Spirit_Alphabet

Chapter 43: Owen's Awakened Power

The sound of the explosion still echoed in Owen’s ears. He stood with his mouth agape, his mind going completely blank for a moment in disbelief at what he had just seen… The massive granite rock that had stood there a moment ago… was now crushed into nothing but small and large fragments that flew in all directions, leaving only a cloud of dust and the burnt smell of stone incinerated by pure energy.

He whipped his head around to look at Nova, who was standing not far away. She was casually dusting off her hands, as if the terrifying destructive power from a moment ago was a trivial matter, like swatting a fly.

“Amazing! Nova! That was incredible!” Owen burst out with praise, completely forgetting himself. He ran towards her, his eyes blazing like a child seeing their favorite hero for the first time. “How did you do that!? With just one punch!?”

His sincere and undisguised admiration made Nova, who usually wore a stern expression, blush slightly. She turned her face away and cleared her throat softly to hide her embarrassment.

“I-it’s nothing much. Just the basics! Stop babbling and let’s start your lesson!”

Nova immediately switched back into her strict instructor mode. She began to teach him "reinforcement," the most basic yet most important aspect of mana control. “As I said… the center of your mana is your heart. Try to gather it… then send it to your right arm.”

Owen nodded enthusiastically. He closed his eyes and tried to do as she said. He could feel the warm energy gathering at the core of his heart, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't force it to move as commanded. It remained scattered and formless, like a river without direction.

Seeing that Owen was getting nowhere, Nova sighed with exasperation. “You’re really useless. I guess I’ll have to guide you.”

She stepped up behind Owen, quick and silent. Her tall, warm body pressed against his back so closely that Owen could clearly feel her soft, supple, and massive breasts. The weight of them on his back made his body go rigid for a moment. Her faint scent of sweat mixed with her unique body odor drifted to his nose, awakening the primal instinct within him.

“Concentrate…” she whispered huskily in his ear. Her warm breath made goosebumps rise all over his body.

One of her hands rested gently on his chest, right over his heart, while the other gripped his right bicep tightly. The touch of her strong yet soft palm made his heart race. “I’m going to send my mana in to guide yours… just follow it slowly.”

But the close, soft contact from behind made it impossible for Owen to concentrate on his training. His face was flushed, his heart pounding like a war drum. The memory of the day he had squeezed those breasts came flooding back vividly… their softness… their size… their warmth…

Nova, feeling his abnormal heartbeat and rising body temperature, frowned. She dug her nails lightly into his arm as a warning.

“Focus, you idiot! What perverted thoughts are you having!?” she snapped, but kept her voice low, right next to his ear. “If you don’t stop spacing out, I’m going to throw you into the waterfall to cool you off!”

Time passed… The afternoon sun began to dip lower, casting long tree shadows across the grass. Owen was still standing in the same position, his back pressed against Nova’s warm, strong body. Small beads of sweat formed on his hairline and his tensed back. Every time he inhaled, he got a full breath of her captivating scent. It was the most brutal test of concentration of his life.

Nova’s threat was still effective. She didn’t actually throw him into the waterfall, but her punishment was perhaps even more torturous… She deliberately pressed her upper body harder against his back, using the softness and weight of her massive breasts to push against him periodically, a reminder of who was in control of the game, forcing him to fight his own primal instincts while trying to control his mana.

After countless attempts… he finally did it!

Owen could feel the current of his mana beginning to tame, slowly moving along with his and Nova's guidance. It flowed from his racing heart… through his shoulder… and spread throughout his entire right arm.

Vwoom!

He could clearly feel his right arm gain an immense amount of strength and fortitude. Every muscle was taut and hot, as if molten steel was flowing within. He tried to make a fist… the power overflowing within it made him feel as if he could easily crush a rock to dust.

“I did it…” he mumbled softly, overjoyed.

“Very good,” Nova’s voice sounded by his ear, her warm breath washing over it. “You did it… but it’s still too slow.”

Owen nodded in acceptance. He knew… it had taken him a full 5 seconds to concentrate and force his mana to reinforce his arm. In a real fight, a split second could be the difference between life and death.

After the first lesson was over, Nova let him continue practicing on his own. Owen spent the rest of the afternoon training to reinforce other parts of his body, his left arm and right leg, one at a time. He failed over and over, but he never gave up, until the sun began to paint the sky with shades of orange and red…

When the reinforcement training was done, Nova walked over to him with a satisfied smile. “You’re improving much faster than I thought… even if you got stuck a few times,” she said, giving him a knowing look. “Alright, let’s put reinforcement aside for now and start my second lesson.”

She sat down on the soft, green grass. “That is, understanding the 'essence' of your awakened power.”

She continued in a more serious tone. “Each Awakened's power has its own unique ability. It's a reflection of that person's soul. You have to be the one to find it yourself.”

“So… what do I have to do?” Owen asked with curiosity.

“Meditate,” Nova answered succinctly. “Sit cross-legged on the grass… feel the nature around you… then do the same as before… gather the mana from your heart… but this time… slowly send it up to your 'brain'… Do it as slowly and gently as you possibly can… Don't force it… just let it flow.”

Owen followed her instructions. He sat cross-legged on the cool grass amidst the quiet nature… closed his eyes… and began to concentrate…

Several long minutes passed… Owen remained still in his meditation amidst the quiet of the evening forest. The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves was a soft whisper of nature… The slightly damp smell of earth and grass calmed his mind in a strange way.

He slowly guided the warm current of mana from the "power core" in his heart upwards… It was a delicate movement that required the utmost concentration, not like "pushing" the power out for reinforcement, but like "inviting" it to flow back to the source of thought… And at the moment that current of power touched his brain…

Vwoosh!

A massive amount of information flooded his consciousness like a bursting dam! It wasn't his own thoughts, not a memory… but a pure "understanding"… like a "user manual" that had been buried deep within his soul from the very beginning, and now, it had been unlocked.

He saw the image of a massive, ancient set of scales in his mind… on one side was "sacrifice," and on the other was "reward."

And then, he knew… what his awakened power was called…

[ Scales of Covenant (Rank: S) ]

It was a power based on the fundamental laws of the universe and reality… "Equivalent Exchange."

All the information about this power appeared in his head naturally, as if it were an ability he had used countless times before.

1. Making a Covenant:

He could create a "covenant" or "vow" of any kind as a limitation on himself, to serve as a "sacrifice" to the law of exchange. Whether it was:

-Sacrificing a physical ability: e.g., 'I permanently sacrifice the sight in my left eye,' or 'I will not be able to use my right arm in combat.'

-Abstaining from an action: e.g., 'From now on, I can no longer tell a lie,' or 'I will never take the life of another human.'

-Binding himself to an action: e.g., 'I must always help those in need before me,' or even a covenant driven by the primal instinct of his "Sire" power… 'I must have sex with a woman at least once a week.' The thought flashed through his mind, making his body heat up… turning desire into a source of power… it was such a dangerous and sweet option.

2. The Exchange:

When the "price" was paid… the "reward" would appear. The more severe the "limitation" and the greater its impact on his life, the more powerful the "power" he received in return would be. It was a scale that was perfectly balanced and devoid of any emotion.

3. The Penalty:

This was the most dangerous part… If he violated a "covenant" he himself had created, he would receive a "penalty" that was severe and equal to the power he had received. Which could mean the temporary loss of the exchanged power… or perhaps… permanently.

4. Limits of the Covenant:

This power was not without limits but was controlled by strict rules to maintain the balance of the universe. He couldn't make covenants wantonly but was limited by a monthly "quota," divided by the impact of the agreement.

-Temporary Covenants: Creating a limitation with a clear end date in exchange for a reward that would also end (e.g., ‘I will not be able to use my left arm for one week in exchange for increased strength for one week’). He could make this type of covenant 3 times per month.

-Permanent Covenants: Creating a limitation that would affect him for the rest of his life in exchange for a great and permanent reward (e.g., 'I permanently sacrifice the sight in my right eye in exchange for the ability to see in the dark'). Because this decision would change his life forever, he could only make this type of covenant 1 time per month.

…..

Owen slowly opened his eyes. The last light of day stained the sky a brilliant orange-red, bathing his face and the surrounding forest in a golden hue. But in his eyes, which were once filled with determination, there now shone a spark of excitement and a profound understanding… He now knew where his path lay.

“I… I understand now,” he whispered softly, before turning to Nova with the widest smile. “Nova! I understand my power now!”

Nova, who had been watching him quietly, raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. “What? It only took you a few minutes to understand your own power?”

She leaned in closer, her tall body moving until they were almost touching, staring deep into his eyes as if trying to see into his very soul, before letting out a soft whistle of unconcealed admiration.

“Damn… you’re very talented, Owen. Most of the geniuses I’ve met take at least a day to understand the essence of their own power… Your power must be at least A-Rank.”

Owen chuckled softly. He felt good to be acknowledged by the strongest person he knew. He decided to briefly explain his "Scales of Covenant" ability to her, focusing on the "exchange" aspect, where the more he limited himself, the stronger the power he received would be, but was still careful not to reveal his weakness or the details of the "penalty."

Nova’s eyes sparkled as she listened. She slammed her fist into her palm with a loud SMACK! before laughing with delight. Her laughter was bright and powerful.

“Hahaha! That’s a power that suits an all-or-nothing guy like you! The greater the risk, the higher the reward! I really like your power, Owen!”

After that, the atmosphere between them relaxed noticeably. The pressure of training was gone, leaving only the comfortable feeling of a student and a master… or perhaps more. Nova threw herself back onto the grass, spreading out comfortably, her arms raised to cradle her head. The posture made the sports bra she was wearing ride up slightly, clearly revealing her perfectly sculpted abs. The setting sun bathed her skin in a honey-colored light, accentuating every proportion, making her look both beautiful and strong at the same time.

Owen gulped unconsciously. The sight before him was so seductive and dangerous.

“Since you were brave enough to tell me about your power… I’ll tell you the secret of my power as well,” Nova said, breaking the silence. “Consider it a reward for your efforts today.”

She smiled knowingly, her emerald eyes sparkling in a way Owen had never seen before… It wasn't the gaze of a strict instructor, but the gaze of someone about to reveal their greatest secret… and it made her look a hundred times more mysterious and sexy…

—-------

Chapter 42: An Awakened’s First Lesson

After the plan to make money was settled, the atmosphere inside the laboratory returned to a sensual silence once more. The aura of lust still hung in the air, mingling with the cold, metallic scent and faint ozone. Owen glanced at a digital clock on one of the control panels. Its red light indicated the time was 10:47 PM.

“It’s getting really late…” he mumbled to himself, before turning to speak to Iris. “I should probably head back now, my love. Otherwise, I’ll definitely miss the last bus.”

He slowly pushed his still-naked, powerful body to a standing position. Every muscle in his body trembled slightly with fatigue but was also filled with a new, circulating energy. But then he froze as he looked down at his own condition… He was still naked, and the tattered remains of his clothes, ripped to shreds by Iris’s claws, lay in a pathetic pile on the floor.

“Uh… Iris,” Owen turned back to her with a troubled expression. “About my clothes… do you have any I could borrow?”

Hearing the demand for accountability from the one who caused it, Iris, who was lounging on the bed, just giggled, feeling no guilt whatsoever.

“Oh my I completely forgot about that,” she said in a playful tone, before her eyes changed slightly, a cunning glint in them. “A troublesome matter like this… better let Rosy handle it”

As she finished speaking, her body froze for a moment. Owen noticed the subtle changes… the arrogant, powerful gaze slowly faded, replaced by the gentle, bright, and cheerful eyes of Rosy, who had taken control of the body again. Owen couldn't help but twitch an eyebrow at the irresponsibility of the great queen, who had shamelessly fled from the problem.

Rosy blinked, taking in the situation, before letting out a long sigh and apologizing on Iris’s behalf. “Ugh She did it again! Sorry about that lunatic, Owen She always does whatever she wants. The debt with the mafia is her doing too!” Rosy could only scold Iris, who was sitting cross-legged in her consciousness with the nonchalant face of a queen.

“I’ll go find some clothes that might fit you. Wait right here!” And with that, Rosy quickly grabbed a black t-shirt and a spare pair of shorts she found in the lab, put them on sloppily, and then ran stomping up the stairs, leaving Owen standing with Talia, who was still quietly cleaning the equipment, not daring to disturb her master’s moment.

Alicia, who was sitting in the living room reading her favorite romance novel, jumped slightly when she saw her daughter running up from the basement in a panic. “What is it, dear? Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Mom! Do we have any men’s clothes left in the house!?” Rosy asked urgently.

The question made Alicia narrow her eyes suspiciously at her daughter. She put down her book before a cunning smile appeared at the corner of her lips. “Oh my! A truly energetic teenager, aren't you? Did you go so far as to tear each other's clothes off~?” She raised a hand to cover her mouth and giggled. “I never knew my daughter was into that kind of rough stuff.”

“Th-that’s not it, Mom!” Rosy frantically denied, her face flushing crimson to her ears. “It… it was an accident! Just hurry up and find them for me!”

Alicia laughed with satisfaction before getting up and walking to the upstairs closet. “Alright, alright If you say so I’ll go see if I can find that man’s old clothes for you.”

Not long after, Rosy returned with an old grey t-shirt and a pair of loose-fitting jeans for Owen. Although they didn’t fit him well and made him look even bigger, it was better than having to go home naked.

After getting dressed, Owen expressed his thanks in a soft, sensual voice. “Thank you for everything you’ve all done for me, Rosy… Iris~” He knew Iris was still listening.

He slowly leaned his face towards her. Rosy closed her eyes slowly, feeling his warm breath on her lips, before they shared a deep kiss. It was a kiss full of gratitude, concern, and a profound desire…

Owen could feel Rosy’s sweetness and sincerity, but at the same time, he could feel the heat and the aggressive, nipping pressure from the violating tongue, which was the hidden work of Iris. It was a confirmation of the complicated but inseparable relationship between the three of them…

After the sweet farewell kiss, Owen excused himself to head home, leaving Rosy (and Iris) standing at the door, watching his broad back slowly disappear into the darkness with a smile…

…..

The next morning, Owen walked to Jessica’s coffee shop to pick up his SUV as they had arranged. The morning atmosphere of Titan City was bustling yet peaceful. The rich, familiar aroma of roasted coffee beans hit his nose before he even reached the front of the shop. It was a scent that made him feel relaxed and strangely at home.

Ring~

The clear bell tied to the door chimed as he pushed it open. Jessica, in a form-fitting white shirt and a black apron that accentuated her curves, was busy wiping the stainless-steel counter until it shined. She looked up at the sound… and immediately froze.

The cloth in her hand fell to the floor without her realizing it. Her beautiful eyes widened in utter shock. She looked Owen up and down… the body that just yesterday was covered in bandages and bruises was now completely healed, without a single scratch, as if yesterday’s bloody events were just a nightmare. His body now looked strong, perfect, and radiated a faint aura of power that she could feel.

“Owen…?” she uttered his name in a soft whisper, as if she couldn’t believe her own eyes. “H-how is this possible? Your wounds… they were so severe yesterday!”

She quickly walked around the counter towards him. Her slightly trembling hand reached out uncertainly to touch his left shoulder… the area that had been pierced through by a knife, was now smooth and filled with taut, hot muscle.

Owen gave a faint smile. He didn’t want to reveal the secret of Iris’s lab to her just yet. It was a secret that was too big and too dangerous. So he decided to tell her only half the truth.

“Haha, pretty amazing, right? I’m still in shock myself,” he said with a laugh, then began to think of the most believable explanation.

“After I got home and went to sleep last night… my body suddenly felt as hot as fire… then when I woke up… it was like this. All the wounds and pain just vanished!”

He paused for a moment, looking deep into her confused eyes, then immediately started to boast to seem less suspicious. “After I looked it up online, I found that a lot of people are like this. It’s an 'awakening,' Jessica… I think I’ve become an Awakened now~”

Those words made Jessica hold her breath for a moment. The shock on her face slowly transformed into amazement… joy… and the deepest admiration. Her eyes sparkled like a child seeing their favorite hero appear right before them.

“You… you became an Awakened!?” she repeated with excitement, before throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. “Oh my god! Owen! I’m so happy for you! This is amazing!”

Owen chuckled softly. He hugged her back gently, feeling her soft body and full breasts crushed against his chest. The faint, sweet scent from her body made his heart beat faster.

After hugging for a moment, she pulled back slightly but didn’t let go of his arm. “So… so what’s your power? It must be a very strong healing-type power, right?” she asked enthusiastically.

Owen shook his head slowly. “I’m not sure myself yet,” he answered truthfully, which wasn’t a lie, as he still didn’t know what his own true power was. “I can feel the mana flowing inside me… but the type and ability of my power are still unclear. I’ll probably have to find an expert to test it and understand it better.”

His answer didn't disappoint Jessica in the slightest. On the contrary… she looked at him with even more fascination than before. The man in front of her was no longer just a hero in a normal person’s guise who protected her. He was a real Awakened… a man who was stronger and more special than anyone else, to whom she had completely given her body and heart…

She stood on her tiptoes slightly… her arms moving up to wrap around his neck, pulling his face down to hers… and pressed a soft, deep kiss on his lips. It was a kiss full of joy, pride, and the most passionate desire she could give… Her tongue bravely slipped in, tangling with his passionately, a congratulatory gesture that filled the morning coffee shop with a faint aura of lust…

Jessica’s kiss was both hot and demanding. She pressed her soft body against Owen’s, not hiding her desire. Her full breasts rubbed against his chest until he could feel her hardened nipples through the fabric.

“Let’s go to the back… my love… I want to ‘celebrate’ your awakening…” she whispered huskily in his ear. Her warm breath, tinged with coffee and her sweet body scent, made the blood in Owen’s veins run hot. Her face was flushed, her eyes moist with unconcealed lust.

Owen swallowed hard. He wanted to pin her to the counter and fuck her senseless right there, but more important business was waiting for him. He gently cupped her face, using his thumb to softly caress her lips, which were swollen from their kiss.

“I want to do that too, Jessica… so badly…” he said in a hoarse voice. “But right now, I have something urgent I really have to do.”

He saw the clear disappointment in her eyes, so he quickly tried to console her. “But I promise… after I finish my business… I’ll come to your place tonight, and we’ll ‘celebrate’ all night long… okay?”

The promise worked wonders. Jessica smiled with satisfaction. She handed him the SUV key. “Okay… but don't you dare stand me up.”

After getting the key back, Owen immediately drove his SUV out of the city. He knew that having power and being able to "control" it were two different things. He needed guidance from the strongest, most experienced Awakened he knew to understand his own limits and true abilities… and that person was Nova.

When the white SUV pulled into the parking lot of the mountain gym, a familiar atmosphere welcomed him. The sound of heavy objects clashing and heavy grunts came from within. Nova was training alone as usual. Her tall, powerful body, clad in a sports bra and tight pants, was unleashing a barrage of punches on a sandbag the size of a water tank, which weighed several tons, making it swing back and forth with ease. When she saw Owen walk in, she stopped punching and smiled at him, greeting him in a good mood.

“What’s up, my student? You’re here earlier than usual.”

Owen didn't waste any time. He explained everything that had happened to her (the same version he told Jessica), that he had been gravely injured and had woken up with his power awakened.

Hearing that, Nova didn't seem very surprised. She shrugged and picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from her neck before speaking in a flat tone.

“That’s not too surprising… Although awakening is a matter of fate or bloodline, in my experience, ‘intent’ also has an effect on it.”

She paused and looked at Owen. “People with a ‘determination,’ ‘desire,’ or ‘motivation’ so intense it’s almost insane often have a high chance of awakening in a high-pressure situation. And with that crazy determination I saw in you from day one… I already figured you had potential.”

A satisfied smirk appeared on her lips. She walked over and slapped his shoulder so hard it made a loud THWACK!

“Welcome to the world of the Awakened, my student,” she said, before her expression turned serious. “But remember, awakening is just the first step. Like a newborn baby with a shotgun in its hands. If you don't know how to use it, you'll just end up shooting yourself… Controlling and understanding your own abilities is what’s important… Come here. I’ll teach you the basics of mana control.”

Nova led Owen to the outdoor training area behind the gym, which was surrounded by a quiet, natural forest and a cool breeze. She jumped up to sit on a large log and patted the space next to her, gesturing for him to sit down.

“Alright… an Awakened’s first lesson,” Nova said as Owen sat down beside her. “The mana in your body right now is like a wild, untamed horse. It’s powerful, but it’s also ready to throw you off at any moment. The first thing you need to do is not try to ride it, but to get to know it.”

She spoke to him slowly. “Close your eyes, Owen… and try to ‘feel’ the mana in your body.”

“Feel?” Owen repeated, not quite understanding.

“Yes… feel,” Nova nodded. “Forget about your muscles. Forget about seeing or hearing for a moment. Try to use your sixth sense. Take a deep breath… and try to feel the energy flowing inside you… What is it like? Hot? Cold? Or does it feel like a light static electricity?”

Owen obeyed. He closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling inside his body, just like when he had unconsciously used his Sire ability. But this time, he was more focused. He felt it slowly… a warm current flowing from the "power core" in his heart, spreading through every vein. It was a powerful feeling that made him feel… more alive than ever before.

“I… I can feel it,” he said with a little excitement.

“Good,” Nova continued. “That is the source of an Awakened’s power, called ‘mana’… Now, try to control your mana. Its center is your heart, and its destination is the different parts of your body, like your arms, legs, chest, and stomach. You will clearly feel that when the mana flows to a certain part, that part will become temporarily stronger and more durable… This is called ‘reinforcement,’ and it’s the basis of mana control.”

She paused to let him digest the information, then began to demonstrate. Her expression changed from that of a teacher to a powerful warrior.

“And when you’ve trained it until you’re proficient… until you can reinforce your entire body in a split second, without any time or effort, you’ll be able to do this…”

After she finished speaking, Nova jumped off the log onto a large granite rock over 5 meters high, softly and silently, as if her body were weightless.

She stood with her legs slightly apart, took a deep breath, and drew back her right fist. Instantly! The beautiful muscles of her right arm tensed, and a faint, emerald-green aura began to emanate from it. The aura flickered like a cold flame, slightly distorting the air around her arm. And in the next second, she threw a punch at the rock before her, slowly… slow enough for Owen to see every movement clearly, as if she wasn't using any force at all.

And when her small fist made contact with the large rock…

CRACK!! BOOM!!

An explosion as loud as a thunderclap roared out. An invisible shockwave spread out, so strong that Owen could feel the wind hitting his face!

The massive rock that had stood there a moment ago… suddenly vanished in an instant. It was crushed into nothing but small and large fragments that flew in all directions, leaving only a cloud of dust.

