"Alright then. If you think you can actually learn something from this, I guess I have no reason to stop you. Even though it's obviously a waste of time. But even if I told you that, you wouldn't give up, would you?"
Shrugging, Steven pushed the stack of Lungmen dollars back toward Gavial.
He had already made it clear—he wasn't like those sleazy merchants. One penny for one penny's worth. Since she was volunteering to be his test subject, he figured not charging her was already kind enough. Taking her money on top of that? Now that would be heartless.
Gavial watched as Steven returned the money, thinking for a moment that he was going to reject her request. But his next words made her eyes light up with hope.
As expected, this guy might be a little weird, but if you reasoned with him properly, he wasn't that difficult to deal with.
In fact, sometimes, it was easier to talk to Steven than to deal with all the scheming and mind games of others. He was straightforward—no unnecessary twists and turns.
"So… that means you're agreeing?"
"I don't really care, honestly. Whoever it is, it makes no difference to me. I just need test subjects for my medicine—that's all that matters."
Steven spread his hands casually. Since Gavial was willing to take the risk herself, he had no reason to stop her.
After all, she wasn't like Gladiia, who was practically his adopted daughter.
"And since you're so eager, go ahead and take off your clothes then."
With his arms crossed, Steven stood up and once again gave her a thorough up-and-down look.
"Huh?"
Gavial's expression stiffened.
"Y-You— Are you actually that kind of person?"
She clutched the collar of her shirt tightly, her gaze toward Steven turning suspicious again.
So that's why he refused the money earlier? He was waiting for this moment instead?!
"Yup, I'm exactly that kind of person," Steven replied without hesitation. "You know, humans only have two states—hungry or… horny. I just had a drink, so obviously, I'm in the second state now. If you want my cooperation, then hurry up and strip."
Steven grinned mischievously. He knew exactly why she reacted this way, so he deliberately played along.
"So? Are you gonna cooperate, or are you gonna scream for help?"
He smirked, watching the flustered green-haired crocodile girl struggle with her thoughts.
"Just a heads-up—if you scream, someone will come to save you."
But that very last remark was what made Gavial snap back to reality.
She studied his expression carefully—there was no disgusting desire in his eyes. Instead, all she saw was the barely restrained amusement at her reaction.
'This bastard just wants to mess with me!'
"Wait— You're just trying to check my Oripathy crystal formations, aren't you?"
The moment she said it out loud, Gavial realized that was probably the truth.
Considering Steven's unique way of thinking, of course he would do something like this.
"Well, what else?" Steven snorted. "What, did you think I was about to pounce on you because we're all alone on this long, lonely night? That I couldn't hold back my primal urges and wanted to leave a descendent with you? Would that be a better excuse?"
Steven covered his mouth, letting out a chuckle.
Watching this once-righteous, ready-to-sacrifice-herself-for-science girl now flustered and embarrassed… Well, that was definitely entertaining.
What's wrong with making life a little more interesting?
"Alright, alright, enough already! I'll take it off, okay?"
Gavial sighed in defeat.
Even though she knew that Steven was just messing with her, she still couldn't stand his mouth.
Waving him off, she unfastened her black trench coat and shrugged it off her shoulders.
Now that she was sure he wasn't up to anything shady, Gavial didn't hesitate like some shy, delicate girl might have.
As her coat hit the ground, her white sports wrap and toned, athletic waist were revealed.
Steven had to admit—when it came to waists, Gavial had one of the best he'd ever seen.
Sure, he wasn't some legendary playboy with a long list of exes, but in the internet age, anyone could see beautiful women with just a few clicks.
And yet, even among all the waists he had seen, none quite matched Gavial's.
Her narrow yet powerful waistline was something his hands could just barely wrap around. There was zero excess fat, her defined abs were on full display, and the smooth curve connecting her thighs to her lower abdomen made Steven unconsciously lick his lips.
It was slim yet strong—her well-trained core muscles were proof of that. It was obvious she worked on her waist and abs regularly.
'Damn… I wonder how it feels to touch…'
But of course, this masterpiece of a waistline had a single flaw—right next to her cute little belly button, a few dark crystalline growths protruded from beneath her skin.
"Can you stop staring at my waist? It's starting to feel weird."
Shuffling slightly under his intense gaze, Gavial finally moved her crocodile-like tail in front of her stomach, using it to cover her belly button.
"You're supposed to be looking at the Originium crystals, not just staring at my waist!"
Even though she wasn't someone who cared much about people's stares, that didn't mean she couldn't get embarrassed.
"I mean, you won't let me look anywhere else, so what choice do I have?"
Steven grinned, but his playful tone had softened a bit. Pushing aside her tail, he finally focused on the dark, jagged crystals embedded in her skin.
"Can I touch them?"
"Would you actually listen if I said no? Just don't touch anything weird."
Gavial rolled her eyes. She could already tell—Steven had his hand out before he even asked. Clearly, her answer didn't matter.
This time, Steven didn't make any more jokes.
After all—you don't just touch a man's head or a woman's waist without consequences.
What if she decided to blackmail him later?
With gentle pressure, he pressed a finger against one of the black crystals. The moment his skin touched it, he noted the sensation—cold, smooth, and as hard as stone.
It was almost like a polished gem.
If Steven didn't know this was caused by Oripathy, he might have assumed it was just a body modification, like a piercing or a dermal implant.
After all, humans have always been creative when it comes to modifying their own bodies.