It's hard to admit, but… Seraphine is breathtaking up close.
My hand moved on its own, fingers brushing through her soft hair as I stared—mesmerized. Her skin against mine, her body so close… every curve burned into my memory.
I shouldn't be touching her like this—but I couldn't stop. My hand traced down her side, slow, careful, almost reverent. The warmth of her bare body stirred something deep inside me.
I was nervous. My heart raced.
And yeah... my sword was already standing at full attention.
My hand trailed down slowly, tracing every soft curve of her body, until it hovered just above the swell of her bottom. I paused—heart pounding, breath caught in my throat.
Then, Seraphine shifted, her voice soft and teasing. "Why did you stop?" she asked, her eyes looking up at me—wide, curious, almost like puppy eyes, but laced with something deeper.
Before I could answer, she slid her body up against mine, her chest pressing firmly to me. My hand, now cupping the warmth of her bottom, trembled slightly from the heat building between us.
Why is every morning like this? I muttered in my head, feeling the soft weight of Seraphine against me. Not that I'm complaining… but waking up naked, with her all over me, in some unfamiliar base? Really?
As if reading my thoughts, Seraphine murmured, "If you're wondering where we are… we're up southwest. The old man brought us here after you were out cold."
I blinked and muttered, "What about Senkoku?"
"Oh, we brought him too," Seraphine said casually. "He's on the other side."
Hearing that… it kinda felt like he was already in heaven or something. But then again, with that bastard's tenacity, he'll probably be just fine.
Seraphine's fingers gently brushed my cheek, her eyes soft but filled with mischief. We were face to face now, close—too close. Her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her bare skin making it impossible to focus. In the background, I could hear Yuna and Sunny playing with the kids, their happy sounds drifting lazily through the breeze. But in this moment, they were worlds away.
She leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "They're busy… so it's okay if we keep going, right?"
My breath hitched. Her hand moved lower, sliding past my stomach—slow, deliberate—until her fingers wrapped around my sword. Not a weapon. Not steel or iron. No, the one that had been standing tall and proud the moment I opened my eyes and saw her lying on top of me.
She began to stroke it gently.
I flustered immediately, my face burning. "W-Wait, Seraphine…"
She just smiled, lips teasingly close. "You didn't seem to mind a second ago."
Why is every morning like this? I thought, helplessly caught between panic and pleasure. Not that I'm complaining… but we're in an unfamiliar base, and I just woke up half-dead.
Still… her touch made it really hard to think.
Her hand moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm—down, then back up—eyes locked on mine with that same playful gleam. "Is this how I do it?" she asked, her voice dipped in flirtation, every word a stroke to my already rising tension.
A shiver escaped me, a quiet moan slipping through my lips before I could stop it. I couldn't help but look—her chest was right there in front of me, soft, full, the curves pressed so naturally against me. My hand moved on its own, cupping one gently with a teasing squeeze.
"Nice tits," I muttered with a smirk.
She gasped—a soft, surprised moan—and bit her lip, cheeks flushed. "Pervert," she whispered, though there was no anger in her voice. Only desire.
As my hand closed around her breast, she let out a breathy moan—then suddenly, her hand quickened. The teasing strokes turned fast, deliberate, sending jolts of pleasure up my spine. My body twitched from the sudden surge, and I couldn't hold back the groan that slipped past my lips.
She blushed, but her eyes stayed locked on mine, filled with playful mischief and growing hunger. "Did I do that?" she whispered, voice sweet but sultry.
I was already struggling to keep it together, her rhythm driving me crazy. Every stroke, every brush of her fingers had my body reacting on instinct. And the fact that she was watching every reaction only made it worse—or better.
"Y-you're dangerous," I muttered, voice low and strained.
She leaned in, lips brushing my ear. "Then maybe you shouldn't have touched me first."
"Oh yeah," I whispered, my heart pounding as I leaned in closer. My lips brushed against hers, the sensation making everything else fade away. The warmth of her touch, her gentle presence—it was all I could focus on. I could feel the soft rhythm of her breath, and for a moment, everything was still.
Seraphine let out a soft sigh, her hands resting gently against my chest as she pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting mine. The look in her eyes was filled with a quiet understanding, a peacefulness that settled over us both. There was no rush, no pressure—just the simple connection we shared.
Her hand rested near my side, her fingers brushing lightly against me, sending a shiver down my spine. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing thoughts, but everything felt so... right. My body responded without thinking, and I couldn't help but smile softly, feeling completely content in the moment.
"I guess that's one way to show your feelings," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, teasing but soft.
I laughed, the tension in my body easing as I looked into her eyes, and for once, everything felt simple and pure. The chaos of the world outside, the battles we faced—it didn't matter here, in this moment. We were just two people, finding comfort in each other.
