NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: Chapter 36
Eren's voice boomed from a distance, cutting through the tension in the air. The girls froze, their earlier suspicion now replaced with alarm. Someone was coming, and they weren't about to stick around unprepared.
In a flurry of panic, the girls scrambled to the shore, hastily pulling on their clothes. Krista's face burned with embarrassment. Though she tried to keep her thoughts together, the chaos around her wasn't helping. Her heart fluttered in confusion, caught between frustration and an inexplicable warmth.
Underwater, Ryo Akira cursed his rotten luck.
"Of all times, those two idiots show up now?! Are they trying to get me killed?"
Ryo peeked out from his hiding spot, only to see Eren and Armin emerging from the trees. Both were fully dressed, their faces blank with curiosity as they looked at the gathering of disheveled girls.
"Eh? What are you all doing here?" Eren asked, his voice tinged with innocent confusion.
Ryo felt his blood freeze.
"Couldn't you keep your mouth shut, you idiot?" he muttered under his breath.
"We're looking for Ryo," Eren continued, oblivious. "He wandered off and hasn't come back yet. If you see him, let him know we're worried!"
The girls exchanged glances, their suspicions solidifying. Armin, quick to pick up on the tension, tried to nudge Eren into silence, but it was too late.
Mikasa's eyes darkened, her gaze sharp and cutting. Ani crossed her arms, lips curled in a smirk that screamed, *Gotcha.*
"No, we haven't seen him," Ani said, stepping forward to block Eren and Armin's path. "But you two should leave. Now."
Eren frowned, scratching the back of his head. "But his clothes are still over there. If we leave without finding him, someone might—"
Armin cut him off with a forced laugh, grabbing his arm. "Come on, Eren, let's go! We're just in the way here."
"But—"
"Let's go!" Armin practically dragged Eren away, leaving the girls behind.
The moment they were out of earshot, Ani turned to the others. "Let's go check his clothes. If he's nearby, he'll have to come back eventually."
The group nodded in agreement, determination flickering in their eyes.
---
Ryo watched from afar, his teeth chattering as the cold seeped into his bones. The lake water felt like ice, and his body was on the verge of giving out.
"I'm gonna kill Eren," he muttered through clenched teeth. "How could he sell me out like that?"
The shore was a no-go. The girls weren't budging, and without his clothes, there was no way he could explain himself. If he tried to sneak off naked, he'd only dig his grave deeper.
"System, do something! I'm freezing to death here!"
The system's voice chimed in, unbothered.
"Host, this system is a respectable entity. It does not involve itself in such... dubious situations. Please resolve this issue with dignity."
Ryo glared at the air, fists trembling. "If you don't help me, I'm taking us both down! I'll grab a rock and drown myself right here!"
"W-Wait, wait!" The system's tone shifted to panic. "Let's not do anything drastic! Life is precious, you know?"
"Then *help me!*" Ryo barked.
The system hesitated before responding. "Fine. There's a hidden feature in the system's shop that allows you to purchase clothing and basic necessities. Normally, it's locked due to your low access level, but... given the emergency, I'll unlock it temporarily. You can redeem what you need directly."
"Finally!" Ryo exhaled, relief washing over him. But he wasn't about to let the system off the hook so easily.
"Don't think I'm forgetting this," he grumbled. "Once I'm out of here, we're having a long talk about your priorities."
With the shop now open, Ryo quickly scanned through the options, searching for something—anything—that could save him from his current predicament.
The girls on the shore continued their watch, determined to catch the mysterious peeping culprit. Little did they know, Ryo Akira wasn't about to give up so easily.