Chapter 406

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on April 8, 2025

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406 People Preparing for Winter #4

Paranoi seemed eager to form something called a “Nymph Choir.”

She claimed that when nymphs gathered to sing together, something incredible would happen.

“Truly, it will be for us nymphs—many people will send donations and congratulations our way…! It will be a worthy money-making venture befitting the God of Gold and Wealth, Lord Hassan…!”

Hearing that, I pictured in my mind a scene of nymphs resembling Paranoi gathered and singing. It might end up feeling like a youth choir.

Stream, stream, little stream~

Brook, brook, little brook~

It was somewhat intriguing.

Just then, Paranoi added a few more words.

“But it’s not easy to lure wary nymphs into it…! Lately, there are more people giving nymphs candy, so candy alone won’t work anymore…!”

“Ah, I see.”

Whether it was because of Paranoi or the efforts of that so-called Nymph Relief Foundation, I’d heard that lately, more kind people were handing out candy or snacks to nymphs they passed on the streets.

Probably because most nymphs looked like cute little girls.

A cat-lady equivalent—nymph-ladies.

With so many of them around, candy alone wasn’t enough to coax nymphs anymore.

“That’s why this Paranoi is researching the preferences and behaviors of nymphs…! And the research has been quite fruitful…!”

“Oh? What do nymphs like?”

“I’ve heard that Ignoy loved being lifted high by Bacchus…! Not sure why, but apparently, it felt really good…!”

Ah, Bacchus.

The nymph Ignoy had truly adored her patron god, Bacchus.

After he left this world, she wailed so much she almost became the “Nymph of Tears.”

Paranoi muttered a few more words.

“But to think they like being lifted high… As much as I hate to say it, other nymphs are truly foolish…! No wonder humans laugh at them…!”

“Yeah, fair.”

I thought back to the many nymphs I’d met. True to their fairy-like nature, most were delicate, naive, and often downright silly.

A stark contrast to the strong, sharp-witted elves from foreign lands. Honestly, comparing the two almost felt unfair.

Paranoi then launched into a heated explanation.

“Just what is it that makes nymphs such spoiled children? This Paranoi must investigate…! So, Lord Hassan, I humbly request that you lift me up and down a few times…!”

“Wait, you’re asking me to lift you up now?”

“Unlike other naive nymphs, this Paranoi is far more mature and does not enjoy such childish treatment…! But purely for investigative purposes…! For the sake of the Nymph Choir, understanding nymph preferences is critical…!”

…What the hell is this logic?

But I could tell—Paranoi just wanted to act spoiled toward me.

She’d often watched with envy as Doris slept on Luna’s lap or as Ignoy got her hair brushed by Hippolyte.

Unlike other nymphs, Paranoi had a strong desire to grow beyond her kind, which meant she couldn’t openly act spoiled like the others. Hence this elaborate scheme.

Not that it was a big deal.

Back when my younger sister was much smaller, I’d often play airplane with her or carry her around.

Though after she grew up, those moments disappeared.

As a child, she used to follow me around adorably, but now she’s become bratty, growling at me whenever she gets the chance. Gloria almost seems cute in comparison.

…Wait, no, that’s not quite right.

But now wasn’t the time for that.

“Alright, fine. Lifting you up isn’t hard.”

At my permission, Paranoi raised her hands high, then blurted out with a serious expression:

“Let me reiterate! Under no circumstances should you mistake this Paranoi for liking such childish actions…!”

“Yeah, yeah, got it.”

As I reached to grab her sides—

Halt—

Wait a second.

I instinctively stopped myself.

Right now, my strength was beyond even my own control.

If I carelessly grabbed Paranoi’s sides, I might break her bones or severely injure her.

That would be horrifying.

…

Granted, Paranoi was probably tougher than an egg, but at my current Level 45, there wasn’t much difference between her and an egg anyway.

As I hesitated—

“Actually, I’ve lost interest…! Other nymphs probably wouldn’t like it either…!”

Paranoi somehow picked up on my hesitation and lowered her arms.

“This Paranoi is too busy with duties…! As the Prime Oracle and High Priestess, I shouldn’t stay away too long—I shall return to my tasks…!”

She then trudged off, looking dejected, so I gave up and hoisted her up.

Whoosh—

And just like that, Paranoi floated up to my eye level.

“Aah…! This Paranoi is flying high…! No other nymph has ever beheld such heights…! None have been closer to the heavens than this Paranoi…!”

She kicked her legs excitedly, marveling at the view from her elevated position. Of course, the more she wiggled, the more I had to grip her firmly to prevent a fall.

“Eeek—!”

Her shriek startled me. Did I squeeze too hard? I was trying to hold back.

“Hee, heehee, my sides are ticklish…! P-Put me down…!”

Oh, she was ticklish.

Paranoi seemed sensitive to tickling. She begs to be lifted but now wants down?

