NOVEL NEXT Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Hard-Earned Restraint
As Mo Chen struggled to suppress his inner turmoil, Snow White, restless even in her sleep, began moving again. Her small hands wandered over his body, the blanket slipping away to reveal her snow-white back.
Her smooth, flowing figure extended down to her waist, where her curves rose gently, resembling a full moon under the moonlight. Her slender legs shimmered faintly, as if carved from translucent porcelain, her skin soft and flawless.
Even the faint lines between her thighs seemed to outline an elegant silhouette.
Completely unaware of the dangerous situation, Snow White rested her hand on Mo Chen's neck. He caught her hand and placed it on his chest, but her fingers, as if acting on instinct, continued searching for a more comfortable spot.
Her cool fingertips slid downward, sending an indescribable shiver through Mo Chen.
Instead of extinguishing the flame within him, the cold touch only added fuel, fanning it into an even greater blaze.
As her hand approached forbidden territory, Mo Chen abruptly stopped her.
His breathing grew heavier and his eyes glowed red.
Her delicate figure lay so close.
Snow White, unconscious and unaware, could be moved or controlled however he wanted. He could indulge his desires freely, and she wouldn't remember anything when she woke.
There was no one else in the room. Even if he acted on these thoughts, who would know?
Devilish whispers echoed in his mind.
But Mo Chen knew he couldn't allow himself to give in.
Especially as he looked at Snow White's serene profile, recalling the trust she had placed in him. He couldn't betray that trust by taking advantage of her vulnerability.
Summoning extraordinary willpower, he forced himself to resist.
Snow White, oblivious to his internal struggle, leaned closer.
Then the door suddenly opened.
It was Ludmilla.
Mo Chen froze, his hands hesitating for a split second. That was all the time Snow White needed to shift closer, her warmth pressing against him.
Then he met Ludmilla's stunned gaze.
The scene in the room froze as if captured in a photograph.
A man. Two underage girls. One on each side. One arm cradling each.
There was no explaining this.
Yet Ludmilla didn't back away. Unlike before, she stepped into the room.
Mo Chen hurriedly reached for the blanket lying at the edge of the bed to cover them, but Ludmilla stopped him. Her delicate ears flushed crimson as she murmured, her voice almost inaudible.
"I'll help you."
Ludmilla had been standing just outside the room all along, never leaving.
The old, decrepit door had warped over time. Through the faint cracks, she had seen everything happening inside.
And while Mo Chen had been wrestling with his inner conflict, he hadn't noticed that every one of his actions had been entirely visible to Ludmilla.
"What?" Mo Chen wondered if he had misheard her.
If she had stormed in to deal a swift punishment, he wouldn't have been surprised.
Seeing his bewildered expression, Ludmilla's face flushed even redder, the blush spreading to her ears. But she didn't back away. Instead, she stepped forward, her movements hesitant but deliberate, and leaned down in front of Mo Chen's astonished gaze…
During their time in the icy northern tundra, Ludmilla and Mo Chen had lived side by side, fought together, and shared countless moments.
Mo Chen was a kind and gentle man, considerate of others, with a heart full of compassion. Speaking with him was like basking in the warmth of a spring breeze.
With his abilities, it would have been easy for him to secure a position of power in the Ark, where he could have obtained anything he desired effortlessly. Yet, he neither sought wealth nor power, nor did he accept the Ark's offers. On the contrary, he chose to take enormous risks for Nikkes who were not even connected to him, standing against countless enemies within the Ark.
In this apocalyptic world, such behavior was almost unheard of.
He was a mystery, one that intrigued Ludmilla. What exactly was he after?
Before she realized it, her curiosity had given way to a fluttering in her chest whenever she saw him.
Ludmilla wasn't an inexperienced, naive girl. She naturally understood what these feelings meant.
And, unlike a shy young girl, she wouldn't falter or hesitate.
Now that she had acknowledged her feelings, she wouldn't waste time second-guessing herself.
Her actions, while seemingly abrupt, were entirely in line with her character.
Besides, if it weren't for Mo Chen, Alice might not have survived.
The next morning.
The sun shone brightly, the sky was a brilliant blue, and clouds drifted lazily overhead. A warm breeze ruffled the faded curtains, and a ray of sunlight streamed through the window, falling gently on the two sleeping girls on the bed.
Alice and Snow White were nestled together, their delicate features like porcelain dolls, or like twin lotus flowers blooming in tandem.
Meanwhile, in another room, Mo Chen opened his eyes and realized that Ludmilla was no longer there.
The bed she had slept on was still faintly warm, indicating she hadn't been gone for long.
He got up and stretched. His body felt more comfortable than it ever had before. A simple twist of his torso produced satisfying "crack" sounds, and when he clenched his fists, he felt a newfound strength coursing through him.
Even his mood was lighter than usual.
So this is what breaking through limits feels like?
Bare-chested, he stepped out of his room. Clothing had little significance for him now—his enhanced physique would strain and tear even the advanced GANTZ suits. Wearing anything felt pointless, and he saw no reason to waste resources.
Stepping into the hallway, he realized it was already mid-morning.
In the kitchen, the sounds of activity reached his ears.
Smiling faintly, Mo Chen decided not to disturb the kitchen just yet. Instead, he headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
The bathroom still carried traces of lingering steam, suggesting someone had recently bathed. A faint, fragrant aroma hung in the air.
It stirred memories of the previous night in Mo Chen's mind.
His heart warmed.
Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, he focused on washing up.
The villa was a high-end residence that had undergone apocalyptic renovations. Most of its utilities ran on self-contained systems, powered by gasoline or diesel. Even the household appliances were specially designed to resist rust and corrosion.
That was why the villa had remained intact for decades—though the people who once lived here were long gone.
After casually splashing some water on his face, he walked into the kitchen and saw Ludmilla. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her slender, soft waist from behind, his hands naturally resting on her lower abdomen.
Ludmilla was wearing his shirt. Despite her well-proportioned figure, the shirt was oversized for her, barely long enough to cover her impressive thighs.
This only served to make her exposed long legs even more alluring.
"Just wait a bit longer. Breakfast will be ready soon," Ludmilla said softly, without even turning around. She had recognized Mo Chen by the sound of his footsteps.