CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 055: GWEN COSPLAY! TRY THE TIGER TALISMAN!

Inside the room, Lorien tossed Gwen inside, then began changing his shoes while undoing two buttons at his collar to let some air in.

"Ah no!"

But to his surprise, Gwen tossed the bag in her hand aside, then pinched the front of her collar and started acting.

No... in foreign terms, this would be called cosplay.

He was playing the role of a wicked villain—one who kidnapped a beautiful girl and committed all sorts of evil. She was playing the role of a pure, beautiful, helpless schoolgirl.

Of course, Gwen actually was a schoolgirl. A high schooler, in fact.

Seeing her performance, Lorien chuckled and slipped off his shoes. He had only planned to undo two buttons, but now he unfastened them all. Then he took off his jacket, letting his open shirt fall to either side.

The sight of his Superman physique and perfectly sculpted muscles instantly drew Gwen’s gaze.

Lorien stepped forward. Gwen scooted back.

But his pace didn’t change—while hers grew slower and slower. Her eyes lingered on his abs and chest, and she swallowed discreetly.

Lorien: ...

Something felt off. How had the atmosphere flipped so quickly? Why did it suddenly feel like she was the one baiting the hook, and he was the fish?

Damn it.

He shook his head dismissively and closed the distance. Reaching out, he slipped a hand into Gwen’s pants... and grabbed her waistband, hoisting her up in one motion.

"Ah~... huh?"

Gwen froze, her body bent into an awkward N-shape in his grip.

Lorien carried her to a chair, sat down, and positioned her face-down across his lap.

Finally... he raised his hand high and brought it down with force.

Smack!

"Ah!"

Gwen let out a sharp cry, tears nearly springing to her eyes. She quickly reached back to shield her behind, then turned her head toward Lorien, glaring at him with big, watery eyes.

"Why did you actually hit me?!"

If it wasn’t for real, what—was he supposed to just playfully tap her?

And if it was just for fun, did it really need to happen on a chair?

They could have just gone to the bed instead.

Smack!

"Ah!"

Lorien gave her another slap before finally letting her go.

"This is your punishment for trying to sneak up and scare me."

The moment she was free, Gwen jumped up, rubbing her backside with a stubborn look.

"What if I was just trying to pat you?"

"Did you forget what I do for a living?" Lorien looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

Gwen froze for a moment.

"...Fine."

He knew exactly what little tricks Gwen had up her sleeve.

Still, even if she was secretly pleased, she kept her lips pursed and pretended to be upset.

"I don’t care. You hit me, so you have to make it up to me!"

In truth, she wasn’t after anything material. At most, she just wanted Lorien to say something sweet to her—though a kiss would have been even better.

Lorien thought for a moment, then decided to use the opportunity to pull out a Twelve Talismans bracelet.

"Alright. This is my compensation for you."

"Huh?" Gwen blinked, stepping closer to look at the exquisite bracelet in his hand.

The twelve gemstones weren’t large, but they were undeniably beautiful—something any girl would fall in love with at first sight.

"But..."

Gwen hesitated. She really did like it, but her upbringing had taught her that girls shouldn’t accept expensive gifts so easily, even from their boyfriends—unless the relationship was at the right stage. And even then, you should return something of similar value.

That was why she was conflicted. In that sense, she wasn’t much different from Wanda. They were both good girls.

Lorien could already tell why she was hesitating. He smiled, took her right hand, and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

"Don’t worry. To me, its meaning is greater than its value.

And you... you’re the greatest gift heaven could ever give me.

This Twelve Talismans bracelet is useful—it’s meant to protect you when I’m not around."

Ahem. He had said something like that before, but that wasn’t the point. What mattered was that it worked.

"Twelve Talismans?" Gwen murmured, still hesitant. But the bracelet was already secured around her wrist.

A flash of golden light shimmered over it, and she quickly realized that no matter how she shook her arm, the bracelet wouldn’t come off.

"This is a binding accessory.

When you want to take it off, just silently think ’release.’

If you don’t want to take it off, no one can remove it by force—unless it’s destroyed, or you willingly give it up.

As for the powers of the Twelve Talismans, I’ll explain them to you now. Remember them, and try them out when you have the chance."

After explaining the binding, Lorien went through the abilities of each talisman.

By the time he finished, Gwen’s eyes were wide with amazement.

"Wow~!" She gasped, then said eagerly, "Then I want to try the Snake Talisman’s invisibility!"

Without hesitation, she activated it.

When first learned, the power let her stand still and vanish from sight. With practice, it could cloak objects or even groups of people. Mastery could allow her to teleport while invisible.

In some ways, it was even more powerful than Quicksilver.

And on her very first attempt, Gwen vanished right in front of Lorien’s eyes.

"Woo~" Her voice came from nowhere, full of excitement. "Guess where I am, Lorien?"

Smack!

"Ah!"

The slap landed squarely, forcing Gwen to reappear, hands clutching her backside.

Lorien: I wanted you to show yourself.

Still, invisibility wasn’t the most impressive ability in his eyes. To him, the Tiger Talisman’s yin-yang power was god-tier.

So...

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, speaking in a deliberately serious, almost hypnotic tone.

"Gwen, I’m certain you have great potential.

So hurry and try the yin-yang power of the Tiger Talisman.

Let me see just how far your talent can go."

Split yourself... Gwen x2!

...

(80 Chapters Ahead)

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