Renxian found himself flustered, not anticipating that Niara would visit his room without a significant reason. "Ah, sure, we can talk in the front room," he recommended, offering a more appropriate setting for their conversation.
As Renxian began to close the door, Niara's hand halted his action. "No... I don't want anyone else to know."
Niara's demeanor and the way she kept her head lowered struck Renxian as odd. Her white attire appeared thin—even translucent that he could notice her undergarment. Wanting to maintain respect and avoid dwelling on her shape, Renxian opted to close his eyes, ensuring their conversation remained focused on the matter at hand.
"A-Alright, come on in," Renxian stammered, allowing her to enter. At that moment he realized that she wasn't wearing trousers but still her loincloth covered her nether regions. "I hope you find it comfortable here, even though I haven't tidied up the room."
Niara remained silent, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, and fidgeting with her fingers. Sanxiu, sensing the tension in the room, joined her on the other side and inquired, "So... what happened?"
"I... I think word of appreciation is not enough for what you have done for me," Niara said laden with apprehension, her breathing growing heavier. "You have saved me from death and also freed me from debts."
The man then gave a warm smile. "It's fine, don't bother about that."
Niara glanced at the exceptionally handsome man with his loose, tousled hair, emitting an aura that seemed to warm the air around her. Swallowing, she contended, "No... I have to return the favor." Her voice held determination and a sense of obligation.
Niara hesitated for a moment, her hands trembling with caution, until, with tremendous embarrassment, she began to unfasten her apparel that concealed her ample figure. Renxian's eyes widened in shock, and his lips opened, the unexpected sight causing his heart to race.
"What the heck?"
[Jackpot! A delightful offer!]
"No, this is bad!" said the man still in a state of surprise. "I don't want this."
[But she seems to desire for it.]
[Name: Niara
Bond: 10%
Trust: 15%
Sex Interest: 85%]
"I don't care if she's feeling aroused right now," Renxian mumbled to himself as he tried to regain composure. He lowered his stare for a moment, deep in reflection. "If I do this, how am I any different from that man at the Hunter Association?"
[It is different. She consents and wants it right now.]
[Side Quest (Niara): Touch her breast.]
"You serious?" Renxian is against this action. "Don't force me like this!"
[I do not. You are free to choose. But if you refuse, you receive nothing. You are also well aware that this Side Quest never fails to be executed.]
"Please," the woman implored, averted her face from Renxian with her face aflame. "Please accept my offer as this is what I can do for you."
With a deep swallow, Renxian moved closer to Niara, who was still revealing her bosom. His cerulean eyes were entranced, unable to divert their watch from the ample, rounded, and well-endowed form before him. The sunlight kissed her skin, enhancing its allure, all of it encased in the black thin dudou¹ that enveloped the sumptuous mounds, emphasizing their lush fullness.
Immersed in the increasingly intense atmosphere, Sanxiu extended both hands, aiming them directly at Niara's chest. The woman, her breath growing ragged, braced herself, aware of what was about to transpire. For Renxian, this presented a unique and sensual chance, one that held tantalizing promise.
However, he refrained from making contact with Niara and instead began to fasten her attire. This unexpected action left the woman stunned, her astonishment evident, as Renxian expressed, "You don't owe me anything. Your resilience and survival are more than enough."
Renxian's gaze remained fixed on the still-stupefaction Niara, her eyes glistening with emotions. Tears threatened to spill, and she covered her face with both hands - reddened. Realizing the embarrassment she was experiencing, she swiftly turned around and contended, "Don't look! I'm so ashamed!"
[As what Fox Demon said, a Virgin Cultivator.]
[Side Quest (Niara): Touch her breast. (Failed)]
Sanxiu regained his calm and reprimanded, "Don't act like Meagu! Moreover, aren't there some other side quests besides those of that kind?" His words held a sense of reason.
[Yes. It seems the situation is still fair.]
"Niara... how did you become a member of the Hunter Association?" Renxian's voice sounded soft, an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness and foster a more comfortable atmosphere.
Niara didn't turn to face Renxian but instead lowered her hand from her countenance. After a moment of silence, she uttered, "It was them, that I could be found."
