Lewd Skill Stealing System-Chapter 6: The old-woman’s reward.

Karl continued plucking the spirit roots alongside the old woman, his hands moving automatically while his mind raced with possibilities. An alchemist's daughter—that was prime investment material.

After what felt like an eternity of yanking stubborn weeds from the dirt, the old woman finally straightened her back with a satisfied sigh. "That should be enough," she said, dusting her hands off.

Karl, ever the gentleman, quickly gathered the bundle of herbs and extended them toward her. "Here, madam. Your bounty of weeds."

The old woman let out a chuckle but shook her head. "I don't think I can carry it all back alone. My old bones would probably give out halfway there." She patted her back dramatically.

Karl resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Ah yes, classic frail old lady move.

Before he could say anything, she added with a knowing smile, "Besides, don't you deserve a little reward for helping me?"

[ASSHOLE. YOU EXPECTED THIS, DIDN'T YOU? YOU KNEW SHE'D GIVE YOU A REWARD.]

Karl smirked in his mind, his eyes flicking to the system screen floating beside him. Of course, of course the damn system knew. It always knew.

Karl turned back to the old woman, plastering on his best humble smile. "A reward? Oh no, madam, I was just being helpful."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Mhmm."

Karl coughed. "But, uh, if you insist—"

She laughed, then pointed towards the north. "My house isn't very far. It's that way."

Karl nodded, adjusting his grip on the herbs. "Then let's get going before these weeds decide to come alive and bite me."

The old woman chuckled again, and together they started walking, Karl making sure to match her slow, steady pace.

In his mind, though, he was already thinking ahead.

A chance to meet your talented, stat-filled daughter?

Karl strolled behind the old woman, still carrying the bundle of spirit roots, when suddenly—

DING!

A blue light flashed in his peripheral vision, as if the system had just remembered something incredibly important at the absolute worst possible time.

Karl's eyebrows twitched.

Now what?

The system window lit up like a damn divine revelation.

[HEY, BTW. I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS SKILL OF YOURS.]

Karl's feet nearly tripped over themselves.

"...Skill?" he muttered, his grip tightening around the bundle of herbs. A jolt of excitement shot through him. He had skills?

Then, just as quickly, the realization hit him.

He narrowed his eyes at the glowing text.

"You—" His voice was a harsh whisper. "You bitch."

[??]

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER?!"

[WELL, I FORGOT.]

Karl's expression collapsed into pure, unfiltered disappointment. His soul physically left his body.

He exhaled slowly, massaging his forehead as if dealing with an idiot child. "How the hell does a system—an all-knowing, omnipresent entity—just forget something this important?"

[LOOK, I HAVE A LOT ON MY PLATE, OKAY? MANAGING A DUMBASS LIKE YOU IS A FULL-TIME JOB.]

Karl deadpanned. "Managing me? You do nothing but insult me!"

[EXACTLY. YOU'RE A HANDFUL.]

Karl closed his eyes, counted to three, and decided not to strangle his own non-physical system.

"Fine," he muttered. "Whatever. Just tell me what the skill is before I lose my mind."

[SEDUCTIVE TOUCH.]

Karl's eyebrows twitched. His irritation faded into curiosity.

"Oho?" He rubbed his chin, intrigued. "Now this sounds promising. What does it do?"

The text flickered across the screen at an infuriatingly slow pace, as if the system was teasing him on purpose.

[WHEN YOU TOUCH SOMEONE, IT INCREASES THEIR HEART RATE, RAISES THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE, AND SPEEDS UP THEIR BREATHING.]

Karl's lips curled into a smirk.

[IT ESSENTIALLY MAKES THEM START OVERTHINKING. ABOUT LOVE.]

Karl stopped walking altogether.

He turned his head ever so slightly, side-eyeing the glowing system panel like it had just handed him the ultimate cheat code to life.

"...System," he whispered, his voice practically dripping with affection.

"I f*cking love you."

[??]

"If you were alive," Karl continued, his tone filled with sincere devotion, "I would kiss you. Right now."

Silence.

The system didn't respond. No snarky comeback. No insults.

Karl grinned. "Heh. No reaction, huh?" He chuckled under his breath. "What's the matter? Flustered?"

[...I AM SIMPLY PROCESSING YOUR LEVEL OF DEPRAVITY.]

Karl threw his head back in a quiet laugh.

"Oh, come on. It's just a little tool to enhance conversations. You know, spice things up a little."

[ENHANCE? YOU MEAN MANIPULATE.]

"Tomato, tomahto." Karl waved dismissively. His grin widened as he tapped his fingers against his chin.

This skill... this was good.

It was too good.

The house stood at the end of the path, barely holding itself together. The wooden walls were cracked and faded, their original color long stolen by time and weather. The roof sagged slightly, and the front door creaked ominously as the old woman pushed it open.

Karl raised an eyebrow. Charming.

"Come in, dear," the old woman beckoned, stepping inside without hesitation.

Karl hesitated for a brief moment. The place looked like it had survived at least three different disasters, but... well, he had a mission. With a quick sigh, he followed her in.

Inside, the air smelled of dried herbs, old wood, and something faintly medicinal. The living room was simple—a circular wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by a mismatched set of sofas, their cushions sunken from years of use. A few shelves lined the walls, filled with dusty books and strange bottles.

"Sit, sit!" The old woman waved a hand, her voice warm.

Karl didn't argue. He strolled over and lowered himself onto the sofa, feeling the fabric dip farther than it should have. A single push, and this thing might collapse beneath him.

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The old woman settled onto the opposite seat with a satisfied sigh before tilting her head back.

"Lina!" she called, her voice carrying through the house. "Bring some water for our guest!"

A distant, feminine voice answered from another room.

"Okay!"

Karl's ears perked up.

Bingo.