Chapter 45: Another quest

Luke had always preferred variety over commitment. In his previous life too, he’d never gone beyond casual flings—no real dating, no promises. That same instinct made him hesitate with Rhea.

There was no denying she was stunning: full curves, long beautiful legs. But if he made a move, there was a real chance she might end up as his mate someday. And that thought unsettled him.

He wasn’t being arrogant, but after displaying his strength in the village, some might already saw him as a strong candidate to become the chief’s daughter’s partner.

He had the looks, the power, the potential. Yet the idea of being tied to one woman felt suffocating. Unacceptable.

That’s why his attention had naturally drifted toward Roxanne instead.

Until now.

[Quest: Spank that ass]

Luke curses under his breath as he stepped into the quiet inner courtyard.

The house was even larger inside than it appeared. Pale moonlight spilled across the small open space in the center. No one else was around, just the two of them.

Rhea dipped the pitcher into the bucket and glanced at him.

"Should I help you wash?"

Her calm blue eyes met his, innocent and patient.

Luke exhaled slowly, caught between reluctance and resolve, then finally nodded and held out his shirt.

"Go ahead."

She leaned forward to pour the water. The neckline of her dress dipped, revealing the deep valley between her breasts. Clearly, she had inherited more than just her mother’s grace.

He made his decision. Points were points.

Rhea turned to set the pitcher back in the bucket. In that moment, she felt something small slip under the neckline of her dress—something that moved and buzzed faintly.

"Ah! What—?!"

Before she could reach down, it had already slid deeper.

Luke spoke quickly. "A bug... a big one. Hold still, let me check."

He stepped close and lifted the back of her skirt in one smooth motion.

Snow-white skin. Full, rounded cheeks barely contained by a thin, scandalously skimpy thong that framed her ass perfectly.

Damn.

"W-where is it?" Her voice trembled, genuine fear in it.

Luke gripped the small vibrator he had just purchased and slipped inside her earlier, then murmured, "It’s on your butt. Don’t move."

Rhea’s eyes widened, lips parting to protest—

*THWACK*

"Nnghh!"

She bit her lower lip hard as his palm connected firmly with her flesh.

Luke felt himself harden instantly. His hand lingered, slowly kneading the soft, warm curve of her ass.

"It’s dead..." he said, reluctantly pulling his hand away from the soft, cushioned curve of her ass.

Rhea’s backside still stung, yet a strange warmth lingered between her thighs. That sharp slap had sent an unfamiliar jolt through her, one she couldn’t quite name.

She turned to face him and gave a small nod. "Thank you."

Luke shrugged. "Don’t mention it." The quest had paid out double what the vibrator cost, not to mention the sheer satisfaction of landing that firm smack on such a perfect ass.

Rhea hesitated, then asked, "I heard someone say you’ve spent most of your life inside your house. So how did you become such a skilled warrior and hunter?"

Luke let out a low chuckle. "What, are you actually curious about me now?"

She quickly lowered her head, cheeks warming as if she’d been caught.

He crossed his arms and leaned back slightly. "You could say desperation forced me to take some dangerous risks. And here I am—not fully changed yet, but working on it."

Rhea lifted her gaze, blue eyes bright with quiet admiration. "I respect the courage you showed last night. I misjudged you when we first met. I’m sorry for that."

Luke chuckled again, waving it off. "Don’t worry about it. Anyway, where’s Lady Roxanne? I haven’t seen her since this morning."

Rhea tilted her head, sensing the shift in his tone. He seemed unusually interested in her mother. Maybe they shared some common interest she didn’t know about.

"She’s in her workshop, sculpting something. Would you like me to take you to her?"

Luke gave a faint smile. "If you don’t mind."

Soon, Rhea began to lead him deeper into the house.

Luke looked around and asked, "So it’s just the three of you who live here?"

Rhea nodded. "Yes, and two servers. I know, it must appear quite big for just three people, but since father usually invites a lot of guests, it mostly remains lively here."

Then, she slowly paused and turned to look at him, "Umm...it appears you have grown closer to my mother."

Luke was taken aback...was she going to complain about this to her father?

However, unlike what he expected, Rhea suddenly said, "She has been quite sad since this morning...can you try to comfort her?"

Luke tilted his head, "What happened to her?"

Rhea shook her head, "Please ask her that."

Luke remained silent for a moment before he hummed in understanding.

He was then led upstairs where Rhea paused before a big door.

"She is inside. Go inside. I will bring something to eat for you."

What else could he have asked for, other than some alone time with the hotness?

With a smile, he nodded before Rhea made her way downstairs.

Luke pushed open the tall doors, and instantly the smell of wet soil surrounded him.

He looked at the several vases and small statues scattered all around, some broken, some perfectly shaped.

And in the middle of the cluster was a beautiful black-haired woman.

The thin brown dress was a second skin, the damp fabric clinging desperately to every generous curve. It outlined the full, heavy swell of her breasts and the narrowness of her waist before flaring out over rounded hips and an ass that was perfectly shaped.

The material was so fine it hinted at the dark shadow of her nipples and the smooth plane of her stomach.

She was leaning over a large pot on the floor, her back arched in a way that made the dress pull taut across her body, the position emphasizing her graceful, womanly form.

Her arms, smudged with dirt and sweat, worked with a focused, messy intensity, her fingers plunging into the rich, dark soil as she tended to her creation.

Just by looking at her, Luke had an urge to do things which surely would get him into trouble.

Controlling his nerve, he was about to approach her when suddenly the system gave him a quest,

[Quest: Kiss target Roxanne.]

[Reward: 30G, A pack of condoms]

"...." The system seemed to be in the mood of getting him killed today.