Liam's arm was burning.
Not just the bite—his entire left side felt like it was slowly being carved open with fire.
He clenched his jaw, keeping the groan locked in his throat.
If the others knew how bad it was, they'd panic. Worse—Maya would force him to quarantine. Or kill him.
[Infection Rate: 6%]
> Passive suppression active via bonded network
Suppression weakening
Emotional stability affecting decay resistance
That last part made Liam curse under his breath.
The system was cruelly poetic: the more emotionally unsteady he became, the faster he rotted.
And after yesterday? He was shaken.
The temporary shelter was a rusted storeroom beneath the pharmacy. Broken crates. Shelves stacked with expired meds. The air was heavy with mold and decay, but it was safer than the street.
Lila was asleep, curled beside Artemis, who hadn't said a word since they arrived.
Maya was sitting at the entrance, legs crossed, sharpening her blade.
Liam quietly sat next to her.
She didn't look up.
"You're limping," she said after a moment.
"I'll manage."
"Let me see it."
"I said I'm fine—"
She turned to him, eyes narrow. "Liam. Now."
He sighed, pulled back his torn sleeve, and exposed the bite.
Purple veins spidered out from the wound. The skin was hot, swollen.
Maya's jaw tensed. "That's not fine."
"The system's slowing it down."
"You don't know how long that'll last."
Liam nodded. "That's why I need your help."
She blinked. "With what?"
"Bond progress."
A long silence.
Then: "You're asking me to kiss you… because you're dying?"
"That's not what I'm saying—"
"It kind of is."
Liam leaned back against the cold wall, hand pressed over his burning skin. "Look, I know it's twisted. But I'm not trying to manipulate you. I just… don't want to die."
Maya looked away, blade resting on her lap.
"I said I didn't trust you," she muttered. "But I didn't say I didn't care."
Liam's heart thudded.
Before he could respond, she leaned over and kissed him.
It wasn't desperate.
It wasn't romantic.
It was quiet. Steady. Grounded.
Real.
Her lips were warm. Her breath tasted like dust and blood.
When she pulled back, she didn't say anything.
She didn't have to.
[Bond Level Increased: Maya – Rank 3]
> Emotional Link Strength: Moderate
Passive Unlocked: Flesh Ward – Immune to infection from Maya's physical interaction
Infection Suppression Boosted: +8 hours
[Affection Perk Triggered: Shared Pain]
> When one of you is injured, the other can absorb up to 10% of the pain at will
[Maya's Trust: 47%]
> Warning: Rivalry tracking active. Affection toward other females may cause tension.
Liam exhaled, relief washing over him like a cold breeze.
The burning eased.
The purple in his veins faded just slightly.
Maya stood and walked back to her post, silent.
No more words.
No promises.
But something had shifted.
By morning, Artemis was awake.
And screaming.
Liam and Maya rushed to her.
She was curled into a ball, clutching her skull.
"They're in me!" she screamed. "I can hear them! Whispering! Laughing!"
Lila panicked. "What's wrong with her?!"
Liam grabbed Artemis's shoulders. "Focus! You're safe! You're here with us!"
Artemis's eyes rolled back.
Then a voice—not hers—escaped her mouth.
"When the Red Moon rises, the dead will bloom. When the flesh aligns, the old ones return."
Maya stepped back. "What the hell—"
Artemis gasped, then collapsed into Liam's arms, unconscious.
[System Alert – Psychic Bond Detected]
> Due to intense emotional link and external parasite influence, Artemis has been partially "Synced."
Bond Type: Oracle Host
Infection Risk: High
Prophetic Insight: Active
Emotional Stability: Fragile
> Would you like to stabilize Artemis's mental state through direct emotional bonding?
> [Yes] | [No]
Liam didn't hesitate. Yes.
He sat with her for nearly an hour while Maya and Lila scouted outside.
Artemis's breathing was shallow, but steady.
When she stirred, she didn't scream.
Just whispered, "Liam."
He looked down. "I'm here."
Tears streamed down her cheeks. "They showed me what's coming."
"What?"
"The Rot Prophet. It's real. And it's… it's inside someone already. It's using them. Watching everything through their eyes."
Liam felt a chill crawl up his spine.
"Can you stop it?"
She shook her head. "But you can. If you keep me grounded. If you keep me yours."
Liam nodded.
"I will."
She smiled through her tears—and kissed him softly on the cheek.
Warmth surged through his body.
[Bond Level Initiated: Artemis – Rank 1]
> Trait Acquired: Prophetic Shield – Liam gains +10% resistance to psychic/paranormal damage
Infection Alert: Artemis is currently hosting a Class-B Parasite. Removal impossible. Suppression mandatory.
Suppression tied to Liam's affection.
That night, Liam didn't sleep.
Not because of pain.
Not even because of fear.
But because for the first time, he was beginning to understand something terrifying:
This wasn't a system about strength.
It was about connection.
And every life he touched, every soul he bonded with—it wasn't just saving them.
It was saving himself.
But with every girl he grew closer to…
The system whispered more sweetly in his mind.
Fifty. You need fifty.
Or the rot wins.