Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Vitality Pill
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Do-yoon gently patted Sophie's back as she nestled in his arms, sniffling softly. It took him quite a while to calm her down after her feelings had been hurt.
Sophie spoke in a quiet, teary voice from within his embrace, as if she were truly aggrieved.
"We're... we're only called succubi... It's an unfair label... We're actually purer and more innocent than any other race... Sob..."
"Yes, I know. Of course."
"We're not like those who seduce just anyone..."
"I misspoke. I'm sorry."
Rather than anger, it felt like she was pleading for understanding, insisting on her innocence. The succubus comparison must have really gotten to her.
"Our allure isn't something we will into existence... And its purpose is noble, directed solely at one person... Uh, oops."
Sophie abruptly shut her mouth mid-sentence.
"Huh? What was that?"
Do-yoon hadn't caught her last words and asked her to repeat. Why stop like that?
"N-No, it's nothing... Anyway...!"
Sophie pulled away from his arms and glared up at Do-yoon with wide eyes.
Do-yoon suppressed a chuckle. Her innocent face straining to look fierce was just adorable. Not scary at all.
"We're the purest race in the world, completely opposite from those filthy succubus-like demons...!"
"Yes, got it. I'm sorry. Calm down, okay?"
"I-I'm not angry..."
Do-yoon fought back the smile tugging at his lips. He resisted the urge to stroke her flushed, apple-red cheeks from excitement. Instead, he nodded with an apologetic expression and apologized to Sophie.
"...I-I'm sorry for yelling too... Anyway, it's true that my ability caused your symptoms, Cadet Do-yoon..."
The brief mishap ended, and they returned to the main topic.
"What should we do?"
"Ah, I'll fix it right now... Uh, um..."
Sophie hesitated again, fidgeting her hips. What was troubling her this time?
"J-Just a moment, if you please...!"
Without waiting for Do-yoon's response, Sophie reached both hands toward his lower body.
"Wha—?!"
Do-yoon flinched in surprise, not expecting her to touch him there so suddenly. Her delicate, jade-like white hands brushed against his already sensitive area, sending blood surging there.
Sophie also flinched as she felt it twitch like a serpent beneath her touch. But she didn't pull away.
And then, a strange refreshing sensation enveloped Do-yoon's lower body.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Purification (Lv. -, Rank B) The innate power of the illusory spirit beast, the unicorn. Purifies poisons, curses, contaminated water, and other impurities.
"Ah."
It seemed to be the Purification skill he'd seen in Sophie's status window before.
Sophie closed her eyes and focused her energy into her palms. A moment later, she withdrew her hands.
"I-It's done..."
Only after completing the ritual did she blush, realizing she'd touched him there with her hands.
Even though it was just placing her palm lightly over his clothes, for someone like her who'd guarded her purity her entire life, it took tremendous courage. She'd even felt its vivid twitching reaction.
Sophie shook off her embarrassment and quickly continued speaking.
"It's one of my clan's powers—the ability to purify poisons and curses."
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Sophie Race: Half-Human Unicorn / Spirit Beast Affiliation: - Talent: Genius ⚡ Strength: Level 2 💨 Agility: Level 4 💪 Stamina: Level 1 → Level 4 🛡️ Toughness: Level 2 ✨ Mana: Level 3 'Definitely worthy of being called a spirit beast species.'
Like her other powers, Purification was an incredibly convenient ability.
What a mysteriously useful race. Unicorns, as spirit beasts, probably appeared frequently in myths and fairy tales from Sophie's world.
"..."
"..."
A brief silence fell.
The reason for her visit had been resolved, and after her sudden touch down there, both she and Do-yoon felt an awkward tension.
Thinking she might start avoiding him again, Do-yoon spoke first to break the ice.
"...Did the Vitality Pill absorb well?"
"Ah...! S-Sorry. I forgot to thank you properly...!"
Sophie bowed deeply again.
"Thank you so much. Thanks to you, Cadet Do-yoon, I achieved tremendous results."
"No need to thank me."
"Who knew the Vitality Pill had such effects hidden inside..."
Do-yoon activated his First Guild Master trait to bring up Sophie's status window.
Her Stamina had jumped from Level 1 to Level 4—a full three levels.
