The roar came again—closer this time. Low and guttural, shaking the crystal floor beneath their feet. Kai could feel it in his bones, like the growl of something ancient… hungry.
The woman—his accidental partner—was already on her feet, bloodied but focused. Her silver armor, cracked and scorched, barely clung to her body. In one hand, she held a jagged sword. In the other, she yanked Kai upright.
"No time to gawk, System Boy. That thing's coming for us."
Kai blinked. "Maybe we can hide—"
"It can smell lust," she snapped. "You just radiated a buffet."
SIREN's voice chimed in, too smug for the moment.
"Bloodmaw Beasts are attracted to unsealed erotic energy. Host has no cloaking abilities yet."
Kai growled. "Then how the hell do I seal it?!"
"Acquire the skill. Or learn to run."
Another roar. Then the sound of claws—massive, wet claws—scraping against crystal. Shadows slithered across the glowing walls. Something big was crawling closer.
The warrior cursed. "Damn it, we won't make it to the portal in time."
"What's your name?" Kai asked, adrenaline surging through him.
"Lyra."
"Well, Lyra, if we're gonna die, at least I won't be calling you 'Hey you' when it happens."
She gave a tight smirk. "Stay behind me."
The Bloodmaw Beast emerged from the tunnel.
It was hideous.
A warped fusion of ape and lizard, standing nearly ten feet tall. Its skin pulsed with dark veins. Horns curved back from a drooling jaw filled with double rows of teeth. But its eyes—red and molten—were locked on Kai. Sniffing. Salivating.
[WARNING: Threat Level – A]
[Combat Not Advised]
"Well that's comforting," Kai muttered.
Lyra lunged first.
Her sword glowed as she swung, slashing across the beast's chest. Sparks flew. It screamed—a piercing, screeching wail—and swiped back with claws like scythes. She ducked, rolled, came up slashing again.
Kai backed away, heart slamming.
[SYSTEM ADVICE: Infuse Essence into Physical Strength]
"How?!"
[Channel emotional energy + intimate memory.]
Intimate memory? The hell—
His mind flashed to the moment with Lyra. Her gasp. Her warmth. The wild, surreal rush.
He focused.
Something clicked.
His muscles tightened. Power crackled through his limbs.
[+1 Strength Applied Temporarily]
"Alright," he growled. "Let's try this."
Kai grabbed a fallen shard of crystal—jagged like a dagger—and sprinted in.
Lyra and the beast clashed again, blow for blow, her blade sparking against its claws. Kai flanked it. With a yell, he drove the crystal shard into its exposed thigh.
The beast howled and backhanded him into the wall.
CRACK.
Everything spun. Pain erupted in his ribs.
But the wound distracted it long enough for Lyra to leap and drive her sword straight into its neck.
The Bloodmaw Beast screeched… gurgled… and collapsed, twitching.
Silence.
Kai coughed, dragging himself upright. "Okay. That sucked."
Lyra was breathing heavy, her chest rising and falling, sweat and blood coating her face. She stumbled.
Kai caught her. "Whoa—don't die on me again."
"I'm... fine," she muttered.
[ALERT: Compatible Partner Critical]
[Sexual Healing Advised to Restore Essence and Stabilize Bond]
"Are you serious right now?" Kai hissed to the system.
SIREN's voice was almost teasing.
"Engaging will restore her health... and unlock a shared bonus."
Kai looked at Lyra. She met his gaze with hard eyes… but behind them, he saw something else. Reluctance. Pain. Need.
"I don't need your pity," she whispered.
"It's not pity," he said softly. "It's survival."
She didn't speak. Just leaned forward—just enough to let him know.
Consent.
He kissed her.
Not like before—this time was slower, deeper, filled with something charged and dangerous. Their bodies pressed together, armor falling away, pain melting into heat.
Energy surged. Screens blinked.
+500 EXP
Bond Formed: Lyra – Level 1
Shared Skill Unlocked: "Sensual Synergy" [Rank C]
Strength +2 / Vitality +2 / Speed +1
Partner Status: Stable
They collapsed together, breathless, in the glowing chamber. A strange silence filled the space now—warm, almost peaceful.
Kai lay on his back, staring at the orbs above.
"I just... killed a monster. Had sex with a battle angel. And leveled up."
Lyra, beside him, smirked. "Welcome to Synthia."
He turned his head toward her. "Is this how things usually go for you?"
"I don't usually bond with strangers. Or share energy. But your system's... different."
He nodded. "So this world runs on magic, sex, and monsters?"
"Basically."
"Sounds insane."
"Only if you're weak."
Kai sat up. "What happens now?"
She was quiet for a moment. Then her eyes narrowed.
"We run. The Celestial Order will sense the Bloodmaw's death and your awakening. They hunt system hosts. Especially forbidden ones like you."
"So they'll kill me because of this thing in my head?"
Lyra nodded. "Unless you get stronger first. Much stronger."
Kai stood, power humming in his veins.
"Then let's get to work."
But as they approached the exit, another screen appeared. This one... cold. Unfamiliar.
[GLOBAL SYSTEM ALERT]
A Forbidden System Has Been Activated.
Tracking Now Enabled.
Host: Kai Draven.
Threat Level: Unstable.
Target Locked for Termination by Order of the High Celestials.
"Lyra," he said quietly. "They know."
She turned, eyes sharp.
"We need to move. Now."
But just before they reached the portal, a second tear opened in space—black, swirling with holy light.
A figure stepped through.
Tall. Clad in golden armor. Radiating divine power. A sword of light in one hand. His face, chiseled and cruel.
"System Host Kai Draven," he said coldly. "By order of the Celestials, you are hereby sentenced to annihilation."
Lyra gasped. "Zarek…"
Kai clenched his fists, heart hammering.
SIREN's voice echoed one last time.
"Combat Recommended: 0%. Suggestion: Flee Immediately."
But Zarek raised his sword—light humming, energy swirling.
And Kai, bare-chested, bloodied, system humming through his veins… stood his ground.
To be continued…