Looking at the cracked ring on my hand and looking at the blue panel, my heart couldn't help but pound.
It really was an item that could protect me! Although I don't know how efficient it is, but since it works with the amount of magic I provide to the ability, it obviously wouldn't be a fragile item.
The more magic I have at my disposal, the denser and, therefore, the more resistant the shield will be.
With this equipped, my life will be much easier.
Taking the previous battle as an example, I probably wouldn't have hurt myself with this item.
With a smile on my face, I equipped it and made it invisible like the others. Although it wasn't much, I could feel the changes in my body, a magic increase that surpassed the 100-point mark.
I was curious about the item's description, where it clearly stated that regardless of whether an existence had attributes or not, whenever the <Goccia d'anima> ability was activated, I would get an item.
A clear example was the <Bone pendant> that belonged to the goblin and the <Shadow earring> that I got from the War Shadow; these two cases were results of monsters that had an attribute.
On the other hand, the <Broken Ring> I got from the human, who did not possess an attribute or weaponry worth mentioning in the eyes of the System, gave me an item that apparently belonged to a historical warrior.
While thinking about these things, I left the church and headed straight to the guild to sell all the <Magic Stones> I got.
A total amount of 29000 valis. That was a lot...
On the way back, I bought food, and when I entered inside the church, hurried footsteps greeted me.
"Tooru-kun!"
Kami-sama crashed against my chest, her fragrance enlivened my senses, and the soft caress of her breath on my neck tickled me.
"I'm back, Kami-sama; where's my welcome kiss?"
I hugged her waist with my arm and lifted her up, making her wrap her legs around me.
She lifted her chin, and as she was about to kiss my lips, she stopped and looked at my face with traces of surprise in her kind blue eyes.
"Tooru-kun, what have you done? You look a little different."
I raised an eyebrow at his question. I shouldn't have changed anything about myself; wait, is it because of the poison?
—Did the poison disfigure my face?!
I panicked and quickly asked Kami-sama.
"Hum~ you became more handsome." Kami-sama hummed and continued: "I mean! You were already handsome, but now your face looks more mature than before. Are you giving off a new charm? Yes, that must be it...".
As she said that, a slight blush spread from her neck to the tip of her ear.
When I heard Kami-sama's words, I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Contrary to what I thought, I've actually become more handsome, huh? Maybe it's due to the body restructuring and getting my facial muscles in good shape.
"I see." I nodded, and with a mischievous smile, I squeezed Kami-sama's butt tightly.
"Kyaa~ W-what are you doing?!"
"Mm? Of course, rewarding my cute Kami-sama."
As I entered the church, with Kami-sama hugging me like a koala bear, I molded her bubbly butt with my hand through her white skirt.
She did not stop my advances; on the contrary, with a beautiful blush, she kissed my lips. Her slimy little tongue found its way into my mouth and circled my tongue, sucking it coyly.
I smiled at her inexperience in kissing and carefully lowered her to the couch as I continued kissing her.
After filling Kami-sama with love, we ate the food. And as the sun was still high in the blue sky, with no intention of returning to the dungeon today, I spent the rest of the afternoon outside the church, training my movements and techniques with the spear.
It was a productive afternoon; not only did I learn a couple of moves, but my spear abilities improved exponentially.
Satisfied with the fruitful training, I took a shower, and during the night, I curled up next to Kami-sama to sleep.
—Well, we didn't do anything improper, not yet...
.
.
.
In the morning, I was already in front of the <Tower of Babel>.
In the hearts of those who glimpsed this colossal construction, it looked like an impotent spear that wanted to pierce the heavens.
I averted my gaze, and many adventurers were coming and going; some were having breakfast around the pool of water or going straight to the dungeon.
In any case, I no longer paid attention and continued on my way.
Or so it would have been if a voice hadn't stopped me.
"Tooru-sama, Tooru-sama, do you need a <support> to accompany you?".
The voice sounded familiar, sweet, and cheerful. Then, as I followed the sound of the voice, I came upon a girl whose small figure was dwarfed by the large bag on her back.
She had a beautiful smile on her happy face.
"Oh, Lili, have you recovered already?"
Although I didn't show it on my face, I was shocked in my heart. This girl... did she really come to me just like that? I was sure she would be afraid of me after what had happened yesterday; after all, I killed four people right under her nose. Yet here she was, making the incredible proposal to become my <support>.
Despite my question, she nodded.
"Of course, Tooru-sama. So, what does Tooru-sama think of my proposal?"
"I want to ask you a question first, why me specifically, especially when I'm from a different <Familia> than you?"
It was said that adventurers from an diferent <Familia> should not create ties or relationships of any kind, as they might resort to unwanted arguments and trouble.
"About that, Tooru-sama, Lili trusts her instincts more than anything else. Tooru-sama dares to venture out alone and survive; that only means you are strong, and Lili is willing to follow you into the dungeon."
Something seemed strange about her; the stiffness of her body as she moved seemed that of someone who was still injured.
"I see; actually, I don't need a <support>, but if you really want to accompany me, I don't find the problem."
I smiled slightly, and with my hands, I caressed the girl's soft and fluffy ear.
"Mnn~."
I felt her body shudder; her face was dyed tomato red, and before I could pull away, her fingers intertwined with mine.
"Tooru-sama, you touched something precious to Lili; you have to take responsibility, do you understand?".
Those big crystalline eyes were full of expectation and shyness.
"Huh? Wait..."
At my words, her eyes misted over at the last moment. The adventurers turned to me, and the woman had a face that said —Hey, brat, you dare to make a girl cry? Take responsibility for your actions!
"Okay, okay."
Faced with such pressure, I had no choice but to raise my hands in defeat.
"Thank you!"
With a beaming smile, she entwined herself with my arm.
I felt something soft mold around me, this little girl...
"Lili needs to ask Tooru-sama something before we go."
"Mm? Go ahead; you don't need to treat me so formally, you know."
"... Tooru-sama, Lili wants to know about the payment. The <Support> usually carry everything from meals to potions inside the dungeon. They also provide important information adventurers need, so their payment should be fair. Lili's someone poor, she don't get a lot of money as a <Support>, and it's barely enough for her daily expenses."
"Ah, that, well, if the payment worries you, I can assure you that you will get your share. With your help as <Support>, I can focus entirely on the battle. I'm sure the profit will increase from now on."
I can deduce that Lili was having trouble with money just from her question.
Although I might be wrong, but as the adventurers said yesterday, she probably used to steal from some adventurers she teamed up with. However, I didn't blame her as she might have difficulties living with.
However, I intended to change her personality; as to whether it worked or not, only time would tell.
With these thoughts, my mind wandered a bit into the past. Where I had to make a living by stealing from other people so that I wouldn't starve to death in the cold nights of the back alleys of the <Far East>.
"I trust you, Tooru-sama. Come on, if Tooru-sama wants, Lili has no problem staying until the afternoon. Lili has come prepared regarding food."
She turned and walked away with her figure hidden behind her bag. I caught up with her, and with a thought occupying my mind, I smiled as I entered the majestic and bright interior of the tower.
