Kurose Akira stared without blinking at Lucia's back—snow-white, smooth as silk—momentarily lost in thought.
Because etched across her back was a mysterious golden sigil.
The pattern was intricate and exquisite, like a painstakingly detailed work of art. As his gaze focused on it, Akira realized with surprise that the complex lines were actually moving—flowing, converging—slowly forming a symbol resembling a blazing sun.
Before he could study it more closely, the sun-shaped sigil quietly faded away, leaving behind nothing but flawless, pristine white skin.
Mysterious…
Akira gently closed the door, then asked Lucia, "May I come over?"
Lucia, immersed in the hot spring, seemed to be wearing nothing at all—only a thin veil draped lightly over her face, which somehow made her look even more alluring.
"Mmm~" Lucia nodded softly, granting permission.
Akira slowly approached her. When he reached the edge of the pool, his gaze was involuntarily drawn in. Beneath the water lay a breathtaking snowy vista—steam curling upward, obscuring and revealing in turns, as though everything were shrouded behind a layer of mysterious white gauze.
"What is it?"Lucia asked softly, raising the exquisite glass goblet in her hand to her lips. She took a small sip; the golden liquid slid across her crimson lips, moistening them as it flowed past her teeth.
Akira's eyes shifted to the goblet. Inside floated a golden fruit.
[Sunfruit Wine (Elite): This wine is infused with a precious Sunfruit. It can temporarily suppress abnormalities of the Holy attribute, but the taste is rather bitter.]
Immediately after, Akira checked Lucia's status panel.
[Holy Attribute Abnormality: The Holy attribute is in a state of disorder, instability, and agitation! (48h)]
The information made Akira's expression turn slightly serious. This Holy attribute abnormality was a negative effect originating from the [Prison of the God of Light], but he didn't know its exact consequences.
"About the side effects of your skill… is there anything I can do to help?"Akira asked, carefully observing Lucia's micro-expressions and every detail of her body.
"No need to worry. I'm fine."Lucia gently set the glass goblet aside. From behind the white veil, her golden-red eyes glanced at Akira, signaling that she was not in serious trouble.
"That's good."Akira replied briefly, though he still felt uneasy. He opened the in-game shop, hoping to find an item that could remove the Holy attribute abnormality. After a precise search, he found an item called "Tears of the Sun," which could effectively relieve the skin-burning sensation caused by the abnormality.
In addition, he discovered another item called "Golden Tree Leaf," which could completely eliminate the Holy attribute abnormality. However, before using it, one had to first apply "Tears of the Sun," because the leaf itself would intensify the burning sensation.
Without hesitation, Akira spent 50 silver coins to purchase both items and immediately took them out of his inventory.
"These two medicines can alleviate your negative status. Remember to use them later."He handed both items to Lucia.
When Lucia saw the items, something flickered in her eyes. She seemed momentarily absent-minded.
After a short pause, she spoke softly. "I appreciate your kindness, but…"
Before she could finish, she suddenly stopped. Golden tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, tracing two luminous trails down her cheeks.
"But what?"Seeing this, Akira took out a handkerchief and handed it to her. A holy maiden really shouldn't always force herself.
Lucia accepted the handkerchief, wiped away the golden tears, and then slowly said,"My body is weakened by the negative effect. My limbs—especially my legs—are almost numb. The reason I let you come in was also so you could help me get dressed and return to the Church of Light for treatment."
Hearing her explanation, Akira frowned slightly.
He hadn't expected the Holy attribute abnormality to be this severe—serious enough to leave Lucia nearly unable to move.
Wait.So Lucia… can't move right now?
"So…"Lucia's cool golden eyes looked at Akira, a trace of complicated emotion within them."If it truly works, then you should apply it for me."
Akira's eyes flickered when he heard her request.
But—
His gaze shifted to Lucia's snow-white body submerged in the water. Her clothes were placed off to the side, with no towel to cover her. Wouldn't that mean…
"Don't just stand there. There are still many matters waiting for me at the Church."Lucia urged him, a hint of impatience in her tone.
