Chapter 65: Midnight Rendezvous

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Midnight Rendezvous

The orb of light in his mind clearly showed that the number of equippable Terms had increased from the initial two to four!

’This is great news!’ Hesia thought, overjoyed. ’I was just worrying about this. I’ve saved up several useful Terms, but I could only equip two, which was so limiting. Now I finally have some breathing room!’

At the same time, he noticed a detail he hadn’t paid much attention to before: the Attribute boosts obtained through Term Extraction—the +2 Power from [Wild Charge] and the +2 Physique from [Thick Hide]—seemed to be permanently bound to him.

Even if he removed these Terms from his equipment slots and replaced them with others, these Attribute Points wouldn’t disappear.

’In other words, the Attribute Points from these two Terms were permanently added the moment I acquired them?’

’This isn’t an equip effect of the Term, but a one-time acquisition bonus!’

’But even if I acquire another [Thick Hide] in the future, it probably won’t provide another 2 points of Physique.’

’The Attribute bonus from the same type of Term can probably only be applied once.’

’Even so, this is already incredibly powerful,’ Hesia thought with satisfaction.

This meant that in the future, he could give the Terms with Attribute bonuses to Bruce or others without worrying about his own permanent Attributes being diminished.

...

After reviewing the pleasant surprises from his level-up and new Terms, Hesia’s gaze fell upon the last line of his Status bar.

[Salamakis’s Contract: Your Bloodline Power will be extracted in 4 hours and 22 minutes.]

’It’s about 7:20 PM right now... In a little over four hours, it’ll take effect around midnight.’

’So...’

’In other words...’

A flash of insight sparked in his mind as he suddenly realized something.

’Was the original owner of this body’s birthday on October 31st?’

’Halloween... A Scorpio?’

’Passionate, mysterious, an extreme personality... with a hint of possessiveness and a vengeful streak?’

’A mysterious contract, his family destroyed... What perfect material for a novel’s protagonist!’

’...’

’Damn it! Zoya must be rubbing off on me. Why am I thinking about how to design a novel protagonist at a time like this?!’

Hesia shook his head, trying to clear it of these random thoughts.

The main reason, however, was that he wasn’t actually worried about this contract.

After all, he had the [Bloodline Solidification] Term he’d extracted from the goblin.

Worst-case scenario, even if the Term didn’t work and it just took the power, so what?

He felt the surging Power and superhuman Life Force within his body, and a sense of inexplicable confidence welled up inside him.

I’ve got 15 points of Physique, man!

So what if that Salamakis person came here herself?

Ahem... just kidding. She’d better not come.

...

Finally, he focused his attention on Zoya’s Race analysis panel, which he hadn’t had a chance to examine closely.

[Race: Moon-eyed Elf]

[Decryption Points: 3]

[Term Extraction: Requires 200 Decryption Points]

Hesia: "???"

What’s going on?

He almost thought he’d read it wrong.

After all, analyzing a normal human only required 10 Points, and common Sub-humans like Dwarves or Half-Beastmen only cost 20.

What in the world was a "Moon-eyed Elf"? It actually required a whopping 200 Decryption Points?! The difference was outrageous!

’Moon-eyed Elf... How are they different from regular Elves?’

Not that he had ever seen a regular Elf, mind you.

But considering how Zoya always kept herself wrapped up so tightly, and that innate air of mystery about her...

’Zoya is definitely hiding a huge secret!’

He’d initially felt that it was wrong to casually pry into someone else’s privacy.

But now...

This was no longer a matter of privacy.

’Sorry, Zoya.’

’This is all for the sake of Decryption Points!’

The corners of his lips couldn’t help but curve upward as he thought of the powerful Term that the steep 200-Point requirement might yield.

"Brother Galen, what are you grinning about?" Belte had sidled up to him at some point and asked in a low voice.

Hesia snapped out of his various speculations about the Elf Maiden and blinked blankly. "Huh? Was I? I don’t think so."

"Still denying it?" Belte eyed him suspiciously. "The captain said we were heading back to rest, and you’ve been grinning ever since. The corners of your mouth are practically touching your ears."

He leaned in closer, nudging Hesia with his elbow and wiggling his eyebrows. "Heh heh, is it because you get to sleep in the same room as two ladies tonight? Feeling a little... hmm? Excited? I get it, I get it. You’re a young man, after all. It’s only natural!"

Hesia: "..."

"But let me make one thing clear: Laila’s already spoken for. She’s mine! So don’t you get any ideas!"

Then, as if recalling a fond memory, he said, "Back when I first came to Rose Town..."

He then gave Hesia a look that all men would understand. "When we get back, I’ll take you to a great spot. Tsk, tsk, now *that’s* what I call..."

However, before he could finish, an exceptionally strong hand shot out from behind, seized his ear, and gave it a vicious twist!

"OW—!" Belte let out a pained howl, the force yanking him right off his feet.

"Find what?"

A chilling voice echoed softly.

Laila had appeared at some point. "Hmm? Belte, what were you just saying...? You’re going to take our new teammate to find what? Some pretty girls?"

The lecherous smile on Belte’s face instantly froze, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow.

He immediately started begging for mercy. "N-No! Laila, you misheard! I meant... find a place to get something good to eat. Yes! Good food!"

"Really, I’m not lying! Didn’t you all say this roasted wild boar wasn’t very good? I was just thinking that when we get back to town, we can all find a nice place and treat ourselves properly!"

To add to his credibility, he continued, "I... It’ll be my treat!"

However, at the words "my treat," Laila twisted even harder.

"Your treat? Has my Money Bag given you permission? Trying to squander money again? Have you forgotten who it was that got drunk last time and lost half a month’s worth of food money to that damned Dwarf in the tavern?"

Belte grimaced, his face contorted in pain.

"Ow, ow, ow! Lighter! My ear’s going to fall off! I was wrong! I was wrong, Laila! I’ll never do it again!"

While begging for mercy, he cast a pleading look toward the only person who could save him.

"Captain! Save me!"

Hulk didn’t even glance his way. He just stood up and dusted himself off.

"Let’s go. It’s getting late, and we have a long road ahead of us tomorrow. Let’s go back and get some rest."

Hesia immediately got up and followed him.

Zoya rose silently, her gaze fixed thoughtfully on Hesia’s retreating back before she quickened her pace to catch up with the group.

Bruce, who had been dozing beside Zoya, woke up a moment later.

He seemed to have been affected by something, for he felt that he’d slept especially soundly and peacefully. He vaguely recalled a pleasant floral scent in his dream.

Now, seeing that his master had already left, he stood up with a yawn.

He saw Belte still being held by the ear by Laila, who was now giving him a look of desperate hope, as if trying to send some kind of signal.

Bruce tilted his head. A flicker of confusion in his eyes quickly turned to undisguised contempt.

He delivered his verdict on Belte:

"Whipped loser."

With that, he swaggered off at a leisurely pace, following after his master’s group.

Belte’s last hope was crushed. After being scorned by a dog, his cries sounded even more pathetic than before.