Leon walked in silence as Lilia led him through the dense forest, his mind racing with everything that had happened. The Eros System. A world where power was gained through intimacy. Magic. Combat. The weight of it all pressed against his skull like a vice, but he pushed it aside. He had already died once—now, he was alive again, and whether he liked it or not, he had to play by this world’s rules.
Lilia had relaxed since their fight, though she still carried herself with an air of quiet authority. She moved like a shadow, effortlessly navigating the uneven ground. Leon had already tripped twice. He wasn’t used to this—walking through the woods without a path, dodging low-hanging branches, feeling the ache in his legs from the terrain. His old life had been spent in front of screens, not trudging through untamed wilderness.
"You’re struggling," Lilia said without looking back.
Leon grunted, brushing off a thorny vine that had caught on his sleeve. "Yeah, well, I wasn’t exactly dropped into this world with hiking boots and a survival guide."
Lilia’s lips quirked, but she didn’t slow her pace. "You’ll adjust."
He wanted to argue, but she wasn’t wrong. His body already felt stronger than it had when he first arrived. He wasn’t gasping for air, and his legs didn’t feel like they were about to give out. Was that part of the Eros System too? A passive enhancement? He glanced at his hands, half-expecting to see something glowing beneath his skin, but there was nothing.
The two walked for another few minutes before Lilia finally stopped.
"We’re close."
Leon didn’t know what she meant at first, but then he heard it—the unmistakable sound of rushing water. He followed her through the last stretch of trees and found himself staring at a river, its surface shimmering under the fading light.
Lilia knelt near the water’s edge, cupping a handful and bringing it to her lips. She drank without hesitation, then motioned for Leon to do the same.
He hesitated. "Is this even safe?"
Lilia arched an eyebrow. "What, are you expecting a water purification system?"
Leon sighed and knelt beside her. The water was shockingly cold against his hands, but when he drank, it was crisp, refreshing. He hadn’t even realized how thirsty he was.
As he wiped his mouth, a rustling sound caught his attention.
Lilia’s body tensed immediately. "We’re not alone."
Leon turned, scanning the trees. The forest had gone eerily quiet, the distant chirping of birds vanishing in an instant. His gut twisted. He might not have been a warrior, but he had played enough games to recognize this feeling.
Something was hunting them.
The first movement came from their left—a blur of dark fur and muscle. Leon barely had time to react before the creature lunged.
A wolf, but not like any he had seen before. It was too big, easily the size of a small horse, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light. Its claws raked the air as it sailed toward him.
Leon’s body moved before his brain did. He dropped, rolling to the side just as the beast landed where he had been standing. Dirt exploded beneath its paws. It snarled, sharp fangs glinting.
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Lilia was already moving. A ball of fire burst to life in her palm, and with a flick of her wrist, she sent it hurtling toward the wolf. The beast dodged, but the fire singed its side, making it howl in pain.
Leon’s heart pounded. He had no weapon, no real combat experience, and no idea what to do. The Eros System had given him power, but he couldn’t exactly seduce a damn wolf.
The creature lunged again. This time, it went for Lilia.
She jumped back, but her footing slipped on the damp ground. Leon saw it happen in slow motion—the moment her balance wavered, the split second where she was open.
He didn’t think. He reacted.
Leon threw himself forward, crashing into the wolf’s side. It was like tackling a brick wall, but his momentum was enough to send it off course. The beast stumbled, claws tearing into the dirt instead of Lilia’s flesh.
Pain flared in Leon’s shoulder from the impact, but he ignored it. Adrenaline surged through his veins, drowning out everything else.
Lilia was back on her feet, her hands glowing with power. "Move!"
Leon barely had time to throw himself away before a second fireball shot past him. This one hit its mark, striking the wolf directly in the face. The creature howled, flames licking at its fur. It thrashed violently before finally collapsing, smoke rising from its smoldering body.
Leon lay on the ground, breathing hard.
Lilia stood over the corpse, watching it for a long moment before exhaling. "Not bad."
Leon let out a dry, breathless laugh. "I just tackled a monster wolf. What part of that was good?"
"You didn’t hesitate," she said simply. "That’s more than I expected from you."
Leon pushed himself upright, wincing as his body protested. His interface had appeared again, glowing faintly.
Battle Completed. +200 Experience Gained.
Eros Infusion Skill Progress: 10% to Level 2.
He frowned at the last part. Even though he hadn’t used his ability directly, it had still progressed. Did physical combat somehow tie into it too? Or was it because he had saved Lilia?
Lilia turned to him, her gaze assessing. "We need to keep moving. That wasn’t the only one."
Leon’s stomach tightened. "You mean—"
A second howl echoed through the trees. Then another.
Lilia swore under her breath. "They’re hunting in a pack."
Leon wanted to scream. He had just fought his first monster. Now there were more?
Lilia was already moving. "Come on!"
Leon didn’t need to be told twice. He sprinted after her, his body protesting every step. The forest blurred around him as he ran, branches whipping past. The howls were getting closer.
Lilia suddenly veered left, grabbing his wrist and yanking him behind a cluster of thick trees. She pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.
Leon’s pulse thundered in his ears as he crouched beside her. His lungs burned. He barely dared to breathe.
The wolves emerged moments later. There were three of them, each as massive as the first, their red eyes scanning the forest. They sniffed the air, their ears twitching.
Leon’s mind raced. They couldn’t fight all three at once. He needed an edge.
Then it hit him.
The Eros System.
Lilia had reacted when he touched her before. He had gained power from it. What if there was more to it?
He glanced at her, his heart hammering. It was a long shot, but he had no choice.
He reached out, brushing his fingers against her arm.
A shock ran through his body, a sudden surge of energy. It wasn’t just a stat boost this time—it was something deeper. His senses expanded, the world sharpening around him. He could feel the wolves, sense their movements before they even made them.
Lilia gasped softly, her body going rigid for a moment. Then she looked at him, realization flickering in her eyes.
"You—"
Leon didn’t let her finish. He moved.
The first wolf lunged just as he did. But this time, Leon was faster. He twisted, grabbing a broken branch from the ground and driving it into the beast’s throat. It let out a strangled yelp before collapsing.
Lilia reacted instantly, launching another fireball at the second wolf. It exploded on impact, sending the creature sprawling.
The third hesitated, sensing the shift. Then it turned and vanished into the trees.
Silence fell.
Leon panted, his entire body humming with energy. He looked at Lilia, who was staring at him.
"You just—" she started, then stopped, shaking her head.
Leon swallowed. "I think I’m starting to understand this system."
Lilia’s expression was unreadable. "Then we need to find out just how far you can push it."
Leon exhaled, his hands still shaking. He didn’t know what was coming next, but one thing was clear.
This world was testing him.
And he was going to survive.