Owen could only gape, his mind going completely blank for a moment in disbelief at what he had just seen… That terrifying destructive power… from a single, simple-looking punch from her…

—-------

Chapter 41: The Illegal Loan

Time passed… The underground laboratory, once filled with crazed moans and the sound of slapping flesh, had now fallen strangely quiet. There was only the low hum of machinery still running in the background and the soft, faint breathing of three people still in the throes of ecstasy and exhaustion. The sharp, fishy scent of love juice and sweat still hung in the air, mingling with the faint smell of ozone, creating an atmosphere that was both savage and surprisingly charming.

Owen sat on the edge of the cold metal bed, his naked body still slick with sweat and the not-yet-dry stains of love juice. He was closing his eyes, trying to familiarize himself with the "Sire" power that was circulating through every particle of his body. It was a feeling that was powerful, new, and indescribably exciting. He could feel the warm mana flowing from the "power core" in his heart, naturally gathering in his lower body.

He tried to control it with his thoughts… and in that instant, the massive 25-inch cock began to shrink rapidly. He could feel the internal muscles rearranging themselves; it was a sensation that was both ticklish and thrilling. And finally, it returned to its original 12-inch size.

A satisfied smirk appeared on Owen’s lips before he mentally commanded it to expand again. His cock grew with an amazing speed… 15… 18… 20 inches… He was enjoying experimenting with his "Sculpture of Lust" power like a child with a new toy.

Talia, having just recovered from her ecstasy, was diligently performing her duties as a "broodmother" and "loyal slave." She didn't utter a single complaint or show any signs of fatigue. Her sweet face was still flushed and filled with the purest bliss. She took a soft towel, dipped it in warm water from a small basin Iris had prepared, and knelt submissively before Owen.

She began to meticulously clean her king's body, starting from his strong chest, down his sharp abs, to his muscular thighs. Every time her fingertips touched his skin, her body would tremble slightly with pleasure, before she moved the warm cloth down to gently clean his recently shrunken cock.

She slowly wiped it along its length, cleaning off the stains of her and Iris’s love juices completely. The wet, warm touch made Owen’s cock twitch lightly in response. After finishing cleaning Owen, she turned to clean the beautiful body of Iris, who was leaning against the headboard, just as flawlessly.

Iris watched the scene with a satisfied smile, her eyes sparkling with victory and ownership, before her gaze met Owen's, who was also watching her. After Owen had begun to understand and control his Sire power to a certain degree, an important question popped into his head. He turned to look at Iris, who was giving him a sweet, syrupy look.

"Iris… I have a question," he said, breaking the sensual silence.

"What is it, my love?" she replied with interest.

"Since you were able to awaken my power… what about yourself?" Owen asked with curiosity. "Don't you want to awaken your own power? If you and Rosy become Awakened too, we'll all be much stronger."

The question made Iris’s cunning smile fade slightly. She let out a soft sigh, as if it were a matter that greatly annoyed her.

“I would love to, my love… but I used up all the resources I had on you,” she replied, her tone growing more serious. “The 10 pure Mana Stones you just used were all I could find.”

She shook her head slowly, her eyes full of regret. "You should know how valuable those things are… especially Mana Stones with a purity high enough to be used in the awakening process like this. On the black market, they fetch an exorbitant price. At least ten thousand dollars per stone… The ten you used cost exactly one hundred thousand dollars."

Owen’s eyes widened in shock. "$100,000!?" He never thought his awakening would have such a high cost.

"Yes," Iris nodded seriously. "And that doesn't even include the cost of the equipment used to build this lab." She glanced around the room, filled with modified tools and high-performance computers. "I had to gather all of Rosy’s savings, borrow a large sum from Alicia… and the rest that I was still short… I had to get a loan from an unofficial funding source."

Her last words sent a chill down Owen’s spine. "An unofficial funding source? You mean… illegal loan sharks?"

Iris gave a dry smile, the first time Owen had ever seen such an expression on her face. "You could call them that… But what’s certain is that their interest rates are absolutely brutal, my love~"

The atmosphere, which had been filled with satisfaction and lust just moments ago, instantly turned tense. Owen stood up to his full height. His muscular, perfect body radiated an unconscious menace that made Talia, who was kneeling before him, look up with a frightened expression. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes directly.

“Who did you borrow the money from, Iris?” his voice was noticeably harder and colder, all the previous warmth gone.

Iris leaned back against the metal headboard casually, seeming not to feel the change in pressure at all. She slowly crossed her legs, a movement that tensed her smooth thigh muscles, revealing her beautiful form without a care.

“From the mafia that controls the entertainment district, of course,” she answered in a flat tone, as if talking about the weather. “I did my research. They’re the easiest and fastest source of money in this city.”

Her nonchalant answer made Owen's patience snap! The newly awakened "Sire" instinct was screaming about protecting his territory and his "mate." It was severely affecting his emotional control.

And when Iris saw Owen's extremely uncomfortable and worried expression… she had the idea to tease him. She wanted to see… just how possessive the strong king she had created with her own hands would be.

She feigned a soft sigh, making her voice sound flat and tinged with a little sadness, as if accepting an unavoidable fate.

“If I can't pay back that large sum in time… I suppose I won't have any other choice,” she said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye with a teasing look. “I’ll probably have to go work ‘special services’ at their club to pay off the debt… I wonder how many clients Rosy's body can take in a day~”

CRACK!

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck Owen’s heart!

“What the hell are you talking about!!!”

Owen exploded, completely losing his composure. He roared so loudly that Talia, beside him, jumped in shock, her body trembling like a baby bird. The possessiveness and ownership he had tried to suppress erupted with a violence he could no longer control.

He moved so fast he was a blur, lunging to straddle Iris on the bed in an instant. His clenched fists slammed down on the metal bed next to her face with a loud BANG! trapping her in his strong arms like an iron cage.

“Never! I will never let you do something so disgusting!” His eyes were bloodshot, blazing with a crazed fire of rage and possessive lust. “You are mine! You are my queen! No bastard has the right to touch you!”

He leaned his face in close until their noses were almost touching. His unique body odor, mixed with sweat and the pheromones of his fury, assaulted her. He immediately barked his question at her, his voice trembling with anger.

“How much is the debt!? Tell me! And when is it due!? I’ll get the money for you myself!”

Seeing Owen's intense and utterly possessive reaction… Iris's plan had succeeded beautifully. She didn't feel scared at all. On the contrary… her body was trembling with excitement and satisfaction.

“Teehee Hahahahaha!”

Her bright, joyful laughter echoed through the silent laboratory, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere. Her teasing plan had worked better than expected. She reached up to gently caress his rage-contorted face. Her cool fingertips were strangely soothing to his fury.

“Calm down, my king,” she said, her voice turning playful again, her eyes sparkling. “I was just joking… You’re too serious.”

She used her thumb to gently stroke his lower lip before revealing the truth. “There are still two or three months before the payment is due… We still have plenty of time, my love.”

Owen slowly relaxed the arms that had trapped Iris. The fire that had been blazing in his eyes began to die down, replaced by a wave of relief and exhaustion. He collapsed down beside her, completely spent. But instead of letting her go, he pulled her soft body into a tight embrace, inhaling her sweet and alluring scent deep into his lungs.

And, as a punishment for daring to play with his feelings… Owen used one hand to hold her rounded hips firmly before slamming his hard, 12-inch cock back into her slit, fast and hard. It plunged to the hilt in a single thrust, the sound of flesh slapping flesh echoing loudly in the room.

SHLURP!! THWACK!!

“Aaaarrrgh~!!” Iris’s eyes shot wide open, letting out a startled moan mixed with a jolt of pleasure. Her body instinctively arched to receive the impact.

The tense atmosphere returned to a state of lust once more. Iris’s breathing began to quicken noticeably. Fortunately, Owen didn't continue the act. He just left it buried inside her, holding her tightly, nuzzling his face into the fragrant crook of her neck.

“You are…” Owen said softly, shaking his head with a feeling of helpless endearment. “…the most wicked.”

“But you like it, don't you? Aahhh~” Iris replied instantly, letting out a small moan of pleasure. The hot walls of her pussy throbbed around Owen’s cock, as if trying to milk him dry. She leaned in close and used the tip of her tongue to lightly lick his lips seductively. “I just wanted to see… how much my king would protect me.”

After they had teased each other enough, they returned to the real problem. Owen let out a long sigh. “So… what are we going to do about this debt?”

Iris began to slowly and gently move her waist, grinding her hips against his thigh, sliding his large cock in and out of her slit with a deliberate slowness, creating a shameful, arousing, wet sound. She spoke to him, her voice slightly shaky.

“That’s the problem… Even though I have the knowledge of hundreds of scientists and engineers, none of them were financial experts.” She moved her waist a little harder, making Owen groan in his throat.

“If I used their advanced technological knowledge to make money in this world, it would be too risky to draw attention,” she admitted frankly. “And Rosy hasn't even finished university yet. She still has one semester left before she gets her degree to find a good job.”

The room fell silent once again. The heavy reality of the massive debt, due in three months, pressed down on them. Owen thought hard, hugging Iris’s body tighter, while she continued to grind against him without stopping.

He ran through all the possibilities… Alex’s job was still unfinished. The money from Clara’s OnlyStar had to be used for Damian's next debt payment. His own stream earned too little… How could he and Rosy possibly make a hundred thousand dollars in time?

And in that moment… he thought back to the career he knew best… streaming… and looked at the flawlessly beautiful face of Rosy that was nuzzling against his…

An idea flashed in his mind. It was true his own stream made little money, but that was because he wasn't good enough and didn't have enough to attract viewers. But if it was Rosy…

“Iris… I'm starting to get an idea,” Owen said, his eyes sparkling. “Our Rosy loves to play games, right? And she’s pretty good at it too. Why don't we have her try opening her own stream?”

Iris stopped moving, looking up at him with surprise. “You want her to be a streamer like you?”

Owen nodded. “That's right. With Rosy’s beautiful looks, her gaming skills, and your intelligence… we’ll create a new stream,” Owen said with excitement. “We’ll do cute and sexy cosplay content, mainly for chatting with the audience, and supplement it with gaming content to make her more accessible. I'm confident Rosy will attract a large number of followers very quickly!”

Iris listened to his plan with interest.

“And don't worry about the equipment or the method,” Owen promised. “I’ll use all my experience to teach you and Rosy… I’ll be your producer. We’ll push this channel to grow and make tens of thousands of dollars within a few months… Even if it’s not as fast as OnlyStar, it’s much safer.”

Iris stared into Owen’s eyes, which were blazing with determination… This was a world she had never known… rules she had never experienced… It was a new and exciting challenge…

She gave a smirk that was both beautiful and dangerous.

“Interesting, my love… very interesting,” she said, accepting the challenge, before slamming her hips down on his cock once more in agreement. “Then let's see… whether Rosy and I… can conquer this new world of yours.”

It was the beginning of a new role for Rosy and Iris as "rookie streamers," and the official formation of a business partnership with Owen…

—-------

Chapter 40: The Sire [Rank: Unknown] [R18]

Owen stood motionless in the center of the underground laboratory, a blissful thrill running through him. His massive cock was still embedded inside Talia’s expanded womb. He felt confused by the strange power he had just unconsciously manifested. It was powerful, exciting, and terrifying all at the same time, as if he had stepped into a new world, a boundless realm of life force and primal instinct.

Talia’s body, lying on the edge of the metal bed, was trembling nonstop. Her face was contorted in ecstasy, her eyes moist and blurry, while her abdomen was as swollen as a full-term pregnant woman's. The fair skin of her belly throbbed with the pulse of the eggs incubating within.

The surging mana in Owen’s body began to deplete rapidly. Exhaustion started to wash over him, causing him to slowly collapse, pressing his body against Talia’s soft, swollen abdomen, completely spent. His sweat-drenched face buried itself weakly between her large, firm breasts.

His large hands, which had once gripped her hips with passion, now moved up to squeeze her massive breasts naturally and playfully. The soft, firm flesh spilled out between his fingers. A feeling that was warm, tender, and seductive erupted in his heart once again.

And the moment he squeezed…

SQUIIIRT!

Milky-white fluid shot from both her nipples like a fountain, spraying onto Owen’s face. The sweet, gentle scent of milk filled the air. The scent was not only fragrant… it stimulated his instincts, making him crave it even more.

Talia’s body, as a pregnant broodmother, had automatically begun to produce milk to feed the “king,” as if her body was perfectly designed to serve a sire like him.

Owen, both shocked and aroused by the sweet scent, didn't hesitate. He buried his face in her fleshy breasts hungrily, latched his mouth onto one of the hard, erect nipples, and began to suckle greedily, like a newborn who had been starving for days.

Suckle Suckle Suckle~

Warm, thick milk shot into his mouth, accompanied by the sound of his swallowing, which echoed faintly in the lab's silence.

Gulp Gulp Gulp~

“Aahhhh~” Talia screamed in a pleasure-filled moan as a thrilling sensation shot through her hard nipples. She arched her chest up to meet his suckling, her trembling hands moving up to caress his sweat-soaked hair with the utmost love and craze.

Owen drank the milk continuously, insatiably, while his cock was still buried deep inside her. The warm, firm feeling from the womb filled with parasite eggs and the milky scent that filled the air were combining into a feeling of perfect possession.

At that moment, Owen felt a chaotic movement inside Talia’s womb through his cock. It was the feeling of hundreds of lifeforms struggling to emerge into the outside world. The clear, jelly-like parasite eggs were hatching in unison, revealing the form of a new race, completely different from the parasites Iris had created.

They had slender bodies, about 1 inch long. In the middle of their bodies were six tentacle-like limbs that served as arms and legs for free movement. On their heads was a single small, black eye and a pair of antennae for sensing their environment. On their backs were two pairs of thin, transparent wings, ready to spread for flight at any moment. At the end of their bodies was a long, slender tail, as sharp as a needle, for piercing into a host’s body. Overall, they had an appearance that was both elegant and dangerous, like a dragonfly mixed with a tiny parasitic worm.

Once the hundreds of parasites had finished hatching, they didn't wait, beginning to crawl out of Talia’s womb, using their six leg-like tentacles to excitedly climb along the still-clenched vaginal walls and Owen's still-hard cock, to see the outside world for the first time.

The sensation of hundreds of small, soft parasites squirming on his cock and the fleshy walls of her vagina created a strange, thrilling pleasure for both Owen and Talia, causing them both to cry out in ecstasy once more.

Aaaaaaaaaaaahh~!!!

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrgh~!!!

Talia’s body arched and spasmed violently, reaching climax over and over again. The walls of her womb and vagina contracted intensely, pushing all the little parasites out of her slit along with waves of her clear love juice.

Talia was now beginning to understand the feelings of a mother. She was in absolute bliss to have "given birth" to hundreds of children like this. Her body trembled nonstop with repeated ecstasy, while her once-swollen abdomen began to slowly shrink… little by little… until her body returned to its slender form, as if she had never been pregnant at all…

Owen slowly pulled his lips from Talia’s hard nipple. He was still nestled on her soft body, feeling his life force slowly being restored, while his newborn "children" were flying and crawling playfully on the naked bodies of their sire and broodmother.

And in that moment… Owen could feel a multitude of "consciousnesses" naturally trying to connect to his psychic network. It was a clear psychic current, filled with a variety of emotions, all rushing towards him at once.

He could feel pure love… unconditional loyalty… and the joy of being born… These were the feelings of the little parasites communicating with their sire, or king, Owen. If one were to put it in terms of affection scores, every single one of them would undoubtedly be at 100.

After a short rest, his fatigue was completely restored by Talia’s powerful milk. Owen slowly pushed himself up. He pulled his massive cock out of Talia’s tight slit, a lewd "SCHLICK" sound echoing from the momentary vacuum suction, before their mixed juices gushed out after it.

As Owen looked at the little parasites crawling and playing around chaotically, he had the idea to test his new power. A cunning smirk appeared on his lips, and he sent a command through his psychic network…

'All of you… gather on the metal bed next to Talia.'

His first command was simple, a test of basic control. Instantly! The body of every parasite froze. They turned as one towards the empty metal bed and immediately moved towards the target, following the king’s command in unison, with a little chaos.

Seeing them follow his command perfectly, Owen chuckled with satisfaction. He then began to test their intelligence to the next level.

'Very good… now, form groups of five.'

This time, a little chaos ensued. The parasites began to crawl around to form groups. They seemed to be counting their own "leg-tentacles" to calculate. Not long after, they managed to correctly form groups of 5.

'Interesting…' Owen thought. 'Let's try again…'

'Groups of seven.'

And this time, their system clearly glitched. The parasites began to bump into each other in confusion. They tried to form groups of 7, but when they counted to 6, they would stop and wander around, unable to comprehend a number that "exceeded" their own physical limitations.

Owen frowned, before a sudden understanding dawned on him. 'Six… they have six limbs… Don't tell me…' He gave one last command to confirm his theory.

'Okay, okay, that's enough. Groups of six, then!'

This time, the parasites returned to forming groups in an orderly and rapid fashion. They perfectly divided into groups of 6 without any errors, leaving only a few stragglers standing around, confused because there weren't enough of them.

Owen nodded, finally understanding. They had the intelligence of a small child just beginning to learn, but were limited by their own physiology, giving them a mathematical understanding of only the numbers 1 through 6…

'So there are still limitations… but this is more than enough for now,' Owen thought with satisfaction…

Owen continued to enjoy experimenting with his new power. He ordered the parasites to fly in circles around him like a swarm of miniature fighter jets before ordering them to form a heart shape in mid-air in unison. The sight of such formidable creatures making such a cute gesture made him unable to hold back a laugh.

Meanwhile, Iris, who had been resting on the bed, slowly sat up. Her body was fully recovered. She watched the sight of Owen playing with his "children" with a look of satisfaction and fondness.

She slowly got up from the bed, her naked form in Rosy’s body moving with the grace of a queen. She approached Owen from behind silently before wrapping her arms around his strong, sweaty back, her full breasts deliberately pressing against him.

“Looks like you're enjoying your new toys, my love,” she whispered huskily in his ear. Her hot breath made goosebumps rise all over Owen’s body.

Owen turned to answer, a proud smile on his face. “Look, Iris… the power that was 'awakened' in me is incredible. I never thought it would give me my own psychic network, just like yours…”

Iris chuckled softly, her laugh laced with an amusement and fondness for his cute misunderstanding.

“Oh, my love… it seems you've misunderstood something,” she said, resting her face on his shoulder, inhaling his powerful scent with longing. She wanted to start another war of lust so badly but had to suppress the feeling. “All the power you just used… it wasn't your awakened power at all.”

Owen frowned immediately. “What? But… if it wasn’t the power I awakened, then where did this power… this ability come from? It clearly used the mana in my body.”

Iris smiled like someone holding all the secrets. “It’s not strange that you would misunderstand, because in the end, it is your power. You can control and use it freely. It’s just that the source of that power wasn’t awakened by you yourself,” she began to state the shocking truth. “My words might confuse you, but please listen carefully to what I’m about to explain, my love~”

She pulled away slightly to stare into Owen’s confused eyes.

“It was my hidden plan that I hadn't told you about before… in order to surprise you now, of course,” she paused slightly before role-playing as a strict teacher.

“The intelligent parasite I injected into your body didn't just fuse mana for you. It also 'stimulated' the parasites in your reproductive system to evolve and awaken their power along with you…”

“As for the power you actually awakened, I don't know what it is either. You'll have to learn and understand it on your own. But as for the 'Sire' power that the parasites in your reproductive system awakened, I can explain that to you, because I perceive all of its information directly through my psychic network.”

Iris smiled, satisfied with her successful plan, before she began to explain the 4 abilities of the "Sire [Rank: Unknown]" power to Owen in detail.

She leaned in close, her sweet and alluring scent touching Owen’s nose once again. Her slender hand caressed his chest gently before moving lower… deliberately.

[1: Sculpture of Lust]

“As you just discovered… your body is no longer bound by biological rules,” she whispered, as her fingertips traced the ridge of his recently shrunken cock.

“You can freely modify your own genitals… whether it's expanding them to a terrifying size, changing their shape to be curved, or even altering the texture to be rough and veiny… All of it depends on your imagination… or that of the woman you wish to please.”

[2: Semen of Creation]

“Your semen is no longer an ordinary fluid,” her voice grew a little husky. “You can produce it almost without limit, as long as you have mana remaining… You can also determine its properties as you wish. Its color, scent, taste… and most importantly, choosing whether that semen will be merely a 'semen of pleasure' with no after-effects… or a 'semen of pregnancy' ready to create new life at any moment.”

[3: Broodmother's Brand]

Iris glanced over at Talia, who was lying on the bed with a blissful smile. “You can place a 'broodmother' brand on the body of one who submits to you with your semen of creation, turning that person into your complete 'broodmother,' which will have 3 subsequent effects.”

“1. Her body will be modified to be able to create a large number of parasite eggs from your semen.”

“2. She will be connected to your psychic network, allowing you to always perceive and communicate with her.”

“And 3. Every time she receives your semen, she will grow stronger. And if she is not an Awakened, there is a 1% chance it will cause her to awaken… and that chance will increase by 1% every time the awakening fails.”

[4: Pheromones of Infatuation]

Iris leaned her face in so close their noses were almost touching, her warm breath washing over Owen’s lips. “And finally… the power that makes you the most dangerous… You can release a special pheromone that directly affects the primal instincts of the opposite sex. It will make them feel relaxed, trusting, and slowly become infatuated with you… and if they receive a concentrated enough dose… it will violently awaken their sexual desires until they are irresistible.”

When she finished her explanation, Iris stared at Owen with a deep gaze. "Do you understand now, my love… just how incredible and terrifying your Sire power is?"

Owen could only stand there, stunned. He tried to process all the information he had just received… His Sire power… it wasn't a power for direct combat… it was a power of "creation," "control," and "possession" of a race, in its truest sense…

—-------

Chapter 39: The Sire [R18]

Owen walked slowly across the cold, metal floor of the laboratory, yet every step was heavy and filled with an unseen power. The dim blue light from the still-active control panels reflected off his sweat-drenched body, the shadows accentuating every taut muscle, making him look no different from a statue of a war god.

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence, like a prelude to the most sacred and lewd ritual this world could ever witness. His sharp eyes were fixed on the form of the young woman who was standing with her back arched and ass presented, waiting for him in a posture of complete submission. Talia… the nurse who was once beautifully innocent, was now nothing more than a lustful vessel waiting to be filled with warm cum.

She turned her head to look up at him over her shoulder, her eyes pleading, glowing with desire and the utmost worship. Her lips were parted, a thin trail of saliva seeping out from the corner of her mouth from her boundless excitement.

SMACK! SMACK!

