Chapter 360 - Presents
The next day, Kai and the others found Evan miserable. He looked exhausted and lacked sleep. Without even a single word, they knew what he just experienced.
Kai patted his shoulders a few times and said, "You've worked hard."
"It's a blessing in disguise," Michelle added, fully knowing what the souvenir that Kai gave yesterday.
Evan and Isabelle had broken through the last barrier due to their Zodiac Blood. Even Isabelle knew it was just a joke. And if it were true, what else could she do? She just wanted to talk it out, considering polygamy had become a norm in this era.
Evan hated and loved Kai at the same time. It was true that the medicine he brought was the one breaking that barrier, and the joke became the "reason" for them to finally take that step, but he thought he could do it with something more romantic.
Nonetheless, Evan still bowed and thanked him.
"Anyway, I won't bother with your problem anymore. Considering you all have gotten a huge leap in your strength, I have a present for you all." Kai smiled.
"!!!" The girls were startled and almost forgot the fact that Kai actually wanted to give them something after the training.
Of course, he had a separate present for Evan and Sofia.
He took them out first. "This is for you two."
Evan and Sofia grabbed the present, still wondering what they got.
"You can open it." Kai smiled.
Sofia was the first who took out the present, finding a small stick inside the wrapped box.
"This is…" She furrowed her eyebrows and activated the stick.
Suddenly, a shield popped out with the stick as the handle.
"I don't know your training menu, so I am not sure what to give you. The only thing I can think of is a shield. This shield is made of a synthesized material that can rival the protector's shell. In other words, it's strong enough to stop my Vibration Sword.
"And you all don't need to cheat again like when you fought against me." Kai glanced at Ayaka, whose spear got buffed before.
The latter only looked away while pouting.
As for Sofia, she smiled. "Thank you. I love it. Instead of Tasha and Evan, I believe I will be the one targeted the most, so this will help me."
She placed down the white shield that had nothing on it before turning to Evan. The others then looked at him, wondering what Kai gave to him.
He grabbed the holster inside the box and saw one thing that stood out. It had the same material as Sofia's shield.
His holster was one that ran through his chest and back, covering much more than the holster on the waist.
"You might already notice it, but your holster is made of the same material from it, so you will feel a bit restricted. However, this one can help your exoskeleton in protecting your body. Besides, you are using two guns right now. This holster will bolster up your defense." Kai nodded.
"That's nice. Thanks, Kai." Evan nodded and put it on. He moved left and right before giving a comment on the holster. "I don't feel that much restricted…Just a minor adjustment in my movement will do. It's perfect."
"Well, I brought the medicine for you yesterday, but since Isabelle was there, I handed it to her."
"Ah." Evan looked away, refusing to say something regarding that.
Meanwhile, Kai turned to Ayaka first, making the latter think she was first. However, Kai didn't give her anything. Instead, he asked her. "What is the progress for Evan's bullet and the Explosion Arrow?"
"…" Ayaka sighed and explained. "Evan's bullet is ready. I have brought it with me already."
She reached the bag she brought with her this morning and handed it to him. "There are fifty bullets inside, with each magazine containing five explosive bullets. Make sure you use it wisely."
"Thanks." Evan nodded with a serious expression.
Ayaka nodded back and continued. "As for Tasha's explosion arrows, they are in the last stage. Just need a few tests, and she will be set to go. Probably in another week."
"What is the spec?"
"There is a circuit there, so if there is a lightning current from your magic, it will have a short circuit which breaks the protection of my Explosion Magic. The explosion itself is the same as my Time Bomb. Unfortunately, due to the unstable circuit, it can only withstand the explosion magic for thirty minutes. Any longer than that will just explode my magic."
"That's nice." Tasha pretty liked the time and the firepower. "How many are there?"
"It's a bit expensive since only a few have been able to create an item that can hold magic with time. So, I have only procured ten for you. I think we can start lowering the cost after having more research about it." She nodded.