Even without Akira's help, once she finished the Sunfruit Wine and recovered a bit of mobility, she would seek Ivsha and the others' assistance and attempt to return to the Church of Light.
"..."
Akira said nothing. He simply stepped into the pool and lifted Lucia in a princess carry.
When Lucia's body emerged from the water, Akira realized she was actually wearing a pale-gold garment.
He didn't know what it was called. A swimsuit? A bathing robe?
The cicada-wing-thin fabric clung tightly to her snow-white skin. Her critical areas were covered by golden, heart-shaped scales, so nothing truly indecent was exposed.
The garment was simply too light and thin, shrouded by mist. The parts of Lucia above the water weren't covered by fabric at all, while the submerged parts—due to the garment's semi-transparent nature—were almost indistinguishable from bare skin. It wasn't that Akira's eyesight was bad; he genuinely couldn't see clearly.
Yet for some reason, he felt that Lucia like this was even more seductive than being completely—
…than being fully naked!?
Akira carried Lucia to a nearby lounge chair and gently set her down.
While lifting her, he noticed the garment's strange property. When his palm touched the fabric, it vanished silently—like a shy mimosa—almost as if it were avoiding him.
How incredible.
"Start already."Lucia cast him a sidelong glance, then closed her eyes.
Akira rubbed the bridge of his nose. His gaze flicked to Lucia's current authority traits.
[Cold, Lustful]
?
He was startled. When had Lucia switched personalities? He clearly remembered that after returning from the Demon Cave, her traits had been [Sensitive, Hypocritical, Fickle].
He didn't dwell on it. Akira applied "Tears of the Sun" to his palms, then reached toward Lucia's snow-white, tender feet, slowly moving upward…
To ensure the Tears of the Sun were spread evenly, he carefully traced every inch of her skin with his fingertips, not even sparing the spaces between her toes.
Throughout the process, Lucia kept her eyes tightly shut, allowing Akira's large hands to roam freely across her body. Thanks to the special function of the golden garment, whenever his fingers brushed past it, it would magically disappear—eliminating the need for Lucia to undress at all.
"Have you used this skill before?"Akira asked as his fingertips continued their careful exploration.
"Mmm~"Lucia let out a soft nasal sound."Yes, but not often. After each use, I need to soak in the water of the Holy Pool of Light to ease the pain."
"The Holy Pool of Light?"Akira paused, his fingertips stopping right at Lucia's waist. That slender curve was impossible to let go of.
"Yes."Lucia nodded and continued,"The scriptures record that the Holy Pool of Light is where angels are born. The holy pool waters on the Magic Continent drip down from the Rift of Light. Even so, they still have miraculous effects for us. Just one drop can eliminate the influence of the God Prison."
Hearing this, Akira fell into thought.Angels… were they the same as the Adjudicators recorded by the Church of Light? Or were Adjudicators just a specific rank among angels?
"So the ruling figures of the Church of Light can decide how the Holy Pool's water is used?" he asked.
"Only the Pope, the Saintess, and the Council of Bishops have that authority—and even then, there are quantity limits."Lucia explained softly."The Holy Pool's water is extremely precious, though it still produces several hundred drops each year. The holy medicine you took before was refined from it."
"I see."As Akira spoke, his fingertips moved toward the golden heart-shaped scales. Just as he was about to touch them, his hand suddenly stopped.
"Uh…"
He hesitated, conflicted over whether he should continue.
Lucia sensed his pause and slowly opened her eyes, gazing at him.
When she saw the indecision in Akira's expression, the corner of her lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.
"What's wrong?" Lucia questioned him."Isn't this your area of expertise? You were never this hesitant when you played around with succubi."
"?"
Akira froze.
"You were spying on me?"
"My perception is simply quite keen."
!
Sensitive authority!
"..."
Of course, Akira didn't easily believe her explanation. Perception was something one could consciously control. If Lucia didn't want to sense what was happening in a room, how could she possibly see those scenes?
