Chapter 373 - 373: 373
"So what do you say we make a bet, vendor killer?"
My voice carried farther than I expected, cutting through the street and leaving a brief, heavy silence in its wake. For a moment, even the background chatter died down. Maribelle didn't answer right away, and the people around us leaned in without meaning to, waiting for her response.
Then she scowled, sharp and immediate.
"What makes you think I'll listen to a scammer's bargains? You're nothing but a dead man, kid!!" She clicked her tongue, already dismissing me.
I'd expected that. My system had practically spelled her out for me—stubborn, prideful, the kind of woman who would rather suffer than admit she wasn't in control. The type who thought she was always right, and that no one had the authority to tell her otherwise.
Honestly, it explained a lot.
As a former doctor, I didn't need the system to connect the dots. Kidney stones weren't some death sentence. Small ones passed with time through hydration, proper care, a bit of patience.
But leave them untreated? Let them grow, let them block things up? That was when it got ugly. Painful urination, fatigue, infection… and judging by the way she carried herself right now, she'd skipped every sensible step along the way.
I took a slow breath, letting my gaze drag over her deliberately.
"Look at you. You can't even stand properly."
She stiffened, and I didn't miss the way sweat clung to her skin.
"You've gotten weaker....fast. That fatigue's sitting on you like a weight." I tilted my head slightly, watching her reaction. "And let me guess… pounding headache too? Right about now?"
Her eyes widened before she could stop them.
But, of course, she recovered just as quickly.
"I'm fine!!! Stop talking nonsense!!"
"Fine," I shrugged, easy, unconcerned. "You're fine. I've been lying this whole time. And here I was, thinking I'd give you a discount as my first customer." I clicked my tongue. "Clearly not happening, since you've gone and called a divine doctor like me a scammer."
"Divine doctor??"
The words rippled through the crowd behind me, disbelief spreading like wildfire.
"Yeah, the kid's lost it." "Maribelle's definitely going to deal with him now." "Divine doctor, my foot…"
"Divine doctor, huh?" Maribelle echoed, planting her hands on her hips, still as smug as ever despite the strain creeping into her posture. "Alright then. Let's hear your bet."
I smiled slightly. "Maybe start by telling your dogs to put me down?"
She gave a small nod, and her men immediately let go of me. I rolled my shoulders once, then looked back at her nonchalantly.
"I'll give you one potion. You drink it right here, right now for free. If it doesn't work, you can do whatever you want with me. Torture, slavery, get creative—I've heard the stories about you." I paused. "But if it does work, you let me sell in peace… and you put in a good word for me."
She extended a shaky hand without hesitation. "You've got yourself a deal, brat."
Of course, by now the whispers had turned into a full-on crowd. People gathered like it was a street performance, eyes glued to us, waiting for something to go wrong.
I crouched, picked up one of my vials, and handed it to her.
She took it, uncorked it—
"My lady… wait." One of her men stepped forward, tense. "What if it's poison?"
That earned a mental eye roll from me.
Perfect timing, really.
But Maribelle just smirked, ego kicking in right on cue.
"A little poison won't kill me. You forgot who I am or something???"
The man tried to argue, stumbled over his words—but she was already tipping the vial back, drinking all of its contents.
Badump.
Even without trying, I could hear her heartbeat spike, loud and violent under my sharpened senses.
Then—
"ARGHHHHHH!!!"
She dropped hard.
Her body hit the ground as she clutched her stomach, screaming loudly, the kind of sound that made people flinch.
"Tsk—poison!!" one of her men roared, lunging for me.
I didn't resist. If I did, they'd probably break something out of sheer panic.
But just as quickly as it started, it stopped.
Her screams cut off abruptly.
The tension drained from her face in real time, the agony twisting her features melting into something else entirely. Relief. Pure, overwhelming relief. The kind that softened her expression, lit it up from the inside… like someone who'd been holding it in for hours and finally got to let go.
I clicked my tongue lightly. "Those were the stones burning up. Pain was unavoidable." I tilted my head. "So… how do you feel now?"
She pushed herself up slowly, like she didn't trust her own body. Her hand flexed, then her shoulders rolled, testing, searching but there was no pain.
