—
After returning to the dical facility, Kieran turned toward everyone and examined how inebriated they were. Because Nean and Bastion were of a larger fra, they held their alcohol incredibly well.
“Bastion, Nean–do a favor and lead Sithik and Cygnus back to their rooms,” Kieran directed.
“You’ve got it, boss,” Nean answered. He swung Sithik’s arm over his shoulder and walked the extrely tipsy boy upstairs.
“Y-you know what, Nean? You’re a solid guy. A big burly, sweetheart,” Sithik slurred his words and hiccuped.
Although the residual energy of the X-hancers had neutralized so of the alcoholic content, Sithik didn’t possess enough to counteract the number of drinks he had.
“There you go, little guy. Small steps. Take it easy because if you hurl on , I will turn on the security system and toss you into it,” Nean said, patting his chest.
Afterward, Bastion extended his hand like a gentleman and guided Cygnus up the steps two paces behind Nean and Sithik.
Upon confirming they had made it up the stair without incident, Kieran turned to Alice. “Are you alright?”
“Just a bit lightheaded,” Alice said in a breathy voice. Despite coming from an Affluent Family, she didn’t drink often, so it felt good to celebrate with friends. Due to the occasion that seldom ca to pass, he truly outdid herself.
“Altair, can you assist Alice?” Kieran asked.
“That’s no problem at all.” Altair walked beside Alice and extended his elbow in a hook shape so she could hold on to him. Before leaving, Alice spared Kieran another glance with a radiant smile.
“Thank you, Kieran.”
“No problem, Alice. I enjoyed our night out,” Kieran responded. His voice was low akin to a whisper, because he felt that Dr. Riley’s breath had softened as if she were nodding off against his arm.
Kieran understood that Dr. Riley worked herself harder than she cared to admit. The number of tis he logged out and saw her passed out over her research numbered more than a few.
Soon enough, only Kieran and Dr. Riley remained in the facility’s outer corridor. Unlike the others who walked up the left staircase, Dr. Riley’s room, which was more like an entire apartnt, could only be reached through the opposite set of steps.
Kieran moved his hand and tapped on her cheek. “Lillian.”
“Mm~?” Dr. Riley’s response was a cross between a moan and a groan. She lifted her watery bluish-green eyes and gazed at Kieran.
“I’ll carry you to bed,” Kieran said.
Contrary to Kieran’s expectation, Dr. Riley imdiately opened her arms like a toddler asking an adult to carry them. Kieran knelt and swiped her leg, hoisting her up in a princess-style carry, which made her cling around his neck.
Her breath was warm and filled with notes of a fruity scent and light traces of an aromatic alcohol scent known to sting one’s nose. However, it was llow and overpowered by Dr. Riley’s natural aroma.
Kieran carried her to her room and dropped her bags by her door. As he looked around, Kieran was surprised by how tidy she kept the apartnt. Perhaps it was due to her rarely being up here, but the cleanliness required praise.
“We’re here,” Kieran said, standing over Dr. Riley’s queen-sized canopy bed with many cream sheets draped out the fra.
Despite announcing their arrival, Dr. Riley continued to cling to his neck before nestling her face into his collarbone. Alcohol tended to dull one’s inhibitions, like a kind of truth serum, so many of Dr. Riley’s repressed urges overflowed.
Kieran froze as he felt a pair of soft, plump lips caress his skin.
“Mm~! You’re so warm, and I like it,” Dr. Riley said. Her voice was velvety and filled with emotion.
Kieran cleared his throat and exhaled before leaning over the bed so that Dr. Riley’s back touched it first. Once that happened, Kieran whispered into her ear. “Things like this shouldn’t happen while we’re slightly intoxicated.”
Eventually, Kieran managed to unclasp Dr. Riley’s arms from around his neck and tuck her into bed after taking off her heels and jewelry. Before leaving, however, he brushed a few strands of strawberry blonde hair away from her forehead.
“You’ve treated well and cared for . Perhaps overstepping those boundaries would be wrong,” Kieran muttered. The way he spoke was as if he was trying to convince himself.
He sowhat feared intimacy because of a few views imposed on him while young.
Could soone of his emotional bearing even love correctly? What drove Kieran was power, to the point it obscured many emotions that were natural to a human being.
