[Ding! Target: Belle has generated emotional fluctuations toward the host. Rewards have been issued.]
Once the system finished speaking, Wise hurried to check the reward, but this time it was not that impressive.
[Excellent Cooking Skills (B): Your cooking skill receives a technical improvement based on your current level.]
This was the only talent skill he gained. The other reward was a pair of black stockings.
[Perfectly Made Black Stockings: The texture is smooth, and they feel incredibly comfortable to wear. The technology used to make them keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, making them a premium boutique item.]
'Black stockings? Why are these included in the rewards? And the description is so strange. Is this even legitimate?' Wise asked the system mentally.
[Host, all system rewards are linked to your actions that cause emotional fluctuations in the target, so...]
'Okay, no need to explain. I get it.'
Wise covered his face with his hands, feeling helpless. He thought it must have been his careless actions just now that had caused this.
Unbeknownst to him, Belle, on the side, was quietly watching him the whole time.
'Huh? Why did he touch his face without washing his hands first?'
Belle was startled at the sight, and after a moment of thought, her cheeks flushed again.
[Ding! Target: Belle has generated emotional fluctuations toward the host. Reward has been issued.]
"What? Again?"
Wise had just lowered his hand when he froze in confusion after hearing the system's notification.
Then, when he noticed that the reward was a pair of white stockings with the same function except for the color, he immediately understood why.
'Belle is not really thinking I did that on purpose to smell it, right? I hope not, because I honestly just forgot that all!'
Wise screamed inwardly, though he kept a calm expression on the surface. A little misunderstanding was harmless right now. Trying to explain would only make things worse, so staying quiet was the best option.
At the same time, the news on TV showed the latest updates, including the Public Security Bureau's blockade of the Hollow and the suspected Red Fang Gang members who had entered it.
"It's getting late. Let's go to sleep. We will probably have some work tomorrow," Wise said, preparing to stand up.
"Okay."
Belle had no objection to Wise's suggestion.
Before heading to bed, he first threw the trash into the outdoor trash can and then returned to pick up his sister to go upstairs.
"Brother… you don't have to do this. I-I can walk by myself," Belle said, embarrassed as she was held in Wise's arms in a princess carry.
For some reason, he looked far more attractive than usual today. Being held so close, it was only natural for her to feel a bit shy, even with how familiar they were with each other.
"Although the sprain isn't serious, it's best to avoid moving around, especially going up the stairs, and don't take a bath today. I'll apply the medicine in your room later. Eous, please bring the first-aid kit."
"Ehn-na, Ehn-ne! (Leave it to me!)."
Wise carried Belle upstairs while Eous followed behind, holding the medicine box above its head.
Once they reached the room, he carefully placed Belle on the bed and removed the ice towel. The sprained part of her ankle already looked much better.
"It's much better than before. Once I apply the medicine, you should be able to walk normally tomorrow, but you still need to be careful, understand?" he warned.
"Yes, I know, Brother."
Wise then took the first-aid kit from Eous, removed the ointment for treatment, and applied it to Belle's ankle, gently massaging it in with his fingers.
The cool sensation of the ointment, combined with the touch of Wise's fingers on her ankle, made Belle recall the earlier experience. This time, however, she held back better and quietly waited as Wise applied the ointment.
"Okay, I'm done. Go rest, and if you need anything, have Eous call me. I'm going to my room. Good night."
"Alright, Brother. Good night."
After Belle spoke, Wise gently touched her head, then turned and left, closing the door behind him as he returned to his room.
[Host, you should have given your younger sister a goodnight kiss. This would have generated more Emotional Value than simply patting her head.]
Wise felt a little speechless after hearing the system's words.
"System, shut up and explain what this Emotional Value really means."
[Emotional Value is generated when targets who have a good impression of you, Host, experience emotional fluctuations. The higher their favorability, the stronger the fluctuations and the more Emotional Value you collect. Emotional value also serves as a currency that can be used to exchange items in the system Emotional Value Store.]
Upon hearing the system's words, Wise immediately clicked to enter the system store.
[Current Emotional Value: 526]
'Huh? That's a lot. Is it because Belle's favorability toward me is high? Looks like I'll have to keep making her happy from now on,' Wise thought as he turned his attention to the items in the system store.
[Strength Attribute Point: 100 Emotional Value]
[Speed Attribute Point: 100 Emotional Value]
[Charm Attribute Point: 200 Emotional Value]
[Ether Resistance Physique: 1000 Emotional Value (This allows the Host to survive freely in the Hollow, just like an Ethereal.)]
[Note: The items in the system store are updated in real time based on the favorability of the targets unlocked by the Host. To access more items, increase your favorability with more targets.]
Reading the system's final note, Wise felt even more certain that the system was not serious, but that was to be expected. After all, a system with this name could hardly be taken seriously.
'But does this mean it wants me to be a scumbag?'
Shaking his head, Wise closed the system panel. For the moment, the store only had attribute points, which he did not really need yet.
After all, with Beauty Above All (S), a talent that converts 80% of charm into other attributes, he did not need to buy anything else except charm points.
As for the Ether Resistance Physique, according to the system's description, once he possessed this physique, there would be no need to worry about ether corruption. Though still useful, it was a pity that he could not afford it at the moment.
Since he could only exchange for two points at the moment, Wise decided not to use all of his current Emotional Value on charm points.
Rather than spending them immediately, it was wiser to save them and see if any new items would appear after meeting Nicole tomorrow.
But why were charm attribute points twice as expensive as the others?
The system explained that his current charm value had already reached 100 points, making further improvement more difficult, which was why the price was higher.
Wise let out a lazy yawn and decided to go to sleep, thinking about what might happen tomorrow.