Chapter 172

Chapter 173: These Legs Are Worth Playing With For A Year (First Update Of The Day! Begging For Subscriptions!)

The water source surrounding the camp was actually a clear, small waterfall.

Where the white silk-like streams of water fell, there lay a natural lake dyed by the trees.

It had not been eroded or harmed by monsters, and the previous attack hadn’t reached this place.

Accompanied by the sound of trickling water, streams branched out and spread to various parts of the forest.

At a distance from the lake, near a small pool, the moonlight filtered through the lush leaves.

Like a beautiful water nymph encountered by chance while wandering in the forest, the goddess with waist-length aqua hair removed her long boots and stockings, revealing her snow-white and delicate calves.

Her two adorable feet were exposed to the air, their jade-like toes curling lightly.

She dipped her bare feet into the clean water with her tiptoes, causing ripples.

In the shallow part of the pond, Artemis played with the water, humming an unknown tune, her cherry lips slightly curved.

Though someone was watching her nearby, she didn’t care about being seen doing this.

She wasn’t resistant to him inside.

By now, Artemis had already understood that much.

That stirring feeling couldn’t be faked.

For such a long time, it was the first time she had felt this emotion within her heart.

Behind her, Izay sat on his knees by the edge of the pool, propping his chin in his hands as he watched Artemis play in the water, not showing even a hint of impatience.

Although the scenery was monotonous and unchanging, it was still beautiful and dreamlike.

Not to mention, these legs could keep him entertained for a year, right?

No, a year might be too short…

Deities were nearly perfect beings; for their eternal nature, a year and a day weren’t all that different.

Izay felt he should be more confident and think in terms of longer periods.

Perhaps in the future, decades would mean nothing to him.

The ability value system created by the deities had a unique characteristic.

The附属 effect of increasing levels inhibited aging.

Even if the “vessel” became less prone to aging, prolonging its prime, the higher the Lv., the more pronounced this tendency became.

So far, apart from the “Great Sage” who created the Philosopher’s Stone of eternal life, humanity hasn’t reached the realm of immortality.

However, as an alternative, many deities have undergone repeated Lv. upgrades over millennia, offering the possibility of immortality to the lower realms’ inhabitants.

According to the gods, “leveling up” is transformation, then approaching the gods.

Ascending to a new level brings one closer to the gods and grants many abilities; simply put, it’s getting closer to the “eternal” realm of the gods.

With system hacks and the assistance of divine ability values, who knows what Izay’s future holds?

Hmm… But for now, let’s just focus on how to win over the goddess before thinking about all these other things.

Without winning the goddess, playing with legs for a year is just a fantasy…

At this moment, Artemis turned her head and saw Izay seemingly lost in thought, which made her pause momentarily.

Perhaps captivated by the boy’s dazed expression.

Under the moonlight, the goddess gracefully moved to the shore, her voice soft as she asked,

“Izay, what are you spacing out about?”

“…Thinking about the future.”

“The future?”

Artemis clearly didn’t expect this answer, blinking in confusion.

“Aren’t you worried about tomorrow’s exploration of the ruins? Ancient monsters are dangerous!”

Normally, facing such a situation, worrying about the unknown tomorrow would be the norm.

But Artemis didn’t see any trace of such emotions from Izay.

“Are you very worried, Lady Artemis, about tomorrow’s exploration of the ruins?”

Izay didn’t answer directly but threw the question back at her.

“Me?”

Shifting her gaze from Izay to the calm, clear pond, Artemis quietly sat down beside him, exuding a subtle fragrance, yet ambiguously admitted,

“Yes, I am worried about tomorrow…”

“The extent to which Andarius has recovered his strength is unknown, the conditions inside the ruins can’t be determined, facing the unknown, I worry if something will happen to you, I worry about Letsha and Lanti, I worry about Asfi…”

She didn’t mention herself and Hermes.

Deities do not die.

Even if they receive fatal wounds in the lower realms, they are merely sent back to the heavens. Even if their divine powers are consumed, they can recover quickly upon returning to the heavens, though it would be difficult to descend again.

Regardless, she and Hermes wouldn’t encounter problems since, as deities, they had minimal guarantees.

But Izay and Letsha were different.

Their deaths would be final…

Troubled by this uncertainty, Artemis was actually quite worried inside.

She had never shown this in front of Letsha and the others.

Now, alone with Izay, she didn’t know why, but she unconsciously revealed her thoughts.

Almost shoulder to shoulder in super close proximity, Izay easily noticed the goddess’s lowered mood.

After a while, he followed her gaze toward the pond.

“No, Lady Artemis.”

“—?”

“I absolutely won’t have any issues, neither will everyone else. I promise you this.”

Replacing comfort with a promise, Izay believed it was the best way to handle the situation.

Artemis tilted her head slightly to look at Izay’s profile, remaining silent for a moment.

After some time, she quietly leaned her head on Izay’s shoulder, closing her eyes and softly responding,

“Is that so…”

Sorry, Scorpio bro, but for your buddy’s feelings to progress, could you please die off a bit?

Feeling the goddess lean against him, Izay stared at the crystal-clear pond.

Never before had he felt such determination to kill a monster.

The moonlit night sky was beautiful. When Izay and Artemis returned to the camp, the girls had already washed themselves, their hair still damp with water droplets.

Surprisingly, besides Izay, no other male comrades could be seen in the camp.

Apparently, under the leadership of a certain unconscious and then awakened deity, they had collectively gone to the lake to cause trouble, only to be wiped out and were now reflecting in the water.

The latter half of the night passed rather peacefully. Since all the surrounding monsters had been dealt with, there were no attacks, and everyone rested soundly.

In the morning mist of the forest, as the rising sun illuminated the fog along with the sea of trees accompanied by the chirping of birds, the daily routine began.