’System, show me my total AP.’
AP Balance: 25,281.36 → 26,663.25
Isaac blinked. Then his brows rose slowly with a pleasant smile.
’That’s a good jump.’
He rubbed his chin, doing the math quickly in his head. Until last night, his AP had been sitting at a little over twenty-five thousand. Now, after one night and a morning, he was over a thousand points richer.
’That’s nearly 1,400 in less than four hours. Insane.’
He leaned back in his seat and thought it through more carefully.
’I got around 800 from Alice last night, 144 from Emily in the morning… and then 288 and 150 passively.’
He tapped the edge of the bed. The room was quiet with only the faint ticking of a nearby wall clock echoing through the space.
With Emily’s affection sitting at 100 and Alice’s reaching 110, Isaac was reaping the benefits.
The passive AP generation was at an all-time high, but the place where increased Affection showed its affected was interactions. Even just feeding Emily and talking to Alice would now net him almost a hundred AP each time.
Isaac clenched his fist.
’We’re going on a date today. I need to push things harder. If I can bump the AP up to 50,000, I’ll be able to buy the stat-boosting potions in the limited-time shop.’
He wanted those potions at all costs. They would help Alice and Emily tremendously. The next battle was going to be dangerous. He could feel it in his gut. If either of them went in unprepared, the risk was too high.
’Speaking of Alice, I haven’t even checked her new stats yet.’
She had reached level 3 during yesterday’s hunt, and then hit level 10 after using the Life Energy potion. The growth had been crazy.
’System, show me Alice’s stats after reaching level 3 and then after hitting level 10.’
Strength: 48 → 52 → 70
Agility: 57 → 61 → 89
Constitution: 63 → 67 → 95
Spirit Power: 60 → 65 → 93
Mana: 64 → 68 → 96
Isaac let out a low whistle.
“Her stats went through the roof,” he muttered. “I doubt many human awakeners except Champion rank ones can fight her anymore.”
He rubbed his hands together, the same way someone would before unwrapping a present.
’System, share Alice’s stats and skills!’
Strength: 330 → 352
Agility: 460 → 492
Spirit Power: 523 → 555
Skills Gained: Voice of the Seraphim
Skills Gained: Miracle of Grace
Solar Dominion Level 1 → Level 2
Daybreak Incarnate Level 1 → Level 2
Flame of Judgement Level 1 → Level 2
Heart of the Eternal Sun Level 1 → Level 3
His eyes widened.
’Holy damn… her skill levels were quite high.’
Alice’s stat growth wasn’t just numerical. The skill level increase brought some serious firepower.
Since all her skills were SSS rank, with each level they gained, the gap between her and average awakeners was widening fast.
Satisfied for the moment, Isaac closed the system screen. It was time to focus on the next goal, earning more AP. Today’s date was perfect for that.
…
The day in the city passed like a whirlwind.
The three of them—Isaac, Emily, and Alice—had started off by visiting the central market. Stalls lined the wide streets, filled with trinkets, system artifacts, oddities, and freshly cooked food. It was vibrant, alive, and chaotic. Emily was practically glowing the entire time.
She darted from one booth to another, grabbing Isaac’s hand each time she wanted to drag him along. Her laugh echoed constantly. Every bite of food, every silly game she tried, every odd piece of jewelry she made him try on, it all added to the mood.
Alice followed more calmly. She didn’t talk much, but the brightness in her eyes said enough. She was watching, noting everything, her eyes lingering a little longer on anything Isaac seemed to like.
They had lunch at a quiet rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. Emily kept ordered strawberry flavored desserts, and didn’t each much beside it. Alice stuck to tea and soup. Isaac just smiled and let them be.
Afterward, they visited a nearby training arena. The stands were filled with civilians and lower-ranked awakeners watching live sparring matches. People cheered when techniques collided or when someone pulled off a clever counter. Isaac found it oddly relaxing.
Alice analyzed every move in silence. Emily mostly cheered at the flashiest skills, then leaned against Isaac whenever something cool happened.
By the time they got home, night had already fallen.
The sky outside was dark. Lights from the city glowed through the curtains, casting a faint blue hue over the apartment walls.
Isaac unlocked the door, and the three of them stepped in.
Emily stretched with a groan, her arms above her head.
“That was a good date!” she said, hugging his arm. Her cheek pressed against his shoulder, eyes bright.
Isaac smiled and patted her head.
“I’m glad you had fun.”
He wasn’t exhausted, but he was restless. His body was tense from a long day of being around both of them. The date had been perfect, but the moment from that morning—when things had been interrupted—still lingered in the back of his mind.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, and rein in his dragon instincts.
“Let’s go sleep,” he said quietly, trying to pull his arm free.
Emily blinked. “What?”
She looked genuinely surprised. She had assumed they’d continue where they’d left off. The way she saw it, ending the day with that kind of intimacy was natural, like a perfect closing note.
Isaac hesitated. His instincts told him to forget about sleep and let the day end with something… more. But he shook his head and forced himself to stay focused.
“We need to rest. Tomorrow’s fight is serious.”
His tone wasn’t cold, just firm. Enough to let her know he wasn’t budging.
Emily frowned. “You’re no fun,” she mumbled, crossing her arms.
He gave a wry smile but said nothing. A ’quickie’ might’ve satisfied her, but Isaac knew himself. He wouldn’t stop at one or two rounds. He’d lose control, and that wasn’t something they could afford tonight.
Alice had been quiet the whole time, but now she nodded slightly.
“He’s right. Let’s save our energy,” she said softly. “We’ll need everything we’ve got tomorrow.”
