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Dan Heng helplessly rested his forehead on his hand, feeling that none of these individuals seemed particularly serious.
Clara merely gazed at everyone with her innocent, wide eyes.
However...
Her gaze was mostly fixed on Sophia, as Clara found the little girl quite intriguing.
[Dating Options activated.]
[Option 1: Have Stelle step on your back: "Stelle, please do me this favor." - Completion Reward: Rib Fracture.]
[Option 2: Have March 7th step on your back: "March, I'll trouble you then." - Completion Reward: Significantly increased chance of tripping over flat surfaces.]
[Option 3: Have Dan Heng step on your back: "Dan Heng, could you help me later?" - Completion Reward: Obtain a random item, ranging from small as a matchstick to large as a star destroyer. Note: These items will...]
[Option 4: Insist on having Clara step on your back: "No, let Clara do it." - Completion Reward: Svarog's Big Booty.]
Bochang was somewhat perplexed by the current situation.
Before the previous option had finished displaying, this new one popped up.
What about the reward from the last option?
«System, what's going on now?»
The "Dating Option" prompt remained unresponsive, seemingly ignoring him for the moment.
Bochang thought to himself, «Well, never mind. Let's just choose first... We'll face challenges as they come and adapt accordingly.»
Upon closer inspection, he realized there might not be much choice at all.
Out of four options, three offered negative rewards, leaving only one viable answer.
With tears welling up, Bochang directly opted for Choice Three and turned towards the stoic little azure dragon, saying, "Dan Heng, could you help me later?"
"Help you? With what?" Dan Heng slowly typed out a question mark, unsure of what exactly was being asked.
Bochang hastily explained, "To step on my back; my waist has been bothering me..."
After a brief silence, Dan Heng spoke up, "March and Stelle should also be able to assist. Why choose me specifically?"
As he said this, both March 7th's and Stelle's gazes focused intently on Bochang.
The black-haired youth swallowed nervously, quickly thinking on his feet.
"Well... you see, I'm worried they might not step properly, and if it increases their fatigue further..."
"Are you suggesting this young lady can do it better?" March 7th crossed her arms, sounding discontented.
Bochang pointed at Clara's small bare feet and said, "Look, Clara isn't even wearing shoes, so... I think she must have ample experience in stepping on people..."
Feeling self-conscious under everyone's gaze, Clara shyly looked down at her toes.
Her ten rounded toes resembled pearls, now curling inward.
It was evident that Clara's emotions were somewhat conflicted.
"How does not wearing shoes relate to stepping on people experience?" March 7th was genuinely puzzled.
Bochang began spouting nonsense earnestly, ranging from the thickness of foot skin to the temperature of the Underworld's ground.
Clara timidly interjected, "Clara's foot skin... should not be thick. Walking barefoot is no issue for me, entirely due to my fate path's power. You likely possess similar fate powers too, which Clara can faintly sense."
Interrupted by this exchange,
Bochang paused and responded, "Alright... to sum it up, I've said enough; those who understand will know."
Dan Heng recognized that Bochang was making things up, but he didn't mind. He replied, "I get what you're implying, Bochang... However, I don't have any experience giving foot massages, so hopefully, I won't inadvertently harm you."
"As long as you don't apply too much force, it should be fine." Bochang forced a smile, unsure how the situation had suddenly taken this turn.
Everything seemed to be following the system's instructions precisely.
Logically speaking...
Wait... The system hasn't indicated a failure yet, which probably means my agreement with Clara is still valid.
Bochang reassured himself with this thought.
March 7th watched the black-haired youth speechlessly, feeling as if he were feigning ignorance on purpose. Whenever such situations arose, he preferred to smooth things over.
Meanwhile, Stelle slipped her shoes back on, her expression unreadable, as if nothing had happened at all. This struck March 7th as somewhat odd.
It was as if nothing had happened at all.
This struck March 7th as somewhat peculiar.
"Does she not experience emotions?"
Regardless, the pink-haired girl seemed slightly discontented.
The white-haired, red-eyed little girl glanced at Bochang, intending to say something but hesitating due to the tense atmosphere.
Thus... Clara wisely chose to remain silent.
With that small interlude concluded,
the options presented this time were identical to before. After Dan Heng agreed to help with the foot massage again, no rewards were immediately issued, just like last time.
It seemed likely that the rewards would only be granted once the task was fully completed.
The four members of the Trailblazer squad, along with Clara, departed from Rivet Town.
Once outside the rift's boundaries, it became significantly safer, with only scattered monsters roaming around. As long as they remained vigilant, there shouldn't be any major issues.
Clara stopped, turned to face everyone, and said, "I think this is far enough... From here on, Clara can return to the Robot Settlement by herself."
"Additionally... thank you all for your help this time. If you ever need anything, feel free to visit me at the Robot Settlement, especially... Big Brother Bochang..." Clara bowed deeply with great sincerity.
Bochang scratched the back of his head and said, "It's no big deal... just a small matter, don't worry about it."
"Hmm, Clara, remember to be cautious on your way back." March 7th waved goodbye.
For Clara, with her mechanical legion, the journey back was virtually devoid of danger.
After all, anyone capable of posing a threat to her in the Underworld would typically be well-known figures. They were fully aware of Clara's status, so even if she traveled alone, none would dare to confront her.
Moreover, she often had automatons accompanying her.
"Yes... then I'll be taking my leave now. I hope everything goes smoothly for all of you as well, Big Brothers and Sisters."
With one final farewell, Clara stepped away through the snow.
After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something, paused, turned around, and intended to retrieve the statue of a minotaur from her bag.
Anticipating her thoughts, Bochang intervened, "Clara, this is a gift from your big brother to you. Keep it safely; it can help you during crucial moments. Don't worry about returning it."
"But... but Clara..."
Meeting Bochang's gaze, the silver-haired girl with red eyes hesitated and stopped her actions. In front of the assertive black-haired youth...
she found it difficult to say "no".
Ultimately, she could only depart with the automatons.
The Trailblazer squad, on the other hand, needed to remain here and continue eliminating rift creatures.
This was Bochang's earlier excuse, and if they halted midway due to Clara, suspicions might arise among his teammates.
As soon as March 7th saw the silver-haired, red-eyed girl leave, he immediately questioned Bochang.
"Bochang... what was that all about just now? You even gave Clara something? It couldn't be a teleportation ring, right?"
Upon hearing this, Stelle's ears perked up attentively.
Bochang explained, "No, no... I simply gave her a statue."