Chapter 317: Alana’s Subtle Charm

“Master.”

Alana shot Marcus a sideways, almost playful glance before speaking, her tone careful and deliberate.

“Snow Grass Fungus and Cloud Pattern Water Fluid are both high-grade materials guarded by monsters above level fifty. Cloud Bay in particular is extremely dangerous. The terrain is complex, monster types overlap, and unexpected risks are everywhere. Master, it would be much safer to wait until you reach level fifty before going after those two ingredients.”

She paused briefly, then continued in a gentler voice.

“So for now, we don’t need to worry about Snow Grass Fungus or Cloud Pattern Water Fluid. But Snow Spirit Cicadas are different. They only appear in the Red Locust Forest of Ghost Rain Marsh during autumn, and this is the final week of their active season this year. If you don’t catch them now, we’ll have to wait until next year.”

Marcus frowned slightly. “Are Snow Spirit Cicadas easy to catch?”

“Yes,” Alana replied without hesitation, nodding.

“Snow Spirit Cicadas don’t have any attack power. They look similar to real-world cicadas, except their bodies are completely snow-white with a faint red glow. They’re very beautiful. Their medicinal effects focus on strong health recovery and agility enhancement. However, they’re extremely clever. At the slightest disturbance, they’ll escape using their only skill, Cicada Sheds Its Shell. Very few people manage to catch them.”

Marcus stared at her.

’Damn.’

That was easy? Clever, hyper-alert, and prone to escaping instantly. How was that supposed to be easy? It sounded like a contradiction. Still, Marcus trusted Alana.

As if anticipating his doubt, she reached into her storage and pulled out a net dyed a deep red, holding it up proudly.

“Master, Snow Spirit Cicadas are clever, which is why most people fail. But Grandpa once told me they’re extremely fond of Broadleaf Flower nectar. So I wove this Red Locust Cicada Net using branches from the Red Locust tree, then coated it with Broadleaf Flower nectar. It should make catching them much easier.”

“Red Locust Cicada Net!”

Marcus took the net eagerly, turning it over in his hands. A faint floral fragrance drifted up, light but alluring. His eyes lit up as he asked,

“So if I set this net upwind, the Snow Spirit Cicadas will rush toward it on their own?”

That sounded perfect. No wonder she said it was easy.

“I haven’t tested it myself,” Alana admitted honestly, “so it probably won’t be that extreme. But once they smell the nectar, their reactions and movements should slow down, making them much easier to catch.”

Marcus sighed inwardly. So he still had to do the work himself.

Still, he had once stayed at a countryside farm where catching insects was an activity. He had some experience, and now he could relive it inside the game. More importantly, the idea of using Broadleaf Flower nectar as bait was brilliant. With someone as shamelessly persistent as Marcus doing the catching, the Snow Spirit Cicadas were clearly facing a crisis this year.

“You say the Snow Spirit Cicadas are clever,” Marcus said with a grin, “but I think my Alana is even cleverer.”

He looked genuinely pleased, his affection obvious. Unable to resist, he gently pulled her toward him so that she slid from sitting beside him onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her naturally.

“Master!”

Alana leaned into his broad chest, her hands resting over his. Then she deliberately wiggled on his lap, lifted her head, and pouted her cherry-red lips with exaggerated indignation.

“It’s not ’cleverer,’” she said sadly, though her eyes sparkled. “It’s smart. Your Alana is smart and sharp.”

She clearly objected to his wording.

’Damn.’

She really was like a little girl.

“All right, I was wrong,” Marcus said quickly, smiling as he gave in.

Seeing her mock anger only made her more endearing.

“My Alana isn’t just smart and sharp,” he whispered softly into her ear. “She’s also cute and beautiful.”

Her mood lifted instantly, but before she could react further, he leaned in and captured her lips.

“And tempting.”

His voice was low and intimate as he kissed her deeply, savoring the fragrance of her Hundred-Flower Body. Their tongues intertwined slowly, his movements growing more dominant as he drew her closer.

“Master…”

Alana let out a soft moan. She relaxed into his arms, obediently turning her body and wrapping her arms around his neck. Their closeness deepened, the world around them fading away.

Marcus’s hand traced over her soft curves, stroking her round, delicate bottom, her smooth skin, her warm body pressed tightly against his. Desire flared almost instantly.

Although Alana was not as voluptuous as Willow Moran, she was incredibly soft and compliant, fitting perfectly in his arms. Her shy trembling only heightened the temptation she exuded, no less intoxicating than Willow’s in its own way.

His palm settled over her breast. So soft. Just the right size, filling his hand completely.

Compared to Willow’s fullness, this felt equally satisfying in a different way. So small, yet so tempting.

His hand lingered, caressing her gently, unwilling to let go, as if savoring a precious treasure. The sensitive little peak beneath his fingers drew him in completely, his touch growing more deliberate.

“Beautiful…”

Marcus’s desire surged. Heat flooded his body, his arousal pressing unmistakably between her thighs. The sensation made him groan softly.

Alana truly was his treasure.

Overcome by greed, his lips moved along her smooth neck. Soon, through the thin silk, he took her small, proud breast into his mouth.

“Ah!”

Alana had never experienced stimulation like this before. Shyness overwhelmed her, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

“Master, don’t…”

Her resistance was weak, born of embarrassment and unfamiliar sensations. Feeling the frightening heat and size below, she instinctively wanted to retreat.

“You’re kidding me…”

Marcus’s heart sank at her hesitant protest. Frustration surged. Was it because their Intimacy Level was still below one hundred? Did that mean they truly could not cross that final boundary yet?

“Master, don’t…”

She whispered again, her voice soft and pleading as she gently held his hand, stopping him from going any further.

’Damn it. The system.’

Marcus felt utterly irritated. These restrictions were unbearable.

’What now?’

Should he continue, or stop? His body was already fully aroused, his desire burning hot. How was he supposed to rein himself in?

It was a painfully difficult choice.

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