Chapter 110: Lucifer: I Believe It, But Not Completely
The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of the second-floor bedroom, casting a soft, diffused glow over the sanctuary that belonged to the shopkeeper.
It was a masculine room, clean and organized, smelling faintly of old books and sun-dried linen. For Lucifer, the Queen of Hell, this was uncharted territory. It was her first time stepping into Ren's private quarters—his inner sanctum—and her crimson eyes darted around with a mixture of feigned disinterest and intense, burning curiosity.
"Eh? So that smelly man also keeps flowers?"
She poked a small, potted succulent on the desk with a perfectly manicured fingernail. It was cute. Suspiciously cute for a man who could knock out a dragon.
She moved along the perimeter of the room, her hands clasped behind her back, inspecting his belongings like a royal auditor. Books on culinary theory, a few framed photos of landscapes, and...
"Wait… What is this thing?"
She paused at the windowsill.
Resting on a small wooden stand was a fruit. But it wasn't an apple or a pear. It was violet, shaped like a teardrop, and covered in bizarre, swirling patterns that seemed to twist if you looked at them too long. It gave off an aura that was distinctly... not of this world.
"Eh? It's so strange. Is this some kind of weird fruit? Or a decoration?"
She leaned in closer, her nose almost touching the strange skin. It didn't smell like fruit. It smelled like power and something metallic.
Just as Lucifer was about to poke the swirling patterns to see if it would bite back, a warm presence appeared behind her.
"What's wrong?" Ren's voice was soft, vibrating near her ear. "Why do you have such a puzzled expression, little Queen?"
Lucifer jumped slightly, then regained her composure, pointing an accusing finger at the object.
"What kind of fruit is this? Why does it feel so strange? It looks like a toy, but it feels... heavy."
Ren looked at the object and blinked.
'Ah. That.'
It was the payment he had received from Dracule Mihawk—Hawkeye—during their last encounter. A Devil Fruit. Specifically, a Paramecia type that Mihawk had found useless and tossed to him like a spare apple.
[Akarin's Note: Devil Fruits are mystical fruits from the One Piece world that grant the eater various superhuman abilities at the cost of their ability to swim.]
Ren's mind raced for a fraction of a second. He didn't want to explain the concept of the Grand Line, pirates, and the curse of the sea to Lucifer right now. Not because he feared she would be interested in the One Piece world, but because he knew her personality.
If she knew there were other worlds with strong fighters, she would demand to sit by the door all night, waiting to challenge a Yonko to a duel. It would be too ridiculous.
Ren pondered for a moment—about half a second—before his face settled into a mask of calm amusement.
He reached out, taking Lucifer's hand gently in his. Her skin was cool, a stark contrast to his warmth. He led her away from the windowsill towards the comfortable seating area.
"Regarding this question, Lucy, you're right," Ren lied smoothly. "That is indeed a toy. A very expensive, very ugly collectible model. It can be eaten, technically, but I hear it tastes like rotting garbage, so it's just for display."
"Rotting garbage?" Lucifer wrinkled her nose, losing interest immediately. "Humans have such strange hobbies."
She dusted her hands as if to cleanse herself of the object's weirdness and turned her full attention to Ren. Her expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of determination and shyness.
"Ren," she said, looking up at him through her long lashes. "How do you play that game? The one you mentioned?"
Ren smiled, looking at Lucy's excited expression. Despite her title as the terrifying ruler of the Inferno, this little Queen was surprisingly persistent about certain things—especially if she thought she was missing out on fun.
"The VRMMORPG? World Tree?" Ren asked, walking over to his desk to retrieve the gear. "Are you sure? It's a bit disorienting for first-timers."
"I am not a 'first-timer' at life, Ren. I have lived for eons," she huffed, crossing her arms. "If mortals can do it, I can master it in seconds."
Ren chuckled. "Alright, alright."
He picked up the two sleek, helmet-like devices. These weren't the bulky headsets of the past; they were streamlined NerveGear-style units that interfaced directly with the consciousness.
He handed one to Lucifer. She held it like it was a crown she was about to bestow upon herself.
Ren spent the next few minutes explaining the basics.
"Put this on. It intercepts your brain waves. Your body will sleep here, but your mind will be in the game world. To exit, you open the menu by swiping your hand down like this..."
Lucifer nodded, absorbing the information with intense focus. "Intercepting brain waves... primitive soul magic. Got it."
