Carl curved his lips as he took a deep breath, feeling the difference in his body after his dragon soul reached three stars.

"Feels like my whole body's being refreshed."

He then focused his mana behind his back, trying to form his own dragon wings. After a few seconds, he finally succeeded.

Grinning, he tried to move them as naturally as his limb, but it wasn't easy.

"It's not a big deal. I'll get used to it later."

Clicking his tongue in satisfaction, he turned his gaze toward the sky and the temple around him. In the end, he narrowed his eyes, staring at the mana barrier.

Good. There was a faint trace of dissipation — sooner or later, the barrier would collapse, and Carl could escape this dangerous place without using the dimensional knife that drained too much mana.

"You guys did well… and now, farewell."

He had no reason to stay any longer. Soon, goblins would swarm out and approach the hunting grounds where Carl had been hiding.

Judging by the danger level of this place, he had no intention of risking his life for a few monster cards or dragon souls. With his current power, they weren't worth much to him anyway.

It just wasn't worth it.

After the mana barrier completely disappeared, Carl quickly slipped through the pillars and hid behind the remains of the ruins. He could've used his wings to boost his speed and get out of here faster, but that would've been too risky — one of the goblins might sense his presence even with the Invisibility Cloak on. Not to mention, the cloak's shape was pretty short so he revealed himself as soon as he flew up.

Moreover, The cloak was better suited for scouting or escaping without getting into any fights or making complicated movements.

He had many better choices to make.

Carl took one last look at the battlefield. Thoughts about his comrades crossed his mind, but when he recalled Wynne's strength, he found no reason to worry.He had witnessed her power during the battle. Indeed, she was truly a genius in every aspect.

His little sister couldn't defeat him by limiting her strength, but that girl could do it. She was the kind of opponent Carl never wanted to face—at least, not until his dragon soul was on equal footing with hers.

She was strong enough to make it out on her own.

"I should stop using the Invisibility Cloak. It's great, but I've got no mana left for it anyway."

Ting!

[System]: Escape from the Cursed Goblins' Encirclement( accomplished)

[System]: You've received your rewards:

Elixir of Overdrive(x2)

Short Description:

A potent alchemical concoction that doubles all attributes for ten minutes. While active, the user's body radiates with raw power, but the strain afterward causes severe fatigue once the effect fades.

Carl glanced at the system screen and raised his lips in satisfaction. An elixir that could boost his attributes for ten minutes—perfect, if he used it properly in battle soon.

Dismissing the system, Carl resumed his escape.

He let out a breath and leapt onto a rock by the trees, glancing back again to make sure there weren't any cursed goblins around.

Only then did he nod in relief and start looking for a river to bathe and rest in afterward.

Rest was crucial if he wanted to survive in this dungeon—one meant only for talented and experienced students.

"It's good," Carl exhaled warmly, submerging his upper body into the cold river, brushing off the dust and dirt stuck to his skin.

He swam for a while, then floated on the surface, letting himself relax in contentment.

"I don't refuse. I've got the same feeling as you,"

Carl smiled.

"Yeah, enjoying the cold water after a harsh battle is—D-Damn!"

Startled, Carl's eyes darted around… then his expression twisted as he spotted a vague shadowy figure in the distance.

From the shape, he could tell it was definitely a woman.

B-but… h-how? Why hadn't he sensed her presence at all? Unless… that woman was stronger than him—or possessed a special dragon class.

"Who are you?"

Carl squinted, staring at the vague figure ahead. But in just the blink of an eye, the woman vanished into the thin fog.

A shiver ran down his spine—not because of her sudden disappearance, but because he suddenly felt something soft pressing against his back.

"It's familiar… I guess it's…" Carl wanted to say it aloud, but he already knew. That woman's chest was pressed right against him.

"My wife will kill me if she finds out," Carl muttered, trembling slightly. After forcing himself to calm down, he managed to recognize the girl's identity—the only person in this dungeon he couldn't defeat.

