LIGHTNOVELONLINE 71 The slap is going to hurt
Chapter - 71
Rick, even though he could feel the sting of Evelina's slap on his cheek, didn't seem all that bothered by it. He sported a smirking grin as he rubbed his face, showing his amusement. His eyes glinted with a hint of mockery as he gazed at Evelina. He couldn't help but be a tad impressed by her boldness.
"You've got some fire in you, huh?" Rick commented, the ghost of a smirk still playing on his lips. He couldn't help but admire Evelina's tenacity. Even when faced with the lecherous old man who seemed keen on tasting her body, she had the gumption to slap Rick for a mere glance. It was an over-the-top reaction that had definitely caught his attention.
"That's quite a reaction," he noted, arching an eyebrow. "Even a bit over the top, I'd say. But you've got spirit, I'll give you that. You're definitely making things interesting." Rick, undeterred by Evelina's glaring eyes, decided to check her information in the Carnal Calibrator of the system.
[
Name: Evelina Bloodthrone
Age: 28 years
Carnal Calibrator: 40/100
Romance Radar: 00/10
]
'How good are you at faking it?' With the temptation meter sitting at 40, Rick's eyes twinkled mischievously as he glanced at the Carnal Calibrator.
[
1. Apologize for your behavior. (Temptation + 0)
2. Tell Evelina her slap will be a lasting memory, but keep that smirk. (Temptation + 10)
3. Slap her back. (Temptation - 40)
]
"I have to admit, that slap was more memorable than your secret societies. Where did you learn to slap like that?" Rick pondered the available choices, having a pretty good idea of what was going on beneath the surface of Evelina's facade.
Evelina maintained her icy, poker face, keeping her feelings hidden the surface as she retorted, "You've got a lot to learn about boundaries, Rick."
[
1. Tell Evelina. Boundaries? Where's the fun in that? (Temptation + 10)
2. Tell Evelina. You're right, Evelina. I may have overstepped my boundaries. (Temptation + 0)
"Boundaries? Where's the fun in that? I'm stuck in this weird forest, dealing with a money-obsessed old man and a gorgeous lady offering me a backstage pass to secret societies. So, why not spice things up?"
"This place is just too bizarre not to keep things interesting."
Evelina shot back, her response still deadpan. "You're not exactly making a great case for yourself, you know."
"Oh, Evelina, we're just getting started here. Remember, we have the old man over there, eagerly anticipating my decision. And I'm eager to hear yours."
"So, Miss Poker Face, have you made your choice?"
"Don't make me regret putting my trust in you," Evelina's expression remained poker-faced, but there was a hint of a smile as she replied, "Let's stick to the task at hand, shall we?"
[
1. Say, How typical of you. Business before pleasure. But a little pleasure never hurt anyone, right? (Temptation + 5)
2. "Looks like your childhood wasn't a real party, huh? They say all work and no play... you know how it goes. You never really bought into that, did you?" (Temptation - 20)
]
Evelina's patience appeared to be wearing thin as she replied, "Rick, can we just stick to money?"
Meanwhile, when the old man stopped getting response from Rick, he started to feel increasingly impatient outside the thick purple fog. He paced back and forth, his frustration mounting with each passing moment. The opportunity to have the girl was too good to pass up, and he couldn't afford to let her escape. He knew that if he missed this chance, he'd be hunted by the girl's vengeful family for the rest of his life. And more importantly, the girl was a key for him. A key to unlock the door that has been shut for him for so many years that he could not even imagine. With the girl, that door was just one step away.
He had groomed the girl for the last seventeen years, just for this day. He patiently watched the bud bloom in front of him. And he was ever so close to plucking that flower. Just this close... Everything had been meticulously planned. Until, that nameless boy showed up. And just ruined everything for him.
"Boy! Why did you go silent all of a sudden. Say something," Desperation gnawed at him, and he decided to call for Rick, who was still inside the protective mist. The old man's voice rang out, echoing through the forest.
Upon hearing the old man's desperate plea, Rick couldn't help but wear a mischievous smirk as he exchanged a meaningful glance with the girl. "I'm really torn here. It's not easy being me, you know? What should I do, Evelina?"