After Seraphine gently stroked my sword, I could feel the intensity building, and my breath hitched. Her touch was soft yet purposeful, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of warmth and tension surge through me. It was as if time slowed down as she continued, teasing me with her every movement. I gripped the edge of the bed, and released the stuff that she build over and it splatter it on her face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," I muttered, my voice tinged with guilt. Seraphine, however, only smiled at me, her lips curving mischievously as she leaned in, licking it slowly. Her eyes sparkled with playful intent, making my heart race even faster.
A voice suddenly echoed from the door, sending a jolt of shock through both of us.
"Are you done?"
I froze, my heart skipping a beat, and glanced at Seraphine, who was just as flustered.
"How long have you been there?" I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment.
The voice on the other side of the door answered slowly, almost teasingly.
"From... the... very... start. Where... you... two... started... talking."
We stood there in stunned silence for a moment, the realization sinking in. Neither of us had noticed anyone else nearby. The air suddenly felt thick with tension.
As the three of us walked through the hall, the old man, who looked to be in his 30s, gave us a knowing look, his expression almost mischievous.
"Well, looks like you two really enjoyed yourselves out there, huh? In such an unfamiliar place, too."
Seraphine and I froze, blushing deeply. We both turned away, not sure how to respond to the old man's teasing.
"S-sorry..." we muttered in unison, embarrassed by the situation.
The old man chuckled softly, his smirk never fading.
"Sir," I said, looking up at him.
"Call me Dante," he replied, a casual smile on his face. "Dante Varrick."
"Oh, okay... Yes, sir... Dante," I said, trying to adjust to the more informal tone.
"How's Senkoku?" I asked, my concern clear in my voice.
He looked at me with a curious expression. "You're really asking about a guy who was about to kill you?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe, but it was just a misunderstanding between us," I said. Dante raised an eyebrow, looking at me with a more serious expression. "Really? A misunderstanding? When your life was on the line?"
I chuckled awkwardly, noticing Seraphine still holding my hand, her shy demeanor evident. The old man turned to face me and asked, "You're inexperienced in close combat, huh?" His gaze was piercing. "You're on a high level, but you look like a weakling when it comes to close quarters."
I grinned, a bit annoyed, and replied, "I changed my class with the reroll card I got. It's just my first time using that, along with the other skills."
He paused, eyeing me with curiosity. "First time?" he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "Amazing, kid... pulling off all those intense moves and you say it's your first time?"
"I changed the topic. How about you, sir?" I asked.
Dante raised an eyebrow. "My class?" he repeated, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "I don't know if it's exactly a class, but I'd say... Bloodthirsty Brawler."
"Every time my HP gets lower, my attacks get stronger," Dante said with a grin. "The lower my health, the higher the damage."
"WTF, that's a cheat class," I thought to myself, amazed. Then I spoke up, "That's an amazing class, sir."
He grinned, "Is it?" He pushed open the door, and I saw a group of adults and kids eating. On the farthest row, I spotted Senkoku, sitting alone, eating quietly.
"There's your friend," Dante said as he walked away. A lady then called out to Seraphine and me, handing us some food. We made our way over to Senkoku, who looked up at me with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of confusion.
Seraphine couldn't help but tease as she slid into the seat next to me. "Of course, you two were knocked out." Her voice held a playful edge, and I could feel Senkoku's discomfort.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face turning slightly pink. "That's not what I meant! I—" he stopped, clearly flustered. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to regain some composure. "What I mean is… why are you two sitting here with me?"
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Seraphine, who was already smirking. "You sound like you don't want us here, Senkoku," I teased back, leaning back into my chair.
Senkoku shot me a quick glance, his eyes narrowing just a bit, but the hint of embarrassment never left his face. "It's not that I don't want you here… it's just—" He sighed, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I didn't expect you two to be so... attached. After everything that happened."
Seraphine laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she glanced at me, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Attached? Come on, Senkoku. We just wanted to make sure you're okay. After all, you did take a pretty nasty fall there."
Senkoku grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked away from us. "I'm fine. I don't need babysitters."
I couldn't help but grin, leaning in slightly. "If you say so. But it's not like we're giving you a choice."
Senkoku let out a long sigh, his posture still tense. "Alright, alright, I get it," he muttered. "Just… don't expect me to be all warm and fuzzy about it."
I chuckled, glancing at Seraphine, who just shrugged nonchalantly. "We never asked you to be warm and fuzzy. Just don't be so grumpy."
There was a brief pause as Senkoku silently picked at his food, clearly not entirely comfortable with the playful banter. But after a few moments, he relaxed, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I suppose if you're sticking around… you might as well sit here. Just… don't expect me to make it a regular thing."
After Senkoku finished his meal, he stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back with a slight scrape against the floor. I watched him, unable to keep my curiosity in check. "Where are you going?" I asked, my voice laced with genuine interest.
Senkoku didn't immediately answer, instead tossing a quick glance over his shoulder at me. His expression was unreadable, though there was something intense in his eyes. "To train," he replied briefly, and I could sense he was already preparing to move on.