"Hurry up. I still need to return to the church."Lucia's tone turned cold as she urged him on.
Yet her golden-red eyes were locked onto Akira, clearly anticipating his next move.
Akira could see the tangled emotions in her gaze. Lust and coldness clashed within her, forming this complex personality.
On the outside, she was icy and aloof.On the inside, she yearned for desire to bloom.
As for Lucia's request to hurry?
Akira didn't hesitate in the slightest. He reached straight for the three golden heart-shaped scales!
"Wait!"
"No need—"
"Yip!"
Several minutes later, Akira clapped his hands in satisfaction and said,"All done!"
"You really are—"Lucia bit her red lip lightly and shot him a cold glare.
She hadn't expected Akira to be so bold—to actually attempt to touch the taboo!
Fortunately, she stopped him in time. Otherwise, she might really have lost control…
Still, she could clearly feel that after Akira applied the medicine, the burning sensation on her skin had completely vanished. The effect was even better than soaking in the Holy Pool.
"Now…"Akira handed the golden-colored leaf to Lucia."Just swallow the juice from this leaf."
Lucia looked at the Golden Tree Leaf, then up at Akira, hesitation flashing through her eyes. The leaf was as large as a jade plate and incredibly tough. She had no idea how she was supposed to ingest it.
Seeing this, Akira came up with a solution."Squat down first."
Lucia didn't quite understand, but she complied and squatted down.
"Open your mouth," Akira continued.
Lucia looked at him, confusion rising in her heart.Could it be that Akira was going to—
Still, despite her doubts, she obediently opened her mouth.
At that moment, Akira activated his Half-Dragonman transformation. With practiced movements, he twisted the Golden Tree Leaf, squeezing out its sap.
Golden sap slid from his fingers and flowed directly into Lucia's mouth.
The faint sweetness surprised her—it actually tasted quite good. She closed her eyes, quietly enjoying the unexpected "feeding."
Soon, the Golden Tree Leaf was twisted into a dry lump with no sap left. Akira casually tossed it aside.
But when he looked back at Lucia, the Saintess of the Church of Light was still tilting her head back, eyes closed, lips slightly parted—clearly waiting for more.
"Cough. That's all."Akira reminded her softly.
Lucia slowly opened her eyes and stood up.
When she realized her body had fully returned to normal, surprise welled up inside her. She hadn't expected Akira's method of eliminating the Holy attribute abnormality to be even more effective than using the Holy Pool's water.
Akira didn't explain much. He himself didn't know the Golden Tree Leaf's origin—only that a female player had possessed three of them, failed to sell them for a long time, and eventually sold them to him cheaply.
"Since the abnormal state has been removed, I should take my leave."Lucia picked up the clothes on the ground. Before Akira could even notice, they were already neatly worn on her body, the entire process silent, as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, right."After straightening her clothes, Lucia handed Akira a blood-stained bone dagger.
"This is?"Akira accepted it, confusion flashing in his eyes.
"It dropped from the corpse of that vampire count. Even the wardens of the God Prison of Light couldn't destroy it, so it was entrusted to me."Lucia explained.
"An item even the wardens of the God Prison of Light can't destroy?"Akira stared at the bone dagger. Information surfaced before his eyes.
[Blood Spirit Bone Dagger (Legendary): Forged from the finger bone of a true vampire progenitor. By sacrificing blood, you can summon a Blood Spirit to fight for you! (Duration: 30 minutes)]
"A summoning-type item?"Akira couldn't help but feel surprised. This was his first time encountering such an item.
Compared to traditional summoning scrolls, summoning-type items were clearly far more powerful. The strength of the summoned being was directly tied to both the item's quality and the user's mana. The stronger the mana and the higher the quality, the stronger the summoned entity!
"I'm leaving."Lucia said.
"Mm."After handing over the Blood Spirit Bone Dagger, she didn't linger and quickly departed.
Holding the dagger, Akira was just about to leave the hot spring room when a strange, eerie voice suddenly echoed by his ear.
"Blood…Offer me your blood!"