Zeyna's eyes widened as she suddenly jumped into my arms, her warmth and familiar presence instantly flooding me. Without thinking, I hugged her tight, a wave of relief washing over me. It had been a while since I'd seen her, and somehow, her embrace felt like home.
Behind us, Lilith smiled softly, her eyes full of amusement. "Nice to see you again," she said, her voice light, almost teasing.
I couldn't help but grin, feeling the weight of the moment sink in. It was good to have them both here.
I let out a sigh and explained everything—about the god who contacted me, the strange quest, the rare monsters, and the pendant that somehow worked for me despite the usual rules. They listened quietly, taking it all in.
Lilith crossed her arms. "So that god—Lord Copy Paste or whatever—must've keyed the locations into the pendant for you."
Zeyna looked up at me, tugging gently on my shirt. "Then… why are you here?" Her voice was soft, eyes searching mine.
I looked down at her and said calmly, "I'm on a trial. If I complete it, I get a skill—and maybe even a hint about where your sister is."
Zeyna's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing pink. She lowered her gaze, fingers curling into my shirt. "You're really… doing all this for me?"
I gave her a small, confident smile. "Of course I am."
I nodded, slipping my hands into my pockets. "I'm here to hunt a rare monster—need three more to complete the trial."
Zeyna and Lilith exchanged a glance, then both turned to me with matching grins.
"Is that so?" Lilith said, her eyes gleaming. "Mind if we help? We're on the verge of our fourth awakening."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait—seriously? Already?"
Zeyna tilted her head, smirking. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Because," I laughed, "you two level up like maniacs. That's insanely fast grinding."
Lilith raised an eyebrow, amused. "Fast? We were already level 71 the first time we met you."
My jaw dropped slightly. "...What?!"
They just chuckled like it was the most casual thing in the world.
After a round of laughing and tossing ridiculous jokes around the campfire, the sky had already turned dark—10:00 PM sharp. We'd set up a decent-sized tent, just enough for the three of us to sleep in without getting elbowed in the face.
Lilith and Zeyna slipped inside first to change, and when I ducked in after them… I froze.
They were already in their pajamas—but calling those things "pajamas" felt like a crime. The thin fabric clung to them tightly, every curve dangerously emphasized, and the way those buttons strained to stay closed over their chests? It looked like one more laugh would send a button flying straight into orbit.
I tried not to stare. I really did.
My brain: Don't look. Be cool.
My eyes: Too late.
I turned quickly, flustered, pretending to be very interested in adjusting the corner of my sleeping mat. "S-So… nice weather tonight, huh?"
They both looked at me with identical mischievous smiles.
"You're in the middle," they said in unison.
I blinked. "Why?"
Neither of them answered right away. Instead, they each scooted to one side of the sleeping bag, patting the space between them like it was some kind of trap. I could feel the danger.
I hesitated, then glanced at Lilith—who was giving me the most innocent smile ever… except her bra and panties were clearly visible through her very thin "nun-approved" pajamas.
"Y-You're a nun for god's sake," I said, flustered, trying not to combust on the spot.
She just smirked. "God said love your neighbor."
Zeyna giggled behind me. "And we're very neighborly."
I sighed, dramatically crawling into the middle, mentally preparing for the longest night of my life.
I leaned back, settling between them, and instantly regretted it.
To my left, Zeyna's chest was dangerously close—her pajama top clinging for dear life, one button looking like it was about to surrender to gravity. She was blushing, eyes flickering between me and the tent ceiling like she wasn't sure where to look.
I slowly turned my head to the right… and there was Lilith, smiling sweetly at me. Way too sweetly. Her pajama shirt wasn't doing much better, and the fact that she was completely unbothered made it worse.
I gulped. "This… is fine. Totally normal camping setup."
Zeyna shifted slightly, her arm brushing against mine. "Are you… comfy?"
"Yeah," I croaked, heart pounding. "Super comfy."
Lilith chuckled, her voice a whisper near my ear. "Sweet dreams, hero."
Oh no. I was not surviving the night.
