When the corpulent Locke returned home, his dinner was already laid out by his wife. The ringing in his ears had yet to subside, and with a snarl he cursed aloud, "One day, I swear I'll kill that b*st*rd White!"
His wife stiffened at his outburst, her body trembling. "What happened to Old White? He's a good man…"
Before she could finish, Locke struck her viciously across the face. "Since when do you speak for him? Get yourself washed and wait for me in bed."
The woman quivered, tears spilling from her eyes. She clutched her bruised cheek, turned silently, and walked slowly into the room.
Locke seized the half-empty bottle of liquor on the table, downed it in one gulp, then staggered toward the bedroom.
As he entered, he saw the woman slowly undressing—her shapely thighs already exposed, her full hips outlined by black underwear. His lust ignited instantly. Fueled by rage and drink, he lunged at her, tearing away her undergarments.
Without the faintest foreplay, Locke forced himself into her with brutish urgency.
The woman cried out in pain, clinging to the bedsheet as the heavy man thrust violently upon her.
Elsewhere, White chuckled softly at Xiao Feng. "I wouldn't call myself a true Awakened—just someone whose genes evolved a little more than most."
Xiao Feng stared at the fully healed wound on White's arm, astonished. He opened his mouth to speak, but just then, a knock came at the door.
The two exchanged surprised glances. They had lived together for more than a month, and not once had anyone knocked on that door.
"Go see who it is," White said, adjusting his sleeves.
Xiao Feng stepped to the door and called out, "Who's there?"
A light, flirtatious voice answered, "It's me."
He opened the door to find the stunning Ivy, though tonight she had shed her battle fatigues. She wore a beautiful dress beneath a white fur coat, her face delicately made up, her curves as intoxicating as ever. Her presence was arresting.
Xiao Feng froze, his face flushing. "You? What are you doing here?"
"Why not me?" she teased, smiling. "I came to invite you both for a drink—to thank you for saving our comrades earlier today. I won't take no for an answer."
"Uncle White, Ivy's inviting us for drinks."
White shook the bottle in his hand. "I've already got liquor, and I'm exhausted. Go on without me, lad."
Xiao Feng hesitated. "You're not coming?"
"No, I'm too old. After a day of hunting, I need rest. You go enjoy yourself."
With a cheerful laugh, Ivy seized Xiao Feng's wrist. "If Old White won't come, then you'll have to keep me company."
Xiao Feng gently slipped from her grasp, blushing, then closed the door and followed her into the night. Her eyes sparkled like starlight as she turned toward him. "Xiao Feng, right?"
He nodded.
"You seem awfully shy. Why won't you look at me?"
"I'm not afraid to look at you," he said, meeting her gaze.
"Am I beautiful?"
"Yes."
"Do you like me?"
Xiao Feng blushed deeper and offered no reply.
Ivy laughed playfully. "And you call yourself a man? You're clearly still just a boy."
"I am a man," Xiao Feng said firmly, his eyes intense.
"Alright, alright—you're a man. I never said you weren't."
Her laughter echoed through the quiet village streets.
They arrived at the tavern, where Cook, Brian, and others were already celebrating. They had just brought down a G-class beast—a victory that demanded revelry.
When Ivy led Xiao Feng through the door, Brian whistled sharply through his fingers. "Look who it is—my goddess herself!"
Cook, cheeks flushed with drink, grumbled, "Brian, watch that tongue of yours. Turner might just rip it out."
Ivy and Xiao Feng joined their table. With a snap of her fingers, Ivy called to the bartender, "Two more bottles of whiskey!"
The voluptuous barmaid, tipsy from a prosperous evening, beamed. "Coming right up!"
Whiskey was a rare indulgence, affordable only to wealthy mercenaries and hunters. Even soldiers of the Alliance seldom drank here.
Soon, Ivy, Xiao Feng, and the others were drinking, laughing, and shouting. After fifteen minutes, Xiao Feng's cheeks were rosy from the liquor. Ivy looked even more dazzling beside him.
As the night wore on, Ivy slung an arm around his shoulders, boldly clinking glasses and exchanging raucous jokes with the others. Her full breasts brushed against his arm, sending shivers through him. The youth struggled to keep control.
His body responded instinctively.
The other mercenaries, amused by Ivy's antics, didn't give the young man a second thought. To them, he was still just a boy.
Over an hour later, the party began to break up. Xiao Feng helped the tipsy Ivy back toward the barracks. Cook and Brian walked ahead while Ivy leaned heavily against him. He held her slim waist, rigid with nervous restraint.
"Xiao Feng," she murmured, "do you enjoy drinking with me?"
Emboldened by alcohol, he replied honestly, "Yes."
"Oh? Do you enjoy my company, or the wine?"
"Both…"
"Good. Then join our Viper Squad."
"I can't decide that alone—I have to ask Uncle White first."
Ivy leaned close, whispering in his ear. "Old White's been saving every coin for his daughter's treatment. If you keep freelancing like this, who knows when you'll have enough? But if you join us, we'll help. My brother will guarantee your safety—even against the Alliance. Think about it."
Xiao Feng was silent for a moment, then asked, "If I join, will you give me a sniper rifle?"
He was thinking of the sleek weapon displayed at the top of the general store wall.
"Of course. If my brother won't, I'll give you mine. Deal?"
"Deal."
At the entrance to the Viper barracks, Xiao Feng gently set Ivy down. Then he turned and walked into the night.
Leaning against the doorframe, Ivy watched his slender figure vanish into the shadows. A smile touched her lips.
"So?" a deep voice rumbled nearby. Turner stepped from the darkness. "Will they join us?"
Ivy straightened, arms crossed. "Looks like playing the seductress was the right move. Xiao Feng agreed—he's going to speak to White."
Turner chuckled. "He falling for you?"
Ivy tilted her head thoughtfully. "You could say that. There's no man in this world who can escape me. If he were a few years older, I might even propose."
Turner laughed heartily. "Too bad he's still just a boy."
"I can wait," Ivy said softly, disappearing into the barracks.
Turner watched her go, then turned with a sigh. "Seems I'll have to pay White a visit myself."