She'd reached Level 4 in two stats now. Among the cadets excluding Do-yoon, no one could match her stats anymore.
It was modest compared to Do-yoon's jump from Level 7 to 8, but that was because his elixir absorption was extraordinarily efficient.
Sophie, being a spirit beast, absorbed elixirs well, but she couldn't keep up with Do-yoon, a divine beast.
"My biggest weakness, Stamina, became my main stat in an instant. Thank you so much."
"You don't have to tell me that much detail..."
What Sophie had just revealed was her personal stat information.
In this world, stats—the most crucial personal data—were never to be shared with others.
"No, I could tell you everything if it were you, Cadet Do-yoon. After receiving such a huge favor..."
"Don't think of it as a debt. I gave it to you unilaterally because I want you to succeed, Cadet Sophie."
At those words, Sophie gazed at Do-yoon with eyes brimming with emotion.
Silence fell between them again. But unlike before, it wasn't awkward. It was a comfortable quiet where they could sense each other's feelings.
Sophie's eyes grew slightly dreamy as she looked at Do-yoon. She was deeply grateful for his kindness.
At first, it had been mere attraction to the spiritual energy he exuded, but the more time she spent with him, the more she fell for Han Do-yoon himself.
He was generous enough to readily hand over such a treasure, had a great personality, unmatched ability, and was even handsome.
His energy went without saying—denser than her tribe's chieftain's, incomparable to anyone. And his endowment was impressive too, so no worries about pregnan—
"..."
Do-yoon flinched at Sophie's vibe, which felt burdensome. Her gaze was a bit hazy and sticky, reminiscent of when she'd taken the Vitality Pill. Staring into those pink eyes strangely made him stir down there.
Do-yoon quickly changed the subject.
"...Soon, we'll start unarmed combat classes."
"Really?!"
Sophie snapped to attention and beamed brightly. Do-yoon inwardly sighed in relief.
He'd considered asking about her odd reaction during the Vitality Pill absorption, but decided to let it slide.
It wasn't a big issue anymore, and bringing it up would embarrass both of them. Probably just a side effect from absorbing the elixir.
Especially after her near-slip just now, no need to stir up trouble.
"Wow...! That's great! So we'll be together in the Cradle from now on?"
"Looks like it."
Do-yoon found himself smiling warmly at Sophie's joy.
A big reason he'd switched from swordsmanship to unarmed combat was Sophie. He wanted to guide her growth personally, as she was such a talented individual.
From the tournament, her swordsmanship seemed mediocre, like her spearmanship.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ding~ clang~
The class bell rang. Break time was over.
"Ah, the bell... You haven't changed classes yet?"
Sophie looked disappointed. She wanted to attend with him.
"I did change, but I have to meet with the Dean this period."
"Wow... Even the Dean meets personally with the Boss Monster Killer?"
Do-yoon chuckled at her cute remark.
She giggled back, meeting his eyes, then gave a slight bow.
"See you later, then."
"Yes. Have a good class."
They parted in opposite directions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Knock knock.
"Dean, Cadet Han Do-yoon is here."
"Send him in."
The secretary opened the door, and Do-yoon entered the dean's office.
"I'll bring tea."
"Some light refreshments too, please."
"Yes, understood."
The secretary left, and the door closed. Only the dean and Do-yoon remained.
"Have a seat wherever you're comfortable."
"Yes."
The dean gestured to a chair for Do-yoon. Beyond his preexisting fondness, it was fairly courteous treatment.
'Does he have something to say that's awkward for him?'
Seated at the head, the dean smiled amiably at Do-yoon, though a hint of unease lingered in his expression.
"We have plenty of time. Shall we start the main topic after the refreshments?"
"Sounds good."
Thanks to the dean's consideration, Do-yoon had skipped this period's position-specific class entirely. Time was on their side.
"Let's chat casually in the meantime. Anything you're curious about or need to request?"
"Hm."
Do-yoon nodded. He had something to ask, perfectly timed.
"What happened to Torn?"
Lately, Torn hadn't been seen around the Cradle at all.
As if expecting the question, the dean grinned.
"He was expelled from the Cradle. His severed arm was incinerated as well."