The sound of his palm striking her buttocks, precise and full-force. The impact of flesh against flesh echoed throughout the room like a bell of lust. Two bright red handprints were stamped onto her fair white ass. Pain mixed with pleasure shot through her brain, making Talia cry out.

“Ah! Aahhh~” Talia jumped, but instead of pulling away, she arched her ass even higher, slowly swaying her hips as if inviting him to punish her again.

A satisfied smirk formed on Owen’s lips as one of his hands gripped the 12-inch cock that was still hard and slick with Iris’s juices. He was about to insert it into Talia’s waiting slit. Her wet pussy was twitching nonstop, a soft, wet sound emerging as a drop of her lubricant touched the tip of his shaft.

But then… Owen’s eyes glanced at the massive silicone dildo left on the edge of the bed. Long, thick, with a rough texture. It was the toy Talia had used to pleasure herself earlier… and in that moment, a thought flashed through Owen’s mind.

‘A woman who uses something that big… my 12-inch cock might not be enough for her…’

And as soon as he thought that, his newly awakened "Sire" ability automatically began to respond to his desire!

Warm mana energy flooded from his heart down to his groin, making his body feel shockingly hot. His heart began to beat faster and faster, and the cock in his hand began to throb in time with it.

Throb… Throb… Throb…

“Urk…” Owen let out a low groan of shock as the cock in his hand began to grow and expand rapidly! Both its length and thickness increased until it almost overflowed his hand. From 12 inches to 15… 20… until it finally stopped at 25 inches!

The piece of flesh in Owen’s hand now was no different from a horse's cock… veins bulging, skin rough, thick, and searing hot. The head was crimson red, flared so wide it was terrifying. And his body odor had changed as well… a potent pheromone was unconsciously released from his body, filling the entire room.

It made Iris, who was lying exhausted on the bed, tremble. Her naked body began to writhe, her wet pussy twitching nonstop as her lubricant gushed out like a fountain. Her once-closed eyes shot wide open with the power of lust.

As for Talia… she inhaled the scent with the desperation of an addict. Her face flushed, her eyes were locked on Owen’s 25-inch cock, unable to look away. Drool dripped from the corner of her mouth, her body shaking uncontrollably.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh~!!! A… a horse’s cock… the king’s cock…! Please… thrust it into me! Let me become your cum tank! You can even destroy my body with that big cock! Aahhh~!”

Owen was so stunned by what was happening to his own body that he was speechless. His consciousness blurred for a moment, replaced by the blazing sire instinct boiling in his chest. It was screaming at him to do only one thing… to reproduce… to possess… and to ravage the trembling woman before him until she broke in his hands! He had no more time to think or hesitate.

And in that second, he lifted his massive cock and aimed it at Talia’s gaping slit…

The king's frenzy spread through his entire body. He used his free hand to grip Talia’s hips tightly, then slammed the massive, hot 25-inch cock down into her wet pussy with a single, savage thrust. Talia’s slit instinctively clenched against the impact, but it was no match for the king’s power that was violating it.

SHHHLLLUUURRRP! THUUUUD!

“Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhh~!!!”

A high-pitched scream echoed off the lab walls. Talia’s body convulsed the moment the massive cock brutally tore into her love canal. Her eyes rolled back, her tongue lolled out, saliva drooling unashamedly from the corner of her mouth. Her sweet face contorted into a perfect, indescribable Ahegao.

Her body twitched rhythmically, and looking down… one could clearly see her abdomen bulge into the unmistakable shape of Owen’s large cock. It had pushed through the walls of her vagina, stretching the internal muscles in all directions before slamming hard against her cervix with a loud THUMP!

Owen could only let out a low growl, like a beast in heat. Without letting Talia catch her breath, he pulled back and slammed his cock back in with overwhelming strength. Talia’s naked body trembled with every thrust. The sound of flesh slapping flesh echoed without pause.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Ah Ah Ah~

Aahh Aahh Aahh~

The heavy impacts combined with the groaning of the steel bed, which creaked in sync with Talia’s moans of pleasure until the entire room became a stage for lust. Her soaking wet pussy desperately tried to clench around Owen’s inhumanly large cock. It was a pathetic attempt, because the tighter she squeezed, the more pleasure it gave them both.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Aahhh My king! Fuck me more! Fuck me harder! Destroy my womb with your big cock! Aaaaahh~”

Talia no longer had any trace of the innocent-hearted nurse. She was becoming a vessel obsessed with the cock of a superhuman king. Her body rocked back and forth with the force of his thrusts, her face covered in saliva and tears of ecstasy.

Owen’s breathing grew heavier and heavier, his muscles tensing. He lifted Talia’s body up and laid her on her back on the bed before him, spreading her legs wide to make it easier to pound his big cock in and out of her tight pussy, because her previous bent-over position had been squeezing him too tightly.

Once she was in position, Owen began to slam his hips into her with a mad frenzy, until Talia’s abdominal muscles bulged with the shape of his dick, spasming with every impact. The sound of fluid sloshing from the friction of flesh within flesh grew louder and louder.

Squelch Squelch Squelch~

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Schlick! Schlick! Schlick!

As for Iris, lying exhausted on the bed nearby, she began to pant along with the rhythm. She tried to lift her hand to spread her own lips and gently rub her clit, hoping to relieve the pleasure that was erupting from the pheromones and the arousing sounds before her.

“Ah… Ah… Owen… amazing… His body has evolved to another level… That cock… that cock isn't human anymore. It’s the cock of the king I love… Aahhh~” Iris mumbled to herself, her moist eyes filled with craze.

Talia was now practically unconscious. She was screaming, her stomach spasming from the pleasure, her womb being repeatedly slammed until her cervix was bruised and swollen. Both her legs were tensed straight, her toes curled, her hands gripping the edge of the bed so tightly her knuckles were white.

“I’m… I’m gonna… I’m gonna cum… Aaaaaarrrrrggghhh~!!!”

Talia’s moan rose up, unable to be suppressed, while Owen could only grit his teeth, his sharp, dark eyes filled with a boiling desire and feeling of possession. Both his thick hands gripped Talia’s soft hips, pressing down hard as he rammed the giant 25-inch cock through her slick slit, which was filled with lubricant and the scent of lust.

The long, thick shaft plunged deep until her cervix was forced open, accepting the head as it slammed in without mercy. The sounds of Thump! Thump! Thwack! Thwack! echoed with an insane, steady rhythm, like a machine that would never stop.

And as he neared the edge of his endurance, the mana in Owen’s body flowed and gathered in his testicles, becoming the epicenter of an intense and fiery power, like a volcano about to erupt.

Suddenly, Owen realized he could "customize" his semen, one of the abilities of a sire. And in that moment, he chose to infuse every drop of his sperm with mana, altering its properties to become the semen of "branding a broodmother" and "creating a new generation of parasites."

“Take it… Talia! All of this cum is yours!! Aaaaaaaahh!!~”

SPLOOOOOOGE! SPLOOGE! SPLOOGE!

GUUUUUUSH!

TWITCH! TWITCH! TWITCH!~

Aaaaaaaaaaaahh!!! Aaaaaaaarrrrrggghhh!!!

The final moans of both of them sounded in unison, it was almost impossible to tell who started or finished. Talia’s body tensed and spasmed, tears of happiness flowing from the corners of her eyes. Her face was contorted, her cheeks flushed with ecstasy, her eyes rolling back in another Ahegao face.

At the same time, Owen, who still had his cock buried to the hilt, insanely released his customized sperm into Talia’s womb. The warm, thick cum gushed in, filling her womb until her abdomen swelled in an instant, her body trembling as if it could be torn apart from the inside at any moment.

And in that instant…

VWOOOOSH~

A dark red light flashed from Talia’s lower abdomen. An ancient pattern that looked like a mysterious sigil glowed brightly. It swirled slowly before gradually embedding itself onto the fair skin below her navel, as if carved by the hand of a demon god of lust.

Talia’s body trembled again, her breathing ragged. Droplets of semen overflowed from her still-twitching slit, staining her thighs and the steel floor below in a fascinating way.

Owen slowly lifted his head, sweat pouring down his face. His eyes were fixed on the glowing brand on the young woman’s lower abdomen… He knew that in this moment, Talia had completely become his true “broodmother.”

She was no longer just a lover or a servant slave… but a part of a new race that would be born from his seed…

And as soon as the glowing brand fully appeared on Talia’s body, Owen could feel a psychic "connection" form between them. It wasn't just a faint feeling, but as clear as a voice in his head. Overwhelming bliss, a loyalty that went beyond any oath, and a pure worship as if she were a goddess's disciple… all this information flowed into Owen’s mind naturally. It was the same kind of psychic network as Iris’s.

…..

Owen’s giant cock was still embedded inside Talia’s womb, its tip still twitching lightly, releasing droplets of hot, thick semen deep into the cavity which was now packed tight with his seed. In that moment, his customized semen began to work again, after having completed the branding.

And then… the miracle of creation began.

Talia’s mutated womb began to react quickly to Owen’s semen… It expanded slowly, like a bio-sac absorbing a massive amount of mana.

Throb… Throb… Throb…

The pulse of creation echoed from within her womb. Owen watched with curious eyes as Talia’s stomach began to visibly swell. The mana gel circulating in his cum glowed faintly through her skin, like bioluminescent ink in the deep sea.

“Ah… my womb… is… carrying your children… Your Majesty…” Talia mumbled, her voice trembling. Her hands gently caressed her swelling abdomen, her fingertips tracing the brand as if touching something sacred.

She showed no signs of shock at all. Her body was trembling with ecstasy, her eyes were moist and shining with the deepest craze. Her smile was distorted… but beautiful in a way no words could describe.

“Lord Owen… my children… are growing… I can feel them… They’re squirming inside…”

Owen looked down at her abdomen, which was now as prominent as a full-term nine-month pregnant woman. It had expanded rapidly and unnaturally, but it looked… beautiful and fascinating at the same time.

Within that womb, hundreds of parasite eggs were rapidly incubating. Inside the thin, transparent shells were new lifeforms, the offspring of the parasite king, growing with the potent cum and mana from the same source.

Owen let out a soft sigh, his body still pressed against Talia’s, his cock still buried inside her, continuously releasing mana into her body like giving first milk to a new life.

Iris, who was watching from the bed nearby, her eyes widened with excitement, her breath shaky. She saw everything that was happening before her and knew that Talia had completely transcended the limits of humanity.

She was no longer just the king's "woman"… she was a broodmother, a vessel for the birth of a new race. The race of the Parasite Royals, who would soon rule this world…

—-------

Chapter 25: The Nurse Talia [R-18]

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Owen x Iris 5

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Chapter 38: The Laboratory of Lust [R18]

“I can't take it anymore, my love~ It's time for you to be 'eaten' whole by me... My king~”

As the husky, desire-filled whisper ended, Iris’s lips crushed down on his fiercely. Her hot, wet tongue invaded Owen’s mouth, chasing and tangling with his tongue in a frenzy. The sounds of wet kissing and shaky breaths echoed amidst the dim, flickering light of the emergency bulbs in the underground laboratory.

Mwah Smooch

Mmmmmm~

Her hands roamed his firm chest with fascination before sliding lower, past his muscular stomach, until her long, slender fingers slipped into his tattered pants and grabbed the massive erection that was straining within.

"Big... hard... hot... like a wild beast waiting to be unleashed…" Iris whispered, her breath washing over Owen’s abdomen. She gripped the 12-inch cock, so hard its veins bulged formidably, in both her hands. The hot flesh trembled in her palms before she began to jerk it up and down, slowly and heavily. The pressure and rhythm of her movements were as if she knew its every proportion better than anyone.

Owen gasped, his hips twitching slightly with the expert motion. Both his hands gripped the cold metal edge of the bed so tightly his knuckles turned white. A low moan escaped his throat, unstoppable.

“Aahh Fuck!... Your hands... are so soft... Iris”

“Relax and stay still… I’ll take care of everything, my love~” she whispered back, before using a fraction of her strength to easily push his newly awakened body flat against the steel bed. Her captivating, slender body leaned down over his. The dim light of the lab bathed her skin in shadow, accentuating every curve, making her look utterly seductive.

Her long, slender tongue began to greedily lick its way across his chest and his hardened nipples. Her purple eyes, now tinged with a faint red glow, shimmered like a predator savoring the delicious prey it had just perfectly captured.

Schlick Schlick

Mwah Mwah

“Aahhh~ My king… you are so perfect… Your body now is driving me insane!”

After arousing him to her satisfaction, she carefully positioned his cock so it was pointing straight up, then moved to kneel above it before slowly but firmly lowering her rounded hips, impaling the hot head of his shaft into her swollen, wet pussy, which was already twitching and waiting to be invaded.

SHLURP THWACK

“Aaaaaahh!~” Owen cried out as his massive cock was swallowed by the hot, tight pussy that felt like a living meat grinder. Iris slowly ground her hips down the entire length, the head of his cock slamming squarely against her cervix.

She held her body still for a moment to absorb the full, tight sensation before she began to rock her hips up and down, fast and savage. The sound of slapping flesh echoed loudly throughout the silent laboratory, reflecting off the metal walls until it became a song of lust that no one wanted to end.

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!~ Oooohh Ssssshh It’s so big and thick, my stomach feels completely full… But I love it… and I need more, Owen! My king! Ram your big cock into me harder! More! Fuck me until my pussy takes the shape of your cock! Aahh Aahh Aahh~”

Iris threw her head back and moaned loudly, her short, purple-streaked black hair whipping back and forth with the force of her thrusts. She ground her hips down on his strong abdomen like a hammer on an anvil. Owen’s large cock plunged in and out of her pussy relentlessly, until her stomach bulged out, clearly showing the shape of his cock. The steel bed groaned and began to creak with the violent, rhythmic impacts.

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Ah Ah Ah~

Aahh Aahh Aahh~

“I’m going to milk every drop of your cum out! Aahh I want to have your baby so badly, my love It's a shame Rosy won't allow it because she's not ready to have a child now... Aaaahhh Such a strange human sensibility! Oh Fuck That's it, Owen! Fuck me hard like that! Oooohh That feels so good Ah Ah Ah”

Iris moaned, her voice full of fascination and craze as she ground her hips, riding Owen’s cock without stopping. Her hands roamed his abs and kneaded his nipples with relish.

Meanwhile, Owen could only pant heavily, his eyes glancing at the body that was crushing him with endless desire. The fleshy walls inside her pussy squeezed his cock nonstop, giving him an incredible, thrilling pleasure. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He used both hands to lock her plump hips in place, then powerfully thrust his cock up into her, deep and hard, until the head broke through her cervix and entered her womb!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Guh! Guh! Guh!

Twitch Twitch Twitch~

Owen’s cock expanded and spasmed violently, shooting warm cum into her womb at the same moment she slammed her hips down with all her might. Iris gasped and tensed, her body convulsing as she came at the same time. Her arms wrapped around Owen’s body tightly, keeping his cock locked inside her pussy and womb to milk every last drop of his seed.

Splooge Splooge Splooge~

Gush Splooge Splooge~

Twitch Twitch Twitch~

Aaaaaaaahh Aaaaaaaarrrrgh

They both screamed out their pleasure-filled moans, their bodies twitching in perfect sync. Iris’s face was contorted with bliss, her eyes rolling back vacantly before her body went limp, collapsing onto Owen’s sweat-drenched chest…

[Image: Owen x Iris 1]

[Image: Owen x Iris 2]

The atmosphere inside the underground laboratory was still thick with the heat of lust. The scent of sweat, bodies, and the sharp smell of cum still hung in the air, mixing with the dim, faintly pulsing blue light. The soft light cast shadows on their naked bodies, still intertwined on the cold metal bed.

Iris’s heavy breathing was right next to Owen’s ear as she lay collapsed on his chest. Her purple eyes were still sparkling with a mixture of ecstasy and madness.

But it wasn't long before… Owen’s newly awakened sire instinct began to rage once more. His body still needed to release… and the queen before him was the most perfect vessel.

Owen’s large, rough hand moved up to grip Iris’s smooth back, then slid lower to her rounded buttocks, which were still twitching from the previous stimulation. He squeezed them hard and savagely, the soft, firm flesh spilling out between his fingers, so tempting he couldn't resist.

Iris looked up, her eyes half-lidded in a daze. But before she could say anything, her entire body was lifted from the bed, flying into the air. Her naked body was easily scooped up into a bridal carry, held against Owen’s strong chest as if she were a weightless doll.

Iris’s legs wrapped tightly around his waist while her slender arms clung to his neck. Her body fit perfectly against his, as if they were made to be joined like this.

“My love… your power… it’s so arousing…” Iris whispered hoarsely, her fingertips tracing the muscles on his neck.

Owen didn't say anything. He responded by crushing his lips against hers, fiercely. His tongue plunged into Iris’s mouth, hot and wild, while she met him with a violating tongue of her own. They drank from each other as if fighting for the last breath.

The sound of their kissing, Mwah Mwah, echoed lewdly in the lab.

Both of Owen’s hands were still kneading Iris’s rounded buttocks furiously, the soft flesh bouncing responsively in his hands until he almost lost control.

Then he lifted her hips slightly, using his long, large shaft—still erect and drenched in the fluids from the first round—and aimed it at her dripping, waiting slit. Her twitching pussy, not yet fully recovered, was about to be brutally invaded once more.

SHLURP!~ THUMP!

“Aaaaaaaahh~!”

Iris cried out as Owen slammed her hips down the entire length of his shaft in one go. The hot cock, coated in milky-white cum, slid into her slit so quickly that a wet squelching sound was clearly heard. Excess love juice gushed out from her pussy, coating his shaft until it glistened.

Owen began to move his hips immediately. His hands, gripping her large, round ass, lifted Iris's body up and then slammed her back down in a rhythm that was heavy, violent, and merciless.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

The sound of flesh slapping flesh mixed with the wet sounds of cum filled the room. The shadow of them, rocking up and down madly, reflected on the cold metal walls, a flickering silhouette like a demon of carnal pleasure.

“Owen! Aahhh Harder! Harder! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I love it… Yes! I love your big, thick cock! Fuck me to the limit! Make my pussy remember your cock! Make my brain think only of your cock all day! Aahh Ah-ah-ah”

“You're such a slut, Iris! My queen! Aahh Ssssshh Fuck! Your pussy won't stop sucking my cock! Aahh Then I'll just have to drench your body in my cum until you're satisfied!”

He growled low in his throat before lifting her hips and slamming her down again with a heavy thrust until her stomach bulged once more with the shape of his cock.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

[Image: Owen x Iris 3]

[Image: Owen x Iris 4]

Then Owen began to walk, still carrying Iris in his arms and continuously thrusting his cock in and out. He walked directly to another corner of the room, where another metal bed was situated.

On it lay the body of a young woman… Yes, it was Talia. The sweet-faced, pink-twintailed nurse was now tied hand and foot to the bed with black restraints. Her eyes and mouth were covered, but her body was writhing, letting out muffled moans as the giant dildo thrust in and out of her pussy without stopping.

Owen stopped in front of her bed but didn't stop his thrusting. Iris’s body was still rising and falling passionately as he stared at Talia’s pleasure-contorted face with the eyes of a possessor. Iris, knowing what he wanted to do, chuckled with amusement. She reached out and pressed a red button on the side of the bed.

Click…

The mechanical arm stopped instantly and retracted to the ceiling. The restraints on Talia’s body were released, and her moans fell silent from the sudden lack of stimulation.

Talia, feeling sexually frustrated, sat up and irritably removed her blindfold and gag. The first thing she saw was the sight of Iris (in Rosy’s body) being fucked hard and passionately by Owen right in front of her, making her eyes widen in shock before her own body began to tingle with arousal just from watching them.

“Watch closely, Talia This is your strong king! Aahhh From now on, you must serve him and work as a ‘broodmother’ to produce many parasite children. Understand? Eeeeek Aaaahh~” Iris panted and moaned as she spoke to Talia with a powerful voice.

Owen met the eyes of Talia, who was frozen, not daring to move, before the corner of his lips curved into a cunning smirk. "You're next… Talia…"

Hearing that, Talia’s eyes shot wide open with excitement. The sight before her was the ultimate fulfillment of her twisted dream… The heavy sound of slapping flesh, the crazed moans of the noble queen, and the powerful growl of the possessive king…

All of it made her body tremble uncontrollably. She didn't care about anything else anymore… She quickly got off the bed, her eyes shining with a long-suppressed desire.

Owen turned to look at her, his sharp eyes glinting with authority as he spoke in a voice that was utterly oppressive and cold.

“Come here… Talia.”

Just hearing that command, Talia’s entire body trembled as if she had been electrocuted. She immediately dropped to her knees on the cold concrete floor and crawled on all fours towards Owen with the posture of a completely submissive servant dog. She crawled until she was at his feet, then leaned down and used her hot tongue to lick the soles of his feet with lust, her face filled with the utmost reverence and craze.

“Understood… Master… No… Your Majesty…” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I will work as your broodmother to the best of my ability… Please… fill my pussy with your cock and your cum…”

Owen chuckled softly in his throat, satisfied. A smirk slowly spread across his face as he continued to slam his cock into Iris’s pussy. The sound of slapping flesh still echoed rhythmically without stopping.

“Very good, Talia… It would be too cruel of me not to give you a reward for this,” he said, glancing at her coolly. “Go stand facing the bed… and show me that ass and your beautiful pussy.”

Hearing that, Talia’s face beamed with the purest bliss. She nodded quickly, panting heavily as she got up and walked to stand facing the metal bed. She spread her legs wide, arching her rounded hips high until they were parallel to the floor. She used one hand to brace herself on the bed, while the other slipped between her legs, spreading her large, wet pussy lips wide, revealing the dripping red inner walls that were twitching seductively.

“Aahhhh I’m ready… Ready to produce your children… Your Majesty!”

The sight before him… both Talia's seductive body and Iris's insanely tight pussy, made Owen unable to hold back any longer. He quickened his pace, fucking Iris with all his might. The sound of the thrusts was so loud the floor trembled slightly, before he finally came.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

Splooge Splooge Splooge~

Gush Splooge Splooge~

Twitch Twitch Twitch~

Aaaaaaaahh!!! Aaaaaaaarrrrgh!!!

The final moans of Owen and Iris rose up together. They both reached their climax once again. Iris’s face was contorted in extreme bliss, her eyes rolled back, her tongue hanging out with a string of drool, while her womb was filled with a massive amount of cum from Owen, until her stomach swelled.

[Image: Owen x Iris 5]

Owen panted heavily. He pulled his still-erect cock, drenched in their mixed fluids, from Iris’s exhausted body, before walking towards Talia, who was still bent over, waiting for him intently…

—-------

Chapter 37: The Awakening

The atmosphere inside the underground laboratory fell silent, with only the soft hum of machinery continuing to run in the background. Owen stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the glass tube in Iris's hand. Inside, the mutated silver parasite swam around gracefully. Its movements were both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Her question still echoed in his head… 'Are you ready to become an Awakened?'

