Ethan stared at the parchment and handed it to Wendy. She read.
"Hail, bring."
She counted on her fingers.
"Hail, a shit load of leather to the forge to have your tent made."
Lara took the parchment and read it; her eyes widened. She handed it to Maple and Grace, who had the same reaction. Lucy placed Ethan's hand between her legs; her skirt was pulled up. Sophia spoke.
"Alas, Lucy has progressed, and new skills are available."
Ethan looked at the three women as they communicated. He pulled on Wendy's skirt, and without changing her expression, she subtly pulled up her skirt, opening her legs. She had skills available as well. Did the fight today do that? Sophia answered.
"Alas, they used their skills in the fight and levelled. The healing potion negated progress towards their regeneration skill."
Grace placed the parchment before Ethan.
"We should hunt dire wolves. They have wonderful leather that is durable and highly valued. They are usually found near moon-shade flowers, which have amazing healing properties. They are extremely dangerous when cornered. Hunting them would be difficult and risky. We might need a tank if it came down to a battle."
Grace pointed to Lucy. Grace's eyes never wavered as she stared into Ethan's eyes. Lucy closed her legs, trapping Ethan's hand. Lucy held his hand between her legs. Grace wanted to know if Lucy would be able to handle the beasts. He had confidence in the fox kin. She had the guts and will to become a great tank. Lucy might be cowardly sometimes, but she came through when it counted. He would stand by her no matter what. He believed that she could do it. Lucy gazed into his eyes, searching them. Lucy opened her legs, not letting his hand go. His heart rate increased. He loved those emerald green eyes more than he admitted to himself.
"Alas, where do we find these dire wolves? How soon can we set out."
Lara explains that they are found at the edges of the abyssal forest, a dangerous place. The forest near Dark Clover village had complained about a dire wolve problem in the past, so she noted that it would be the logical place to start looking. Ethan felt this could benefit them, so he wanted to investigate Dark Clover Village. This might be an opportunity to complete two quests at the same time.
"Alas, we should also find out who the humans were that intimidated the demi-humans. I have a feeling we know who they are already."
Lara agreed with his assessment that she suspected Eldin and his star pupil when she heard about it. It was time for bed. Ethan prepared himself for a long night. Wendy and Lucy had witnessed something that should not have been possible. They would surely struggle to sleep. The night air was cold, and Shaw had placed more wood on the stove and kitchen, supplying heat to the second floor and their rooms at the back of the inn. Lara had made them a bed on the floor. He lay between Wendy and Lucy. The women were restless. Grace lifted her head.
"Did we close the window properly?"
"Alas, let me make sure, just in case."
Ethan stood, walked to the window, and secured it. He scanned the street. There were no people. Two town guards patrolled, and he could see them rounding a corner. They were on high alert, especially after discovering the ruined city. He wanted to get back in under the blankets. Lara looked at him.
"Did we lock the door?"
Ethan walked to the door and tested it, turning the key, unlocking it, and locking it again. He slipped in between Wendy and Lucy, who cuddled up to him. The wind had started to blow outside, leaves rustled on the trees as it blew through the village. Maple moved closer to Wendy.
"W-W-W what was that sound."
"Alas. it is the leaves outside. The wind is blowing fiercer by the hour. We might have a storm before the night is over."
Ethan lay his arms out to his sides. Grace got up. Ethan could see her naked body silhouetted as she slid under the covers and lay between Ethan's legs, her head on his stomach and her hands under his body for heat. He felt surprised at her bold move.
"Alas, come closer. I will hold you. Nobody will steal you tonight."
Maple and Lara spooned Lucy and Wendy, and he touched their heads, caressing them gently. When Maple and Lara drifted asleep, Ethan caressed Grace's hair with his fingers, the comforting touch sending her into dreamland. Within five minutes of caressing, the women were sleeping. Wendy and Lucy impressed Ethan. They hugged him tightly and fell asleep with no fearful questions. Did they have that much confidence in him? Ethan lay awake, the day's events playing in his mind.
Ethan felt he had forgotten something important, and the thought disappeared as he focused on trying to remember it. He knew there was no way he would fall asleep after what he had seen. He did not admit it to the women, but he could hear every sound and wanted to investigate. He wanted to recheck the window and door. Grace lay on him. She would wake if he moved too much. Could I be paranoid or afraid?
As usual, he thought to himself and denied that he could fear anything in this realm. He touched Wendy and Lucy near their flowers. Ethan could feel his stiff muscles soften as Wendy and Lucy's soft skin gave way under his gentle caress. Sophia called him to the mountain.
"Alas, look at their status screens."
Sophia explains the words to Ethan. He inspects Wendy's screen, and she has reached level four with her speed skills. Her regeneration had not increased that much. He would have to limit healing potions for them. In the top right corner, the words core skill flash in red, and under it, rogue with options. Shadow rogue, Poison rogue and Vampiric rogue.
Ethan took Mei around the waist. He would need to think about the one he would choose for Wendy. Sophia said that the Shadow Rogue specialised in stealth and espionage. Her body would be enhanced with a lighter bone structure and leaner muscles. Her skin would turn black. Her skin could bend light and become invisible in some circumstances. Her eyes would turn black and take in the smallest amount of light, making it possible for her to see at night. The knowledge of poisons would be downloaded to her brain, and assassination would be her speciality.
Ethan dismissed this choice immediately and did not think Wendy would want to follow this path. It would not serve his purposes in this realm, so he motioned for Sophia to continue. Poison Rogues were able to use their essence on their weapons and convert it to poison. They could spit poison and excrete it from their bodies, making them deadly in any fight. Their farts were lethal for those downwind.
Their skin would be enhanced to a green that exhumes a poisonous slime. Her essence would coat any knife, sword, or liquid with poison. Her muscle mass would increase, as would the length of her tongue. She could use her tongue to apply spit to an enemy three feet away. Ethan dismissed that option as well. It would help with monsters, but he did not want her to become only a weapon.
"Alas, Sophia. Hopefully, the last choice will be more practical; the other options are sinister and not applicable to our situation."
"Alas, Ethan, this is the list of options populated by the system; I have no say in it."
Ethan pulled Sophia closer by wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Alas, the system is outside of us, is it not? That is why we have no control over it. Do you know where it is situated?"
Sophia shook her head.
"Alas, we do not know where the system is located. It existed before we were placed inside you, a product of the Nexus Weavers, just like the portals, floating islands, and veil."