"Old man, you're still out there? I thought you might have gone for a leisurely stroll or something," but Rick didn't let the girl respond as he teased the old man, trying to suppress his laughter. "What's the rush? I've got my hands full right now. Really full."
"Maybe you should take a nap or something," Rick suggested, rolling his eyes, "I will try to be quick."
However, the old man had run out of patience and couldn't tolerate Rick's jests any longer. His desperation had reached its peak. "I don't have time for your games, boy. I want that girl, and I want her now."
"Garret, you seem to be in quite a rush. What's the hurry? Worried she might slip away? Don't you trust me, your little accomplice?" Rick taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
Garret, growing impatient, tried to issue a threat, "Boy, you're really pushing it. You don't want to make an enemy out of me."
Rick, completely unfazed, continued to mock the old man, "Oh, my "Depraved Sage", you're such a charming fellow. But we'll do things our way, not yours."
Garret, his voice laced with fury, snapped, "You little brat, I'll—"
Before he could finish his threat, Rick interjected with a tone of finality, "You little what? Listen, old man, here's a piece of advice for you: Learn to be patient, especially when you're holding no cards in your hand."
"Boy, you---"
"Now, old man, put a cork in it. Your breath stinks, and I can smell it from here. If it's time for you to get the girl, I'll be sure to let you know. But for now, I'm in the middle of a crucial conversation with the lady."
"Please!"
And with the old man going silent, Rick again turned towards the girl. And as soon as he turned his attention back to Evelina, the frown on his face was replaced by a playful grin played on his lips.
"Well, well, Miss Evelina, it appears we have a moment to ourselves. How about we pick up where we left off?"
"I can see it in your eyes, the temptation by this handsome face of mine. So how about we have a little adventure of ourselves while we are stuck in this damning forest? You and me, partners in some fun."
Evelina, her poker face unwavering, responded with a calm demeanor, "Why do you find this amusing? We're trapped in this dangerous mist, my man is shot, he is dying, and that old bastard is outside, waiting for us. This is no joke. We have to do something."
"Technically, he's not waiting for us. I could slip away whenever I please. No one can stop me."
"But what did you mean by 'your man'? Is it like 'your man' or just your man?"
"In all of it. This is it what bothers you?"
"Well, it does to some extent. I wouldn't risk my life to save someone else's... lady of the night, you know. It's not quite morally sound, and I'm a person of high moral standards." Rick raised his hand, adopting a pious expression.
"Lady of... What? You... Are you... Auhh..." Evelina found herself at a loss for words and sighed, "I don't care anymore."
"It's just a deal. You save me, and I will give you cash. Enough cash that you might not even seen in you whole life. Ten million dollars. How does that sound?" Evelina crossed her arms, and looked at Rick with confidence. This has to do the deal.
"Ten million dollars? Woah, now that's a hard offer to resist." No amount of women could compare to such an enormous sum of money. Rick was ready to accept the deal and get on with the task of saving the girl. He had spent too much time juggling both the girl and the old man. And that too when he wasn't even going to let the old man have her. Rick was just having fun with both of them.
But can the system let him have such an easy way out? Sometimes Rick could not help but think that the system was just their to mess with him and enjoy as it watched Rick dance to his tunes.
Ding!
[
Quest: When you have already done so much for the lady. It is only right that you take some advantage of her. So... Why don't you just fuck her?
Time Duration: Since you don't have any time. Why not get it done in the next 1-hour? Rewards: Ero Points: 150,000 (For doing it in the wild. Oh boy!); Cash: $250,000; EXP: +50.
]
'And why am I not surprised?' Such a good deal and so how can the system let him accept that.
And what's worse was that Rick could not even refuse the quest. The system has thrown in something that he had been craving for in the rewards, The Experience points. It had been so long that Rick has been struck on "9900" Experience points. He only needed 100 to level up, but they were nowhere to be seen in the rewards.
And now he finally had a chance to get some Experience points if not all. He couldn't just let the opportunity slip.
So, with a heart as heavy as a boulder, and eyes sadder than a puppy who lost its favorite chew toy, Rick gazed deep into Evelina's soul, and muttered the words.
"Your offer is really too good. But who says we can't mix business with pleasure?"
* * * * *
[A/N: Do vote, leave a comment, send me golden tickets and bring up some gifts.]