Chapter 348: Lies

Chapter 348: Lies

In the living room, an awkward atmosphere permeated the entire space.

Hugh, with a slightly flushed face, was wrapped in a blanket and sat on the sofa, his neck tucked in like a quail, leaving only a pair of bright eyes visible.

Beside him, Luke, wearing only a pair of shorts, maintained a calm demeanor with an air of ownership. He poured a cup of hot tea and gently brought it to his female companion, who had just finished her growth spurt, and spoke in a gentle and concerned tone.

"Are you tired? Have some water to replenish your fluids. Later, I'll give you a massage to relax."

"Thank you."

Hugh nodded obediently and took small sips, then stole a glance at his friend across from him, whose expression was less than pleasant. Feeling guilty, he lowered his head even further.

How embarrassing!

Having a "trainee" best friend who could walk through doors and walls made it impossible to guarantee any privacy! In the past, she had often experienced Hugh bursting in while she was showering or using the bathroom, and due to her nervousness, she forgot to guard against this. As a result, her friend had witnessed the scene of her being tossed around like a toy doll, and even saw her expression...

This was the end of her life! Hugh Dilcher felt like he couldn't look his friend in the eye anymore.

Fels watched as Hugh's face turned crimson, her eyes sparkling with hidden emotions. It was clear that Hugh, who had been well-moisturized, was also feeling complicated. She never imagined that just because she couldn't find inspiration for her writing and went out for a couple of drinks, her home would be invaded.

This was too sudden and hard to accept.

Fels sighed inwardly, thinking that Hugh had always dressed like a boy and spent her days interacting with the gray areas of the lower class. She was a somewhat famous "Arbitrator" and had become accustomed to that lifestyle. As a result, she hadn't paid special attention to the fact that Hugh was also a young lady in her prime, with a normal physical development and a desire for love and romance.

It made sense, as the people she encountered every day were either low-life gangsters or idle vagrants, making it difficult for her to find someone truly exceptional and outstanding who could win Hugh's heart.

Fels looked up and down at Luke, a young man with black hair and brown eyes, who indeed had a handsome face that could fool anyone. His physique was excellent, with broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a tight, muscular waist.

"He eats quite well..."

Recalling the fleeting glimpse she had of him, Fels muttered under her breath, then straightened her face and raised her voice.

"Mr. Luke, I have a few questions for you."

Luke smiled and pulled Hugh, who was sitting next to him, into his arms. "Hugh's friends are my friends. Ask away, and I'll answer truthfully."

Fels glared at Luke's hand, which was resting on Hugh's side, and her tone turned cold.

"Your name?"

"Luke."

"Your age?"

"Nine days old."

"What's your occupation?"

"A reserve emperor or savior, perhaps."

"Where is your hometown?"

Luke scratched his cheek with his index finger and pointed out the window, indicating one of the stars scattered in the sky.

"It's somewhere around there."

Before being chased by the "Primordial Hunger," he had already transferred to another planet, so his hometown from this life was still there. However, that world didn't hold any particular significance for Luke; it was just an ordinary planet that vaguely resembled his previous world, without any distinctive features.

Luke's awakening and entry into the shared space were also quite ordinary. In a highly competitive environment, he had struggled to find a job after graduating from university. Day after day of interviews and rejections led to mounting anxiety, which eventually erupted due to some trivial matters in his daily life.

Compared to a senior he remembered who had taken over two hundred years to awaken, his own process seemed relatively smooth... Well, it might also have something to do with the elves' emotional detachment.

Fels, with her wavy brown hair and beautiful yet languid appearance, was infuriated by Luke's responses, and her eyes narrowed in anger as she turned to Hugh.

"Hugh, are you sure you want to be with a man who spouts nothing but lies?"

Hugh poked Luke's waist with her index finger. "Answer seriously, Fels is my best friend."

It was so difficult to be honest these days; no one seemed to believe the truth, so one had to resort to lies.

Luke nodded helplessly and offered Fels an apologetic smile.

"My apologies, ma'am. I was just joking to lighten the mood. You can ask again."

"Your name?"

"Jenova Taff Alexander."

"Your age?"

"Twenty."

The two women in the room exchanged glances, their expressions subtly changing.

Hugh had already turned twenty-one earlier this year.

Fels' voice lowered as she asked, "Hmm, Mr. Jenova, what's your occupation?"

"I'm a doctor by profession, and in my free time, I work as a writer."

These were seemingly decent and well-paying jobs, but it was unclear if they were true or not. And... a writer? Fels was curious.

Luke, ever obliging, provided more information, even answering some questions Fels hadn't asked yet:

"I'm from the city of Tinggen in the Ahova County of the Rune Kingdom. My specific address is 1 Narcissus Street. There's no one else in the house except for a long-term hired servant. I came to Barkeland as a tourist."