"When I chose to escape from that place," Niara reiterated, pivoting before Renxian, who continued to listen. "A place where I couldn't recognize myself. It felt like I was some kind of... subject to someone else's desires."
Renxian carefully selected his words to avoid making the conversation messy, aware that Niara's past was likely tied to her status as a Princess of Clover Sect. "I'm sorry if my question stirred up difficult memories."
The blonde woman shook her head, a faint smile etched in her sweet face for a moment. "No, it's comforting to be able to share my story like this," she expressed. This time, her countenance radiated a newfound warmth. "Especially with Sanxiu, the one who surprised me by being different from my expectations."
"Someone I can trust other than them."
[Name: Niara
Bond: 15%
Trust: 25%
Sex Interest: 45%]
The relationship between Renxian and Niara, which felt awkward, now twisted better in a few hours. He remembered that he was about to look for a new weapon and took her with him, not wanting to leave her alone. Somehow Renxian was still suspicious that Giond might strike at any moment.
Numerous merchants laid out their wares, spanning from herbs and monster spoils to clothing and armor. Yet, it wasn't any of these that caught Sanxiu's attention. Instead, he halted in front of a rugged stone and wood house, marked by a sign that read 'Blacksmith Atar' hanging from the facade.
"Hello! Is anyone here?" exclaimed Renxian to no response at all. "Hello!"
"Perhaps he has come out?" Niara turned her head around, examining the surroundings of the quiet house but still open - especially the forge in the courtyard that looked recently used.
"Let's check inside," the man bun carefully opened the wooden door that was unlocked, stepping inside. "Excuse me, I'd like to look for a katana, is it still available?"
"Hello!" Renxian called out several times, concerned as there was no response. Despite his ethical reservations, he cautiously ventured further into the space.
[Look on your right.]
Renxian obeyed, turning around to face the interior, and there, his eyes fell upon a katana displayed against the vibrant red brick wall. The sword was still sheathed in a sleek, black scabbard, creating a contrast against Renxian's tan sword. Intrigued, he felt a desire to approach and learn more about this katana.
"Sanxiu?" Niara's voice carried a note of concern, baffled by the odd behavior of the man who dared to venture deeper into a place brimming with weaponry and armaments.
Niara's voice faded into the background as Renxian remained fixated on the katana. He squeezed forward until he stood right before it, sensing an arcane aura emanating from the object, something that resonated with him.
[I assume that your character is somehow related to the katana.]
He then lifted the katana which was heavier than he thought. "What is this weapon?"
[It is an enhanced weapon. Some of the blacksmiths are alchemists or cultivators who have a level above Gate 2. They learned the art of transferring the flow into inanimate things. And they succeeded.]
"Does that mean we can channel elements through weapons?"
[That is correct, but not only that. You see, a healer cannot heal others without a staff. Since healing techniques cannot be concentrated on one spot, they need staff to direct it to the specific wound.]
"Ah, I see. Now I know why Niara keeps the staff to herself." With a single stroke of his hand, he sheathed that encased the sharp blade, revealing the katana that reflected the light. "Interesting."
As he opened it further, Renxian was able to notice his eyes on the metal. A connection was made. However, seconds later they were startled by a loud noise that made Renxian and Niara turn their heads in one direction over there, behind the entrance.
"Hey! Who are you?" shouted a muscular man wearing a blacksmith's apron that looked defiled. He was bald, had tan skin and his complexion was clean of whiskers. "Do you want to steal my hard work!"
Knowing that Renxian was now clutching his favorite katana, the blacksmith was stunned. "Oh, no, don't touch that sword!" He hurriedly approached Sanxiu and spoke to the treasure. "I knew you'd be after this!"
Sanxiu then evaded, taking a few steps back until he was right in front of Niara. "Wait, this is a misunderstanding. We're here to look for weapons."
"And how do I know you are not lying?" With a furious expression, he began to approach them.
"Look, this katana, is broken!" Sanxiu assured him by showing him his damaged sword. "I need a new one."
The blacksmith squinted and knitted his forehead, only realizing that something was amiss when he took a look at the katana in his hand. He who had looked alert turned horrified, mixed with a sense of impression. "You... do you sheathed this blade?"
"Do you happen to do something near impossible to anyone else?"