"With Evil Dragon Flight, I'll never have to worry about finding a suitable movement arte. Once it reaches the bronze level, I'll even be able to condense wings and fly!" Bas felt extremely excited and satisfied with his new truth record.
The wood class skill already had bronze-level power of the Truth standard. Because of his limited ability, Bad couldn't correctly measure the difference from regular skills. Its abilities would only grow stronger in the future. He would be harassed to no end at this rate.
'Should I develop a faux record?' Bas considered producing lower-standard rym records to hide the glory of his own. After being blessed by the Celestial Dragon Pharaoh, his Truth Record could not be reproduced or exposed easily. Producing a more robust record would also be a distant goal to strive for.
'Maybe not a faux record, but a new series of records? If I gain renown as a rym producer, having a powerful record myself won't be seen as strange. Instead, it'll be advertisement!'
Bas felt this was a great idea, but achieving it would take time. Still, he had some ideas. Although the Evil Dragon Sovereign record has many versatile positives, he could produce lesser versions of the individual parts. For example, artes that allowed flight were excessively rare before becoming third-class hunters. But Bas would be able to fly during Grand Hunter, Fourth Class! This was definitely a reason to celebrate.
He could produce an arte derived from the Evil Dragon Flight hunt skill, which allowed utility on a level only slightly inferior to Bas at the same grade.
"On top of that, the current Evil Dragon's Flight can be used without causing a stir. Even if others surmise that I'm using my Rym Record, they won't be able to tell much more than that. The power of truth...I need to study more," Bas was no longer concerned that anyone could steal his secrets.
He decided to pretend his master was an eccentric soul mason who taught him rym production. Only a soul mason could print such a complex record, and only a fool would dare to challenge the student of a soul mason. No one would doubt this was the truth. Then, he would sell all sorts of products at exclusive private auctions. But first, he had to start some trouble so that his artes would have a bigger market.
Who would be able to see through the truth of a celestial being?
He was silly for being afraid.
Not even Bas was so gifted. In less than half the time it took him to escape, Bas swiftly returned to the underground arena before calmly ascending the bleachers. Many people saw him and immediately recognized Bazzy Dagod. As the matches had already resumed, no one had the mind to pay attention to Bas.
"Aren't you bored down there, Ranked 3rd? Why don't you come to spend some time with this little lady..." a soft yet clear voice came into Bas' ears.
Bas looked northwest of his seat and saw Brenda Evans descending the platform while smiling at him.
'Right on time,' he thought.
"To spend time with a fallen angel will be my life's greatest blessing," Bas replied as he stood up and approached the now-blushing beauty.
She certainly didn't expect the same man who ran away from her earlier to flirt back boldly.
"Then, I won't be polite any longer." Brenda giggled and hooked her arm around Bas' own, "Now, allow me to monopolize your time."
The couple walked to the highest level of the bleachers and sat beside each other. Seeing how Bas naturally left the space of one person between them, Brenda slid close enough that their clothes were touching.
"So tell me, Ranked 3rd. Did you return to challenge the champion? I saw you speaking with that Valentine girl. Are you here for her?" asked Brenda with her soft voice, committed to not referring to this handsome little contestant as Bazzy or Dagod.
She smirked and breathed softly into Bas' ear as she said, "Or could it be...something else that caught your interest."
The slow and subtle way this woman formed her words was like an aphrodisiac, clouding Bas' thoughts until he snorted and reigned his clarity of mind back in.
'Tricks, huh? Should I be flattered?'
"I will be interested in you more than anything else here. However, the payout for defeating the champ is likely not bad, right?" replied Bas calmly as he lowered his mask.
"Oh really?" Brenda smiled coquettishly, biting her lip. She had to admit this boy was attractive. He had angular features, chocolate skin that lacked any blemish, and that youthful glow that couldn't be faked. Yet there was a matureness to his eyes that was striking.
Seeing her stunning appearance, Bas' mind temporarily short-circuited.
Noticing this, Brenda couldn't help but think he was rather cute.
"If you want a woman like me, you must prove you're a man, honey." She replied, staring Bas in the eyes. "I need a strong man to protect and build with me, okay? Is that you?"
Bas's eyes widened as he never expected to get this far in flirting. He had been rejected earlier and thus missed out on his first girlfriend. Luckily, he still picked up a vassal candidate. Now, wasn't Brenda asking him to court her? Was courting even a thing in this era?
Brenda was no longer kidding around and actively flirting back! Wasn't he too young before? Was courting so easy to request or accomplish one million years later?
After understanding just how much time had passed since his former lifetime, Bas' mentality started ungoing subtle changes. Losing his cherished virginity held a similar effect.
He rotated his Evil Dragon Sovereign Record, and ghost scales glistened against his skin. He smiled, placing an arm around Brenda's slim waist and pulling her closer. Brenda was startled by the strength of Bas' arm and his unrestrained boldness. However, she didn't feel like resisting him for some reason.
Bas was unaware of how his Evil Dragon Sovereign record boosted his natural charm as he improved the initial track. The boost only increased when his premium record morphed into a veracious record.
"I'm strong enough to do...a lot of things. This is only the beginning," Bas' lips were so close to Brenda's that she felt every letter that exited the former's mouth.
Her eyes glazed over a bit, and her body softened. Due to Bas' firm grip, this reaction finally brought their lips into direct contact.
Kiss!
Bas and Brenda gazed into the eyes of each other before kissing again. This time, they both lost themselves in the sensation.
Brenda lightly pushed Bas away two minutes later and stood up, incredibly thankful they were both silver token holders. Unless someone had been watching them the entire time, most people would fail to notice precisely who this kissing couple was.
Brenda's cheeks burned, and her mind was a mess.
'Damn it! I kissed him! Great Pharaoh, what am I doing?'
Brenda had been trying out a seduction arte to subdue this hunter and recruit him. She knew what she had done was wrong, but the thrill still left a warm feeling that spread from her stomach throughout her body. Unfortunately, the plan went left.
Her arte didn't quite work how she thought; it was like a double-edged sword! This boy indeed fell for her, but he was dangerously sexy. She found herself unable to resist those violet-golden eyes. She stood up to hide, but there was nowhere to run from the truth. Brenda wanted to stay in his arms, yet was ashamed of herself for acting on her inner desires.
Bas was in much better shape mentally.
Did he steal a kiss from Brenda?
No.
He kissed Brenda, and she liked it! She liked it a lot. Not only that, but she was older than he was! This achievement would be logged in his love journal as a lifetime achievement spread across two lives. Today was a record-breaking day, and many amazing things had happened.
Feeling awkward, Bas touched his nose and said, "You're even prettier when you blush."
"Stop it!" Brenda's face was as red as a tomato, and she felt heat rising all over her body.
She had just kissed a junior who was at least five years younger than her, and the shame and guilt were suffocating her. But this wasn't the scary part. As she looked at the handsome, revealed face of Bazzy and those juicy lips, she was having trouble not pouncing him. Beneath all of that, a strong sensation of pleasure and thrill lingered within her.
What was happening?
"I'm going to…the restroom. Wait for me here, okay? I'll be back soon."
"Sure," Bas replied, shifting focus to the battle cage again.
The first and second rankers were currently fighting it out. Their moves were wild and powerful, but Bas was unimpressed. He felt he could easily defeat either one.
"You are quite the slippery one, aren't you, Mister King?" The mysterious man known as the Demon Lord was suddenly sitting next to Bas King as if he had lived there for years.