Irielle didn't stop until they were far from the mansion, Kana stumbling at her side with every step.
The ground behind them rumbled ominously, and Kana turned just in time to see a violent burst of light erupt into the sky.
A deafening explosion followed, shattering windows and sending a cloud of dust and smoke into the air. The entire upper floor of the mansion looked like it had caved in.
Kana's breath caught.
Irielle's hand gripped her shoulder tightly.
"Close your eyes. Now."
She ordered.
Kana blinked, confused.
"If you're questioned later, you'll want to say you didn't see anything. Trust me."
Kana hesitated but obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut. A sharp tremor passed through the ground beneath their feet.
She felt Irielle pull her back as a wave of displaced air swept over them, carrying with it the scent of smoke, magic, and something rotting.
A moment passed. Then another. Kana didn't dare peek.
But something else caught her attention.
A hand, warm and lingering a little too long near the small of her back, made her shiver. It didn't feel wrong exactly, but it was unexpected—too intimate for the situation.
Still, she said nothing and kept her eyes closed, trusting Irielle's judgment.
Eventually, Irielle slowed, and the sensation of danger thinned. Trees replaced buildings.
The paved roads turned to gravel, and Kana heard the soft creak of a gate opening. Another minute passed before she felt herself being lifted, then carefully placed on something soft.
A couch?
"You can open your eyes now."
Irielle said.
Kana blinked slowly, finding herself inside a warmly lit room. The air smelled faintly of tea and fresh linen. She recognized the place. Lysera's home.
Irielle was already moving, heading down the stairs toward the kitchen.
"Stay there. I'll get you some warm milk. You need to calm down."
Kana tried to answer, but her throat felt tight.
Her body trembled.
She curled her arms around herself. Her muscles ached and refused to relax. Every inch of her felt taut, like a pulled string ready to snap.
Her skin crawled with the memory of Luna's glowing fingers, the chains biting into her wrists, the snarling creature stalking her through the mansion.
She buried her face in her hands and tried to breathe.
'This world is dangerous.'
She had known that. The system had warned her. Her own logic had warned her. But knowing something was different from living it.
It didn't matter how many skills she had—if she couldn't use them, if she couldn't fight, then she was nothing more than a victim waiting to happen.
She was supposed to be the protagonist of her own story. So why did she feel so powerless?
The sound of footsteps returning broke her spiral.
Kana looked up—only to feel Irielle press close. The elf knelt beside her, then wrapped her arms around Kana with a soft sigh. Warmth radiated from her. Strong and steady.
"You're okay. You're safe now."
Irielle whispered.
Kana didn't respond. She couldn't.
"I'll take care of everything. Even if you can't fight back. Even if you're scared. That's fine. Just leave it to me."
Irielle said.
Kana's fingers gripped the hem of her clothes.
"You don't understand…"
"What don't I understand?"
Kana took a shaky breath.
"You don't… You only like me because of my charm stat, right? Because it's maxed out. That's what my system said."
Irielle didn't react right away.
"If that ever disappears, then you'll leave. Just like everyone else did. And I can't—" Her voice cracked. "I can't go through that again."
Kana continued, voice low.
Irielle leaned forward and held Kana's face between her hands, forcing her to look up.
"Then use me. Even if that's the case. Even if all I feel is some effect of your charm… then use it."
She said, voice soft but firm.
Kana blinked, stunned.
"Use me to grow stronger. Use me so that one day, you can hold as much power as I do—or even more. That way, you won't need to rely on anyone."
Kana wanted to believe that. But her instincts—those quiet, trembling human instincts—told her it was a lie.
"I'm not like you. I'm just a human. You're a noble elf. I'm not… I don't think I'll ever be strong enough."
She said softly.
"You don't have to think right now."
Irielle murmured.
Kana looked up again, confused, only for her breath to catch as Irielle leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against her lips.
It wasn't deep. Just enough to silence the noise in Kana's head for one breathless moment.
By the time she realized what had happened, Irielle had already pulled back. Her hand brushed gently against Kana's cheek. A shimmer of magic sparkled around her fingers.
"Sleep."
Irielle whispered.
Kana's eyes grew heavier.
She tried to speak—tried to ask if what just happened was real—but her words didn't come out. Her limbs relaxed against the couch, her panic fading into warm static.
As her consciousness drifted, her last thought was a confused, tangled mess.
'Was that a dream… or…'
And then, she was gone.
______
Kana's breathing softened, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm as sleep finally claimed her.
The tension in her shoulders melted slowly, her fingers unclenching from the blanket draped over her.
She looked smaller now, curled into herself like a child lost in a world too large for her to understand.
Irielle sat beside her without a word, her palm lightly brushing against Kana's hair. She stroked her slowly, gently, fingers moving through the dark strands as though soothing a frightened animal.
Kana shifted under the touch, a soft murmur escaping her lips, but she didn't wake. She only turned her head slightly, nestling into the pillow.
"Poor girl. You shouldn't have had to see any of that."
Irielle whispered.
Her hand lingered at Kana's temple, thumb brushing over her brow in a quiet, affectionate motion. She leaned closer, her gaze softening.
The innocent hand soon turned not so innocent as it moved beneath Kana's free-flowing clothes and pulled them aside.
Soon, the strip of the pink bra came into view and with that, the expanse of the skin as well. The flawless skin shifted under Irielle's hand, causing her to pinch it lightly.
The sensation caused Kana to groan but not wake up. And it just made Irielle even more bolder compared to before.
"I'm sorry. But I don't think I can hold myself back tonight. You smell too good, and the thought of losing you makes me mad. Just let me touch you a little bit-"
Apparently, a little bit included Irielle sneaking her hand into that bra and squeezing that breast in her hand. It felt soft and squishy, but also so enticing that Irielle wanted to do more.
She wanted to suck and bite and leave marks as she made Irielle flush pink. She wanted to see that face be thrown back in pleasure as she made Kana feel wet and open and…
'Fuck! Just imagining that face is enough to get me going. This has gone too far to just be the effect of charm. In the first place, I am immune to status effects. Ugh, I must really like Kana a lot more than I thought.'
Irielle was not the one to fall for people, but this time, it seemed as if she had developed genuine feelings for the female in her arms.
"I wonder how you will react if I kiss you for real. I can feel your body's attraction to me, so that's a good sign at least. I wonder how soon you will fold if I press you a little. Should I wake you up and try-"
But before she could do more, the door creaked open.