MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: Ties That Bind
The air was thick with the acrid smell of ash and sulfur as Selene and Marcus left the crumbling building behind. Though the demon was defeated, the battle had left its mark—not only on the ruined landscape but also on them.
Selene could still feel the hum of energy coursing through her body, a lingering trace of the system's power. Her mind raced with questions she wasn't ready to confront.
"Selene, stop," Marcus said, grabbing her arm and forcing her to turn toward him. His face was etched with confusion and worry. "You need to tell me what just happened back there."
Selene hesitated. How could she explain something she barely understood herself? The system's demands, the sudden surge of power—it all felt too surreal.
"I… I don't know where to start," she admitted, her voice trembling.
"Start with why kissing me made you strong enough to take down a demon that should've killed us," Marcus said bluntly.
She looked away, ashamed. "It's the system. It… it gives me power, but only if I—"
"Only if you what?" Marcus pressed, his tone sharper now.
"Only if I connect with someone," she said, her cheeks burning. "Emotionally. Physically."
For a moment, Marcus was silent, his expression unreadable. Then he let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You're telling me that this… thing in your head wants you to get close to people to survive?"
Selene nodded, biting her lip.
"That's insane," Marcus said, running a hand through his hair. "And dangerous. What if it asks for more? What if it… changes you?"
"I don't have a choice," Selene snapped, her voice rising. "If I hadn't done it, we'd both be dead right now. You think I wanted this? That I wanted to kiss you because some system told me to?"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension. Marcus's gaze softened, and he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just… I'm worried about you."
Selene looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "I'm worried too," she admitted. "But until I figure out what this thing is and why it's in me, I have to use it. It's the only way I can survive."
Marcus nodded reluctantly. "Then we'll figure it out together. But no more secrets, okay?"
"Okay," she agreed, though a part of her wasn't sure if she could keep that promise.
As they continued their journey, the landscape grew more desolate. The remnants of humanity were scattered and broken—abandoned towns, burned-out vehicles, and the occasional skeletal remains of those who hadn't made it.
The system's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"New quest available: Locate and secure a Rift Core. Reward: Enhanced Lust System abilities."
"What's a Rift Core?" Selene asked aloud, startling Marcus.
"A what?"
"The system," she explained. "It just gave me a quest. It said something about a Rift Core."
Marcus frowned. "I've heard rumors about them. Supposedly, they're the source of the rifts that brought the demons here. If you can find one, maybe you can stop this apocalypse—or at least slow it down."
Selene's pulse quickened. A chance to fight back against the chaos? She wasn't sure if she could trust the system, but it was better than wandering aimlessly.
"Do you know where we might find one?" she asked.
Marcus hesitated. "There's a place—an old research facility about 50 miles from here. Before everything went to hell, people said it was experimenting on rift energy. If there's a Rift Core anywhere, it'll be there."
"Then that's where we're going," Selene said, determination hardening her voice.
The journey was grueling. The closer they got to the facility, the more dangerous the terrain became. The demons were stronger, faster, and more organized, as if they were guarding something.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the facility, both Selene and Marcus were battered and exhausted. The massive building loomed ahead, its once-pristine walls now covered in demonic runes that pulsed with a sinister red light.
"This place doesn't look abandoned," Marcus muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
Selene nodded, her stomach twisting with unease. The air was thick with the presence of demons, their guttural growls echoing from within the facility.
"We need to be careful," she said, stepping cautiously toward the entrance.
As they entered, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier. The hallways were dark, lit only by the faint glow of the runes. Every shadow seemed to move, every sound amplified in the silence.
"Stay close," Marcus whispered, his eyes darting around.
They hadn't gone far when the system spoke again.
"Warning: High concentrations of demonic energy detected. Lust energy reserves critically low."
Selene clenched her fists, frustration boiling within her. "Perfect timing."
Marcus glanced at her. "What did it say?"
"Just that we're walking into a death trap," she muttered.
They pressed on, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Suddenly, a low, guttural laugh reverberated around them, sending chills down Selene's spine.
"Well, well," a voice purred. "Fresh prey."
From the shadows emerged a demon unlike any Selene had seen before. Tall and humanoid, it exuded an aura of malevolence and power. Its eyes glowed with a predatory hunger as it stalked toward them.
"Run," Marcus hissed, but Selene stood her ground, her weapon raised.
"No," she said, her voice steady. "We fight."
The demon lunged, and the battle began.