"You're mine now."
The silver-haired woman's voice was smooth almost lazy but the words struck like a blade. The wind rustled the leaves around them, carrying her voice through the clearing like an incantation.
Kael's back slammed against the bark of the shining tree, hard. He stared wide-eyed at the woman approaching him, barefoot and calm. Her long silver hair flowed like a river of moonlight, her hair a bit tousled with tiny glowing motes caught in it. Her emerald eyes glowed with something ancient, wild and merry.
".I uh excuse me?" Kael stuttered, scanning around for any means of escape, weapon, divine intervention.
She didn't answer. She walked on. Bare feet. Beautiful. Starving. Each step rustled the grass, which glowed gently underfoot. The gentle scent of wildflowers and ozone hung in the air sweet, crazy, wrong.
Kael's heart was racing. This was not the Awakening Ceremony this was naked. He was prey, caught in a strange world, with a woman who radiated danger like heat.
"System," he whispered under his breath. "A little help here?"
[Warning: High-Level Entity Detected]
[Survival Protocols Suggested: Engage or Submit]
"What kind of choice is that?!"
The woman stopped only a breath away. Her presence washed over him like heat. Her eyes scanned him not with malice, but interest. And hunger.
"You're bleeding," she said, voice suddenly low and gentle. "And poisoned."
Kael blinked. "Wait how do you?"
"Can see the Outlands attempting to unmake you," she breathed. "Hanging by strands of life energy."
She spoke before he could answer, her hand rising softly glowing with green light and coming to rest on his chest. Kael winced… anticipating pain.
Warmth poured into his chest instead. Gentle. Beating. Mending. Her fingers moved slightly, tracing lazy patterns over his skin. Flecks of gold and green fluttered where her hand rested.
[Life Energy Sync Detected]
[Lifeforce Threads: Entangled]
[New Trait Awakening: Lust Conduit Lv. 1]
Passive: Physical contact with compatible females recovers HP and rises LUST stat briefly
+3 HP Recovered
+2 LUST Rise
Kael took a gentle breath. His chest delighted not just from her caress, but from the otherworldly pull at his core. It was as if something inside him had awakened… and approved her touch. Too much.
What… are you doing?" he asked, trying to remain calm. His voice shattered anyway.
The woman's lips twisted into a sneer. "Testing compatibility."
"Testing what now?"
She retreated a step or two, arms folded over her broad chest, head tilted. "You were chosen by the Lifebound Tree. That tie is older than kingdoms. And now… it's tied us together."
[Bonded Companion Obtained: Sylvenia, Forest Witch]
Title Unlocked: Witch-Touched
Trait Unlocked: Shared Link Lv.1
Shared passive abilities and shared XP acquisition through resonance
The system chime resonated within him, but Kael barely heard it. He was too immersed staring wide-eyed, huffing, at the glowing screen hanging before him.
STATUS SCREEN – Kael Thorne
Class: System-Bound Outcast
Level: 1
HP: 32/50
MP: 20
LUST: 5
VIT: 6 | STR: 5 | DEX: 4 | WIS: 3 | CHA: 7
Core Skill: Lifedrain [Lv.1]
Traits: Forbidden Lust Circuit, Witch-Touched, Shared Link
Bonded Companion(s): Sylvenia (Forest Witch)
Kael swallowed. ".Lust is. a stat?"
Sylvenia nodded. "In this world, desire is energy. The system you're bound to is a life-based circuit. Passion, connection, emotion those fuel your growth. The deeper the bond." she traced her finger down his collarbone, ".the more power you draw."
He coughed, trying to pull his eyes up. "So I. level up by
Her finger lay against his lips. "Not only that, little mage. But it doesn't hurt, certainly."
Kael's ears blushed. "This is… This is going to be one of those stories, isn't it."
Sylvenia gave a low, silvery laugh that sent the hairs on his skin standing.
But then the forest changed.
The wind faltered.
There was a screech through the air, a sound of bone on stone.
[Threat Detected: Corrupted Shadowbeast – Level 6]
Danger Rating: HIGH
Survival Odds (Alone): 12%
With Companion Sylvenia: 53%
Kael's stomach dropped. The trees darkened as a massive shape crashed through the undergrowth.
".Uh. Do you fight?" he asked, stepping cautiously back.
Sylvenia's smile sharpened. "I do everything."
At the edge of the forest, a hideous shape burst into view. The Shadowbeast was twisted a bony wolf-like thing with exposed bone and tendon. Its eyes burned red, and its claws left black scorch-marks on the ground.
Kael's hands trembled. His shattered dagger looked like a toothpick. "Any real advice, System?!"
[Lifedrain Activated]
Target must be injured or exposed.
Maintain contact for 3 seconds.
Sylvenia did not hesitate.
She stepped forward, fingers gleaming green. "Bind."
Vines exploded from the ground, wrapping around the beast's legs. It gave a deafening roar, convulsing.
"NOW!" she cried.
Kael charged ahead. His breathing came in ragged gasps. His heart hammered in his chest. He threw himself forward, palm crashing into the beast's ribcage.
[Lifedrain: SUCCESSFUL]
+18 HP Absorbed
+10 XP Gained
+1 LUST
LEVEL UP!
The beast emitted a scream of blood. Its body pulsed with veins of green as Kael devoured its life force. It spasmed, then collapsed into the vines. Dead.
Kael stumbled back, gasping for air. He was. satiated. His veins pulsed power. His muscles strained. His system window opened with flair.
[LEVEL 2 ACHIEVED]
Stat Points Gained: 5
Skill Evolution Path: UNLOCKED
Sylvenia moved up behind him and stroked down the center of his back. He leaped half in shock, half because it felt so bloody amazing.
"Not bad for a Null," she murmured.
Kael turned around, his face reddening. "So. that bonding thing."
Sylvenia raised a brow. "Hmm? Eager already?"
His mouth dropped open. "N-No! I mean yes! I mean I just do not know how any of this stuff works!"
She chuckled. "Then I suppose you'll have to have a teacher.".
Kael swallowed hard. "I have a feeling this is going to be a very hands-on lesson."
She leaned in close again, hand rising, tracing over his belly. "All magic is hands-on if you do it right."
His eyes went wide. "Wait. Are you seriously"
Her mouth brushed his ear. "Let me show you."
[Bond Resonance Rising… 42%
Threshold to unlock "Shared Pulse" Perk: 50%
Warning: Physical arousal can disrupt cognitive cooldown
Kael's brain blue-screened.].
"Oh gods, this really is one of those stories."
Sylvenia purred, eyes alight. "And you've only just turned the page."