“Their mates could also be affected by the bond,” Julian continued.
“Once a Flame Brand was formed, a compatible beastman would become much more susceptible to heat.”
Julian seemed entirely too pleased with himself.
“And not just ordinary heat. The Phoenix could trigger it far more easily than anyone else. Once it started, the beastman would crave his Phoenix specifically. Other women wouldn’t be able to satisfy the urge.”
“So, essentially,” Julian added, “the Flame Brand made the Phoenix the only one capable of properly satisfying her mate’s heat.”
Both Vivianne and Oswald’s jaws were dropped.
Their brain had simply stopped functioning.
They were like two tomatoes now.
“Why,” Oswald asked slowly, “are you enjoying telling us this so much?”
“Because you’re listening.”
“I regret listening,” Vivianne frowned.
Julian was laughing now.
The green wolf was definitely enjoying himself.
“Of course, these are old records. Most people believe the Phoenix bloodline disappeared centuries ago.”
His gaze settled on Vivianne.
“So nobody has been able to confirm how much of the old lore remains true.”
Vivianne suddenly felt very aware of herself.
She was the only Phoenix left.
Which meant she was also apparently the world’s only opportunity to test whether all those strange stories were real.
She had been hoping to discover useful information about her species.
Instead, she had learned that her ancestors had apparently been powerful, mysterious, magical, and had an extremely high desire for their husbands.
Very helpful.
“Do you know anything else?” she asked.
Julian’s smile became suspiciously smug.
“I do.”
Oswald immediately sighed.
“Of course you do.”
Julian ignored him.
“There are stories about a Phoenix’s instincts becoming particularly strong when she encounters someone compatible with her.”
Someone compatible?
Vivianne’s mind immediately betrayed her.
She glanced at Oswald.
He was already watching her.
Their eyes met.
Vivianne gasped, her cheeks warming as she hurriedly dropped her gaze.
Julian’s smile widened.
“Interesting.”
“What?” Oswald growled.
“Nothing.”
“You keep saying that.”
“And you keep asking.”
Ophelia sighed.
“Julian sure enjoys annoying people.”
I prefer to phrase it as… entertaining people.
“You’re doing both.”
Julian smiled proudly.
“I can’t help it. It’s highly amusing.”
Vivianne was beginning to understand why Ophelia loved him.
He was impossible.
The conversation eventually shifted to the meal in front of them.
For the first time in days, the atmosphere around the table was almost peaceful.
Vivianne finally let herself relax.
With Julian awake, Ophelia safe, and the misunderstanding between Canavar and Balto cleared up, Vivianne finally had a moment to think about something other than surviving.
The System Shop!
Especially since she had quite decent money now.
Her eyes immediately lit up when the System window appeared before her.
[Host has reached a new rank from collecting enough Evolution Points!]
[New Skills Available!]
Vivianne nearly jumped.
New Skills?
She glanced at her money.
170,500 Gold.
She opened the System Shop and scrolled through the newly unlocked section.
[Basic Skill: Heal Lv. 2 (35,000 Gold)]
[Basic Skill: Fire Lv. 2 (35,000 Gold)]
[Passive Skill: Regenerate (100,000 Gold)]
Why this fucking regenerate skill was so damn expensive?
Vivianne clicked on its description panel.
[Regenerate — Passive]
[Gradually restores the Host’s vitality and accelerates recovery from injuries and minor status ailments.]
Vivianne’s eyes sparkled.
How wonderful.
But why were these new skills so bloody expensive?
They would send her pathetic purse straight to the funeral.
But these things were too good to pass!
Well… She glanced at her Gold and mournfully sang, ‘Hello darkness, my old friend,’ as she confirmed her purchase.
Back to nothingness.
Vivianne hovered her finger over her Skill Inventory to check all of her owned skills.
Just like how Universal Language worked, Vivianne decided to activate all of her Passive Skills.
After activating Regenerate, Vivianne continued scrolling through the System Shop.
Then she came across another passive skill.
[Pheromone — Passive]
[Releases a subtle scent unique to the Phoenix bloodline. The effect increases according to compatibility with the target.]
Vivianne paused.
Oh, right.
She had purchased this skill ages ago yet she simply never activated it.
Might as well see what it did.
Vivianne selected the skill.
[Would the Host like to activate Pheromone?]
[YES]
Then she closed all of the System Menu.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Vivianne blinked.
That was it?
She sniffed her sleeve.
Nothing.
Nobody seemed to notice anything.
Maybe it’s useless.
Suddenly, Oswald’s ears twitched.
He stopped chewing on roasted chestnuts.
His nose moved slightly as he caught a faint scent in the air.
His senses as an Alpha were far sharper than those of ordinary Beastmen, especially when it came to scent.
Even the slightest change rarely escaped him.
Julian noticed.
His eyes flicked toward Vivianne, then back to Oswald.
His own nose twitched as he caught the unfamiliar sweetness lingering around her.
A slow, knowing smile spread across his face.
The Phoenix’s scent had changed.
And judging by Oswald’s reaction, the Alpha had noticed it too.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Julian’s brown eyes gleamed like polished marbles.
His gaze shifted toward the dishes on the table.
An idea appeared in his mind.
A wonderfully entertaining idea.
Julian reached casually for the pot of meat stew sitting in the middle of the table.
Ophelia narrowed her eyes at him.
“What are you doing?”
“Being a gracious host.”
“Julian. Whatever you’re planning, don’t.”
He lifted the lid with one hand.
With the other, he slipped a tiny vial from his sleeve and tipped a pinch of fine silver powder into the steaming stew.
The powder dissolved almost instantly into the broth, leaving only a faint shimmer before disappearing completely.
Julian calmly returned the vial to his sleeve and smiled innocently.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear.”
He served the stew onto Vivianne and Oswald’s bowls.
His movements were casual enough that neither of them paid much attention.
Neither noticed Julian watching them with the expression of a fox who had just found the perfect opportunity to cause trouble.
Julian’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Let’s see what happens when a Phoenix’s nature meets an Alpha’s instincts.
This was going to be fun.