It was an offer as tempting as the forbidden fruit… an offer that would grant him the power to protect everything he loved. But at the same time, it was the most dangerous gamble of his life.

In Owen's mind, images of past events replayed over and over… the image of his own weakness and despair in the dimensional gate… the image of the battle he almost lost at the hands of Cole… and the shadow of the mysterious "boss" that was creeping closer with every moment. He knew all too well that his fighting skills and slightly enhanced body were no longer enough to deal with this world…

"Power" He needed real power.

But even so, the deepest part of his human instinct still screamed in protest. Allowing a "parasite," a foreign lifeform, into his body again didn't seem like a good idea. Even though he trusted Iris to a certain degree, as her affection score for him was already at 80, what if something went wrong? What if his body couldn't withstand the changes? He might not become an Awakened, but a disgusting monster for all eternity.

As Owen was drowning in confusion and internal conflict…

"Don't worry, Owen~ Trust us…" A gentle, familiar voice echoed clearly in his head. It wasn't the seductive and powerful voice of Iris, but the bright and caring voice of the real Rosy.

Owen raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked with curiosity, "Rosy? You can… use telepathy?"

"That's right!" her voice replied immediately, full of excitement and pride. "Since we have to share a body, Iris was kind enough to share her psychic powers with me too. I can't control it as well as she can yet, I can only communicate telepathically, but it's super cool, isn't it!"

Rosy's cheerful and confident words were like a breeze that blew away the hesitation in Owen's heart. If Rosy trusted Iris this much, then he had no reason to be suspicious anymore.

Owen took a deep breath, his gaze shifting from hesitation to firm resolve. He looked up to meet the eyes of Iris, who was waiting patiently for his answer.

"Okay, Iris… I trust you," Owen said in a steady voice. "What do I need to do?"

Hearing Owen's resolute answer, Iris's seductive smile slowly faded, replaced by the serious expression of a genius scientist. She had completely returned to her role as the experiment's controller.

“Very good,” she said flatly. “Then listen carefully, because I will only explain this once.”

Iris led Owen to the workbench where the Mana Stone lay. She reached out her hand but didn't pick it up immediately. Her slender fingertips hovered just above the blue crystal. The coldness radiating from the stone made her fingertips turn a faint red.

“The first step is mana absorption,” she began to explain. “A normal human body does not have the ability to directly receive mana energy. Therefore, we must 'force' it to happen. I will stimulate the energy in all ten stones to flood into your body at once.”

She turned to meet his eyes, her gaze devoid of any playfulness. “It will be painful… as painful as if your body were being torn to pieces and reassembled. Every cell in your body will scream in agony.”

Iris paused for a moment before speaking of an even more terrifying truth. “…And more importantly, a normal human body is too 'fragile.'”

She continued in the cold tone of a scientist. “You were not evolved to handle this kind of pure energy. For a body that adapts, it will become an ‘Awakened.’ And for a body that 'does not adapt'… mana is no different from a deadly poison. It will destroy your cellular structure from the inside, causing various abnormalities, even death… That is why there is a second step.”

She looked away from the Mana Stone and walked slowly towards Owen. Rosy's body, clad in a t-shirt and shorts, moved closer until Owen could feel the heat from her skin. She stopped right in front of him, at close range.

“At the moment your body is about to disintegrate from the overwhelming energy and the toxicity of the mana… I will inject this mutated parasite into your body.”

Iris placed her cold hand gently on Owen's chest. That position… was his heart.

Owen flinched slightly. Her touch made his heart beat faster uncontrollably. Her fingertips traced his pectoral muscles slowly. It was an act that was halfway between a doctor's physical examination and a lover's caress.

“This parasite will go straight to your heart,” she whispered in a husky voice, her eyes staring deep into his. “It will act as an 'intelligent controller,' organizing the chaotic mana and calming it down, neutralizing its toxicity, and completely fusing it with your genetic structure… Your heart will no longer be just a piece of flesh that pumps blood. It will become a new 'power furnace,' the center of everything within you.”

Her thumb slowly traced its way up his neck, feeling the racing pulse, before lifting his chin slightly, forcing him to meet her gaze.

“But remember, Owen…” she continued, her voice turning cold again. “This is the first experiment on an ordinary human. The data I have is only from theories and simulations. The success rate may not be one hundred percent. If an error occurs… the result could be death, brain damage, or a mutation so horrific you would beg for death instead.”

She stared at him, waiting for his reaction, waiting to see the fear in his eyes.

But Owen remained calm. He knew the risks were real, but deep down, he also knew that Iris would never let this experiment fail… She would never allow her one and only "king" to die or become a disgusting creature. This confidence didn't come from bravery, but from his trust in the "desire" she had for him.

Owen reaffirmed his previous statement in a firm and steady voice, "I understand… Do what you have to do, Iris."

The smile at the corner of Iris's lips widened with satisfaction. Her eyes sparkled with the excitement of a scientist about to begin her most important experiment, mixed with the delight of a woman whose lover had given her his complete trust.

“Very good, my love… You've made the right choice,” she whispered, before leading Owen by the hand to the center of the laboratory.

There stood a silver metal bed that looked different from the other pieces of equipment. It was exquisitely and sturdily built, with a surface of a dark, soft-looking polymer gel. At the base of the bed were ten circular slots connected to thick, heavy power cables. Above the bed, a complex mechanical arm and control panel hung from the ceiling.

“Lie down,” Iris ordered flatly.

Owen obeyed without question. He lay down on the bed, the cool touch of the gel making him flinch slightly. Suddenly, several metal restraints automatically slid out from the edge of the bed. They locked onto his wrists, ankles, and torso, gently but firmly, making it impossible to move. His heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and fear.

Iris went to get the cryogenic box containing all 10 Mana Stones. She carefully took them out and placed them into the slots at the base of the bed, one by one… one by one… Each time a Mana Stone was inserted, the lights on the control panel brightened, and the hum of the machinery grew louder.

When the last stone was in place, she walked to the main control panel. Her slender fingers danced across the touchscreen with speed and skill before she looked up to meet his eyes one last time. "Brace yourself, my love… This is going to hurt a little."

VWOOOOOM!

As she finished speaking, a frigid, ice-blue energy surged from the base of the bed, flooding into Owen’s body with insane force!

"AGGGHHHHHHHH!!!"

A scream he tried to hold back exploded from his throat uncontrollably. The pain Owen felt was far beyond his imagination. It wasn't the pain of a wound, but the feeling of every cell in his body being ripped apart. His muscles convulsed so violently the restraints rattled. Veins all over his body bulged, beginning to glow with a faint blue light beneath his skin.

His consciousness began to fade, the world turning white, leaving only an endless torment…

At the moment Owen was about to lose consciousness and his body was about to disintegrate from the overwhelming energy and the toxicity of the mana… Iris's form appeared above him. In her hand was a syringe filled with the silver liquid from the glass tube.

She plunged the needle precisely into the large, throbbing vein on his neck and immediately injected the mutated parasite into his bloodstream!

Suddenly, Owen’s sensation changed in an instant…

The crazed pain slowly subsided, replaced by a strange feeling of "balance." He could feel "something" alive and intelligent moving within his body… The silver parasite had begun its work.

The blue energy that had been raging like a storm was quickly reorganized by the "intelligent parasite." The mana was woven and fused with every cell in his body in a systematic way. Owen felt the change happening to his own heart. It was beating faster… but not with fear. It was a powerful, steady rhythm… His heart was being transformed into a complete mana storage and production source.

The rampaging blue light slowly calmed. It flowed from his heart, which had become a new "power core," running through the veins throughout his body, calm and balanced. At the same time, this newly awakened life force began to rapidly "repair" his body. The severe wound on his shoulder healed in an instant. The once-cracked bone fused together until it was completely gone!

The time of evolution flowed by quickly, and then, an hour later, it was over…

Click~

The sound of the machine shutting down. All the restraints were automatically released. Owen lay on the bed, panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat but feeling no more pain.

Iris walked to the side of the bed. She leaned down to slowly help Owen sit up… and in that moment, the cold gaze of the scientist disappeared, replaced by the eyes of a woman filled with the utmost craze and desire.

"Ahh~ Perfect…" she whispered in a husky voice, her eyes fixed on Owen’s transformed body. His skin looked more radiant, every muscle group was sharp and beautifully defined, like a Greek god's statue. It was the most perfect body she had ever seen.

"Pant Pant"

Her lustful panting grew louder, until Owen could feel it. The two breasts in her body heaved violently with her breathing. She swallowed hard, licking her dry lips unconsciously.

Owen, having just endured the torment, was panting just as heavily. But in his eyes… there was a spark of power that had never been there before. He could feel the mana flowing through every particle of his body. It wasn't just physical strength, but "something" that made him feel connected to the laws of this world for the first time…

Owen was still trying to understand the new sensation flowing through his body. The warm mana energy, like a river of life, had replaced all the pain. He could feel everything around him… the vibration of the machinery, the electricity running through the wires, even the dust motes floating in the air… The world in his eyes looked sharper and more filled with "information" than ever before.

But before he could explore his new power any further…

"Pant Pant Ahh~"

Iris's lustful panting sounded next to him. When Owen turned to look, he saw her eyes were bloodshot with the utmost desire. She was staring at his evolved body… not with the eyes of a scientist admiring her work… but with the eyes of a predator about to devour its delicious prey.

The great queen's sense and reason had been completely incinerated by the fire of her lust… She couldn't take it anymore.

Iris leaped onto the bed, quick and savage. She immediately straddled Owen’s strong thighs, her hands gripping his face tightly, forcing him to look at the madness in her eyes.

RRRIP! RRRIP!

Her fingertips grew sharp, pitch-black claws, and she used them to rip his clothes, bandages, and the soft cast on his arm to shreds without a care. Scraps of fabric scattered across the bed, revealing Owen’s perfect, unblemished body.

She leaned down to whisper in his ear, her hot breath washing over his skin, raising goosebumps.

"I can't take it anymore, my love~ It's time for you to be 'eaten' whole by me... My king~"

As the husky, lust-filled whisper ended, she crushed her lips against his, fierce and devouring. It was a kiss of true possession. Her hot tongue invaded his mouth, chasing and tangling with his, hungrily.

Smooch Mwah Mwah~

Mmmmmm Aahhhhhh

At the same time, her other hand was not still. It roamed over his perfect chest and abs with fascination, before moving lower… and lower… until her long, slender fingers slipped into his tattered pants, grabbing the 12-inch cock that was rapidly hardening from the stimulation.

She gripped it in her hand, feeling the heat and strength trembling in her palm, before she began to jerk it up and down in a slow, heavy rhythm… an arousal that was driving Owen insane…

—-------

Chapter 36: The Surprise [R18]

Creeeak...

The sound of a stiff hinge groaned slowly as Rosy pushed the heavy wooden door inward, revealing a concrete staircase that descended into the dim darkness of a basement. The musty, cold scent of long-undisturbed air immediately hit Owen’s face. It was a familiar smell… the smell of a typical basement.

Owen followed Rosy’s back down, one step at a time. The narrow, steep stairs forced him to be especially careful with his movements. The light from the hallway above gradually faded, leaving only the dim glow of a single old light bulb hanging at the bottom of the stairs, casting their long, distorted shadows on the cold concrete walls.

'What kind of surprise is this? Why is she taking me to the basement?' Owen wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. Maybe it was a storage room filled with Rosy’s old musical equipment, boxes of unused clothes, or mementos from Alicia’s past. It should have been a place filled with the Knightwell family’s memories.

But as he neared the bottom floor… he began to feel that something was wrong.

The musty smell that should have been there was slowly fading, replaced by a strange scent he didn’t recognize… a smell like ozone from high-voltage electricity mixed with a faint chemical odor that stung his nose slightly. The silence that should have been pervasive was broken by the low "hum" of electronic machinery running constantly.

Owen’s heart began to beat erratically. His instincts were screaming, warning him that something was not right.

At the bottom of the stairs, the sight before him made Owen stop dead in his tracks. It wasn't an ordinary wooden door as he had expected, but a heavy, thick door of dark grey steel. It had no knob or keyhole, only a digital keypad glowing with a soft blue light on its side, no different from the door of a vault or an underground bunker.

Owen’s mouth fell slightly open in surprise, his brain trying to process the starkly contradictory image… a warm, modern-style house… with a secret bunker door in the basement? 'There must be something valuable or a very important secret stored behind this door,' he thought. 'Otherwise, why would they go to the trouble of installing a security door like this?'

Rosy glanced back at Owen. Seeing his stunned expression, the corner of her lips curved into a satisfied smile. Her eyes were filled with pride and admiration… not pride in her own home, but pride in the work of the one who created it.

She turned back to the door, her slender fingers gliding over the keypad with a familiarity and confidence that seemed far beyond normal.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

The quiet beeps of the keypad sounded several times, indicating a complex password, before a heavy mechanical sound echoed from within the door…

Click... Hiss~

A sound like a vacuum seal being released came first, before the thick steel door slid smoothly to the side… its fluid movement completely belying what must have been its immense weight, and revealing what lay within…

And in that moment… Owen’s world seemed to stop spinning.

The light that shone out wasn’t the soft yellow of an old bulb, but a brilliant blue and green light emanating from dozens of monitors. Owen stepped into the room slowly, as if mesmerized… and stood frozen in place.

This wasn't a storage room… this was clearly a mad scientist's laboratory!

He scanned the room in utter shock. Several long, stainless-steel tables were arranged chaotically, covered in electronic equipment he had never seen before. There were glass beakers filled with an emerald-green liquid, bubbling away on a heating element clearly modified from an old electric stove. Next to it, an oscilloscope displayed complex and unfamiliar wave signals.

Multicolor wires snaked across the ceiling and walls like a crazed, high-tech spider's web, connecting to several high-performance computers that had been hastily assembled, without even their cases closed. They revealed glowing circuit boards and rapidly spinning cooling fans. Every screen displayed complex data graphs and lines of code that scrolled by endlessly.

Owen’s brain tried to process what he was seeing. The image of the secure storage room he had just imagined shattered in an instant. He couldn't understand or find any connection as to why a seemingly ordinary house would hide a secret laboratory that looked like it was straight out of a sci-fi cyberpunk movie… How was this possible?

He turned to look at Rosy, who was waiting beside him, his eyes full of questions. But before he could say anything, he saw the look in her eyes change… The playfulness was completely gone, replaced by a deep, unsettling pride, confidence, and a sharp intelligence that was almost terrifying…

That was not Rosy’s gaze.

Owen swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine as he realized who was standing in front of him now.

"Iris?..." Owen forced the word from his dry throat.

Seeing Owen’s stunned expression, the woman in Rosy’s body… no… Iris, smiled at him with satisfaction. It was a smile full of superiority and amusement. She spread her arms wide, like an artist about to present her masterpiece, amidst the blue light shining from the computer monitors arranged on the workbench.

“Welcome to my private research lab, my love,” her voice had changed completely. It was no longer Rosy’s bright, husky voice, but a tone that was fluid, powerful, and strangely seductive. “What do you think? Do you like my work?”

She began to lead Owen slowly into the room, her movements elegant and filled with a clear confidence. Owen followed cautiously, his eyes scanning the entire room, which was filled with a chaos that was neatly zoned and organized.

“I know it might look a little messy,” she continued, running her fingertips over a centrifuge that was clearly modified from a washing machine motor. “I had to use whatever materials I could find in this house, at old equipment shops, and order some things online that wouldn't arouse too much suspicion… but it all works according to my calculations.”

Owen, still trying to make sense of the situation, could only follow her in silence. He could see the mad genius in every detail… everything was built sloppily but functioned perfectly. It was proof that its creator didn't care about appearances, only the "result."

“How… how did you do all this?” Owen finally managed to ask.

Iris stopped walking and turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with pride. She gently tapped her temple with a fingertip.

“Have you forgotten, my love? That research facility in the dimensional gate wasn’t just my nest… it was my massive library,” she explained in a flat tone.

“Every time one of my parasite children successfully took over a host’s brain, whether that person was a scientist, an engineer, a skilled technician, or even a janitor… as long as they were successfully connected to my psychic network, their knowledge, memories, and every skill they had accumulated in their lifetime would be automatically uploaded to my databanks, eventually becoming a part of me…”

She gave a smirk that was both beautiful and terrifying.

“Right now… I have the memories and expertise of over three hundred personnel in my head. Building this laboratory was easier than assembling LEGOs. The truly difficult part was finding the necessary materials and equipment,” she chuckled softly, before emphasizing the shocking truth.

“And all of this… took me only one week.”

Those words hammered home a terrifying reality… that the being standing before Owen was not just a powerful Parasite Queen, but a "Super Intelligence" with a vast databank of knowledge beyond his imagination. Her ability to learn and apply was on a truly frightening level.

After Owen had somewhat managed to accept the shocking truth about Iris’s intellect, he asked the most important question, his voice filled with immense curiosity. "So… what did you build all this for?"

Instead of answering directly, Iris gave a knowing smile. Her smile held both the allure of a predator and the satisfaction of a scientist about to unveil her masterpiece. She said, “For ‘you,’ of course, my love~ But explaining with words is boring and doesn't do it justice… Better to see the results of my research with your own eyes.”

Iris snapped her fingers lightly.

Click…

The sound of a relay activating was followed by a strip of LED lights, hidden in the darkest corner of the ceiling, slowly illuminating. A cool, soft white light shone down, bathing a piece of machinery that stood majestically in its glow, and revealing a sight that made Owen stop breathing…

On a complexly designed metal experimentation bed… was the naked body of Talia.

The nurse’s voluptuous body was completely nude and perfectly bound. Her wrists and ankles were locked in black leather restraints, securing her in an exposed and seductive spread-eagle position. Her eyes were covered by a blindfold of pure black silk, as was her mouth, which was gagged with a bright pink silicone ball gag. It pushed her lips slightly apart, revealing only the tip of her moist tongue moving within.

Hfff… Hfff… The sound of her ragged breathing came in rhythmic pants through the small holes of the ball gag.

But what shocked Owen the most was the large robotic arm moving smoothly yet powerfully above her. It was attached to a frame on the ceiling. The end of the arm gripped a massive, horse-sized dildo of pitch-black silicone. It was so realistically crafted that its bulging veins were visible, and it was continuously and relentlessly thrusting in and out of Talia’s swollen, red, and soaking-wet pussy.

Slap Slap

Slap Slap

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Thwack Thwack Thwack~

Thump Thump Thump~

Mmph Mmph Mmph~

The wet sounds of flesh slapping together synchronized with Talia’s muffled moans.

"Ngh… Nnghh~... Mmmphh!"

Even though she was bound and couldn't see anything, her body was responding to the violation willingly. Her plump hips moved in rhythm, rising to meet the impacts of the giant dildo. Her back arched until her massive breasts trembled. Clear lubricating fluid gushed from her pussy nonstop. Every movement she made indicated an overwhelming pleasure that was pushing her to the brink.

Owen’s eyes widened, his brow twitching violently. He turned to look at Iris with a gaze that screamed, ‘Iris… what the hell… are you doing!?’ And she seemed to understand without him having to speak.

Iris shrugged nonchalantly, as if she were explaining the weather. “It’s just research. Don’t overthink it, my love. I need to collect data on the biological reactions and mana flow levels in an Awakened’s body… in a state of peak physical stimulation, in order to find the most stable baseline for my experiment.”

She glanced at a monitor displaying the brainwaves and heart rate of Talia, which were spiking into a terrifying graph.

“This is all for your own safety in the next phase of the experiment. I’m not doing this for my own amusement at all~” she said in a flat tone, but her eyes sparkled with an unconcealed satisfaction.

Owen could only roll his eyes internally. He didn't believe her nonsense for a second. This was just an excuse she was using to satisfy her own perverted desires in the name of science!

Seeing Owen’s disbelieving and skeptical gaze, Iris chuckled softly. She waved her hand dismissively, as if to brush the scene of Talia from his attention.

"Never mind that for now, my love… The important thing is the ‘result’ of the research."

She led Owen to another workbench that was cleaner and more organized than the others, as if it were an altar for displaying the most important items, and announced in a victorious tone.

“From my research on Talia’s body over the past week… I have finally succeeded… I have discovered a way to turn an ordinary human into an ‘Awakened.’”

Those words were like a bolt of lightning striking Owen’s heart. He stared at her with wide eyes, unable to believe what he had just heard. "You… what did you say?"

“I said, I’ve found a way for someone like you… to become a perfect Awakened,” Iris smiled with satisfaction. She swept her hand over two objects lying on the table.

The first was a “Mana Stone,” an uncut, clear blue crystal the size of a man's fist. It didn't shine but seemed to absorb the light around it, making its center look as dark and deep as outer space. Owen could feel the raw energy vibrating in the air around it, pulsing faintly like a sleeping heart and radiating a subtle coolness.

The second item lay next to it in a sealed cylindrical glass tube. It was a “Mutated Parasite,” a small, silver creature about two inches long, swimming in a clear liquid. Its movements were sharp and filled with an unsettling intelligence, as if it were watching and assessing him from within the tube.

"These are the two keys to evolution," Iris explained. "Pure mana energy from the Mana Stone, and a parasite genetically modified by me specifically for the purpose of awakening… This parasite will act to fuse the mana energy with your cells at the genetic level, without causing your body to go berserk or mutate into a deformed state. It will unlock the potential that lies dormant within you…”

After she finished speaking, she picked up the glass tube containing the parasite. But instead of handing it to him, she walked around the table… slowly approaching Owen. Every step she took was elegant and filled with the authority of a queen approaching her king.

The atmosphere in the room shifted from scientific to a dangerous sensuality. Owen held his breath as her body stopped right in front of him. Her unique, sweet, and alluring scent filled his senses.

Iris used her free hand to slowly lift Owen’s chin. The touch of her fingertips was both soft and firm, impossible for him to resist. She leaned her face close, forcing him to look deep into her eyes… eyes that no longer reflected Rosy, but were as deep as the ocean, filled with fascination, desire, and the power of a creator admiring her own masterpiece.

“And all of this… is just for you, my love~” she whispered huskily, her warm breath caressing his lips.

“So? Are you ready to evolve… and become an Awakened? My king~”

—-------

Special Chapter (AU): A Choice Denied (Clara)

The content for this chapter is in the "Special Chapter" chat.

Chapter 35: Rosy’s House

Owen stared into Jessica’s eyes, which were filled with jealousy and reproach. Primal instinct screamed at him to choose the most dangerous path… but it was also the path that was truest to his heart. Option 3.

