NOVPUBA while later...
As some might have guessed, Muku's plan was to get Audrey some beast blood.
While she rarely used it, or needed to, because of Hope. Audrey could heal by drinking beast blood. It only worked with beast blood, too, apparently. As was seen from her "fun times" with Muku.
She also couldn't use the blood she had "corrupted", which she manipulated. That blood was no different from her own blood in the sense that it had no effect on her when drunk.
Of course, Hope wanted to come along after noticing them. It took some coaxing from Muku before she agreed to stay back.
Other than Hope, the only one who saw them go out was Elsa. She didn't care too much about what they were doing. She only gave them a slightly curious look after greeting them. She then returned to doing her business.
It was impractical to take her along. After all, they'd have to explain to her why Audrey needed the blood. Which would make the whole endeavour pointless. Not to mention the private talk Muku wanted to have with Audrey...
"So..." Muku spoke stiffly. He couldn't even finish what he wanted to say.
"I'm not aborting! I don't think that's even still an option anyway!" Audrey exploded into a fit of protest.
"Huh?!... Oh, shih!" Muku was confused for a bit by her words. Then he realised what she was talking about. His face went pale in an instant.
So many things had happened soon after their activities. To the point that he hadn't even thought about it. He hadn't thought about such an obvious thing after everything he did so fearlessly.
What gave him the courage to do such a thing? Over and over, too. Was it so hard to pull out? He didn't even do so once!
How was he going to deal with the girls when Audrey's belly starts growing?! Emily would probably burn him alive!
Not to mention his strength. Was he even strong enough to raise a family yet? He didn't think so. The seemed to be getting more and more dangerous. They were discovering one dark secret after another. He couldn't help but feel a slight headache coming in.
"It seems I assumed wrong. Anyway, don't get so stressed about it. It might not even happen. Just know it's a possibility for now. But... You dislike the idea of it that much?" Audrey spoke softly. His reaction made her feel a little sad.
She might have been wrong about his awareness of the situation at the start. However, his reaction wasn't one she wanted to see. She hoped he would be as happy about it as she was.
She knew that he had some worries that were keeping him from that. However, she still hoped he'd be happy still. Such was the chaotic way of thinking that plagued humans.
"No... No, I don't dislike it. I was just caught off guard, that's all. The idea of having a little me or a little you running around sounds great. I just don't think I'm strong enough yet..." Muku replied while hugging Audrey, who looked sad.
"Oh... I guess you're right. Sorry for jumping the gun. After hearing your words, I also think it's not the right time yet," Audrey replied while still in his embrace.
She had realised that she was really overlooking a lot of things. No matter how much she wanted to have a baby, she could raise it from scratch. Which she couldn't do with Layla. She couldn't ignore timing...
"Well, if it happens, it happens, though. We'll just have to work harder and get stronger quickly. Should we start coming up with names? I was thinking Muku Jr if it's a boy, and Audrey Jr if it's a girl. You?" Muku got into a joking mood after seeing that she was no longer feeling sad.
"Hehe. You're such a goof. Let's put that on hold until it's actually confirmed whether there's a baby or not. And how terrible is your naming sense for you to think of only that?! Hahaha. I'm definitely not letting you name any of our future children. Hahaha," Audrey spoke in between her laughter.
She found his words so funny, her eyes even got teary from laughter. She didn't even notice how she let it slip that she wanted more than one child.
"What? No fair! Where would I put my face as a father without naming even one of them? Wouldn't people think I'm henpecked?!" Muku protested exaggeratedly.
"Hahaha. Fine, I might let you name one if you can think of something good," Audrey replied while still laughing.
It was clear that she was having the best time. Muku couldn't help but smile. Seeing her happy also made him happy. The two kept at it as their journey continued. At the end, they quietly held each other, enjoying the others' company.
Muku even considered giving up on the plan if the future and just focus on Audrey. However, she seemed to have read his mind.
