Egon flinched. Not because of her words, as he was used to that tone by now, but because this entire situation made no sense.
One second he was on the bed, about to botch a massage, the next he was face-to-face with a pissed-off battle maid.
Was this some illusion? A memory? A vision forced by the trait?
He looked down at his hands. They were trembling. The sensation was real. The stone under his feet was cold. Hilga’s aura was stifling.
And yet... something was different.
There was a heat building in his chest. A strange awareness behind his eyes.
[Trait: Envy – Skill Theft Activated]
Suddenly, a flood of information rushed into Egon’s mind.
Grip pressure... shoulder tension points... nerve-end relaxation techniques...
It was like a dam breaking. Techniques he had never learned before poured into his body like they had always been there. His hands twitched, instinctively adjusting posture.
He gasped. "This... this is Archon’s massage technique."
Hilga narrowed her eyes. "What the hell are you mumbling about now?"
Egon didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.
Because the trait hadn’t just transported him, it had stolen knowledge from the person he envied most.
And it wasn’t over yet.
Hilga’s scowl deepened. "Stop looking dazed. If you don’t want me to beat the arrogance out of you, then kneel. Now."
But Egon stood his ground, slowly straightening.
For once... he didn’t feel helpless.
The next moment, his vision shifted back to Vienna, who was just about to scowl.
But before the frown could settle, it melted into a soft moan of pleasure. The tension in her muscles faded, replaced by a wave of relaxation.
Egon didn’t have the luxury to enjoy her reaction. At least, not openly. His focus remained locked on executing the massage technique he had just learned.
Of course, that didn’t stop him from appreciating the feel of her curves beneath the thin fabric.
Upper rub... lower rub...
Then came the two melons. Ahem. That was where the impulse hit him hardest, but he forced himself to stay disciplined. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake, not at this critical moment.
This was a master-level massage, one that would surely draw some well-deserved attention his way.
Not everything had to go to the Protagonist.
Especially after he’d stolen Archon’s technique. That alone gave him a surge of pride.
He felt incredible.
But wait... isn’t this exactly the path the Main Character would take?
No. He wasn’t the main character.
Not yet.
He couldn’t afford to get comfortable. Not when he still had so much to steal.
He had to give it everything.
For his little brother... Ahem, for his future.
On the other hand:
Archon felt his mind go blank for a moment. It was as if something had slipped away. Something important.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall what it was.
Strange. Really strange.
And then there was her; the ever-barking maid who just wouldn’t shut up.
She was still going, ranting and snapping with that high-and-mighty tone like she owned the place.
Archon simply nodded mechanically, pretending to agree to every one of her ridiculous demands.
But inside?
He was seething.
He swore to himself: One day, he’d pay this bitchy maid back. For every insult. For every command. For making his life a living hell.
---
Thirty minutes later.
"That was incredible!" Vienna said, sitting up on the bed with a satisfied sigh.
"Where did you learn that?" she asked, glancing back at Egon.
Despite the ache in his fingers, Egon scratched his head with a humble look and replied, "From an old slave at the Arena, Mistress. I’m really grateful you brought me out of that place. If you’d like, I can give you a massage every day."
He sounded sincere, earnest, even. But inside, he was grinning. Massaging her wasn’t so boring after all.
Vienna gave him a faint smile. "Very well, Egon. From now on, whenever I’m tired from work, I expect a massage. But don’t let it give you any ideas. You’re not allowed to have impure thoughts about me, understand?"
Egon snorted inwardly. Of course. You only want to give your body to the protagonist. But I’ll play along... for now.
Her next words, however, sent a chill down his spine.
"Or should I turn you into a eunuch?" she said sweetly, tilting her head.
Egon went pale and shook his head furiously. "No, Mistress! Please don’t! If you do that, my... my special massage technique won’t work anymore!" he lied desperately.
"Oh? Is that so?" she mused, tapping her chin. "Then I suppose we shouldn’t. That would be a terrible loss."
She sighed dramatically, while Egon silently thanked every god he could think of.
"Okay, you can go now," Vienna said abruptly, her voice strict and dismissive.
It was clear she wanted him gone immediately.
Egon’s expression twisted into a smirk. "Hmph. Got bored of my ugly face, huh? I know you too well, Vienna Castros. You only keep people around while they’re useful. All your affection, your pampering, that’s saved for that lucky bastard. But not for long."
With a confident gleam in his eye, he turned and walked out of the Floral Chamber.
Everything was falling into place.
He just had to wait for six more days.
Six days from now, one of Vienna’s cousins would visit the mansion.
That would be the perfect moment. She’d bring Archon along, and Egon would ’coincidentally’ ask to tag along too.
He remembered the vague description of that mysterious shop... and the Soul Core hidden within.
It would be just enough to find it before Archon ever laid eyes on it.
Once he did? Hehe. Only fun awaited.