A cunning smile appeared at the corner of his lips before the system window dissolved.

He stepped towards Jessica, slow yet steady. Each step was filled with a pressure that made the young woman hold her breath without realizing it. When the distance between them closed until they were almost touching, Owen reached out, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her body close, until their chests lightly touched.

"Ah…" Jessica let out a startled cry.

Before she could protest, Owen’s strong fingers lifted her chin, forcing her once-cold eyes to meet his blazing ones.

"Don't be foolish, Jessica…" His voice was deep and powerful. It wasn’t a shout, but a cold command that seeped into her very soul.

"It doesn't matter who I talk to, or if I have other women... it never changes the fact that you are 'mine' and I am your everything. We're both selfish. It just depends on how we accept or manage it."

The words, both comforting and commanding, pierced deep into Jessica’s heart. It was like a bright light shining in to drive out the darkness. The counterfeit memories Cole had built began to crack and crumble, replaced by Owen’s intense desire.

Before she could even process her feelings, Owen pressed his face down, capturing her lips with his in a fierce and passionate kiss.

Smooch! Mmmph!!!!

At first, Jessica flinched, her body instinctively tensing in resistance, but her strength was no match for Owen’s. He slid one hand to the back of her head, forcing her to accept this hot, savage kiss. His tongue expertly slipped past her trembling lips, chasing and tangling with hers.

The initial harshness slowly transformed into a passion she couldn't resist. Her body went limp in his arms, willingly. Her lips parted, accepting his invasion before she began to kiss him back just as fiercely. She wanted him… wanted him to possess her, body and soul… wanted this powerful touch to completely erase the disgusting memory of Cole.

Smooch Mwah Mwah~

Schlick Schlick Schlick~

Mmm Aahhh

Her hands, which had at first pushed against his chest, now moved up to clutch his hair tightly, pulling him in for a deeper, more intimate kiss. The wet, lewd sounds of kissing echoed in the quiet hospital room.

When Owen slowly pulled his lips away, leaving a thin string of saliva connecting them, he looked deep into her moist, passion-filled eyes before asking in a softer, yet still possessive tone, "Now… are you ready to take me to Rosy's house?"

Jessica was breathing heavily, her face flushed, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest. The anger and jealousy from a moment ago had completely vanished, leaving only a sweet submission and a dangerous excitement.

"...You're right," her voice was faint and sultry. "I am 'yours' and always will be~"

She spoke the confession like an oath before slowly pulling away from him. Her face was still flushed, but her eyes were filled with resolve. She walked over to the table, picked up the key to Owen’s SUV, and gripped it tightly… a complete acceptance of this complicated role and relationship.

After finishing all their business at the hospital, Owen’s new white SUV drove away from the bustling city center, heading towards the suburbs where the scenery began to change to more spaced-out houses. The atmosphere in the car was quiet, with only the sound of the wind rushing past the slightly cracked-open window. Jessica drove smoothly, while Owen leaned back against the seat, calmly watching the scenery pass by.

Half an hour later, the car turned into a quiet residential neighborhood before pulling to a smooth stop in front of a medium-sized, two-story house. The house was a simple, modern style with a white and grey color scheme, but the small flower garden in the front, filled with lavender and pale roses, made the whole house look incredibly warm and inviting.

"We're here?" Owen said softly as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Mm…" Jessica grunted in response, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at the house. The possessiveness that had just been awakened was still smoldering inside her. "Should I wait?"

Owen shook his head slowly. He reached out with his right hand to gently caress her smooth cheek. "It's okay. This will probably take a while. I don't want to take up any more of your time, my love~" He looked deep into her eyes. "Thanks for the ride."

"Don't thank me. It's a lover's duty to take care of each other" she smiled faintly before leaning in to give him a peck on the cheek. "See you later, my love And don't forget, you still owe me that visit to my house…" she said, her voice laced with suggestion, before returning to the driver's seat.

After Owen got out of the car and watched Jessica drive off until she was out of sight, he turned to face Rosy’s house. He took a deep breath to prepare himself for the "surprise" that awaited him before walking to the front door and ringing the bell.

Ding-dong~

Almost as soon as the bell fell silent, the door was yanked open!

"Owen!"

Rosy’s form, dressed in her favorite rock band t-shirt and a pair of black shorts that revealed her fair, slender legs, shot out of the house like an arrow. She threw herself into Owen’s arms, hugging him tightly before he could even react. She buried her face in his strong chest, inhaling the scent she had missed so much until she felt a little dizzy.

"You're finally here! I missed you like crazy!" she said, her voice muffled. Her breasts, hidden under the t-shirt, pressed against his chest muscles until he could feel their softness.

Owen, still surprised, could only smile and pat her head gently, before a clear, playful voice came from inside the doorway.

"My, my Young people are so passionate, aren't they? Teehee"

Hearing that voice, Rosy immediately pulled away from Owen. She spun around and pouted at the woman leaning against the doorframe. The woman had a warm smile and eyes that were strikingly similar to Rosy’s. She had a gentle, beautiful face, a short, jet-black bob haircut, and a very voluptuous and curvy figure, especially her large breasts and buttocks, which were almost bursting out of the black lace dress she was wearing. Even though she was 50, she looked like she had just entered her 40s, no different from a youthful mother.

[Character Illustration: Alicia]

"Mind your own business, Mom! What I do and with whom is my business! And why are you blushing and fidgeting like that? You're not a kid anymore, you don't need to get shy over a simple hug!"

After finishing her rant, Rosy turned back and pulled Owen’s arm possessively. "Owen, don't pay any attention to this woman's words. She's my meddling mother, Alicia Knightwell… And Mom, this is Owen Marlowe, the boyfriend I'm always talking about. I hope you won't tease him like you do Julian!"

Alicia chuckled softly at her daughter's cat-like posturing. She looked at Owen with a fond expression before her eyes scanned him from head to toe, analyzing him. Her gaze paused for a moment on his large crotch before moving back up to meet his eyes with a knowing smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, Owen," Alicia said in a kind voice. "You must be very skilled to have my feisty daughter so smitten. To the point of abandoning poor little Julian… But I understand, that's just how teenage life is~ Come on in. I just finished baking some cookies."

She opened the door wider, inviting Owen into the house, which was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked goods, mixed with the faint, alluring scent of its sexy, fifty-year-old owner…

Owen followed Rosy into the house. The fragrant scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filled the air as soon as the door closed. The living room was decorated in a simple but stylish way. A large, dark grey sofa sat in the middle of the room. On the walls, posters of various rock bands were interspersed with serene landscape oil paintings, a perfect contradiction that also reflected the personalities of this mother and daughter duo.

"Have a seat. I'll go get some water and cookies," Alicia said with a smile before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving Owen to sit on the sofa with Rosy, who was still pouting.

Not long after, Alicia returned with a wooden tray holding two glasses of cold water and a plate full of hot cookies with gooey chocolate still melting. She handed a glass to Rosy before walking around to Owen’s side.

And in the moment she bent down to place the glass of water on the low table in front of him…

Alicia deliberately leaned down extra low, causing the deep V-neck of her dress to gape open, revealing the milky-white cleavage of her voluptuous breasts. Her two massive breasts pressed firmly against Owen's arm and shoulder. He could feel their full softness and weight. The tips of her nipples under the fabric brushed against his skin, sending a thrilling sensation through his entire body.

"Have some water to cool down, Owen~" she whispered sweetly next to his ear, her warm breath carrying a faint, sweet scent, which only made the blood in Owen’s veins pump harder.

"That’s enough, Mom!"

Rosy’s voice rose in annoyance. She shot up immediately, her face flushed with jealousy. She walked over, grabbed her mother’s arm, and pulled her away from Owen. "Don't be so inappropriate with my boyfriend!"

Alicia just laughed, amused. Her laughter was as clear as a bell. "Oh, dear I'm just welcoming my daughter's boyfriend. Why are you so possessive? Or are you afraid I'll steal him away?"

"Mom!" Rosy stomped her foot in frustration before dragging her mother to sit on the other side of the sofa.

After the adorable mother-daughter squabble had settled down, Rosy turned back to Owen. The annoyed smile from a moment ago vanished, replaced instantly by a look of worry and deep concern as her eyes fixed on his left arm, which was wrapped in a thick bandage and a soft cast, held securely by a sling.

"That's right, Owen… your arm…" Her voice softened noticeably. She moved closer, gently tracing the edge of the bandage with her fingertips, as carefully as possible, as if afraid the slightest touch would cause him pain. "What happened to you? Why are you hurt so badly?"

Owen gave a faint smile, trying to make his voice sound as casual as possible. "It’s nothing much. Just some psycho who was harassing a friend of mine. I had to teach him some manners, so I got a little souvenir." He gave a dry laugh. "But trust me, he looks a lot worse than I do."

But his words, which were meant to downplay the situation, only poured gasoline on the fire in Rosy’s heart.

"Who was that bastard!" she snapped, her once-gentle eyes now blazing with fury. She clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. "He dared to hurt you! If you weren't injured, I'd drag you back there to stomp him into the ground!"

"Easy there, love~" Owen chuckled softly. He used his good hand to hold hers. His warm touch helped her to calm down a bit. "It’s over now. The police have already dragged him to jail."

Alicia, who had been quietly observing the young couple's conversation, couldn't help but smile. "My, my~ Look at my daughter. Ready to go to war for her boyfriend," she teased, before examining Owen’s body with an undisguised, sparkling gaze.

"But you look pretty strong yourself, Owen. Muscles everywhere, especially your chest and arms… I'm not surprised my daughter is so taken with you. Are you a boxer?"

Alicia’s open admiration of his muscles made Owen feel a little hot.

"Haha~ I'm not a professional boxer, ma'am. I just go to the gym a bit. My real job is a streamer," Owen replied politely.

"A streamer, you say?" Alicia raised an eyebrow with interest. "And does that pay well enough to take care of my daughter?"

"Mom!" Rosy cried out, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "Don't ask such rude questions!"

The conversation continued cheerfully. They chatted about everything from their surprisingly similar taste in favorite bands to the games Owen streamed, which Alicia seemed curious about, asking strange questions but getting laughs the whole time, until the last cookie on the plate was eaten by Owen…

Suddenly, Rosy went quiet. Her smile and laughter faded from her face. She gently placed her glass on the table.

"Alright… we've had enough fun talk," she said as she stood up, her once-playful eyes now serious and resolute. "Owen… let's get to the important part. I have something I want to show you. It's the reason I called you here today."

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Owen could feel the importance in her tone. He put down his glass and nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on her.

"Follow me."

The words were short, but as heavy as a stone. Rosy led him out of the living room, down a hallway where the sunlight began to fade, towards a door at the very end. It was a heavy, thick wooden door that looked older and stronger than any other door in the house. She turned the cold brass doorknob and pushed it open…

—-------

Alicia

Alicia

Chapter 34: A Day in the Hospital [R18]

The cool, clean scent of antiseptic was the first thing to greet Owen’s senses. He slowly blinked his eyes open, the late morning sun filtering through the white blinds, forcing him to squint slightly.

Wave after wave of pain crashed over him the moment his consciousness fully returned. His entire left arm felt as heavy as marble under the white cast. The wounds on his shoulder and side throbbed in time with his heartbeat. But amidst the pain, an overwhelming sense of relief washed over him… His condition wasn't too severe. The doctor said he would be fully healed within 3 months.

But Owen’s body was far more special than a normal person’s, due to the evolution Iris had given him. Therefore, Owen thought he might only need a month to recover. And if he used an Awakened’s healing potion, it would be completely gone in a matter of hours, but those potions were very expensive. He certainly had no intention of wasting money on one.

Owen tried to move slightly to survey his surroundings, and that's when he saw her.

Jessica was slumped over in a chair next to his bed, her head resting on her arms, which were propped on the edge of the bed in a posture that couldn't have been comfortable. Her fiery red hair, normally styled perfectly, was now slightly messy. Her clothes were wrinkled, indicating she had likely been watching over him here all night without moving.

A strange warmth spread through Owen’s heart. The gentle, fragile image before him was a stark contrast to the sexy, sharp-witted coffee shop owner he was used to.

It seemed his movement had woken her. Jessica slowly lifted her head, her usually sharp eyes looking tired and slightly swollen from lack of rest. But the moment her gaze locked onto him… her expression changed. It was filled with a relief, concern, and an overwhelming guilt that Owen could feel.

"Owen… you're awake…" Her voice was hoarse and faint, devoid of any sarcasm or playfulness, only genuine concern.

Not long after, the hospital's breakfast was served. It was just a bland, unappetizing-looking congee, but Jessica enthusiastically picked up the bowl.

"You can't move your arm properly yet… I'll feed you," she said, not waiting for a reply. She scooped up some congee and blew on it gently to cool it down before carefully bringing the spoon to his lips. Every action she took was slow and full of care. Owen, feeling a little embarrassed, could only let her feed him.

After the meal, Jessica returned with a basin of warm water and a small towel. "You need a sponge bath… I'll… I'll help," she said, her face flushing slightly, but her eyes were resolute.

Before Owen could protest, she began gently. The warm, damp cloth touched his skin softly. She carefully wiped his neck, chest, and his good right arm. Her fingertips occasionally brushed against his skin, sending a tingling sensation through his body.

The atmosphere in the room began to heat up slowly as she moved the cloth down to his stomach. Her eyes were lost in his beautifully defined abs, her breath catching as she wiped lower… until she stopped at the waistband of his patient pants.

The room fell silent, with only the sound of their two hearts beating loudly enough to be heard. Owen held his breath without realizing it, while Jessica’s face turned crimson all the way to her ears. But she bit her lower lip firmly… and slowly untied the drawstring of his pants.

She slowly and tremulously pulled his pants down… and then what was hidden underneath was revealed to her in its full glory.

"Oh my god!~"

A soft exclamation escaped her lips, her eyes widening in shock. Even though Iris had helped reduce its size, it was still far larger and more imposing than Jessica had ever imagined. Heat shot through her face and her lower body.

Her trembling hands began to meticulously clean his large cock with the warm cloth, as gently as possible. The soft, wet touch awakened the primal instinct in Owen irresistibly… It slowly hardened and grew, until its full 12 inches were swelling tightly in her hand.

Jessica jumped when she felt the change. She glanced up to meet Owen’s eyes for a second, her face so red it looked like it would explode. But instead of pulling away… the corner of her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. Her eyes shined with an unconcealed possessiveness. She deliberately wiped it slower and more emphatically, letting the smoldering desire between them fill the entire room…

In that moment, she wasn't thinking anymore. All sense and reason were drowned out by a deep desire. Under the soft morning sun and the clean scent of the hospital room, Jessica quietly dropped the towel. Her beautiful eyes stared at Owen's cock with longing, before she slowly leaned her face closer, her soft lips parting seductively.

The tip of her hot tongue lightly touched the head of Owen’s cock, making him flinch slightly with a jolt of shock and pleasure. Heat rushed up his spine. He looked up with wide eyes, moaning her name faintly.

"Jes…sica?"

She didn't answer, only giving him a tantalizing smile before slowly taking the head into her mouth. Her warm tongue licked around the tip in deliberate circles, then sucked it in until a clear "Mwah~" sound was heard.

Smooch Mwah Mwah~

Bob Bob Bob~

Mmm Mmm Mmm~

Aahh Aahh Aahh~

Owen’s breathing grew heavier as he tried to control himself from thrusting his hips in response. But as Jessica’s lips slowly swallowed his cock deeper, his self-control began to waver.

She began to move her head in and out in a slow rhythm, her soft, firm lips sliding along the entire length of his cock. The sounds of sucking mixed with wet saliva. One of her hands gripped the base tightly, while the other gently caressed his balls, heightening the sensation even more.

Mwah Mwah Mwah~

Bob Bob Bob~

Gag Gag Gag~

Mmm Mmm Mmm~

Aahh Aahh Aahh~

Her lips sucked Owen’s cock all the way down to the base before releasing it with a loud pop. Her hot tongue circled the ridge of the head steadily before she took it back in passionately. She repeated this continuously, sucking, licking, and sliding her lips up and down as if savoring her favorite dessert. Her face was flushed from the lack of air.

Bob Bob Bob~

Gag Gag Gag~

Cough Cough Cough~

Owen stared at the scene in disbelief. The woman before him was sucking his cock with fascination, her tongue darting constantly while her saliva mixed with his precum, drenching the entire shaft until it was soaking wet. Her hand quickened its pace along with her mouth, which sucked harder and harder, until lewd sounds echoed throughout the room.

She alternated between sucking and using her tongue to lick from the base to the tip before taking him deep again until almost the entire shaft disappeared down her throat. Her other hand gently caressed his stomach as she moved her body in a coordinated and seductive rhythm. After several minutes, Owen couldn't take it anymore.

"Urk… Jessica… I'm going to…" Owen warned in a shaky voice, but Jessica intentionally sucked harder, quickening her pace until it was fast and frantic.

And finally…

"AGHHHH…!!!"

Splooge Splooge Splooge~

Gush Splooge-splooge-splooge

Twitch Twitch Twitch~

Owen’s cock spasmed with full force, shooting thick, white semen into her mouth without warning. Jessica flinched slightly but swallowed all of it greedily. Her tongue still licked around his cock, cleaning it until it shined, not leaving a single drop.

She looked up to meet his eyes, smiling seductively before speaking softly in a sultry voice. "Aahh Thanks for the meal, my love It was more delicious than I ever imagined…"

And suddenly, before either of them could take things any further.

A knock came from the door.

"Mr. Marlowe May I come in for a check-up?" a nurse's voice called from the other side.

Hearing that, both Jessica and Owen jumped. She shot up immediately, quickly grabbing a towel to cover his cock, then frantically straightened her clothes. Her face was as red as a ripe tomato, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

The door opened. A doctor and a nurse walked in with normal smiles. No one knew what had just happened in the recovery room. The doctor began to skillfully examine Owen.

"Hmm… Mr. Marlowe, your injuries are very stable. No complications…" the doctor said while flipping through the medical file. "That's the good news. So you can go home to recover. After you've paid for the medicine and treatment."

Having done their duty, the doctor and nurse left the room, while Jessica turned to look at Owen with eyes full of relief.

"Well then… let's go home. But you might have to stay at my place tonight, so I can take care of you properly and… ‘closely.’ Hehe~"

Jessica’s suggestive laughter still echoed in Owen’s ears. The atmosphere in the room, which had been tense with the doctor and nurse present, was now once again filled with a lingering heat. Jessica turned back to look at him, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous and unconcealed cunning.

"I'll go pay for the treatment, and then I'll be back to get you, my love~" she deliberately emphasized the last words before winking at him seductively and walking out of the room, leaving Owen smiling on the bed with the thought that tonight would surely be a very long night.

He leaned back against the headboard, relaxed. Even though his body was still sore, his heart was strangely full. His relationship with Jessica had now crossed over into being a couple, with her affection score over 80. It wouldn't be hard for it to reach 100 soon. It made him feel an indescribable excitement and vitality.

But as he was drifting off into a fantasy about his "recovery" at Jessica’s house tonight…

Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt~

His mobile phone, which was on the bedside table, began to vibrate inconsiderately, instantly shattering the sweet atmosphere. Owen reached over to pick it up. The screen showed the name "Rosy." He answered the call with a little surprise.

Before he could even say hello, Rosy’s voice, so excited she could barely contain it, burst through the line.

"Owen! You won't believe this! Iris just discovered something incredible! It could change our lives! You have to come to my house right now, I want to surprise you!"

Her voice was so rapid Owen could barely catch what she was saying. He frowned slightly. "Wait, Rosy… calm down… What happened?"

"I can't tell you now! You have to see it with your own eyes! Please hurry and come, Owen! Please! It's really important!" Rosy pleaded before hanging up, leaving Owen sitting there, confused by her unusual enthusiasm.

At the same time, Jessica walked back into the room after having settled the hospital bills. The mischievous smile that was on her face slowly faded, replaced instantly by a pouting, sulking expression, because she had heard the entire conversation…

The warmth in her eyes instantly dried up, replaced by a cold indifference. She walked quietly to the bedside table and began to neatly pack Owen’s belongings and the hospital documents into a bag. Every movement she made was sharp and devoid of the gentleness from moments ago. Her silence was louder than any shout.

Owen put his phone down and turned to look at her. He could immediately feel the wall of ice she was building between them. "Jessica… uh… is something wrong?..."

She still said nothing, just finishing packing the bag before turning to face him. Her eyes were placid, but looking deeper, one could clearly see disappointment and reproach. Her voice was cold and full of sarcasm.

"Hmph!... You almost died, and you still have the energy to call another 'woman'? She must be very important… More important than the person who sat by your side all night!"

Owen was speechless. He felt as if he had been slapped across the face. The once-warm atmosphere had now turned ice-cold from her jealousy, making him feel suffocated. And he had never had someone sulk at him like this before, so he had no idea how to handle it. Therefore, it was up to the Choice System to resolve this situation for him.

…..

[1. Explain rationally and lie that Rosy is just a friend. (She will stop sulking, but if she finds out the truth in the future, her affection will decrease by 10.)]

[2. Apologize and give in. Tell her you won't go to Rosy's if it makes her uncomfortable. (Affection +1, She will feel that she is truly valuable to you, but you will miss the chance to have your wounds instantly healed at Rosy's house.)]

[3. Pull her close, use your hand to lift her chin, and stare into her eyes. Show her she has no right to sulk about this. Speak to her in a firm, dominant tone.

"Don't be foolish, Jessica... It doesn't matter who I talk to, or if I have other women... it never changes the fact that you are 'mine' and I am your everything. We're both selfish. It just depends on how we accept or manage it."

Then kiss her with a deep, intense passion. (Demon Path +10, She will submit to this feeling of being possessed, and her jealousy will transform into excitement instead., Enters the path to building a harem.)]

—-------

Chapter 33: The Hidden Shadow

Silence consumed everything…

It was a heavy silence, pressing on the senses until they were numb, broken only by the sound of Owen’s heavy, pained breathing, alternating with Jessica’s soft sobs. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the aroma of roasted coffee and plaster dust, creating an atmosphere that was both nauseating and sorrowful at the same time.

The adrenaline that had surged through Owen’s body had dried up, and as it faded, wave after wave of pain crashed over him, like giant waves slamming against rocks. He slumped against the cold concrete wall, beads of sweat trickling down his temples. He pressed his right hand firmly against the severe wound on his left shoulder, but the warm blood still flowed relentlessly between his fingers.

The sight of Owen, soaked in blood with his lips growing paler and paler, snapped Jessica out of her trance of fear. Her own emotional pain was overshadowed by an overwhelming panic and concern for him.

