"Damn it… So that's what this is all about!"
Daziel's voice wasn't loud, but it carried in the relative tranquility of Scalegorge Waterscape, each syllable echoing with unexpected force.
Sushang started at the sudden outburst. She was still frozen in the pose from moments ago, the lingering strange sensation causing a prickle of unease, but Daziel's sharp exclamation was far more unsettling.
"Da… Daziel…" Sushang stammered, her voice trembling. "Why are you suddenly cursing? Did I do something wrong? I'm so sorry! Should we… should we start over?"
Her voice wavered, a clear apology woven with genuine distress. Her wide, clear eyes, usually sparkling with amusement, were now clouded with confusion and worry.
Hesitantly, she tilted her head upwards, peering at Daziel, fearfully anticipating his reaction, afraid she'd somehow erred.
Daziel blinked, finally snapping out of his sudden daze, realizing his outburst had shaken her. He quickly waved a hand, a placating gesture meant to soothe her distress.
"No, no, Sushang, it's not you at all. It's me… completely my own problem."
He drew a deep breath, forcing the tension to bleed out of his shoulders. "I just… I need to sit down for a moment, sort through my thoughts."
Daziel scanned their surroundings, searching for a place to rest. But everywhere he looked offered only the uncompromising angles of jagged rocks and the yielding dampness of sand.
Sushang mirrored his gaze, her brow furrowing slightly as she took in the inhospitable terrain. "Where… where am I supposed to sit?" she asked hesitantly.
Indeed, sitting was hardly practical given their current location. The unforgiving landscape of sharp rocks and slick sand offered no comfortable respite.
"Then… let me hold you."
Before Sushang could even process his words, Daziel was already stooping, his arms scooping her up with a gentle yet firm certainty.
Sushang was feather-light in his arms, her petite form cradled securely.
Her body initially stiffened, a taught bowstring of surprise, but almost instantly, she relaxed, yielding her weight to his embrace.
Daziel adjusted his hold, shifting her gently until she nestled more comfortably against him.
"Like this… should be a little better?" he murmured softly, his tone laced with concern.
Sushang gave a slight nod, a delicate blush blooming across her cheeks.
Daziel located a relatively flat rock and carefully lowered himself onto it, shifting Sushang again so she could lean against him more naturally.
Sushang's back now rested against Daziel's chest, solid and warm, acutely aware of the steady thump-thump of his heart, a rhythmic pulse against her spine, resonating in her ears and vibrating through her very being.
Daziel lowered his gaze to the well-behaved girl in his arms. Her profile was exquisitely delicate, framed by fluttering dark lashes.
The sea breeze, soft and salty, whispered around them, teasing strands of their hair. The world seemed to quieten, drawing into a pocket of peace.
Daziel inhaled deeply, attempting to marshal his chaotic thoughts into some semblance of order. He finally spoke, his voice low and husky, tinged with a fatigue that was almost imperceptible.
"When I thought… when I actually believed I'd grasped the truth of Aurum Alley…"
His voice trailed off, as if searching for the precise words, or perhaps struggling to untangle the knots in his own mind.
"…only to find that it's not nearly as straightforward as it seemed."
Daziel's voice was barely above a whisper, as if speaking to himself, or perhaps confiding in Sushang, allowing the confusion and uncertainty that had been festering within him to finally seep out.
"The Divination Commission is unreliable, and Elio… Elio remains an enigma. Just when I felt adrift, lost in the unknown and even… starting to feel a flicker of fear…"
His brow furrowed deeper, his eyes mirroring the bewilderment in his voice.
"You, out of nowhere, gave me this huge… nudge. And suddenly it clicked. This whole thing, in a way, is both utterly simple and overwhelmingly complex. And conversely, both incredibly complex and profoundly simple."
Daziel paused again, seemingly wrestling his thoughts into coherent sentences.
Sushang was utterly lost. She blinked slowly, her expression blank.
"No… no, Daziel," she protested gently. "What are you talking about? You're making me even more confused now. How did I give you a hint? I don't understand at all."
She gave a soft shake of her head, a clear indication of her complete bewilderment.
Daziel gazed down at Sushang's clear, innocent eyes, untouched by the complexities of knowledge, and felt a pang of helpless amusement.
