The sun still hung high, casting warm dappled light through the forest canopy.
"So… uh… what happens if I touch one of you?"
Kai stood awkwardly between the two girls, hands at his sides, eyes bouncing between the elf and the foxgirl like a nervous kid about to pet a lion. He didn't know what kind of rules this world operated on, but his system had made things painfully clear:
[Quest Objective: Make Physical Contact with a Companion]
Progress: 0%
Reward: Intimacy Rank Unlock +10 Affection (Target)
Nika's grin widened. Her golden tail swished behind her like a satisfied cat who'd caught something fun.
"You gonna grope us already, hero?" she teased.
"What? No! I mean—wait, maybe? Technically, the system said I need to make contact…" Kai rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, I'm new here, okay?"
Lyria sighed audibly, arms crossed. Her expression hovered somewhere between 'eternal disappointment' and 'I'm going to shoot you later.' "How pathetic. Is this what the gods send now? A fumbling virgin with a heart-shaped UI?"
"Technically, yes," Kai muttered.
Nika stepped in, clearly enjoying every second. "Then let's speedrun this thing."
"Wha—seriously?"
Before he could move, her hands were already on his chest. Her soft fingers traced the edge of his open tunic, golden eyes sparkling with mischief.
Kai forgot how to breathe.
She leaned in, sniffing slightly. "Mmm. You smell like… pine, mana, and desperation."
[Affection +10: Nika Flamepaw – Total: 48]
[Quest Complete! Intimacy Rank: Unlocked]
[New Passive: Warm Touch Lv.1 – Light physical contact restores minor HP and increases Affection gain by +5%.]
A wave of heat surged through Kai's body. It was like someone poured warm honey into his bloodstream. He felt energized, a little dizzy… and possibly aroused.
[Harem Aura Lv.1 Unlocked: Charisma +5 | Mana Regen +3% | Attraction Radius: +10m]
[Title Earned: "Touched by a Beastkin"]
"…That's a weird title," he mumbled.
"Welcome to Arethia," Nika winked. "Our achievements are kinky."
Lyria rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they stayed in her head. "So this really is a Seduction System. Typical."
"Hey," Kai said, raising a finger. "I didn't choose the system. It chose me."
"Convenient excuse for a pervert."
"I died a virgin," he snapped. "Cut me some slack."
Nika laughed. "He's honest. I like that."
They continued walking through the forest, the trees swaying gently above. Sunlight streamed through the canopy in golden rays, dappling the mossy ground beneath their feet. Birds chirped lazily in the distance, and occasionally, Kai thought he saw something… shimmer in the shadows.
The air smelled of flowers and something faintly magical — like someone had spilled perfume and lightning in the same bottle.
Kai stumbled on a root.
Nika caught him effortlessly, one hand on his arm. "Easy, hero. Your balance stat must still be in tutorial mode."
Kai pulled his arm back quickly. "Thanks. I'm still getting used to this new body."
"You're not the only one getting used to it," she said under her breath.
[Affection +1: Nika – Total: 49]
Lyria cleared her throat sharply. "Focus. The Glimmering Spring isn't far, but the energy around here is unstable."
"Is that bad?" Kai asked.
"It means something was disrupted when you arrived. Magical forces don't like being bent. And your system is… unusual."
Kai frowned. "So people don't normally get systems here?"
Lyria shot him a glance. "Only those chosen by the divine. And they're usually sealed."
Kai opened his UI while walking:
[Stats – Kai]
Charisma: 18 (+5)
Strength: 12
Intelligence: 14
Seduction: 7
Libido: ∞ (?)
Affection Aura: Lv.1
Skills:
– Beguiling Presence Lv.1
– Warm Touch Lv.1
– First Bond: Pending…
[New Trait Unlocked: System Sensitivity – You feel the presence of other system users within 500m.]
He blinked. "I'm getting new stuff just from walking?"
[Passive progression detected: Intimacy path strengthening.]
Kai whispered, "Is this whole world gamified for flirting?"
[Confirmed.]
"Flirt, Bond, Rule."
Nika leaned in over his shoulder. "Ooooh. What else does it say about me?"
"Uh—stats, skills, affection…"
"Show me later," she winked. "In private."
[Affection +1: Nika – Total: 50]
[Intimacy Threshold Reached – First Bond Eligible]
Kai didn't know what that meant exactly, but it sounded… important.
They stopped to rest on a fallen tree trunk beside a quiet brook.
Kai took the moment to breathe, trying to make sense of everything. The sounds of birds, the wind, and the distant rush of a waterfall helped calm the surreal buzz in his head.
"This world," he said softly, "it's kind of beautiful."
Nika sat beside him, her tail brushing his thigh. "It is. When it's not trying to kill you."
"Comforting."
Lyria stayed standing, one hand on her bow, watching the treeline like a hawk. "We shouldn't stay long."
"Do you ever relax?" Kai asked.
She glanced at him. "I'll relax when you stop emitting dangerous waves of lust-based energy."
Kai opened his mouth to respond—then stopped.
[New Quest Available: "Win Her Trust"]
Target: Nika Flamepaw
Objective: Escort her safely to the Glimmering Spring and defeat any threats on the way.
Reward: +15 Affection | Unlock Unique Gift (if bonded)
Optional: Share a bath (Bonus Intimacy Rank +1)
Kai stared at the quest window.
"Wait. Bathing is a bonus objective now?!"
[System Note: Physical intimacy accelerates bonding and boosts shared passive abilities.]
He groaned. "You really want me to become a harem god, don't you?"
[Confirmed.]
Nika peeked at his UI. "Glimmering Spring's a natural mana hotspot. It's warm, deep, and semi-private…"
Kai turned red. "Okay. That's enough description, thank you."
"You're cute when you blush," she purred.
Lyria sighed loudly. "Can we move, please?"
[Affection -1: Lyria – Total: 20]
Kai whispered, "She's definitely jealous."
"Obviously," Nika whispered back.
The trio set off again, walking single file as the trail narrowed.
Kai took the chance to reflect. He had no idea how long he'd survive in this world, but at least he wasn't alone. And hey — if the worst that happened was cuddling in hot springs with beastkin, maybe dying hadn't been so bad.
Suddenly, a chill crept up his spine.
He paused.
[Warning: Unknown Mana Pulse Detected Nearby]
Lyria immediately stopped. "What did you feel?"
"The system says… something's coming."
[Alert: Another System User Has Entered Detection Range.]
[Class: Seduction-Type. Rank: Unknown.]
[Warning: Hostile Intent Detected.]
Kai's stomach twisted.
"There are other people like me?!"