Late afternoon light filtered through thinning trees as the forest opened into a foggy glade, and the sound of rushing water reached their ears.
"We're close," Nika said, her ears twitching. "The Glimmering Spring's just past that ridge."
Kai followed her gaze. A faint mist hovered in the air, shimmering with soft golden particles that sparkled when the light caught them. It looked like a dream — magical, serene… and slightly suspicious.
"Why does it look like a fairy's Instagram filter exploded over there?" he asked.
"Because it's a high-affinity mana zone," Lyria muttered. "And where there's high mana, there's trouble."
Nika flashed a smile. "And hot springs."
Kai's stomach twisted slightly. The system had been suspiciously quiet since the earlier "Touch Her" incident, but the air here felt heavy — charged.
He checked his interface again, half-expecting pink glitter to spray in his face.
[Quest: Win Her Trust – Active]
Objective: Escort Nika to the Glimmering Spring.
Reward: +15 Affection | Unlock Unique Gift (if bonded)
Optional Objective: Share a bath
Bonus: Intimacy Rank +1
Kai took a breath, the late afternoon light still warm on his back. "Okay. No pressure. Just don't say anything stupid. Or look stupid. Or—"
[Alert: Unknown Mana Pulse Detected.]
He froze.
"What is it?" Lyria asked instantly, already reaching for her bow.
Kai's eyes widened as a red system warning flashed across his vision:
[Another System User Has Entered Detection Range.]
[System Type: L.U.S.T. Core]
[Class: Seduction – Rank: Unknown]
[Intent Detected: Hostile]
Kai's mouth went dry.
"There's… someone else like me," he said slowly.
And then, from behind the trees—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A man stepped from the shadows with the smugness of a villain who knew he had better lines. He was tall, lean, draped in a blood-red coat lined with silver. His black hair was slicked back, his crimson eyes glowing faintly with amusement.
Every step he took was deliberate. Confident. Dangerous.
Lyria raised her bow. "Identify yourself."
The man didn't flinch. "Darius Veilthorn. System user. And, apparently, your new competition."
[Name: Darius Veilthorn]
[System: L.U.S.T. Core]
[Title: Crimson Charmer]
[Active Skill: Affection Drain Aura – 10m radius]
Kai instinctively stepped in front of Nika.
"What do you want?"
Darius smiled, all teeth and venom. "Her."
[Warning: Darius can claim unbonded companions below 50 Affection.]
[Target: Nika Flamepaw – Status: 50 | Vulnerable]
Kai's stomach dropped.
"I just got her to fifty!"
[System: Threshold is not a bond. Claim remains valid until soul mark is triggered.]
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Nika flinched, ears twitching. "Something's… pulling at me."
[L.U.S.T. Aura Active: Corruption Field]
Female targets experience induced hesitation, temptation, and vulnerability.
Lyria took a step forward. "Drop the aura, or I drop you."
Darius ignored her. "You're wasting your time, girl. This one—" he nodded at Kai, "—is a freshman with beginner buffs. Meanwhile, I've bonded three already."
Kai blinked. "You've what?!"
Darius smirked. "Succubus, noble, catgirl. All mine. Want to know the trick? Confidence. And being willing to take what you want."
[New Urgent Quest: Kiss or Lose Her]
Objective: Trigger First Bond via Intimacy
Timer: 60 seconds
Failure: Target becomes Claimable by Rival System User.
Kai's heart jumped. "This system is insane."
"You can't be serious," Lyria snapped.
Kai looked at Nika. Her eyes were cloudy, unsure.
"I can feel him in my head," she whispered. "It's like… someone whispering lies. Seductive ones."
Kai clenched his fists. "Hey. Look at me."
She blinked. "Kai…"
He grabbed her hand.
"I know we just met. I know this is ridiculous. But I'm not letting some creep corrupt you. If a kiss is what it takes—then so be it."
Nika stared at him, a flicker of clarity returning. "You mean it?"
He nodded once.
And kissed her.
Soft.
Warm.
Real.
Her lips met his in a rush of heat and magic. The glade lit up in a burst of pink light, and the air pulsed around them like a heartbeat.
[Bond Achieved: Nika Flamepaw – First Companion Secured]
[Unique Gift Unlocked: Wildfire Spirit]
+20% Agility | New Skill: Flame Step (Short Dash)
[Affection Locked – Cannot be Claimed by Rival Systems]
[New Passive: Loyal Flame – Immune to Seduction-Type Corruption]
Darius snarled.
Kai pulled back, panting slightly. "You were saying?"
Nika's eyes glowed briefly with red-gold light. "Wow. That was... nice."
Darius narrowed his eyes. "So the little virgin bites back."
Kai smiled grimly. "She's not your pawn."
"Fine." Darius turned. "Enjoy your little campfire kiss. But remember this—"
He pointed at Kai.
"This world's about conquest. Not cuddles. Keep playing nice, and you'll lose everything."
And with a flourish of crimson, he disappeared into the mist.
[Rival System User Departed]
Lyria lowered her bow. "I should've shot him."
"You would've missed," Nika said. "He's too smug to hit."
[System Update: Battle of Kings – Series Questline Unlocked]
Compete with Rival System Users. Bond Companions. Establish Dominance.
Progress: 1/20 Bonds
Next Milestone: 3 Bonds → Unlock Harem Domain
Kai read it twice.
"Wait… twenty?"
Nika leaned on his shoulder. "Better start kissing faster."
Lyria crossed her arms. "This is idiotic."
Kai turned to her. "If you've got a better plan than kissing girls to stop rival lust-mages, I'm all ears."
She glared. "Try not turning everything into a damn seduction strategy."
[Affection -1: Lyria – Total: 19]
Kai winced. "Okay, okay. Fair."
Later, as the moon rose over the glade and the spring sparkled like liquid starlight, Nika sat beside Kai near the water's edge. Steam curled around them in gentle tendrils.
Kai stared at his hands. "I kissed you to save you."
Nika smiled. "I know."
"But also… I wanted to."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know that too."
He exhaled. "What happens now?"
[New Status: Bonded Companion – Nika Flamepaw]
Affection Cap Raised: 100 → 150
Unlocked Interaction Paths: Trust | Tease | Deepen | Protect
Nika whispered, "Now? We see where it goes."
Kai felt a warmth in his chest he didn't expect. Not lust. Not pride.
Something more dangerous.
Hope.
Back in a crimson tower lit by floating candles, Darius poured wine into a crystal glass and watched a map glowing with sigils.
The succubus at his side stirred. "He claimed the fox?"
"He did."
"Shall we prepare the next phase?"
He raised the glass. "Let him bond. Let him fall."
Then he smiled darkly.
"Because the higher he rises… the sweeter it'll be when I tear it all away."