It was written all over her face before she even spoke.
"I feel…" she started, voice unsteady. "I feel… incredible!!"
The reaction from the crowd hit all at once.
Gasps. Murmurs. People stepping closer, trying to make sense of what they'd just seen.
Maribelle, meanwhile, didn't even try to hide it. She started moving—stretching, then jogging in place, then actually bouncing a little, like she couldn't contain it.
"Wow… I feel like I'm in my youth again!!!"
"No way…" "So the potions actually work?" "He's not a scammer??" "Is he really a divine doctor…?"
I let them talk.
Then, right in front of everyone, Maribelle dropped to her knees.
"Please… sell me another potion. My nine-year-old son has the same condition. Please… help him."
I let my expression turn smug—just enough to be annoying. "Is that how you thank me? Or were you planning to save that for later… in private?"
Her breath caught, and she bowed deeper. "I'm sorry for doubting you. I promise I'll show my gratitude properly. But for now… please. Sell me a potion for my son."
Her men released me completely, stepping back as I crossed my arms.
"Alright," I said. "$500 per potion."
Someone in the crowd choked. "Wait—weren't they $200 earlier??"
I perked up, cupping a hand to my ear. "Hm? What was that? Add another $200?" I nodded to myself. "Thanks for the advice dude. $700 it is. They cure everything, after all."
Maribelle didn't argue. Not after what she'd just experienced.
She offered to transfer the money, but I didn't have an account, so she gave me an address instead to the city council building where she worked—and told me to collect the cash there.
I handed her another vial.
The remaining three were gone almost instantly, snatched up by eager bystanders who didn't want to miss out.
Just like that, I was sold out.
I packed up my cloth, humming to myself as I counted the money on my way back. Not bad for a day's work.
By the time I got home, the sun was already leaning into the afternoon.
I was just about to unlock my small security guard house when I noticed her. Waiting.
"Uh… hi, Asher."
Loona, the milf from yesterday.
She gave a small wave, and right away I noticed the difference. Yesterday, her eyes had been dull, weighed down. Now? They were bright and lively. Almost too bright.
My gaze dropped to the bento box in her hands.
"Oh… I brought you lunch. As a thank you for the… you know. Massage." She smiled, a little too cheerfully. "I feel so much better today."
She wasn't exaggerating.
"Alright. Thanks," I said, taking it. I was starving anyway.
I stepped inside, unlocked the door and noticed she hadn't left.
I raised a brow. "You planning to stay out there, or…?"
"I'll come in," she said quickly.
She stepped inside, and I shut the door behind her.
"It's not much. Make yourself comfortable." I gestured vaguely at the cramped space while opening the box—and yeah, she hadn't held back.
"Damn…" I muttered, already digging in. "This is good."
"Mmh… delicious."
I glanced back at her as I ate.
She blushed.
"I hear beautiful women cook well," I added casually. "Didn't think it was true until now."
That only made her blush deepen.
But then I noticed her fidgeting, fingers playing with the hem of her top before she looked up again.
"Um… about yesterday. We… ended up doing more than just a massage." She hesitated. "So I wanted to ask you to… not think too much of it. And keep it to yourself. I have a husband, and if he finds out, my marriage will be in danger."
I paused mid-bite.
She stood, bowed slightly. "Please… I hope you understand."
Then she turned to leave.
I moved before she could reach the handle, pressing her lightly but firmly against the door so that her tits smashed against the wood.
"Your marriage will be in danger, huh?" I murmured near her neck. "And what do you think walking into a single guy's place dressed like that does?"
She was scantily in a small short and a loose top that suggested she didn't even bother herself wearing a bra.
She stiffened. "What are you—let me go."
I leaned in slightly, voice low. "Be honest. Did you come here to protect your marriage… or to put it in more danger?"
My hand slid over her hip, testing, and her body reacted instantly—tightening, then betraying her with a small shiver.
Her SF level was already at 72%.
At this rate… her husband didn't stand a chance at satisfying her.
Not after she'd experienced my heavenly Pulse skill that gave her an orgasm she'd never felt in her entire life.
Not after she'd experienced me: the kind of man who didn't just take other men's wives—
But made sure they kept coming back.
Tbc
