WebNovels

Chapter 5 - A Request From Lyria

'Menu.'

The thought alone made a soft chime echo in Isriah's head, and a faint blue screen blinked into existence before his eyes.

[Status]

[Territory]

[Shop]

[Abilities]

'Ah, the other two are filled now,' he thought while blinking. 

Normally, when you started the game, two of these tabs were locked behind "???" until you obtained Master Control.

Seeing them open so soon was… satisfying in a way.

[Ding]

[You have completed a Minor Quest]

[You have received 10 XP]

[Your Ultimate Skill is reacting… You have received 100 XP]

[You have leveled up!]

The notifications appeared in front of his eyes and then a warmth spread through his entire body.

Isriah felt the change immediately… his muscles felt completely relaxed and his chest grew lighter, even his head became lighter…

It was as if his very being was resonating… It felt fucking amazing.

'So this is what leveling up really feels like,' he thought. 

It wasn't dramatic or painful, it was just… peaceful. 

Like everything inside him had found balance again.

Another notification appeared.

[You have received Minor Quest: Open Status Window]

He was just about to do so when he felt something soft running through his hair.

Lyria's long careful fingers brushed through his black locks, combing them gently.

"Lyria, what are you doing?" he asked, turning his head slightly.

Her movements froze.

"I–I wanted to braid my lord's hair," she stammered, Isriah found it funny that she was timid like this when she was designed to be a veteran on the battlefield. "But if you don't wish it, then I ca—"

"You can," he said quickly, cutting her off.

Even though he couldn't see her face, he could almost feel her grin as she resumed the gentle tugging.

He exhaled softly, turning his attention back to the translucent screen in front of him.

'Status,' he thought.

The panel glowed and expanded, forming a larger, clearer window filled with data about him.

"…Wow," he murmured. "So this is the status interface."

On the top right corner was a small portrait of Isriah who he was right now… a young man with sharp features, long and rough black hair that made him look homeless and eyes that looked like they'd seen too much. 

Isriah had the face of someone strong, maybe even noble… but definitely hardened by pain.

'I look like a model in a caveman movie,' he thought dryly.

Still, that wasn't what mattered most.

The stats were.

[Name: Isriah Iskhtar]

[Level: 1 (Exp to Level Up: 0/200)]

[Age: 20]

[Titles:]

(Lord: You can control and hold command in your territory.)

(Otherworlder: You hold knowledge about this world that nobody else knows.)

[Path: None → Path of Steel (Warrior)]

[Constitution:]

(Chaos Body (LV.1): A body that can contain the power of chaos. It grants the user increased endurance and nullification against certain forms of damage. To strengthen it further, level up your body.)

[Skills:]

(Master Control (Ultimate): You can view the status of everyone in your territory and govern territorial affairs through the system.)

(10x EXP Multiplier (Ultimate): Multiply your experience gain by tenfold! Grow stronger! Level up! Become the lord!!)

[STRENGTH: 20]

[SPEED: 10]

[ENDURANCE: 15]

[AGILITY: 10]

[CHAOS: 5]

'Eh? What's that Chaos stat?' he thought.

That one definitely wasn't part of the original design.

Could he use chaos energy now? What would that even do?

[Ding]

[You have completed a Minor Quest]

[You have received 20 XP]

[Your Ultimate Skill is reacting… You have received 200 XP]

[You have leveled up!]

The same sensation returned… He was leveling up once again and somehow it felt calmer than the last level up.

He could feel himself floating…

"My lord, I'm done," Lyria said softly.

He blinked, startled. 

The soft feeling of leveling up faded, and he reached up, running a hand through his newly braided hair.

It was tight and neat, though he couldn't see the designs.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

She smiled and stood up, brushing her robe down before kneeling in front of him on the cold floor.

"Lyria?" he said, confused. "What's wrong?"

Her head lowered, her voice trembling slightly.

"My lord… I want to apologize for what I am about to do."

He stiffened. 

His first instinct was to prepare for an attack. 

She wouldn't… would she? Was she not obsessed with her lord anymore?

She hesitated, fingers clutching the fur of her robe.

"M–my lord," she began, voice small but steady, "may I… share the position with you?"

He blinked, caught completely off guard.

"Over the past five months that you've been in a coma," she continued, her tone was cutely timid, "I have… grown used to ruling the territory. I enjoyed it. I know a woman is meant to cook, to clean for her husband, to serve him on the bed and in the hall…"

Her words trailed off and her voice was trembling even more now.

"…but if you would make an exception for me, I can be the Lordess… and you the Lord. I beg of you."

For a moment, Isriah just stared at her.

Then he exhaled a shaky breath and muttered under his breath.

"Woah… I thought it was something more serious."

He smiled slightly. "You may raise your head, Lyria."

She did so hesitantly, her eyes wide with uncertainty.

He wouldn't beat her for her transgressions… would he?

He also stared at her, and while he was looking at his cute wife, a wicked little thought crept into his head.

"Sit down on my lap, Lyria."

The words came out naturally.

For a moment, she froze. 

Then, obediently, she stood, stepped forward, and gently lowered herself onto his lap.

Her robe brushed against his legs, and the faint warmth of her body pressed against him.

'It's so soft,' he thought absentmindedly.

Not only was she cute… she was also a chosen one and a battle junkie… And she loved him unconditionally too.

What had he done to get someone like this in his life?

"I wasn't going to take that position from you." He said.

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