"Thank you. That must have troubled you…"
"It's fine. We do this because there is another potential in this arrow. If we add the magic that can add an additional force, we can make a bending bullet or something. This will be very useful on the battlefield, and the cash flow will not be a problem anymore." Ayaka shrugged.
"Then, it's time for the present." Kai then handed each of them a necklace. There was their name on it, so no one would mistake someone's necklace.
However, the girls quickly realized that the necklaces were similar to the one Kai wore. Michelle rose from her seat and dropped her jaw. "Kai…This…"
Seeing the huge reaction, the others realized and panicked for a second.
Kai only smiled and answered her. "Yes. It's the exoskeleton."
Because she wanted to be recognized as well, she chose not to hide this matter anymore. She opened her mouth, explaining what happened during the negotiation. "In order to go to my base, Kai made an additional term which is to hand him a total of four exoskeletons. Wait a minute, this sounds wrong. It feels like you just sell yourself…"
"I made this condition to counter that." Kai rolled his eyes, feeling annoyed.
"Fair enough. Anyway, the scientists have adjusted the data to your size. Unless "some parts" get bigger, I think it will suit you. Well, you can adjust it easily to be honest, so why don't you try it?"
The three girls looked at each other and signaled each other. They decided to use it at the same time.
The white exoskeleton started covering their body. It looked the same as Kai's exoskeleton though some parts got tweaked to fit a woman's figure like Sofia's.
Regardless, it fit them perfectly.
"Anything you find wrong?" Kai asked.
"Nope." Ayaka shook her head before accidentally stepping back. It was then she noticed the difference between with and without an exoskeleton. The step was very light and filled with power. If she couldn't control her strength, she might injure someone at this rate.
Besides, with her gaining more strength, it would greatly impact her momentum in a good way.
The same applied to Tasha. Unlike the gun, the power in the bow and arrow can be increased with a heavier bow. If she could carry this much strength, it would be best to get a bow that could suit her current strength and had her usual bow to sit as a replacement.
"Ayaka. Do you mind if I come to your house later? I need a new bow." Tasha asked.
"Sure. Do you want to stay for the night as well?" She smirked. The two's relationship had gotten better because of the time they spent together.
Tasha also felt this natural because there were too many jokes they had thrown around. She only shook her head and said, "Nah, it's fine. I will be quick."
"Alright then." Ayaka nodded, grabbed another device from her bag, and handed it to her.
Tasha activated the device and found a catalog for the weapons sold by the Kudo Group.
"This one has it all, including our prototype. Not the one we sell in general." She smiled. "Choose your weapons now, and we can test that in my house."
"Okay."
While the two kept talking, Michelle had been testing her exoskeleton by moving around the room, punching and kicking the air.
"A bit tight…Especially in this area…" Michelle embarrassedly pointed at her chest and ass.
Tasha and Ayaka instantly exchanged looks and nodded at each other as if they planned something.
Having the feeling of what these two planned to do, Sofia grabbed Evan and dragged her outside. "Come, you need to go outside."
"Wait…Again?!" Evan didn't understand why he needed to leave before Sofia rebuked him. "You grabbed Isabelle's yesterday, so no complaints."
She threw Evan to the corridor and closed the door.
Tasha and Ayaka slowly walked toward Michelle. The latter already knew what they were going to do and hid behind Kai.
However, Sofia acted smartly and transformed into Michelle while playing around with her body. "Hmm…She has indeed grown a few centimeters. In the middle of the C cup, huh…"
"Wait. You can do that?!" Michelle gasped and started panicking.
Meanwhile, Tasha and Ayaka already gathered around Sofia and observed her.
"A rival is coming soon." Tasha furrowed her eyebrows while Ayaka looked away and snorted. "I am not sulking."
"Oi! Don't play with someone's body like that," Michelle shouted.
"…" Kai remained silent this whole time. In fact, no one noticed that he had already disappeared and chose to sit on the couch while waiting for them to finish their little teasing game.
"Kai, help me." Michelle looked at him with a wronged expression.
Kai let out a long sigh and put a document on the table. "Next mission."
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel