System Made Me a Tank [LitRPG-Evolution]

"About magic," said Boran, lowering his voice. "You were really impressive today. I mean, you're always impressive but today especially..." He paused. "What am I even saying?" he thought to himself.

A gentle smile appeared on Noemi's face. "You weren't bad yourself. Especially how you handled that last group of Poisonwings..." She paused. "But I'm still wondering what's under that beard of yours."

Boran rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "You're really fixated on that, aren't you?"

"Maybe," said Noemi, leaning slightly over the table. Her eyes locked with Boran's, her voice low but determined. "But I'm curious. Shouldn't we pursue the things we're curious about?"

As she leaned forward, her mage's robe parted slightly. Through the dark fabric, the pale, smooth lines of her skin were visible. It was just a momentary glimpse, but Boran's eyes involuntarily caught it.

He glanced away quickly, his pulse quickening. Her gaze and tone left him speechless. "I... uh..." was all he could manage.

"You uh..." Noemi repeated, laughing softly. "You usually don't talk this little. Seeing you like this... it's interesting."

Boran took a deep breath. "Words, you know."

"Hmm," Noemi said thoughtfully. "Then maybe we should do something other than talk." Her eyes locked with Boran's.

Just then, a noise from the tavern startled them both. A drunk group of adventurers had burst in. The moment vanished instantly, but the electricity between them still hung in the air.

"Maybe..." said Noemi, composing herself. "Maybe another time... we'll talk more about your beard." She stood up. "It's late. We should rest."

Boran stood up too, stumbling slightly. Whether it was the effect of the wine or the dizziness from the moment, he wasn't sure. "Let me... walk you to your room."

"My, what a gentleman," Noemi laughed. "But I can make it on my own tonight. Because if I walk down that corridor with you now..." She left the sentence unfinished, but her look said everything.

Boran swallowed. "Good... goodnight then."

"Goodnight," said Noemi and turned around. She looked back one last time from the corridor before disappearing.

Boran stood rooted to the spot. He touched his beard and smiled to himself. Maybe it was time for a change soon.

When he returned to his room, he collapsed onto his bed. His thoughts were hazy as he stared at the ceiling. Noemi's looks, her voice, that final electric moment... He scratched his beard with a slight smile.

But for now, he needed to sleep. They were going to Wyvern Valley again tomorrow, and he had to be well-rested. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up in the dark room in the morning, he was already prepared. He had a slight headache - the last remnants of last night's wine. But he had many things to do today and didn't want to waste time.

As soon as he got out of bed, he opened the system interface. It was time to use the points he'd accumulated for leveling up. With quick, decisive movements, he made his choices—selected Spiked Bone Shield for shield evolution, directed all stat points to endurance, and upgraded the Iron Skin: Bastion ability. He was in such a hurry that he barely looked at what he'd gained. Why was he in such a hurry? He didn't even know himself.

After completing his selections, he reached for his bag. At the very bottom, in a compartment he'd hardly ever used, lay a razor.

He approached the small mirror on the wall. His beard wasn't very long, really; he'd just neglected regular shaving. He pulled the water bucket closer, wet his face, and picked up the razor.

He began to shave. First his chin, then his cheeks. His mind was still on last night's events - the dim tavern light, Noemi's looks, the strange atmosphere between them... He smiled involuntarily.

"Just curious, she said," he muttered to himself as he carefully moved the razor across his face.

He paused while cleaning another tuft of beard. He laughed at himself. "Look at me. Shaving just because she was curious. What a simple man I am."

He drifted into thought as he cleaned the last of his beard.

"Last night... it was the wine," he said to himself. "We both drank too much. Today everything will return to normal."

But that moment immediately came to mind - Noemi leaning over the table, her voice, her eyes... "No way," he said, trying to appear determined. "It was just the wine. Nothing else."

The cold water brought him somewhat to his senses as he washed his face. "Today everything will be normal. We'll focus on our work in Wyvern Valley."

As he dried his face with the towel, he looked in the mirror. A young, almost vulnerable face stared back at him. "Hmm," was all he said. He tried to compose himself as he put on his armor. He sighed.

After removing his mustache too, he took one final look in the mirror. His face now looked cleaner, more refined. It was perhaps a simple change, but it felt good.

He touched his face with his hand. It was smooth. Maybe it was time to start shaving regularly.

He washed his face one last time and left the room.

When he entered the tavern's hall, he spotted Noemi at their usual table. She was absorbed in her breakfast, unaware of his presence. He hesitated, his hand instinctively touching his face. Without his beard, he felt exposed—almost naked.

"I'm an idiot..." he said as he approached the table.

As he neared the table, Noemi looked up and froze. Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly open. "You..." she said and paused. "You really..."

Boran brought his hand to his neck, laughing slightly. "Yes, I shaved. Looks weird, doesn't it?"

Noemi slowly stood up, not taking her eyes off Boran's face. "You actually did it," she said, disbelief in her voice. "After our conversation last night... you actually went and shaved it."

"Well, you were curious..." said Boran as he sat at the table. "So I thought..."

Noemi walked around the table, came to Boran's side. She reached out, touching Boran's chin with her fingertips. "Wow," she said in a soft voice. "There really was a baby face under there."

Boran blushed, trying to turn his head, but Noemi's hand was still on his chin. "Don't be ridiculous," he said lightly.

"No, really," said Noemi, her fingers trailing across Boran's cheek. "Look at those cheekbones. And your jaw... it's much more defined now. Actually, quite..." She paused, her fingers stopping at the corner of Boran's lips. "...handsome."

His young face, now revealed without his beard, became even more pronounced with his pointed chin and sharp cheekbones. His straight black hair reached down to his neck. His dark eyes were large and intense. Especially now, without his beard, every expression on his face could be read more clearly. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and there was a faint smile at the corners of his lips.

Boran's heart started racing wildly in his chest. Noemi's touch, her voice, being this close... Everything was too intense. "I... thanks," he mumbled.

Noemi smiled, finally withdrawing her hand but sitting down in the chair next to Boran. She was closer than usual. "Now I can see you better," she said. "You're not hiding behind that beard anymore."

"I wasn't hiding," said Boran in a defensive tone. "I was just... lazy, that's all."

"Hmm," said Noemi, taking a sip of her coffee. "So why did you change now? Was it really just because I was curious?"

Boran thought for a moment. "Yes," he said finally.

There was a silence between them. Noemi's eyes were locked with Boran's. "Good," she said finally, her voice low and soft.

"After breakfast," said Noemi, trying to bring her voice back to a normal tone. "We're going to Wyvern Valley, right?"

"Yes," said Boran, clearing his throat. "Let's try to complete the other quests today."