[Ding! Detected emotional fluctuation from target: Belle, towards the host. Reward has been sent.]
After the system's announcement, Wise eagerly checked his rewards. However, this time they were a bit less impressive than before.
Exquisite Cooking Skills (B): Based on the skill level, the host will receive an improvement in cooking techniques.
That was the only talent skill he received. Besides that, there was a pair of inexplicable stockings, and black ones at that.
Exquisitely Made Black Stockings: With a silky-smooth texture, they are extremely comfortable to wear. A "black-tech" item that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, an absolute masterpiece.
"Black stockings? Why is something like this in the rewards? And the description is so weird. Is this even a proper item?"
Wise questioned the system with some confusion, and the answer he received was:
[Host, please be advised that the system's rewards are related to the actions you take that cause emotional fluctuations in the target subject. Therefore...]
"Alright, you don't need to say anymore. I get it."
Wise covered his face with his hand, feeling a sense of resignation. He figured it must have been because of his accidental actions just now that he received such a reward.
However, Wise, who was covering his face, didn't realize that Belle, sitting beside him, was still secretly observing him.
Huh?! How could he touch his face without washing his hands first?
Belle was a bit surprised when she saw this. After thinking for a moment, her face turned red again.
[Ding! Detected emotional fluctuation from target: Belle, towards the host. Reward has been sent.]
"Huh? What's going on? Why again all of a sudden?"
Wise, who had just lowered his hand, was a bit confused when he heard the system's announcement. But after seeing that the system's reward was a pair of white stockings, identical to the previous ones in every way except for the color, he realized the reason.
Don't tell me Belle thinks I touched my face on purpose? I didn't! I really just forgot!
Wise screamed internally but kept a straight face. After all, it was better to let a misunderstanding like this go. Trying to explain would only make things more complicated; it was better to remain silent.
Just then, the news on the television showed the latest update, including the lockdown of the Hollow by the Public Security Bureau and a report that members of the Red Fang Gang had apparently fallen into the Hollow.
"It's getting late. Let's get some rest right after we finish dinner. We'll probably have work to do tomorrow."
"Okay, sure."
Belle had no objection to Wise's suggestion. Wise first threw the leftover ramen trash into the bin outside before coming back in and lifting Belle into his arms.
"Ngh, Wise, you really don't have to do this. I... I can walk by myself."
Being held princess-style in Wise's arms—especially today when, for some reason, he looked so much more handsome—was an intimate position that would make Belle feel shy, no matter how close their relationship was.
"Mmm, while the sprain isn't too severe, it's still better not to move it too much, especially on the stairs. You can skip your bath for today. I'll apply the medicine for you once we're in your room. Eous, help bring the first-aid kit over."
"Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm! (Okay, leave it to me!)"
Wise carried Belle and started walking upstairs, while Eous followed behind them, balancing the first-aid kit on its head and hopping along.
Once they were in her room, Wise gently placed Belle on the bed and removed the ice towel. The sprained part of her ankle already looked much better.
"Hmm, that's good. After I put some medicine on it, you should be able to walk normally tomorrow. But you still need to be careful, understand?"
"Mmm, I know, Wise."
Wise then took the first-aid kit from Eous, pulled out a tube of healing ointment, squeezed some onto Belle's ankle, and began to gently rub it in with his finger.
The cool, soothing feeling of the ointment, combined with the sensation of Wise's fingers massaging her ankle, gave Belle a slightly strange feeling. However, she didn't say anything and quietly waited for Wise to finish applying the ointment.
"Okay, that should do it. Get some good rest. If you need anything, just have Eous come get me. Goodnight, then."
"Mmm, goodnight, Wise."
After Belle replied, Wise gently patted her head, then turned, left the room, and closed the door behind him before returning to his own room.
[Host, I believe you should have given your esteemed sister a goodnight kiss. That would have generated significantly more Emotion Value than a head pat.]
Hearing the system's words, Wise felt a bit speechless. "System, could you please shut up for a moment? First, let me see what this 'Emotion Value' is."
[Emotion Value is generated when a target with high favorability towards the host experiences an emotional fluctuation. The higher the favorability and the greater the emotional fluctuation, the more Emotion Value is collected. Emotion Value also serves as a currency that can be used to exchange for items in the System Store.]
After listening to the system's explanation, Wise immediately clicked to enter the System Store.
[Current Emotion Value: 526]
"Huh? I have this much already? Is it because Belle's favorability towards me is so high? Looks like I'll have to tease her to keep her happy more often in the future."
As he thought this, Wise turned his attention to the goods available in the System Store.
Strength Attribute Point: 100 Emotion Value
Speed Attribute Point: 100 Emotion Value
Charm Attribute Point: 200 Emotion Value
Aether-Resistant Constitution: 1000 Emotion Value (This constitution allows the host to survive freely within a Hollow, just like an Ethereal.)