NOVEL NEXT Chapter 85 Back On Ground
"Good night, Viviana."
After saying this, Tyler went to sleep on his own, leaving Viviana with a head full of question marks.
"Could it be... that I'm overthinking this?"
"Since we're sleeping separately, why use the easily misunderstood phrase 'let's sleep together for a while'?"
Viviana felt a little annoyed. After all, during their previous... k-kiss, this guy didn't say anything after they kissed. Wasn't that going too far?
No matter what, that was her first kiss! They had already defeated the demon, and he could act as if nothing had happened?
Viviana grew increasingly annoyed... she was truly furious! However, she couldn't bring herself to harm the guy who seemed to be fast asleep beside her. Surely, she couldn't kill him, could she?
On countless battlefields, Viviana had slain innumerable demons, yet she had never taken a human life.
(No... I cannot let him bully me like this...!)
In the silent, jagged cave, faint light glimmered as Viviana stared at Banning, her brow furrowed in deep thought... At last, she devised a cunning plan!
Crouching low, Viviana crept stealthily to Banning's side and carefully prodded his stomach to see if the hunter was truly asleep. Once satisfied, she scooped up two handfuls of dark soil from the ground and gently smeared them onto Banning's face, painting a bushy beard, making it a clownish visage.
(Humph, that'll teach you to bully me!)
Gazing upon Banning's "soil-bearded" face, Viviana felt immense satisfaction.
At last, to her heart content, she found a spot not too close nor too far from the hunter, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
.
After an indeterminate length of time, Tyler slowly awoke. Utilizing the power of his Divine Eye, he confirmed he had slept for approximately three hours and his condition had somewhat improved.
——
Life Energy: 11/100
Endurance: 56/88
Magic Energy: 128/210
——
Comparing his current magic energy recovery rate to that before he fell asleep, Tyler deduced the recovery formula:
While asleep, one's magic energy recovers at a rate of Intelligence attribute x2 per hour.
In other words, a full recovery would require only five hours of sleep since magic energy is calculated as Intelligence x10.
Tyler glanced at Viviana, who seemed to be sleeping soundly.
Observing the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath, Tyler thought she was too trusting and perhaps too defenseless, or perhaps she had too much faith in him.
Of course, he did not rule out the possibility that Viviana had some sort of automatic defense skill at work, ensuring that any attempt to touch her would result in him being sliced into ultra-thin slices, perfect for hot pot.
(Silly Nissen: "Humph, men are all the same.")
(Tyler: "I'm merely observing her status, not chest.")
Indeed, Tyler was examining Viviana's status information. He noticed that neither he nor Viviana had regained any life energy after leveling up. This meant that the usual tactic of leveling up to regain full health and turning the tide of battle wouldn't work in this world.
With no health potions or convenient ways to recover magic energy, or even magic potions have the side effect of blood loss, the difficulty of the Prison Star world was genuinely high.
Tyler wiped the soil from his face, having been awake when Viviana had tried to prank him.
Since the girl was so angry, how could Tyler not allow her a chance to "bully" him?
As a "counterattack," Tyler gently smeared a black dot onto Viviana's pert nose, being extremely cautious during the process; if the Divine Eye detected any hostile intent, he would have to flee immediately.
Fortunately, nothing happened—Viviana genuinely trusted him.
.
Having accomplished what was necessary and even what was NOT, Tyler glanced at the time, somewhat concerned about Avril, Elle and the situation on their side.
Additionally, the limited air supply in the underground cavern made it unsuitable for a prolonged stay. Thus, Tyler coughed a few times to awaken Viviana from her slumber.
Groggily, Viviana saw that Banning had risen before her, leaving her momentarily embarrassed. She wondered if she had assumed any "strange" sleeping positions after dozing off, fearful of being seen by Banning... that would be utterly mortifying!
"Have you... been awake for long?" Viviana asked softly. Her voice was slightly childlike due to having just woken up, making Tyler feel as if his bones had turned to jelly.
"No, I just woke up as well."
"Oh..."
"Apologies, my coughing must have disturbed your sleep."
"Not at all... I should have been up by now."
Banning was near, and Viviana's gaze inadvertently fell upon his lips, causing her heart to race wildly.
"My magic energy has recovered somewhat, I-I'll take the lead."
Flustered, Viviana rose to her feet, fastening her white veil to cover her face once more. Only then did her heart begin to steady.
— (Sword Aura Protection)
Viviana focused intently on her Floating Crimson Sword, which then radiated a holy luminescence.
Upon witnessing Viviana using her skill, Tyler discovered another use for his mind-reading ability: to predict which skill another person was going to use.
After all, this world was not a novel, and only a few passionate fools would truly shout their skills' names during a battle.
.
With everything in place, Viviana assumed her stance, ready to cleave the massive stone. Abruptly, she turned to face Banning.
"B-Banning..."
"Hm?"
"During our time... in the cave... can you promise me that you won't speak of... that incident?"
Banning glanced deliberately at the Floating Crimson Sword in Viviana's hand, nodding earnestly and sincerely.
"Rest assured, I understand it was a last resort. I won't speak of it."
"Mm... Mm."
With Banning's assurance, Viviana was free from worry. She turned around, swung her sword in a reverse grip, and with a flash of the blade, the massive stone blocking the exit split in two, collapsing to either side.
The light from the outside world shone through the passage, illuminating the cave. At last, Viviana and Banning had returned to daylight.
.
There is a saying: Marriage is like a siege, people outside the city want to enter, while those inside want to leave.
Upon emerging from the underground cavern and returning to the vast expanse of the world, Tyler began to understand the meaning behind this saying.
Tyler and Viviana were not from the same realm; it was only the unexpected encounter that allowed them to fight side by side.
Now, with no more constraints from the cavern, they would soon return to their individual life paths, becoming mere passers-by in each other's lives... that is, if Tyler were a cowardly, risk-averse person.
However, Tyler was not.
.
Who is Tyler?
The heinous psychological romance criminal, not even having the confession points, he would not miss Viviana so easily.
At this moment, the two had just left the underground cave and were facing the question of where to go next. Moreover, they were both concerned about each other's whereabouts.
Even without using mind-reading, Tyler could guess Viviana's intentions through the subtle amorous atmosphere in the air.
"Banning..."
"Vivi..."
"You first...!"
"You first...!"
After a brief silence, the two spoke simultaneously.
Just like when they were in the cave.
Viviana couldn't help but recall the scene from "that time," her body inexplicably feeling feverish and her face flushed as she lowered her head.