Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 124

Janus looked at her like she’d just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.

But for Ayra, there was no other option. If sleeping meant a bed ending, and continuing the conversation also meant a bed ending—then clearly, offering to sleep together was the only viable choice left.

A moment later, the result of the choice popped up.

3. Suggest sleeping together due to fatigue. (Bad Ending)

[Janus Rehzedet has developed murderous intent toward the user!]

I’m doomed.

Ayra’s face turned pale. Janus cast a long shadow over the bed, expression unreadable. Ayra squeezed her eyes shut, bracing stiffly for the agony that was sure to follow.

But no pain came.

Instead, she felt the mattress sink beside her. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Janus lying on his side, one arm folded under his head as a pillow. When their eyes met, he raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Ah, n-no..."

Janus blinked at her for a moment, then his expression shifted, like he’d figured something out.

"Wait—when you said ‘sleep together’... were you talking about sex?"

"Absolutely not!"

She denied it firmly, then scanned the vanished system window in confusion. Hadn't it just warned her he was going to kill her?

She opened the choice log again.

3. Suggest sleeping together due to fatigue. (Bed Ending)

Just earlier, it had said “Bad” Ending. Now it was clearly “Bed” Ending. Her eyes narrowed as she raised her hand and glared at Pebble. The tiny AI flailed its stubby arms in panic, sweating bullets as it tried to explain itself.

I’m letting this slide... because I’m too tired to care right now.

She gave the spirit a fierce glare before sighing deeply. Then she turned her gaze toward Janus, who still lay beside her. Shutting her eyes slowly, she thought about all that lay ahead—what to do with Janus, how to handle her feelings, how to recover her plummeting approval ratings... But fatigue crushed all thoughts, and she slipped into sleep in an instant.

❄

Amazingly, Janus was still there when she woke up.

Not only had he not left—he hadn’t even changed positions. He was still lying on his side, staring at her intently.

"What..."

Ayra blinked, caught off guard by the eye contact first thing in the morning. She hadn’t imagined, not for a second, that Janus would still be there after she slept.

"You didn’t leave?"

"Nope. Why, were you hoping I would?"

He asked the question while absently twirling °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° strands of her silver hair spread out on the blanket. Ayra, now fully alert after a good night’s sleep, forced a smile. She scraped together every last scrap of cordiality and replied sweetly,

"Of course not. You’re an esteemed guest in my manor—I couldn’t just kick you out."

Janus stared at her.

He’s a moody old dragon who spent a century stewing in a maze, Ayra reminded herself as she sat up. Her stomach growled. She was so hungry it hurt. Checking her body, she found she was dressed in sleeping clothes—Botello must’ve changed her.

She pulled the bell cord. Soon after, a knock sounded at the door, and Botello stepped in, his face more wrinkled with worry than ever. He lowered his head as he examined her complexion.

"Lady Ayra. How are you feeling?"

He didn’t even glance at Janus, and there was not a trace of fear in his face. It seemed only her immediate retainers knew Janus was a dragon. Ayra smiled to reassure him.

"Much better. I slept well."

"I don’t know how you got so hurt in the first place..."

"I just tumbled a bit during a monster hunt. I’ll be fine in a few days. More importantly, could you prepare a bath? Oh, and ready a guest room too. We have a very special visitor. ...Janus, are you going to wash up too?"

Turning toward him, she found Janus still staring. Unlike her, he was wearing the same clothes from the fight. His shirt was shredded, exposing his chiseled abs, and the rest of his outfit was equally tattered. Finally noticing, Janus looked down at himself and gave a nonchalant nod.

"Sure, why not."

"Botello, prepare a bath for Janus too. Cold water, not hot. And let the staff know we’ll have a meeting over lunch."

"Yes, Lady Ayra. Sir Janus, please follow me."

Without a word, Janus stood and followed Botello out. The door closed, and only after a minute of silence did Ayra let out a sigh—half relief, half tension.

"Maybe I should keep personnel in the manor to a minimum..."

If Janus suddenly changed his mind and started a fight here, the consequences would be unimaginable. Having fought him once, she now understood on a visceral level why killing a dragon was so difficult. His wounds regenerated almost instantly, and his power and speed were absurd.

And I’m almost certain... the earthquake was his doing.

Ayra had never heard of dragons causing earthquakes, but it made sense. With that kind of regeneration, why wouldn’t he be able to?

