"Your total comes to 32,700 yuan."
"?"
Hearing that the meal had cost more than thirty thousand, Kurose Akira felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Those dishes… were worth thirty thousand?
"Let's go."
After settling the bill, Xu Feiyan walked over to Akira, who was waiting near the entrance.
"Want me to drive you home?" she suggested softly, pulling a pair of sunglasses and a set of car keys from her bag.
Akira hesitated.
Then he shook his head.
"My place isn't far from here. I can get back on my own."
After all, he had already accepted her five million yuan, and he would soon be moving into the villa she owned near Zhehai University. Receiving so many generous favors left this high-school student feeling a little overwhelmed.
Seriously…
Was he actually being kept by a rich woman?
"Stop fussing. Get in the car."
Xu Feiyan ignored his polite refusal and simply drove her car over.
It was a deep blue supercar—a Maserati.
Akira didn't recognize the exact model, but judging by its appearance, it probably belonged to the five- to six-million-yuan range.
"XXX Residential Complex," Akira said as he accepted Xu Feiyan's second invitation and climbed into the passenger seat.
If he refused again, that would honestly be strange.
The moment he got into the car, a faint, elegant fragrance filled his senses, refreshing and invigorating.
He wasn't sure if it was perfume… or Xu Feiyan's natural scent.
"Seatbelt," Xu Feiyan reminded him softly.
"Oh."
Akira quickly fastened it.
The next second, she lightly pressed the accelerator.
The supercar shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance to Akira's residential complex.
Perhaps it was the combined effect of luxury car + beautiful woman, but the scene immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby.
"Holy crap! That car is awesome!"
"There's a beauty inside!"
"Damn! She has a boyfriend?!"
"What does that guy have going for him? Did he save the galaxy in his past life?!"
"Relax, they're probably siblings!"
"..."
People murmured among themselves, casting jealous and envious glances at Akira.
Akira frowned slightly.
He couldn't understand them.
Did none of these people notice his extraordinary physique?
One night at least twenty—
Ahem.
"Well, I'll head up then," Akira said after stepping out of the car, turning to Xu Feiyan.
Xu Feiyan nodded lightly. A gentle smile curved her lips, and a trace of warmth glimmered in her amber eyes.
"Go on. Someone's waiting for you."
"?"
Akira looked puzzled and was about to ask what she meant—
But Xu Feiyan had already stepped on the accelerator and driven away.
That only made him more confused.
Just as he turned around—
He saw Liu Xue standing quietly by the entrance of the apartment building, seemingly waiting for him.
"Liu Xue?"
Akira walked over, curiosity rising in his chest.
Why was she here?
"The woman just now… was she your friend?" Liu Xue asked slowly, her voice lacking its usual confidence.
That woman's beauty and background were far beyond what an ordinary high-school girl like her could compare to.
Even if she and her sister combined forces…
They probably still couldn't compete.
"I told you before that I was selling some gold, right?" Akira shrugged casually. "She's the buyer."
"Oh—so she's the client!"
The moment Liu Xue learned Xu Feiyan's identity, the tension inside her instantly vanished, replaced by a relieved smile.
The two of them stepped into the elevator together.
Akira glanced at her.
"So what did you want to talk about?"
Liu Xue immediately became excited, like she was carrying some massive piece of news.
"Akira! I have something important to tell you!!"
Akira raised an eyebrow with mild anticipation.
However, Liu Xue's excited voice echoed loudly inside the elevator, instantly attracting the attention of the elderly residents around them.
Several aunties and uncles turned their heads curiously, staring at the overly enthusiastic girl.
"!"
Under the pressure of so many gazes, Liu Xue immediately fell silent.
She lowered her head and hid behind Akira, her cheeks turning faintly red.
In her excitement, she admitted… her voice might have been just a little too loud.
Soon, the elevator reached their floor.
Akira led Liu Xue into his apartment.
Once inside, Liu Xue curiously looked around Akira's room.
She had been to his place once before—but that time she had only delivered an item he had left behind at the shop, so she hadn't actually entered his room.
Now that she saw it properly, she had expected his room to be messy.
Instead, it was far cleaner than she imagined.
"Want something to drink?" Akira asked while opening the refrigerator.
"What do you have?"
"Cola, black tea, milk."
"Cola."
Akira took out two chilled bottles of cola and handed one to her.
After receiving permission, Liu Xue lightly sat down on his bed. Her small feet—covered in white socks—swung gently at the edge.
Akira noticed something.
There was a cute little white rabbit embroidered on the socks.
Simple. Adorable.
"So what's the big news?" Akira asked, sitting in his chair.
Liu Xue replied excitedly,
"I have inside information! The game's official launch is going to happen earlier than expected, and the new consoles will also have special editions!"
"Seriously?"
Akira looked surprised.
He already knew about the special consoles, but the early launch was news to him.
Liu Xue nodded vigorously.
"Yep! The official launch will probably happen in about twenty days."
"And the special consoles will give you an extra Blessing."
"A Blessing?" Akira frowned slightly.
Something like a divine buff?
"Rumor says it's a Blessing from a random god, but nobody knows the exact effects yet," she said while lightly swinging her slender legs.
"On foreign forums, the qualification has already been bid up to six million yuan!"
"Six million…"
Akira murmured quietly.
Even higher than he had expected.
"I wish I could get one too," Liu Xue said with sparkling eyes. "I heard you can customize the console's color and stickers. Just thinking about it makes me excited!"
"So you can customize them…"
Akira remembered the functions he had seen inside the mobile app earlier.
There really was a customization feature.
"Unfortunately the slots were already sold out by noon today," Liu Xue sighed helplessly after calming down. "Even if they weren't, I couldn't afford one anyway."
"And inside the game, only players with B-Rank evaluation or higher can get one through events. It's so frustrating!"
