The campfire's warm light moved over the Duskmire camp, and its crackling sound was a pleasant contrast to the deep silence of the night. After the horrific wolf attack, the caravan stopped, and the wagons formed a circle like a fortress to protect them from the threats that lurked in the forest. Merchants crowded around the flames, their murmurs full of anxiety, and their eyes darted to the dark trees.
Jace sat apart on a weathered log, his torn cloth abandoned and the cool night air licking the gashes on his ribs. He applied healing salve to the wounds, suffering at the sting but wearing it as a badge. He'd confronted death and walked away, a minor victory for Lusteria's ugliest protagonist.
A lopsided grin pulled on his lips, more for himself than anyone else. Not bad for a guy who resembles a troll's rejected cousin.
Footsteps crunched on the forest floor behind him. He turned, expecting Tor's gruff check-in or Dren's inevitable jab. Instead, Lira, one of the merchants' wives stood there, her dark curls tumbling over her shoulders, framing a face tight with worry. Her simple linen dress clung to her curves, the firelight tracing the swell of her hips and the nervous tremble of her hands clutching a cloth bundle.
"Wart," she said, her voice soft as a breeze, "I… I wanted to check on you."
Jace blinked, caught off guard. "Me? I'm fine. Just a few scratches." He gestured to his bandaged ribs, flashing his grin. "Takes more than a spiky mutt to keep me down."
Her lips twitched, a faint smile breaking through, but her shoulders stayed tense. She stepped closer, kneeling beside him. "You didn't run," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even though you could've."
He tilted his head and studied her. Lira's body language showed familiarity; the restless spark in her hazel eyes, the way her fingers fidgeted with the cloth, and the little tilt toward him. Jace knew that look from his past life: Women caught in ordinary lives yearning for a spark, an escape. Back then, as a slick romance novelist, he'd have jumped at the chance. But as Wart Hobb, with his lumpy frame and face like a bad potion experiment? Skepticism gnawed at him. She's gotta be messing with me. No way she's into… this.
Still, something was urging him to act. He leaned forward, voice low and playful, testing the waters. "Run? And miss my shot at playing hero? Nah, I'm here for the applause."
Lira's laugh was soft, nervous, but genuine, like a dam breaking. She unrolled the cloth, revealing a fresh bandage and a small vial of salve, its faint herbal scent mingling with the campfire's smoke. "Let me help," she said, her voice steadier now. "You're a mess."
Her hands brushed his chest as she applied the salve, her touch gentle but deliberate, sending a jolt through him. Her fingers lingered, tracing the edge of a bruise, and he caught her glance. No way, he thought, he read her like an open book. Lira was lonely, tethered to a merchant husband who saw her as an accessory, her days a blur of dusty trails and forced smiles. He could set the stage, just like old times, even if his new body screamed underdog.
"You don't have to do this," he said, his voice softer, a challenge in his mismatched eyes. "I'm not exactly the knight-in-shining-armor type."
She paused, her fingers resting on his chest, warm against his cooling skin. "You fought for us," she said, her gaze unwavering. "That's more than most knights I've met." Her eyes held his, and the air thickened, charged with unspoken need.
Heat built, slow but undeniable, like a spark catching kindling. Jace's skepticism crumbled under her gaze. He reached out, brushing a stray curl from her face, his calloused fingers grazing her cheek. "Lira, you sure about this? I'm… not what people expect."
She leaned closer, her breath warm against his lips, her lavender scent intoxicating. "I don't care about that," she whispered, "I see you, Wart."
Before he could overthink, she closed the gap, her lips meeting his in a kiss. Her hands slid up his shoulders, fingers digging into his skin, and Jace's own hands found her waist, pulling her into the privacy of his tent.
Inside the tent, Lira's dress slipped to the ground, revealing smooth curves that glowed in the dim light, her skin a canvas of freckles and firelit warmth. Jace's hands, rough from training, traced her hips, her breath hitching as he pulled her close. She was not only escaping her life, but also choosing to be with him, even with his flaws.
He guided her to the blankets, their bodies pressed tightly together. Lira's fingers dug into his hair as she pulled him into a passionate kiss, her soft lips meeting his with a raw intensity. Jace's rough hands explored her neck and collarbone, sending shivers of pleasure through her body.
She gasped in pleasure as he entered her, their bodies moving in rhythm with the crackle of the nearby campfire. Her body arched against his, her moans filling the air as his touch ignited her desire. He was wanted, desired, and he felt his confidence surge.
