Jin's Accidental Charm skill chose that moment to activate, causing his hand to slip as he adjusted his grip on the bloodied pipe. His palm brushed against the curve of Sera's chest, the contact electric and immediate.
"Critical hit! Jin, your hand has achieved a 95% accuracy rate for Sera's… tactical zones. Tsundere backlash probability: 62%. Recommendation: Grovel, but make it cute—your survival depends on it."
"S-Sera, I'm sorry!" he grovels around her feet, his face crimson with embarrassment.
Sera's amber eyes went wide, her breath catching in her throat. When she spoke, her voice was huskier than he'd ever heard it, rough with suppressed emotion.
"Hmmp... Useless." The admission seemed to surprise her as much as it did him.
'Asha I think you're advised work.' Jin celebrated in his mind.
"Affinity with Sera: +3% to 35%. Accidental intimate contact registered as positive interaction. Ecchi Event successfully navigated," Asha noted with clinical precision that somehow managed to sound pleased.
[Additional Ecchi Event Activated:]
As the group adjusted in the alcove, another tremor rocked the Vault, forcing them even closer. Jin's foot caught on a loose panel, and he lurched forward, his hands flailing to maintain his balance. His palms landed on Rosa's hips, his fingers brushing the exposed skin where her cryo-suit had torn further, revealing the smooth curve of her waist.
At the same moment, his shoulder pressed against Clara's chest, her bra's damp fabric offering little barrier, while Sera's thighs grazed his back, her sports bra shifting to reveal a hint of under curve.
"Nyaaah!" Rosa purred, her boobs bouncing as she leaned into Jin's touch.
"Oh, hero, you're getting bold," she teased, her fingers trailing up his arm. Clara gasped, her blush intensifying, but her hand tightened on his, a shy spark in her eyes.
Sera's breath hitched, her tsundere facade cracking as she muttered, "Clumsy idiot," though her flush deepened, her body lingering against his.
"Jin, you've upgraded Accidental Charm to Accidental Harem Magnet. Triple-contact event logged—Rosa's hips, Clara's chest, Sera's thighs. Affinity spikes detected across the board. Warning: Oxygen levels in this alcove are dropping, likely due to collective blushing. Recommendation: Exit before you trigger a romantic singularity."
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Phoenix Core HUD Notification:
[LEVEL UP! Skill Mastery Achieved: Accidental Charm → Accidental Harem Magnet (Max Level)]
"Through repeated, fortuitous physical interactions, Subject 01 has transcended mortal clumsiness to become a beacon of unintended allure. The Phoenix Core acknowledges this… peculiar talent."
Skill Effect: Accidental Harem Magnet (Passive, Max Lv. 5)
• +25% chance to trigger Ecchi Events in close proximity to female allies.
• +15% affinity gained during physical contact scenarios.
• +10% Charm stat in all social interactions, boosting group morale by 5%.
- Special Ability: Harem Synergy Pulse – Once per 24 hours, Jin can emit a subtle aura that increases all ally affinities by 5% and reduces hostility by 20% for 10 minutes.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
Stat Boost: Charm +10, Agility -5 (due to increased distraction risk).
Achievement Unlocked: Magnet of Mayhem – +150 EXP for mastering a skill through sheer, accidental charisma.
Warning: Accidental Harem Magnet amplifies romantic tension. Probability of jealousy conflicts: 30%. Recommend heightened situational awareness to avoid… complications.
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"Congratulations, Jin, you've officially weaponized your awkwardness. Accidental Harem Magnet is now your signature move, turning every stumble into a romantic plot twist. My data logs are bursting with pride—or possibly second-hand embarrassment. Recommendation: Practice Harem Synergy Pulse in a less… suffocating environment, lest you ignite a love-fueled supernova."
"Oh no, upgraded? They will think I'm a pervert now, Asha, what do I do?!" Jin's mental voice was nervousness creeping up to him, his panic soaring as he tried to disentangle himself of embarrassment.
"Jin, your Accidental Harem Magnet upgrade has a 92% chance of being misinterpreted as perversion, but let's be honest, your blushing innocence is disarming. Recommendation: Flash that puppy-dog stare and plead ignorance. It's worked on Clara 87% of the time. Warning: Rosa's giggle suggests she's already plotting to exploit this."
"Puppy-dog stare? Asha, I'm not a puppy." He protested in his mind"
Jin's mental voice trailed off, his cheeks still blazing as he tried to shrink into the alcove's rusted wall.
Rosa's quiet giggle echoed in his ears, her fingers lingering on his arm, sending his HUD into a frenzy: [Heart Rate: 32% above baseline. Charm Effect Active.]
Clara's hand, still intertwined with his, trembled slightly. Even Sera, pressed against his back, let out a faint huff.
"I-Im not a pervert," Jin stammered aloud as he met their gazes, "I'd never… you know, do anything to make you think I'm… that guy." His dark eyes were wide almost pleading.
Clara's lips curved into a gentle smile. "We know, Jin," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "W-we.. trust you.." Her blush deepened.
Rosa leaned closer, her cryo-suit straining, her boobs brushing his arm as she teased, "Oh, hero, we're just messing with you. Mostly." Her wink sparked another flush across Jin's face.
Sera rolled her eyes, her silver hair catching the emergency light as she shifted, her sports bra still clinging. "Hmmp.. What an idiot," she muttered, her shoulder lingering against his.
Asha's voice chimed in his mind, dripping with smug amusement: "Jin, your puppy-dog stare achieved an 84% success rate. Affinity micro-spikes detected: Clara +2%, Rosa +1%, Sera +1%. Congratulations on not imploding. Now, perhaps focus on the mission before Rosa escalates to 'private consultation' mode."
Jin swallowed hard, his heart steadying as he glanced at the hatch ahead, the group's closeness, their trust to him despite teasing, reminded him of the bigger picture the 11 girls in cryo, waiting for salvation. He took a deep breath.
"Those girls in the pods," he said, his voice carrying that particular blend of sincerity and determination that made people want to follow him into hell. "They're like us, right? Whatever it takes, however long it takes, we'll wake them up. We'll find out who they are and why we are all here."
His words seemed to ease the tension that had been building, that subtle anxiety about their mysterious companions and the responsibilities that came with their awakening.