Attribute Farming System-Chapter 69: Harlow, the D*ckhead

The pretty young woman sighed in exasperation. "You really are something else," she said. "But I guess that's to be expected from the Berkshire Family's Ice Princess. In all the time I've known you, I don't think you've ever taken interest in a man."

For some reason, images of a certain overly handsome, cheeky young man passed through Yennefer's mind.

Noticing a change in her friend, Yara, the pretty young woman, raised a brow. Then, when realization finally hit her, both brows raised in shock.

"Wait a damn minute!" she accidentally shouted a little too loudly. "Has a man actually caught the eye of our Ice Princess!? Of our Yennefer!?"

Yennefer shook her head. "You're overthinking things," she said. "Me and him aren't like that."

"Him!?" Yara exclaimed. "So there is someone! Well then, what's his name!? Come on, you have to tell me! Hold up… Is this He your fiancé!??"

Overhearing their conversation, Harlow Demi perked his ears at the mention of a fiancé. This topic prompted him to recall hearing something about a cripple marrying Young Miss Yennefer. At the time, he thought it to be just a joke.

But now…

'A mere cripple truly has the gall to tarnish a flower of mine!?' Harlow thought, maliciousness bubbling up inside him. 'I'd like to see this trash cripple myself! I'll then teach him a lesson that he'll never forget!!'

As proven by his unbridled actions during the Secret Realm's First Trial, Harlow Demi was not someone any responsible person would feel safe confiding in. For this and many other reasons, the Demi Duke Family kept him out of the loop for just about everything.

Thus, he had no idea about the reputation that Knox had amassed for himself in the past period of time.

Then again, even if he was aware, that likely wouldn't reduce his arrogance or urge to teach Knox a lesson…

'Hum! Just wait until I get my hands on you, bastard!'

'Knox…?' In a certain corner, a pink-haired girl's eyes spiraled and darkened. 'He's Mine.'

Back where Yennefer and Yara were talking, the former finally got the chatterbox to stop asking so many questions about Knox. Yet, even after Yen answered them all, Yara didn't seem the least bit satisfied.

"Humph!" She huffed, cheeks puffed. "You're no fun, you know that? You finally find this guy you like, and you won't tell me anything more than I can find in an encyclopedia! 'He's objectively handsome,' 'He's objectively tall,' 'Objectively, he has clear, white teeth.'"

"Gosh," Yara continued, pulling at her hair. "I swear, if I'm forced to hear you talk about objectively this and that again, I'll…!"

Yennefer looked away from her friend, fixating her gaze on the shimmering barrier that prevented entry into the Beast Emperor's cave.

"I already told you it's not like that," she said. "I don't like him; I can barely tolerate him. He's cheeky, cocky, too good-looking for his own good, and he never takes anything seriously. It's like life is all just one big game to him. I couldn't see it before he miraculously became able, but it's as if he views all living things and this world as pieces on a chessboard. Pieces that he wanted to play before… but couldn't."

"However, now that he can do what he wishes…" Yennefer's voice trailed off, following her mind's lead. "Well, I don't know for sure…"

"Ho~?" Yara said suggestively. "This secret lover boy of yours is not only handsome but also funny and mysterious? A deeply profound fellow as well?? Why didn't you tell me that you hit the jackpot!? You talking about him like that has really made me jealous, you know!??"

Yennefer rolled her eyes. "Have you even listened to a single word I said?" she asked. "That Knox Falazar is an insufferable menace. And if I had it my way, I'd have my father annul our marriage agreement as soon as possible—"

"So then you wouldn't mind if I were to have my shot at him, would you?" Yara interrupted, her serious expression throwing Yennefer off guard. "I mean, if Knox truly doesn't mean anything to you, then I don't mind taking him off your hands. My family is also a Count Family, so arranging a marriage with a temporarily banished child of the Falazars would be a cinch—"

This time, it was Yennefer who interrupted as she flat-out said, "No."

"Ho~?"

Realizing how wrongly she phrased it, Yennefer corrected herself. "That isn't what I mean. It's… It's just that… I just don't want to disgrace my family by messing things up between me and Knox Falazar. That's all there is to it, so just drop it."

"I was originally going to," Yara said with a sly smirk. "But after seeing you make a face like that—one I've never seen before—I've only become ever more curious about this Knox…."

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Just then:

"We're close to shattering the cave's last protective barrier!"

Shouts came from the Beast Emperor Cave's entrance. Multiple Trial Takers in the Half-step Nascent Soul Realm had just started to finish breaking the last protective barrier.

The others in the area gathered around, patiently waiting for the cave's last barrier to fully break.

Luckily, they didn't have to wait long:

CRACK—!

With the shattering of the protective barrier, the Beast Emperor's secluded cave was opened!

"Alright now," Harlow said, patting the shoulders of the man and woman who led the breaking of the cave's barrier. "You bunch did a good job, but why don't I take the lead from here? It could be very dangerous inside the cave, and since I'm the strongest one here, I'll make the sacrifice and chart out the interior."

'What a deceiving a*shole!' was what everyone wanted to say.

None of them were stupid enough to believe the nonsense spewing out of Harlow's mouth.

Lead the way? Make the sacrifice?? Who the hell was he trying to fool with this bullsh*t???

However, even if every single one of them knew the truth, they figured it wisest not to spark up conflict with him. After all, of what he said, there was one factual thing—he was the strongest among them. That was undeniable.

A couple of them had achieved the Early Nascent Soul Realm, but none besides Harlow was in the Middle Nascent Soul Realm. This wouldn't normally be much of a problem if it was any normal Middle Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator, but Harlow—much like them—was also considered a Genius.

And one with a Sky Rank Foundation to boot.

Even some Late Nascent Soul Realm Monsters were not his match…