Chapter 202: Kisses and Tears
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 202: Kisses and Tears
The massive Sun Wheel sank into the water, its afterglow growing more spectacular by the second. The undulating waters and the layered, spreading sea of clouds seemed to catch fire together. Everything in existence was shrouded in a layer of brilliant crimson light, decorating the world with a doomsday-like magnificence.
It was a sublime vista that would cause anyone to lose themselves in it, unable to help but marvel at their own insignificance and the miraculous craftsmanship of nature.
Not to mention, Senior Anna’s words had felt like a flurry of strikes landed directly on Muen’s heart, leaving his emotions surging even now.
But amidst this peerless scenery, Muen suddenly turned his head to look at Anna beside him.
"What’s wrong?" Anna asked, a hint of unease in her voice. "Is it not beautiful?"
"No, it’s incredibly beautiful," Muen praised sincerely. "It’s just... I seem to have found a view even more beautiful than the sunset."
Muen gazed intently at Anna’s lovely face, his eyes burning with passion.
Hearing his words, Anna froze for a split second before realizing his meaning. A flush of crimson immediately bloomed on her cheeks like a hundred flowers in spring, dazzlingly radiant. Her cherry lips trembled slightly as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.
Muen stared at her lips. They looked as if they were coated in honey, shimmering with a faint, translucent luster—so crystalline and sweet that one couldn't help but want to take a bite.
Muen’s heart rate accelerated once more. Without him even realizing it, his hands had naturally found their way to the girl’s shoulders.
In that moment, a profound silence enveloped the entire world.
The wind died down, the waves grew still, and even the distant chants of the fishermen ceased. All that could be heard was the frantic, slightly erratic thumping of the young man and woman’s hearts.
The boy waited, anxious yet patient, until the girl seemed unable to withstand the heat in his eyes and shyly looked away. She glanced at the breathtaking sunset out of the corner of her eye, her beautiful pupils flickering, before her gaze quickly returned to him.
She looked up at him bashfully, then gently closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling. It was the picture of feigned resistance, an invitation in disguise.
Muen hesitated no longer. He leaned down and kissed those sweet lips.
The stimulation of their membranes touching sent a jolt through Muen’s body like an electric shock, causing him to shudder. In his arms, the girl, surrendering her first kiss, couldn't help but tremble slightly as well.
Those lips were softer and more beautiful than Muen had ever imagined. A sweet fragrance drifted into his nostrils with every breath, and his mind felt as though it had plunged into a warm sea, drifting aimlessly with the tide.
But Muen wasn't satisfied. He gently pried apart her pearly teeth, his tongue nimbly slipping into the warm cavern to entwine with her shy one. They interlaced, tangling and rubbing against each other as he greedily drank in the sweet nectar.
Muen was naturally far more experienced than Anna, for whom this was a first. Everything soon fell into his rhythm. Anna’s few conscious attempts at a counter-attack were easily neutralized; instead, Muen seized every opening to push deeper, inch by inch...
Anna’s eyes were half-open, filled with a hazy, blurred longing.
Muen’s hands weren't idle either. As the kiss deepened, they wandered restlessly over Anna’s delicate body, eventually slipping beneath her dress. His large palms stroked her smooth skin, and then... something cold.
Hmm?
Cold?
Muen suddenly felt a slight pain in his arm.
Anna had snapped out of her daze at some point. She suddenly pressed down on Muen’s arm and gently pushed him away.
As their lips parted, a glistening, lewd thread of silver stretched between them.
"That’s enough," Anna panted, brushing aside the messy strands of hair on her forehead that were damp with sweat. She whispered, "Now... isn't the right time."
"I'm sorry."
Muen’s gaze caught a glimpse of the black scales peeking out from beneath Anna’s disheveled dress. His heart, which had just been soaring, felt a sharp pang of guilt. "I was too impatient."
"It has nothing to do with you, Junior."
Anna suddenly straightened up, her still-soft arms wrapping around Muen’s neck. She asked with a light smile, "So, Junior, is your heart fluttering now?"
"Regarding that question..."
Gazing at the charming Anna, Muen suddenly leaned down and gave her lips another quick peck. Then, while the girl was still stunned and blushing with indignation, he grabbed her small hand and pressed it against his chest.
"Can you feel it now, Senior?"
"...Yes."
Anna’s expression froze for a moment.
There was no need to ask the question; she already had the answer. Even through flesh and fabric, she could clearly feel how violently the heart inside Muen’s chest was thumping.
Then, Anna suddenly smiled radiantly and lightly brushed the corner of Muen’s eye. On her slender, tapering fingertip, a crystalline teardrop appeared.
"Books say that when you kiss the person you love for the first time, you’ll unconsciously shed tears. I didn't expect it to be true."
"Is that so?"
Only then did Muen realize that the corners of his eyes were indeed moist. However, when he peeked at Anna’s eyes, he found nothing but light eyeshadow and joy—no moisture at all.
Muen didn't overthink it, turning his gaze excitedly toward Anna’s palm.
"Hurry and try it," he said, not forgetting the true purpose of this date.
"Mhm."
Anna nodded gently and took out a pre-prepared potion. Just as she was about to drop the tear into it, Muen stopped her.
"What is that potion for?"
"It’s a universal potion that can amplify medicinal effects. I thought a single tear might not be—"
"Snake Transformation Disease isn't a normal illness. If it can't be cured, amplifying the effect won't help. Besides, if the dosage isn't enough, aren't I right here?" Muen advised. "Using potions haphazardly might actually interfere with the results."
"...True."
Anna thought about it and put the potion away. She raised her finger, staring at the crystalline tear on her fingertip, and couldn't help but ask, "Junior, will it really work this time?"
"It definitely will," Muen nodded firmly.
"Alright then." Anna’s eyes shimmered with light as she smiled. "I believe in you, Junior."
With that, she carefully placed the teardrop into her mouth.
As if to ensure the best possible effect, Anna meticulously sucked on her finger. To Muen, the scene looked somewhat erotic. However, now was not the time for such thoughts. He stared intently at Anna’s face, waiting tensely for the result.
Minutes and seconds ticked by.
The sun gradually sank, and the final rays of light fell into the Senior’s eyes, making the light within them shine even brighter.
As if sensing something, Anna suddenly rolled up her sleeves, revealing those ugly scales before Muen for the first time of her own volition. On her fair arm, the black scales looked somewhat sinister.
Fortunately, however, those scales began to recede.
Under their increasingly joyful gazes, the pitch-black scales grew dull and softened before sinking back into her flesh. Inch by inch, that enchanting, fair skin was revealed once more.
"It... it worked!"
Seeing this, Muen was ecstatic. He scooped the Senior up and spun her around several times in the palm of the Goddess statue. "Senior, we did it!"
"Yes!"
Anna allowed Muen to hold her so intimately. The burden that had plagued nearly her entire life had finally been lifted at this moment, causing her to be overcome with... joy?
Wait.
Anna’s lovely face suddenly stiffened.
Crying?
What is... "crying"?