Complaining aside.
Sylvia still accepted the gacha reward.
A flood of knowledge and information rushed into her mind, transforming into a systematic set of manual skills.
Simultaneously, Sylvia felt her hands become nimble and supple, like those of a master who'd honed their craft for decades in a specific field.
She became intimately familiar with the preparation of various medicines and auxiliary formulas capable of nurturing and maintaining fur and hair.
And it wasn't just about care and trimming for fur or hair; she was even extremely proficient in massage-related techniques.
Just as the skill description said, it worked best on animals covered in fur.
But!
The criteria for this thing was kinda whack! Because according to this skill, heck, even fine body hair counted! Head hair counted as fur too!
Just how unhinged was the person who created this skill?!
Furry alignment chart, huh? So humans could be considered furries too?!
As absurd as it was, according to the technique's principles...
Even if the subject was a human, Sylvia could still make it so they'd be unable to leave the bed under the ministrations of her hands.
Though the skill description only mentioned making the recipient so comfortable they'd lose all sense of direction.
Exactly how comfortable that meant, Sylvia couldn't quite grasp yet.
Of course, judging from the techniques and methods now in her head, they just seemed a bit more complex and professional.
Nothing particularly outrageous stood out; it all just looked like excellent massage and care techniques.
The skill name was probably exaggerating.
But still...
Sylvia flexed her fingers.
Well, having a head full of maintenance and massage knowledge but never having actually done it even once felt a bit strange.
Maybe she should try it on Acheron first?
It's not like it's anything weird, just some hair care and a body massage.
Acheron had taught her so much during this time; letting her relax would be a good way to return the favor.
Holding this gratitude for Acheron in her heart, Sylvia contacted the hotel front desk.
She asked them to prepare some items, so they'd be ready for use when the two returned from their outing.
Deciding to act on her thought, Sylvia immediately called the front desk to request the materials.
--+--
"What were those things you asked the front desk to prepare?"
Acheron, already ready to head out, had naturally overheard Sylvia's conversation with the front desk.
"Heh, a little surprise. I'll tell you after we get back."
"Mm."
Seeing Sylvia didn't plan to explain just yet, Acheron didn't press further.
"Shall we go now?"
"Let's go."
With that, Sylvia and Acheron pushed the door open and left their room.
Just as Acheron had said before they came, their starship needed a complete overhaul and refurbishment.
They originally had to consider the budget, but now the Whistling Flames Merchant Guild was covering all their expenses.
And the Whistling Flames Merchant Guild could directly bill the planet's owner for these costs. Under such circumstances, Sylvia naturally saw no reason to hold back.
So after leaving the hotel, the two headed straight for the largest starship modification shop on the planet.
What happened next wasn't particularly noteworthy.
Since money was no object, they replaced all the key components of the ship with the latest models.
The subsequent removal and installation would be handled entirely by the shop; Sylvia and Acheron just needed to wait a few days before inspecting the final result.
With the most important task done, Acheron intended to head back directly, but Sylvia grabbed her hand.
"Don't be in such a rush! How about getting some food? There are so many delicious things, and not just sweet fruits. I found some recommended places on the local forum; wanna go try them?"
Acheron looked at Sylvia, feeling that Sylvia was more invested in her own affairs than she was herself.
For Acheron, regaining her sense of taste and sampling various foods was more like something she'd do incidentally on her journey.
It might be something she'd get around to over years, or even decades.
But in Sylvia's eyes, it seemed to be of the utmost importance.
Even back at the modification shop, whenever Sylvia tasted some tasty snack, she'd bring one over to feed Acheron.
And if Acheron voiced her approval, Sylvia would note down the snack's brand, name, and Acheron's specific preference.
Acheron considered herself rather emotionally detached, but even she could feel Sylvia's attentiveness towards her.
Sylvia seemed genuinely concerned about her being shrouded in the shadow of Nihility.
In her past travels...
Thanks to Acheron's formidable strength...
Most of the time, Acheron was the one taking care of others, or the one giving. Only after meeting Sylvia had she instead become the one receiving.
This feeling was… peculiar.
At least for Acheron, this kind of experience was a memory she could scarcely recall having.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead."
Acheron nodded in agreement, letting Sylvia keep hold of her hand as they headed into the streets.
Both possessed exceptional physical prowess, so a simple stroll wasn't tiring.
Thus, Sylvia took Acheron to sample many of the planet's unique, hodgepodge-style local delicacies.
Some were delicious, of course, and some were not.
Perhaps because Acheron hadn't been able to taste for so long, she was willing to savor everything carefully.
And for Sylvia, watching the subtle shifts in Acheron's expression each time she tasted a different flavor gave her a deep sense of satisfaction.
Whether Sylvia admitted it aloud or not, whether Acheron was aware of it or not.
The two had, in fact, officially been wed.
Even if they talked about keeping a normal mindset, could they truly maintain it?
After all, Sylvia had never once taken off the ring on her own ring finger.
--+--
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already considered late night on this planet.
Pushing the room door open, the items Sylvia had requested earlier were all prepared and waiting inside.
"And these are?"
Acheron walked closer for a look. She recognized most of the items—nothing particularly rare or expensive. But it was clear their uses were mostly related to cosmetics, skincare, and the like.
"I was thinking," Sylvia began, "thanks to you, Acheron, I managed to escape from that place. I thought maybe I could give you some care treatments, help you relax."
"You know how to do that?"
"I know a little, just a little."
Sylvia made a small gesture with her fingers, then said, "How about you go take a bath first? Or I could help you wash—that can be part of the treatment steps too."
Even though the offer sounded a bit odd, it was technically possible. Everything, starting from the initial cleansing, could be handed over to Sylvia.
But before Acheron could even react to Sylvia's words, Sylvia herself blushed bright red.
Acheron, moreover, wasn't in the habit of having others help her bathe. She shook her head, set down her blade, and walked into the bathroom alone.
Sylvia stared dumbly at the frosted glass of the bathroom door, inside which a blurry figure was visible.
Huff... See no evil.
She lifted her hands and gave her own cheeks two light pats, trying to shake some of those 'indecent thoughts' out of her head.
Finally, Sylvia sat down in front of the coffee table and began mixing the solutions for the care treatment.
But her movements were clumsy and halting, and as the sound of pattering water started coming from the bathroom...
Her eyes kept drifting towards the bathroom door, again and again.
Through the blurry frosted glass, that vaguely visible figure—curvaceous, slender—was so... evocative.
Gulp...
Sylvia swallowed hard, her traitorous throat betraying her fluster, making even her hands tremble slightly as she mixed the care solutions.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.