"Owen!" Jessica cried his name, her voice trembling, before she rushed to kneel in front of him, her eyes filled with tears. "You… you’re bleeding so much… We have to stop the bleeding…"

Regaining her senses, she quickly ran out of the storeroom before returning with a first-aid kit in her trembling hands.

She carefully tended to his wounds, starting with the shallow cuts on his side from the early part of the fight. Every time the alcohol-soaked cotton touched a wound, Owen’s body would tense slightly, a hiss of pain escaping his lips.

The truly serious wound was on his shoulder, a deep and frightening hole pierced by the knife. The blood still seeped out nonstop. His entire left arm was numb and without feeling, almost impossible to move. All Jessica could do was pour alcohol on it to disinfect it and use all the bandages she had to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. She knew this was just a temporary fix; the rest would have to be left to a doctor.

And as she was wrapping the final bandage, the wall of strength she had tried to build crumbled.

"I'm sorry…" her voice was faint and shaky, tears falling one after another onto Owen’s pants. "I'm sorry… Owen… All of this… it’s because of me…"

She sobbed until her body shook. "If I… if I had been smarter… you wouldn’t have gotten hurt like this… I was a fool… I was a fool to push you away… I should have trusted you more than that piece of trash!" She couldn't continue, the guilt and self-hatred choking her.

Owen watched her with a softened heart. Though he was in so much pain he was on the verge of losing consciousness, he forced a faint smile. He nodded at her slowly before raising his good right hand to gently caress her damp cheek. His thumb softly wiped away a tear.

A gentle touch amidst the brutality… it was the last straw for Jessica.

She froze, looking up to meet his eyes. His eyes were still full of concern and warmth, even in his grave condition. That made her face flush uncontrollably, embarrassment replacing her sorrow. Her eyes lowered… unconsciously fixing on Owen’s pale, yet still beautifully shaped lips.

Her heart pounded as if it would leap out of her chest…

In that moment, her entire world consisted of only him. There was no fear, no guilt, only an overwhelming attraction she could no longer resist…

Jessica slowly leaned her face towards his, before pressing her lips firmly against his. It wasn't a sweet kiss, but one filled with gratitude, guilt, desire, and the need to heal all his wounds with herself.

Owen, surprised at first, slowly responded weakly. Jessica didn't want gentleness right now; she wanted passion and a fierce touch to erase the disgusting memory of Cole.

She bravely slipped her hot tongue into his mouth, clumsily yet full of desire, chasing and tangling with his. The salty taste of tears mixed with the faint metallic taste of blood, creating a strangely complex and passionate sensation. Her hands moved up, her fingers weaving into his sweat-dampened hair, pulling his face closer.

Her kiss deepened, growing more demanding, as if trying to suck out his very soul. Her body pressed closer against his, until her full breasts were crushed against his strong chest. Owen’s primal instincts were awakened once more. His right hand moved from her cheek to the nape of her neck, pressing her in for an even deeper kiss, fully answering her demands.

Smooch Smooch Smooch~

Mwah Mwah Mwah~

Aahh Mmm

Aahh Mmm

The sound of their deep, wet kissing echoed in the silent storeroom… a confirmation that in the ruins of this night, they still had each other…

Their emotions grew hotter and escalated further. The pain, fear, and rage from before had been forged and transformed into a raw sexual drive. They almost let go and had sex right there amidst the wreckage…

If it weren't for…

"Urk!"

Owen cried out in pain as Jessica’s movement accidentally pressed down hard on the severe wound on his shoulder. The sharp pain acted like cold water thrown onto the fire of their lust. It snapped them both back to the harsh reality.

They pulled away from each other quickly, breathing heavily, their faces flushed with passion and a slight embarrassment. The heat from a moment ago vanished, replaced by the reality that was lying on the floor… Cole’s body.

"What… what do we do with him now?" Jessica was the first to ask, her voice still trembling but with a newfound firmness. She wiped the tears and bloodstains from her face sloppily.

Owen looked at Cole’s unconscious body before answering in a serious tone. "We have to call the police."

"But… he’s an Awakened. The police will…" she said, her voice full of uncertainty.

"That doesn't matter. They'll have to forward the case to the Awakened authorities anyway," Owen interrupted.

"The important thing is we have solid evidence against him. The photos, the video clips, you as a witness who can confirm he tried to rape you, and I can be a witness for the attempted murder charge. This is clearly a criminal case. We should do what we can, Jessica. No matter what the final outcome is, we'll have done our best," Owen said in a firm and steady voice, looking at Cole’s body as if it were a piece of trash.

Jessica nodded in agreement. She took out her own phone and immediately dialed the police.

Not long after, sirens grew closer and closer, before two police officers cautiously entered the scene. Their eyes widened when they saw the wrecked storeroom, Cole’s body lying in a pool of blood, and Owen’s grave injuries.

Jessica recounted the entire story, her voice shaky but clear. Owen handed his phone to the police to show them the video evidence. After seeing everything, the officers didn't hesitate. They moved in, arrested, and handcuffed Cole immediately.

And as they were dragging Cole’s body out of the room…

"Ugh… cough, cough…"

Cole suddenly regained consciousness. He coughed up blood, his blurry eyes slowly focusing on the scene before him… the police, the handcuffs, and the cold gazes of Owen and Jessica.

When he realized the situation he was in… that the kingly life he had built was over… the physical pain was nothing compared to the vengeful bitterness that consumed his heart.

He gritted his teeth, staring at the two of them with a look of malevolent hatred, before bursting into maniacal laughter.

"You think this is over just like that? Hahaha! I knew it! I had a faint feeling someone was watching me recently. So it was you…"

His voice was strangely superior, even in the state of a loser.

"...But you might not know that I have some very important people backing me. Do you really think no one has ever tried to report me or put me in jail? Hehehe, those people were quietly taken care of by my boss a long time ago…"

He gave a disgusting smirk, revealing his blood-stained teeth.

"...because he still needs the ‘plaything women’ I regularly send him!"

Those words made Jessica freeze, utterly disgusted.

Cole turned to stare at Owen one last time, his gaze like a viper ready to strike at any moment.

"And when he finds out what happened to me… you're next, Owen… Hahahaha!!"

He continued to laugh maniacally, even as the police dragged him out and shoved him into the car. His horrifying laughter still echoed back into the silent storeroom, leaving only Owen and Jessica… with a new, invisible threat that was many times more dangerous.

The sound of the police siren slowly faded, leaving only Owen and Jessica amidst the wrecked and silent storeroom. Cole’s final threat still echoed in their heads like a demon’s whisper, turning their recent victory into something bitter and dreadful.

"Owen… was he… was he telling the truth?" Jessica asked, breaking the silence, her voice still trembling with fear. "About… his 'boss'."

"I hope it was just the threat of a cornered dog," Owen answered flatly, but his eyes were dead serious. He was assessing the situation with a sharp mind, even though his body was in agony. "But we can't be careless."

He propped his battered body up, struggling to his feet. "The police being involved is a double-edged sword. It’s evidence against Cole, true, but at the same time, it will send news to his 'boss' faster through official channels…"

Jessica looked at him with a confused and frightened expression. "So… so what do we do?"

Owen thought for a moment… In such a hopeless situation, there was only one person he could think of. Someone with the power, connections, and ability to handle matters involving mafias or underground organizations where the law couldn't reach.

He picked up his phone with his good hand. It was a bit slippery with blood and sweat. He immediately dialed the number of his powerful friend… Alex Ashford.

The line rang for only a moment before the other end was picked up, the voice as calm and powerful as ever.

"What is it, Owen? It's rare for you to call me like this. It must mean something has happened. Am I right?" Alex's voice was clearly filled with curiosity.

"Yes… you're right, Alex. Something came up," Owen replied, trying to keep his voice from shaking with pain. "I just dealt with an Awakened who was threatening a friend of mine. But before the police dragged him away, he mentioned his powerful 'boss' who's been backing him up."

"Oh?" The voice on the other end was immediately interested. "And?"

"I need 'information'," Owen said clearly. "I need you to use your connections to find out who this 'boss' he mentioned is. That’s all I need… As for the information on the Awakened I just mentioned, I’ll send it to you by email later."

The line was quiet for a moment before Alex chuckled with excitement and anticipation.

"Hahaha~ You’re as smart and thorough as ever, Owen. And this time, you've even developed to the point where you can defeat an Awakened. That raises my expectations for you even more…" Alex’s voice showed his utmost satisfaction. "Of course… investigating something like this is no problem for me. Give me 3-5 days, and I’ll send you everything I find."

"Thank you, Alex," Owen said sincerely, grateful that Alex had agreed to his request so easily.

"Of course, Owen. We're friends~" Alex said smoothly, before changing the subject naturally. "By the way… since you called, how is the job on Victoria's side going? I haven't seen you visit my mansion much lately."

It was a simple question, laced with clear expectation and pressure, a reminder of the main mission Owen still had to complete.

Owen frowned slightly with guilt. He hadn't made any progress with Victoria recently because so many problems had been thrown into his life relentlessly. The matter of the dimensional gate, the matter of Rosy and Iris, the matter of Clara, and now, the matter of Jessica was giving him another headache.

So Owen could only reply to Alex with a determined voice. "Don't worry about that, Alex. I'll definitely make her my plaything!"

"Excellent! Very good… Hurry up and finish my job to clear your debt~" Alex said as a parting shot before hanging up.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Leaving Owen sitting still with his heavy thoughts. He didn't have much time before the hidden threat would reach him.

"Owen~ your injuries are terrible…" Jessica’s voice cut in. She walked over to him, her eyes worried and resolute. "You need to go to the hospital right now!"

"I'm fine…" Owen wanted to refuse, but it seemed she wouldn't let him.

"No! You’re not!" she interrupted firmly. "You've lost too much blood. Get up. I'll drive you myself."

Owen looked at her face and could only sigh in defeat. He knew he couldn't push himself any further. He let Jessica slowly help him up and walk out of the coffee shop that was once their peaceful workplace.

Jessica drove Owen's SUV, heading for the nearest hospital, leaving the wreckage in the storeroom and the terrible memories behind… without either of them knowing that the shadow of the mysterious "boss" was creeping closer and closer with every passing moment….

—-------

Chapter 30: Jessica’s Changed?

A week had passed since Owen left the hospital. His body had recovered, now stronger and more robust than ever before. The power teeming within him made him feel invigorated and confident in a way he had never felt.

This morning, the weather was exceptionally clear. The cloudless sky allowed the gentle sunlight to filter past the tall buildings and onto the streets. Owen drove his SUV to Jessica’s coffee shop, his heart at ease. As he stepped out of the car, the familiar aroma of coffee beans began to greet him… Jessica’s café, a place filled with warm memories and the sharp, witty laughter of the hot older woman he had missed dearly.

Ring~

The clear bell chimed the moment he pushed open the glass door. The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee immediately enveloped him. The rhythmic sounds of the grinder and the hiss of steam from the espresso machine were a familiar comfort. The late morning sun streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the light-wood furniture, making the café feel incredibly warm and inviting.

Behind the counter stood Jessica in her usual apron. But the moment she looked up and saw him, the bright, playful smile that always greeted him seemed a little dimmer.

“Well, well, boss~ Miss me so much you couldn’t eat or sleep? You haven’t invited me for a run to cure your loneliness lately, you know,” Owen greeted her with his usual playful, teasing tone. He expected a sharp, witty comeback that would make them both laugh.

But Jessica just gave a slight nod, her eyes vacant for a moment before they focused on him, devoid of their usual spark. “Hm… you’re here, Owen… Good. It’s pretty busy today,” she said flatly. Her voice was monotone and noticeably slower than usual.

Owen froze for a second. A chilling sense of rejection washed over him. This wasn’t the Jessica he knew. The woman he knew was energetic, sharp, and full of life. But the person standing before him… felt like an empty shell of her former self.

Throughout the morning, Owen tried to act normal. He brewed her favorite coffee, but she just accepted it and left it on the counter to grow cold. He told a joke that used to make her double over with laughter, but she only managed a faint smile at the corner of her lips. Jessica was clearly distant, avoiding his gaze almost entirely. Her replies were short and clipped, as if she wanted to cut the conversation short.

Sometimes, when the café was quiet, he would see her standing still, staring blankly into space. Customers had to call her name two or three times before she would snap out of her trance and respond.

‘What the hell is wrong with her?’ Owen thought, a sense of unease slowly building in his chest. But before he could ask, a smooth, deep voice came from the back of the shop.

“Good morning, Ms. Jessica. I’m here~”

The voice made Owen turn his head instantly. A handsome young man in a staff uniform walked in confidently. His brown hair was neatly and meticulously styled, and his sharp eyes held a warmth that was laced with a cunning confidence. He was Cole, a handsome man around 30 who had recently started working at the shop.

The moment Cole appeared… Jessica transformed into a completely different person.

“Oh! Cole, you’re here~” She turned to greet him instantly, the vacant look in her eyes replaced by a bright sparkle. Her smile widened, becoming natural and full of life, a stark contrast to the cold, distant manner she had shown Owen.

“Come, come, let me introduce you,” she said, walking around the counter to Cole’s side. “This is Owen, the one I told you about… Owen, this is Cole, my new employee. He’s a fast learner and incredibly talented. I’m so lucky to have him helping out.”

As she spoke, Jessica’s hand naturally came to rest on Cole’s arm in a familiar gesture. Cole smiled at Owen, a friendly smile… but his eyes held something else. A sense of superiority. It was a silent declaration of ownership.

Owen felt as if he had been struck by a sledgehammer. His gaze hardened in an instant. A fierce wave of possessiveness and jealousy he had been suppressing surged through him, so intense he clenched his fists without realizing it.

‘Damn it… What the hell is happening to you, Jessica…’ The scene before him made him feel like an outsider in his own territory… a feeling so suffocating he could barely breathe.

Owen tried to shake off the useless thoughts and focus on making coffee, but his eyes kept straying to the painful sight before him… the sight of Jessica laughing and chatting intimately with Cole. It was a sight he had never seen before, and it ignited a fire of jealousy in his heart.

“Ms. Jessica, I think this milk foam needs to be a bit softer,” Cole said, taking the opportunity to lean in from behind her. The faint scent of his cologne wafted over to Jessica. His hand covered hers on the milk frother. “…Like this.”

“O-oh… okay,” Jessica replied, her voice trembling slightly, a visible blush creeping up her face. She let him guide her hand, teaching her latte art techniques so closely that her back was almost pressed against his chest.

The sight was like a sharp thorn piercing Owen’s heart. The feeling of possessiveness he had been trying to suppress surged up uncontrollably… He hated that fake smile. He hated the way he looked at Jessica. And most of all… he hated how happy Jessica seemed to be with him.

Until the lunch break finally arrived…

Owen pretended he was going to take out the trash, but his heart was pounding with a dark premonition. And it came true. He heard their voices coming from the back alley. Owen quickly ducked into a corner, peeking through a crack in the door, and the sight he beheld made the blood in his veins boil until it could almost burst.

Cole was leaning against the wall, completely at ease. Jessica was standing in front of him, her face vacant and empty… her eyes were devoid of any spark, like a glass doll whose soul had drifted away.

Owen’s eyes narrowed, watching one of Cole's hands slip slowly under her white tank top. That hand moved with a lewdness that made Owen's stomach churn, while his other hand roamed her slim waist. Cole’s face was twisted into a disgusting smirk.

Cole’s greasy whisper, full of sadistic glee, reached Owen’s ears. “Mmm~ Your body is so lewd, Jessica…” Then Cole continued in an even more vulgar tone, so much so that Owen could feel its disgustingness. “Be a good girl… just stand still and let me play like this. Do you like it, Jessica?”

Jessica didn’t respond, but her body gave a small, involuntary shiver at the stimulation…

Seeing that, how could rage not explode in Owen’s mind? A savage, primal instinct screamed at him to lunge forward and tear that bastard limb from limb for daring to touch his woman. The power in his body began to surge, his muscles tensing until they felt like they would burst...

But just as he was about to lose control…

Ting!~

The translucent blue screen of the Choice System flared to life, blocking his view!

…..

[1. Charge in and punch Cole in the face now! (Your reckless, mindless attack will cause you to fall under Cole’s Awakened ability and ultimately be defeated. , Enters the path where Jessica becomes Cole’s slave.)]

[2. Shout to interrupt them and pull Jessica away. (Jessica will snap out of it, but Cole will play the victim and skillfully frame you. , Enters the path where Jessica becomes Cole’s slave.)]

[3. Suppress your rage! Record a video as evidence and begin secretly investigating Cole’s information. (Enters the path to taking down Cole. , Enters the path to saving Jessica.)]

…..

Owen gritted his teeth, his jaw tight. He stared at the three options with bloodshot eyes. It was forcing him to choose between his animalistic instincts and cold, hard reason… and he knew damn well what the right answer was.

Owen clenched his jaw. He had no other choice but to select the third option. He forced down the all-consuming rage, transmuting it into a cold, sharp focus. He slowly, but steadily, raised his phone. His hand trembled with suppressed fury… and he hit record.

The image of the woman he cared for being defiled was captured on the screen… along with a plan for vengeance that was quietly forming in his mind…

Owen lowered his phone. His heart was still pounding with rage, but his mind had become strangely calm. The sire instinct that had been raging moments ago was suppressed, replaced by the cold intellect of a planner.

‘Stay calm… Stay calm, Owen…’ he told himself repeatedly. ‘You’re not that weak kid anymore.’

The lessons from his investigation work for Alex had taught him patience, taught him to wait, and taught him to strike when the enemy revealed their weakness. Charging in now would only ruin everything. He glanced at Jessica as she walked back into the café, her eyes still empty… A sharp pain shot through his chest, but it only solidified his resolve.

Owen worked until the end of his shift, acting as normal as he possibly could. He didn’t even look Cole in the eye, not wanting to arouse suspicion. When it was time to leave, Owen pretended to head home, but his eyes were locked on Cole’s black sedan parked nearby.

When Cole drove off, Owen sprinted back to his own SUV and started the engine. The hunt had begun…

Owen tailed Cole cautiously, using all the skills he had learned working for Alex. He maintained a perfect distance, used other cars for cover, and did nothing to draw attention. Cole showed no signs of being wary at all; it seemed his confidence in his own abilities had made him careless.

Finally, Cole’s car pulled into the driveway of a house in a quiet suburban neighborhood. It was an ordinary two-story house, nothing remarkable… On the outside, it looked like a warm family home, but Owen could feel a chilling aura emanating from within.

He drove past and parked in a blind spot with a clear view of the house’s ground-floor window. He killed the engine and waited patiently. Nearly an hour passed. Finally, the lights in the living room switched on, revealing a sight that made Owen’s eyes widen in shock.

Inside the house, it wasn’t just Cole… there were three other women!

All of them were in the same state as Jessica… vacant eyes, devoid of any spark of life. They moved like puppets. One was massaging Cole’s shoulders as he sat on the sofa, another was serving him a drink, and the last was kneeling to wipe his shoes… They were nothing less than Cole’s doll-like slaves.

And then, Owen saw the “condition” he had been searching for…

One of the women who was massaging him seemed to flinch slightly, a flicker of confusion appearing on her face. Cole noticed it instantly. He smiled calmly and reached into his pocket… pulling out an antique silver ‘pocket watch.’ He swung it gently in front of the woman’s face…

‘Look at it, good girl…’ Even without hearing the words, Owen could guess what he was saying from his actions.

The woman’s eyes fixated on the swinging watch… and in an instant, the confusion vanished, replaced by the same emptiness as before. She went back to massaging him as if nothing had happened.

“Found it… So that’s his ability. He must be a mind-control type Awakened, with the condition that the target must look at an ‘object’ to activate the power… A power like this is, at most, C-rank,” Owen analyzed in his head. He quickly raised his camera and took pictures as evidence.

Owen watched until late into the night, his fury turning into an icy cold resolve. The scene inside the house confirmed his worst fears. Cole didn't just control these women; he had erased their humanity, treating them as nothing more than possessions to be moved and arranged at his whim. The sight solidified Owen's decision: this man wasn't just dangerous, he was a piece of trash that needed to be taken out.

Owen’s hot rage had turned into an icy cold fury… This man wasn’t just dangerous. He was a piece of trash that needed to be taken out.

Over the next few days, Owen spent every second after work gathering evidence. He learned that Cole’s ability was more dangerous than he thought. If a target was repeatedly hypnotized, their mental resistance would weaken until they were permanently controlled, no longer needing the pocket watch. They would become a loyal slave, forever obedient to Cole’s every command.

‘Jessica has a strong will… but how much longer can she resist?’ The thought made Owen’s anxiety spike.

After gathering enough information, he wasted no time and sent all the evidence to the Awakened Crime Unit through an anonymous channel. But he knew the official process would take time to verify… time that could mean Jessica's destruction.

So today… he decided to take matters into his own hands.

‘Enough waiting… I can’t take this anymore!’ Owen muttered to himself as he drove towards the café, his fury reaching its absolute peak. He had wanted to smash that handsome face for days, and today… he would finally get his release…

—-------

Chapter 32: The Fight

Cole’s maniacal scream echoed through the stuffy storeroom, like a wild animal whose tail had just been stepped on. His battered body lunged forward with superhuman speed, the blade in his hand reflecting the dim light with a faint blue glow, indicating it was no ordinary weapon. Its sharp point was aimed directly at Owen, who was still kneeling on the floor, holding Jessica tightly in his arms…

And in that split second between life and death, Owen’s body reacted faster than his own thoughts.

He used all his strength to quickly push Jessica’s trembling body behind him, getting her into a safe corner behind a pile of wooden crates and a shelf that still stood firm. In that same instant, he twisted his torso to the side, dodging Cole’s blade at an angle impossible for a normal person.

SLASH!

The magic-infused blade only managed to slice through the hem of his shirt and his side, leaving a long gash from which fresh red blood began to seep. The warm, metallic scent of blood mixed with the smell of coffee and old dust in the air. It was a searing pain, but it was also confirmation that he was still alive, and that he still had something to protect.

As soon as Cole’s attack missed, Owen didn't let the golden opportunity slip away. He pushed himself up quickly and planted his foot squarely in the center of Cole's torso with full force!

Urk!

Cole’s voice went high from the impact. His body stumbled back a few steps, losing his balance, his back slamming into a wooden crate with a loud crash. Splintered wood scattered across the floor.

Having created some distance, Owen firmly raised his Muay Thai guard. His fists were clenched tight, held high to protect his face and torso. His shoulder muscles tensed, ready to explode into a punch. His cold, calm eyes were fixed on the enemy before him. Sweat he didn’t realize was there trickled down his temple.

"I'll kill you!" Cole growled hoarsely, repeating the same words, his eyes bloodshot with hatred and madness. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth sloppily and gripped the knife tightly, his hand trembling slightly with rage and pain.

