Chapter 129: Human Aphrodisiac

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Human Aphrodisiac

Just as Lance was about to put Cecilia down from his back to check on her, he felt her arms tighten around him.

"I’m fine."

Cecilia buried her face in the rough fabric and mumbled quietly.

"It was just a sudden pain in my ankle."

Hearing her say it was nothing serious, Lance finally relaxed.

In fact, while they were walking earlier, he’d glimpsed a system notification out of the corner of his eye: his Biological Research on Half-Elves had leveled up.

But with Cecilia’s sudden movement, he hadn’t dared to get distracted and check the specific details of the pop-up.

The most important task at hand was getting the injured girl safely back to the manor.

By the time they finally reached the gates of White Oak Manor, they happened to run into Yuna, who was on her way out to do some shopping. She helped Cecilia inside.

After watching the two girls head safely upstairs, Lance stood by the side of the road and began readjusting the numerous bags slung over his body.

The straps of the supplies were digging uncomfortably into his neck.

He let out a long, inward sigh as he adjusted the ropes.

’If only I had a storage item.’

’The protagonists in those Otherworld light novels I used to read always had a Spatial Ring.’

’Why is my life so pathetic in comparison?’

’I’m stuck being a pack mule with just my shoulders and some rope.’

’I’ll have to ask around later and see if I can get my hands on one.’ However, he rarely saw any Adventurers at the Guild wearing such high-end equipment.

’The price must be outrageous.’

Just as he slung the heavy bags onto his back again,

His right hand unintentionally brushed against his lower back.

He suddenly felt a dampness on his palm.

Lance touched the fabric of his clothes, confused.

’Did I sweat that much carrying Cecilia all the way back here?’

Ever since he acquired the Unlimited Stamina Talent, he’d been putting himself through insane, overloaded training sessions every day.

Intense sweating had become so commonplace that he’d nearly lost all sensitivity to it.

Lance looked up at the setting sun, feeling the warmth of the evening breeze.

’So scorching summer has truly arrived.’

...

After returning to his rented house, Lance made a simple dinner of bread.

Once he’d eaten his fill, he went to his workshop and turned on the light.

He picked up a pen and paper, intending to map out a detailed plan for strengthening his abilities.

Just as the quill touched the paper, he froze.

’Right, the Biological Research on Half-Elves leveled up earlier, and I still haven’t checked it.’

Lance gave a wry smile.

He knew he was subconsciously avoiding it.

The last Talent the system gave him was enough of a headache. God knows what kind of socially-crippling new feature this upgrade would bring.

’Oh well, might as well bite the bullet.’

’I’ll just open it and take a look. Maybe the system grew a conscience this time and gave me a useful combat Effect.’

’Ideally, a practical Trait that’s actually useful for adventuring in the wild.’

Lance took a deep breath and pulled up the panel.

His gaze fell on the newly unlocked entry.

Fortunately, the new Trait could indeed be useful for adventuring in the wild.

But to his dismay, it was still a rather... unconventional passive Trait.

[Joy Spring (Research Trait): Through your in-depth research, you have discovered that a Half-Elf’s Constitution possesses a strong, instinctual desire to absorb high-purity Life Material.]

[Your bodily fluids (including, but not limited to, sweat, blood, etc.) have been specially enhanced.]

[When a Half-Elf comes into contact with these fluids, it will instantly trigger a sensation of pleasure at their nerve endings. If the fluids enter their body, they can rapidly replenish depleted stamina and Ethereal Magic Power, as well as significantly increase Spirit Resistance for a short time.]

Lance stared at the long description, his vision going dark.

’From this day forward,’ he thought, ’I’ve truly become a specialized weapon against Half-Elves.’

According to the system’s description, if a Half-Elf were to hug him and take a couple of sips... he couldn’t even imagine how euphoric they would become.

A terrible thought suddenly popped into his head.

’Cecilia’s strange twitching on my back tonight... could it be because she absorbed my sweat through my clothes?’

At that thought, a cold sweat broke out on Lance’s forehead.

He clasped his hands together, praying frantically in his mind.

’Please let it just be because of the pain from her ankle.’

Otherwise, when they met the day after tomorrow, he would have no idea how to explain it away.

’I can’t just tell her my Talent mutated again, can I?’

Lance ran a hand through his hair in frustration. This damned system was going to be the death of him.

But, if he forced himself to look past the system’s... unconventional description,

From a purely practical standpoint, this Trait was a Divine Skill.

The system had essentially turned his bodily fluids into an all-purpose Potion that could restore stamina and Magic Power, and even provided a Spirit Resistance boost.

He’d heard at the Guild that if High Tier Casters frequently consumed Alchemy Potions, their bodies would quickly develop a resistance to them.

This would cause the Potions’ effects to be greatly diminished.

But his own "all-natural" biological Potion, being a product of the system’s enhancement, would almost certainly not cause any such resistance.

From a logistical standpoint, the tactical value of this Trait was extremely high.

The logistics of directly feeding someone his fluids, however, were just too weird.

Lance made a silent vow.

’Unless it’s an absolute life-or-death emergency, I will never willingly reveal this Trait’s true effect.’

’If a situation ever arises where she runs out of Magic Power and needs replenishment...’

’...it would be better to pretend I got injured in a fight and give her some of my blood.’

’That would seem tragic and heroic, and it’s a hell of a lot more plausible than having her drink my spit or lick my sweat.’

Deciding it was best left out of sight and out of mind, Lance closed the Biological Research tab.

He switched to the Attribute tab, calmed his mind, and began to review his recent Skill Proficiency progress to plan his next steps for leveling up.

All of his current Combat Skills had basically reached Level 4.

Lance estimated that if he kept up his current training intensity, he should be able to grind them all to Level 5 within a week.

However, once he started taking on overnight missions, he definitely wouldn’t be able to train as intensely as he did at home.

After all, the wilderness was full of unpredictable dangers, and he had to stay alert for any emergencies.

Since his normal Skill Proficiency progression would be affected, he could use his time in the forest to grind more Biological Research and acquire new Racial Talents.

Lance picked up his quill, ready to revise his list of Demons to farm in Copper Creek Forest.