On the courtyard lawn.
The black-haired young man was meticulously doing push-ups, sweat dripping from his cheeks onto the emerald green blades of grass.
"...96, 97, 98...100! Done!"
With the last push-up completed, Natsuki Subaru let out a long breath and sat up.
At the same time, the familiar system prompt sounded in his mind.
[Notification: Player has completed the daily quest, rewards have been distributed.]
[Reward Options:
Restore status.
+2 attribute points.
Random box.]
"Today's tasks were completed more than twice as fast as before..." Natsuki Subaru wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself, "It seems leveling up has indeed made my strength skyrocket, even physical training has become so easy."
Honestly, now whether it was push-ups, sit-ups, squats, or the 10km run, they had all become much easier for him.
It's worth noting that this high-intensity training combination used to require a great deal of time and stamina for him to barely complete.
And now, he could not only easily complete the full set of training, but his speed was also unbelievably fast.
"I'm getting stronger step by step."
Saying this, Natsuki Subaru subconsciously touched his abdomen, his fingertips no longer meeting soft belly fat, but well-defined eight-pack abs.
It's worth noting that not long ago, his abdomen had only a single piece of soft flab.
"If I keep adding points like this..." Natsuki Subaru looked down at his increasingly muscular physique and couldn't help muttering, "Will I really turn into a muscle-bound hunk?"
However, this worry was quickly pushed to the back of his mind.
With the increase in level and accumulation of experience, he could clearly feel himself steadily becoming stronger.
At this rate of growth, he would soon be able to surpass the Bowel Hunter Elsa...
No, he would definitely surpass her!
"Forget it, I won't think about these things... I'm really too tired, I should restore my status first... Wait! Better not rush to restore it."
Just as Natsuki Subaru was about to use the recovery ability to dispel his body's fatigue, he suddenly stopped.
Because he suddenly realized the crucial importance of this ability.
Recalling the life-and-death battle with the Bowel Hunter Elsa before, Natsuki Subaru deeply understood the key role that restoring status could play at a critical moment.
If he had still possessed this ability then, perhaps the outcome of the battle could have been reversed.
"Using it now would be too wasteful. It's better to get into the habit of saving the status restoration every day and use it as a trump card when facing danger."
After making this decision, Natsuki Subaru sat cross-legged and began to recover his stamina naturally by adjusting his breathing.
Subsequently, he turned his attention to the 2 attribute points rewarded by the system, seriously considering how to allocate them.
"What should I add them to? Agility, Spirit, Stamina... I usually focus on Strength, and although attributes increase evenly with leveling up, I must have a focus."
Natsuki Subaru carefully examined the system attribute panel, gently rubbing his chin,
"If I distribute them evenly, the attribute points are simply not enough. Although comprehensive development is important, now is not the time to consider being a hexagonal warrior."
"Decided, still adding to Strength!"
As Natsuki Subaru finished allocating the attribute points, a warm current instantly flowed through all his muscles, bringing a clear sense of enhancement.
And the Strength value also increased from 46 points to 48 points.
"Strength has increased a little bit more."
Natsuki Subaru clenched his fist, feeling the newly added strength, while Browse the updated status panel:
Host: Natsuki Subaru
Level: 8
Occupation: None
Title: Mabeast Slaughterer
Spirit: 46
Strength: 48
Agility: 44
Stamina: 35
Health: 420/420
Mana: 500/500
Experience: 208/20000
Allocatable Points: 0
......
"At this rate of development..." Natsuki Subaru gazed at the constantly rising values on the attribute panel, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips, his eyes sparkling with a touch of excitement,
"I will definitely become stronger and stronger!"
The improvement in strength was always exhilarating. Each breakthrough made Natsuki Subaru genuinely feel that he was transforming.
His muscles became more solid, his reaction speed became more agile, and even his perception became sharper. This visible growth filled Natsuki Subaru with anticipation.
"Right, let's see what surprise the random box can bring this time?"
Natsuki Subaru rubbed his hands together, and with a sense of anticipation, slowly opened the random box.
Then, a multicolored light flashed.
A pair of cutely styled rogue rabbit hair clips lay quietly in his palm.
"Ah this..."
Natsuki Subaru's expression instantly froze, and a few black lines appeared on his forehead.
Recalling the things he had opened before, ballpoint pens, band-aids, and now these useless hair clips...
"This random box really lives up to its name."
Natsuki Subaru somewhat helplessly put the rogue rabbit hair clips into his system inventory, sighing with his hand on his forehead.