He knew trying to explain these convoluted concepts to Sushang, rooted as she was in her Xianzhou understanding, would be an uphill battle, more arduous than scaling the heavens.
"Do you… do you know what a 'Memetic' is?"
Daziel shifted tactics, attempting a more accessible starting point, though even the term itself felt tenuous.
Sushang tilted her head, furrowing her brow in thought. After a moment, she shook her head.
"Huh? Nope, never heard of it… Wait, I think the lecturer mentioned it once… but I might have dozed off during that class."
A blush crept onto her cheeks as she sheepishly poked out her tongue.
Daziel facepalmed internally. He should have anticipated this.
"Let me think… how can I explain this in a way that… that you might actually grasp?"
He rubbed his temples, wrestling with the problem.
Sushang watched Daziel's increasingly troubled expression and a soft giggle escaped her lips.
"Oh, gosh, this is way too much trouble!" she blurted out, then leaned forward slightly, her expression becoming earnest. "Just tell me this, is there some massive crisis looming over Xianzhou? Like, some real bad guys? And are you planning to save us all?"
She bypassed the complex concepts entirely, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Daziel blinked, momentarily taken aback by her directness, then slowly nodded.
"In a sense… yes."
"Isn't that enough then?!" Excitement sparked in Sushang's eyes. She pumped a small fist in the air, radiating eagerness. "What else is there to explain?!"
"You're right," Daziel chuckled softly, a slow smile spreading across his face. "There really isn't any need for all this complicated talk. After all," he added with a hint of amusement, "I'm the one at the heart of all this. Let's just… get to work!"
Daziel exhaled slowly, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Communicating with someone so refreshingly uncomplicated was, in its own way, surprisingly relaxing.
"Then…" Sushang's eagerness was palpable. "Is there anything you need me to do?" she asked, practically vibrating with anticipation for a grand undertaking.
Daziel looked at Sushang, his gaze lingering, considering. He didn't answer immediately, lost in contemplation.
He studied Sushang's vibrant, innocent face, and a complex swirl of emotions stirred within him.
According to the system's cryptic pronouncements, the upheaval in Aurum Alley stemmed from "Memetic pollution."
This unsettling phenomenon, he recalled, was also implicated in the Penacony Trailblaze Continuance, "The Unforgettable Dream Arc - A Fool's Choice."
It was Dr. Primitive, he remembered, who weaponized this Memetic virus, triggering the bizarre banana craze on Penacony, warping minds and, horrifically, transforming people into monkeys.
Memetics could overwrite each other, the system had implied, and viral Memetics were no exception.
In that Penacony incident, Mr. Reca had cleverly "edited out" the ninja Memetic virus from Ruan Mei's memories, shattering the monkeys' shared dream and resolving the crisis.
The current situation, he realized with a shiver, was chillingly analogous. This was a new Memetic virus, but its insidious reach extended far beyond Penacony, encompassing the entire universe.
Everyone's consciousness, to varying degrees, had been subtly infected, gradually becoming more and more… "otherworldly."
Xianzhou's Aurum Alley, he now understood, was merely a localized manifestation, a microcosm of the universal infection.
Indeed, apart from the enigmatic Aeons themselves, only a handful understood the true nature of this unfolding disaster.
Even the Astral Express Crew's ambiguous attitude towards him and March 7th, and Elio's cryptic prophecies… it all seemed disturbingly connected to this pervasive Memetic.
While the system remained frustratingly silent on the Memetic's origin, Daziel at least now grasped the underlying mechanism. He was no longer completely adrift, groping blindly in the dark, his earlier cluelessness replaced with a terrifying clarity.
But now, a more pressing question clawed at him: where could he find a counter-Memetic, a new viral idea strong enough to overwrite this pervasive otherworldly influence?
Ruan Mei was out of reach, and Penacony… Penacony was still timelines away. "The Unforgettable Dream Arc - A Fool's Choice" storyline wouldn't even surface until the later stages of the Penacony chapter.
Furthermore, the system's ominous warnings echoed in his mind: this universal crisis dwarfed Penacony's incident, and the relatively localized Riolu Ninja Memetic wouldn't even scratch the surface. He needed something far more potent, a Memetic capable of universal dissemination, to truly combat this encroaching darkness.
So, where to find such a Memetic?
