Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 74: Skin Reactions Or Something Else I

Chapter 74: Skin Reactions Or Something Else I

Yurei repeated his words in her head, an attempt to avoid reacting to how close he was.

Little did she know it wasn’t her skin condition causing her nerves to act up.

"I’m fine," she replied as soon as she regained herself, quickly averting her gaze from him.

The longer she stared, the more she burned.

"I should go."

Before she could turn, Ryuen placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

The touch was light but firm, and Yurei froze, as if a gun was being held to her head.

Though that alone wouldn’t have been enough to make her feel terrified or anxious.

"You’re shaking," he noted, his brow furrowing slightly.

He was worried—not because he liked her or anything, but because she had her uses, like Erina.

Although Yurei was on a different level.

Perhaps it was something akin to friendship with benefits.

And while Ryuen wouldn’t admit it outright, it wouldn’t hurt to worry about a friend.

Even though he’d sworn never to trust anyone again.

"Did something happen?" he added.

Yurei quietly shook her head and stepped back, only to realize the door was closed behind her.

Trying to leave too quickly would make it look like she was terrified of him, and she refused to give that impression.

"It’s nothing. I’m just tired," she replied.

Ryuen frowned, his irritation clear. "Tch."

"Tired? Or are you scared of me?" A small smile appeared on his lips.

"You still haven’t given me a reason why you cover up your body like a mummy."

"You didn’t ask, idiot," she snapped, gaining a bit more confidence.

It was better to exchange words with him, if only to buy herself time. She could use that to her advantage.

If there was anything she hated, it was being seen as weak, submissive, or emotionally unstable just because of her condition.

Born with dermatographism—or skin writing—a skin condition that caused an allergic reaction to touch.

And Yurei had dealt with the stares and whispers for most of her life.

For others with the condition, even air or water, especially untreated, could trigger symptoms.

Thankfully, her case wasn’t as severe as most.

Physical contact didn’t affect her too much; it only caused fever or redness.

Still, others assumed it made her fragile and dependent.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

Ryuen was taken aback by her retort, but his smirk only widened.

"So tell me, what’s with the straps and always hiding your skin?"

"Are you perhaps hiding tattoos? Or hickeys?"

Yurei scoffed. "Hickeys? From who?"

"Daiki, of course."

Yurei facepalmed, hard. "Even if I wanted a hickey, it would definitely not be from a guy who would bite until he tasted blood."

Ryuen raised a brow. "Why do I feel like this has happened before?"

She scoffed again. "I don’t let people touch me easily. What’s wrong with you?"

A sudden mischievous thought materialized in Ryuen’s head.

This was one of those rare moments when he dropped his cold, assassin-like demeanor.

A once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, like with Yuki.

But this time, it wasn’t about making her drop her guard.

He was doing it purely for fun, for his own amusement.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he leaned closer. "You sure?"

"Of course I am. What makes you think I’d..." She trailed off, realizing just how close he was.

Still, she forced herself not to flush. Instead, she smirked, keeping her gaze locked on his face.

"Don’t try to intimidate me by pulling that move, Ryuen."

"Ehh," he uttered, amused. She had finally put up her guard, and he saw it as a challenge.

"What makes you think I’m trying to intimidate you? I only just met you two days ago."

"Scratch that. We humans easily get familiar with each other."

"I’m glad you agree with that," he said, his gaze slowly moving to her neck, still covered by the blanket. He smiled slightly.

"Now, tell me, what’s with the intense cover-ups?"

Yurei opened her mouth to speak, but she hesitated, rethinking her response.

From what she knew about him, he would probably see her as weak or pathetic and tease her, just as he did with Kaori.

No. She wouldn’t let anyone see her that way.

But the only way to counter it was by doing as Kaori had told her, even though it might cause a reaction.

She exhaled after a few moments and leaned closer to Ryuen until their faces were mere inches apart.

"If I told you, would you see me as weak? Or pathetic?"

Ryuen’s gaze softened briefly, though he still wore an expression of mockery.

"Believe me when I say this—I definitely will. I managed to match you when we first met, so what would change now?"

Yurei smiled faintly. "Well..." She slipped her hands through the blanket and reached up to Ryuen’s face, placing her palms on his cheek.

That single gesture sent a chill down Ryuen’s spine—a sudden rush of adrenaline, if that’s what he could call it.

But he didn’t pull back. He just stared at her face, while most of his senses followed the movement of her hand.

"...If I told you, would you see me as weak or submissive?"

Ryuen chuckled softly, amused.

Her peppermint breath, the faint scent of freshly baked cake, and her unique cologne all drew him in.

"On one condition."

"Which is?"

Ryuen leaned into her touch and dropped one hand to her waist, causing her to flinch slightly, while the other remained on the door behind her.

She wanted to move away from him, but he tightened his hold on her and dragged her closer, closing the space between their bodies.

The funny thing was that despite how her heart was racing, he didn’t see the effects on her face.

"You don’t put up the dominant tough-girl façade."

"I don’t do that!"

"You’re doing it right now."

"I most definitely am not!"

"Are you sure?" A smirk crawled up Ryuen’s lips as he watched her try to prove she was tough.

"Yes, I..."

"Or you’re just an introvert who doesn’t want to look like she’s gentle?"

Yurei froze, staring at him as though he were a ghost, until he let out a soft chuckle.

"Do you agree to my terms or not?" he asked. "Be honest with me."

"I assure you, that will never work because I can’t act like something I’m not, Ryuen."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am very..."