Chapter 81: CH-81
"You’re really asking me that after what you did?" she hissed, barely keeping her patience in check.
"Hey, don’t redirect the blame to me. You’re the one who came at me first."
"I wasn’t even trying to kill you!"
"That’s your version," I said, shrugging. "From where I’m standing, I just deflected a dagger aimed at my neck by someone who clearly skipped anger management session."
"That’s it!"
Her body vanished in a flash.
’Another wasted effort.’
I already knew the trick, so instead of blocking with my spear, I seized her wrists and pinned them behind her back.
Seconds ticked by, and she showed no sign of slipping from my hold.
"Interesting. So you can’t teleport when I’m holding you like this... or does it only work if I hug you tighter?"
My voice dropped to a whisper as I got nearer, close enough to register the heat of her body.
"Let go of me!" she shouted, twisting and thrashing, which only made it harder.— literally —for my second sword to stay still.
"Hey, quit squirming already."
She didn’t listen, so I forced her to the ground, pinned her face-first, and braced my chest against her back so she couldn’t move.
Then I felt something soft press against my bulge.
"Hyaa—" she let out a cute moan.
"What’s that? Did you just use your big spear to poke my butt?"
My lips twitched. Not sure if I should feel flattered or offended by that one.
"No, that’s not a spear. It’s my personal stick. Don’t worry—there’s fabric between us, so technically this doesn’t count as sexual harassment."
"Pervert! Don’t touch me!" she yelled, thrashing harder — which, ironically, made the whole situation way more uncomfortable for her.
"I hate you! I hate you!" she spat, every word dripping with anger and shame.
"Believe me, I really didn’t want this to happen. It’s not my fault you have such an... provocative body. I’d be crazy if I didn’t get hard in this situation.
Total silence. She finally stopped moving, probably realizing this was a lose-lose situation for her.
"I...I regret ever sparing you...You’re the worst man I ever met in my life."
Great. Now I looked like a jerk for having a perfectly normal male body.
It’s not like I could just turn off my libido like those oblivious anime characters who somehow maintain perfect self-control, even when surrounded by cute girls.
Nope. I’m a normal, healthy guy, so my reaction was completely justifiable.
If anyone’s going to lecture me about this, I would dare them to be strapped to the juicy butt of a pretty and sexy woman and see if their virtue survives a second.
Okay... maybe I went a little too far with the teasing. Time to dial it back before she actually report me to the police.
With a thought, I activated the "Francis Card" to salvage the situation.
"Calm down... I’m sorry it came to this. I was just trying to keep you in check—didn’t want to hurt you more than I already have,"
Her ass squirmed beneath my stick.
"Why would I believe a bastard like you? You probably set this up just to cop a feel, didn’t you?"
That was far from the truth. I swear I didn’t pin her down because of some elaborate plan. At least, I don’t think I did
Unless, I’m such a degenerate that every subconscious impulse led straight to this moment. If that was the case, I seriously need therapy.
"You don’t have to believe me... but I mean it. I didn’t want to hurt you. I just wanted to prove my strength and earn your respect.
"Smooth talk won’t work on me," she snapped, twisting beneath me. "Do I look like the kind of girl you can fool that easily?"
Crap. She saw through me instantly.
Guess not every woman falls for it. Or maybe being pinned to the ground and covered in dirt knocks the romance factor down by, I don’t know... 99%?
Since my womanizing routine clearly flopped, I figured I’d try something revolutionary, my actual personality.
"I’ll let you go, but don’t attack or run, alright? We need to talk first."
Seconds passed before she finally nodded.
"I...I won’t run" she forced the words so hard it almost squeaked.
Like a gentleman, I stepped back and gave her space—though I secretly stayed on guard, just in case she decided to go completely batshit crazy.
With a good look, I had to admit she was perfect in all the right places. Honestly, she might top the charts if we’re talking ratio.
No wonder she moved like lightning. With curves like that, she was basically a sports car in human form.
I wanted to feel her under my hands— rev her up until I squeezed every last drop of gas from her. She would need an oil change after I was done.
Ahem...Just to be clear, I’m talking about cars.
It took her a couple of seconds to get her composure back.
"What are you looking at?" she rolled her eyes.
"Let’s get down to business," I said, mostly to save us both from the world’s longest awkward pause.
"Your group claims you want to stop the Darkness, right? What’s in it for me if I work with you?"
"Work with us?" She sneered. "You think you have the qualification?"
"You see what I can do, right? I’m more useful as an ally than an enemy, and honestly, I hate that organization for personal reasons."
She didn’t protest, but she didn’t say anything either, which meant I had to carry the conversation.
"I know you’re hesitant to let me join, but I’m not asking to cozy up with your mysterious group. Think of me as a third-party contractor."
Her eyes narrowed, scanning me for lies. I could practically hear her thoughts: Why the hell should I trust a degenerate and perverted bastard like him?
This was bad. I needed to fix her impression of me.
I was strong on my own, sure, but taking on a full-blown group of unknown strength? That would be a death sentence.
My mind wouldn’t stop running, flipping through possible solution ... until one idea hit me.
"They killed my mother."
No fancy explanation. No hero speech. Just truth.
She didn’t say a word, just flinched—and that was all the opening I needed.
"I’ll make them pay, whatever the cost." I breathed it out small and steady, which somehow made my tone more terrifying.
Her eyes flashed white as my ability finally sank in. The tiniest spark of sympathy appeared in her gaze ,then vanished just as fast.
My gamble paid off: pointing out our common enemy did the trick.
"I’ll talk to my superior. Then I’ll contact you."
"That’s fine. But before you vanish again, mind telling me your name? We’ve been fighting like old rivals, and I still don’t know what to call you."
She hesitated for a split second. "Alexa."
"Fitting, " I nodded casually "I bet you look even better without the mask. Maybe I’ll get to see that when we sort all this out."
"Don’t push your luck." She turned away, and in the next heartbeat, blinked out of sight.