The bigger issue? Her squirming was so vigorous that—despite loosening my grip—I lost hold.

“Ah—!”

And just like that, Paranoi plunged headfirst toward the ground.

If her head hit the floor, her brain cells might d*e—her IQ could drop.

Hell no, I had to stop that.

What I needed now was agility.

In Karma, agility measured reflexes and quick-wittedness.

Thanks to mine hitting the human limit of 15, the moment Paranoi began falling, time seemed to slow.

Even I was impressed by my focus.

“Aaaaaah—! I’m faaaaaalling—!”

Paranoi’s voice stretched out comically.

But at my current level, I could stretch out my hand in that slowed time and catch her.

My arm moved even faster than my thoughts, piercing the sluggish time—

…She won’t pop like an egg, right?

What if she shatters like the hundreds of eggs I’ve broken since yesterday?

What do I do? Just let her fall?

In that split second, my mind raced through fifty years of life, searching for something—anything—useful.

Then—I spotted it.

A smooth, well-toned armpit.

That’s the answer!

“STRIKE!”

I slammed my left thumb into the pressure point on my right wrist with all my might—damaging the muscle to weaken my grip.

At the same time, my now-limp right hand grabbed Paranoi’s ankle.

“Ah—!”

And just like that, time resumed.

Paranoi dangled upside-down, her nose barely grazing the floor.

Like a hooked tuna.

But the real miracle?

Despite my tight grip, her ankle was unharmed.

Had Paranoi secretly mastered some unbreakable technique?

Probably not.

More likely, I’d subconsciously learned to control my strength.

And I think I know how.

Hippolyte once said enlightenment often comes in the heat of battle—and this was exactly that.

—

“Hassan, what brings you today? You’ve been visiting awfully often lately. Just last night, you were here too.”

Hippolyte welcomed me but also seemed slightly wary. From the bubbling sounds inside, she must’ve been cooking.

“Sis, the water’s boiling! Add the noodles!”

Antiope’s voice echoed from behind, along with rustling—Ignoy must’ve been there too.

“Sis, Ignoy’s tearing up the couch again! Come stop her!”

Total chaos.

Hippolyte sighed. “I’m a little busy. If it’s urgent, make it quick.”

I didn’t plan on dragging it out anyway.

So, I pulled an egg from my pocket and showed it to her.

Slip—

Hippolyte’s eyes sharpened.

“You’re already at the point of holding an egg? I thought it’d take at least a week. Your progress is astounding.”

She seemed impressed I could hold it without breaking it.

But she’d be even more shocked by what came next.

I tossed the egg into the air—then juggled it between my knees, chest, and feet.

Five, six, seven tosses—

With each pass, Hippolyte’s frown deepened.

“This… isn’t something achieved in a day. What method did you use?”

I kicked the egg back up and caught it, then briefly explained.

First, I needed to show her my body.

So I stripped off my leather garb and Regulus’ hide, exposing myself.

“Wha—Why are you undressing?!”

Flustered, Hippolyte stammered, her face turning beet-red.

Then, in a whisper only I could hear:

“Hassan, I never took you for this kind of man. If you’re trying to humiliate me in front of everyone… I won’t stand for it…!”

Huh?

Seemed she’d misunderstood. Granted, Hippolyte often jumped to conclusions.

I pointed at my torso and arms.

“Look at this.”

“…Hmm? Red dots?”

Finally noticing, she saw the five crimson marks spanning from my chest to my abdomen.

Key acupressure points—Tiandu, Danzhong, Zhongwan, Shenque, Dantian—along my body’s central meridian. I’d pressed them hard to suppress my energy.

And now, my status looked like this:

[Name: Hassan | Lv. 45 (30)]

[Strength: 16 (11)]

[Agility: 15 (10)]

[Stamina: 14 (9)]

[Karma: 920 (20)]

[Blessings: Radiant Hand | Night Armor | Shadowed Eyes | Scorched bl**d]

[Status: Brand of Life]

Back then, I’d used Zhijian on Hippolyte’s armpit to weaken her—this was the same principle.

A self-imposed seal, forcibly lowering my physical abilities.

Hippolyte seemed to grasp it.

“A sealing array? Suppressing your own power for control… Admirable, but isn’t it too extreme?”

“It is. But nothing else came to mind. And it’s easy to undo—just press the points again.”

“I see. I’d never have considered this.”

“I plan to gradually remove the seals to adjust. And nothing beats real combat for practice. Care to help?”

“Normally, yes. But, Hassan… we’re short on time. Antiope—where’s that newspaper?”

From behind, someone handed her a scroll, which Hippolyte passed to me.

The headlines read:

[Urgent! Scylla & Charybdis of the Southern Seas Defeated!]

(For the first time in 50 years, travel to the Southern Isles is now possible!)

[Gloria, the Black Lion of Kairos, and Shrine Knights Vice-Captain Natatos Collaborate!]