I looked up, trying to calm myself—but it didn't help. Because if you're looking up… then something below is also looking up.
And yep. I felt it.
Two soft, warm mountains pressing against my arms from both sides. Zeyna on the left, her pajamas struggling to contain her chest, her shy eyes darting away. Lilith on the right, her smile way too smug for a supposed nun, her curves dangerously close.
I didn't dare move.
Because if I shifted even an inch, I was afraid gravity—and fabric tension—might betray all of us.
This… was not a safe zone.
Lilith leaned in closer, her warm breath brushing my ear. I froze, my heart thudding like crazy.
"Zeyna said it's okay," she whispered, voice sweet but dangerous.
I blinked, turning my head just enough to see Zeyna on the other side—face red, eyes looking everywhere but mine.
"W-What's okay…?" I asked, voice cracking like a rookie adventurer facing a dragon.
Zeyna's lips trembled as she whispered back, "That… you're gonna do it to both of us."
Her words hit like a lightning spell. My brain shut down, then rebooted in panic mode. I tried to scoot back—bad idea. Her chest brushed against my arm, soft and warm, sending another shock down my spine.
Even gravity was rooting against me now.
"You're body's really honest," they both said in unison, eyes trailing downward with mischievous grins.
I immediately covered my face in shame. "S-sorry… This is the one skill I can't control…"
Lilith giggled. Zeyna blushed harder.
Even my body was betraying me. Damn passive skills.
Both of them sat up, locking eyes with me before, in a move that left me speechless, they smacked my face between their breasts.
I froze. The air was thick with awkwardness, but then they both moaned lightly.
"Wahh!" I yelped, completely caught off guard.
System Notification: Critical Hit!
"Shut up, System!" I grumbled, glaring at the notification in my mind.
I couldn't even catch my breath without getting bombarded with ridiculous pop-ups.
Zeyna and Lilith giggled at my reaction, their cheeks flushed as they leaned back a little. "Relax," Zeyna said innocently, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "It's just a joke, really."
Lilith, trying to keep a straight face, added, "Yeah, don't take it too seriously. You looked like you were gonna pass out."
I sighed, my face burning red, wishing the ground would swallow me whole. "You two are insufferable."
But I couldn't help but chuckle, realizing they were just teasing me in the end. At least, that's what they said.
Morning had come and gone, and I couldn't be more relieved. No more cooking tutorials, no more ridiculous tips. Seriously, the author sucks at writing cooking advice.
System Notification: "Don't insult the author or he will delete you."
I froze. "Uh... I'm sorry, my creator," I mumbled, bowing in mock respect.
Zeyna and Lilith just stared at me with pitying expressions, their eyes wide with disbelief. "You really talk to the System like that?" Zeyna asked, shaking her head with a little chuckle.
Lilith crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "Poor guy. Really doesn't know when to stop."
I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but hey, I was just being honest.
After an hour of searching, a sudden signal flashed from the west. "Guess they found it," I muttered to myself, the excitement rushing through me.
Without wasting a second, I dashed toward the signal, the wind whipping past me as I focused on the path ahead. Every step was a blur, adrenaline pushing me faster, my mind focused solely on getting there in time.
Meanwhile, on Lilith and Zeyna's side, Zeyna grunted, frustrated. "Guh, what the—it's my first time seeing monsters cooperate like this."
Lilith, her eyes narrowed in concentration, analyzed the situation. "And the looks of it… their twin Aegis & Phalanx, huh."
System notification:
Description: Aegis, the shield bearer, and Phalanx, the master of the sword. Aegis uses a massive shield to defend against all strikes, while Phalanx strikes with unmatched precision, guarding Aegis from any harm.
Zeyna glanced at Lilith, her expression serious. "Looks like we have our hands full. These two won't be easy to take down."
Lilith glanced over at Zeyna with a mischievous grin. "I already notified pretty face. Hope he sees the signal," she said, her voice dripping with confidence.
Zeyna raised an eyebrow, smirking back. "Don't worry, we'll finish it before he even gets here."
