Cassian spent the entire day hunting and managed to complete the task. Along the way, the new injuries replaced the old ones he'd sustained in previous battles with monsters. Now, lying in bed with aches spreading throughout his body, he still wore a wide smile as he looked at his status.
[Name : Trainee Cassian ven dyke
Warrior level : Trainee
[System function : Training field (available)
Swords mastery : Apprentice Lv5
Half Body Massage Mastery : Lv2(119/500) ]
[Accepted task : The Skilled Masseur(0/10)]
[Finished Task : Path of the Gladiator (Completed), Beginner Monster Slayer (Completed)
[Training points : 61]
Not much had changed in his status, aside from his sword mastery leveling up and another task completed. Both tasks had taken a lot out of him, leaving him with just 61 messy training points. With those points, the only thing he could afford was another self-repairing training sword.
He didn't understand why it was even available; the first one had never broken, since it repaired itself automatically. The other option was a stamina potion for 20 points. He could see some use for it, but for now, he didn't need it. Plus, it seemed overpriced—he could buy ten stamina potions just by selling the body of a one-star monster, which he'd learned after finding one today. He regretted not taking the monsters he'd killed earlier, but the ones he and Cassandra had taken down today had already been sold. He made a decent sum from that, which he was now considering using to buy a better sword when he returned to the city.
As he imagined what his new sword might look like, he pictured a hilt made of shiny red gold. "No, black would be cooler," he said with a smile, visualizing each detail piece by piece. A sudden knock at the door interrupted his daydream, breaking his focus.
He frowned, puzzled about who would visit him so late at night. He wasn't in the mood for company, especially with the persistent ache in his body. When the knock came again, he sighed, pushing himself up from the bed with a groan. Hoping it wouldn't be a long conversation, he called out in an annoyed tone, "Coming," and opened the door. Standing there was Russella.
"Lady Russella," Cassian said, surprised. He glanced around and, seeing no one else with her, asked, "What brings you here so late at night?"
Instead of answering, she simply asked, "May I come in?"
"Please, come in," Cassian said, stepping aside to let her in.
"Thank you," Russella replied, and as Cassian closed the door, she turned to face him with a smile, holding his gaze without saying anything. The silence stretched just long enough to make Cassian shift awkwardly, unsure of what to say as he offered a hesitant smile in return.
Finally, breaking the tension, she spoke. "I came to repay the kindness you showed me last night."
Cassian's cheeks flushed, and with a sheepish grin, he said, "You don't have to. I just did what any man would do when he sees a lady in distress."
Russella's eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched his reaction. Stepping closer, she closed the distance between them, leaving him surprised as her scent filled the space between them. Her fingers lightly grazed his stomach and trailed downward as she asked, "Then what should I do? I know you won't accept it willingly, but I can't help wanting to repay you. Would you stop me if I do?"
'What is happening?' Cassian's mind screamed, his eyes wide with shock, but he managed to keep his composure. As he felt her hand move toward his waist, he didn't need to hear any more. With a sharp intake of breath, he shook his head, wordlessly answering her unspoken question.
Russella chuckled, pulling her hand back just before it touched him, leaving Cassian both disappointed and curious. He kept his expression neutral, though his eyes silently questioned her. Catching his look, she smirked and reached up to squeeze his cheeks playfully, as if he were a child. "You're too cute…" she teased.
Cassian's face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn't stop her, grinning despite himself. At least he managed to return the playful energy in his own way. "Well, now you owe me twice over for all this teasing," he said, smirking as she released his cheeks and rubbed them.
"You said you did it expecting nothing in return, just helping a lady in distress," Russella teased as she took a seat on the bed. Her smile made her look years younger, though the silver strands in her hair and the graceful way she spoke reminded Cassian of her age. He didn't mind—it added a certain allure that excited him even more. The thought of giving her another massage or receiving some form of repayment crossed his mind, but he realized his attempt to play it cool might have backfired.
Russella's smile softened as she noticed his dejected expression. "Come here," she said, opening her arms.
Cassian's face lit up as he stepped closer. She took hold of the waistband of his pants, pulling him even nearer. "I didn't come here planning on this, but if it's what you want, then so be it," she murmured.
He wasn't sure exactly what she intended, but he was thrilled by the direction things were heading. As she unbuttoned his pants, she paused, looking up at him with flushed cheeks that made her look endearingly youthful despite her mature features. "Promise me you won't tell a soul about this or what happened last night," she said.
Without hesitation, Cassian nodded and vowed, "I promise, I won't." As he spoke, he realized he had been repeating this phrase often lately. Each time, it seemed to lead to something unexpectedly good. Making a mental note, he decided that saying those words might just be his new lucky charm.
Like as she slipped his pants down, Cassian didn't know exactly what was to come, but he was certain of one thing—he was going to sleep very well once she was finished.