Chapter 92: The Antidote
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92: The Antidote
"No!"
"Oh, come on~"
"Absolutely not!"
"Just for a second~"
"Not even for a second!"
Muen’s eyes were wide with indignation, his words forceful and ringing with conviction. He looked as majestic as a Hero who wouldn't blink even in the face of a life-or-death crisis—except for the fact that he was currently huddled in a corner, trembling.
"A man is a man! I am a macho man in body and an even bigger macho man in soul! I will absolutely not do something so humiliating!"
"Is that so?"
With a look of feigned disappointment, the Senior Sister tucked away the little skirt she was holding. "Since my dear Junior is unwilling, then forget it."
"Eh?"
Muen blinked in confusion.
Since when was Senior Sister so easy to talk to?
"What are you thinking about?"
As if reading his mind, Anna gave him a reproachful look and lightly flicked his forehead.
"Do I look like the kind of wicked Senior who would force her Junior to do something against his will?"
"...I suppose not."
Muen let out a sheepish laugh and scratched his head. "After all, Senior Sister is so gentle."
"..."
"Hmm? What is it, Senior?" Muen asked, noticing her momentarily dazed expression.
"It’s nothing..."
Anna shook her head with a smile. "Anyway, take this."
She tossed a small vial to Muen.
"What’s this?"
Muen looked curiously at the clear, pure liquid inside the vial. "Another magic potion?"
"Yes, it is indeed a potion," Anna said. "But to be more specific, it’s the antidote for the potion you drank."
"The antidote?"
Muen froze for a second before erupting into pure joy. "Really?"
"No, I'm lying."
Anna rolled her eyes at him, her every movement radiating a flirtatious charm. "Am I really the kind of woman who just breathes lies in your eyes, Junior?"
"Uh... sorry, Senior. I just got too excited."
"Fine, I forgive you. I am a broad-minded woman, after all."
"Senior Sister is the best! You're beautiful and kind-hearted. I like you the most, Senior!"
"Heh, I’m not one of those little girls who gets dizzy from your sweet talk." Anna giggled, covering her mouth. "So, save your breath."
"What sweet talk? I’m being completely sincere," Muen said with a straight face.
"I'll take your word for it then."
Anna smoothed out her long hair, which had become a bit messy from the previous battle. She casually tied the ends with a hair tie, draped it over her shoulder to her chest, and continued:
"In that case, I’ll be going now."
"Eh? You're leaving already, Senior?"
"What else? I’ve achieved my goal of delivering the antidote to help you out. Besides, someone else is dealing with those disgusting, naked bald men that popped out of nowhere. Why should I stay?"
"Or perhaps..."
The Senior Sister suddenly leaned in close. The faint fragrance wafting from her body stimulated Muen’s nerves. Her eyes, clear as spring water, gazed into his, curving like crescent moons and revealing a captivating allure.
"Is my Junior reluctant to see me go?"
"I..." For a moment, Muen’s cheeks actually turned a shade of red.
"Pfft. Alright, I’ll stop teasing you."
Before Muen could react, Anna suddenly pulled back and walked into the darkness behind her with her hands behind her back.
"Well then, goodbye, Junior Muen."
"Alright then. Goodbye, Senior."
"Ah, right."
She suddenly turned back.
"Regarding that antidote, there’s something you need to keep in mind when you drink it."
"Something to keep in mind?"
"Exactly."
Anna’s expression became more serious than ever, like a doctor instructing a patient on their dosage. "You must be completely naked when you drink it. Otherwise, something terrible will happen."
"I have to drink it buck naked?" Muen was shocked. "Is there really such a bizarre potion? Senior, you aren't lying to me, are you? And what exactly is this 'terrible thing'?"
"That... you’ll have to experience for yourself."
Anna gave a mischievous grin, turned, and leaped into the darkness.
"Wait..."
Muen rushed to the broken window and looked out, but the night behind the dormitory was already empty.
"I feel like she left in a real hurry. Did she forget to turn off the gas at home or something?"
Muen scratched his head.
Then, he looked at the potion in his hand—clear as water and seemingly harmless.
A headache began to form.
"So... should I listen to her or not?"
Muen swirled the potion in the bottle, thinking deeply.
"Given her personality, she’s definitely messing with me. There’s no way a potion could be that weird."
Muen decided not to listen to Anna. He unscrewed the cap, ready to down it in one go.
But just as the rim touched his lips, he hesitated.
If anyone else had said that, he’d be sure they were pulling his leg.
But since it was Senior Sister...
Maybe she wanted him to think she was lying.
The real trap might be what happens if he drinks it with his clothes on.
A trap within a trap?
Muen couldn't help but overthink.
But what if she anticipated even that layer?
Maybe she just wanted him to make a fool of himself, and she was hiding somewhere right now, secretly watching.
A trap within a trap within a trap?
"You really are something, Senior."
To be able to throw Muen Campbell’s mind into such chaos with a single sentence—only you could pull that off.
"Forget it."
Muen gritted his teeth.
"So what if she sees me? I’m a grown man, what am I afraid of?"
He decided to play it safe. Better to believe it might be true than to risk it.
Taking a deep breath, Muen stripped himself until he was stark naked.
"See no evil, see no evil."
Muen closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and downed the potion.
Instantly.
A violent, searing sensation surged through him.
Muen’s skin turned a scorched red, as if he were being burned alive.
It felt as though an actual high-temperature fire had erupted inside his body. Wisps of white steam began to rise from the top of his head.
"So hot!"
Muen finally understood why she told him to take off his clothes.
She was telling the truth; you couldn't wear clothes while drinking this.
With this kind of blistering heat, if he had been wearing clothes, they probably would have spontaneously combusted!
Fortunately, the agonizing sensation lasted only a moment. Soon, Muen felt as if a weight had been lifted from his body, and his entire frame felt significantly lighter.
Muen opened his eyes. In the floor-length mirror in front of him, a handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes smiled back.
"Ah, my glorious biceps."
"Ah, my sturdy pectorals."
"Ah, my beautiful six-pack."
"They’re back. They’re all back."
Looking at his macho self in the mirror, Muen couldn't help but let out a sigh of blissful relief.
This was better. This was much better.
Beautiful women were meant to be held in one's arms (or perhaps be held by?); as for becoming a beauty himself, he’d pass. He couldn't handle it.
"Come to think of it, this probably wasn't a standard antidote for the Transformation Potion," Muen mused, rubbing his chin.
If it were a normal antidote, the process wouldn't have been so violent.
Based on the sensation just now, it didn't feel like the magic was being dispelled so much as it was being forcibly burned away by a localized fire.
"In other words, after Senior Sister discovered the effects of the Transformation Potion, she just whipped up a counter-potion specifically to target it?"
Muen marveled. "As expected of the Senior Sister. Her title as the President of the Ancient Potions Society isn't just for show."
"I’ll have to learn a thing or two from her when I get the chance."
"But that’s for later. Right now..."
Muen looked around.
He definitely couldn't wear his previous clothes. He had already appeared before so many people in them; if he went out wearing the same outfit, someone with a sharp mind would surely notice the connection and start making unwanted associations.
He needed to find some emergency clothing in this dormitory room—whoever it belonged to.
Of course, he would make sure to leave proper compensation later.
"The owner of this room seems to really enjoy working out."
After a quick scan of the room, seeing it filled with dumbbells, barbells, and other exercise equipment, Muen couldn't help but crack a smile.