Ren was about to pick up his own equipment and sit on the edge of the bed to enter the game, but just as he lifted the headset, Lucifer called out to him.
"Wait!"
Ren paused, holding the helmet in mid-air. He looked at Lucifer with a puzzled expression. "Lucy, what's wrong? Is there anything else you don't understand? Do you need a pillow?"
Lucifer bit her lip. Her face turned a shade of pink that matched the strawberries in the kitchen. She pointed a trembling finger at the edge of the bed.
"You! Sit properly!"
Ren was stunned for a moment but complied, sitting on the edge of the mattress, legs slightly apart. He was confused; what did this little Queen want to do? Was she going to cast a blessing spell on him?
Then, Ren froze.
Lucifer walked over, her face now burning crimson. She stood between his legs, hesitating. She looked at his lap, then at the chair across the room, then back at his lap.
'The guide said... Step 3: Sit on his lap for maximum bonding...'
She fidgeted, clutching the VR helmet to her chest. The internal struggle was visible. Her pride as a Queen was warring with the advice of SuccubusLover69.
"Ah! Never mind! I'll go find a chair! This is stupid! Eh—!"
She turned to flee, but she wasn't fast enough.
As soon as she turned, Ren understood. A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He reached out, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly, and pulled.
"Kyaa!"
With a soft yelp, Lucifer lost her balance and fell backward, landing perfectly in Ren's lap. His arms instantly wrapped around her waist, securing her in place.
"This is where a partner's role comes in handy, right?" Ren whispered into her ear, his voice teasing.
Lucifer stiffened, then slowly relaxed against his chest. She could feel the solid wall of his muscles and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back. The heat radiating from him was intoxicating.
She looked up at him, her face so red it looked like she was about to steam.
"I... I could have just sat on a chair..." she mumbled weakly, her resistance crumbling. "You really are a greedy, stinky man..."
Ren rested his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her silver hair—it smelled of vanilla and sulfur, a uniquely Lucifer blend.
"Alright, I'm greedy," he admitted shamelessly. "But I won't let Lucy go. The guide you were reading earlier probably recommended this, didn't it?"
"I wasn't reading a guide!" she lied instantly.
"Let's play the game quickly," Ren laughed, handing her the helmet again. "After all, we can't play it all the time, can we? Let's go out for a walk later. For now... Link Start."
"...Link Start."
[Login Sequence Complete. Welcome to Yggdrasil.]
The world dissolved in a kaleidoscope of neon colors before reassembling into a breathtaking landscape.
The high degree of freedom and realism of the game World Tree (Yggdrasil) made Lucifer pause in genuine awe.
She stood in a grand plaza paved with white stone. Above, the sky was a hyper-realistic azure. The air felt clean—digitally clean.
"This physics engine..." Lucifer muttered, stomping her boot on the ground. Dust rose. "It mimics reality to a frightening degree. And the mana density... it's artificial, yet potent."
She looked at her avatar. It was a perfect recreation of her real self, clad in her usual crimson and black gothic suit. Ren had helped her import her data so she wouldn't have to use a generic elf model.
"Come on, Lucy. Let's go to the guild hall."
Ren, dressed in a sleek mage's coat, beckoned her.
However, as they approached the entrance to the Great Tomb—the guild base Ren was currently visiting—a figure stepped out to greet them.
She was beautiful. Exceptionally so.
She wore a pure white dress, had silky raven-black hair, golden eyes with vertically slit pupils, and majestic black wings sprouting from her waist. Two curved horns framed her head.
"Lord Ren," the woman said, bowing deeply with a hand over her ample chest. Her voice was like honey dripping over velvet. "Welcome back. We have awaited your return."
[Akarin's Note: Albedo (Overlord) is the Overseer of the Guardians of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. She is an NPC (Non-Player Character) programmed with immense loyalty and love for the guild masters.]
When Lucifer saw Albedo, her little face puffed up instantly.
The woman was gorgeous. She had curves that defied gravity and a look of absolute, unconditional devotion directed solely at Ren.
'This stinky man!' Lucifer thought, her grip tightening on her starter weapon (a stick). 'He's so popular with women even in a game! Too much! And look at those wings! They are positioned at the waist? How tacky! My wings are much more majestic!'
But how could she, the dignified Queen of Hell, lose to a mere NPC?