She recalled the day of the first quake—when she’d been buried under the crumbling walls trying to save civilians. Janus had saved her then, too. The memory of him diving into the ruins last night and pulling her out overlapped in her mind.

Could Janus have caused that first quake too?

She nodded absently—realizing only now that Janus had been in the area that day. But then, she frowned.

Wait. Something’s off. I feel like I’m overlooking something important.

Lost in thought, she was interrupted by an attendant reporting the bath was ready. She tried to shake off the unease, and when she spotted her hair neatly braided—no doubt from Janus fiddling with it earlier—she forgot the rest.

Soaking in hot water loosened her tense muscles. The soreness and fatigue eased considerably. After changing into fresh clothes, she emerged to find Janus also freshly bathed and waiting in her bedroom.

"We’re going to lunch. Is there anything you want to eat? Just say the word."

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Ayra said this in the gentlest voice possible, thinking of all the people working inside the manor and how easily they could all die if Janus got bored. Janus gave her a blank look, then asked,

"Are you acting like this because you think I might attack your territory?"

"What do you mean?"

"This excessive sweetness. Like you’re buttering me up."

Ayra’s smile froze slightly. But instead of denying it, she stuck to her story.

"Excessive sweetness? I always act this way."

Of course, Janus didn’t believe her. But there was no helping it. His eyes still gleamed like oiled obsidian marbles—how could she not act excessively sweet?

Matching her tone, Janus replied gently.

"Relax. I won’t touch anything until I’ve killed you first."

Then he looked at her, eyes oddly soft, and murmured,

"For now, you’re my first priority. My number one."

Number one what? First in line to die? Ayra clenched her fist. How could she not worry? Come to think of it, Janus had said he’d leave the territory alone—not her.

"You know," Janus continued, "that fight we had... it was exhilarating."

He looked at her like a starving dog eyeing a juicy bone. Ayra shuddered. Who else could say something like that after being hit with illusions, lasers, and acid?

"Let’s eat lunch! I’m starving!"

Desperate to shut him up, Ayra threw on her robe and bolted from the room. Janus followed close behind. Her steps to the dining hall quickened.

"You’re definitely different from those brute-force swordsmen. You’ve got flavor."

"Well, maze mages are a bit unique..."

She puffed up with pride—then immediately caught herself. Just then, she spotted Hera deep in conversation with Jinas. She was about to greet them and change the subject when—

"Want to go another round sometime? Real intense?"

It wasn’t loud, but the manor was quiet enough that even those far away could hear.

Hera, mid-wave, froze and slowly lowered her hand. Jinas stared at them like he couldn’t believe his ears.

"Thinking back, I don’t think I really got to enjoy that night. I was too worked up to think straight..."

"Can you not say it like that?"

She knew what he meant, but damn, it sounded wrong. How would Jinas and Hera interpret it?

"Honestly, one night wasn’t enough. Next time I’ll even let you pierce me a few times on purpose... I liked it in the illusion, so it’ll probably feel better in real life. Heh. Heheheh..."

[Janus Rehzedet’s favorability has increased by 3!]

Current Favorability: 38

It was definitely genuine. Ayra’s gaze wavered. For the first time, seeing Janus’s favorability rise brought her no joy whatsoever.

Janus smirked and sent her a look so tender, she screamed internally.

"You’re still not fully healed, are you?"

His eyes flicked to the bandage on her forehead and the bruises along her arms. Clicking his tongue, he looked annoyed. Apparently, he thought her body wasn’t in good enough shape for another match. He reached out and gently touched her bruised forehead.

"Next time, I’ll go easy. Make sure it doesn’t hurt."

"...You’re saying it like that on purpose, aren’t you?"

Janus gave a grin that made it impossible to tell if he was clueless or just pretending.

Ayra sighed.

"It’s not just my body that needs healing..."

"What else? Mana?"

"My money."

She nearly teared up just thinking about all the magical tools he’d destroyed. Priceless artifacts she’d been forced to use even knowing they’d get wrecked. Especially that enchanted puppet he’d shredded—she hadn’t even been able to recover the core.

She’d put her life on the line. For him, it was just a fun little brawl. The thought left her hollow. Of course it’d be amusing—like a termite trying to laser down a goddamn lion.

Exhausted just from talking to him, Ayra trudged toward the dining hall.

Jinas and Hera quietly followed behind.