....

There was a reason why they said, 'Be careful what you wish for.'

And Sofony realized it only when it was already a bit too late.

...

When the two came out of Lauren Walker's mansion, the darkness of the night had already fully blanketed the world, or at least, their part of the world. She was only oblivious to this due to being busy with the meetings and discussions. Now, up above, aside from the never-ending stretch of dark blue that was almost black, she could also see the crescent moon peeking through the tall trees surrounding the residence. Its magnificent and conspicuous presence in the sky was just another reminder that it was indeed already nighttime.

Alarmed by how she didn't feel the pa.s.sage of time, letting the evening caught up with them inside Lauren's laboratory, she asked the system for the exact time.

Her lips slightly parted when said it was already past 8 pm. She wondered how all those talks wasted more than two hours of their lives.

Next to her, Gio also glanced at his wrist.w.a.tch. Not long after, he turned his head her way and said, "I know a fine restaurant near here. It's conveniently along the road so let's just have dinner there."

Sofony nodded, smiling wryly and apologetically at him.

As they walked side by side, her eyes unknowingly went to his left hand. A desire to hold it suddenly came upon her. She didn't know why she wanted to do so, but before she knew it, her right hand was already inching closer to it, acting on its owner's wish to reach out to the hand of this gentle and dependable man.

However, as if the target felt something creeping towards it, getting unnerved as a consequence, it avoided her hand that was only one centimeter away from touching it. That gesture made her heart drop a little, disappointed that she failed to grab it. Questions began to pop up in her head, in which most pointed to many undesirable answers, causing her to stiffen and almost fall into self-doubt.

But, within the next seconds that followed, she just found her body tensing because she discovered that the hand which she did not manage to hold actually went behind her, wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her close to him. The girl was caught unprepared, hence, she ended up half-leaning on him as they walked.

Due to the quietness of the surroundings, it was easier to hear the noises created occasionally by the insects and birds hiding in the bushes and trees. She could also hear the whoos.h.i.+ng sounds of the wind blowing gently on their skin... Same with her and his gentle breathing. Unfortunately, she was not sure if it was also the reason why she could somehow hear the fast beating inside her chest, the thumping of her heart which just accelerated for no apparent reason when the distance between their bodies lessened to zero.

The late October nights were cold which could be a.s.sumed as the magic or wonder of each 'Ber Month'.

People said it was due to the slowly approaching Christmas seasons.

Sofony also believed such was the case, but right now, she could feel the cold swiftly vanis.h.i.+ng away because there was a st.u.r.dy body supporting her and giving her endless warmth. Time pa.s.sed by that they were like this. It did not take her long to adjust and accept their current position. In fact, wis.h.i.+ng for more became her next instinct. After enjoying his warmth and care, she just couldn't stop herself from wanting to claim it, no, him... for herself, forever.

As expected, people were really greedy creatures. As long as it was what they could give them comfort, love, and security, they would always want it for themselves, monopolizing it if possible. Sofony was never an exception to this rule. Actually, she just didn't know, but even Gio was too. And it was unknown whether this was one of the reasons why they were still with each other without bringing up the matter about their relations.h.i.+p status.

Lost in the possessive thoughts that one by one budded inside her head, his voice suddenly echoed near her ears, making her instinctively s.h.i.+ft her eyes to his direction.

"Sorry if my weird cousin did not even invite us for dinner, but you saw her just now. She's crazy about experiments, so we better let her be."

His chuckled that followed made her blink at him.

She saw him shake his head, adding, "Anyway, eating in a house owned by someone like that is not as pleasant as dining in a restaurant or at home. For now, we can only settle for something lesser than home meals." He bent his head her way, "By the way, are you going to your academy tomorrow?"

Sofony was woken up from her stupor, realizing that she'd been looking at his face for so long. Red-faced, she looked down and softly answered, "No... I don't want to."

'I want to stay more with you...'

Those were the words that she didn't dare voice out.

Gio nodded understandingly. By this time, they were already at standing beside his car. After Gio opened the car door and led her in, he replied, "Come to Ever Victorious with me then. After that, we'll go home early and you'll cook for me. What do you say?"

The man was usually not asking for anybody's opinion. His words were always final, as if they were decrees made by an emperor from ancient times. This was actually also how he acted when they first started cohabiting at her apartment. Now, as she looked at him, those memories appeared weird and distant. Like the 'him' from that time was someone from another world. In front of her, the person warmly looking at her in the eyes was very considerate, his gaze making her believe that he would never stop supporting her — that by her side was right where he belonged.

To be honest, she didn't know what gave her the idea that his gestures and stares meant this. She just saw herself believing in this, not knowing when it got etched into her mind as something natural.

Sofony fluttered her eyes and then smiled, the one which she gave him was probably the most beautiful she could ever muster in her current situation.

To the person staring at her and waiting for her answer, she almost wanted to say something not at all related to his question, something very out of the blue, but at the same time, perfect to describe what she was currently feeling.

Thankfully, she managed to realize its possible consequences and restrain herself at the last second.

Though a bit bitter, she made herself look outwardly okay when she replied,

"I'm fine with anything you decided. We can do that. Or if you're going to be busy at work, I'll go to the Silver's mansion, then shop for groceries, and cook at home before you arrive,"

Sofony saw her man giving him a grin before starting the engine. "Good."

Moments later, as she wallowed on the feelings that drowned her whole being, thoughts of wanting to make this scene last forever crossed her mind. She felt that the current scene was perfect. There wouldn't be many words exchanged between them, but the atmosphere around them would remain light and warm, free from worries and grievances.

If only this kind of wishes could come true...

When she woke up to the reality that she was a host now living under the constant threat of death and immorality, her face fell, together with her good mood.

The thought made her whisper a wish to herself.

To become stronger.

For the very first time in her life, she wanted to level up so badly and not be the one always living tensely due to the thought that there were several hostile and crazy higher leveled hosts lurking out there.

She also hadn't forgotten yet that she was in a world were not few non-hosts thrived.

The future was so uncertain. There were threats everywhere. Threats to their lives, properties, and relations.h.i.+p. Just what could allow the scene today to be their forever? What could take all her worries and fears away?

Ironically, after she wracked her brains for countermeasures and solutions for her dilemma, everything that came to mind boil down to only one real resolution.

'Level up. Earn more points. Increase stats and skills. Fill my inventory to the brim.'

'In short, maximize the use of the d.a.m.nable system.'

She closed her eyes and hid her face by lowering her head and letting the hair s.h.i.+eld her expression from Gio.

She smiled bitterly at the conclusion that she arrived at.

This has always been a fact glaring at her. But she kept refusing it before due to her moral compa.s.s which she found so hard to give up or alter.

Now, what could she do when her situation was like this? She had no choice now and could only reluctantly accept that the system was her only means to fight for the future.

This was why she finally decided to not be so pa.s.sive anymore. This was why despite her mixed emotions about it, she proactively asked for a mission from the system and endured its ear and head-splitting laughter for so long.

Yet as people say, be careful what you wish for...

Because what you'd get might not be so desirable at all.

[DING!]

******

[System Prompt: Third Official Mission (Towards Level 3)]

System Task: .....

Quest Rewards: .....

Failure Consequences:

- You'll die, hehehe

******

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