words in Mid-air. My Line of Sight stretched and became blurry... I felt my Body instantly pass through many obstacles, finally embedding itself in something hard...
Sharna's tall Figure appeared behind the Door. She looked at Marissa with hostile Eyes, her eyebrows twitching violently, seemingly also unable to believe the scene before her. Undoubtedly, the kick that sent a certain person smashing through several pieces of Kitchenware with irresistible Force and finally embedding firmly into the Wall was delivered by her.
"De... dear... Ma... Master..."
Marissa completely ignored Sharna's murderous Gaze. She ran forward, dragged me out of the Wall, placed me on the ground, rested my Head on her thighs, and tightly grasped my hands.
"Are you alright, Master!?"
"I... I'm alright..."
I replied weakly, my Voice barely a thread. I could clearly feel the gentle touch beneath my Head. And from this angle, her Chest, which was originally smaller than a steamed bun, seemed to have become quite considerable...
"That's great, Master. From now on, your most loyal and adorable Marissa will serve you well, for life. 'Two people' together, far away from all War and Hatred, far away from all 'extra' people, creating a World that belongs only to 'us two'."
What touching words! If only her Expression could be a little more Rich/Abundant, and her Tone not so cold... Huh? Speaking of which, this line sounds a bit familiar. It seems I've seen it in some Hero Novel. Am I overthinking?
"Good... good..."
In this Situation, how could I overthink? I could only nod repeatedly with excitement. I felt my Body becoming even weaker. Is this the legendary true.end?
At this moment, something even more Shocking happened.
Marissa, who had been expressionless, suddenly bit her lips, which were red and tempting. A blush quickly flashed across her Face, so fast that I couldn't tell if it was real. She would show shy Feelings/Emotions? It must be a Joke. I immediately attributed it to my own illusion. But what was undeniable was that Marissa's current Appearance was definitely her trying hard to suppress some kind of Feeling in her Heart.
However, everything had just begun. She quietly took several deep breaths, and then...
Trembling... Trembling...
The Corner of her mouth trembled, pulling... pulling again... In slow motion, it slowly stretched open.
Time seemed to slow down by hundreds of times. I watched her without blinking, watching the Corner of her mouth slowly... slowly stretch open. Gradually... the area beside the Corner of her mouth seemed to gradually indent, and a small dimple appeared, seemingly present and absent. This uncertainty gradually expanded as her mouth continued to tremble and stretch, finally confirming it.
Marissa, constantly struggling between giving up and trying, seemed to have spent an entire century, constantly trying, constantly giving up, and then constantly mustering courage, finally making the Corner of her mouth curve into a strange arc.
At this moment, Time seemed to stop. Gazing at that arc, it was clearly such a stiff, even strange Smile, without the cooperation of her Eyes, and without Demeanor to embellish it, why did such infinite emotion surge in my Heart? My Heart was pounding so violently it felt like it would leap out. I couldn't breathe. That small dimple, that crooked arc, constituted everything in my Brain...
When I came back to my senses, Marissa's Face still held a numb Expression. Was everything just now... a dream? No, it wasn't. The trace of redness remaining on her Face made me feel that that scene could never have been a dream. That real emotion still filled my Heart completely, never to be forgotten.
"You two seem to be getting along quite happily."
The Pillow beneath my Head became empty. Before I could react, something hard stepped on me, and my Body seemed to... sink into the ground.
It seems Older Sister is really angry. I hope I don't get a Brain concussion.
With only half my Head exposed from the ground, I saw Older Sister grabbing Marissa by the neck like she was lifting a Kitten and tossing her out. Then came the sound of the Door opening, something landing on the ground, and the Door closing, all in one smooth motion. As expected of a battle-hardened Warrior.
"Be sensible. No Magic allowed. Climb to the Rooftop with your bare hands. You can sleep there in those Clothes from now on."
Older Sister's Voice, faintly revealing her exasperation, also made me feel the Joy of a successful prank, seeing the usually steady adults show a bitter Smile.
Footsteps came back, approaching gradually. I pulled half my Head out of the ground but didn't stand up. Instead, I rolled over and lay lazily on the floor in a spread-eagle shape.
"Happy now?"
Just as I rolled over, I saw Older Sister standing beside me. She bent down her beautiful Figure, slightly narrowed her Eyes, and looked at me. Her entire Body emitted an extremely dangerous signal.
Not good, I instantly judged. If my answer wasn't good this time, it wouldn't be something I could get away with with just the previous Injury. U-Shaped Clamp, V-Shaped Kill, either one was a Nightmare I couldn't shake off.
"I couldn't have predicted this kind of Matter/Thing either. Who would have thought..." I explained clumsily. The scene from just now couldn't help but flash through my Brain again, and the nosebleed that had finally stopped showed signs of flowing back. Looking at Older Sister's gradually approaching smiling Face, how could I dare to continue thinking? I quickly shook my Head.
"No, no, that kind of thing is simply too vulgar and shameless. As a new generation of Class-Changed Ones with culture, thoughts, and aspirations, we should resolutely reject it and fully resist it, creating a healthy and harmonious new World for future newcomers."
Seeing my flustered and comical Appearance as I explained, Sister Sharna couldn't help but chuckle. Her Eyes were hazy, revealing the color of Memory.
"Really, you haven't changed at all. Do you remember the first time we met?"
The scene from two years ago instantly came to mind, at that Archery Range, that Rookie Archer who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. I couldn't help but blush. For Older Sister, it might be a Warmth Memory, but for me, the clown, I wished I could hit a Wall every time I remembered it.
A cold little hand landed on my cheek. Older Sister squatted down and gently stroked my Hair and Face, which were covered in Dust. Her Demeanor was completely gentle.
"Does it still hurt?"
"If I say it hurts, you'll definitely hit me again."
I looked over pitifully. To be honest, it didn't hurt at all. Although those two kicks looked incredibly lethal, Older Sister, the gentle Older Sister, whose control over Strength had reached a level unimaginable to ordinary Adventurers, how could she bear to let me suffer Damage?
"Of course. If you can't even withstand this much Attack, you might as well go back to the Rogue camp and farm, saving me the worry." She glared back at me, then continued.
"It's just that I didn't expect that Little Squirt to pull this trick on me. It's really a bit..." She looked troubled.
Heh heh, being able to make Older Sister show this sense of defeat, Marissa could be proud of herself for this. In a sense, she had won a small victory tonight.
However, my Gain wasn't bad either. Being able to see Marissa trying hard to change herself, although that hint of a Smile was still very stiff, in my Eyes, her effortful Appearance was more moving than any Smile.
"I just feel..." Lying on the floor, I murmured to myself.
"It feels like 'my Daughter has finally grown up'!"
"Hmph, although it was a bit ugly, she did put in effort. That much is worth praising. As a Maid for my Younger Brother, she's barely qualified." Older Sister raised her eyebrows, seeming to understand my inner Feelings at this moment, but the next sentence immediately knocked me back to my True Form.
"She's just too presumptuous, doesn't know manners, doesn't know shame."
"Speaking of which." I turned my Head and looked at the Ingredients on the Cutting Board that were half-processed.
"Older Sister... can you cook?"
"Roasted Meat..." She answered without hesitation. Then she looked around at the Kitchenware, assessed it, and added a few words: "And Stewed Meat Soup."
"What a coincidence, I happen to know how to make those two things too." I scratched my Head with a bitter Smile.