Chapter 111: The Vicious Cycle

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March 7th and Serval were taken aback by Stelle's question.

Is there a problem with that?

Of course, there is!

Bochang was sitting right beside them; he wasn't just some decorative figure.

If Stelle changes her skirt here and puts on underwear, won't he see everything?

Despite knowing that Stelle behaves somewhat unusually,

even after witnessing this incident,

Serval remained speechless and instinctively grabbed Stelle by the back of her shirt collar, intending to forcibly drag her away.

"Let's go to an empty room for you to change; it's not convenient here."

The gray-haired girl didn't resist, looking slightly innocent.

Meanwhile...

In Himeko's temporary room, only Bochang and March 7th remained.

They stared at each other for several seconds, neither initiating conversation.

To alleviate the awkward silence, the pink-haired girl took out her phone and played with it briefly. After a few moments, she put it down again, seemingly struck by a thought, and spoke with noticeable irritation, "Bochang, I've noticed you seem to be bullying me quite often lately. Do you have something against me...?"

"Huh? Have I been bullying you? How come I'm not aware of it?" Bochang shook his head, perplexed.

March 7th started counting on her fingers, extending her index and middle finger one after another...

"How haven't you? That day at the Goethe Grand Hotel, you pinched my cheeks, sometimes you purposely ignore me, and before that, you experimented with your stealing skill on me. If I hadn't coincidentally not worn... well, there would have been a major embarrassment in Belobog! And just now, you laughed at me for wetting my pants..."

March 7th recounted these incidents as if listing cherished memories.

Exasperated, Bochang replied, "March, isn't that just typical playful banter? Surely you're not so sensitive to such teasing?"

"Who?! Who said we're too sensitive?" March 7th slapped the table. "We just feel... feel like you treat us with no gentleness at all, unlike how you do with Stelle... Hmph, we haven't forgotten. When returning from the snowmobile trip, you let Stelle ride while making me walk."

"March, you're overthinking it. Besides, weren't you the one who started..." Bochang glanced at the pink-haired girl.

Crossing her arms, March 7th retorted, "Why bring that up now? Are you not planning to apologize? If you sincerely apologize, maybe my mood will improve. And if I'm feeling better... treating you with a bit more kindness isn't out of the question."

[Dating Options activated.]

[Option 1: Since March 7th has already expressed herself, why not comply? Respond with, "I'm sorry, I was wrong, and it won't happen again." - Completion Reward: Obtain a random item, ranging from small as a matchstick to large as a star destroyer. Note: These items will...]

[Option 2: No, where did I go wrong? It seems March 7th hasn't learned her lesson at all! Firmly pinch March 7th's cheeks and say, "This is what happens when you throw tantrums!" - Completion Reward: Acquire a random skill.]

[Option Three: Grasp March 7th's hand and say, "March, what I've done is genuinely just to foster a better relationship with you." — Completion Reward: Strength increase by 100%.]

This was not the first time March 7th had picked a quarrel.

Bochang could actually understand it.

After all... sometimes, Bochang indeed enjoyed "persecuting" March 7th.

It was an inevitable situation.

Following the first instance of persecution, March 7th would hold a grudge and provoke further conflict, leading Bochang to perpetrate another round of persecution.

Then the cycle repeated itself endlessly.

A perfect vicious circle emerged.

The ultimate outcome being—an unceasing dispute between them.

Bochang pondered briefly, seeking the most suitable choice among the three options.

Given the presence of Option Two and Option Three,

Bochang naturally didn't need to consider Option One.

After all, rewards with random items were becoming too frequent.

At the moment, Bochang didn't lack items; what he truly needed were skills and improved physical attributes.

"The second and third options disrupt March 7th's rhythm, but Option Two is merely a compromise. As for Option Three... it implies Dating Options, and conveniently, both Serval and Stelle have just left. If not now, when would be a better time?"

"Option Three!"

Bochang made up his mind, stood up, and took hold of March 7th's hand, saying, "March, I'm doing this solely to strengthen our relationship."

The black-haired youth's sudden move caught March 7th off guard.

Although at the moment he grabbed her hand,

March 7th could have easily evaded.

But...

For some inexplicable reason, she hesitated and did not dodge. She couldn't understand her feelings, much like how she couldn't comprehend why she always felt compelled to pick quarrels with him.

Initially, when she saw Bochang give the teleportation ring to Pela, March 7th felt a sourness in her heart.

Similarly, learning about Clara massaging his back also left her uneasy...

These emotions were completely uncontrollable.

As March 7th gazed at Bochang, the warmth from his large hand made her feel flushed all over.

Their eyes met for several seconds.

Then...

March 7th, somewhat dazed, asked, "Is it really true?"

"Of course, it's absolutely true."

Bochang affirmed, and promptly, the system's voice chimed in:

[Reward being distributed - Congratulations! Your strength has been increased by one hundred percent.]

A familiar warm sensation flowed through his body.

Bochang could feel his muscles tearing and restructuring, undergoing a transformation beneath his skin.

This was already his fourth strength enhancement.

Bochang's strength successfully reached sixteen times that of an average person.

His capabilities had significantly enhanced once again.

Upon hearing this response, the pink-haired girl's mind went into turmoil, and her breathing became rapid.

"So...so that's how it is. Since...since you've explained, I'll forgive you this time."

Blushing, March 7th couldn't help but retract her hand and shyly lowered her head.

Noticing her reaction, Bochang returned to his seat calmly.

"As long as March understands," he said with satisfaction.

At that moment...

Stelle and Serval entered through the door.

"Come on, our matters are settled now. Let's continue with Mahjong."

With her back turned to everyone, March 7th heard Serval's voice, causing her body to jolt. She quickly raised her head, her flushed cheeks instantly returning to normal, as if nothing had happened just moments ago.

Bochang sensed a chill in the air, along with a faint trace of fate path energy.

He realized that March 7th had used hexaphase ice to stabilize her condition and prevent anyone from noticing anything unusual.

Stelle picked up on this as well and asked curiously, "March, is something wrong?"

"No...nothing at all. I just suddenly felt a bit warm, so I wanted to cool down," replied March 7th, fanning herself gently with her hand as if to emphasize her point.

Although Serval and Stelle found it slightly odd, they didn't dwell on it further.

While Himeko and others were busy preparing to depart Jarilo VI,

Bochang's group continued their mahjong game.

As a novice, Serval was thoroughly outmatched by Bochang, March 7th, and Stelle.

Fortunately, they were playing for fun without any stakes involved; otherwise, Serval would have been in quite a predicament.