Owen remained calm, his breathing steady. His eyes were focused, rapidly assessing the situation. The narrow, cluttered room, littered with the wreckage of shelves, limited his movement, but at the same time, it could be used as cover.

Cole continued to slash his knife at Owen with a mad frenzy, heedless of anything else, no different from a rabid dog. His attacks were crude and easy to predict, allowing Owen to dodge and counter every time the right moment presented itself.

SWOOSH~

WHIFF~

CLANG~

THWIP~

THWACK!~

ACK!!!

"Stop dodging if you have any guts, you coward!" Cole shouted in frustration when he saw his attacks were fruitless, and that he was being painfully countered by Owen’s fists, knees, feet, and elbows. Bruises of purple and black began to appear on his body, along with a growing exhaustion.

Even so, Cole had no intention of giving up, as if he had some plan in mind that would allow him to defeat Owen. He charged at Owen again, swinging the knife in wide, violent arcs, hoping to use the weapon's destructive power to slice Owen’s body in two. But the blade only hit the leg of a shelf stand that Owen had thrown at it, creating the melodic sound of metal being split in half.

SHING~

WHIFF~

Owen moved fluidly, stepping back to dodge the attack with perfect timing. His hair flew from the wind of the blade slicing past before he spun back swiftly, kicking at the back of Cole's knee with precision, causing him to lose his balance and collapse to the floor. Then he drove his knee squarely into Cole’s chin. The impact made Cole’s head snap back violently, his body lifting into the air as fresh blood splattered across a shelf.

CRACK!~

GAK!~

Even after taking a full-force blow to the chin, as an Awakened, Cole didn't pass out easily. He continued to get up and fight like a cockroach, his body battered and bloody, breathing in ragged gasps. The growl in his throat had not died down. The close-quarters combat between the two continued…

The sounds of fists hitting muscle echoed intermittently, interspersed with the terrifying sound of the blade slicing through the air. Droplets of blood began to appear on the floor each time one of them was injured. Owen still had the upper hand, but he couldn't get close enough to finish the fight, because the glowing magic knife was still extremely dangerous, and moving in such a confined space risked a counter-attack.

Owen's muscles were tense with every movement. His body was beginning to feel the strain of the continuous battle, but his mind remained calm, like a warrior long-trained and ready to face any attack. Cole had now become a mere beast driven by emotion, while Owen was the silent hunter, waiting for the moment to drag his prey down in a single move…

As Cole's eyes filled with a clear and barely contained frustration and anger, he realized that if he continued to fight head-on like this, he would only face a pathetic defeat. Cornered, he decided to use the trump card he had been saving… the power that allowed him to control people as he pleased.

"AGHHH!" Cole roared, pretending to miss a powerful slash, causing him to lose his balance and stumble towards a pile of broken shelves. It was a move that looked desperate and left a massive opening… a lure that was too perfect.

Owen frowned slightly. His instincts screamed that something was wrong, but the opportunity to finish his enemy was right in front of him, so he decided to charge in.

And in that split second… as Owen was about to reach Cole.

Cole, who was pretending to stumble, had secretly reached into his coat pocket. The old silver ‘pocket watch’ was pulled out in an instant. The dim light reflected off its face, creating a sudden flash. Cole took advantage of the moment Owen was charging in to swing the watch quickly and discreetly past Owen's line of sight.

Tick… Tock…

Owen froze mid-stride…

Upon seeing Cole’s pocket watch, he suddenly felt dizzy. The whole world spun, the image before him blurring and overlapping, as if looking through a rain-drenched windowpane.

"It worked!" Cole smirked like a victor, seeing that his trap had succeeded.

He didn't wait, lunging towards Owen from an unexpected blind spot. In Owen’s blurred vision, he couldn't see which direction the blade was coming from at all.

But while his eyes were compromised… his other, evolved senses sharpened astonishingly.

He heard the faint sound of something slicing through the air… He felt the sudden change in the gentle air current… His skin felt a sharp object rushing towards it…

Owen twisted his body to the side with all his might, following his instincts at the last possible second!

SLASH!

Even though he dodged, he didn’t avoid it completely. Cole’s blade had sliced across his side again, leaving a deeper and longer wound this time. Fresh red blood gushed out, soaking his shirt. The pain was so intense it made him grit his teeth.

"Damn it!" Cole cursed, annoyed. He was extremely frustrated that his plan hadn't killed Owen in one blow.

At the same time, the effects of the hypnosis began to fade rapidly. Owen's dizziness disappeared, the blurred image sharpened once more, and now he understood everything that had happened…

He had just been tricked by Cole’s ploy. Not because he had forgotten about Cole’s hypnotic power, but because he never thought it could be used in a fight like this.

Owen raised an arm to wipe away the blood seeping from the new wound. His eyes stared at Cole without blinking, trying to avoid looking directly at the watch. He would not fall for such a cheap trick a second time… The fight had just escalated to another level.

The pain coursing through his body didn't break Owen’s concentration. On the contrary, it made his senses strangely sharp and cold. The warm blood seeping out was a reminder that this was real, and a single mistake meant death. He knew now that this fight wasn’t just about raw power anymore.

"Heh… never thought you could use your power like that," Owen said flatly, his breathing still even though blood continued to seep from his wound. "But the same old trick won't work on me a second time."

"Shut up!" Cole snapped back furiously, the veins on his temples bulging. "You're just a coward who only dodges!"

Hearing that, Owen couldn't help but twitch an eyebrow. 'What sane person would just stand still and let someone stab them?' he thought with pity. If he retorted with, ‘Then you stand still and let me punch you,’ he wouldn't do it either, right? So Owen ignored the mad dog’s nonsense and focused on the fight.

After he finished speaking, Cole charged at Owen again, but this time his attack pattern had changed. One hand still gripped the knife tightly, slashing aggressively, while the other hand held the pocket watch. He swung it back and forth with his movements, its silver gleam flashing in the dim light, trying to catch Owen’s eye.

Faced with this strategy, Owen’s vision narrowed instantly. He had to focus on the blue blade coming at him while simultaneously avoiding eye contact with the flashing glint from the watch. It was a fight that frayed the nerves to the absolute limit.

"Look! Look at this!" Cole shouted maniacally. He used the moment Owen had to turn his face to avoid the reflection from the watch to quickly slash his knife in a wide sweep.

It was an attack that almost succeeded several times…

But Owen was no longer relying on just his "eyes." He could feel the gentle air currents hitting his skin. He could hear the small, sharp whistle of the blade cutting through the air. He could see the way Cole twisted his shoulders and torso, making it easy to predict the direction of his attacks. Although there were times the blade grazed his arm, creating shallow cuts, Owen was able to survive every one of Cole's deadly assaults.

The fight continued in this manner. Owen was now fully on the defensive, but every time he dodged, he always countered with a heavy punch or kick. He continuously left bruises on Cole’s ribs and thigh, causing Cole's side to be increasingly cornered by Owen.

And finally, Owen saw his chance…

The moment Cole swung his knife with all his might, leaving his torso wide open, Owen didn't hesitate. He dropped low, dodging the blade that sliced just over his head, before lunging back in with high speed. His right fist, packed with the power from his muscles transferred through his waist and shoulder, slammed squarely into Cole's solar plexus!

WHAM!!

"GAAH!" Cole doubled over in pain, all the air driven from his lungs in an instant. He held onto the knife in his hand, refusing to let go. His body was thrown back against the wall with such force that plaster dust rained down.

Seeing that he was about to be completely defeated, a final evil thought popped into Cole’s head… the method of a cornered dog with nothing left to lose.

His crazed eyes were no longer looking at Owen… they were looking past him, at Jessica’s form, trembling with fear in the corner of the room.

"If I have to die… you're dying with me!"

Cole ignored Owen completely. He used all his remaining strength to charge at Jessica!

"Jessica! Run!" Owen yelled, his heart lurching.

But it was too late… In this narrow space, there was nowhere for Jessica to run. Owen didn't have enough time to stop Cole before he reached her. So he decided to do the only thing he could…

He threw himself between Cole and Jessica, using his own body as a shield for her!

SHUNK!

A horrific sound of a blade piercing flesh rang out. It didn’t hit a vital spot as intended, but it plunged deep through the flesh and bone of Owen’s left shoulder. The depth of the wound locked their bodies together at close range. Crimson blood sprayed everywhere, the warm droplets staining Jessica’s shocked and pale face.

"OWEN!!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, tears streaming down her face with fear and pain on his behalf.

"AGHHH!" Owen gritted his teeth. A severe pain, like a red-hot poker, shot through his entire body, but there was no fear in his eyes. They blazed with a pure, unadulterated fury.

For Cole to get into close range to stab him… was a fatal mistake!

"This ends now!" Owen snarled.

Even though he was gravely injured, this close range was the opportunity he had been waiting for. Owen used his free right hand to lock onto Cole's wrist, which was gripping the knife, as tight as a steel clamp. Cole tried to twist the knife deeper into the wound but his eyes widened in shock as Owen began to do something inhuman…

He started to slowly pull the knife that was embedded in his own shoulder out!

"Urk… AGGGHH!" Owen roared as the blade slowly scraped past his muscle and bone, against Cole’s desperate resistance. Unfortunately for Cole, he wasn't a Power-Type Awakened, so his strength, even enhanced by mana, was far inferior to Owen's now.

SQUELCH~

Fresh red blood sprayed again as the knife came free from the wound. Owen’s face was contorted in pain, but he didn't wait. He immediately used the disarming technique Nova had taught him…

Owen used all his strength, twisting Cole’s arm up over his shoulder, using his body weight and momentum to throw Cole's body into the air before slamming it to the floor in an instant. It was a beautiful Judo throw, except Owen’s method was far more brutal and focused on destruction.

Because as Cole’s body flew over his shoulder, that arm was caught, twisted, and broken by the force from Owen’s arm and his own body weight!

SNAP! CRASH!

OOK! AGGGGHHHH!!!

The sound of the arm bone breaking echoed through the room, along with the sound of Cole's body being thrown hard against the floor. Cole’s eyes widened in extreme pain as he let out a pathetic scream. His arm was bent at an unnatural angle, his hand automatically releasing its grip, letting the knife fall to the floor with a loud noise.

CLANK!~

With Cole disarmed and still in shock from the pain, Owen, driven by adrenaline and rage, didn't let the opportunity slip by. He didn't hesitate for a single second…

He swung his right leg high, delivering a roundhouse kick with full force to the temple of Cole, who was lying on the floor!

THUD!

Cole’s head slammed against the concrete floor one last time. His eyes rolled back, his body gave one final jerk, and then he was still, finally unconscious…

The fight was over…

Silence consumed everything… leaving only the heavy, pained breathing of Owen… and the heart-wrenching sobs of Jessica. She looked at Owen's blood-soaked body with the utmost concern…

—-------

Chapter 31: Counterfeit Feelings?

‘Enough waiting… I can’t take this anymore!’

The voice in Owen’s head roared as he floored the accelerator of his new white SUV. The car, which once felt smooth, now roared aggressively along with the driver's emotions. It tore through the streets of Titan City, heading for a single destination… Jessica’s coffee shop.

His once playful eyes were now cold and hard like polar ice. The rage he had accumulated for days had been simmered down into a cold resolve to drag that bastard named Cole from his counterfeit throne.

The aroma of coffee that once made him feel warm now felt like the smell of rusted blood. Owen parked in the alley of the shop before getting out quietly. Every step he took was as smooth and silent as a predator stalking its prey. He didn't go in through the front door as usual, but chose to enter through the back of the shop instead.

Owen opened the back door quietly, his body radiating an uncontrollably chilling, murderous aura. The atmosphere inside the storeroom was damp and dim, lit only by the faint glow of an old light bulb. Shelves reaching to the ceiling were filled with bags of coffee beans, crates of milk, and cleaning supplies.

And in a corner of the storeroom… the sight before Owen made the smoldering fire of vengeance in his heart erupt like a volcano.

Jessica stood with her back against the cold concrete wall, her body trembling slightly, but her eyes were vacant and empty… devoid of the spark of life he had once been so captivated by. Cole stood in front of her, using his body to trap her against the wall, a disgusting, lewd smile plastered on his face.

And most importantly… one of his hands was already deep inside her tight jeans. His fingers were roughly grinding inside her tiny panties, violently invading her swollen pussy lips and sensitive clitoris, which was now unwillingly hardening, while his other hand squeezed her rounded buttocks furiously, kneading it like a toy piece of flesh.

“Mmm~ Just standing still and being a good girl for me to play with is so cute, Jessica…” Cole whispered hoarsely next to her ear, the faint scent of coffee on his breath washing over her fair neck.

“Look… your pussy is all wet… Do you have any idea how much you need my cock? After I wasted weeks using my power on you, you’re finally ready to be fucked by my big cock without you waking up…” he continued in a vulgar tone, as he slowly began to unzip his pants.

A single, clear teardrop silently trickled from the corner of Jessica’s empty eyes. And that was the last straw…

Owen would not tolerate it anymore!

Suddenly, everything around him slowed down in Owen’s eyes. His heart pounded like a war drum. The muscles, trained and evolved, exploded with sudden power, launching Owen’s body from the dark corner like a released shadow. Cole’s position with his back to the door made him a perfect, stationary target!

Owen’s body twisted in mid-air, fast and violent. Immense rotational force was transferred to his right leg as it swung, striking the side of Cole’s neck and face with full force! It was a perfect martial arts kick, one that Nova had relentlessly drilled into him.

THWACK!!!

The impact thudded loudly, like large objects colliding at high speed!

“!!!” Cole, caught completely off guard, his eyes widened in shock. He gaped, but no sound came out, only dizziness and an onslaught of pain that nearly knocked him unconscious. Cole’s face contorted grotesquely. His body flew sideways before slamming hard into a shelf and the concrete wall!

CRASH!!!

The shelf collapsed. Sacks of coffee beans and various jars shattered across the floor. Dust filled the entire room.

“Urgh! Cough! AGHH! M-my… my face! Ahhh!!!” Cole’s body fell in a pathetic heap on the floor. He curled up, clutching his face while coughing up blood and crying out in pain.

If Cole hadn't been an Awakened with ‘Mana’ constantly reinforcing his body, his cheekbone would have been fractured, or his neck would have been broken, and he'd be dead.

Owen didn't even glance at his condition. He rushed to support Jessica's body as she was about to collapse. His touch was as gentle as a feather, a complete contrast to the violence from moments before.

“Jessica! Jessica! Snap out of it!” He shook her gently, calling her name over and over, his voice laced with a pained concern.

Jessica’s once-empty eyes began to blink rapidly. Light was returning to her gaze. She looked at Owen's worried face, then shifted her confused gaze to Cole's body, writhing and screaming on the floor. Her last memory before everything blurred was Cole asking her to talk in the back of the shop…

“Owen…? What… what happened? Why… why is Cole…”

“Don’t worry about people like him, Jessica…” Owen said in a flat voice, filled with the pain he felt on her behalf. He knew that what he was about to show her would make her feel terrible, but she needed to know the truth. He took out his phone and played the video he had recorded for her. “Look… this is what that piece of social trash did to you when you weren't aware.”

The light from the phone screen illuminated Jessica's pale face. It was a light that should have guided her, but instead, it dragged her deeper into a dark abyss she never knew existed.

The image on the screen was of herself… with eyes as vacant as a soulless doll, while Cole's hands disgustingly molested her body. The video changed to the footage Owen had secretly filmed at Cole's house… revealing three other women in a similar state. They were all being violated by Cole as if they were sex toys, no different from the soulless slaves imprisoned in that house.

Jessica's eyes widened. Her trembling hand rose to cover her mouth in disbelief. The phone fell from her hand, hitting the concrete floor, but it was meaningless compared to her entire world, which was crumbling before her. Tears began to well up in her eyes uncontrollably.

“No… not true…” she shook her head slowly, her voice hoarse and trembling. “Cole… he’s… he’s a good person… He’s a gentleman…”

She was in severe shock. The memory she "thought" was real was fighting frantically against the evidence before her. In her head now were only the good memories she had with Cole…

The image flashed back to the day Cole first walked into the shop to apply for a job… He was wearing a clean white shirt, smiling warmly, and introduced himself politely. After the interview, he took out a beautiful pocket watch to show her. It was a silver watch, intricately engraved.

“It was my grandfather's. He passed away a long time ago, so I like to look at it to calm my mind,” he said, swinging it back and forth gently… Jessica's eyes unconsciously fixated on the swinging watch… and from that moment on… her world changed.

She started to feel better and better about him, for reasons she couldn't explain… Everything he did seemed charming, whether it was making coffee, telling a lame joke, or even when he "accidentally" touched her hand. A warm feeling would spread through her heart. She had even imagined a future… a picture of her walking beside him in a wedding dress… a picture of a small house with their children running around…

“Not true…” Jessica mumbled to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks. She collapsed to the floor, completely drained of strength. “He… how could he do this to me?...”

Her mind was in violent conflict… between the ‘cruel reality’ Owen had shown her and the ‘counterfeit good feelings’ Cole had built and deeply rooted in her mind for weeks… What should she believe?

…..

[Jessica's POV]

I feel like my whole world has collapsed… Everything I believed, every feeling I ever had… was it all fake?

It feels like my body is slowly sinking into a swamp of filth and disgust… My body isn’t mine anymore. It’s like a shell he used for his fun… His fingers… his touch… it’s still imprinted on my body. The feeling of disgust is rising up so much I want to vomit.

How did I not realize it? How could I let him molest me with that disgusting look on his face? I remember laughing at his jokes… I remember looking at him with warm eyes… Was it all just the result of his power? I didn't even know he was an Awakened until now…

God… what if Owen hadn’t come to save me… That thought made my heart lurch. I would have definitely become like those women. Become a soulless doll for him to play with day after day, living only to satisfy his lust…

That makes me so angry at myself, and it’s slowly turning into hatred… until I hate myself for once being fascinated by that handsome face and that counterfeit smile!

But at the same time, when I look at the tall figure of the young man standing quietly before me, his eyes filled with pain on behalf of a foolish, worthless woman like me… it makes another feeling rush into my mind.

It’s a feeling that is warm and soothing to my battered soul. I can only feel incredibly grateful to him…

I want to throw my arms around him and cry my heart out. I want to apologize to him… for pushing him away, for ignoring him because I thought Cole was better, for overlooking his concern for the past several days… But I know full well that a filthy, worthless woman like me has no right to do that. He deserves a better woman by his side, which isn't me…

And the most terrifying part is… deep down… I still feel the pain of losing those 'good feelings'… The counterfeit good feelings Cole created for me to believe in… That counterfeit warmth… It makes me feel even more filthy and disgusting…

…..

Jessica sat huddled on the cold, dirty concrete floor, her body trembling nonstop. Her heart was on the verge of shattering. Real and fake feelings clashed until her entire mind was in agony.

“...Owen... I...” She looked up at him, her gaze trembling like a frightened baby bird. Her lips quivered as if she wanted to say something, but all the words were stuck in her throat.

As Owen faced the woman whose mind was breaking into pieces, he wanted to go to her, hug her, comfort her, but he didn’t know what to do… What kind of words could heal this invisible wound? In a situation like this, how could the Choice System not display its power to save this fragile situation?

Ting!~

The translucent blue screen of the Choice System flared to life before Owen. It appeared like a raindrop in the middle of a desert, offering a way out of the most fragile situation he had ever faced.

…..

[Emergency Situation: 'Jessica's' mind is about to collapse from the effects of the mind-control power. Please choose an action to salvage the situation!]

[1. Gently help her up, tell her everything will be okay, and that you will always be by her side. (Affection +10, Angel Path +10, Her mind will remain unstable and may be periodically overwhelmed by Cole’s counterfeit memories.)]

[2. Tell her to accept the harsh truth directly, that she was deceived and controlled all along, and order her to be strong to get over it. (Affection -10, Her mind will shatter and may lead to severe depression in the future.)]

[3. Lean in and kiss her passionately, making her stop thinking about Cole. Let her know she still has self-worth, and you will make her yours, no matter how much she might want to refuse you. You will eliminate Cole’s filth from her tainted body yourself. (Affection +20, Demon Path +10, She will finally be able to overcome Cole’s power and return to her true self.)]

…..

Owen quickly scanned the three options, his mind working furiously. He understood instantly that Jessica’s mental wound was too deep for ordinary words of comfort to heal (Option 1).

And forcing her to face the truth right now was no different than pushing her off a cliff (Option 2).

Cole’s power was like a poison deeply rooted in the mind… To cure it, he needed to fight it with a stronger medicine!

He glanced at Jessica’s trembling lips and reddened eyes… The decision was made.

Owen chose the third option without hesitation. He stepped forward and knelt in front of her, using his fingertips to gently but firmly lift her chin, forcing her trembling eyes to meet his blazing ones.

“Jessica… look at me,” his voice was deep and powerful.

And before she could utter a word, he pressed his lips onto hers, quick and passionate. It was an uninvited kiss… a kiss full of the desire to possess, a desire to assert that she was his!

Smooch! Mmmph!!!!

At first, Jessica flinched, trying to turn her head away, but her strength was no match for Owen’s. He slid one hand to the back of her head, forcing her to accept this hot, savage kiss. His tongue expertly slipped past her trembling lips, chasing and tangling with hers. He could taste the saltiness of her tears mixed with the sweetness in her mouth.

Smooch Mwah Mwah~

Schlick Schlick Schlick~

Mwah Mwah Mwah~

Araaahh Mmm Mmm~

Aaaaaah~

It wasn't a sweet kiss… it was a declaration of war against the shadow of Cole that still gnawed at her mind!

He ground his lips against hers harder, sucking so intensely she was almost breathless. The wet, lewd sounds of kissing echoed in the silent storeroom. Jessica's body, which had been trembling with pain, now began to shudder with a different emotion…

When Owen slowly pulled his lips away, leaving a thin string of saliva connecting them, he whispered huskily next to her reddened ear. Every word of his was like a brand seared onto her soul.

“Listen, Jessica… Forget it… Forget all about that bastard.”

“You’re not filthy… You’re not worthless… You are still a beautiful and valuable woman in my eyes.”

“And I will make you mine… no matter how much you might want to refuse me. I will eliminate his disgustingness from your body… myself~ Understand? My dear Jessica~”

The words, both comforting and commanding, pierced deep into her broken heart. It was like a bright light shining in to drive out the darkness. The counterfeit memories Cole had built began to crack and crumble, replaced by Owen’s intense desire.

Jessica looked up at him again, tears still streaming, but her eyes were no longer empty. They were filled with confusion, gratitude, and a certain spark that had just been ignited… She raised her trembling arms, wrapped them around his neck, and pulled his face in for another kiss… This time… she started it.

