33 Mathilda

With meticulous care, Sucura concealed the firearm within his dimensional ring before cautiously stepping out of the Guadiczech stall.

The air hung thick with the pungent aroma of desiccated blood, and an oppressive atmosphere seemed to bear down upon him, stifling his every breath.

As he continued to walked, putting considerable distance between himself and the stall, Sucura couldn't help but reflect on the encounter. 'That beastman was undoubtedly plotting something sinister,' he mused. 'I was on the verge of drawing my dagger, prepared to make a swift and desperate escape if necessary. However, there's no point in dwelling on it now; I have no intention of returning to that place.'

His thoughts shifted to other matters, 'Hmm… when I utilized the Arankar, I acquired a new profession called Gunslinger, with a rank of [Dormant]. Within the game, there is a limit to the number of professions one can possess, likely three, and there are stringent restrictions in place. While the benefits include gaining valuable skills and enhanced strategic depth, there are numerous disadvantages.'

'In story mode, mastering multiple professions demands a significant investment of time, akin to juggling multiple jobs simultaneously. Additionally, it necessitates substantial resources and increases the likelihood of meeting one's demise in battles against formidable bosses due to a disparity in expertise. Most notably, pursuing this path may result in being outpaced by alternative routes, ultimately leading to a [Death Ending].'

***

After several minutes of walking, Sucura found himself standing before the Witch's Hut.

His thoughts consumed by Mathilda. 'That witch knows something,' he mused, 'as if she predicted what would transpire. The sensation is disquieting, akin to maintaining anonymity in a game, only to have a stranger address you by your in-game name (IGN) without any prior knowledge or connection to the person who called you out.'

Sucura stepped inside the hut, his eyes meticulously scanning the room for any indication of Mathilda's whereabouts. The chair she had previously occupied now stood vacant, and there was no discernible trace of her in the immediate vicinity. 'Where could she be?' he wondered.

After a few moments, he called out serenely, "Mathilda."

From behind a lengthy violet curtain at the rear of the hut an alluring woman with cropped blonde hair made her appearance. Her cheeks were flushed with desire, and her breaths came in heavy pants, the intensity of her lust palpable.

She cast a fleeting glance at Sucura before quickly casting a spell to conceal her face and hurriedly exiting the hut.

Mathilda appeared moments later, her long black hair disheveled and her usual glasses and pointed hat nowhere to be seen.

Instead, she wore a captivating gothic backless dress adorned with intricate silver patterns that accentuated her ample bosom and hourglass figure.

Her deep crimson eyes were devoid of emotion as she smiled at Sucura, saying, "Don't worry, I'm only interested in women."

With a casual flick of her wrist, Sucura's towel and half-mask, which had previously concealed his visage, vanished into thin air, leaving his features exposed.

Mathilda elegantly sauntered towards him, the soft click of her heels on the polished floor echoing like a mesmerizing symphony. Her piercing gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on his countenance.

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

As she reached him, Mathilda's slender arms encircled his neck, her eyes locked onto his with an alluring intensity.

In a sultry whisper, she reassured him, "Don't worry, I've secured the stall." Her delicate hand then embarked on a tantalizing journey, tracing a sensuous path from his collarbone down to his chest, where she tenderly caressed the fabric of his clothing.

The room's temperature seemed to rise in response to the mounting between them.

Mathilda's eyes fixated on his slender neck, the pale skin glistening with perspiration, a soothing fragrance emanating from his pores.

She noticed the veins pulsing just beneath the surface, tempting her to explore further. Slowly, sensually, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his skin, teasingly caressing the sensitive flesh.

A small gasp escaped his lips at the sudden sensation as Mathilda's tongue traced a path across his neck, each lick sending shockwaves of pleasure through his body. With an enigmatic grin, she began to nibble, her teeth sinking into his skin, leaving behind a dark, seductive hickey.

Sucura gently bit his lower lip, a reaction to Mathilda's actions, added the intoxicating scent of her hair enveloped him.

Slowly, Mathilda turned her head towards him, her eyes locking onto his. "So, you've decided to accept my deal?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue.

Sucura studied her face for a moment before responding in a calm, measured tone, "Yes, I will accept your deal."

Mathilda's lips curled into a sly smile. "Fufu~…" She took a step back, and with a graceful flick of her finger, Sucura's dark hickey healed, and the half-mask and towel concealing his face reappeared as if they had never been removed.

With a subtle gesture, Mathilda revealed the palm of her hand, which shimmered with a magical sphere.

From within the sphere, a book materialized, and she extended her arm, offering it to him with elegance.

Sucura held her gaze for a few seconds before reaching out and taking the book from her outstretched hand.

"So, do you desire something more?" Mathilda asked sultrily, her enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

Sucura gave a subtle nod and replied, "Yes, I want something more."

Mathilda tilted her head, her smile unwavering, as she awaited his inquiry.

Sucura spoke serenely, "I'm looking for a common spell."

Mathilda's grin turned cheeky. "I thought you might be thinking of something like that."

She pivoted, revealing her exposed back adorned with intricate tattoos, and gestured for him to follow. As she sauntered towards a long violet curtain, Sucura trailed closely behind her.

***

As Sucura stepped inside, he was immediately enveloped by the unmistakable scent of newly purchased books, reminiscent of the crisp, untouched pages waiting to be explored.

His eyes slightly widened in awe at the vast library before him, where towering bookshelves stretched as far as the eye could see. Each shelf was laden with an eclectic assortment of tomes, some of which emitted a soft, ethereal glow.

Ancient scriptures, weathered tablets, and delicate scrolls adorned the shelves, their contents penned in indecipherable languages or depicting vivid, realistic paintings from the dark ages.

As Sucura they continued to traverse the library, he couldn't help but notice the exquisite statues and intricate petroglyphs that adorned the space. Mysterious artifacts hovered in mid-air, defying gravity.

Eventually, they stopped in a specific area where numerous books were meticulously arranged on brown, timeworn bookshelves. The tattered covers of these volumes hinted that they held an array of common spells.

Mathilda cast a glance at Sucura and announced, "This is the place."

Sucura inquired, "May I hold and read these books?"

With a subtle nod, Mathilda replied, "Of course, you are welcome to do so."

Sucura selected a volume entitled '[Flash]' and carefully opened it. Within, he discovered a concise overview of the spell's capabilities.

However, upon turning to the subsequent page, he found it to be utterly blank. Puzzled, he directed a tranquil, questioning gaze towards Mathilda, seeking elucidation.

"Oh, I believe you're unaware," Mathilda clarified, "you must purchase the book in order to unlock the entirety of its contents."

Sucura nodded in understanding, musing to himself, 'This is akin to a teaser preview or a glimpse of a forthcoming movie.'

"I'll leave you to browse," Mathilda said, preparing to depart. "Just call my name if you need assistance." As she turned to leave, she added, "Oh, and I'll give you a 30% discount as an contrition for nibbling your neck without prior consent." With that, she vanished into the labyrinth of the library's vast collection.