"It's you… Wynne."

Carl's face twitched for a moment before he spoke, trying to sound polite.

"Would you please… keep a little distance? I'm married."

Honestly, Carl didn't want to use force to push her away. She was stronger than him anyway, and she didn't seem hostile. Things would go better if they could just talk peacefully.

"You're not interested in my body? That doesn't make any sense. All men are the same—unless… you're gay."

Carl flinched at her words, and by some cursed reflex, he hunched his back—Strongly brushing against her chest.

For half a second, she let out a soft, involuntary moan.

Carl's whole body went tense and hot, even with the cold river around him.

"S-Sorry."

Surprised by Carl's sudden movement, Wynne's face turned slightly red. She quickly let go of him and said shyly,

"I'll be waiting for you on the shore."

Finally, Carl could relax. He looked at his trembling hands and muttered in dread,

"This is bad… my wife's definitely gonna kill me."

***

Carl was sitting on a stump near the campfire. Meanwhile, Wynne sat opposite him across the warm flames. Normally, he barely showed any emotion—but this situation was rather odd.

Because right now, Wynne was only wearing a thin dress, instead of the exquisite armor she had worn during the battle with the cursed goblins. He could see everything… everything through that wet, clinging fabric.

Carl forced a smile, trying hard not to stare at her body. He hoped that after a few minutes, the campfire's warmth would dry her soaked dress.

However, after about ten minutes, Carl gritted his teeth.

Her dress was still wet, barely drying at all—as if she was doing it on purpose, teasing him with some cheap trick.

No… in fact, it was working quite well.

"L-Lady Wynne… could you change into another outfit? You don't look like a proper lady right now."

Wynne just smiled seductively and blinked.

"I'll do that… if you help me with it yourself."

Carl let out a slow breath and replied coldly,

"Watch your manners. I told you—I'm married."

Wynne tilted her head, lips curving in amusement.

"Is she more beautiful than me?"

Carl grinned and crossed his arms proudly at such a meaningless question.

"Of course. My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world...You can't even compare to my wife's fingernail."

At his provocation, Wynne just played with her green hair and smiled.

"Good for you… or maybe your wife's just a figment of your imagination, after wandering alone for so many years."

Carl's eyelids lowered, but he chuckled and tossed a stick into the fire.

"I don't care what you think. Say whatever you want."

Wynne simply nodded.

"Like you said… I don't care what you think or say. I'm gonna take you for myself, no matter what it takes. But don't worry, I'll only flirt—I won't use force. If I make you love me that way, it wouldn't mean anything."

"Therefore, if you don't want me to do that, there's only one way—become stronger than me. But that's too hard for you. I'll always be stronger."

Carl swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine.

"Y-You're such a shameless brat… I've told you so many times—I'm married."

Wynne giggled softly.

"Shameless brat? Yes, that's me. It's not a big deal, you'll just have another wife. The more, the merrier, right?"

Carl rubbed his temples, exhausted. He felt like a complete fool arguing about this—especially with a teenager.

She was sharper than his little sister, despite being around the same age. In this case, he was certain he didn't stand a chance against her. She looked far more capable and experienced than her appearance suggested.

If what she said was true, Carl was in deep trouble once he cleared the dungeon. He'd suffer hell from the system's penalty.

"What should I do? I can't complete the mission with a troublemaker like her around… Sigh. Never mind. I'll ask my wife. I'm sure she'll find some way to deal with that annoying kid."

Wynne smirked at his awkward expression. She coughed a few times, then spoke,

"Lord Carl, I have a gift for you. Think of it as my first greeting."

She waved her hand, sweeping away the surrounding fog and revealed a tough young man lying there, completely unconscious. At the same time, her thin dress shimmered and dissolved, replaced by her battle armor. She didn't want anyone but Carl to see her body.

Carl shrugged, but some seconds later, his eyes widened the moment he recognized the familiar, cursed face.

"Nigel?"

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