Emily pouted, but after a few seconds, she sighed and turned away with a grumble. She didn’t argue further.
The three of them got ready for bed.
Later that night, Isaac lay on the bed. The others were already asleep. Emily had snuggled up close beside him, breathing softly. Alice had chosen the edge of the bed, facing the window.
He kept still for a while, just staring at the ceiling.
Once he was sure they were both asleep, he exhaled slowly and opened his system screen.
’System, show me my AP balance now.’
…
Kael’Zar POV
Kael’Zar pressed a hand to his side, trying to slow the bleeding.
His chest heaved, each breath wet with pain.
Blood soaked through the torn scraps of his infiltration uniform, running down past the remnants of what used to be a full snair of snakes, now reduced to a handful of twitching, bloodied strands.
He winced as he leaned back against a cracked stone wall. He was currently trapped in a mirror dimension.
His body was covered in slashes, he had lost a lot of blood, and the searing heat in his muscles was making him go insane.
All of this was done by the ’human’ woman hunting him.
’There is no way she is a human.’
’A human can’t be that strong.’
Kael’Zar peeked around the crumbling corner, careful not to expose too much of his body. He saw her again, walking leisurely through the fractured reflection of the city street. Her steps were slow, and casual, as though she were on an afternoon stroll.
Catherine Lorrain.
Even by naga standards, she was beautiful. Symmetry in her face, eyes that gleamed with sharp intelligence, and a presence that looked strangely charming to even him, an enemy. She had the poise of nobility but the smile of a predator.
She tossed something up into the air and caught it again.
Kael’Zar’s pupils constricted. His stomach twisted.
It was Virela’s head.
Her eyes were open, and her expression frozen mid-scream. Blood still dripped from the severed neck, and Catherine twirled it in her fingers like it was a toy.
“Come on, stop hiding,” Catherine called out. “I’ve been patient.”
Kael’Zar’s grip on the wall tightened. His whole body trembled from the unbearable heat of rage rising in his chest.
Catherine smiled wider, still playing catch. “Oh, are you angry about this?”
His heart thumped hard.
How did she know what he was thinking?
“Don’t mind it too much,” she continued. “She killed the actual ambassador from the Fortified City 22 before taking her disguise. It’s a human city with good relations with us. Master would be disappointed if I let something like that slide.”
Kael’Zar bit his tongue, drawing blood.
Of course, Virela had taken it too far. She had grown arrogant. She always pushed the edge of her orders, and this time, it had cost everything.
If he had just stopped her that day, told her not to go to the Farmer’s shop to kidnap him…
That farmer.
This all started because of him. Catherine must have tracked the energy signature or followed Virela’s scent. Either way, the moment Virela tried to make a move on the Farmer, they’d been exposed, and now, Virela was dead.
Catherine had struck fast, in the dead of night. Virela didn’t even get the chance to scream.
Kael’Zar had barely escaped. Since then, he had been running nonstop, slipping between safehouses, moving through the shadows. He knew Catherine was hunting him. But this… this wasn’t a normal pursuit.
He was trapped in a mirror dimension.
His escape route had been cut off, and the reinforcements would never arrive on time, if they arrive.
And the cause of this situation?
She strolled with the head of his mate in her hand, like it was a conversation starter.
He peeked again, and that was when he heard the whisper.
“Found you.”
His breath hitched.
He tried to twist his body, and pull back, but it was too late.
The dagger punched into his chest with precise force, piercing between his ribs. A shock of pain burst through him.
Catherine stood close to him. He hadn’t even heard her move. She must’ve projected her voice forward while circling behind him.
“Now,” she said, her voice still pleasant and charming like a sweet poison. “I’d love to continue our chat, but we’ve wasted enough time.”
She twisted the dagger, and Kael’Zar coughed violently. Blood filled his mouth.
“So, you have two options,” she went on. “Tell me how many of you there are, what are your ranks, and what plans you have. Then maybe I let you live.”
She leaned forward just slightly.
“Or…”
Kael’Zar snarled. The agony in his chest sharpened, but with it came clarity. The weight of death was pressing down on him now, and with it came a strange sort of freedom.
“Hehehe,” he began to laugh.
Catherine tilted her head, waiting for his response.
Kael’Zar grinned, revealing his bloodied teeth.
“Fuck you.”
Catherine didn’t blink.
“You want a plan?” he hissed, his voice shaking. “I’ll give you the name. The Metavore Brood.”
For the first time, her expression shifted. Her brows creased, and her eyes narrowed.
Kael’Zar laughed, seeing her displeasure.
“That’s right. You know the name, don’t you? It will kill all of you. You can try to save your people, but all of them are going to be crushed. Hahahaha!”
He raised one hand, and extended the middle finger.
“Get fucked.”
Catherine moved fast. Faster than he could track. Her free hand became a blur.
Kael’Zar never felt the blade. One second, he was smirking at her. The next, his vision was spinning, and he was staring at his own body slumping to the ground.
His head hit the pavement with a dull thud.
Blood sprayed across the fractured stone. A few droplets landed on Catherine’s cheek. She didn’t react. She wiped them away slowly and flicked the blood from her hand.
She stared at the corpse for a moment, then she muttered to herself. “Looks like I need to get back quickly.”
Her hand opened, and a small crystal floated up from her palm, shimmering with spatial energy.
The mirror world around her trembled. The buildings flickered. The sky above warped like a ripple across a pond. Catherine stepped back through the gateway and vanished.
Kael’Zar’s head lay still on the broken pavement, eyes open, blood pooling beneath.
The spies planted in Fortified City 50 were eliminated.
But the damage had already begun.