Chapter 415: Insecure

Luke knew it would take some time to go through everything the system had presented him, so he decided to set it aside for the moment and meet Roxanne first.

She had already spotted him and was watching him with a faintly worried expression.

Yesterday, he had just fainted after being disappeared for some time. And the way he fell asleep was like he was knocked unconscious.

Thankfully, Monica assured them that whenever he was very tired he tend to sleep all upright.

Seeing her worried expression, Luke ignored the system for now and approached her.

"Quite the reliable friend you are." Gary’s unamused voice came from the side. He stood with his arms crossed, his expression making it clear that he was far from impressed.

Luke could only smile helplessly. "My job was to protect the village, which I did. Your job was to help regulate things, which I suppose you did well enough."

Gary huffed. "No need to flatter me. I somehow managed. And that kid... well, I must admit, he has quite the fiery spirit."

Luke’s brows rose. "What happened?"

Roxanne answered this time. "He changed the depressing announcement into something that gave everyone hope for the future."

Gary nodded. "People who had been tearing up, some of them looking as though they were about to collapse beneath their grief, suddenly seemed to find a new purpose. It was as if someone had reminded them that their lives did not end with what happened that night."

Luke nodded in quiet appreciation. "I knew it. Dart was the right choice for this."

Dart had always possessed a naturally positive disposition. More importantly, there was a sincerity to him that Luke had come to value. He was the kind of person whose presence could brighten a room without him even trying.

Whenever Luke imagined someone capable of bringing light into the darkest place simply by standing there, Dart was one of the first people who came to mind.

And now, it seemed, the young man had lived up to the standard Luke had set for him.

"Anyway, I’m quite sleepy, so I’ll take my leave. Luke, if you’re free this evening, be there when the reinforcements arrive."

Luke nodded. "I’ll try."

Things had become so unpredictable around him that he had stopped making firm promises unless absolutely necessary. There was always another crisis waiting around the corner, another unexpected variable capable of throwing even the simplest plans into disarray.

Gary seemed to understand and merely nodded before giving Roxanne a courteous nod of his own and walking away.

Once he was gone, Luke reached out and took Roxanne’s hand.

"If you aren’t too sleepy, would you mind chatting for a bit?"

Roxanne nodded. "Yes, sure."

She looked a little drowsy even as she answered, which was hardly surprising considering the sun had not yet risen.

Luke considered it for a moment before speaking. "Let’s talk in your room, then."

Roxanne hummed and gave a small shrug. "If you wish."

It took her only a moment to realize what he was actually suggesting. A faint, innocent smile soon appeared on her lips, betraying the thought that had crossed her mind.

Together, they headed toward the new house where Baldon had moved after the attack by the magical beast.

The house was quiet at this hour. There were no servants around, partly because most of them had been relieved of their duties after the recent chaos and partly because dawn had yet to arrive. For the first time since the attack, the residence seemed almost peaceful.

As they entered the room, Luke asked, "How has Thea been?"

Roxanne nodded. "Much better after you talked to her. She at least came out to eat last night and even spoke a little."

Luke sighed in relief. "I’ll have a chat with her server later. For her comfort, it’s important that Nala stays."

Roxanne hummed as she sat on the bed, crossing one leg over the other. "I heard something about Nala. It was only passing gossip, so I don’t know whether it’s true."

Luke raised a brow and turned toward her. "What is it?"

There was a strange mixture of amusement and hesitation in Roxanne’s expression.

"Is it true that you once liked Nala and wanted to make her your mate?"

Luke groaned. "Who is talking about things like that these days?"

Roxanne shrugged. "Almost half the village seems to be talking about you, and of course, about everything connected to your past."

She paused, then narrowed her eyes slightly.

"So you liked Nala, huh?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah. She was a close friend whom I considered precious. But it turned out she never saw me that way. I was little more than a pet to her, or something similar. She rejected me because she thought I was a weakling."

Roxanne hummed thoughtfully before asking, "Do you still have feelings for her?"

Luke looked at her with mild surprise. "It’s rare for you to ask this many questions."

Roxanne’s expression immediately grew flustered. "Right... I’m sorry. I just felt..."

She trailed off, lowered her gaze, and sighed before finally admitting, "I was getting dressed in a rush this morning when I noticed something that made me worry."

Luke calmly approached her and sat beside her.

"What got you worried?"

Roxanne didn’t answer. Instead, she reached for his hand and gently placed it against her stomach.

Luke understood almost immediately.

"So... your clothes felt a little tighter around your body."

"You can say it bluntly." Roxanne looked down at herself and muttered, "I’ve gathered too many layers, and it has started making me feel out of shape. I don’t feel as confident about myself anymore."

Luke finally understood why Nala had suddenly become the subject of her concern.

Nala was young and slim. She spent much of her time doing housework for different households, and caring for someone as demanding as Thea meant she was constantly on her feet. It was only natural that she had maintained a slender figure.

Luke suddenly took Roxanne’s hand and placed it over his heart.

"My heartbeat would spike if I were lying."

Roxanne’s brows rose slightly, but before she could say anything, Luke spoke with complete sincerity.

"I love thick women. Women like you, Roxanne."

There was no hesitation in his eyes, and his heartbeat remained perfectly steady beneath her palm.

"That’s why I love how you are now. So don’t lose your confidence or start thinking that I’ll somehow like you less because your body has changed. I love everything about you, Roxanne."

Roxanne’s cheeks grew even warmer. Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at him, seemingly unable to find a response.

Luke pulled her closer and let her rest her head against his shoulder. His voice softened as he spoke.

"Now, don’t overthink things. Nala was part of my past, and I won’t deny that. But she no longer matters to me."

Roxanne hummed, seemingly quite content with the way he had reassured her.

Luke sighed and shook his head. "Seriously, you had me worried there for a moment."

Roxanne didn’t respond.

When Luke glanced down, he found that she had already drifted off to sleep.

He remained still for a moment, unwilling to risk waking her. Her breathing had settled into a slow, peaceful rhythm, and there was no reason to disturb her after everything she had endured.

Instead, Luke turned his attention inward and addressed the system.

’Alright. Get started.’

[Host, first of all, congratulations once again on clearing the First Floor of the Dungeon and helping save an entire race from extinction. Furthermore, congratulations on awakening the second stage of your Gamma Pod.]

A faint smile appeared on Luke’s face.

He had expected the rewards to be substantial, but even so, he was curious to see exactly what the system had prepared for him.

[Quest: Have an arena battle before a large audience]

[Reward: 500 GP]

[Quest: Land a strike on a Dragon Lord]

[Reward: 500 GP

Skill: First Blood (Rank A)]

[Quest: Awaken your first Class]

[Reward: 1000 GP

A new category in the Status Window]

[Quest: Transform into a Beast State]

[Reward: Memory Echo (Rank S)]

[Quest: Defeat a Dragon]

[Reward: 1500 GP

Heat Resistance

Black Scale Armour (Rank A)]

[Quest: Save an entire race]

[Reward: 5000 GP

Shop Coupon ×3]

[Quest: Conquer the First Floor]

[Reward: Free Hunting Ground

2000 GP

Skill: Teleportation (Rank S)]

Luke stared at the screen for a very long time before he said,

’System...I may have a few questions for you. Or maybe a lot.’

[The system is here to help the host.]

Luke had to ask things Vbv the rewards but the first thing he asked was, ’What’s my current point balance again?’

[Gamma Points: 12000]

"...."

~~~

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please leave a review since the count hadn’t been moving at all. Join the discord if you want extra images.

Just sent a request to hayden_greyhart and I will provide you the link.