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No snowflakes drifted from the sky,
yet a thick layer of white snow covered the ground.
With each step, a crisp crunch could be heard.
From a distance, Bochang and Bailu observed Clara. The young dragon tugged at his sleeve, asking, "Is that the person you're looking for? Why isn't she wearing shoes?"
Clara, barefoot, had not yet noticed their arrival.
However, the vagrants did spot them.
It was inevitable...
How could Bailu's presence go unnoticed with her horns and tail, clearly standing out as unusual?
The vagrants whispered among themselves, pointing and murmuring incomprehensible words.
"That's a good question," Bochang said, gazing upwards towards the sky.
Only heaven knew why Clara didn't wear shoes. Bochang had never asked her before; how could he possibly know?
Without receiving an answer, Bailu retracted her gaze.
Perhaps the vagrants' hushed discussions caught Clara's attention.
In short...
Clara noticed Bochang and Bailu silently observing from nearby. Her gaze lingered on them for a moment.
Pausing her distribution work, Clara jogged over to Bochang.
"Bochang-gege? What brings you to the Lower District? I heard you had already left Belobog..."
"I had some unexpected matters to attend to, so I came back," Bochang replied, noticing how both her feet were immersed in the snow. "Also, I have a gift I'd like to give you."
[Dating Options activated.]
[Option 1: Present Clara's bra - Completion Reward: 100% increase in physique.]
[Option 2: Offer super soft white thigh-high stockings - Completion Reward: Praise of High Morals. At the fountain in Belobog Administrative Region's Central Plaza, you can use one Praise of High Morals to retrieve a treasure from the fountain once. Note: This type of item will...]
«Impressive... yet again with the Praise of High Morals, huh?»
Bochang internally rolled his eyes.
However, this time when presenting Clara's bra:
Surprisingly, it didn't result in obtaining Schwalow's underwear as before.
Instead, the reward was a 100% increase in physique.
Instead of Svarog's Big Booty, it offered a 100% increase in physique.
"I guess this change occurred because Clara and I have grown closer... Before, when I retrieved the belly band, we weren't well acquainted yet."
"It seems like quite a beneficial option..."
After a moment of hesitation, Bochang decided to choose Option One.
He reached into his storage pouch.
Bochang pulled out Clara's belly band.
Although called a belly band, it resembled more of a simple cloth with just the basic shape of a traditional belly band. Its purpose was merely to keep children warm and modest.
Seeing the embroidered red belly band, Clara momentarily froze before asking, "This...this is what I used to wear as a child... Bochang-gege, why... do you have it?"
Faced with the puzzled expression of the silver-haired, red-eyed little girl, Bochang did not respond immediately.
The reason was straightforward - the system's voice sounded, triggering that familiar warm sensation coursing through his body.
Bochang's physique increased from 96 times to 192 times its original strength.
"Ah... feels amazing."
Now, even if another Lord Ravager appeared, Bochang felt confident enough to challenge them.
Even if he couldn't defeat them outright,
He likely wouldn't be killed either.
"Bochang?"
Clara's voice sounded puzzled.
Bailu simply watched silently, unsure of what Bochang was up to.
Clearing his throat, Bochang said, "My apologies, I grabbed the wrong item. This is the intended gift."
Putting away Clara's bralette, Bochang produced a pair of exceptionally soft white knee-high stockings.
"Clara, these are for you."
At that moment...
Clara had not yet fully recovered from her surprise.
"Wait, Bochang, can you explain...what was that just now?" Clara hesitated, not accepting the white stockings as she remained fixated on the previous incident.
The bralette had always been kept carefully in Clara's wardrobe until recently.
Just a short while ago, Clara discovered that her childhood clothes were missing, but at the time, she didn't think much about it. Now, seeing the item in Bochang's hands reignited her curiosity.
It seems there's no easy way out of this situation..., Bochang sighed inwardly.
Bailu asked, "Clara, that piece of clothing just now... was it yours?"
"I'm not certain, but it looked very similar..." Clara's voice trailed off softly.
The sudden appearance of her intimate garment in the hands of an adult male made Clara feel slightly embarrassed.
To be honest,
having lived long enough in Belobog's Lower District
and with Svarog as her mentor,
Clara had learned quite a bit.
"Could Bochang have stolen my... But why would he... Could it be..."
Her young mind raced with thoughts unfit for public scrutiny.
Bailu, hands on her hips, said, "Bochang, don't you want to explain yourself?"
"Uh... If I say that wasn't Clara's clothing, would you believe me?" Bochang managed a polite yet awkward smile.
Clara's face flushed crimson.
"Well... umm... I, Clara believes in Bochang-brother..."
Seeing the silver-haired, red-eyed little girl blush was truly endearing.
Her skin fairer than snow, the contrast between her silvery hair and reddened cheeks was strikingly lovely. Even Bochang couldn't resist the urge to gently pinch Clara's dewy, rosy cheeks.
[Dating Option activated.]
[Option 1: Reach out and pinch Clara's cheek — Completion Reward: Stalker's Gaze. Note: Watch your back!]
[Option 2: Pat Bailu's head gently and ask, "What about you, Bailu?" — Completion Reward: Obtain a random item, ranging from a matchstick to a star destroyer. Note: Such items will...]
«If Bailu weren't around, I might have gone for it. Ugh... what am I saying? That sounds like something a creep would do...» Bochang shook his head inwardly. «However... indeed, triggering Dating Options seems easier with acquaintances rather than close friends...»
Two choices.
There was hardly any room for Bochang to deliberate.
«Option 2.»
Having made his decision, Bochang reached out and softly patted Bailu's head, asking, "And what about you, Bailu?"
"This young lady... never mind, since Clara doesn't seem to care, you can call me whatever you want." Bailu quickly changed her tone, "I forgot to introduce myself earlier. Clara, this young lady is Bailu, a friend of Bochang."
"Bailu... Clara remembers you now," said the silver-haired, red-eyed little girl with a smile.
Then...
Clara examined Bailu curiously and asked, "Those on your body, are they just decorations?"
"Not at all, these symbolize the Vidyadhara's High Elder." Bailu spread her hands to explain.
Bochang chimed in, "Clara, Bailu is a guest from elsewhere... Although she may not look much different outwardly, she actually belongs to the dragon race; both her horns and tail are genuine."
"And one more thing..."
"Clara, please take these with you." Bochang forcefully shoved a pair of exceptionally soft white stockings into Clara's hand.