It wasn't that Nol wasn't curious about the truth. Indeed, he was pressed for time.
The truth could wait, but Teest's recovery speed was too fast. Once Teest fully recovered, Nol would no longer be able to intervene easily.
Even if he couldn't reshape the circuit now, he could take the opportunity to make some adjustments to improve Teest's physical condition.
Who would have thought that Nol would be challenged in an unexpected aspect—
Teest smoothly removed his clothes and lay flat on the bed. His fingers were slightly curled, showing he was very relaxed, and there was not a trace of shyness or discomfort on his face.
Thinking about it, Nol mused, it wasn't surprising. The Mad Monk had probably dealt with numerous bodies, likely more unflappable than an experienced surgeon.
But Mr. Nol was far from calm.
He was properly dressed in a robe, sitting stiffly on Teest's waist and abdomen. Activating [Creator], his power seeped from his fingertips into the depths of Teest's skin. Under the authority of creation, he gently repaired the circuits.
Nol tried to focus all his attention on his fingertips, avoiding looking elsewhere. However, someone wasn't so cooperative—the feeling was like joints that had ached for years being soaked in a warm flow, the discomfort turning into a light and breezy relief. Teest made no attempt to suppress his voice, occasionally letting out ambiguous sighs.
It started with the head, the neck. Then the hands, the arms. Next, Nol's hands moved towards the chest area, his fingertips gliding over warm skin, and someone curved their eyes, deliberately increasing the volume of their sighs.
Nol pursed his lips, his movements unconsciously slowing down a bit. He suspected that the circuit conflict had transferred to him—his head and the back of his neck were burning hot, his fingertips felt like they were on fire, and he had a sensation of breaking apart.
Before, he seemed to have never observed the other's body so earnestly. Teest's muscles were just right—soft yet strong to the touch, feeling like warm, moist silk. Even though it was his own fingertips moving slowly, Nol felt caught in a trap. Having shared a bed for so long, he thought he would have gotten used to it… but he couldn't at all!
Nol was on pins and needles, his back getting tenser and tenser. Damn, if it weren't inconvenient to adjust the circuit, he wished this guy could temporarily turn into a cat.
"Oh my, you're all red. Is this some kind of side effect?" Teest took the opportunity to grab Nol's wrist, making his hand press on his own chest, openly exposing the wild beating of his heart. "You're not getting shy, are you?"
"Don't move!" Nol jerked as if shocked. He faced Teest's intense gaze, took a few deep breaths, and decided to ignore the guy.
He moved his tingling fingertips, the palm heading towards Teest's abdomen. The dim light in the room made everything blurry, and the atmosphere was as sticky as if soaked in honey. Although Teest remained still, his gaze felt like a caress itself. Coupled with occasional vocal assaults, it was unbearable.
But he couldn't exactly order Teest not to look, not to make noise… Covering the eyes, gagging the mouth—that would make the atmosphere even weirder!
Stay calm, stay calm. Nol decisively pulled out his commanding demeanor from battles, continuing to repair the circuit. It seemed Mr. Xu hadn't experienced a sauna on Earth. Arriving in Tahe, Nol suddenly understood what it felt like to be in steam.
If he transformed into his true form now, he might just turn a bright red. They say crabs turn red when boiled. He wondered if dragon scales had a similar pigment…
Was he still considered a dragon now…
As Nol desperately used trivial thoughts to calm his mind, Teest, too, was holding back shivers, repeatedly scanning Nol with his gaze.
[Creator] was activating, which made those blue eyes shine like jewels in the sunlight—irresistibly touchable. The beautiful face was tightly drawn, but the corners of the mouth were slightly raised. Probably trying to focus, Nol bit his lip slightly, making his lips appear especially soft.
Throughout the process, Nol's healing hands never stopped. The movements were devoid of any frivolity, yet his entire being gradually turned red. Teest knew what it looked like when someone was attracted by desire, but Nol's reaction was… different.
No, rather, Nol was always special.
Before, just thinking about the other being the god who created this world sent a spark through Teest's spine, bringing an exciting tingling sensation.
But he vaguely felt that Nol wouldn't appreciate such thoughts. Thus, Teest rarely mentioned it, keeping it as honeydew to be savored in the shadows.