But just as the two were about to merge into one amidst the silent storeroom…

“...You son of a bitch!!!”

A crazed roar erupted from the pile of debris! Cole, who had been lying on the floor, slowly propped his battered body up. His handsome face was now covered in blood and bruises, making it hideous. His eyes were bloodshot with rage and humiliation at being so utterly defeated.

“You… You dare do this to me!”

He no longer cared about the injuries to his face. Rage had consumed everything. He pulled out a hidden pocket knife. Its blade reflected the light and glowed with a faint blue aura… This was no ordinary knife, but an Awakened's weapon used for hunting monsters in dimensional gates!

“I’ll kill you!!!”

Cole screamed, then charged at Owen, who was still kneeling and holding Jessica!

—-------

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Chapter 29: Heavenly Mountains of Milk

That night… silence reigned in Clara’s dressing room, broken only by the soft glow of a lamp casting warm light onto the wooden floor. The faint, sweet scent of red wine from a half-full glass on her vanity mingled with the delicate perfume from her freshly showered body, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and dangerously charged.

Clara stood in the middle of the room, her body wrapped in a thin, white satin robe that shimmered with a faint silver hue where the moonlight from the window touched it. Her eyes were locked on Owen, who sat in a chair, unmoving. Her gaze burned with a defiant fire, yet it trembled with a deep-seated insecurity.

“Owen…” Her voice was husky, laced with alcohol and want. “Are you ready to see me… in a way no one has ever seen me before?”

Her voice quavered slightly. Though she tried to keep it steady, Owen could tell… she was betting everything, pushing herself down a path of no return. It was a declaration of war, and she was willing to burn everything to the ground… including herself.

Before Owen could answer, Clara’s fingers slowly, torturously, moved to the knot of the robe at her waist. Her fingers trembled as she gradually loosened it. The fine satin slithered off her fair shoulders, pooling at her feet as softly as a feather. It revealed a body bound in seductive, burgundy red lace lingerie, with matching stockings that hugged her fair thighs, mercilessly accentuating the lush curves of her hips and round bottom.

Her long, wavy black hair, still slightly damp, clung to her shoulders. Tiny droplets of water caught the moonlight, sparkling seductively on her skin. Her face was flushed, her eyes glistening… it was the image of a queen, ready to sacrifice everything to reclaim her throne.

“I… I won’t be just an ‘ordinary woman’ in your eyes anymore,” she forced the words out, her gaze boring into his. “I’ll make everyone see… that I have what it takes to drive a man insane~”

Owen swallowed hard, the saliva thick and difficult in his throat. Blood roared in his ears, a hot flush spreading through his entire body. It wasn’t just her beauty… it was her daring that was dragging his own primal instincts out to wreak havoc.

Clara closed her eyes, taking one last deep breath to steel her nerves, before reaching behind her back…

Click~

The soft sound of the bra’s clasp unhooking was like a tolling bell in Owen’s ears. The lace bra, no longer able to contain her magnificent assets, fell to the floor… releasing two milky-white mountains to spill free, gloriously unrestrained.

Two massive, full breasts stood proudly, challenging his gaze. The dark pink nipples puckered, hardening into tight buds in the cool air of the room. Her skin glowed under the dim light… She no longer stood still, but began to slowly trace the curves of her own breasts with her fingertips, her eyes smoldering as they stared at him… a silent, yet deafening, invitation.

[Character Illustration: Clara topless]

“Jesus Christ… Clara… Your tits are fucking amazing~ They’re driving me insane!” Owen swore, his breath catching in his throat. Heat exploded through his body, his heart hammering against his ribs like a war drum. His cock swelled, straining painfully against his underwear. His sire instinct was roaring inside his head, a maddening frenzy…

‘Fuck her! Devour her! Slam your cock into this bitch right now!!!’

But the last vestiges of his consciousness screamed in protest. It was the voice of reason, of morality… and the voice of Damian… a voice reminding him that he was still human, not just a beast driven by lust.

Hearing Owen’s raw, desire-filled curse, a smile of pure satisfaction bloomed on Clara’s face. The confidence that had wavered was now back, stronger than ever.

“Mm Just knowing you like them… makes it worth it, Owen,” she said, her face flushed, her voice trembling with excitement. “My body… I wanted to reveal it to you… Consider it a reward for everything you’ve done for me”

And in that split second… a translucent screen of the Choice System flared to life before Owen’s eyes.

…..

[1. Lunge forward and savagely ravish those breasts, using your mouth and tongue to bite and suckle her nipples until you are satisfied. (Affection -5, Demon Path +10, She will become afraid of you, and an irreparable rift will form in your relationship.)]

[2. Shake off the wicked thoughts, gently cover her with her robe, and tell her that’s enough for tonight. (Affection +5, Angel Path +10, She will be grateful for your gentlemanly conduct, but deep down, she will feel disappointed.)]

[3. Put on a serious expression, then rise and strip off your own clothes until you’re in nothing but your underwear. “I won’t take advantage of you, Clara… Since you were brave enough to show me your chest, I’ll show you mine in return. Now this is what I call fair!” (Affection +5, Demon Path +10, The situation will escalate to an even more heated level.)]

…..

A sly smirk played on Owen’s lips, his eyes gleaming with a newfound plan. He chose the third option without a moment’s hesitation… If Clara was brave enough to light the match, he was more than willing to douse it in gasoline.

Owen rose to his full height, playing along with this dangerous, passionate game, while still maintaining his own brand of honor. His hands slowly, deliberately, moved to unbutton his shirt… one button at a time…

“I won’t take advantage of you, Clara…” Owen’s voice was deep and a little hoarse, but every word was firm and sincere. “Since you were brave… and revealed everything to me, I’ll reveal myself to you as well… Now this is what I call fair!”

And then his shirt was off, revealing a broad chest and a chiseled six-pack, a testament to his intense training. His skin was taut, reflecting the soft light of the room like a living marble statue. Owen let the shirt fall from his shoulders to the floor before his hands moved to his belt buckle…

Click~

The soft sound of the buckle echoed in Clara’s senses. He unzipped his pants and then deliberately pushed them down his hips, letting them pool with his shirt at his ankles, leaving his powerful frame clad only in a pair of tight, black boxer briefs.

Clara froze, her mouth slightly agape, her breath hitched. Her eyes widened as she stared at the sight before her as if mesmerized, her face flushing an even deeper shade of crimson. She tried to stop her gaze from drifting lower… but she couldn’t.

She swallowed thickly… as her eyes locked onto the ‘something’ beneath the black fabric.

A monstrous, swollen erection was pressing against the material, creating a terrifyingly prominent bulge. It was so large and long that the distinct ridge of the shaft was clearly visible, straining against the thin underwear as if about to burst free.

‘Oh God… it’s… it’s so big… It’s so much bigger than Damian’s!’ she screamed internally, a jolt of panic and a completely new kind of thrill shooting through her. A wave of heat rushed from her stomach down to the juncture of her thighs, making her instantly wet…

Clara shook her head violently to clear her thoughts, quickly changing the subject with a still-quavering voice. “I-I think… we should start shooting the OnlyStar content now, Owen. The fans must be dying to see my breasts by now~”

Owen gave a small, knowing smile, his eyes glinting with a satisfaction he couldn’t hide at her reaction. “Of course, Clara… I’ll get the camera ready.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted entirely. It was no longer just a risqué photoshoot; it was a dangerous game of seduction and restraint. Owen dimmed the lights further, adding a ring light that made Clara’s skin look flawlessly smooth.

Clara began to pose slowly. She put her robe back on… only to slowly, languidly remove it again for the camera, revealing her defiant, naked breasts once more… but this time, her gaze wasn’t just on the camera. It periodically flickered down to Owen’s crotch.

Owen moved in to adjust her posture, his fingertips grazing her back and shoulders to fix her angles. Sometimes, his hand would “accidentally” brush against the side of her sensitive breast.

“Ah…” a soft moan escaped Clara’s lips against her will as her hardened nipple grazed the back of his hand. “Owen… that spot is…” She bit her lip, her face turning scarlet to the tips of her ears.

At the same time, Clara got her revenge. As she was leaning back for a pose, she pretended to lose her balance slightly, causing her back to press closer to his crotch… her full, round bottom grinding firmly against the hard erection still straining beneath his underwear.

!!!...

A jolt like an electric shock shot through both of them. Owen turned his face away, taking a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the savage instinct that was clawing to get out… He was holding on by a thread.

Luckily, what little professionalism they had left was still working. The photoshoot continued amidst the scorching hot atmosphere. Finally, it was over. They had captured both still photos and short, mind-blowingly erotic video clips, from the scene of her slowly disrobing to the shots of her sending the most seductive glances to the camera while cupping her own bare breasts.

“I think… this clip is going to make your fans pay anything you ask, Clara,” Owen said with a smile, handing her the camera to see his work.

Clara took the camera, biting her lip slightly. She looked down at her own image on the screen… an image where she was staring at the camera lens with the most passionate gaze… before whispering softly.

“But in the picture… I wasn’t looking at the camera… I was looking at you, Owen…”

“....” Owen froze instantly. That direct, powerful confession… was about to shatter the last wall of his restraint. In the end, he barely managed to conquer it. Owen quickly excused himself and left the room, leaving Clara to smirk, the victor of tonight’s battle…

…..

The morning sun streamed through the large glass window into the opulent living room. The scent of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air of Damian’s luxurious house. Owen leaned back on a large leather sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a steaming mug in one hand and a tablet in the other, the screen open to Clara’s OnlyStar page.

A faint smile played on his lips as he waited for the latest stats to load… and when they appeared, his smile widened, his eyes gleaming.

—It was exactly as he had expected.

The latest post had rocketed past one hundred thousand views in less than eight hours! The new follower graph shot up in a straight line the moment the “Heavenly Mountains of Milk” photo set and clip were released.

Clara now had over 26,000 followers, 7,000 subscribers, and most impressively, the number of premium fan club members, who paid extra for exclusive content, had jumped to nearly 300.

The system’s estimated income for the month stood at $126,000…

The number made Owen let out a low whistle of amazement. “Damn… if she sees this, she’s definitely going to jump me with a hug again,” he whispered to himself, in a good mood.

He scrolled down to the comments section, which had now become a battlefield of adoration. It was filled with praise, shock, addiction, and raw lust from Clara’s followers.

…..

[Comment 1]: "Oh my god! They’re the real deal! I’d pay double to see more!"

[Comment 2]: "This is pure art! The kind of perfect curves only a god could sculpt!"

[Comment 3]: "Mount Fuji is real! I worship you, my goddess! I can die happy now!"

[Comment 4]: "Thank you for the quality content, Clara! Always supporting you!"

[Comment 5]: “Fuck!~ I want to breed her so bad!”

[Comment 6]: “You know that face you’re making is just begging to get pounded, right, my love~”

…..

Owen couldn’t help but smirk. He was proud… proud of Clara’s bravery that night. She had conquered her fear, conquered the moral walls that held her back, and unleashed her full charm to achieve this spectacular success.

But at the same time… deep inside him, a heavy, intense feeling was slowly solidifying.

Possessiveness… A sense of ownership…

The feeling that this woman… this body… this smile… should belong to him and him alone, began to erupt like an uncontrollable wildfire.

Owen took another sip of his coffee, but it tasted bitter. He frowned slightly, his eyes scanning the lewd comments again… but this time, he didn't find them amusing.

A voice in his head spoke… cold and resolute.

‘No matter how much these bastards pay… I will never let Clara belong to them… not even in their fantasies…’

He gently placed the tablet on the table, took a deep breath, and rose to his full height. His eyes were more serious and sharper than ever before. He knew the only way to protect her… was to become stronger… stronger than anyone who would dare to interfere with her.

“Even if it’s an S-rank Awakened… I will fight to protect her.”

The silent roar in his mind faded… As Clara was beginning to shine brighter than ever… he had to be strong enough to be the shadow that followed, protecting her light from anything that would dare to defile it…

—-------

Chapter 28: Morality and Desire

The rhythmic clang of workout machines, mixed with the sound of heavy breathing, echoed through the large, private gym. It was a modern space, with clear glass walls on all sides revealing the nature outside, while the morning sun streamed in, bathing the training figures in a spotlight.

The faint scent of sweat mingled with Clara’s perfume, creating a strangely hot and sensual atmosphere.

Owen was on a weight bench, lifting 50-kilogram dumbbells in each hand—what used to be his limit now felt as light as a warm-up. His body felt tight, fluid, and more powerful than ever before. His dense muscles contracted and expanded with each lift, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm with his soft panting.

In another corner, Clara was stretching in front of a full-length mirror, her tight, dark blue workout gear unapologetically revealing her every curve. Her full breasts rose and fell with her breathing, her fair skin gleaming like polished porcelain in the sunlight. She tried to focus on her training, but she couldn't stop her eyes from straying to Owen’s form as he lifted weights.

Owen was no different. He watched her through the large mirror, his hands still moving the dumbbells with a steady rhythm, but his insides were burning. Clara’s voluptuousness was a potent stimulus. The small camera he had set up in a corner was recording her every angle—every movement of her chest and hips as they bounced with each stretch. It was a scene Owen fully intended to post on OnlyStar.

But as he lost himself in thought, another pair of hands touched his shoulders, gentle yet firm.

“Stop for a moment, Owen.”

Nova’s deep, smooth voice cut in, along with a cool touch against his skin. The woman with short, shimmering silver hair, dressed in a sports bra and tight training pants, approached him with silent, powerful steps. Her emerald eyes were fixed on his musculature, unblinking.

“What is it, Nova?” Owen set the dumbbells down, turning to her with a look of confusion. “Am I doing it wrong?”

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, her eyes swept over him from head to toe, her lips twitching into an unreadable smile before she spoke, her voice even and clear.

Nova: “Take off your shirt.”

Owen: “Huh?...”

“I said, take off your shirt.” This time, her voice was more serious. He could only swallow dryly and stand up obediently, pulling the thin tank top off his body to reveal a perfectly sculpted chest and abs.

Nova stepped closer, so close that the tips of her breasts brushed against his chest. Her faint, fragrant scent immediately hit his nose. Her slender hands rested gently on his pectoral muscles, then her fingertips began to meticulously trace each muscle group.

“My God…” she murmured softly, her hand gliding over his abs and down his hips. Her fingers continued their descent, stopping right at the waistband of his sweatpants. She glanced up, meeting his eyes for a second, before moving her hand back up to his arm and squeezing it lightly.

Her touch was both firm and searing, awakening something in Owen that even he couldn’t control. His breathing quickened, and he could feel the blood rushing violently to one particular part of his body.

Nova stepped back slightly, her eyes widening. Her lips parted in surprise before she spoke, her voice filled with excitement. “What have you been doing, Owen! How did you get so much stronger so suddenly? The density of your muscle mass… the response of your nerve fibers… This is…”

She took a deep breath before stating with a firm, serious tone, “You’re now comparable to a C-rank Power-Type Awakened! Surviving a B-rank Awakened won’t be too difficult for you, as long as you have a good foundation in martial arts… Congratulations. You have truly stepped onto the path of the strong, Owen!”

Faced with her question, Owen saw no reason to hide anything from his instructor. “It’s something I gained from the Dimensional Gate of Chaos, Nova. I was just starting to test its limits today myself.”

Hearing this, Nova’s eyes instantly lit up with admiration and excitement. She gave a satisfied, predatory grin at her favorite student’s growth. “Excellent, Owen! You’re truly my beloved student~”

Her voice was full of energy. She pointed to a massive barbell resting majestically on the opposite side of the gym, surrounded by other high-end equipment. “You don’t need to waste any more time with those children’s toys! You can now handle the 400-kilogram barbell. Push your limits even further!”

Finished speaking, Nova slapped Owen’s shoulder hard—hard enough to make him stumble slightly. She let out a hearty laugh. “Hahaha~ A great body is the symbol of the strong! A man needs to be strong enough to take care of his ‘girls,’ right?”

With that last sentence, Nova turned to smile at Clara, who was stretching not far away. It was a smile with no hidden agenda, no challenge or condescension. It was a smile that purely expressed her “belief” that the strong deserve more than one woman, and that those women would naturally accept their roles.

…But in Clara’s eyes, it was something else entirely. It was a clear declaration of war.

Her face went numb. The smile that had been on her lips slowly froze. Her eyes, once sparkling with determination, were now filled with an indescribable turmoil. She had seen every overly familiar gesture Nova made with Owen. She had heard every word Nova spoke as if Owen belonged to her. She had watched Nova’s hands sensually touch every part of Owen’s body.

And most importantly, she had heard that sentence, loud and clear…

It wasn’t a trainer speaking to a student. It was another ‘woman’… telling her that ‘Owen doesn’t belong to just one person.’ And worse, Nova was implying that ‘Clara herself’ was just one of those women.

Clara’s heart felt like it had been struck by an invisible hammer. She wanted to scream, to shout that it wasn’t what Nova thought, that she and Owen were just friends. But her lips wouldn’t move. Her eyes couldn’t tear away from the sight of Owen and Nova. The confidence she once had was being eroded, piece by piece. Her heart pounded with a rhythm that was more painful than exciting.

‘…Why did she have to say that? …Why that smile? …And Owen… does he think the same way as her?’ Those thoughts swirled endlessly in Clara’s mind.

A moment of silence fell, with only the soft, rhythmic music from the ceiling speakers continuing in the tense, suffocating atmosphere. Owen glanced at Clara. He knew instantly that something was wrong with the look in her eyes.

Clara took a silent breath, trying to suppress all her feelings. She composed her face and forced a smile. “Wow You’re as strong as a C-rank Awakened, Owen! I’m so happy for you… Don’t forget to use that strength to protect me, okay” Her voice tried to sound cheerful, but it couldn’t hide the sorrow in her eyes.

‘How can a normal, older woman like me possibly compare to a beautiful, powerful Awakened like Nova…’ Clara thought, her gaze falling to the floor, her lips pressed together so tightly it hurt.

‘Stop thinking nonsense, Clara… You’re just being delusional. You don’t have any right to him…’ Clara held her breath, lifted her head, and straightened her posture to appear relaxed again. But inside, she felt like she was slowly sinking in quicksand.

Nova, not noticing the shift in the atmosphere, shouted again with her usual energy. “Alright! Enough talking! Get back to training, Owen! And you, Clara, come over here. I’ll start teaching you the correct form!”

Owen nodded slightly, walking towards the barbell with a hint of hesitation. He glanced back at Clara, concerned. And what he saw in her eyes… was no longer sadness or turmoil…

It was fire! The fire of determination! The fire of competition had been ignited once again. And if he didn’t handle it carefully, he could get burned to a crisp… It showed that a woman like Clara wouldn’t give up easily, even if her rival was an Awakened like Nova. It seemed her selfish desire had won out over reason this time…

……

After their workout, they drove home in the new white SUV in the late afternoon. The atmosphere in the car was completely silent, a stark contrast to the drive there. Only the soft music from the radio served to ease the tension. Owen glanced at Clara from time to time, but she just stared out the window, her expression blank, her eyes distant.

When they got home, they went their separate ways to rest. Clara, in particular, was feeling the protest of her body. It was her first serious workout in years, but the physical exhaustion was nothing compared to the emotional fatigue that was eating away at her.

Time passed until evening. The soft moonlight shone into Clara’s private dressing room. This was her sanctuary, a place where she could be herself. But tonight, it had become a cage for her racing thoughts.

Clara sat on a velvet stool in front of her vanity, staring at her reflection in the large mirror. In her hand was a wine glass, nearly half-empty. An expensive bottle of red wine sat beside it, open and waiting to be refilled, endlessly.

The morning’s events replayed in her head… Nova standing beside Owen, her perfect body, her formidable strength, and her confident smile… And worst of all, her words, which still echoed in her ears.

‘…A man needs to be strong enough to take care of his ‘girls,’ right?’

‘His girls…’ Clara downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. The heat of the alcohol spread through her, but it couldn’t extinguish the fire burning in her heart.

“Why… Why do I have to feel this way?” she whispered to her reflection. “Why am I so jealous of him… Aren’t we just friends?”

She knew the answer… Her feelings for Owen had crossed the line of “friendship.” It was a bond, a concern, a goodwill… and a desire, as a woman. But she was still Damian’s wife. Morality had always held her back.

But when the image of Nova overlapped in her mind, all reason seemed to crumble. She felt like she was about to lose him… lose him to a woman who seemed better than her in every way.

‘I can’t compete with her…’ The thought cut deep. ‘How can a normal, older woman like me fight against an S-rank Awakened who is both beautiful and strong?’

Despair and self-pity made her reach for the bottle again. And again… until she lost track of time.

Knock… Knock…

A soft knock on the door startled her from her trance. Owen opened the door, right on time for their nightly appointment… midnight.

“Clara~ Are you ready to check the OnlyStar account? Your workout content from today got a ton of views!” Owen said cheerfully, but the sight before him made him raise his eyebrows in surprise.

Clara was sitting in a silk robe, her hair slightly disheveled. Her eyes were glossy and red, her face flushed from the alcohol. Beside her were two empty bottles of wine.

“Clara? Are you okay? You look… unwell,” Owen said, approaching with concern. He sat on a stool next to her and looked up at her face.

Clara let out a soft laugh, a sound that was both sad and shaky. “I’m fine, Owen… just… lost in thought.” She reached out a slightly trembling hand and gently caressed his cheek, catching him off guard. “You know, Owen… today, I felt so… weak.”

Owen frowned. “You mean the workout? Don’t worry, it’s like that for everyone on the first day.”

“No…” she shook her head slowly, her gaze boring into his. “I don’t mean physically… I mean my spirit… I feel like I have nothing to fight with.” Owen went still. He knew instantly what she meant… She meant Nova.

Clara looked down at the wine glass in her hand. “I… I can’t beat her, Owen… not when it comes to strength…” She looked up at him again, her eyes filled with a fragile vulnerability, a stubborn defiance, and a desire unleashed by the alcohol. “…But this… in this, I won’t lose.”

“Owen…” her voice became husky and seductive. “I think my bikini and lingerie pictures might be too plain now… Maybe I should try… ‘revealing more.’ What do you think?”

Owen felt his heart pound. He could see the courage and the challenge in her eyes. “Revealing more? What do you mean, Clara?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

She smiled, a smile that was both sad and beautiful. “Because right now, I feel like letting go like never before…” She rose slowly, letting the silk robe slip slightly from her shoulder, revealing the curve of her fair, smooth breast.

“There are plenty of women on OnlyStar who go topless, right? I guess one more won’t hurt…” As she finished, she slowly moved her hand to the tie at her waist. Her eyes, locked on his, seemed to ask a final question without uttering a word…

‘Are you ready to see me… in a way no one has ever seen me before?’

—-------