In an abandoned cellar hidden in a part of the forest, two figures suddenly appeared, their bodies practically glued together, as if trying to merge.
"Ah..." Eleanor stepped back, quite surprised by the sudden closeness.
Kael, on the other hand, showed no expression, quite indifferent to the situation. "I survived, at least I survived those mercenaries, and fortunately, I didn't encounter any beasts along the way," he thought, feeling quite lucky.
Eleanor, looking at the man in front of her, felt a little incredulous. "Isn't this man about the same age as my son?" she thought, looking at him more closely.
She had to admit, upon closer inspection, that he was definitely handsome.
And even though she was a tall woman at 5'7", the man in front of her was practically a head taller, measuring approximately 6'2".
However, observing his pale face and weak body with cold sweat visible on his forehead, Eleanor had a suspicion as to why he had saved her.
"May I know your name?" she asked politely. After all, the man in front of her was her saviour.
"Kael, Kael Virkninges," he declared.
Eleanor's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Kael? The young man they say is useless and despicable, that one?"
Hearing Eleanor's words, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Well, I know my reputation isn't good, but don't exaggerate," he commented casually.
"Anyway, my name and reputation don't matter. Let's talk about serious things."
Listening seriously, Eleanor nodded. "Okay, what do you want?" she asked directly.
Kael smiled. "I like your frankness," he said casually, continuing. "As you can see, my body isn't in the best of health, right?"
Eleanor nodded in agreement.
Kael continued. "I know you have a flower at your disposal, the flower of a thousand poisons. I need it... You can see it as one life for another."
Eleanor was surprised by Kael's request, not because of anything else, but because of how simple it was.
The flower of a thousand poisons was, in fact, a rather rare and valuable flower, very useful and highly sought after. She had been lucky enough to find one some time ago.
It was, in fact, basically one life for another.
"Given your reputation, I had imagined a more outrageous request, like becoming your wife or something," Eleanor smiled slightly, taking a flower with hundreds of purple petals out of her ring.
That was, in fact, the flower of a thousand poisons.
Eleanor gave it to him directly.
Seeing the flower in his hands, Kael smiled happily. "Could it be that the beautiful lady wanted me to make that request?" he asked her directly.
Eleanor shook her head. "Don't have any other thoughts about this old woman. I am no longer a young girl who blushes at such obvious games," her voice was clear, with a soft smile on her lips.
[Favorability: 30]
Above Eleanor, a panel appeared.
"System, does that panel mean what I think it means?"
[Indeed, host, the favorability shows just that, a MILF's favorability towards you. As Eleanor's saviour, it is only natural that your favorability is a little higher.]
Kael nodded. "Tell me the different levels of Favorability."
Instantly, a large panel appeared in front of him.
[Favorability 0: Strangers
Favorability 10: Acquaintances
Favorability 20: Companions
Favorability 30: Close Friends
Favorability 40: Friends
Favorability 50: Close friends
Favorability 60: Infatuation
Favorability 70: Intense infatuation
Favorability 80: Love
Favorability 90: Obsession
Favorability 100: Unhealthy obsession]
Observing each level of favorability that existed, Kael quickly related it to Eleanor's. "So, by saving her, I'm already in the close range, better than I thought," Kael smiled inwardly.
He didn't respond to Eleanor's words. He put the flower in his mouth, the thousand-poison lotus, and swallowed it in one bite.
Instantly, he felt the flower dissolve in his mouth, tasting bitter.
The colour of his skin gradually regained vitality, while the muscles in his body tensed, seeming to widen.
Opening his eyes, Kael was surprised. He could see the world more clearly. It was as if his previous perception had been very limited.
He smiled unconsciously. "So... this is what the world looks like," he murmured. Despite being in an abandoned cellar, it looked much brighter, with a touch of fantasy.
Eleanor smiled too. "It's a pleasure to work with you."
Kael nodded without responding, silently staring at a specific point, as if lost in thought, but in reality...
"System, I would like to receive the mission reward," he couldn't wait any longer.
[Reward received: Charm x2, Irresistible Aroma]
Looking at his reward, Kael raised an eyebrow curiously as he felt the changes in his face.
He couldn't quite identify what had changed, so he just sighed and decided to take a closer look when he got home.
"An unexpected reward, but not bad," he thought sincerely.
Looking at the woman in front of him, who was staring at him in a daze, Kael had to admit that the increase in charm was, in fact, quite useful.
"Eleanor," Kael called out suddenly.
Recovering from her daze, she felt very embarrassed, but she could only hide it and nod at Kael.
Seeing that he could continue, he spoke. "I know more or less what happened. The Raidel family betrayed your Cratfoll family, which led to all this. Basically, they destroyed your entire family. Only you and your son survived, right?"
Upon revealing everything at once, Eleanor couldn't help but clench her fists tightly, digging her nails into her own flesh.
"In short, yes, that's how it happened," she admitted bluntly.
"Well, you know the saying, 'the enemy of your enemy is your friend'? It applies in this case," he said.
Eleanor understood his implication immediately.
"And don't worry, your son won't be dragged into this, but you must pretend to be dead no matter what. No one can know you're alive, not even your son," he declared.
After a moment, where the damp and desolate air of the cellar seemed to be their only company, Eleanor spoke. "Fine, but swear to me. This revenge must happen no matter what."
Observing Eleanor's grim expression, Kael nodded.
The two agreed. Few words were spoken, but they had made everything clear. Destroy the Raidel family.
"We'll discuss this collaboration further later, but now, I must heal your wounds and get us out of here. After all, we're still in the forest."
Eleanor agreed, so Kael took several medicines and bandages from his storage ring and applied them to Eleanor's wounds.
[Favorability: 40]
Kael was surprised by the sudden increase in favorability. But remembering her brief description, she had never received kindness or care from another person, nor had she ever had romantic relationships with other people.
The two were silent.
After her wounds were treated, she quickly merged with Kael's shadow.
This was one of her special abilities, Camouflage, this time used to blend in and become his shadow.
Kael could only look at the spacious cellar with excitement. "First MILF saved."
However, a notification interrupted their rare moment of tranquillity.
[New Mission: Win Eleanor over and make her your woman.
Reward: ?]
"Another mysterious reward?" Kael looked at his shadow, where Eleanor was, and couldn't help but let a playful smile form on his lips.