章節 17: A Substitute To Your Dead Mate?
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[SCANNING…]
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[DANGEROUS PERSON UNDETECTED! DANGER PERCENTAGE REDUCED TO 90… 60… 45… 35 PERCENTAGE!]
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[SCANNING FOR SAFETY EVALUATION…]
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[CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING THE CHAIN MISSION ONE: ARRIVE AT TERIN HOUSEHOLD SAFELY!]
Sue Terin was pulled from her deep thoughts upon the series of pinging sounds of the system. The words changed on the screen in front of her.
'So that is why the chain mission one did not notify me immediately when I arrived yesterday!' What caught her off guard was the fact that the mission did not mean for her to simply go back home instead it means for her to have a safe home to return to! Indeed, this system was giving the missions that would be beneficial for her.
For someone who had long lost the meaning of trust, Sue Terin could tell that the system and the white fur ball were there to help her achieve her goals in this second life. It was also thanks to the diligent white fox that she was able to gather the files hidden by the elders – pieces of solid evidence for her plan. Being invisible had its perks and the Lord System was sure to make use of it one hundred percent.
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[COLLECTING AWARDS…]
'No. I will collect the awards later. I still need to settle… that man,' Sue thought as she willed the system away.
She glanced at the red-haired man commanding his men at the center of the Terin manor's main hall. With his back against her, she could perfectly see the dominance on his shoulders' breadth and stature. Sue could still remember when she asked him before she left for the Terin Household…
---
"Sue," said Lucien with eyes filled with reluctance to let her leave, "When will I see you again?"
A cold glint flashed beneath Sue's eyes upon Lucien's touch. She did not want to do this. No. She could not trust any men to do her good in the first place. But she needed a higher authority for her plan against the powerful people of the Terin Household. "You will, Sir Lucien. Tomorrow in the morning, meet me at the Terin Manor's derelict courtyard. I… I have something to ask of you regarding the discrepancies in my household."
"That will implicate you and you know that." The subtle frown on Lucien's perfectly sculpted face did not escape Sue's eyes.
Nodding her head, she replied in a chillingly calm voice. "What is there to protect if I have yet to devour it?"
"Devouring your elders… Spoken like a true alpha female." There was a hint of approval in his voice as he eyed her up and down like a piece of meat.
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[FAVORABILITY DETECTED!]
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[SCANNING LUCIEN LUPINE…]
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[AFFECTION FAVORABILITY: 10%... 13%...15%]
It took every logical sense in Sue's mind in order to stop her from using her Killer Slash Skill against Lucien Lupine. The way he was looking at her, the possessive gleam in his eyes, made her remember that night at the cliff. Looking at the numbers above Lucien's head, she clenched her fists and swallowed her discomfort as she remained calm on the surface.
Lucien sniffed Sue's stiffened neck before he released a growl – and left as if he was at his wit's end. The retreating red-furred gigantic wolf etched on her mind that day.
---
The dominant man in Sue's flashback from yesterday overlapped with the man stalking her now like a predator. Lucien Lupine was done with commanding his brethren in the span of the time that Sue was recalling their exchange.
A sense of dread wafted Sue Terin. She was not new to the laws of this world. After all, she had lived her life the second time around. So she knew damn well that her words came with a price. And now, the golden-eyed beast was coming for her to take was due.
Though he was grinning at her from ear to ear, Sue could see the savage madness beneath his beautiful golden eyes. It was a pity that such eyes belong to a man.
"Sue!" Before Sue could open her mouth, Lucien Lupine pulled her into a big warm hug. He sniffed her neck and rubbed her cheek with his. "I am so proud of you."
Lucien's words stunned Sue Terin. After all, she had only heard these words from her foster father, Ruen Terin. Composing herself, she painted a casual smile on her face as she tried her earnest to pull herself from Lucien's embrace.
Keyword: tried.
With their bodies practically attached to each other, Sue spoke. Her voice wavered as she clenched her fists to her side. "Sir Lucien, it will be my honor to thank you with proper courtesy so if I may?"
His chest vibrated when he released an amused chuckle. "Let's talk somewhere else, Eldest Miss of the great Household of Terin." Releasing Sue from his embrace, he immediately secured her by holding her hand.
Sue saw through Lucien's plan. Before he could hold her right hand, she subtly inched her hand lower so he could only hold catch her wrist instead. "Of course! Then I will lead you the way, Sir Lucien."
She foolishly thought that if she would walk before him then he would naturally let go like any sane person would. Sue totally forgot that by dealing with Lucien, logic was useless since he only followed his predatory instincts.
