"That many? You explored ten floors in a single day?" Mawar asked, her face a mask of pure disbelief.
"I got a little carried away, so I accidentally ended up all the way at the bottom floor," Rega explained nonchalantly.
Mawar wanted to point out that 'normal' people couldn't just do that, but remembering who she was talking to, she swallowed her words.
"The payment has been transferred to your personal account. Taxes have already been deducted, so you're free to use it as you wish," Mawar explained with a professional yet warm smile.
"Do you have any plans after this?"
"Eh?" Mawar blinked, stunned. A soft blush crept onto her cheeks, making her look incredibly adorable. "No, not really. Why do you ask?"
"I want to treat you to dinner."
"Ahem! Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
"After conquering the Jaran Dungeon, I've been thinking about moving to a different hunting ground. Goblins are no longer relevant for increasing my level."
"I see." Mawar's eyes dimmed slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering across her face. "Alright. But what about your curfew?"
"I already asked my mom for permission. She said it's okay, just for today."
"Fufufu, look at you, a grown man and still such a mama's boy." Mawar teased with a playful grin.
Rega felt a wave of embarrassment, but he wasn't angry; he knew she was just joking.
"My shift is almost over. Wait for me, okay?"
Rega nodded gently and took a seat in the public waiting area. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the latest hunter news. There was a lot happening today, but nothing was as viral as the Elite Goblin incident on the third floor of the Jaran Dungeon. Even now, people were still discussing the sheer horror of that event.
Thanks to the Hunter Association's information control, any details regarding Rega's involvement had been successfully scrubbed from the media. He didn't have to worry about being mobbed by reporters and could go about his life as usual.
As he continued browsing, he stumbled upon an article that made him freeze in his tracks.
[CONFIRMED! 'Rainbow Flower' has just reached Rank 101! She is officially a C-Rank Hunter!]
"Sekar reached Rank 101?"
Rega began digging for more information regarding Sekar's promotion. The search results were flooded with articles praising the "Rainbow Flower's" leveling speed. Many even hailed her as a "destined hero."
It was a normal reaction. After all, a C-Rank hunter under the age of twenty was a rarity, not just locally, but worldwide.
"Rank 101... that's ninety-six ranks higher than me. Will I ever be able to catch up?"
(Of course you can. Master has me, so there is no need to worry.)
The corners of Rega's lips curled into a smile.
"You're right. With you by my side, I'm sure I can catch up to her in no time."
Rega turned off his phone and hummed a small tune to pump himself up.
Not long after, Mawar arrived. She had changed into a sharp outfit that accentuated her curves. As a healthy young man at his most energetic age, Rega found himself unable to look away from Mawar's chest for a moment.
"Haven't you seen enough yet?" Mawar said. She was smiling, but her tone was so icy it sent a shiver down Rega's spine.
"Sorry! I'm really, really sorry!"
Mawar burst into a giggle. "Your reactions are so funny. Just what I'd expect from a virgin."
"Who said I'm a virgin?! I—"
Mawar leaned in with a beautiful, manipulative smile. "You... what?"
"No, forget it."
"Hahaha! Don't underestimate this older sister's eyes. I knew you were a virgin the moment you first walked in here. Besides, you almost never take a break from hunting. How could someone like you possibly have a girlfriend?"
Every single word she said was true, and each one felt like a dagger to Rega's heart. If emotional damage could make a person cough up blood, Rega would have left a puddle on the floor by now.
"At first, I suspected you might be into men," Mawar continued, "but once I realized how often you sneak peeks at my chest, I threw that idea away."
"Eh! You noticed?"
"Of course! Only a fool of a woman wouldn't notice a man staring at her chest with such... passion."
Rega was so mortified he felt like he had lost the strength to move. Seeing that she might have gone a bit too far, Mawar took the initiative and grabbed his hand.
"Come on! Let this big sister give you some unforgettable memories!"
Mawar led Rega through a whirlwind of activities typical of a couple. They tried everything—well, everything except for the "adult" stuff. As night fell, they rode the Ferris wheel, gazing out at the breathtaking lights of Semarang. It was a view so beautiful it felt impossible to forget.
"Mawar, I—"
Mawar placed a finger over Rega's lips, silencing him.
"No. You can't say it."
"Why?"
"We aren't a match. You... you shine too brightly for me."
"But I—"
Mawar stood up abruptly, her expression firm as she looked down at him. "No 'buts'."
"I—"
Mawar leaned down and captured his lips in a kiss. Before Rega could even process it or respond, she pulled away.
"This is a parting kiss," she whispered. "You have to keep moving forward, and you are strictly forbidden from looking back. Okay?"
Rega's mind was a whirlwind of confusion, leaving him in a daze. He could only nod, silently agreeing to her request.
To be continued...