Elian's POV
*****
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You've gotten 50 Ascension points for completing the special mission: Get mate #1 to give you head.]
[Your total Ascension points now is 65… Which is still way too far from your delusional goals of buying a mana core.]
"I still think it's a rip‑off," Elian muttered under his breath.
[Oh, I'm sorry, would you like a sympathy coupon?]
He rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."
[And yet, I'm all you've got, fruitcake.]
He was halfway to telling the system exactly where it could shove its sarcasm when a ripple of unease shivered down his spine.
It was subtle — like the shift in air pressure before a storm — but enough to make his shoulders stiffen. He glanced over his shoulder toward the tall arched window.
Nothing.
Well… nothing obvious. The moonlight spilled silver across the floorboards, brushing against the hem of his shirt, but the longer he stood there, the more he swore he wasn't alone.