A depleted courtyard welcomed Sue and Lucien from their quiet walk.
Sue turned around. "I guess this is private enough for our talk, Sir Lucien," said Sue, "But before that… Let me thank you for heeding the selfish request of this humble one." Finally succeeding in pulling her wrist, Sue Terin bowed her head – the greatest show of submission that a person could do toward a member of the Beastmen Territory.
A pair of rough hands held Sue's arms, stopping the latter from completely bowing. "What are you doing, Sue? An alpha female bows to no one even to her male!" Lucien growled. His golden eyes glowed as he stared her down with clenched jaws.
The curtsy smile Sue was painstakingly enduring for Lucien Lupine, a renowned mad beast, completely fell. Her obsidian gaze sharpened and her countenance turned cold. "Alpha female? Forgive me, Sir Lucien, but the last time I check… I am the last human. I can never be an alpha female."
Sue Terin was no fool. She knew why Lucien Lupine was behaving like this – because he was eyeing her as a living furnace for her bloodline. There was no way that he was doing this because of some sincere feeling! All men were alike after all.
Veins started to appear around Lucien's forehead, jaws, and neck as his canines flashed in danger. Sue hid her flinch upon feeling Lucien's claws around her arms. His grip had turned for the worse.
"You are my female. It is only rightful that you will become my alpha female," snarled Lucien. His hot breath fanned over Sue's stoic face.
Jaws clenched, Sue pulled her arms – not minding the scratch she earned from his claws or the bruises she gained from his death-like grip. Chin tilted up, she hissed under her breath as she glared back at Lucien Lupine. "Make no mistake, Lucien Lupine. I, Sue Terin, am the only owner of myself. My death, my glory, my grief, and my life only belong to me and me alone."
"Tough luck. My words are the rules of the tribe," said Lucien with a haughty grin. "And do not worry about anyone coveting your position beside me. My mate has long been dead anyway."
'Yeah, and you killed her, you brainless jerk!'
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[WARNING! FAVORABILITY DEDUCTION DETECTED!]
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[SCANNING LUCIEN LUPINE…]
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[AFFECTION FAVORABILITY: 15%... 13%...8%]
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[SYSTEM WARNING! AFFECTION FAVORABILITY CONTINUES TO DROP!]
'I do not care!' Sue thought while she watched the system's bluish transparent screen turning red.
'Have you gone crazy like Lucien Lupine, lassie?' The invisible Lord System popped atop Sue's head as its tails slapped her forehead. 'If you get a zero percentage from any candidate to your harem system, you will die as a consequence! Take back your words!'
'What harem system? Does this system have a name? And I have to take back those words? Those words came from my heart and they were my real feelings! Do I have to kiss a man's ass just to survive?'
A series of questions bombarded Sue's mind. But the one she took priority at the moment was the mention of her death!
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[AFFECTION FAVORABILITY: 8%... 5%...3%]
The more the percentage dropped the more pain started to spread at the center of Sue's heart worsened. Seconds ticked and the black veins that surfaced on her chest grew wider, almost occupying Sue's chest area. Amid this, Sue remained oblivious to the black matter on her body as she focused on the severity of reality.
She was bound by the system in this second life – a fact that was both a blessing and a curse. Sue realized that she had to play it smart in order to survive this system.
The fire in Sue's pair of onyx eyes had turned cold. No. Sue's gaze became eerily calm to the point that even Lucien could not read her feelings anymore.
A sly smile painted on her thin pink lips before she placed her right palm atop Lucien's chest. Caressing him down, Sue whispered. "I… I snapped. Do forgive this humble human's momentary lapse of judgment, Sir Lucien. I am just… confused and… overwhelmed for this… opportunity." Fluttering her lashes, she continued. "Please, give me more time to sort my Household."
[FAVORABILITY DETECTED!]
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[SCANNING LUCIEN LUPINE…]
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[AFFECTION FAVORABILITY: 3%... 12%...25%]
The tensed muscles of the savage beast eased upon Sue's mere words. Lucien hugged her petite body. Caressing her neck with his palms, he was ensuring that his scent would stay longer. He could not wait to completely own her. "I will help you because you are my female. But before that, I will fight Lucca to a duel to make it official."
Sue did not flinch from Lucien's caress. Her eyes had long turned cold from the reality of her second life. With a smile form of malice as she hugged him back, she could not help but think that all men were fools.
'Indeed. They tend to think through their dicks. Endure it, for now. I will accumulate enough items to level up… and by then, I will break free from this shackle called Lucien Lupine.'
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