But after knowing everything, such thoughts gradually faded away. Compared to a nebulous concept of power, his Nol carved a bloody path through flesh and madness, step by step ascending to the pinnacle of strength.
How astonishing it was. Just when he thought Nol couldn't be more charming, he would still exceed his imagination.
Teest focused on Nol's face.
"You really don't have to be so polite," Teest began, exhaling. "You created the land I live on, defined the civilization I belong to, saved my ancestors… This body is your creation, your possession."
By the end, his tone became sweeter, his intonation carrying a soft hook.
"Even if you were rougher, I would only pray to you, without any disrespect…"
Nol's hand trembled, his palm gliding over Teest's waist. He stared fixedly at Teest's knees as if they were the human vocal organs. "Please, just say what you want to say."
"Oh, alright then." Teest innocently said, "I really want to kiss you. Won't you kiss me?"
"We still have serious matters to discuss later," Nol whispered to the knee.
"No, it's my turn to tell you a story." Teest blinked. "As long as you have the energy to listen."
"Just wait a moment." Nol paused, responding to this sweet invitation.
After completing the circuit repairs, Nol sat back on Teest's waist and abdomen. His fingertips guided a warm force, moving like feathers, returning to Teest's forehead. The moment the treatment was completed, Teest felt as if he had unloaded thousands of pounds of invisible weight—
Being a Supplement Demon for too long, those minor discomforts had been ignored by his brain. After a decade, he tasted "normality" again.
In this light, dreamlike daze, Nol leaned down and kissed Teest's lips.
Teest, seizing the moment, hooked around Nol's neck, deepening the kiss. The undead didn't need to breathe, and neither wanted to be the first to give up until Teest freed one hand, pressing his fingertip at the center of Nol's collarbone.
Nol propped up his body, gasping for air, his head still somewhat numb. "You…"
"It's time for a bedtime story," Teest said properly, his fingertip slowly sliding down.
Unlike Nol's healing power, his fingertip shimmered with sharp golden light. Like a hot knife through butter, it perfectly cut through the fabric of Nol's chest without harming his skin.
The edges of the cut fabric still twinkled with tiny golden lights, like a fine gold thread had been sealed along the edge. The fabric hung down, but Teest's palm moved upwards, touching Nol's cheek.
His thumb gently caressed the corner of Nol's lips, then landed another kiss. The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of kissing.
What followed was a hug, making a rustling sound in the fabric. Everything was lazy and relaxed, proceeding naturally. Eventually, their positions reversed, with Nol now lying flat on the bed.
They looked into each other's eyes. Silver-white hair cascaded down, brushing against Nol's neck and chest. Teest's smile deepened, not using the golden thread but firmly capturing Nol's hands, interlocking their fingers.
The Mad Monk was the same as ever. Amidst the wicked teasing, this time Nol was the one who found it unbearable.
"…Are you taking revenge?" Nol hissed, trying to relax his body.
"How could that be? I'm just a bit tired after the treatment."
Teest kissed Nol's nose tip. "And you know me. Whether it's dining, killing, or sacrificing, I always prefer to savor slowly."
Tired my ass, Nol thought amusedly. After the treatment, Teest's strength was obviously restored. That guy's grip was firm, and Nol would really have to exert himself to break free—not that he would actually try to release that hand.
He simply lifted his head and kissed Teest's cheek.
"Now I can tell our story," Teest said, leaning down to his ear amidst the creaking of the bed.
"About your story, about my story—a grand plan and a little accident."
...
Teest's story was long, but the time they spent awake and tossing about was even longer. Underground, one couldn't see the sky, so when morning came, Nol was still blatantly sprawled on the pillow.
After knowing everything, his feelings were mixed.
The self that had plunged into madness had made a plan to survive, and that plan was still in progress. Nol quickly digested these facts—it was indeed something he could do.
He had always been a planner—to put it nicely, persistently chasing results; to put it badly, never giving up until seeing the coffin.
The him of the past never gave up, just as the him of now continued to persevere.
What was even better was that his parents truly existed. Teest wasn't someone he had deliberately arranged for himself. That person was truly an accident.