With that, they both charged forward, Zeyna locking eyes with Aegis, ready to take on the shield bearer, while Lilith took on Phalanx, the master of precision strikes. The two of them moved in perfect synchrony, showing off their skills as they fought the twin monsters.
Zeyna's muscles tensed, her focus sharp as she activated her skill. Blue flames erupted around her fists, crackling with yellow lightning. With a battle cry, she dashed toward Aegis, her form a blur of speed. Aegis, anticipating the attack, immediately dropped into a defensive stance, raising his massive shield.
With a fierce roar, Zeyna's fist collided with the shield, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. But she didn't falter. The power in her punch reverberated through Aegis' shield, pushing him back slightly.
Meanwhile, Lilith wasted no time. Her hands glowed with radiant energy as she summoned her divine skill, Divine Hammer. A giant hammer of pure light formed in the air, its aura blinding. With a swift motion, she slammed it down toward Phalanx, who responded with lightning speed, jumping and slashing at the hammer with his sword, his precision on full display.
Aegis, recovering from Zeyna's blow, pushed forward, using his shield to knock Zeyna off balance, sending her flying backward. The clash between them had begun in full force, and the battlefield crackled with the energy of their intense combat.
Lilith raised her hand, channeling a radiant energy toward Zeyna. A soft glow enveloped her, and Zeyna felt the surge of power coursing through her. Her stats flashed before her eyes as a notification appeared:
[Skill Activated: Power Surge]
Defense Increased
Attack Increased
Speed Increased
Buff Skill: Power Surge — Damage Multiplied by 2
Zeyna grinned, feeling the newfound strength flood her veins. Her body felt lighter, her movements faster, and her strikes more potent. "Thanks, Lilith!" she shouted, her eyes gleaming with determination as she turned back to face Aegis, now even more confident.
With the buff in place, she leapt toward Aegis again, her movements a blur as the blue flames and lightning around her fists intensified. "Let's see how you handle this!" she growled, charging forward with renewed power.
As Zeyna rushed forward, Phalanx darted in front of her, his sword raised high. He struck like a blur, a furious barrage of slashes aimed directly at her. Zeyna, shocked at his sudden movement, quickly reacted, raising her fists in defense. Her flurry of punches collided with his sword, each impact creating shockwaves that echoed through the air.
The two of them were locked in a relentless dance, fists and blades clashing with raw power. Zeyna's enhanced speed and strength allowed her to match Phalanx's swift strikes, her fists cracking through the air with each punch.
But Phalanx wasn't backing down. With each slash, he pressed forward, using his superior sword technique to try and outpace Zeyna's attacks. His blade cut through the air with deadly precision, while Zeyna's fists pummeled his defense with sheer force.
Meanwhile, Aegis and Lilith observed from a distance, watching the battle unfold. Aegis held his ground, his massive shield at the ready, while Lilith's eyes gleamed with focus, waiting for the perfect opportunity to step in.
Zeyna gritted her teeth, her fists pounding against Phalanx's sword with each strike. She could feel the tension building in the air—both sides waiting for the slightest opening to make their move.
"Not bad," Zeyna muttered through gritted teeth, eyes blazing as she prepared for the next wave of slashes from Phalanx.
Phalanx's slashes came faster, his sword moving with deadly precision. Zeyna responded in kind, her fists clashing against his blade with a flurry of rapid strikes. The sound of metal ringing out with each collision echoed in the air. Neither of them was willing to back down.
Then, Zeyna found her opening. With a surge of speed, she aimed a powerful hook kick at Phalanx. But just as her foot reached him, Phalanx backflipped, narrowly dodging the attack. Before Zeyna could recover, Aegis charged in, slamming his shield forward, intent on crushing her from behind.
But just as Aegis neared Zeyna, Lilith acted swiftly. Her hands glowed with divine power, and she raised one hand high.
"HOLY SHIELD!"
A massive barrier of light appeared in front of Zeyna, blocking Aegis's shield bash with a force that sent him skidding backward. The shield held firm, keeping Zeyna safe from Aegis's attack.