Mid-intimacy, the Charm System flared, blue text blazing in his vision:
[Intimacy Level Registered]
[Reward: 5000 Charm Points]
[Skill Unlocked: Unarmed Combat Lv. 1]
Jace nearly laughed, the system's timing comically absurd. Seriously? Now? and he pushed the notification aside.
Their movements grew more urgent, their skin glistening with sweat as they reached the peak of their pleasure. Jace felt himself consumed by Lira's desire, their bodies moving as one. Her cries echoed in the darkness and he hushed her using his hands.
Lira's nails grazed his back, her breath ragged as she clung to him.
When it was over, they lay tangled in the blankets, her head resting on his chest, her curls spilling across his skin. Lira's smile was soft, sated, but a flicker of guilt shadowed her eyes. "This… can't happen again," she murmured, tracing a scar on his arm. "But thank you, Wart. For seeing me."
Jace nodded, "Anytime, Lira. You're more than you know."
She slipped out, her silhouette vanishing into the night.
He sat cross-legged on his bedroll, the cool forest air raising goosebumps on his bare chest as he stared at the glowing interface.
[CHARM SYSTEM UPDATE]
[Current Charm Points: 5115]
The number made him blink in surprise. Whatever the system's criteria for rewards, tonight had apparently exceeded all expectations.
*Time to see what I can actually do with these,* he thought, focusing his attention on the interface. Three distinct icons materialized before him, each pulsing with soft light: Appearance, Combat, and Magic.
He selected Appearance first, curiosity overcoming caution. The menu that opened made him whistle under his breath. The prices were astronomical. Basic skin improvements started at 1500 CP, facial structure modifications began at 3000 CP, and anything approaching true handsomeness required investments of 8000 CP or more.
*Whoa,* he thought, scrolling through options, *At these prices, I'd need to… well, do what I just did about ten more times just to afford a decent upgrade.*
He closed the Appearance menu and moved to Combat, finding a more reasonable set of options. His recent unlock of Unarmed Combat Level 1 was displayed prominently. Other skills were available: Swordsmanship (Level 1: 800 CP), Archery (Level 1: 600 CP), and Defense Training (Level 1: 700 CP).
The Magic menu proved equally intriguing. His Mana Control Level 1 sat at the top, already unlocked. Below it, other possibilities beckoned: Elemental Affinity (Level 1: 1000 CP), Spell Casting (Level 1: 1200 CP), and Focus Training (Level 1: 500 CP).
Jace leaned back against his pack, weighing his options. The smart play would be to save the points for a major upgrade later, but he needed some results now. Besides, he could feel his companions' continued skepticism like a weight on his shoulders. Every day he lagged behind in training was another day of Dren's smirks and barely concealed contempt.
*If I spent everything on appearance,* he mused, *I'd look somewhat better, but how would I explain an overnight transformation? "Oh, sorry guys, I just happened to wake up mysteriously more attractive"? That would raise questions I'm not ready to answer.*
Better to make smaller, more explainable improvements.
He selected the Appearance menu again and navigated to the skin improvement options. For 2000 CP, he could purchase "Enhanced Complexion: Clear skin, reduced scarring." The description promised the kind of improvement that could be attributed to fresh air, exercise, and good living.
*Here goes nothing.*
The moment he confirmed the purchase, warmth spread across his skin like stepping into sunlight. The sensation lasted only seconds, but when it faded, he could feel the difference. His skin felt better, and the warts had diminished dramatically. And even in the dim firelight, he could see a healthier tone to his complexion.
[Purchase Confirmed: Enhanced Complexion]
[Remaining Charm Points: 3115]
Now for the practical upgrades. He returned to the Combat menu and selected Swordsmanship Level 1.
[Purchase Confirmed: Swordsmanship Level 1]
[Remaining Charm Points: 2315]
Defense Training followed, bringing with it an intuitive understanding of stance, positioning, and how to read an opponent's movements.
[Purchase Confirmed: Defense Training Level 1]
[Remaining Charm Points: 1615]
For his final purchase, he chose Focus Training from the Magic menu.
[Purchase Confirmed: Focus Training Level 1]
[Remaining Charm Points: 1115]
As the last upgrade settled into place, Jace felt fundamentally different. He was still recognizably himself but improved in subtle ways that might pass unnoticed by casual observation.
*One night,* he thought, *What happens when this becomes a habit?*
If he could find willing partners among their allies and contacts, if he could develop the social skills to navigate intimate relationships successfully, he could potentially accelerate his development beyond anything his companions might imagine. The system seemed designed to reward exactly the kind of behavior that he enjoyed in his previous life.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities to test his upgraded abilities.