Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Asuka (2)
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As she had that morning, Lee Seo-yeon appeared without a sound.
She startled Asuka and me all over again.
"……!"
This time, we were so shocked that no scream escaped our lips—not even a peep.
They say extreme fright steals your voice.
And right now, Asuka and I were living proof.
Lee Seo-yeon alternated her blank gaze between us.
Then, in a low voice, she asked,
"What were you two doing?"
>
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Seo-yeon's Talent, "Gunblade Prodigy (S+)", says yes.] Huh..., but your Talent says otherwise?
I gave a wry smile at the Talent message visible through the system and spoke up.
"You heard everything this morning and came, right? Don't lie."
"……."
Lee Seo-yeon realized her fib was busted and stared at me with her expressionless face.
But I could tell she was displeased.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Seo-yeon's Talent, "Gunblade Prodigy (S+)", says it's not happy about this.] I knew because her Talent was telling me exactly how she felt through the system.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Seo-yeon's Talent, "Gunblade Prodigy (S+)", says it wants headpats too.] And its current state.
'...Us?'
Was that really in the last message?
I was so stunned that I openly checked the system message, forgetting Lee Seo-yeon was right there.
Confirming it again solidified the fact.
Her Talent had really said 'us'.
'Whoa...'
I stared at Lee Seo-yeon in disbelief.
"……."
She shyly flushed and averted her gaze.
Whatever. I was just floored by her half-assimilated state with her Talent.
'I tell her the Talent's name, and it evolves. Now she pops a Spirit Elixir and hits partial assimilation already?'
She could outshine Arthur as the lead at this rate.
But that thought didn't last.
I sensed something off.
'...What?'
Why was the aura leaking from Lee Seo-yeon still mid-to-upper tier?
It was clearly partial assimilation, even if only halfway.
I probed her aura again, puzzled.
Still just mid-to-upper tier.
'Hiding it?'
But the leakage was too steady for that.
'Man, this is driving me nuts...'
Was this really partial assimilation like I knew it?
Or was she just suppressing her aura?
I needed to confirm for sure.
But that required physical contact.
Like touching her heart or face.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Seo-yeon's Talent, "Gunblade Prodigy (S+)", says it wants headpats too.] Conveniently, her Talent was craving contact.
I reached out without hesitation.
"……!"
And cupped her cheek.
Lee Seo-yeon flinched in surprise, her gaze snapping back to me as she trembled.
Her quivering eyes met mine.
Then she slowly closed them.
And tilted her face toward my hand.
I couldn't help but smile wryly at her actions.
The training ground was empty except for Asuka, so I could indulge her.
But the moment I did, it'd be a bad end.
By the hands of Lee Seo-yeon—not the Sword Saint.
As you can see, once her affection hits a certain point, she starts getting clingy like this.
And it only intensifies as affection grows.
She keeps boundaries despite the obsession.
Skinship is fine, but the second lips touch, those boundaries vanish.
Full-blown yandere mode, regardless of affection level.
'If it were just her affection, no big deal...'
But I'm managing everyone's for the ending quest.
To lower the corruption rate of the leads.
So I can't indulge her skinship yet.
I can't handle her obsession and jealousy right now.
Sadly, skinship later—once I'm strong enough for her and the Sword Saint.
'Then we can go all in, Lee Seo-yeon.'
I pulled my hand away after confirming the partial assimilation and mid-tier aura.
No need to hold on longer.
But Lee Seo-yeon and her Talent weren't thrilled.
"……."
Her face puffed up in a pout instead of blank.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Seo-yeon's Talent, "Gunblade Prodigy (S+)", says aw, shucks.] Her Talent adorably conveyed their disappointment.
I chuckled awkwardly and pulled a Physique Elixir from my inventory, placing it in her hand.
"...What's this?"
Her pout shifted back to blank as she tilted her head at the elixir.
"It's a Physique Elixir. Good for the body."
I'd planned to give it this morning but forgot amid her sparring obsession.
Meant for tomorrow, but since she was here...
"I know that, but... is it okay to just give me an elixir like this?"
"Totally. You saw yesterday—I've got tons. Don't worry, just take it."
Infinitely many, technically.
She recalled yesterday and glanced between the elixir and me before nodding and popping it in.
"Haa..."
Feeling her stamina surge, she exhaled a heated breath.
"...Thanks."
Her eyes glistened as she looked at me.
The moment she leaned in for a hug...
"Top seat! My hiccups stopped!"
Asuka yanked me away.
Perfect timing.
I sighed in relief and patted Asuka's head.
"Heehee."
Asuka giggled happily, basking in the touch.
I glanced at Lee Seo-yeon.
And saw it.
"……."
Her eyes dull, face blank, staring at Asuka.
No trigger pulled, so she just watched—no dark thoughts acted on.
