Kai stepped out of the building and was immediately struck by the sight before him.
"Whoo…" he let out, running a hand through his messy hair. "This place is too damn beautiful. How can a city shine like heaven when dungeons are crawling out there waiting to chew people alive?"
The streets stretched out before him—wide cobblestones lined with busy stalls and polished windows. Merchants barked about their wares, their voices mixing with the metallic clank of armor and the distant hum of magic. It wasn't overcrowded, but the city pulsed with a steady rhythm, alive with purpose.
Kai walked slowly, taking it in, though his mind was already shifting gears. Alright, enough sightseeing. I've gotta find those siblings. Gladis and Gladiator. They know this world. I need answers.
He followed the flow of adventurers until a massive hall came into view. The building towered, its doors carved with runes glowing faintly. Inside, the air was alive with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of steel. Young men and women in armor of every design crowded the hall, sharpening blades, trading items, boasting about dungeon kills.
Kai's eyes wandered until they caught on a massive glass case. Behind it sat armor polished to perfection, the price tag gleaming almost mockingly: 1,000,000.
His jaw nearly dropped. "One million? For that? It looks exactly like what half these guys are already wearing. What makes this piece so special?" He squinted, tilting his head. Is it enchanted? Or do they just slap a ridiculous price on it to screw rookies?
Still lost in thought, he felt a firm but surprisingly soft hand grab his arm.
"Hey, Kai. What are you doing here? You should be resting."
He spun, and his lips curled into a grin. Gladis.
Her armor hugged her figure, practical yet undeniably alluring, her blonde hair catching the torchlight. And as always, towering beside her was her brother Gladiator, silent as a wall, his presence screaming bodyguard. The two of them looked less like ordinary siblings and more like a pair of characters straight out of a hero's saga.
Kai shrugged casually. "Resting's boring. I'm feeling good now. Better, actually. I was looking for you two. Where were you last night?"
Gladis crossed her arms, her smile tilting knowingly. "We went to the lower dungeons. Ran out of cash, so we had to stack up again."
Kai frowned. "Stack up? What do you mean?"
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "We make our living selling the treasures we find in the dungeons. Monsters, beasts, whatever we slay, they drop things worth real coin. That's how we survive here. But to do that, you need armor—strong armor that can't be torn apart by some lowly dungeon beast." She pointed at the glass display Kai had been staring at earlier. "Like that one."
Kai blinked. "You're telling me that overpriced shiny tin is worth the risk of getting eaten alive?"
Gladis's lips curved. "In this world, you're either a seller… an earner…" Her voice dropped to a teasing whisper. "…or someone who uses their body to get what they want."
Her eyes flicked up to his, playful and sharp all at once.
"Yes, yes, yes," Gladiator cut in, his deep voice rumbling like a drumbeat. He gave a curt nod, clearly done with the conversation already.
Kai laughed under his breath. "Huh. Seller, earner, or body. Got it. Guess I'll be the one who takes all three."
Gladis tilted her head. "So, why were you looking for us?"
Kai rubbed the back of his neck. "Honestly? I need help. With the nurse."
Gladis raised a brow. "The nurse?"
"Yeah. The system gave me some… task." His words came out bitter, almost embarrassed. "I tried seducing her, and she just… laughed at me. Knocked me back like I was some rookie."
Gladis's laugh was light, melodic. "That's because you don't understand how people interact here. You think with your old world logic."
Kai folded his arms, annoyed. "Then tell me. How do women act in this world? Because back home, they'd already be dripping by now."
She stepped closer, her eyes glinting. "It's simple. Be kind to her. Make her feel safe. That's all it takes. If you do that…" She leaned in, her lips brushing dangerously close to his ear. "…boom. You're in."
Kai swallowed hard, caught between irritation and arousal. Shit. She's good.
"Follow us," she said suddenly, pulling back.
He trailed after them as they moved to the far end of the hall. Gladis pressed her hand against a rune-carved wall, and with a groaning rumble, an elevator opened.
"This is our little crib," she said as the doors slid shut.
Gladiator puffed out his chest, his voice cutting through the hum of magic. "We own this place. Worked for it." He turned his back, pulling aside his armor. A jagged scar stretched across his flesh, ugly and raw. "Got this from fighting in a medium-rank dungeon. Nearly cost me my life. Ever since then, we don't go near those."
"Save that for later," Gladis interjected smoothly, giving him a sharp glance. "No need to scare him yet."
The elevator opened to a wide, lavish room. Comfortable chairs, walls lined with weapons, and shelves stacked with books and strange glowing trinkets. It wasn't just a crib. It was a fortress.
"Have a seat, Kai," Gladis said, motioning to the couch. "I'll be right back."
Gladiator followed her out, but within a minute, she returned—alone.
Kai glanced around. "Where's your brother?"
She smirked, tipping her chin toward a side door. "Gaming. Can't you hear?"
Now that he focused, he caught the faint sound of battle cries and explosions, the thumping bass of some otherworldly video game.
Kai chuckled. "Guess even dungeon warriors need their downtime."
Gladis didn't laugh. She stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his face.
Kai felt his breath catch as she leaned down slightly, her lips only inches from his neck. Then she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.
The hot whisper of her breath sent a shiver down his spine.
"…You smell interesting," she murmured.
Kai's heart thudded. His hands twitched, the air between them suddenly electric. He swallowed hard, forcing a cocky grin onto his lips.
"Oh? So what's the verdict? Do I pass your… sniff test?"
Gladis's smile widened, slow and wicked. "Let's just say…" Her fingers traced the edge of his collar, feather-light. "…you might be more fun to play with than I thought."
Kai heaved a deep breath, his body tense, his mind screaming at him not to lose control. Shit. She's seducing me now. Am I supposed to resist? Or should I… play along?
His lips curved into a smile. "Guess we'll find out, won't we?"
The air between them thickened, heavy with promise.
And Kai knew—this game was only just beginning.