When dawn came, Paintaker was summoned to Astor’s room for a medical massage.
“Ow, ow, ow. Slow down. You’re killing me…”
“Mr. Larson, you know that this is inevitable if you want to heal. If you don’t clear these bruises, they’re going to affect you.” The monk splashed some medicinal alcohol onto his hands and smacked them on Astor’s back.
Another scream escaped Astor’s lips.
Salazar was munching on his sunflower seeds, staring at him in interest.
Then, he spat. “You call that iron defense? Paper defense, more like.”
And he spat again.
Astor claimed that he could beat Salazar easily and that he had perfect defense the night before, so Salazar hit him with a bit more power and unleashed the full might of his skill.
“Can you stop spitting?”
“Sunflower seeds.” Salazar spat again.
“Fine. Carry on…”
‘Oh, you want to fight?’
Astor picked up Bloodreaper, and Salazar tossed his sunflower seeds away at once.
“I was just joking, jeez. Have a sense of humor!” He dusted his hands off and fled to his room.
Salazar could beat him if they were both fighting without weapons, but he was delighted to see Astor unsheathe Bloodreaper.
The moment Astor filled it with his sword energy, the blade shook off its rust and gleamed like the fang of a menacing beast. One swing of the sword was all it took to slice a human-sized boulder in two. Not even an advanced grandmaster could take that kind of hit, let alone Salazar.
As the battle came to an end, a bruised Astor chased Salazar all over the battlefield, trying to cut him up.
Now that Astor was threatening to swing his sword once more, Salazar ran back to his room.
Astor saw him off, a smug smile curling his lips, and then he winced in pain.
Just then, someone entered his room.
A scream could be heard the next second. “You pervert!”
She was none other than Roxanne. The hidden sect’s member had led her to the courtyard. The other contestants then pointed her in the direction of Astor’s abode, and she went straight in only to be greeted by a half-naked Adrian.
Naturally, she was shocked.
Roxanne closed her eyes, but for some reason, she started imagining a naked Morten, so she opened a tiny crack between her fingers and stole another look.
‘Ooh, look at those muscles!’
Then she ran away while blushing.
“You’re the pervert, woman. You saw me naked. I’m the victim here.”
‘Ok… Alright, that’s enough massage.’
Astor stopped Paintaker. “That’s enough. Thanks for the help, Paintaker, sir. Feels a lot better now…”
He stretched his arms. He felt a sharp pain shoot up his body, but at least he was feeling much better now.
“Is that a tease I sense, Mr. Larson?”
“Oh no. You’re skillful enough to open up a massage parlor for the sick and injured. I bet it’d be a hit,” Astor joked.
Astor changed into his clothes and left his room.
‘Well… Roxanne didn’t come for nothing…’
When he came to the courtyard, he noticed the hidden sect members looking at the pavilion while smiling. Within the pavilion sat one Roxanne Bane, and she stood up the moment she saw Adrian.
“Thank you, Dr. Larson. You’ve cured me of a longtime condition. I wish to treat you to a meal.” She then handed an invitation letter to Adrian.
