Chapter 135: Chapter 135

After a bit more experimenting, Lynn had more or less figured out the function of these black threads.

He decided to call this Extraordinary weapon “Endless Silk.”

The threads could extend indefinitely, were extremely durable, and could slice through many metals. All things considered, it was quite a versatile Extraordinary weapon.

But it didn’t seem all that powerful, certainly not enough to be worthy of a Level 1 Sealed Artifact designation.

Could there be some hidden secrets within?

Gazing down at the card in his hand, which had returned to normal, Lynn suddenly realized something. When he was channeling Extraordinary power into it a moment ago, the card hadn’t immediately transformed into those black threads—it lingered in a state of neither reaction nor rejection.

During that pause, the card was neither overflowing with power nor rejecting any additional energy. It was more like a bottomless pit, able to absorb even more.

Could this thing have a second form?

With that possibility in mind, Lynn prepared to channel more power to test its limits.

But in the next second, something abruptly changed.

A sharp pain flared at the tip of his tongue, and Lynn felt as though a fire had ignited deep in his core. In an instant, his mouth went dry, his blood ran hot, and his heart thundered wildly.

Where all had been quiet just a moment ago, “Little Brother” now stood at attention, seemingly ready to cut down any foe in his path!

Damn it.
What’s happening?

Beset by a wave of searing heat, Lynn clung to rational thought and, from the table beside him, grabbed a hand mirror, opening his mouth to check inside.

By moonlight shining into the train compartment, he caught a glimpse of the mark Yveste had left on his tongue—a faint pink glow now radiating from it.

Damn.

I knew that woman was up to something again!

Swaying dizzily, Lynn propped himself on the desk, dumping a cup of water over his forehead in a futile effort to cool down.

It was pointless.
For some reason, a vision of a seductive, alluring figure flashed before his eyes.

「Good doggy…」

A murmuring woman’s voice, crimson eyes faintly misty with desire.

Lynn waved a hand, and the phantom vanished.

But his own eyes grew bloodshot, thoughts drowned out by a single name repeating over and over:

Yveste.
Yveste.
Yveste.

At last, his thread of sanity snapped.

A heartbeat later, Lynn shoved his door open and staggered into the long, narrow corridor of the train.

---

「Bang, bang, bang!」

Amid urgent knocking, Yveste—reclining in her luxurious compartment—set aside the book she’d been reading. A knowing, triumphant gleam flickered through her crimson eyes.

She made a token effort at pulling the robe over her shoulders to conceal the faint view of her chest, then smoothed her now dark, sleek hair, hoping to present a dignified, aloof appearance.

「Enter.」

She spoke calmly, voice tinged with a royal majesty.

A second later, the black-haired youth threw open the door.

「Your Highness, what did you do to me?!」

He bit out the words with clenched teeth, straight to the point.

At a glance, he wore a savage expression, seemingly in great discomfort, as if grappling with some overpowering urge.

Yveste’s lips curved in an instant of subtle amusement.

「What do you mean, ‘What did I do to you’?」Her tone chilled.「Are you accusing this princess? Is that any way for a subordinate to speak to his master?」

With that, she slapped shut the book on her lap and tossed it heavily onto the nearby desk. Crossing her arms, she seemed oblivious to how loose her robe was, emphasizing the generous shape of her chest. Noticing the youth’s frequent glances in that direction, Yveste felt her breathing grow uneven.

Am I being too harsh with him?
Might I scare him off?

Seeing his state, she almost softened.

But recalling a line from the book she’d read—together with her desire to surpass that other woman—Yveste steeled herself with an icy composure.

At her words, the youth inhaled deeply, fighting his impulses.
「Come on, Your Highness, don’t pretend. I’m talking about the mark you left…on my tongue.」

「Oh, that.」Yveste shifted, crossing her long, slender legs beneath the robe.「It’s there to help you gain strength.」

「Help me gain strength?」

He echoed her words, sounding skeptical.

Yveste pursed her crimson lips slightly.
「That mark can temporarily suppress all your messy, inappropriate desires toward your master. If you can keep your mind free of such distractions, you’ll find your power improving much faster.」

「You tell me—wasn’t this princess’s move justified?」

What a load of bull!

Right now, Lynn wanted nothing more than to pounce on her and put her in her place.

But reason still prevailed.
I am human, not a dog.
I am human, not a dog.
I am human, not a dog.

He repeated this mantra in his mind, unwittingly activating Swallower of Lies in desperation.

Observing his torment, Yveste seemed to think of something. Her eyes widened in a feigned realization:

「Oh, right. One other detail: that mark only restrains your usual desires. If they build up over a certain threshold, they’ll all erupt at once—everything you’ve been storing up until now.」

「Still, so long as you keep your thoughts pure and don’t harbor improper ideas toward your master, it’s basically harmless. If you focus on honing your strength, the cursed mark is as good as nonexistent.」

She spoke softly, tucking dark hair behind an ear for effect.

For reasons unknown, her voice carried a languid sweetness.

「If that’s so, I’ll be leaving now.」

He gritted his teeth, stepping away.

But before Lynn could turn, Yveste casually lifted an arm—and the robe that had been hanging from her shoulder slipped down unnoticed.

Boom.

In that moment, the youth’s raging lust exploded like a detonated fuse.

A flash, and his eyes glowed red as he lunged!

「What are you doing?!」

Pinned beneath him, Yveste tried for a cold, severe tone.

「You—!」

He gave a low roar and bent toward the valley of her chest.

But an instant later, a heavy, mountain-like force slammed into him, leaving him no chance to resist; he collapsed, half-kneeling on the floor.

「Hmph.」Yveste snorted softly, ignoring her disheveled robe as she perched on the edge of the bed, one shapely leg crossed over the other.「Indeed, it seems my little dog has come of age—gone into heat—no longer quite so adorable.」

Yet consumed by impulse and desire, Lynn could barely move. He could only lock a predatory gaze on Yveste, mumbling hoarsely:

「Yveste, g…give me…」

So he’s craving me right now, is he?

A scorching flush flickered through Yveste’s mind, almost breaking her resolve to press him down right away. But considering her long-term plans, she managed to restrain herself.

「Give you what?」

「I…want you.」

「Me?」A hint of pink stained her cheeks, but her crimson eyes remained stern.「Surely a master can help her dog with certain desires, but there are matters needing clarity.」

「Answer me—do you want me, or do you want your precious Miss Witch?」

「…」

For a second, Lynn’s eyes cleared as he bit down, unwilling to speak. But reason proved no match for Brother Yun’s unwavering determination.

At last, he mumbled vaguely,
「I want…you…」

「Say it properly. Who do you really want?」

「Yveste… I want you!!!」

Lynn bellowed, as though smashing any pretense. He even abandoned courtesy, calling her by name.

Rather than feeling insulted, Yveste responded with a triumphant smile.

Surely you’re watching, aren’t you?

She thought silently, uncertain who she was addressing.

「I came across something in a book,」she said after a moment, gently sliding off the cotton slippers on her feet. Her pale, tender bare feet emerged.「It said that the easier something is to obtain, the less men appreciate it.」

「And besides, you might be saying my name now, but in the end, if we really did something, I’m sure you’d still be picturing her face.」

「So, this princess’s body? You’re not getting it so easily.」

「But…I can provide a consolation prize.」

With that, she stretched her bare foot out before Lynn. In her crimson eyes danced a heat of desire.

「Use them.」