"..."
Akira stayed silent, simply listening.
Whether through real-world auctions or in-game events, those opportunities were far too distant for Liu Xue—a player whose guild was only E+ Rank.
However, Liu Xue quickly noticed something strange.
Akira looked far too calm.
She stared at him suspiciously.
"Why are you so calm…? Don't tell me you—"
"..."
Akira paused for a moment before answering honestly.
"Yeah. Someone gave me a slot."
"???"
Liu Xue froze.
After a brief moment of silence—
She suddenly lunged forward and pressed both hands against Akira's chest, her eyes full of urgency.
"Who gave it to you? Was it that beautiful sister from earlier?!"
"…Yeah."
Looking into Liu Xue's clear, watery eyes, Akira nodded.
"!"
Hearing this, Liu Xue immediately seemed to realize something.
She subconsciously stepped back.
After a short silence, she asked quietly,
"You… really are just selling gold, right?"
"???"
Akira blinked in confusion.
Her words seemed to carry some hidden implication!
After calming herself down, Liu Xue asked with a hopeful tone,
"Um… could you let me help customize your console's color and stickers?"
"I want to feel like I'm a little involved too…"
There was a hint of longing in her voice.
"Sure."
Akira didn't refuse.
"But it'll have to wait a few days. They haven't released the console design yet."
"Akira, you're the best!"
Liu Xue smiled brightly.
She was genuinely happy that he had obtained a special console qualification.
The only thing that bothered her slightly was that the slot had come from Xu Feiyan.
She simply couldn't figure out what kind of relationship existed between Akira and that woman.
"Oh right," Akira said suddenly.
"Didn't you ask me to help sell your gold? I'll transfer the money to you now."
He sent 5,000 yuan to Liu Xue through WeChat.
During lunch earlier, he had already linked Xu Feiyan's bank card to his account to make transactions easier.
He didn't think much about the fact that the card technically belonged to Xu Feiyan.
After all, he didn't believe she would do anything that violated their agreement.
To someone like her, five million yuan was probably pocket change—like casually giving her boyfriend some spending money.
"Okay. I'll transfer the gold to you once I log into the game at home."
Liu Xue nodded and accepted the payment.
But less than a second later—
Another 5,000 yuan arrived.
"?"
"Why did you send another five thousand?" Liu Xue asked in confusion.
"Buy one for me too," Akira said with a smile. "Consider it a birthday gift for your sister."
"That's my sister! Of course I'd give her an expensive gift!" Liu Xue protested.
"Why would you do that?"
After their parents passed away, her older sister Liu Ling had been the one raising and supporting her.
That was why Liu Xue was willing to spend her savings on her sister's birthday.
But Akira?
What reason did he have?
His relationship with Liu Ling was only employer and employee.
"No special reason," Akira said calmly. "I just want to wish Sister Ling a happy birthday."
Liu Xue clearly didn't believe him.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You don't secretly like my sister, do you?"
"Listen to yourself!"
Now it was Akira's turn to lose his composure.
He couldn't understand her logic at all.
Giving Liu Ling a nice gift was strange?
How had that somehow turned into him liking her?
"Staaare~"
After staring into Akira's eyes for a long moment, Liu Xue finally said softly,
"Alright. I get it. I'll deliver it together with mine."
"Thanks," Akira replied with a smile.
Out of habit, he gently ruffled Liu Xue's hair.
She froze slightly at the gesture.
But she didn't resist.
Instead, she quietly lowered her head, letting his hand move through her hair.
Half an hour later, Liu Xue stood up to leave.
This would also be the last time she met Akira during the summer vacation, because the day after tomorrow she and Liu Ling would be moving into a new home.
After seeing her off, Akira returned to his room and logged into the game.
When he arrived at the guild hall, he saw Lucia sitting leisurely on the sofa, sipping tea.
The hall was otherwise empty.
"Where is everyone?" Akira asked.
Lucia set down her teacup.
"They're all in Viola's room."
"In Viola's room?"
Akira raised an eyebrow.
What were they doing there?
Could Viola's room open a portal to another world?
"You'll know if you go look," Lucia replied casually, pointing toward the room.
"?"
Filled with confusion, Akira walked toward Viola's room.
When he peered through the slightly open door, his brows immediately knit together.
Everyone was gathered around Viola, forming a tight circle.
Viola herself was kneeling on the floor on her four deer-like legs, holding up that familiar branch.
At this moment, emerald-green flowers had bloomed from the branch.
"What's going on here?"
Akira was even more confused.
It looked like some kind of ritual.
The participants included Ivsha, Alice, Roxia, Natasha, Xue'er, Fuli, Fulo… and Mare Rhine.
"Mare Rhine?"
Akira blinked.
Why was that giant dragon woman here too?
What kind of excitement was she joining?
Just as Akira quietly observed the scene, Viola seemed to sense his presence.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Looking at him, she smiled gently.
"Guild Master~"
Her voice didn't disturb the others. They all remained seated with their eyes closed, immersed in the ritual.
"What are you doing?" Akira asked.
"We're performing a Forest Ritual," Viola explained softly. "It helps everyone calm their minds and restore their energy."
"?"
Akira glanced at the others.
Sure enough, he noticed a new status in their panels:
[Blessing of the Forest]
[Blessing of the Forest: +50% Spirit, +50% HP Recovery, +50% Mana Recovery! (24H)]
But Ivsha's blessing…
Seemed a little different.
[Blessing of the Demon King's Forest: Desire +1000%! Special Combat Power +100%! (24H)]
"?"
Akira frowned slightly.
Why was that one different?
Was it because Viola possessed the [Demon King] trait?
"Um~"
Viola smiled sweetly as she invited him.
"Guild Master, would you like to join too?"
"It feels very nice~"