...
[DING!]
"I thought you'd never move again, almost two months without any sign."
While talking to himself, Theo read the texts now in a format that didn't seem like someone was yelling at him.
[Your global completion percentage (TNE) has increased! For more details, check your status window and, of course, don't forget to redeem your respective rewards.]
With his hands holding his chin, he walked, staring at the image in front of him, his eyes shining with a slight touch of anticipation, curious to know how many percent it had increased and, of course, about the prizes listed there.
"Better take a look myself. Status!"
Without delay, he called up his status, and as soon as he saw the "update," surprise was written all over his face....
...
STATUS
Name: Theo Sagan
Age: 17
Character Cards: Anos Voldigoad (Equipped) - True Form (Blocked)
Fictional Totality Plane: Multiverse (TNE)
Sole Authority: Usurper (Blocked)
Liberated Worlds: None
TNE: 25% - (2x rewards available) > redeem? [YES/NO]
Host: Mita wearing a Cap (Cappie)...
...
"This is crazy! A 25% increase..."
His information on that panel was almost the same as the first time, except for the dramatically increased percentage. That completion rate was something he himself did not expect to happen.
You see, ever since he learned that it was possible to travel between worlds (universe), he initially felt great anticipation, mainly because of the chance to perhaps return to his world and bring his family back to life. But as time went by, after changing many things from the original and nothing changing in that count, he, without realizing it, stopped caring about that possibility, even imagining that it would only be possible to reach 100% if the final boss was killed.
'Let's see what the rewards are. Then I'll discuss with Cappie the possible causes of this whole incre...'
"Thump!"
Lost in thought, Theo felt a small thump on his body, causing him to take his eyes off the screen. Looking down, he found Cappie with her hair all messy, as if she had just come out of a hurricane. The girl stared at him, letting out a big sigh through her lips.
A drawn-out voice feigning tiredness reached him.
"...You were right. Dealing with Snow is harder than it looks. Her energy is completely insane."
Theo blinked, finally understanding the scene.
After he and the girls left to find the instructor, Cappie, who had stayed behind, decided to show the house to the newly acquired mascot, the snow weasel named Snow. At first, it was wonderful. Snow, with her curious eyes, went from corner to corner looking and sniffing everything, but what seemed like just a moment of play in the living room turned into a game of endurance.
"She ran everywhere, and when I tried to catch her, she jumped up the walls. Then, when I stopped chasing her, she got sad, so..."
Theo connected the dots, an amused smile forming on his face.
"Have you been playing with her until now?"
"Um! Yes..."
Cappie confirmed, her limp arms swinging at her sides.
"Luckily, she's sleeping now..."
Theo laughed, patting her head gently. While he and his girlfriends faced Djinns and passion sessions, Cappie fought her own battle of endurance against a hyperactive weasel.
"Go take a shower. I'll make dinner for us, and make your favorite dish, steak with onions."
Cappie's dark eyes sparkled with joy, all her fake fatigue disappearing instantly when she heard him say he was going to make her favorite dish.
"Ah! That's why I love you, host. You're the best."
In a burst of pure happiness, she once again tried to kiss him.
But this time, she couldn't finish, a hand stopping her just in time.
Theo's palm landed gently on her forehead, halting her advance inches from his face. Cappie, who was caught up in her joy, blinked, the reality of the situation hitting her like a bucket of cold water. She realized what she had done, again.
With rosy cheeks, she backed away abruptly, turning to escape the embarrassment.
"I-I... need to... let the bath water heat up!"
She had barely taken a step when a calm voice, but with a dangerously amused tone, made her stop.
"Where do you think you're going, my perverted system?"
Cappie froze in place, Theo's voice hitting her at the same instant.
She turned her face stiffly and....
"Eek!"
Theo pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. The sweet fragrance and softness of her body quickly reached his senses.
"You've stolen several kisses from me..."
He leaned in, whispering right next to her ear, his voice a murmur that sent a shiver down her spine.
"And so far, I haven't punished you once."
Cappie's body stiffened completely in his arms. She swallowed hard, her heart beating wildly against her ribs.
The atmosphere, once light and comical, was now completely different.
"P-punishment?"
She stammered, her voice almost inaudible, but with a slight tone of anticipation, full of curiosity.
"Yes, that's it..."
Theo confirmed, his free hand rising to gently hold her chin, turning her face so she was looking at him. His dark eyes stared at her with an intensity that took her breath away, but there was an amused gleam in them.
...