Whether one calls it the suspension bridge effect, or simply that MEI had no other choice, in short, her perception of Leo had unknowingly undergone an earth-shattering change.
[MEI · Bond reached 50%, player can open the maiden's attribute panel—]
[MEI]
[Current Favorability: 72 (Close Friend)]
[Strength: 3]
[Constitution: 3]
[Energy: 8]
[Agility: 3]
[Honkai energy: 0]
[Honkai Resistance: 100%]
[—Stinky Medium Cup!]
To be honest, if MEI's [Energy] wasn't as high as 8 points, Leo would have suspected MEI would be evaluated by the System as an inherent 'Small Cup'.
—These Strength, Constitution, and Agility stats of 3, 3, 3 were simply too shameful!
"Cooperation?"
Noticing that Leo's gaze toward her had become filled with disdain, although MEI couldn't figure out exactly what had happened, she understood that she seemed to be dragging him down.
At the same time, a sudden flash of insight struck her, and she asked instinctively, "This has something to do with the 'date' you mentioned earlier, right?"
Following tonight's adventure with Leo, she understood one thing—
This man does not do useless work!
Therefore, she carefully recalled all her experiences from meeting Leo until now, and only at the cafe did Leo do something that seemed like useless work.
Now, combined with the 'cooperation' Leo mentioned, she immediately and keenly realized something.
"Yes."
Seeing that MEI had figured it out herself, Leo didn't keep her in suspense, nodding and speaking directly: "I need to generate a bond with you, thereby obtaining attributes from you."
"So in your eyes..."
Hearing this, MEI understood the reason for Leo's previous look.
"My attributes are very low?"
"They are considerably low."
Showing no mercy, Leo spoke bluntly: "You need to exercise more."
"..."
Looking at Leo in silence, MEI thought for a moment, then turned to look at Raiden Mei and asked, "Can you let me go back now?"
"Of course."
Although asked suddenly, Raiden Mei hurriedly replied, "Now you just need to close your eyes and calm your mind for a moment, and you can go back."
"Okay, I understand."
Nodding toward Raiden Mei, MEI looked at Leo again and said, "I will get up for a morning run tomorrow."
After saying that, without waiting for Leo's response, she closed her eyes and focused her mind according to the method Raiden Mei described.
Sure enough, in the next instant, her figure faded, and then dissipated on the spot like a breeze.
"She really is reliable..."
Seeing MEI leave, a faint smile appeared on Leo's face.
Being able to work with such an intelligent person, he felt more confident about conquering this dungeon within three months.
Next—
"You should understand something, right?"
Turning his head to look at Raiden Mei, he spoke directly: "Now, you belong to me."
Saying this, he looked at Raiden Mei with a passionate gaze.
Of course, what he cared about was not just the person Raiden Mei, but more so—
[Congratulations player on completing the instance mission: Bullying!]
[Congratulations player on obtaining mission rewards: "Far East Ancient Martial Arts: Hokushin Ittō-ryū", Blade Soul · Herrscher of Thunder (C-Rank), Honkai energy * 5]
[Weapon: Blade Soul · Herrscher of Thunder (C-Rank)]
[Level: 0]
[Description: The maiden's resentment and fear have already dissipated, but the purple thunder still needs to be tamed step by step.]
[Effect: Slightly increases Attack Power; attacks can carry weak Lightning Attribute damage.]
[Ability: ■■·■■■, ■■·■■■, ■■·■■■, ■■·■■■, ■■·■■■]
[Note: Skills unlock with Level]
[—I can't do anything!]
As expected... it's impossible to give it to me in one step.
Although this result was within Leo's expectations, he was still somewhat disappointed after seeing the tachi's attributes clearly.
However, since it could be leveled up, it wasn't a big problem in his view.
At the very least, after having a weapon, and once he familiarized himself more with "Far East Ancient Martial Arts: Hokushin Ittō-ryū", he could go challenge Lord Guard Zombie.
"Um..."
Because Raiden Mei had immediately lowered her head with a blushing face after meeting Leo's passionate gaze, she didn't see the flash of disappointment on the rabbit-head kid's face.
She could feel that after she acknowledged Leo's thoughts, she had already generated a mysterious connection with Leo.
She couldn't explain the specifics clearly, but as long as Leo wished it, she could transform into a long blade for Leo to use at any time.
"Rest assured."
Afraid of scaring Raiden Mei, Leo revealed a serious expression and said, "I am here to save you, not to enslave you."
"So you don't need to be too nervous. If there's anything you need me to provide, just say it, and I will do my best to satisfy you."
"Additionally—"
Thinking about it, he still couldn't completely suppress the urge of the rabbit head, and asked Raiden Mei: "What do I need to do to let you [Level Up]?"
After asking, he looked at her with a face full of curiosity.
"!!!"
Raiden Mei, whose emotions had originally been soothed by Leo, immediately became nervous again after being asked the question related to [Level Up].
Her vermilion lips pursed tightly, her right hand clasped her left elbow joint, and at the same time, she avoided Leo's curiosity-filled line of sight.
"?"
Seeing this, Leo immediately and keenly sensed something, asking tentatively: "Do we have to deepen the bond like MEI and I did?"
However—
"..."
Silence, continuous silence.
Meanwhile, the blush on Raiden Mei's face had already spread to that snow-white neck and those exquisite ears!
"Uh... is it even more excessive than that?"
To be honest, this step was also something Leo hadn't expected.
But soon, he realized—
In a certain sense, Raiden Mei was now his familiar, and since it was this kind of relationship, naturally he had to replenish mana for her!
—Haji-Tong, so this is where you're making up for the Main Trio I was missing!
At this moment, he finally understood Tongzi's... no, his Adoptive Father's benign intentions!
"Mn..."
After dazing for a while longer, Raiden Mei also understood that this issue couldn't be bypassed no matter what, so she could only say with self-abandonment as if resigning to fate: "That's right... it is just as you think!"
"But in order to eliminate this Honkai Domain as soon as possible—"
As she spoke, she crossed her arms and turned her back.
"—Do whatever you want!"
Then, Leo saw her slender back trembling slightly.
"..."
Seeing this, Leo silently walked over and placed his hand on Raiden Mei's shoulder.
After organizing his thoughts, he opened his mouth and said, "Rationally speaking, I should push the boat with the current, and shouldn't refuse your good intentions."
"But emotionally speaking, whether it's you or me, we should both need a little time to consider."
Undoubtedly, he lied.
Whether it was Raiden Mei's beauty or his understanding of Raiden Mei, he had long since come to like this maiden.
But precisely because he liked her, he didn't want to put her in a difficult position.
Moreover, for a mere Lord Guard Zombie, he probably didn't need to upgrade the tachi yet... probably didn't need to, right?
________________________________________
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