Chapter 63: The Corrupted Amalgamate and a Playful Distraction

Elara’s decision to join the team was largely guided by instinct. Her initial impression of the Mulan Squad had been favorable, prompting her to agree.

Back home.

Upon returning, Elara retrieved the files on the Corrupted Amalgamate, needing to thoroughly assess the monster’s true strength.

She pulled a stool to the balcony’s edge and sat down. Hilvyn, however, simply wrapped her arms around Elara from behind, peering over her shoulder to examine the documents together.

“Grab a stool and sit down.”

“No,” Hilvyn replied, pointing to the files. “Hurry, let’s look!”

The Corrupted Amalgamate was a unique demonic beast, capable of unleashing an external domain with varying ranges depending on its grade, from C to S. However, its domain’s effects were somewhat weaker compared to those of a typical S-grade monster.

The domain’s primary function was to cause any wounds within its radius to automatically fester and become infected, while also inhibiting wound healing to different degrees based on the Amalgamate’s strength.

As for its own abilities, it possessed underground tentacles, akin to a treant’s roots. These tentacles were covered in fine, dense thorns, ensuring that any contact with skin would inevitably result in injury.

This meant close-quarters combat was exceedingly dangerous.

Additionally, “fruits” grew from its body and the surrounding ground, capable of spawning various forms of corrupted demonic beasts. These creatures appeared in diverse, irregular shapes, some animalistic, others humanoid.

Their statistics also varied greatly depending on their form.

Only one counter-strategy was provided in the documents: ranged attrition, followed by remote annihilation.

The monsters it generated were essentially extensions of its own health. The strategy dictated killing these spawned creatures first to weaken the Amalgamate, then delivering the final blow.

“This monster is quite similar to a treant,” Hilvyn observed, pointing to the recommended strategy.

Both shared the common tactic of weakening them before delivering the killing blow.

However, if one possessed overwhelming power, a direct kill was also possible, much like the one Aivyn achieved two hundred years ago.

“Indeed,” Elara agreed.

She closed the files and shook the person clinging to her. “Move along, move along.”

Hilvyn remained still. “Just a little longer.”

“It’s broad daylight…” Elara glanced down at the pedestrians below. “Let’s go inside first if you want a hug.”

At this, Hilvyn swiftly pecked Elara’s cheek. “Alright, fine~”

She released her grip, took two steps back, and flopped onto the bed.

*Slap, slap.*

Hilvyn patted the spot beside her.

“Come quickly, Sister!”

Elara first looked at Hilvyn, then her gaze drifted to the surroundings, becoming fixated on the state of her home.

“No.”

The house was a bit messy; she needed to clean up before they could eat.

“Eh—why not?!”

Hilvyn thrashed about on the bed, causing the floor to thump loudly.

“Don’t make a fuss. Look,” Elara said, pointing to the haphazardly stacked items on the cabinet, then to the jam jar cabinet—its door wide open, bottles toppled, and a corner cluttered with furniture. “See how messy the house is.”

Hilvyn quieted for a few seconds, then resumed her clamor. “Just one kiss, then you can clean up~”

Elara raised an eyebrow, pointing at the jam cabinet.

“If you don’t properly tidy that cabinet next time, I’m locking it up.”

“Hehe…” An embarrassed expression flickered across Hilvyn’s face. “Next time, for sure?”

This wasn’t the first time the subject had come up, yet Hilvyn always offered the same “next time, for sure” promise.

“Hmph—*sigh*~”

Elara let out a long sigh, rolled up her sleeves, and began tidying the room.

“Sister, why don’t you send a clone to play with me?”

“No.”

“Please~”

Elara silently summoned a Shadow Clone, an exact replica of herself, and sent it over to Hilvyn. She then focused on arranging the bottles and jars, fully immersed in her chores.

However, restless sounds soon drifted from the bed.

“Hehe…”

“Oh—”

“Hehehehe…”

Elara’s face grew progressively redder. Yet, each time she turned around, Hilvyn was merely “playing appropriately” with her clone, revealing no hint of mischief.

Elara couldn’t sense her clone’s feelings or share its vision.

But her intuition told her that, given that little imp’s mischievous nature, Hilvyn was surely up to something the moment Elara turned her back.

The strange sounds, more than anything, were what truly piqued Elara’s curiosity.

‘This is infuriating,’ Elara fumed inwardly, her ears burning as she continued with her cleaning.

“Mmm…”

Another sound emanated from the bed, and Elara turned around once more.

The blanket completely obscured both figures.

‘What the hell?’

Unable to bear it any longer, she dropped her work and closed the distance in a few swift strides. Grabbing the corner of the blanket, she yanked it back with force.

Hilvyn and “Elara” lay flat on the bed, seemingly as if nothing had happened.

“Sister, what are you doing…?”

Hilvyn’s lips curved into a smile, looking very much like someone caught halfway through a prank. Although the little imp’s expression was innocent, it couldn’t deceive Elara’s keen eyes.

Hilvyn’s shirt was askew, her pants not even pulled up properly, and the clone also seemed somewhat… unusual. Elara’s gaze darted between the two, and her mind buzzed.

‘No way…’

She froze, staring at the expressionless clone for two seconds, then at Hilvyn’s forced innocent face. The air suddenly grew excessively quiet.

“Sis… Sister?” Hilvyn’s voice was noticeably lacking in confidence.

Elara said nothing, her gaze shifting from Hilvyn to the clone, specifically to the clone’s two wet fingers. A thought surged in her mind, but she was reluctant to delve into what it truly meant.

“You…” She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Hilvyn’s ears were completely red, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to explain something, yet no words came out.

Elara took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

“I’ll deal with you tonight.”

She tossed out the stern warning, then dispelled the clone and resumed her housework. After a few steps, she looked back—Hilvyn’s face was adorned with a triumphant smirk.

‘Damn… I was careless.’

Only then did Elara realize that such a “punishment” would likely be a reward for Hilvyn. But the words were already out, and there was no taking them back.

‘Forget it. Tonight, I’ll just say I’m tired and want to sleep.’

Elara hadn’t forgotten their agreement to jointly hunt with the Mulan Squad tomorrow. It wouldn’t do to be late and give them the impression she was putting on airs.

After meticulous tidying, the house had returned to a state that brought Elara comfort. She surveyed her surroundings with satisfaction, as if inspecting her territory.

Everyone, that is, except one person—Hilvyn was still lounging on the bed, idly kicking the blanket.

“Oh, Sister, are you done cleaning?”

She kicked the blanket aside, bounced up, and dove into Elara’s arms.

“Sister, a kiss, please.”

Faced with Hilvyn’s red lips, so close she could touch them, Elara’s gaze flickered to the corner of the blanket dangling to the floor beside the bed. Her fist tightened, and for once, reason triumphed over desire, gaining the upper hand.

*Clang.*

‘Good one, Elara.’

“Go, fold the blanket.”

At that moment, Elara was every bit the fierce mother hen.

“Yes, ma’am~”

Hilvyn obediently complied, neatly folding the blanket. Now, the room was truly spotless.

The sense of comfort reached 100%.

Outside the window, the setting sun had already painted the sky a vibrant orange-red.

Elara’s eyes softened. “Come on,” she murmured softly. “Let’s go have dinner.”

Hilvyn didn’t stir.

Elara understood. She leaned in and pecked Hilvyn’s slightly pouting face. “Now, let’s go eat.”

“Just one more.”

“*Mwah*.”

“That’s better~”

“Then let’s go.”

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