The Personal Maid's Tender Care
The Dark Maze Corridor, which had reeked so heavily of gore and carnage, fell into an uncanny silence.
Leaving the carcasses of the venomous beasts drenching the floor in dark crimson behind him, Taehyun leaned his battered body against the cold stone wall, struggling to steady his ragged breathing. Blood dripped down to the flagstones from the shredded gashes covering his body, but deep within his heart, the magical circuit of his awakened soul surged and pulsed with an immensity unlike anything he had ever felt before.
You have made the first conquest of a pack of Blood Hounds, the special beasts of Tutorial Floor 1.
Combat Contribution: 100% (Familiar: Elena)
A massive amount of experience has been credited to the Challenger based on contribution.
Challenger Kang Taehyun's level has increased! (Lv. 1 → Lv. 4)
Strength increased by 4, Agility by 4, Constitution by 5, Mana by 8.
Soul Bond with familiar 'Elena' has increased. Special link features unlocked.
Watching the azure system window float before his eyes, Taehyun felt the corners of his lips curl into a faint smile. As if mocking the hunters who had derided him as an F-class dropout, even the Tower's cold, mechanical system was showering him with an extraordinary windfall of stats. Leaping three levels at once vastly expanded the latent upper limits of his physical vessel.
However, the system's level-up did not magically mend the wounds carved into his flesh. The shredded skin and the deep claw marks gouged into his flank still oozed crimson, while the venom of the deadly beasts seeped through his veins, throbbing with sharp, scalding agony.
"……Master."
Before he even realized she was there, Elena arrived at his side with silent, immaculate footsteps. Her cool, obsidian eyes flickered with indescribable sorrow and self-reproach as she gazed upon Taehyun's torn clothing and bloody wounds. Though she typically maintained an icy, stoic demeanor, the gaze fixed upon Taehyun overflowed with unmistakable, blind devotion and honeyed warmth.
"The stench of the beasts' blood is far too dense here; it carries the grave risk of luring other predators. Fifty meters ahead to the right, I have detected a shelter and safe zone guaranteed by the Tower's system. Please, entrust your body to this humble maid."
"Yeah, please do. Elena."
The moment Taehyun granted his permission, Elena wrapped her arms around his waist without a second of hesitation.
"Ah……!"
A shallow gasp escaped Taehyun's lips. The moment she pressed against him, the heavy, soft weight of her massive breasts—far larger than a grown man's head—crushed against his forearm and chest. Elena's burning body heat radiated through the sheer fabric of her maid uniform, and her rich, sweet, intoxicating feminine scent teased his nostrils to the point of dizziness. Elena inhaled sharply and lowered her head to conceal her flushed cheeks, yet her slender fingers held him firmly, supporting his weight with utmost reverence to ensure he would not waver in the slightest.
Swish—
As she executed her Shadowless Footwork, their silhouettes seemed to melt seamlessly into the ambient shadows, gliding through the gloom. They arrived beyond a concealed stone door tucked in a corner of the corridor—a cozy, natural cavern enveloped in a soft barrier of protective magic, an authentic safe zone. Reaching the center of the cave, Elena carefully set Taehyun down atop a plush, thick blanket. Then, with a flick of her fingers, she ignited a gentle flame of blue mana to illuminate the cavern with radiant warmth, purifying every trace of dust and chill with a single sweep of her hand.
Familiar Skill: Omnipotent Housekeeping (Rank S)
Rest environment elevated to 'High-Tier Shelter.' Recovery rates for Health and Mana increased by 200%.
The biting cold of the Tower vanished in an instant, replaced by a welcoming comfort that rivaled the finest luxury hotel suite. From within her garment, Elena produced a mana-infused teacup, a steaming hot towel, and nutritious emergency rations, presenting them neatly into Taehyun's hands.
"Incredible, Elena. You're not just deadly in combat—you're completely flawless at domestic care, too."
At Taehyun's heartfelt praise, Elena's dark eyes quivered. She tried her best to maintain her usual solemn, composed expression, but she could not hide the delicate blush that dusted her fair earlobes at his warm words.
"Serving Master in absolute comfort is merely this maid's natural duty. To receive such generous praise…… fills this humble heart to bursting."
Elena bowed courteously, but her gaze carried a quiet, rising tide of loyalty and undisguised adoration. Yet her brief joy soon receded; as her eyes fell back onto Taehyun's shredded shirt and clotted gashes, her demeanor settled back into grave, focused seriousness.