Seeking affection and reciprocating intimacy never appeared at the forefront of his desires. Sure, carnal desires sprouted ti and again, but they could be suppressed with willpower.
Kieran soon dimd the light and stepped toward the door, but he failed to notice Dr. Riley’s glossy eyes open again and gaze at his departing back. She rested in bed, looking forward with clouded thoughts and a sowhat unfocused gaze.
After a while, her cheeks reddened, but it wasn’t the red tint from her alcohol-induced fervor. Dr. Riley’s actions partially dawned on her, and embarrassnt rose in her mind. When Kieran stopped, she instinctively closed her eyes and stilled her breathing.
“Good night, Lillian.”
…
After placing his bags in his room, Kieran returned to the facility’s dical area.
Inside the room’s quiet atmosphere, Kieran calmly unfastened his belt and removed his suit.
‘You may all sleep to your heart’s content tonight. But I don’t have that luxury. I must ensure our path ahead if we’re going to catch up to our competition and surpass them.’
A few seconds later, Kieran changed into his typical spandex bottom after neatly setting aside his suit. He approached the container before him and took out one 20% concentration X-hancer.
After consuming it, Kieran felt all traces of alcohol being expelled from his body.
The aftereffects ward his body, but the sensation was bearable. Rather than consu another 20%, Kieran ingested 15% to top off his energy reserves.
Afterward, Kieran went through attaching all the electrodes and starting up the data recording system. Once he finished making the preparations, Kieran placed the helt on his head and laid back with a sigh that expelled most of his concerns.
Following his sigh, Kieran initiated the log-in process, transporting his consciousness through the virtual link.
…
Inside Zenith Online…
Kieran’s eyelids fluttered a few tis before his eyes opened. As he sat up, Kieran noticed that the pain in his mind had reduced by 20%.
Although his current condition paled compared to his peak state, Kieran was satisfied that he didn’t suffer from a mind-splitting headache anymore.
Upon exiting the healing chambers, the guard outside stopped him.
“Commander Ezrath stopped by not too long ago. He asked that I relay to that they’ll be waiting in the first lounge area,” the guard revealed.
The first lounge area was located near the main entrance and could only be accessed by formal mbers of the War Deity Council. One could reach it by taking the left path instead of the middle route that led toward the building’s depths.
“Thank you.”
After leaving his thanks, Kieran retraced his steps while withdrawing the unknown stone from Lord Veradin. A tinge of familiarity rose in Kieran’s mind the longer he inspected the item in his palm, but it continued to elude him.
Perhaps the sparse information was buried in the depths of his mind, but Kieran failed to confirm the source of this gnawing feeling.
‘Lord Veradin advised that I take it to the Wykins, so I’ll have to take my chances and venture there.’
Kieran had his reason for his reluctance.
The Wykins were known to be masters of several mystical arts, so of which could inflict a True Death upon players. If he overstepped, there was a possibility that he could lose his account.
Such an outco was far from desirable. There were too many extravagant items and impressive quests in Kieran’s possession to lose his account to issues caused by the residents of Xenith.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t sothing he could avoid. If he wanted to visit the Emplenan Few, gaining the favor of the Wykins was a must due to their amicable relationship.
A few minutes later, Kieran arrived in the first area and noticed Zerim and Ezrath awaiting his arrival.
“Excellent,” Ezrath exclaid. “It seems my grandson has made his first friend, even going as far as to invite him into our revered holand.”
“Please don’t spoil my image, grandfather,” Zerim muttered with a slight grimace. His grandfather had an uncanny ability to embarrass him indirectly at every turn.
Ezrath released a peal of hearty laughter as he led the two boys outside, where he placed two fingers in his mouth and released a deafening whistle.
A squawk sounded as a gigantic figure dived toward their location from the skies above.
Bang!
When the dust cleared, a colossal bird resembling a hawk with azure eyes bowed its head before Ezrath. Intelligence flashed in its gaze as its massive wingspan cast an imnse shadow.
‘A Zephyr Hawk? And it seems to be an Awakened Beast,’ Kieran thought. ‘It’s an incredible mount.’
“All aboard,” Ezrath commanded, lightly tapped his foot. Kieran and Zerim followed, taking a seat on the hawk.
A few seconds later, they were jolted by the Zephyr Hawk’s abrupt acceleration. Kieran instinctively clutched a few of its feathers.
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