An accident that gave him headaches, yet also fascinated him.
Star Stealer Sol presented him with the worst possible situation, and his response plan could naturally not be completely safe and secure. Starting from a fragile will-o'-wisp, Nol didn't know how many brushes with death he had survived.
In this, someone played an indispensable role.
Nol turned his face to look at Teest sleeping beside him. Teest's sleeping face was peaceful and calm, and if one were to summarize it with a word, the Mad Monk even seemed a bit… happy.
Nol couldn't help but stretch out his hand to tidy up Teest's somewhat messy long hair.
Now, he could no longer recall those crazy truths—only the impression of creating "Tahe" remained in his mind. He still remembered the questions raised by his colleague—or rather, himself—when first creating this world.
Why go to great lengths to create such a high-intelligence system?
To generate those unique quests, the workload would significantly increase, all of which are costs.
What was his response at that time?
"Variables" are the most fascinating things in a game.
…They are the key to turning fiction into reality.
Now, he too had his own dangerous variable. Nol brushed aside a strand of hair, intending to kiss Teest's ear. Mid-action, he suddenly stopped.
With the situation now clear, he had no reason to hesitate any longer. He had something very important to say.
Teest had given him an unparalleled gift, and he too wanted to present a heart wrapped with silk ribbons.
"Teest."
Nol pinched Teest's ear, knowing the guy was awake. "Listen well. I love—mmph!"
Before he could finish, a hand slapped over Nol's mouth.
"Don't." Teest opened his eyes, and his tone became serious. "I just finished telling you a story. Saying it now sounds like it's mixed with gratitude. Let's pick another moment, honey."
Nol: "...?"
You know? When did you learn this without a teacher?
And now there's even a sense of ceremony for confessions?
Nol narrowed his eyes suspiciously, while Teest pretended to look away calmly.
By now, Nol wouldn't be so obtuse as to misjudge Teest's feelings towards him. It was just that the Mad Monk's living environment was too abnormal, and the person himself really had issues. Nol hoped the guy would realize on his own.
Interesting. Since someone had started to care about even these details…
"I know you won't give love." Nol gently removed Teest's hand, responding formally. "I'm not forcing you. Don't worry."
Teest's gaze drifted. A thin layer of sweat formed on his forehead.
Wow, even when facing Star Stealer Sol, this man never hesitated like this.
"I remember our deal." Nol intentionally leaned in closer, his tone becoming firm. "I will definitely give you a perfect ending, Mr. Teest."
Teest: "Wait. That's not what I meant—"
Nol leaned in even closer. "Let's get up early. We have a lot to discuss with Perradat."
Teest lay confused on the bed for a few seconds before getting up.
As he started dressing, Nol had already used [Creator] to get dressed instantly.
"I'll go greet them first," Nol said, quickly leaving the room, his shoulders still trembling.
Was Nol upset? Teest just stiffened for a moment, then heard suppressed "pfft pfft" laughter from the corridor.
Teest: "..."
He silently dressed, tidied up the bed, and finally took out a ball of golden thread from the pendant, mechanically juggling it with both hands.
He didn't mind saying a few sweet nothings. He had said plenty of unspeakable words last night. But certain phrases, now, he couldn't just joke about.
Nol was becoming more direct, and he, on the other hand, was becoming more cautious. What a fatal phenomenon.
But he had to strip away those possible plots and considerations, revealing his most genuine thoughts. Otherwise… Well, otherwise Nol might never smile at him that way again.
Caution was paramount.
The ball of golden thread snapped into his palm, turning into brilliant golden light points.
In any case, to clear his mind, he first needed to make the troublesome things disappear.
…Like Star Stealer Sol.
The author has something to say:
Hehe, young man, don't speak too absolutely @Teest
After all, the God of Creation has picked up quite a few bad tricks from you.
Someone loves too much, but I won't say who.
Kinky Thoughts:
This marks the end of this arc. I have to say, this arc was amazing, especially the last few chapters. The writing was phenomenal, and the plot points were all seamlessly connected. This is why I love Nian Zhong's works so much.
Can this really dethrone Stray as my favorite work by her? We still have more to go, so we'll see.