Roy's heart tightened, but he immediately put on a gentle and harmless smile (though the other party might not be able to see it clearly) and controlled Pidgeotto to come to a steady stop.
His mind began to race, preparing to make up some more... no, to share some more "Ancient Insights" with this lonely giant beast friend.
However, the Giant Dragonite did not continue to ask about its companions.
Its massive tail, almost completely hidden in the thick fog and seawater like a mountain ridge, moved slightly.
Just the very tip of the tail gave a seemingly casual flick in the seawater.
A small object wrapped in soft water vapor flew out of the sea, cutting through the fog and flying precisely toward Roy.
The speed was not fast, and the force was gentle.
Roy instinctively reached out and caught it.
It felt slightly cool in his hand, with the moistness of seawater.
Opening his palm, he saw it was a palm-sized empty conch shell.
[This... for you.]
The Giant Dragonite's gentle mental waves came through again, this time with a clear, clumsy friendliness.
[It is special. In the future... if you really meet my companions, or... sense a place where they might exist...]
[Call me through it. Use that'sincerity' of yours. I will hear it. I will... come to take a look quickly.]
Roy held the magical conch, his heart shaking.
This was equivalent to an... Ancient Giant Dragonite "Friend Summoner"?
The kind that's on call anytime?
The Giant Dragonite continued to transmit its thoughts:
[Also... if you encounter great danger that you cannot solve yourself... you can also try blowing it.]
[I like you, human. You are gentle, and your thoughts are clean, unlike some humans I felt from afar before... they were not good.]
[We can... be considered friends from now on, right?]
Roy understood instantly.
This wasn't just a whim of a gift from the Giant Dragonite.
With the completion of the task "Successfully Communicate with Ancient Life," the system reward "Dragonite Species Favorability Increase 100%" had officially taken effect!
Already possessing the "Friend of Nature" Aura, combined with the sincere communication of Aura Power, this ancient Dragonite, who had been lonely for countless years, now regarded Roy—who had interacted with it with goodwill upon their first meeting—as a trustworthy "friend."
A friend who could call upon an Ancient Giant Dragonite for help?
Who the hell would refuse that!
It was simply a godsend... no, a Divine Dragon-level cheat!
"Of course!" Roy responded with his most sincere Aura without hesitation, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "Of course we are friends! I'm very happy to be your friend!"
He shook the conch in his hand: "This gift is too precious, thank you! I will take good care of it!"
[Mm.] The Giant Dragonite sent a simple but pleasant thought, and its massive body seemed to relax a bit in the fog.
[Then... I will continue to wander around.]
It slowly turned around, preparing to blend back into the thick fog and deep sea.
But after taking two steps, it tilted its head slightly and added:
[Eating with mother... is good. Go back... and eat more. Friend.]
After saying that, its mountain-like figure silently sank into the depths of the thick fog, its presence rapidly receding until it finally vanished.
Roy held the still slightly warm conch and looked at the empty sea of fog, laughing in spite of himself.
Eating with mother?
It actually took that excuse he made up on the fly to heart.
But... this feeling of being clumsily cared for by an ancient lifeform was actually quite nice.
"Pidgeotto, let's go back."
Roy put away the conch and patted Pidgeotto.
Pidgeotto let out a cheerful cry and carried him quickly back to the lighthouse.
On the top floor of the lighthouse, the door to the research lab was suddenly pushed open.
"Roy!"
Misty was the first to rush up, her eyes still red. Regardless of anything, she grabbed Roy's arm, looking him up and down, her voice carrying a hint of crying and lingering fear: "Are you okay? Are you hurt? That big guy didn't do anything to you, did it? You scared me to death!"
Sister Delia also walked up quickly. Although she was calmer than Misty, the worry and concern in her eyes were just as intense. She looked at Roy gently, confirming he was safe and sound.
Bill followed behind, scratching his head with a face full of "curiosity" and "desire for knowledge," but seeing the two women's behavior, he tactfully swallowed his bellyful of questions about Dragonite for the time being.
He gave a sheepish laugh: "Uh... Roy, it's good that you're okay! Coming back safely is the most important thing! About the research... we'll talk tomorrow! You guys rest first, rest first!"
After saying that, he very "sensibly" slipped out of the research lab and gently closed the door.
Sister Delia looked Roy over carefully, and only after confirming he hadn't even scratched his skin did she truly breathe a sigh of relief.
She smiled gently and patted Misty's shoulder: "Alright, Misty, isn't Roy back safely? Don't worry too much."
She could see that Misty's emotions had gone through a massive rollercoaster, and now that the tension had eased, she was starting to lose control of them.
Sure enough, Misty's eyes grew redder. She gripped Roy's arm tightly and looked up at his face so close to hers. Her lips moved as if she had many things to say, but they were all stuck in her throat.
Finally, she took a deep breath and turned to Sister Delia, her voice carrying a trace of trembling and determination:
"Sister Delia... I... I want to talk to Roy alone, is that okay?"
Sister Delia nodded understandingly, her gaze softly sweeping over the two of them.
"Of course. You two have a good talk."
She gave Roy a look that said "comfort her well," then turned and left the research lab, gently closing the door.
Only Roy and Misty were left in the room.
Misty didn't let go of Roy's arm; instead, she pulled him along and walked out without saying a word.
