17 Is Pete a Bad Guy?

[ Perfect Gene Level 1 ]

[ New Skill Unlocked: Hero's Heart Level 1 ]

A sincere look appeared on the boy's face. "Let me explain, Marian. I was young and new in town. I have been looking for somebody to give me a rundown of Nottingham. I'd hate to do that with older people. You appear both young and experienced and hence, the right person to help me out. That's the truth."

Marian's stern face melted.

[Marian's AFFINITY has increased ]

[ Smooth Talker Level 2 ]

[ Likability + 1 ]

The female warrior nodded. The tension had dissipated. She stuffed a large loaf of bread in her mouth.

"Makes sense," the girl said, washing down the bread with ale. "You can join me in the guild tomorrow. I'll help you get registered."

"Thank you," Pete replied. While he definitely craved some romance, he felt Marian would have refused a 'quick fuck' with him anyway. It was a trap that he had narrowly avoided.

The female warrior paused eating and looked into his eyes. "You have earned my respect, Rob. I would have slept with you if you had asked. But we'd never have been able to respect each other and bond as warriors."

Pete almost spat out his ale again. He could have kicked himself.

'She was okay with having sex on the first date?!' The boy's eyes quickly darted over her Amazonian body and back to her face. 'Damn it! I missed a golden opportunity!'

"I am pleased to hear that," he said with a tense jaw. "Tell me more about yourself."

"I come from a long lineage of warriors, Rob. I've always been stronger than men my age and wanted to be an adventurer. Not so sure about the future… Perhaps I shall fight the King's upcoming crusades… slaughter an army of elves… become a bronze knight."

Pete shrugged. "That sounds like a splendid plan. Don't mind if I join you in the dream."

"You are more than welcome, Rob Huntington," Marian replied with a thin smile.

According to the books, Robin Hood was supposed to be an anti-hero who fought the Sheriff and King Richard. A rebel, an outlaw. A thief who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

At the moment, Pete's mind was flooded with plans to gain the King's favor and live a life of luxury.

[ System Warning: Do not diverge from the main storyline ]

'Fuck you!' Pete cursed internally, ignoring the prompt.

"Could you tell me why the town folks hate elves?"

Marian looked up from her food with a smirk. "You are an arrogant little warrior, aren't you? The town's champion knows very little about its history. Well, I owe you for the food and drink. Hmm, let's see…"

She swirled her wine and took a long sip. "Long story short. For centuries, peace existed between humans and elves. A decade back, King Richard's sister, Princess Joanne, came of age. It was said that she was the fairest in the world, one who would grow to be the most powerful mage."

Pete listened to the story intently.

"However, tragedy arrived uninvited. The Prince of Elves, Malakhem, abducted, raped, and killed her. They keep her corpse fresh to this date, violating her when they want to."

"What? Why did he do that?"

"The elves wanted a war with us. The humiliation of Princess Joanne was to shame the King into the battlefield."

Pete gulped. That was a dark, dark backstory. However, it explained why everyone in Nottingham despised elves.

"That is a heart-rending story, Marian. The elves are no different from monsters!"

The female warrior nodded. "I take it they besieged your home and butchered your family?"

Pete sighed, remembering his made-up backstory. "That's true."

"Do you seek vengeance, then, Rob?"

"Sure. I do."

Marian had finished her food and drink. She eyed him intensely. "The drink has made me horny. Do you want to make out?"

Pete almost spat out his ale again.

"Don't be shy," she added, getting to her feet and stretching her body. In the process, she showcased her bulges to him. "I've lain with many men, Rob, and it is not a big deal for me. We could get a room for the afternoon and through the night. What do you say?"

Pete gulped. Golden opportunities do not arrive twice within the same hour. It was a miracle. 'Fuck affinity points and game plot!' he rattled inside.

The boy opened his mouth to say yes. "I don't think that would be honorable, Marian. I must decline."

Pete bit his lip so hard that it drew blood. 'What the hell did I just say?!'

[ Virtue + 1 ]

Marian threw her head back and laughed loudly. "This is the first time a man has turned me down twice. You passed the test, Rob!"

[Marian's AFFINITY and LOYALTY have significantly increased ]

The boy wanted to jump off the rooftop. Was Perfect Gene controlling his speech too?

Ding!

[ Character Sheet Updated! ]

[ Read the Character Sheet ]

[ MARIAN ]

[ Twenty years old. Marian is a pure-blood warrior, experienced in quests and party adventures. Engaging with her effectively shall reveal new and exciting quests. ]

However, Pete's mind was somewhere else. 'Why the fuck did I just refuse sex against my wishes?!'

They were on their feet, having completed their meal and drink.

"You are a good man, Rob!" Marian exclaimed, slightly tipsy. "Come here, you adorable little archer!" She pulled him close and gave him a tight hug.

Pete realized she was an inch or two taller than him. He accepted the embrace eagerly—a consolation award. Marian's breasts were squished against his chest, and he could hear her heartbeat. She smelled sweaty and yet very alluring. The boy took a whiff of her hair.

The female warrior let him go and turned to leave the rooftop. "See you tomorrow, Rob Huntington! Looking forward to our adventures together!"

Pete looked at her walk away. He was utterly confused by his behavior. 'What just happened?'

Since his childhood, everyone Pete knew had characterized him as evil. They had convinced him he was petty, antisocial, egotistic, and a pervert. The boy had come to terms with it.

What had changed all of a sudden?

A crippling realization gripped him. 'What if…?'

What if he was becoming A GOOD GUY?