Chapter 77 - Ryu: I absolutely must forget that guy!
Looking at the scarf in her hand, Ryu's eyes revealed a strong struggle.
I can't! I absolutely must not be tempted again! I would rather jump off the city wall than... This is the last time! I swear to the Great Tree! This is absolutely the last time!
Unable to resist in the end, the elf closed her eyes, covered her face with the scarf, and took a deep breath.
However, even though Ryu made up her mind, she couldn't get what she wanted...the fragrance on the scarf was so faint that it was impossible to smell. That was why Ryu had been suffering from insomnia these past few days, her mind filled with countless memories of the boy.
However, Ryu knew very well that her recent insomnia and restlessness were not due to withdrawal symptoms. On the contrary, the calm and comfortable state of mind of the past few days was actually an anomaly caused by the soothing effect of the fragrance. Looking back now, she was too happy too soon when she thought she had finally gotten rid of the useless elf persona and even laughed at the other members for not being able to sleep!
No! I absolutely must forget that guy!
Filled with resentment that she wasn't even given one last chance, Ryu crushed the scarf woven from precious materials and charged into the Dungeon with her sword in hand.
That guy's actions at that time definitely indicate that he had touched one, or even multiple, girls before! Otherwise, how could that conditioned reflex have formed?! Therefore, no matter how heroic or charming he may be when fighting, he is definitely not the ideal partner for me!
Using the intense heat that surged through her body during fierce battles, Ryu repeatedly forged this belief into her heart as she slashed monsters...
When she came to her senses, she found herself on the 17th floor.
The Wall of Grief cast a faint glow, illuminating the now restored hall, showing no trace of the fierce battle that once raged there.
I need a shower. Feeling the sweat and dust covering her body...
Ryu couldn't help but feel this longing welling up. Upon entering the 18th floor, Ryu headed straight towards the Forest. But as she passed through the dense forest and was about to reach her destination, Ryu heard the sound of flowing water.
What is this?
Ryu, whose consciousness was already slowing down, looked up, her gaze passing through the leaves, and then the entire elf froze. Because a figure had already appeared in the clear pool where she and her Familia members often washed.
That strand of silver hair, reflecting the crystal brilliance of the sky, robbed her of her consciousness.
...
Peeping is wrong, peeping at someone of the opposite sex bathing is even more wrong, and for an elf to do so is a sin deserving of divine retribution.
I must leave!
That was what Ryu originally thought, but her body wouldn't obey, and her eyes couldn't tear themselves away.
The shimmering light, cascading from countless crystals in the dome, bathed the silent forest. Surrounded by trees and mist, the clear pool was so transparent, she could see countless crystals on the bottom reflecting the light, forming a sea of shimmering silver. Such beautiful scenery reminded Ryu of her village, the boundless forest swaying in the moonlight, the vast sacred lake reflecting the sky.
No, it wasn't just the scenery, but more importantly, the figure reflected in the lake...
His hair was wet, clinging to the muscular curves of his neck, and water droplets flowed down his skin. The muscles from his neck to his shoulders, waist, and abdomen were not bulky.
With the excellent eyesight of a Level 3 adventurer and an elf, Ryu regarded the thirty meter distance as nothing and took in the whole scene. Like a gentle breeze ruffling a lake, a crack suddenly appeared in the heart of the elf, which was filled with weariness and anxiety, and gentle ripples stirred.
So, she subconsciously lowered her guard and made the instinctive reaction of someone extremely thirsty and exhausted. It was about pursing her lips tightly, and...
Gulp...
The faint swallowing sound echoed through the forest, but it was not as loud as the roar of a monster flying far away. But...
I'm doomed!
Deep inside, it was as if an elf was wielding a wooden sword, furiously beating Ryu, hating her loss of composure. However, before Ryu could be overwhelmed by this shame, an even stronger sense of crisis followed!
"Who's there!"
Upon hearing a sound that was definitely not natural, Noah instinctively threw the weapon he had been holding as a precaution before even looking at the source. It was a sharp horn with a dark gray metallic sheen. Although not forged, it still drew a shrill scream in mid air under Noah's wrist strength.
Before her long trained fighting instincts could take effect, Ryu's deeper, primal instincts were already issuing a resounding warning.
But it's unavoidable!
Like encountering the roar of an extremely powerful monster that could render low level adventurers powerless, Ryu felt as if her blood had frozen, and she could only watch helplessly as the attack came.
Just as Ryu seemed to be seeing her life flash before her eyes, and the Great Tree's branches waving to her, a silver light suddenly flashed in her frozen vision!
Almost the exact same scene as seven days ago on the 17th floor. The figure surpassed his own attack and arrived at Ryu's side a step ahead. As Noah shattered the attack with a cleave, he also pulled the blonde elf into his arms and knocked her to the ground.
The flying debris did not stop, but scattered like countless cannonballs.
Boom boom boom...
Like a small meteor shower, dust and smoke exploded, the shockwaves reverberating across the vast plains of the 18th floor. When the smoke and dust cleared, the tree trunks, rocks, and ground within a radius of more than ten meters were riddled with holes.
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