He was clearly expecting a useful item to enhance his strength, but he always got these inexplicable things.
Was he an unlucky person
Just then.
"—Barusu, you're awake."
A familiar and sweet girlish voice came from behind, instantly interrupting Natsuki Subaru's thoughts.
Just hearing this special nickname, he knew who it was.
But when Natsuki Subaru turned around and saw that familiar face, an indescribable sense of relief instantly filled his chest.
Ram, standing in the morning light, was still so dazzling.
Her pink shoulder-length hair fluttered gently in the wind, the sleeves of her maid uniform neatly rolled up, revealing slender arms. She held a bamboo basket in her arms, filled with steaming hot sweet potatoes, the sweet aroma faintly pervading the air.
"You just recovered and you're already training. Barusu really is someone who doesn't know fatigue."
Ram slightly raised her pretty eyebrows, her pink shoulder-length hair glowing softly in the morning light.
"Is that Ram's way of praising me?"
Natsuki Subaru grinned, casually wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Ram didn't answer, just silently handed over a clean white towel:
"Wipe your sweat, Barusu."
"Thanks, Ram."
Natsuki Subaru took the towel, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against Ram's, the slightly cool touch making his heart skip a beat.
After wiping his sweat, he immediately handed the towel back to Ram.
"I just don't want to see Barusu flinging sweat everywhere." Ram took back the towel, her gaze lingering for a moment on Natsuki Subaru's sweat-soaked thin clothes,
"It seems the training has indeed had some effect."
"Eh? Ram is actually paying attention to my figure?"
Natsuki Subaru immediately perked up, deliberately striking an exaggerated bodybuilding pose, showing off his solid eight-pack abs.
"...Boring."
Ram turned her face away, her pink hair concealing her slightly reddened earlobes.
"Oh, is that so..."
Natsuki Subaru winked mischievously, secretly thinking to himself.
Could Ram be shy...
"About what happened last night, let me first honestly thank you, it was hard work."
Ram suddenly changed the subject, her tone still somewhat flat, but with an added touch of seriousness.
"Ah, it was nothing really, just did what I should have done. Besides, in that kind of situation, anyone would have helped, right? There's no need for special thanks."
Natsuki Subaru nonchalantly scratched his head, his sweat-dampened black hair sticking up messily.
"Speaking of which, if anything happens to the domain's people, the lord will be held responsible." Ram looked directly at Natsuki Subaru and continued,
"The thought of the children being threatened by a pack of Wolgarm like that... So Barusu's actions at that time were correct."
"Wolgarm...Oh."
Natsuki Subaru softly repeated this unfamiliar word.
Is that the name of those black Mabeasts?
In his understanding, Wolgarm should be a Mabeast that only existed in mythology. He didn't expect a mere pack of beasts to have such an exaggerated name.
However, just hearing the name, one could feel the dangerous aura it contained.
"Fortunately, the damaged barrier was repaired last night." Ram gently tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear, her voice tinged with a hint of fatigue,
"After that, I spent the whole night patrolling the various parts of the barrier. There shouldn't be any more Wolgarm crossing the border now."
"That's good." Natsuki Subaru nodded.
After all, these Mabeasts were no longer a threat to him, but to ordinary people, they were still deadly.
"As long as the humans here don't cross the border, it'll be fine." Ram's tone suddenly became subtle, a flicker of emotion crossing her usually expressionless face,
"If another child crosses the barrier to pick up some puppy again, then all previous efforts will be wasted."
"Although that sounds a bit harsh..." Natsuki Subaru said, "But the villagers have been warned beforehand, so such things shouldn't happen again in the future."
Speaking of which, the cause of the incident was that Petra and those children were tricked into the forest by Meili using the lie of finding a puppy, which then led to a series of subsequent disasters.
Moreover, from Ram's words, it could be heard that maintaining the barrier, conducting regular inspections, and reporting in a timely manner were the villagers' responsibilities.
If there was even the slightest negligence, it would become a reason against Roswaal, which was clearly the situation Ram least wanted to see.
Little did she know, all of this was being manipulated by that damn Roswaal from behind the scenes.
Whether it was the villagers, or Ram and Rem.
They were all just pawns on Roswaal's chessboard.
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
"What are you thinking?" Ram suddenly asked.
"Nothing." Natsuki Subaru waved his hand and then smiled, "But Ram, even though you talk about the villagers this way and that, you're actually worried about their safety, right?"
