Hours Later
Bepnis Strait
Inside the Base
I woke up after a few hours of sleep—pleasant ones, if I'm being honest.
My mind felt lighter.
My body, a little less tense.
But even so...
I still couldn't shake the feeling that something remained out of place.
So I decided to walk.
I climbed to the top of the artificial mountain surrounding the base—I needed air, silence, something that didn't smell like metal or systems.
The sunset stretched across the liquid horizon; shades of orange spilling over a sea that wasn't truly a sea, but an artificial mirror of a world that had ceased being natural long ago.
I sat down on a rock.
I simply looked.
I simply breathed.
For the first time in days, I felt something resembling peace.
It didn't last.
I sensed footsteps behind me—light, but measured.
And then, without permission or warning, someone sat beside me.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
When I did, I confirmed the improbable:
Athena.
The same Athena who had sworn she would never share a space with me now did so... as if nothing had happened.
The irony was almost funny.
After all, I was the one responsible for turning her into a slave.
She stared at me openly.
There was an edge to her gaze, but not poison.
And although the hostility remained—as persistent as a lingering scent—
there was something else beneath it:
a faint, human glimmer I hadn't expected to find in a goddess.
—What are you staring at so much? —I asked, uncomfortable.
Athena: —"It's just that you're really ugly."
—Thank you. I truly appreciate those words.
Athena: —"Fufufu. What are you thinking about?" (Something is going on with him... I'm sure of it.)
—You're the goddess of wisdom. You tell me.
Athena: —"Do you regret anything?" (Come on, show me your weakness.)
—Nah. Mistakes make us who we are, they forge character... Regret is normal, but— I paused. —Who said life came with instructions?
She looked at me, surprised.
One eyebrow rose slightly.
Athena: —"I'm speechless..." (That... wasn't what I expected.)
—You know? I know you hate me, but still... thanks for asking how I am.
Athena: —"I don't hate you. You simply annoy me. But I have to admit you were right."
—About what?
Athena: —"About your friend. I think I did go a little too far. And my judgment wasn't entirely fair."
—I'm glad you finally admitted it. (Wow. That ego really is strong.)
Athena: —"..." (Does this little bastard even understand how humiliating it is for me to apologize?)
The silence became heavy.
Not because of the lack of words— but because of everything floating between them.
That was when the system message appeared, projected across my vision like a subtle yet lethal warning:
[System Message:Divine character favorability has reached a value of 1. One more incorrect interaction and a new hostile social statistic will be activated.]
A chill ran through my body.
I knew exactly what that meant.
A hostile goddess wasn't an annoyance...
it was a death sentence.
I remembered what I knew about her—
her myths, her personality.
How these damn developers had reinterpreted her.
Clever.
Reasonable.
But vindictive when provoked.
And now, in this altered world, who knew what parameters she had.
I couldn't afford to lose her.
Not because I cared—
but because her hostility was equivalent to my death.
And death, in this game, wasn't always the end...
sometimes it was only the beginning of suffering.
I remained silent for an entire minute, thinking about how to continue the conversation without digging myself deeper.
But before I could, she stood up.
Without saying goodbye.
Without even looking at me.
It was at that moment—
like a spark between thought and reflex—
that I knew exactly what I had to do.
I didn't think.
I simply acted.
I stopped her by taking her hand.
And as I did, I activated a skill I had only tested once before, back at the O Dyschys casino.
[Active Skill «Dimensional Charm» is applying its effects]
—I'm sorry —I said, lowering my voice.— I know it was difficult for you... You're truly worthy, and wise enough to recognize when you're wrong. I admit I went too far with you as well. I was harsh, unfair... but I appreciate that you came to talk to me.
Athena: —"How are you... suddenly...?"
Her expression was pure confusion.
I saw the slight tremble in her golden pupils.
And even stranger— her cheeks faintly gained color.
—Quincy, activate favorability notifications —I whispered.
[System Notification:Divine character Athena favorability increases+30]
Perfect.
It worked.
And in that instant, I remembered my unwritten Rule Number 184—
the most reliable rule known to man:
"Every man should know when and how to approach a woman."
Now I understood everything.
My Charm was no longer divine or absurd.
But I was very aware of how to make a woman like me.
—Don't be surprised. I can still loosen the curse a little —I said calmly.— Forgive me.
Athena: —"You caught me off guard with that change in attitude. Then... wait for me. I'll tell my sister to stop refining those potions."
—No, I still need them —I immediately replied. (This skill isn't permanent. If those potions can increase my Charm, I need them.)
Athena: —"Very well. Then I'll take my leave."
—Wait —I said before she could take a step.— Could you stay?
[System Notification: Athena favorability increases+5]
Athena: —"I don't understand... Why this sudden change toward me?" (What are you plotting?)
—I'm not sure... I think I was moved by the fact that you came. That you approached me naturally.
[System Notification: Athena favorability increases+10]
Athena: —"Oh... and why is that?"
—Because you're intelligent... and very beautiful. Having someone like you worry about me... would move even the hardest heart.
[System Notification: Athena favorability increases+20]
Athena: —"Do you really think that?" (How can a child have such a sweet tongue?)
—Of course —I smiled faintly.— Simply seeing you is flattering.
[System Notification: Athena favorability increases+20]
Athena: —"You're a shameless little thing."
—Just wait, my dear... until this youngster grows up. Naturally, I'll conquer that beautiful heart.
[System Notification: Athena favorability increases+10]
Athena: —"I'm not continuing this conversation." (Why don't that bastard's words bother me?)
I watched her walk away.
Her steps were elegant.
But her breathing...
irregular.
And when she disappeared into the corridor of the base,
I witnessed her favorability toward me
rise like foam.
I did the math and got a surprising result:
96.
From a single damn good interaction.
I smiled.
Not out of arrogance.
Out of understanding.
That skill was far too dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
Because if I had achieved that with my current Charm...
I didn't want to imagine the results if I had used it with my pre-nerf stat.
—Hey, Quincy —I muttered.— Can you explain what the hell just happened with her?
[Did you forget already, Master? (=_=)]
—Too many things have happened lately. Don't blame me if I don't remember.
[Master... did you forget the function of your achievements?]
—How would I know? You never even explained them to me.
[You never let me finish in Cartag. (ب_ب)]
—Well, yeah... I'd forgotten. Would you be so kind as to explain now?
[As you know, the system rewards certain achievements with stat points. However, achievements are divided into two categories: «Constant» and «Versatile».]
—What does that mean?
[Constant achievements are those with permanent effects, such as your achievements «Transcendental Attraction» or «Eternal Love».]
—I see... (That explains why Athena's favorability increased so much.) And the others?
[Versatile achievements are different. Their activation is mysterious, their effects unpredictable. They may manifest only under specific conditions. Examples: «Surpassing the Permitted Limits» or «Ancient Knowledge».]
—Understood. Thanks, Quincy.
I deactivated the skill.
The sensation of energy floating around me dissipated.
And I understood that I needed to limit its use.
I checked the cooldown times of my basic skills:
all of them—except «Infinite Speed»—would be available tomorrow.
Karmic Luck had undoubtedly intervened.
I thought for a moment.
Tomorrow would mark exactly three days since the incident with Melissa in Ataxia.
I needed to see her.
And deliver Atlantis's tablets to the Gorgons.
But before that...
I had to check on Aphrodite's potions.