'But doesn't Asuka feel that stare?'
I eyed Asuka curiously.
"Heehee... Feels good... "
Now eyes closed, fully enjoying the pats.
If I paused, her tiny hand grabbed mine to continue.
As if Lee Seo-yeon's glare didn't exist.
Lee Seo-yeon finally backed off.
"...Lee Yoo-jin, I'm heading to bed."
She excused herself.
I waved goodnight.
The training ground door opened and shut.
Once she was gone...
"...Did she leave?"
Asuka's eyes fluttered open.
"Yeah, gone."
"...Phew."
She sighed deeply.
I realized she'd felt it but ignored it.
"Eek, that was scary..."
Asuka pouted.
She described the pressure Lee Seo-yeon had aimed at her.
...I hadn't sensed it?
So it was targeted solely at Asuka.
'...This a catfight?'
No, not quite.
More like predator Lee Seo-yeon toying with prey Asuka.
Just holding back since no trigger.
"...Good job."
"Hng."
I patted her head for enduring, then pulled Spirit and Physique Elixirs from inventory.
"Here, take these."
"...The ones you gave Lee Seo-yeon?"
"Yeah, Spirit Elixir and Physique Elixir."
"Whoa! These are Spirit and Physique Elixirs?"
Asuka's eyes sparkled at them.
"Heard of 'em, but first time seeing!"
"They're A-rank. Your family could get them, no?"
Come to think, Lee Seo-yeon's guild could too, right?
Miri Guild, run by the Sword Saint—a Korean powerhouse.
But then...
"Huh? A-rank elixirs? You're joking, top seat. Even B-ranks are tough—how'd you get these?"
Asuka dropped a bombshell.
"...What? They're hard to get?"
"You didn't know? A-ranks are super rare. My family, Lee Seo-yeon's guild—nobody gets 'em easy."
"……."
That made no sense.
A+ and up are rare, sure, but A-rank? Easy with materials and recipe.
How could they be scarce?
'What the...'
I was baffled.
This being reality, not game?
But alchemists and recipes should be the same.
'...Gotta visit that alchemy workshop.'
Planned anyway for cash. Good timing.
This weekend, check what's changed and why elixirs are rare.
Anyway, plans set, I nodded at Asuka's 'really okay to eat?' and urged her on.
She hugged me tight, thrilled.
"Top seat, thank you so much!"
Released, popped both in.
Her cheeks puffed like a squirrel's.
I wanted to poke, but alas—the elixirs melted, cheeks deflating.
Whoosh!
Mana storm erupted from Asuka, like Lee Seo-yeon's yesterday.
But unlike hers, which cradled me gently, this repelled me.
I knew why instantly.
Rumble!
Her blue mana turned red.
Coalescing into form.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says who the hell are you to interfere?] A massive dragon head.
The source of her cursed Talent, 'Mad Dragon Blood'.
It glared at me with murderous intent.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says you think it'll yield this vessel?] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says it'll descend into this vessel for sure.] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says keep interfering and it'll kill you with the Shuhei bloodline.] The dragon head lunged, growling murderously.
I scoffed at it.
"Big talk from something about to vanish."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says what do you mean?] "Oh, you don't get it?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says spit it out!] "Well..."
I trailed off, eyeing the head.
Fading back to blue—elixir effect ending.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Asuka's Talent, "Mad Dragon Blood (S)", says tell me before it vanishes!] I grinned at the urging.
"No need for you to know."
As I spoke, the head tried to retort—but all mana sucked back into Asuka.
Elixir done.
"Wow, I feel so much lighter!"
Asuka bounced around, oblivious, showing off her agility.
"How's the Talent control?"
"Hold on!"
She fiddled with her necklace.
Space rippled; a black hilt appeared.
"Whoo... "
Deep breath, gripped.
Shing!
Sharp aura erupted.
Mad Dragon Blood activated.
But unlike her spar with Lee Seo-yeon, no hostility toward me—just aura.
"...Controlling it?"
"……."
Her pink eyes turned blood-red, locking on mine.
But briefly.
"Haaah!"
She released the hilt, exhaling.
Held her breath the whole time, huh.
"Top seat!"
Tears welled as she looked up.
Hugged me tight.
"I controlled it a bit! Didn't lose reason!"
"Oh!"
Great news.
I praised her progress sincerely.
"Then pat my head!"
"Sure, sure."
I laughed, stroking.
"Cheeks too!"
"Eh, that's..."
"Why not! Do it!"
"Nope, trouble."
Touch those softies, and I'd wanna pinch.
"Hng!"
She buried her face in my chest, mumbling.
"...Thanks."
"No prob."
I chuckled, patting more.
Ah, headpats are addictive.
Pull cheeks, and I'm hooked for life?
I snickered at the thought.