"Master, we must purge the venom from your wounds and disinfect them thoroughly. May I take the liberty of removing your garments?"
"Sure. Do whatever you need to."
At his reply, Elena knelt and slid closer until she was right before him. Up close, the provocative design of her maid attire completely dominated Taehyun's vision. Beneath the neat white collar and black ribbon tie lay a daring, wide oval keyhole cutout. Swelling through that circular opening was a breathtaking cleavage and an overwhelming bust that threatened to spill out at any moment, violently rousing a man's most primal instincts with a single glance.
Riiiip—
With her slender fingertips, Elena gently peeled and tore away Taehyun's blood-soaked shirt. Upon his taut, revealed upper body, vivid red lacerations left by the Blood Hounds' claws stood stark and angry.
"Ugh…… That this lowly maid was late to answer your summons and allowed such wounds to mar Master's noble body……"
A mixture of profound sorrow and self-condemnation pooled in Elena's eyes. With deft, practiced movements, she retrieved medicinal purification herbs unique to her summons along with clean bandages. The touch of her warm, damp towel as she delicately wiped away the blood and sweat around his wounds was impossibly gentle and tender.
"Ngh……"
When the chilled essence of the medicinal paste met his raw flesh, a low groan slipped past Taehyun's teeth. Elena flinched in shock, instantly halting her hands.
"Forgive me, Master. Was I too rough? I shall be far more delicate so as not to cause you pain."
"No, it's fine. Your hands are so gentle I barely even feel it."
As Taehyun offered a reassuring smirk to put her at ease, Elena let out a quiet sigh of relief and dipped her head. Every time she leaned in close to tend to his injuries, her voluptuous bust, cinched tight by her corset, brushed softly against his forearms and bare chest. Each time that supple, pillowy elasticity grazed against his skin, a thick, clandestine tension ignited between them. Elena fought desperately to preserve her professional decorum as his maid, yet each time she pressed against Taehyun's firm, bare skin and inhaled his masculine heat, her own breath hitched and quickened.
Once the treatment concluded and the bandages were cleanly wrapped around his torso, the bleeding ceased entirely, and the burning fever of the paralyzing venom subsided into pure relief.
"The treatment is complete, Master. The venom has been entirely cleansed from your wounds. If you rest for just a brief period, your strength will recover fully."
Remaining on her knees, Elena tidied her uniform with dignified poise. Looking down at the woman who had fought so fiercely to slaughter the monsters for his sake and had nursed him with such devoted care, Taehyun felt a swell of profound gratitude. He reached out and gently stroked Elena's neatly bound hair.
"Thank you, Elena. If you hadn't been here, I would've ended up as monster chow a long time ago. You're truly precious to me."
"Ah……"
The instant Taehyun's warm palm touched her head, Elena's dark eyes trembled wide. Feeling his gentle warmth caressing her hair, she could no longer suppress the overwhelming emotions welling within her chest, and she softly closed her eyes. Across her usually stern, unyielding lips, a faint, exquisitely tender smile blossomed like melting spring snow.
For this man's sake…… I would gladly offer my entire soul.
Constrained by her role as his maid, she dared not throw herself into her master's embrace, choosing instead to fold her trembling hands over her chest. Yet beneath that modest posture, her heart thudded furiously with uncontrollable devotion and yearning. Sensing her sincerity, Taehyun took her hand in a warm, steady grasp. Rather than letting lust rule him in the heat of the moment, he forged a quiet vow to conquer this merciless Tower alongside her, becoming each other's indispensable, perfect half.
It was at that moment that the sharp shriek of a human and the deafening roar of a colossal monstrosity echoed from the distant darkness beyond the safe zone.
"Aaaargh! Help me! The shield broke!"
"Chulsoo-hyung! The boss is too strong! Run for it!"
Taehyun's eyes turned arctic cold. It was the unmistakable voices of the traitors who had used him as bait before fleeing for their lives.
"Elena."
"Yes, Master. Give the command."
Elena's gaze snapped back to that of a lethal assassin in an instant, her fingers curling around the hilt of her dagger.
"My wounds are healed. It's time to go collect the debt from the garbage that threw us away."
"As Master commands."
Bound by unbreakable trust, the master and his maid stepped forward side by side, marching resolutely toward the boss room of the first floor tutorial.