I wanted to ask about the mask—the one he'd worn throughout the fight, the one that had hidden so much of his identity. Something about it lingered in my mind, itching to know the reason behind it, the significance. But I held myself back, my curiosity battling my self-control.
I could feel the question pressing on my tongue, but I swallowed it down. It wasn't the right time, and I could tell that pushing Senkoku for more information would be a bad idea. 'He's not one to just open up,' I thought to myself, as I watched him start walking toward the exit.
As he reached the doorway, he paused for a moment, glancing back at me. "You two don't need to follow me. I'll be fine," he said with a casual tone, as if his solitary training was something he preferred.
I nodded, not wanting to push the subject further. He clearly wanted to be alone, and I wasn't about to impose.
Senkoku turned and walked out of the room without another word, leaving me with a mix of unanswered questions swirling in my mind. 'The mask... I'll figure it out someday,' I thought, determined to learn more about this mysterious man, even if it meant waiting for the right moment.
For now, though, I settled back into my chair, my gaze lingering on the door he'd exited through. There were more pressing matters ahead, but Senkoku's silence and that mask would linger in my mind, unanswered for now.
Seraphine wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she set her empty plate down. She gave me a warm smile, one that seemed to carry a certain calmness, before standing up. "When I'm done, I'm going to go too," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I'm going to make some artifacts."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words. "Artifacts?" I echoed, unsure if I was hearing her correctly. It wasn't often that people talked about crafting powerful artifacts like it was something they did in their spare time.
She nodded, her smile turning a little more playful, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Yeah," she said, her voice light and confident. "I have a skill where I can craft items inside there. It's called Celestial Smithy."
I blinked at her, processing the information. "Celestial Smithy?" I repeated, the name itself sounding both mystical and powerful. "That sounds... impressive. What exactly can you make?"
Seraphine chuckled, clearly enjoying the curiosity in my voice. "A lot of things," she said casually. "Weapons, armor, enchanted artifacts... anything really. But it takes time and materials."
The idea of her having such an ability fascinated me. Being able to craft items on the fly seemed like an incredibly useful skill. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of items she'd be able to create with it.
"Well, that sounds amazing," I said, impressed. "Do you mind if I come by and watch?"
Her eyes sparkled for a moment, a playful smirk curling on her lips. "Of course, but you might want to be careful." She tilted her head slightly, her voice lowering in a teasing tone. "I can't guarantee that my crafting skills won't get you into trouble."
I laughed, feeling a little more at ease. "I think I can handle a little trouble," I replied, giving her a lighthearted grin.
Seraphine gave a small nod, her smile never fading. "Alright then. I'll meet you later." She turned to walk off, but not before giving me one last glance. "Try not to get into too much trouble yourself, okay?"
I watched her walk away, feeling a sense of excitement building up. Not only was I going to learn more about Senkoku and his mysterious abilities, but now I had the chance to see Seraphine in action—creating artifacts, no less. The thought alone was enough to keep my mind racing with possibilities.
But for now, I had a lot of thinking to do, and I knew that Senkoku's journey, along with everything I was about to learn, was far from over.
After I finished my meal, I found a quiet spot away from the base to collect my thoughts. I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed, something important that I hadn't noticed before. It was time to check my skills again.
I opened up my system menu and focused on my Copy Skill.
The description was as it always was, but as my gaze lingered, a new detail caught my eye. The system had updated.
[Copy Skill]
Description: Upon defeating a user with a unique skill, you can copy their skill and use it as your own.
My heart sank as I processed the words. "What the hell?"
So, I could still copy any skill from a defeated user, but the moment I copied it, it would stay at its original rank—no more leveling up, no more transcending its power. It would be stuck at that base level, and I couldn't improve it.
I clenched my fists, trying to understand the full impact of this. I had always relied on being able to rank up the skills I copied, making them more powerful with each use, but now I was stuck with skills that would never grow stronger.
It was a huge loss. "Damn…" I muttered, frustration building in my chest.
Without the ability to level up the skills I copied, I wasn't going to get any stronger. Sure, I could keep using the skills I acquired, but they wouldn't evolve with me. I was stuck with what I had.
I sat there for a moment, letting it all sink in. "How am I supposed to get stronger now?" I asked myself. I had built my strength around the ability to level up the skills I copied, but now that wasn't possible.
"This sucks..." I growled, feeling a weight settle on my shoulders.
But there was no turning back. I had to make do with what I had. I couldn't afford to give up now, not when I was just beginning to fight back against the world that had been thrust upon me.
I took a deep breath, forcing my mind to focus. "Okay... think, think." I had to adapt. There had to be other ways to get stronger, ways I hadn't considered yet.
I stood up, trying to shake off the frustration. "I'll make it work. I'll figure this out." I didn't have any other choice.
Even if I couldn't level up my copied skills anymore, that didn't mean I couldn't become stronger in other ways.
Ding!
System Notification:
Lord of the Copy Paste says: It wants to have a word with you.