The system offered no explicit answers, instead dropping another cryptic, unsettling task into his lap: "Increase Sushang's Corruption Value to 50%."
The task reward description, however, offered a glimmer of hope: completing this task, it stated, was essential to "find direction."
And now, the task objective itself stood before him, tangible, just a breath away…
Daziel's gaze returned to Sushang's expectant eyes, sparkling with unwavering trust. After only a fleeting moment of internal conflict, a plan solidified in his mind.
"Sushang," Daziel began, his voice suddenly low and serious, a stark contrast to his usual lighthearted tone. "Are you… are you willing to help me? Really help me?"
Sushang responded instantly, without a flicker of hesitation, her head bobbing in enthusiastic affirmation. Her clear voice resonated with unwavering determination. "Of course I am, Daziel! Just tell me what you need me to do! Even if it's facing mountains of blades or oceans of fire, if it can help you, I'm ready!"
She puffed out her chest, her small frame radiating an almost comical eagerness to face any challenge, any hardship, for him.
Considering Sushang's youthful innocence, Daziel took a slow, steadying breath, carefully arranging his words. Then, leaning closer, he spoke, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if fearing unseen eavesdroppers. "Sushang, this… this is a bit… special. Actually, it's a little… embarrassing to even talk about."
Sushang blinked, her curiosity piqued by Daziel's sudden shift in demeanor, his unusual seriousness and air of secrecy.
Daziel leaned even closer, his breath warm against her ear, and in a voice barely audible above the whisper of the sea breeze, he detailed the proposed solution to Sushang, explaining the necessary… process with painstaking clarity.
As Daziel spoke, Sushang's expression underwent a rapid transformation, shifting from initial bewilderment to wide-eyed shock, and then… to a blossoming shyness that painted her cheeks with a vibrant crimson.
Two bright red clouds surged onto her fair skin, spreading upwards to her earlobes, and even her slender neck flushed a delicate pink.
"So… so strange…" Sushang's voice was barely a breath, as soft as the hum of a trapped mosquito. Her gaze dropped, unable to meet Daziel's eyes, her cheeks burning with self-consciousness. "How could… how could that be the solution? This… this is just too…"
She struggled for words, wanting to call it "absurd" or "shameful," but the accusations died unspoken on her lips.
Because… this was Daziel's request.
In Sushang's heart, Daziel occupied a unique, almost untouchable space, a special connection forged in the crucible of Aurum Alley, though their bond was still nascent, and this intimacy unprecedented.
But Daziel's actions during that crisis had left an indelible mark on her soul.
Even though the method he proposed now evoked a wave of shyness and shock within her, she found herself instinctively trusting his judgment.
"But… if it's Daziel asking…" Sushang's voice, though still quiet, gained a newfound firmness, a quiet conviction. "Then I believe him. Daziel must be doing this for the good of Xianzhou… that's the only reason he'd say something like this."
She lifted her gaze, meeting Daziel's eyes. The shyness lingered, a faint blush on her cheeks, but it was overshadowed by a deeper current of trust and resolute determination.
"I… I've heard whispers about things like this," she confessed softly, "but I've never really understood. Can you… can you teach me? What exactly am I supposed to do?"
Daziel stood, then gently lifted her from his arms, settling her back on her feet. He gave her a reassuring pat. "Just like before," he murmured, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. "Leave the rest… to me."
"Ah? Oh. Right. That does sound pretty simple then…"
Daziel was by her side, watching her with a calm smile. He was older, more experienced, and he knew this was a special night for her.
"Sushang," he called, his voice soft but firm. "Are you nervous?"
She shook her head, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety. "A little," she admitted, playing with the ends of her hair. "I've never... you know."
Daziel took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "It's okay," he said, placing a gentle hand on her face. "I'll guide you. Trust me."
Sushang felt a shiver run down her spine. She trusted him, but the unknown still frightened her. Daziel noticed her hesitation and smiled, pulling her closer. Their bodies fit together naturally, and he began to kiss her slowly, with a patience that only someone experienced could have.
He led her to a more private spot, where the sand was soft and the sound of the sea was gentler. There, he continued to caress her, teaching her to relax and surrender to the moment. Sushang, though inexperienced, followed his movements with an innocent curiosity, learning to explore her own body and his.