"Oh, oh." Fols was momentarily stunned by the quick response, "May I ask how you two met and how your relationship developed?"

He wanted to test how much a cute girl of one meter and fifty centimeters could eat... Lu Ke swallowed the answer that would have immediately plummeted his favorability and carefully replied, "Not long ago, when I first arrived in Barkeland, I wasn't familiar with the local roads. I was robbed by a group of thugs, and Xiu saved me when she happened to pass by."

And so, a heroic rescue led to a heroic entrance.

Lu Ke stroked Xiu's hair in admiration, "She's truly a brave and kind girl."

Fols' eyes lit up as she listened, intrigued by the reversal of the usual rescue scenario.

It seemed like a good strategy, as the Storm Lord Church preached that men showing weakness would face discrimination. However, men also had an inner desire to be protected and cared for, and women, too, had moments where they wanted to be the guardians.

Suddenly, she realized a problem.

Not long ago? She couldn't recall any signs of Xiu being in a romantic relationship recently. There was no makeup or dating, and her whereabouts were always clear, even her clothing choices remained consistently neutral, favoring the apprentice knight's attire.

Could it be that Xiu had been secretly keeping something from her? "May I ask, when exactly do you mean by 'not long ago'?"

Lu Ke glanced at the mechanical clock on the wall and cleared his throat lightly, "Well, about nine hours ago."

Fols: "..."

She covered her forehead with her hand and groaned in pain, as if she was about to faint. After a moment, she managed a faint smile.

"May I see your identification and medical license, please?"

"Fols, these questions are out of line. Are you a police interrogator? There's nothing wrong with Jenova, so please get along with him."

Xiu, who had been listening all along, wasn't pleased with this line of questioning. While she felt that things were moving too fast, she didn't particularly reject the feeling. Setting aside the meaningless shame, the joy she had just experienced was intoxicating.

She believed she had good taste in men, even though technically, she was the one being chosen.

Fols pursed her lips and reluctantly stopped her inquiry, taking a step back under Xiu's stern gaze. She apologized, though not very willingly.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Jenova. I spoke out of turn just now. Please understand that my heart was filled with concern for my friend, fearing she might be deceived by a con artist."

"Fols!"

Xiu raised her voice.

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

Fols relaxed her body and leaned back, yawning with fatigue as she began to bid them farewell.

"It's getting late, and Xiu and I need to rest well to maintain enough energy for tomorrow's work. Mr. Jenova, I don't think you'd want to stay here for the night, would you?"

Lu Ke showed a hint of hesitation and nodded lightly, then headed towards Xiu's room, "Of course, I'll leave after I change my clothes..."

"Wait!"

Xiu stopped his movement and turned to her friend, her tone especially sincere, "Fols, Jenova just arrived in Barkeland at noon and hasn't had time to rent a place yet. It's already late, and it's unsafe to go out at night. Let him stay for the night."

She extended her right hand from under the blanket and assured, "He'll sleep in my room, and I guarantee he won't disturb you."

What was this bewitchment? What was this foolishness? Fols had seen it all today. She took a deep breath, silently got up, and returned to her room.

After she left, Xiu brought Lu Ke back to the room and apologized, "Fols is just overly concerned about me. Don't be angry with her."

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"No, I like your friend very much, and I'm happy to get along with her."

Lu Ke carried Xiu to the bed. Under Xiu's surprised and slightly expectant gaze, he pulled the blanket over her, then began to massage her tense and sore leg and back muscles.

"It's normal for her to ask more questions out of concern. It also reminds me that I need to learn more about you. I remember when we first met, those gangsters called you 'Arbiter'?"

Wherever his palms passed, a clear warm current flowed in, and Xiu's fatigue instantly dissipated. As she marveled at this incredible massage technique, she suddenly heard Lu Ke's question and hesitated about whether to explain her situation and what details to share.

Xiu's identity was rather unique. She was originally the young lady of the courtly noble family, the Diers, who held the title of Palace Earl. Her father, Mason Dier, had always served as the commander of the royal guard and the head of the court guards, which was why she had the opportunity to embark on the path of the 'Arbiter', a path held only by the royal family and some ancient nobles—the path of rule-making.

A few years ago, her father was implicated in a royal conspiracy, falsely accused of treason, and sentenced to hanging. The family's title and estates were confiscated, and Xiu had no choice but to change her name and hide from the assassins.

She was determined to restore her father's tarnished honor and revive her family's glory. That's why she came to Barkeland alone, seeking an opportunity to become stronger, hoping to uncover the truth of that year, clear her father's name, and revive her family's splendor.

