Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 219: Sister Aeliana & The Twinkle Orphanage

She swallowed nervously as her gaze drifted lower—

Then she squeezed her eyes shut and turned around, her heart hammering in her chest.

No, I can't! she squeaked, her nerves completely unraveling.

Slipping into the tunic, she scooted over to the fire with the intention of plucking her shorts from the clothesline, but they were still dripping wet from her plunge into the icy pond.

A flush crept up her neck as she thought about how he had not only touched them, but had peeled them from her body, his butterscotch eyes likely lingering on every inch of her as he did.

Tiphanna bit her lip lasciviously and squirmed, squeezing her thighs together. As her body started liquefying, threatening to seep into the ground, she shook off the thought and tried steadying her racing heart.

"Okay. I'm done," she informed, her ears still flushed.

By the time she turned back around, Daisuke was already on his feet and garbed in a sleeveless shirt and pants, likely plucked from his host of tricks.

"...That was fast," she murmured beneath her breath, a tad disappointed.

As he approached her, his muscles rippling beneath his honey skin, she lowered her gaze shyly and tugged down at the hem of her tunic, hiding her undies.

Daisuke glanced down at her bare thighs. "I'm sorry, but the tunic's all I've got."

"Nhmm," Tiphanna hummed, shaking her head dismissively. "You've already done more than enough by saving me. By the way," she added, pointing to the familiar glowing material suspended within a sturdy metal casing. "Isn't that another Molten Core?"

"Yeah," he confirmed, summoning a stock pot and utensils and setting them on a makeshift table. "I had a spare. Thought I'd use it for some extra heat."

Tiphanna smiled awkwardly, watching as he ladled the already cooked soup into a bowl, the delicious aroma filling the tent. "...You're about the only person I know who would use such a valuable material as a mere fixture. Your resourcefulness is... beyond reason."

"Then would you prefer normalcy?" Daisuke muttered, handing her the bowl.

The elf accepted it with both hands, a soft nostalgia in her gaze. "Not at all. That resourcefulness is probably what kept us both alive through all of this."

Daisuke summoned two wooden stools for them to sit. "I had to pull out every trick in the book to defeat both monsters. And of course, it was just my luck that they were both armored."

"Mmm... delicious," Tiphanna murmured in delight, her eyes lighting up after her first bite. "Did you really make this yourself?"

Daisuke nodded.

"Is there anything you can't do?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine admiration.

Daisuke let a smile slip onto his face. Cheeks flushing, Tiphanna instantly looked away, completely disarmed by his handsome face.

She cleared her throat, refocusing. "I've seen how you struggle with heavily armored foes, which is why crafting your next weapon is so crucial. And, I take it you managed to secure Glacium Heartwood from the Treant?"

"Yeah," Daisuke confirmed.

"Perfect!" Tiphanna chirped, beaming with excitement as she eagerly scooped up another spoonful of soup, clearly satisfied with the progress.

"...Tiphanna," Daisuke started.

"Call me Tiff."

"...Tiff," he corrected, still adjusting to the name. "I'm curious... how did you end up involved with the orphanage?"