My Scumbag System - Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Apparently, My Mission Is Now Retail Therapy
I approached her quietly from behind. “What does ‘she’ want?” I asked while keeping my voice low enough that only Soomin could hear.

She flinched like I’d shocked her, and immediately understood who I meant. Her eyes darted to mine for a brief second before fixing firmly on the floor, and I saw her throat work as she swallowed nervously.

“She… she wants claws,” Soomin whispered while looking mortified by the admission. “Something sharp.”

Something about the way she said it made me think she wasn’t just talking about weapons.

I guided her toward a display of Cestus and Katar-style weapons with my hand resting lightly on her lower back. “These might work. They enhance natural striking power but add an edge.” I picked up a particularly nasty set with serrated blades extending from the knuckles. “Though these might be overkill.”

Soomin stared at the weapons with a mixture of horror and fascination, and I noticed her breathing had gotten slightly faster. Her pupils were dilated too, and for a moment I wondered if the fox was closer to the surface than usual.

From a cold strategic standpoint, Soomin presented a unique challenge. The shy nervous girl before me would sooner die than kiss me, but her fox alter-ego had already shown predatory interest during our training sessions. Accessing the fox was the only viable path, but it was high-risk. I could trigger her transformation, sure, but controlling the outcome would be like trying to ride a tornado while blindfolded.

Still. High risk meant high reward.

“Try them on,” I suggested while holding out the weapons. “See how they feel.”

Her hands trembled slightly as she took the Cestus from me, and our fingers brushed during the exchange. She inhaled sharply at the contact.

Yeah. The fox was definitely interested.

“I need a matched set of carbon-fiber trench knives with non-reflective coating and a resonance dampening sheath.”

Skylar’s voice cut through my planning like a knife through silk. She stood at the counter with her spine straight and her expression bored, looking like she’d rather be literally anywhere else.

“That’s… quite specific,” Garrick said while his eyebrows rose. “Planning to sneak up on something nasty?”

Skylar’s lips curved into the barest hint of a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Always.”

I watched her interact with the shopkeeper while mentally updating my assessment. Ice cold. Skylar was all business and saw through bullshit like it was transparent. Trying to create a romantic moment with her would likely end with one of her new knives between my ribs or worse. Low probability of success, high probability of serious injury, zero chance of passing Aphrodite’s genuine passion requirement.

She’d see me coming from a mile away and shut me down before I even opened my mouth.

Which left Emi and Soomin as my realistic options. The eager student who already worshipped the ground I walked on, or the split-personality girl whose alter ego wanted to eat me in multiple senses of the word.

Great choices. Really stellar options here.

I returned my attention to the accessories and eventually settled on a simple silver ring with subtle geometric etchings along the band. Nothing flashy, but the placard claimed it enhanced mana flow by fifteen percent and improved recovery rate. Practical and within my budget, which was all that mattered right now.

By the time I’d made my selection, Emi was being fitted for a leather bracer by the shopkeeper. Garrick’s thick fingers struggled with the delicate adjustment of the straps while Emi stood there patiently, though I could see the slight tension in her shoulders.

“Here, let me,” I said while stepping in smoothly. I knelt before Emi and took her arm gently in my hands.

The bracer was made of supple leather and designed to protect her forearm from the bowstring’s snap. I slid it into position while my fingers pressed against her skin, warm and soft beneath my touch. The leather was cool by contrast, and I felt the slight shiver that ran through her at the contact.

“It needs to be snug, but not too tight,” I murmured while adjusting the buckles. “You need to be able to move freely.”

My thumb brushed the soft sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist as I tested the fit. The contact was seemingly innocent but deliberately placed. Emi’s breath hitched, and I heard the small almost imperceptible change in her breathing pattern. A deep blush spread up her neck and into her cheeks, and she suddenly found the ceiling absolutely fascinating.

“Th-thank you,” she stammered while her voice came out slightly higher than usual.

This would be so easy. Too easy, maybe. One more touch, one more moment, and she’d be putty in my hands.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Soomin watching us. She quickly looked away when I glanced in her direction with her face flushed pink, though whether from embarrassment or something else was hard to tell.

Interesting. Very interesting.

After finalizing our selections, Emi with her bow and bracer, Soomin hesitantly ordering a pair of custom-fitted combat gloves with retractable micro-claws, Skylar with her knives, and my enhancement ring, we arranged for everything to be sent directly to the ferry for pickup later. The academy stipend covered most of the cost, though Skylar had to chip in extra for her specialized equipment.

We stepped back into the afternoon sunlight, and it was just past 2:00 PM according to the massive clock tower looming over the district center. My datapad pinged with a message that made me frown.

Carmen: [Done with the serious stuff? Good. Meet me and Juan at The Crimson Stitch boutique in the Coral Street Ward. We’re going clothes shopping, and I need a man’s opinion. And before you ask, yes, that’s an order.]

I showed the message to the girls while already dreading what fresh hell this would turn into.

Emi’s eyes lit up immediately like someone had flipped a switch. “Clothes shopping? Really? Yes! I’ve been wanting to check out the boutiques here!”

Soomin nodded with surprising enthusiasm that caught me off guard. “I need some new cardigan sweaters. The academy store only has three colors.”

Skylar scowled at the datapad like it had personally insulted her entire family. “Ugh. I hate boutiques. But I guess it’s better than looking at more swords.” She blew a strand of indigo hair out of her face. “Just don’t expect me to try on anything pink.”

I sighed dramatically while slumping my shoulders in a perfect imitation of Juan. “What a drag,” I said while capturing his exact bored drawl.

Emi giggled behind her hand. Skylar rolled her eyes but I caught the hint of a smile. But it was Soomin’s reaction that surprised me, a small genuine laugh that she quickly covered with her hand as if shocked by her own amusement.