And with a smile on her face. She denied the idea before it was spoken. Her reasoning being, he had already travelled too deep onto the path even without the physical element.
Backing out would shatter the team. Most of the members would probably leave and never return. Likely leaving nothing but destruction in their path. Which she didn't want to see.
Even if the others were involved. The two of them would still get their moments. Which was enough for her.
Hearing her words, Muku almost proposed on the spot. As well as confess his undying love. He managed to save himself by kissing her on the lips instead.
While it was a bit petty. He didn't want to be the first one to confess. He seemed to be quickly losing that battle though...
A few kilometres away from Muku and Audrey. A girl with a pair of glowing green eyes and twitching cat ears looked on. There was a conflicted look in her eyes. She was jealous, annoyed, happy, thankful, with a whole bunch of other emotions.
The girl was, of course, Jade. She really wanted to hate what was going on with Muku and Audrey. However, she just couldn't do it. Especially after what Audrey said.
... Not the pregnancy thing. She felt like murdering Muku after hearing that one. However, as someone who isn't even supposed to be there. She held herself back. She did promise to make Muku pay one day, though.
It was when Audrey dissuaded Muku from focusing only on her. When it was clear he was thinking about it. That Jade managed to calm down.
She even considered turning back. But after thinking about it. She had already come a long way. She might as well continue, right?
....
Some time later...
"Look! A LR3 Boar! We can not only get the healing over with, but we can also get the best meat!" Audrey exclaimed excitedly.
"Careful, you're starting to drool, you foody. I almost forgot that Jade isn't the only foody in our group because of her sheer loudness that makes everyone else seem saintly," Muku spoke. He teased Audrey as well as mocked Jade for whatever reason.
"Hey! How rude! Who says that about a lady in her face? Aren't you afraid you might die alone due to your mouth?" Audrey replied while pouting.
She only loves meat because of her class, okay? It was out of her control. Yet, Muku bullies her because of it. So unfair! Whether Layla would agree with Audrey's thoughts on only liking meat because of her class. That's unknown.
"Well... I don't think I have to worry about dying alone with you here. And don't even think about getting away from me. In this like and every other. You'll always be mine! Anyway, let me take care of that so we can get you healed up," Muku spoke jokingly at the start. Then got serious when his gaze fell on the boar.
He was still a newly ascended R3. The boar seemed to be a fairly seasoned R3, so he wasn't certain how he would match up against it. Especially after Iris told him about the importance of domains in battles between R3s.
If the boar's domain was a lot better than his. His domain would get overpowered, rendering his element unusable.
"Mmm", Audrey made a slight sound in reply as Muku flew off the platform.
He didn't notice how embarrassed she looked. The lady lost her head when he said, "You'll always be mine"
Steam was practically coming out of her head. She didn't even hear clearly what he said after that.
A stupidly happy smile had appeared on her face. Which would have frozen Muku in his tracks had he looked.
Unfortunately for him, he had to face the boar. And Iris' words had rung true. His domain was instantly defeated by the lone boar's.
It seemed his domain only seemed special before because there was no other domain acting upon it. Of course, after he gets stronger and master's it. He'll definitely have a domain stronger than most.
Anyway, his luck was terrible. He met a cautious boar. The beast instantly deployed its domain the moment it saw him.
The domain covered close to half a kilometre. So, even Audrey was enveloped by it. However, as someone who was at the very edge and wasn't participating. It didn't affect her too much.
As for Muku, he couldn't form any of his metal element spells. This made the battle a bit more dangerous.
Luckily, the boar had no element like the ones they encountered before. So, its domain only had the effect of element suppression on its opponents.
"Okay, big guy. You don't want me to use my element, it seems. I could still use my telekinesis, which is still usable for whatever reason. However, I want to show off a bit to my girl. So, let's brawl!" Muku spoke hot-bloodedly to the boar.
The 15 metre tall creature gazed annoyedly at the little human that was bothering it. The little creature could barely cover the gap in-between its teeth, yet it dared come to bother it?
The human deserved death!...