"Hmph." Hearing this, Ram couldn't help but snort lightly and turned her face away, "Ram just doesn't want to cause trouble for Lord Roswaal. Mere Barusu, don't be so sentimental."
"Yes, yes... I know."
Natsuki Subaru outwardly agreed, but inwardly he couldn't help but chuckle.
This textbook tsundere response was a bit too obvious.
"—Subaru."
Ram suddenly said seriously, her pink eyes looking straight at Natsuki Subaru.
This sudden solemn tone made Natsuki Subaru's heart skip a beat.
He somewhat uncomfortably averted his gaze:
"Wh-what is it? Don't look at me with such an intense gaze, it'll burn me."
"Regarding Rem's matter..." Ram suddenly bowed deeply, and when she straightened up, she showed a rare sincere expression, "I must solemnly thank you."
This gratitude was indeed from the bottom of her heart.
Last night, Natsuki Subaru not only saved those children but, more importantly, saved her only younger sister, Rem.
After the destruction of the Oni clan, Rem was her only remaining relative, the entire meaning of her continued existence.
"How should I put it..." Natsuki Subaru scratched his cheek, choosing his words carefully, "Rem is also a very important... friend to me. Saving her was also something I should do."
It was worth mentioning that although Ram had a rebellious personality and was often sharp-tongued, she was actually very kind and sentimental at heart, especially doting on her younger sister Rem.
"But, I didn't expect that Barusu actually eliminated so many Mabeasts alone last night."
Speaking of this, Ram looked at Natsuki Subaru with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Actually, I've always been an adventurer, so having a little bit of strength is quite reasonable, right?"
Natsuki Subaru naturally wouldn't reveal that it was because of the system's help that he had become so strong.
"Is that so..." Ram's pink eyes flickered slightly, then she said softly, "In any case, the matter has finally come to an end."
"Right, how is Rem now?"
Natsuki Subaru quickly changed the subject, afraid that Ram would continue to press him about his own affairs.
"She's fine now." Ram continued, "Just excessive fatigue plus the consumption from dispelling the curse, she's still resting now."
"That's good." Natsuki Subaru breathed a sigh of relief, then asked again, "So Ram was responsible for today's breakfast?"
"Mm." Ram nodded gently, "Rem is still sleeping soundly, so I prepared it today."
"Need my help?" Natsuki Subaru asked.
"No need." Ram picked up the bamboo basket she was holding. "It's already done."
"So fast?" Natsuki Subaru leaned over in surprise, his expression then freezing. "Isn't this... steamed sweet potato?"
"Steamed sweet potato." Ram placed the basket full of sweet potatoes in front of Natsuki Subaru. "Today's breakfast."
Speaking of which, in the few days he had lived in the mansion, he didn't seem to have ever seen Ram cook.
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but ask:
"Ram... don't tell me you only know how to make steamed sweet potatoes?"
"...Steamed sweet potato is Ram's specialty."
Hearing this, Ram's expression first stiffened, then she responded with a deadpan face.
It seemed Ram really only knew how to make this one dish, steamed sweet potatoes.
The almighty maid Rem really spoiled her sister Ram.
It's worth noting that, previously, matters like cooking were always Rem's responsibility, Ram at most helped with some minor tasks. Of course, Ram was very good at chores like laundry and cleaning, but in terms of culinary skills, she was completely no match for her younger sister Rem.
"What's with that expression? It's really infuriating!"
Ram looked at Natsuki Subaru, frowning with dissatisfaction.
"Nothing, let me try Ram's steamed sweet potato. Mmm... delicious!" Natsuki Subaru picked up a sweet potato and took a bite, his eyes instantly widening. He was surprised to find it tasted very good.
"The amount of salt is just right."
"To celebrate Barusu still being alive, I'll make an exception and let you have one more sweet potato for breakfast today."
Ram said lightly.
"Just one?" Natsuki Subaru's face immediately fell, and he deliberately made a very disappointed expression, saying, "At least give me two, right?"
"Then one and a half."
Ram turned and walked away, her pink shoulder-length hair swaying gently.
"Ram really is the gentlest..."
Watching Ram's retreating figure, Natsuki Subaru unconsciously smiled.
"Who's gentle!" Ram's voice came from a distance. "If you talk nonsense again, you won't even get half!"
"Such a tsundere."
Natsuki Subaru muttered softly, but there was a smile on his face.
Although she was a clumsy and sharp-tongued maid, such a real Ram was actually even cuter.
______
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