Chapter 35: No Time Left to Grieve

“Saving someone, huh…”

Rein looked up at the bright blue sky overhead.
As another gust of wind passed, he shifted his gaze back to Sal, whose golden hair was blowing freely in the wind.

Even without looking into Rein’s eyes, Sal knew exactly what he was thinking right now.

“Say it. What payment do you want.”

“Gems, money… wealth, status, or anything else you can think of.”

“As long as it doesn’t cross the bottom lines I have as a dragon, I can meet your conditions.”

“And what are those bottom lines?” Rein raised a brow. “Tell me, so I don’t accidentally step on a landmine later.”

“My family.
My chastity.
My dignity.”

Sal answered cleanly.
Hearing those simple twelve words, Rein actually lowered his head in thought.

Sal’s heart lurched—thank goodness she added a restriction first.
Otherwise, who knew what outrageous demands this man might have made.

But…

While Rein was still deep in thought, Sal instinctively brushed her long golden hair behind her ear, clearing her view as her eyes drifted to his side profile.

(What if he really asks for something… too excessive?)

Should she refuse outright?

She was always wary of Rein, because of past incidents.

But if she refused Rein’s terms, then by the principles of equivalent exchange, he would have no obligation to help her at all.

And without Rein’s help, Sal knew she was reaching her limit.

Rein had previously explained why she uncontrollably transformed into a human woman whenever she wore the bracelet.

Because the bracelet, while absorbing and storing dragon magic, constantly cast a transformation spell on its user.

That spell was far stronger than the half-baked transformation Sal used before—supposedly crafted by Rein’s mentor.

Low consumption, strong effect.

But low consumption didn’t mean no consumption.

Combined with her near-every-night excursions… the mental and magical drain was immense.
If she weren’t a pure-blooded dragon, a normal person would’ve been hospitalized long ago.

So if she refused Rein’s demands… who else could she turn to?

Natia Vida? Vivian?

They were still students—at most, her roommates.

Dragon Mother…

If Dragon Mother learned Sal had involved herself in something so dangerous, she would lock her in their nest for life.

Thinking this, Sal closed her eyes.

No matter how she thought about it… only Rein could help her.

A heavy exhaustion rose from her mind and washed through her body.

“I suddenly feel like lying down here forever.”

Leaning back against the railing, her gaze toward the sky grew hollow.

“Or maybe I should just go back to Dragon Mother… live as a carefree child. Actually, that sounds—”

(City too complicated. I want to go back to the countryside.)

Seeing Sal’s “whatever, nothing matters anymore” expression, Rein—who originally wanted to tease her—finally realized the child beside him had reached a dangerous mental state.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Rein spoke—though nothing related to the incident.

“Come here. A little closer.”

Sal didn’t move.
Rein didn’t bother repeating himself—he directly reached out to lift her up.

But the moment he touched her cheek, he felt something wet.

That sensation—

“You… were crying?”

Sal shook her head, back turned toward him, but her trembling shoulders and the damp patch on her hand said otherwise.

Rein looked between his damp fingers and Sal’s back.
Finally, his gaze settled on her.

He reached forward carefully and hugged her from behind—nothing inappropriate, only pure comfort.

He offered a place for the lost child to lean on.
A momentary warmth to support her.

Because years ago, when a young Rein himself was lost, Xingxuan had done the same for him.

Perhaps Sal realized the meaning of Rein’s embrace, or perhaps she simply didn’t want to resist anymore…
Either way, they rested against each other for a long, long time.

Only when her shoulders stopped trembling and her emotions calmed did Rein finally speak.

The first thing he said was a promise.

“I’ll help you. I’ll do everything I can.”

“And the conditions?”

“No conditions. This isn’t a transaction.”

With Sal’s mental state as it was, Rein didn’t dare mention “transactions.”

He wanted a slow-build, nurturing-type relationship—
Not a coercive downwards-spiral type.

But what surprised him was that Sal shook her head again.

Her reason was simple:

She didn’t want to owe Rein.

And that alone proved that even now, Sal hadn’t truly accepted Rein in her heart.
She was still keeping distance.

Rein didn’t mind.

Good things take time.
Feelings that develop slowly are the ones that last.

Those stories where two people exchange a few words then end up in bed, claiming it builds “real affection”—to Rein, that was complete nonsense.

Winning the body alone is no victory at all! (Stop yelling.)

Seeing Sal insist, Rein fell silent for a moment—then an idea surfaced.

He thought of another person… no—another dragon.

A dragon who might help Sal regain her spirit.

“Fine. In exchange, after school today, you’re coming with me somewhere.”

As for who they were going to meet…

That would wait until they arrived.

…

“Hi~~ Here’s your ‘Flame Goddess Kiss,’ extra ice. Please enjoy~~”

This was a large, bustling nighttime tavern in the capital.

“Welcome~ You can order at the front counter. If you spend ten gold coins, you can dance with any staff member of your choice~”

“Ten gold coins just for a dance?” Sal muttered behind Rein. “One side dares to charge, the other side dares to pay…”

But that wasn’t the point.

The point was the tavern’s name.

“Exotic Pleasures…”

If Rein hadn’t grabbed her in time, Sal would’ve bolted the moment she saw that sign.

“Rein, whoever you want me to meet—he’d better be worth dragging me into this place.”

Sal looked at the scantily-clad exotic beauties posing for attention, and the crowd dancing under the colorful magic-stone lights…

The child’s innocence was in crisis.
The child wanted to flee.

“Relax. They’re coming soon.” Rein calmly paid for three drinks and pulled Sal toward the bar to wait.

“What kind of big shot makes you, the so-called genius, wait in a place like—”

Sal scoffed while sipping her drink, but before she finished her sentence, a too-familiar, overly sweet voice sounded behind her.

“Thank you for requesting me~ This humble one—”

Before the newcomer finished speaking, she made eye contact with Sal, who had spun around.

“Youyouyouyouyou—?!”

Sal’s pupils trembled violently.
She grabbed Rein by the collar and shook him like mad.

“Tell me you didn’t arrange for her to come here!!”

“……”

Rein silently nodded.

“YOU—! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!!!”