Chapter 10: A normal day
I stared at the holographic stats displayed in front of me, the glowing numbers a proof of the progress I'd made over the past few months. The system's interface was sleek, almost futuristic, with a faint hum that resonated in the air. My stats were clear and undeniable:
[Current Stats:
Time Cultivation: Level 60
Healing Cultivation: Level 65
Pervert: Level 105]
I smirked at the last one. It wasn't exactly a skill I'd been aiming to improve, but somehow, it had become a defining trait. Still, the other stats were what mattered. My Time Cultivation had reached Level 60, allowing me to manipulate time in short bursts, slowing it down, speeding it up, or even freezing it for a fraction of a second. It was a game changer in combat, and I'd been practicing relentlessly to master it. Healing Cultivation, on the other hand, had soared to Level 65, making me nearly indestructible in battle. I could recover from most injuries within seconds, a skill that had saved my life more than once.
But none of that mattered if I couldn't achieve my ultimate goal, revenge. The thought lingered in the back of my mind, a dark shadow that never quite left. Every skill I honed, every level I gained, was a step closer to that moment. And yet, life had a way of distracting me, whether it was Melanie's antics, Jessica's pouting, or the endless training sessions with Old Man Jakens.
Speaking of distractions, Melanie's friend was supposed to arrive any day now. He was an acquaintance of hers, someone who owed her a life debt after a mission gone wrong. According to Melanie, he was a skilled fighter with a knack for strategy, and he'd agreed to help us with our plans. But patience wasn't exactly my strong suit.
"Your friend really takes his time when coming, doesn't he?" I said, leaning against a tree with my arms crossed. The sun was high in the sky, casting dappled shadows across the clearing where we'd set up a mini camp in the grasslands. "I'm starting to think he's avoiding us."
Melanie, perched on a tree branch like some kind of forest nymph, swinging her legs lazily. "It's a habit of his. He's always been like this, fashionably late, as they say. Just have a bit more patience, Ashbourne. He's not running away."
I rolled my eyes. "Fashionably late? More like annoyingly late. I've got missions to run, bounties to collect, and a guild to build. I don't have time to wait around for some guy who can't be bothered to show up on time."
Melanie chuckled, her voice light and teasing. "Relax, will you? He'll be here soon enough. And when he is, you'll see why he's worth the wait."
I wasn't so sure about that, but I didn't argue. Instead, I turned my attention to Jessica, who was sitting on a nearby log, pouting like a child who'd been denied candy. Her arms were crossed, and her lips were pressed into a thin line, but there was a playful glint in her eyes that betrayed her annoyance.
"Oh, come on," I said, walking over to her. "Don't be such a cozy wosy." I reached out and grabbed her cheeks, squishing them between my fingers. She swatted at my hands, but I didn't let go. "What's got you all worked up this time?"
"Our date!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. "You said we'd go on a date if I won the sparring match. But you cheated, so I didn't get my date!"
I smirked. "Cheated? I think you mean I outsmarted you. And besides, no one said anything about cheating. You just didn't win. No dates for losers, cutie."
Her pout deepened, and she crossed her arms even tighter. "Well, if I don't get a date, then you don't get this." She gestured to herself, her smirk returning as she swayed her hips seductively.
I raised an eyebrow. "No breasts? Seriously? That's your bargaining chip?"
"Hehehe," she giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "You're the one who's always groping me. If you want to keep doing that, you'd better start treating me right."
I sighed, feigning defeat. "Fine, fine. We'll go on a date. But don't think I'm going to let you bankrupt me again. Last time, we bought everything in sight, necklaces, bangles, ice cream… I'm still recovering from that."
Her face lit up, and before I could react, she launched herself at me, her breasts smacking me in the face as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Really? You mean it?"
"Woah, woah, take it easy!" I said, trying to pry her off while accidentally brushing against her chest. And, as usual, they were ridiculously soft. "I said we'd go on a date, not that I'd let you suffocate me."
She finally let go, still grinning from ear to ear. "You're the best, Ashbourne!"
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, rubbing my face where her breasts had made contact. "Just don't get too excited. The date's not today. I'm already exhausted, and it's only 11 a.m."
As Jessica skipped off to prepare breakfast, I turned my attention back to Melanie. She was still perched on the tree branch, watching the exchange with an amused smile.
"As if" I sighed, obviously I wasn't gonna go on a bankrupting date.
I turned to Melanie who seemed like she was enjoying her view from the tree
"How about we spar, Melanie?" I suggested, cracking my knuckles. "I need to blow off some steam, and you look like you could use a challenge."
She raised an eyebrow. "And what's the reward?"
"The loser does anything the winner asks," I said, smirking. "Anything at all."
Her eyes gleamed with interest. "Fine by me. But don't be a crybaby when I win."
"Don't worry," I shot back. "I won't."
We moved to the center of the clearing, the air crackling with anticipation. Melanie was a formidable opponent, her agility and speed unmatched. But I had my Time Cultivation, and I was confident I could outmaneuver her. As we squared off, I couldn't help but notice the way her hourglass figure shifted with every movement, her curves accentuated by her tight-fitting outfit. It was distracting, to say the least, but I pushed the thought aside and focused on the fight.
The sparring match was intense, a blur of strikes, counters, and near-misses. Melanie's speed was incredible, but I managed to keep up, using my Time Cultivation to slow her movements just enough to gain the upper hand. In the end, I emerged victorious, though not without a few bruises to show for it.
"Looks like I win," I said, grinning as I helped her to her feet. "So, what's it going to be? What do you want me to do?"
She smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I'll think of something. But don't think you're off the hook just yet."
As we caught our breath, Jessica called us in for breakfast. Her cooking was, as always, delicious, a hearty meal that left us all feeling satisfied. As we ate, we discussed our plans for the secret guild we'd been building. It was still in its early stages, but we already had a few promising recruits. Melanie, with her strategic mind, had been instrumental in laying the groundwork, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her contributions.
"So, Ashbourne," Jessica said, breaking the silence. "About that date you owe me…"
I groaned, seems like she head my sigh. "Like I said, I don't owe you anything. You didn't win the sparring match."
"But you said we could still go!" she protested, her eyes wide and pleading.
I sighed, relenting. "Fine. We'll go on a date. But don't think I'm going to let you bankrupt me again."
Her face lit up, and she immediately jumped on me, her breasts once again smacking me in the face. "You're the best!"
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, trying to push her off. "Just don't get too excited."
As the day went on, we carried out our usual training and daily activities, the routine a comforting constant in our otherwise chaotic lives. But even as I focused on the present, my mind never strayed far from my ultimate goal, revenge.