Zeyna quickly took a breath, her heart racing, grateful for the timely shield that protected her. She glanced at Lilith, a quick nod of appreciation, before turning back to face Phalanx, ready for the next move.
"I'll take the Phalanx," Zeyna said to Lilith, her voice steady. "Just watch the one with the giant shield."
Lilith gave a nod, her gaze focused on Aegis, ready to intervene if necessary.
Meanwhile, the MC was dashing rapidly through the dense terrain, the wind whipping past him as he pushed himself harder. He could feel the shift in the air, the tension of the battle reaching him even from a distance.
"Damn, still a little far," he muttered to himself, his muscles burning from the sprint. His eyes locked on the distant figures of Zeyna and Lilith, the two still locked in a fierce struggle with Aegis and Phalanx.
He grit his teeth, putting on an extra burst of speed as he narrowed the gap. Every second counted, and he needed to be there—now.
Zeyna dropped into a stance, her focus sharpening as the air around her seemed to crackle with anticipation. One fist was clenched in front of her, steady and ready, while the other hung by her side. Her front leg lifted, knee bent and poised as if ready to strike at any moment. She was prepared.
Lilith raised her hand and cast a spell, summoning dark daggers that shot toward Phalanx. In a flash, Aegis dashed in front, using his massive shield to block the attack.
Zeyna, not missing a beat, dashed around Phalanx and came up behind him, her eyes gleaming with determination. "You're too relaxed," she gritted through clenched teeth, her muscles tensing as she focused all her strength into her left hand.
With a fierce grin, she unleashed Arcane Smash. Her fist connected with Phalanx's back, and the force was overwhelming—so powerful that the very air around the impact point seemed to shatter, erasing the ground where the punch landed. Phalanx flew back, stunned.
Aegis, shocked by the sudden turn of events, slammed his shield toward Zeyna, attempting to knock her back. But Lilith was ready. She summoned Divine Shield once more, creating a massive light barrier just in time to intercept Aegis's attack. The shield struck with enough force to send Aegis stumbling back.
Aegis recovered mid-air and dashed toward Lilith. With a powerful roar, he slammed his shield directly into her, catching her off guard. The impact was brutal, and Lilith was knocked back hard, the force slamming her into the ground. Her divine shield flickered, but it wasn't enough to withstand the overwhelming blow. She was left stunned and defenseless, sprawled out on the ground, struggling to regain her bearings.
Seeing Lilith vulnerable, Phalanx dashed toward her, sword raised high, ready to pierce her.
"Shit!" Zeyna cursed, her eyes wide with alarm. Without a second thought, she shot forward, moving faster than she ever had before, determined to save her ally from certain death.
Lilith's vision blurred, her ears ringing as she struggled to regain focus. She looked up, her eyes darting toward Zeyna, who was yelling something—but the words felt distant, muffled.
Then—splat.
Blood sprayed through the air, dark and sudden. Zeyna had taken the blow, the sword driving clean into her stomach. Lilith stared in shock as Phalanx pulled the blade free and stepped back.
Zeyna gritted her teeth, forcing a smirk despite the pain. "Just in time," she whispered.
Lilith's hands trembled as glowing magic surged from her palms, trying to knit torn flesh back together. Tears streamed down her face, dripping onto Zeyna's blood-soaked clothes.
"No, no—Zeyna, please," Lilith cried out, her voice cracking. "Stay with me… pl-please don't go…!"
Zeyna's breathing was shallow, eyes closed, her skin pale. The light of Lilith's strongest healing spell bathed her in gold, but even that didn't seem enough.
Then—footsteps. Heavy, desperate.
The MC burst through the trees, panting, his eyes locking onto the scene—Lilith crying, blood on the grass, and Zeyna motionless.
His breath hitched.
His world went silent.
"…Zeyna?" he whispered, voice low and broken, stepping closer. "No…"
He dropped to his knees beside her, reaching out with a trembling hand. The sight of her wounded body, the red soaking her clothes—it was too much.