The night went on, with Daziel carefully guiding her, making sure she felt safe and comfortable. And when the moment finally came, he was gentle, patient, and always attentive to her reactions. Sushang, though still a bit clumsy, began to understand what it meant to connect with someone in such an intimate way.
Daziel taught her carefully how to suck a cock, and also showed her the limits of pleasure, tenderly exploring her entire body. He covered her little pussy with kisses before sliding his cock inside, making that beautiful flower bloom with the pleasure of his cock.
When it was all over, they lay on the sand, looking at the stars. Sushang felt a mix of emotions, but above all, gratitude. She looked at Daziel and smiled, knowing he had made her first time something special, still feeling the warm, thick semen dripping from her pussy.
_____
SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONS:
[Target Character Sushang's Corruption Value increased by 8%]
[Current Corruption Value: 50%]
[Triggered Keyword: First Time]
[Please Host, keep up the good work. In the prime of youth, her amorous feelings naturally attract people. With the spirit of peach and plum and the tongue of a parrot, how can one waste such a beautiful night?]
[Task Completed: "Guidance of the Morning Star" reward has been received, please check.]
[New Task: Increase Sushang's Corruption Value to 100%]
[Task Reward: Golden Finger.]
[Golden Finger: A finger with maxed-out modulation ability, hand speed and finger strength greatly increased.]
"Go to the Divination Commission and find Fu Xuan," Daziel instructed, his tone brisk now, businesslike. "Tell her you can solve the Matrix of Prescience problem. Then, have her use the Matrix of Prescience to divine for you. That's how you'll know what to do next."
What Daziel hadn't anticipated was that after all this… after pouring in so much effort, even, dare he admit it, sacrificing a modicum of… well…
Cough cough. In short, for this meager 50% Corruption Value increment, he had exerted himself greatly. And the "Guidance of the Morning Star" reward turned out to be nothing more than this airy, enigmatic sentence?
Daziel stared at the words on the system panel, re-reading them again and again, half-convinced he must be hallucinating.
Just this?
This paltry direction was the reward for hitting the 50% Corruption Value milestone?
He felt an intense surge of being thoroughly, utterly, and shamelessly played by this system.
Before, the rewards had been substantive: information torrents, crucial clues. But now? A frustratingly vague sentence?
The Divination Commission's current predicament was hardly a secret. Yukong herself had openly lamented their chaotic state, the Matrix of Prescience's malfunctions. That news was undeniably accurate.
And now, he was supposed to solve the Matrix of Prescience problem?
Fu Xuan would likely greet that claim with profound skepticism, and frankly, Daziel himself didn't buy it for a second.
What a blatant, ridiculous joke. What possible skill set did Daziel possess that would allow him to unravel a problem baffling the entire Divination Commission?
"System," Daziel silently commanded, his thoughts laced with exasperation. "Come out here and explain this to me."
[Do you genuinely believe this message is merely pointing you in a direction? This, Host, is also a form of reward guidance…]
What did that even mean?
Daziel was completely bewildered.
[You will understand in due course. What benefit is there to excessive explanation now?]
[This matter is also documented in "Galaxy Ninja Scroll", "Scorpion venom can be cleverly used to counteract snake venom, and sometimes, poison wine can even taste like sweet dew."]
"You—you're being deliberately cryptic, spouting riddles! And isn't that… someone else's line? You just copied it directly, didn't you?" Daziel mentally fumed.
[In summation, this is indeed a reward. I will elaborate no further.]
Truly outrageous!
This infuriating system, perpetually dispensing cryptic pronouncements and utterly unhelpful platitudes.
Daziel felt a storm of frustration brewing within him, pent-up and with no outlet. He could only, it seemed, displace his vexation onto poor Sushang.
…
With the matter, for the moment, settled, and the late hour pressing down, Daziel, employing the well-worn excuse of a young woman's safety, escorted Sushang back to the inn.
Sushang, predictably, demurred at first, hesitancy clouding her features.
But she proved no match for Daziel's persistent assurances, his gentle yet persuasive insistence, and eventually, she yielded, offering a small, acquiescent nod.
And so, Daziel initiated yet another round of Corruption Value grinding, indulging his heart's content, or at least, to the extent that the current situation allowed.
_____
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