"The Arbitrator... that's my title. My job is to overturn wrongful convictions and help the weak and vulnerable seek fair compensation or resolve disputes through a just system."

Hugh hesitated, omitting a portion of his explanation.

Luke's hands continued to move, and his face took on a thoughtful expression. "Oh, I see. With your dignified demeanor, I thought you were a Sequence 9 Arbitrator, an Extraordinary being."

"You know?"

Hugh was startled, and his smooth, pale legs trembled slightly in Luke's hands before he could regain control.

His face contorted with confusion. "You're an Extraordinary being too. Which path do you follow?"

"Yes, I'm currently a Sequence 7 Magician on the Soothsayer Path."

Sequence 7—a mid-sequence Extraordinary being! In a small city, he would already be the leader of the Extraordinary Squad in the True God Church.

Hugh was stunned for a few seconds, furrowing his brows. "So, you didn't need my help at all back then?"

"That's right," Luke confirmed.

Luke patted his thigh and said, "Roll over, and I'll give you a shoulder and back massage."

Hugh didn't move, his eyes filled with accusation and a hint of grievance.

Luke chuckled, "The important thing is not whether I'm an Extraordinary being or if I needed your help. What matters is that you're willing to lend a hand to the weak and vulnerable. That's what truly moved me."

Well, it was actually the second thing that moved him. The first was the adorable contrast between his petite height of only 1.5 meters and the commanding presence he exuded as an Arbitrator.

Hugh reluctantly agreed and obediently rolled over. The next moment, he felt the warm, large hands roaming over his shoulders and back, dispelling fatigue and stiffness with an indescribable warmth.

Hugh sighed contentedly but deliberately turned his head away. "Maybe Fols is right; you're a real con artist."

Luke shrugged. His Sequence 8 Extraordinary Trait was indeed "Paths of Thieves (Sequence 8)":

"I've always been willing to answer questions, but you and Fols just didn't ask. And now I'm telling you, aren't I?"

Hugh was momentarily speechless and pouted in silence.

Time passed slowly. After the massage was over, Luke casually asked, "So, do you like con artists?"

Hugh remained silent for a few seconds before buzzing like a mosquito, "I don't dislike them."

Luke grinned and continued the massage, his hands moving downward. The body beneath his hands trembled slightly, and after a vigorous rub, he paused and gently patted the area.

Hugh's face flushed, and his eyes glistened with moisture. He looked at Luke, puzzled.

"Arch your back."

Hugh, who had mostly recovered, blushed and slowly arched his body. A satisfied laugh came from behind, and the shorts dropped to the floor. The warm, muscular body pressed against him again.

The long-lasting passion ignited, and a new round of growth began.

...

The next morning.

After a sleepless night, Fols, with bloodshot eyes, had just stepped out of the room when he smelled the aroma of food coming from the kitchen. He paused, realizing that the wild man his friend had brought home the previous day had prepared a sumptuous breakfast.

"You're up so early?"

Fols, who had no intention of talking to Luke, couldn't resist commenting due to the tempting food.

"Yeah, Hugh had a tough night."

Indeed, a whole night of growth was exhausting, and it had kept Fols from getting a good night's sleep as well. He huffed in annoyance, his displeasure evident.

Luke remained unperturbed, "I made an extra portion. Would you care to join me?"

Fols shook his head. "No need. As a writer with a reversed day and night schedule, I don't have the habit of eating breakfast."

...

Ten minutes later.

Hugh stared in disbelief as his friend licked the last bit of oil from the plate with satisfaction, feeling as if he had discovered a new continent.

"I'm going out to gather inspiration. I'll be back tonight."

The lazy writer, unbothered by his refusal to wash the dishes, coughed lightly and hummed a cheerful tune as he quickly escaped the scene.

Hugh smiled helplessly. After finishing his own breakfast, he volunteered to clean up. After washing the dishes, he returned to the room and hesitated between the elegant long dress and the unappealing apprentice knight's uniform in the wardrobe. He ultimately chose the latter, as it would be more comfortable for work.

"I'm heading out for work. Do you have any plans for today?"

Luke lowered his head slightly. "Well, you know about the secret gatherings of Extraordinary beings in Barkeland, right?"

"Yes, there is one," Hugh nodded, recalling the secret gatherings of an Extraordinary organization known as "Mr. A" that he and Fols had attended.

"But that's a regular event, and the next one is in two days."

"Okay, I'll take you with me next time. Today, I'll just wander around elsewhere."

Luke smiled, his lips pressed together, as he gazed at the central area of Barkeland, the Queens District.

This was the residence of the most influential individuals in the entire Rune Kingdom, including top professionals in various fields, hereditary nobles, and even royal family members.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end