Roy didn't ask and let her lead him.
Misty pulled Roy directly into her guest room, closed the door, and locked it.
Then, she turned around, leaned her back against the door, and looked up at Roy.
Her eyes were red, and unshed tears still clung to her eyelashes, but her gaze was exceptionally bright, firm, and even carried a kind of desperate resolve.
The thrilling scene just now, the image of Roy charging into the thick fog toward the giant shadow without hesitation, and Sister Delia's earlier warning about "missing out completely" collided violently in her heart, finally completely breaking down all her hesitation and reserve.
She was afraid.
Afraid that, just as Sister Delia said, because of her own cowardice and procrastination, in some similar or even more dangerous moment, she really would "miss out completely."
She didn't want that!
"Roy. You jerk, don't act so recklessly in the future," Misty's voice wasn't loud, but it was crystal clear.
"If... if something happened to you, what would I do..."
"I... I've already fallen for you. I don't want you to be in any danger!"
"Huh?" Roy was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected Misty to confess at this time.
No buildup, no roundabout way.
A straight ball.
The most sincere, burning feelings were thus laid bare before him.
Roy looked at the young girl's flushed but determined face, her slightly trembling but stubbornly straight slender body, and a soft place in his heart was gently touched.
He didn't speak, but just took a step forward and reached out to gently wipe away the tear that was about to fall from the corner of her eye.
The movement was gentle.
This action seemed to be a signal.
Misty stood on her tiptoes, closed her eyes, and somewhat clumsily but incredibly bravely pressed her lips against Roy's.
Soft and warm.
Carrying the slight saltiness of tears and the unique sweetness of a young girl.
Inexperienced, yet passionate.
Roy only paused for a second before reaching out to wrap his arms around her slender, flexible waist, pulling her tighter into his embrace.
He lowered his head, taking the initiative and deepening the kiss.
"Mmm...!"
Misty let out a soft moan. Her body stiffened at first, then completely softened. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Roy's neck, responding inexperience.
Only the slight sound of moisture and gradually heavy breathing remained in the room.
After a long time, their lips parted.
Misty's cheeks were already as red as a ripe apple, her eyes moist, leaning against Roy's chest and panting slightly.
She could feel the changes in Roy's body. Her heart was pounding wildly, yet she strangely felt a sense of calm, as if thinking, "As expected."
This pervert... after kissing, he's already thinking about the next step... but... she was willing.
She said nothing, giving her silent consent.
Encouraged, Roy began to get mischievous.
But at this moment, Misty was suddenly startled!
What she was wearing today... was that most daring pair... Roy also seemed to notice the unusualness of the fabric.
He pulled back slightly and looked down.
It wasn't ordinary cotton boxers.
It was... delicate and complex lace patterns, even with a small section of semi-transparent sheer mesh at the edge.
Roy's eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed once.
Misty followed his gaze and looked down, then suddenly let out a startled "Ah!" cry. Shamed beyond belief, she raised her hand to cover Roy's eyes.
"Don't look! Don't look! This is so embarrassing!"
She didn't expect to be found out so quickly!
Roy let her cover his eyes and chuckled softly.
His voice was magnetic, making Misty's palm itch from the vibration.
"It's very beautiful," he said honestly. "I like it very much."
He didn't just like the sexy style, but more so her intention in wearing this "battle armor" for him.
"Re... really?" The strength of Misty's hand covering his eyes unconsciously loosened a bit. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz, filled with uncertain shyness.
She slowly lowered her hand, meeting Roy's smiling eyes, and let out a huff that was both shy and a bit smug: "Humph! You really are a big pervert! You just like looking at this kind of... lewd stuff!"
"Well, didn't you wear it?" Roy raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Did you wear it specifically for me to see?"
Misty's body trembled. She bit her lip and muttered softly, "I... I only wore it for you... before... I was thinking, just in case... in case there was a chance..."
The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became and the redder her face grew.
These words were even more direct than the confession just now; it was practically an explicit hint.
"Oh? Really? Such thoughtfulness..." The smile on the corner of Roy's mouth deepened.
"Then... shouldn't I 'repay' this thoughtfulness properly?"
"Mmm~!" Misty's whole body went soft, and she almost couldn't stand, relying entirely on Roy's embrace.
Her eyes were watery and shimmering. Even though she was incredibly shy, she still maintained a tsundere tone: "Today... just for today, I'll let you have your way! This young lady is in a good mood, so I'll satisfy you and let you be a pervert."
She paused, her voice even quieter, but with a hook in it: "After that... it'll... depend on your performance!"
This was practically the most direct invitation and encouragement.
"Alright then, my lady," Roy chuckled, picking her up in a princess carry. "I'll give you a 'performance' right away."
"Ah!" Misty cried out, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.
The next second, she was gently tossed onto the soft, large bed.
The mattress sank slightly.
Roy followed, covering her with his body.
Their eyes met.
Their breaths were audible to each other.
The air was filled with intense hormones and the scent of arousal.
Misty looked at Roy's handsome and aggressive face close above her. Her heart was pounding wildly, filled with both nervousness and anticipation.
She slowly closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly.
It was consent, and also an invitation.
Roy no longer hesitated, lowering his head to kiss her lips once more...