Then, in preparation for the Tour de Inferno, the brother and sister decided to practice two tasks involving Hollows that they had in mind.
One task was to help Lucy collect data on the Hollow where the competition would be held, and the other was to help Burnice purchase vehicle parts from the factory inside the Hollow.
"Hello! Are you all ready to start work? Oh, don't be nervous. I don't have any tasks for you yet—just start with whatever you need to do."
Piper approached the brother and sister, yawned wearily, and waved her hand.
"Oh, it's Piper. No need to be so polite. If there's anything you need, just let us know. After all, we need to get used to the working environment on the Outer Ring," Wise said, smiling gently.
"Oh my, young man, I'm so touched by what you're saying!" Piper replied with a tired laugh.
[Ding! New favorability target detected.]
[Name: Piper]
[Gender: Female]
[Charm: 92]
[Unique Traits: A legal old Loli with a mature mind, though her age is hard to guess—you don't need to worry about the police.]
[Hobbies: Sleeping, and driving her beloved car, Steeltusk!]
[Current Status: Relieved and Drowsy]
[Current Favorability toward Host: 50]
[Evaluation: Her body seems to be experiencing slow development and growth for some reason, but perhaps that's for the better?]
[Inner Thoughts: What a polite young man!]
"Calling me a young man? Piper, you look younger than my sister, don't you?"
Although Wise had seen the system's introduction, he still felt that something was off—like visiting relatives and finding a child who seemed older than you yet younger at the same time.
However, Piper was clearly not like that right now.
"Haha, young people have such sweet words, it's irresistible. Let me tell you a secret..."
As Piper spoke, she stood on tiptoe, covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered in Wise's ear.
"Actually, I'm one of the most experienced drivers in the Sons of Calydon!"
[Ding! Target Piper: has increased her favorability toward the host by 5. Her current favorability is now 55. Additionally, 200 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 17100]
"Really? You look so cute, yet so amazing."
"Oh my, young people are so good at talking. Even at this age, I still get shy when people say I'm cute."
Piper waved her hand somewhat shyly, but she clearly appreciated Wise's praise and even welcomed him to come over anytime to chat or ask questions.
After saying goodbye to Piper, Wise went into town and found Burnice next to the bar.
[Ding! New favorability target detected.]
[Name: Burnice]
[Gender: Female]
[Charm: 96]
[Unique Traits: A very optimistic girl who loves playing with fire]
[Hobbies: Making quirky specialty drinks and drinking fuel-rich beverages]
[Current Status: Happy and excited]
[Current Favorability toward Host: 50]
[Evaluation: A girl with a very healthy mental state, so healthy that others think she is abnormal]
[Inner Thoughts: Wise is finally here! Now my carefully prepared special blend won't go to waste.]
"Wise, you're here! Come sit down, and have a Burnice cocktail! Come on!"
The enthusiastic young woman in front of him brought a glass with both hands, the orange-yellow liquid inside glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Wise took the glass, inhaling the subtle aroma of herbs with a hint of fuel.
"Wow… this smells amazing. Did you make this yourself?"
"Of course! I made it just for you!" Burnice said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I even added a little extra kick, so you can really feel the heat of the Outer Ring!"
Wise chuckled, shaking the glass gently.
"Then I'd better drink carefully… wouldn't want to get burned before the practice even starts."
Burnice pouted playfully and said, "Hey! That's no fun! You need to feel it!"
He took a small sip, letting the fiery flavor spread across his tongue in a warm, tingling rush.
A grin slowly formed on his face as he spoke, "Not bad… You really outdid yourself."
Burnice clapped her hands, delighted.
"I knew you'd like it! See? I told you my drinks have character!"
Wise looked at the drink in front of him, lifted it, and inhaled its aroma. It didn't smell like alcohol, and surprisingly, it even smelled good.
"This is…?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I personally mixed it! I'm a bartender at Sons of Calydon, and I handle everything myself—whether it's drinks for people or fuel for cars!" Burnice said proudly.
She then pointed at the massive truck beside them and added, "And this Steeltusk? It can 'drink' 200 liters of my cocktail in one go!"
"Well… people and cars are still different," Wise remarked.
Burnice shook her head firmly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Nope! Long-distance trucks and drivers both need plenty of energy. This drink is specially made for you! Come on, drink it! You'll be full of energy for your journey!"
"Why does that sound so… strange?" Wise muttered under his breath, but he still lifted the glass and downed it in one go.
"How is it? Delicious? Feeling energized?" Burnice asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Cough… cough… yes, but… it feels a bit… overwhelming! Why is it so spicy?!"
Wise coughed repeatedly, struggling to swallow as Burnice, with a bright, carefree smile, explained the ingredients.
"Chili peppers, mustard, and turmeric powder! Caesar said you're a guest from the city and that I should treat you well and let you experience our style! She said the same thing when Lucy came. I tried a bunch of recipes back then, and Caesar liked this one the most. Oh, wait… when Lucy came, I think Caesar said something about letting her 'taste our power.'"
Wise froze for a moment, realizing this was the same prank meant for Lucy—only somehow, it had backfired on him.
"I-I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Let me make you another one of my special blends, but this time, I promise it will taste way better!"
As Burnice spoke, she clasped her hands together and leaned forward slightly, her enthusiasm practically radiating from her.
Wise couldn't bring himself to refuse. When he nodded, she leaped up instantly, her joy written all over her face.
"Okay! Wise, wait a moment! I'll make it right away!"
She spun on her heel and hurried up the steps toward the bar, but in her haste, she slipped halfway up.
"Huh? Oh!"
"Oops!"
Wise reacted instantly, stepping forward to catch her, but Burnice was just as quick.
As she stumbled backward, she reached out to brace herself on a step, trying to regain her balance—but in doing so, she collided with Wise.
The two ended up falling on the bar floor with Burnice landing on his face while her legs locked around his shoulders, making it hard for Wise to move.
"Ugh! Wait a minute, that spot will... anh... be really itchy! Hmm!"
"Hey! Don't move! You'll..."
Before Wise could finish his words, Burnice's body began to tremble uncontrollably due to his breath on her lower area.
She tried to move, but Wise, who was attempting to say something, made Burnice feel something she couldn't explain.
"Annh~ What is this... Hmm... Don't..."
Instinctively, Burnice started grinding her hips while savoring the sensation below.
Wise, however, was running short on air. Left with no choice, he launched an aggressive attack on her private area using his nose, causing Burnice to go limp and drop her face near his crotch.
She subconsciously inhaled his scent, and her breathing became even more ragged.
Wise gained a little space to breathe, but not enough. He continued using his nose to rub against her lower area, making Burnice let out some small, involuntary moans.
"Nnngh... Wise..."
After a few moments, he finally broke free from her legs pinning his shoulders and stood up next to the bar counter.
He was feeling uncomfortable, not because of what happened, but because something in his lower body was already prepared for action.
-+ + +-
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original - P@treon Only Until It Reaches 30 Chapters)
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