"Hmph," Lucifer snorted, stepping in front of Ren. "Who is this... woman?"
"I am Albedo," the NPC replied, her smile polite but her eyes lifelessly fixated on Ren. "Is this a new summon, Lord Ren? She appears... small."
Crack.
The sound of a virtual stick snapping echoed in the plaza.
"Small?!" Lucifer screeched. "I am the Queen of Hell! You overgrown pigeon!"
She felt that her gaming operations were already fine. She had watched Ren play before. It was just buttons and thoughts. She could carry this stinky man with her superior reflexes.
"Leave this BOSS to me!" Lucifer declared, charging out of the safe zone towards a roaming monster—a Level 5 Goblin.
"Wait, Lucy! You don't have any skills yet!" Ren shouted, reaching out.
It was too late.
Lucifer raised her hand. "[Hellfire]!"
Nothing happened.
"[Abyssal Chains]!"
Nothing happened.
The Goblin looked at her, confused, then swung its rusty club.
Bonk.
[YOU DIED]
The screen turned gray.
Lucifer floated in the respawn void, staring at the words. She, the ruler of demons, the fallen angel, had been killed by a goblin with a stick.
And the worst part? As her avatar shattered into pixels, she saw Albedo standing in the distance, her face perfectly expressionless. But in Lucifer's mind, that lack of expression was the ultimate mockery.
'She's laughing at me. I know she is!'
[Logout Successful]
Five minutes later.
The silence in the bedroom was heavy.
Ren had exited the game immediately after Lucy logged out. He took off his headset and looked down at the girl in his lap.
Lucifer had curled into a ball, burying her face in his chest. She refused to look up. She was vibrating with a mix of shame, anger, and humiliation.
Ren sighed, a smile playing on his lips. He gently wrapped his arms around Lucifer's waist, pulling her closer.
"What's wrong, little Queen?" he whispered, stroking her silver hair. "Are you jealous of an NPC? Or are you upset about the Goblin?"
"I'm not!" came the muffled reply from his shirt.
"Really? You seem quite upset."
"I'm not!" She looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of frustration. "I just... I pressed the button! Why didn't the fire come out?!"
"Because you didn't equip the skill, silly. It's a game, not reality."
"Stupid game!" She hit his chest lightly. "And that woman! That Albedo!"
"What about her?"
Lucifer pouted, her lower lip trembling. "Do you have to make me say it myself.... Stinky man! You clearly like that woman Albedo more! She's tall, she has big... assets, and she listens to everything you say!"
Ren laughed softly, cupping her face. "How could that be? She's just an NPC, all virtual. She is literally lines of code. Even if I did like her character design, she couldn't compare to you, Lucy. Not in a million years. So, there's no need to be jealous, little Queen."
Lucifer turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze. After a long while, she quietly mumbled, "I just feel like that big-mouthed ape is always looking at me mockingly.... She called me small."
Ren kissed Lucifer's forehead. Then her temple. Then the tip of her nose.
"How could that be? NPCs in this game don't have that many complex expressions," he reassured her. "And any overstepping behavior towards players is blocked by the system. She wasn't mocking you; she was just standing there."
Lucifer looked at him, stunned. Then, a new realization hit her.
"Ren!" she gasped, pushing him back slightly. "You really are like those weird otakus! You're defending a bunch of pixels! You're interested in non-human things, aren't you! This kind of behavior is wrong! It's perverse!"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Lucy... you are also a demon, not a human, right?"
"I'm different!" Lucifer argued, her logic flailing. "I have a soul! I have a body! Wait.... Now I suspect whether you like me for me, or if you just like the fact that I'm a non-human species! Do you have a monster fetish, Ren?!"
Ren sighed, shaking his head. This girl's imagination was running wild.
"Of course I like you as a person," Ren said firmly, looking deep into her crimson eyes. "I like your stubbornness, your pride, your hidden kindness, and the way you hog the pancakes. You should believe me on this."
"I don't believe you~" Lucifer whispered, though her resistance was fading. "Stinky man... prove it."
Ren's gaze darkened slightly. The playful atmosphere shifted into something heavier, more intimate.
"Prove it? Alright."
He leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, searing kiss.
It wasn't a chaste peck. It was a kiss that demanded everything. Lucifer melted instantly, her hands clutching the fabric of his shirt as if it were a lifeline. Her small whimpers of protest turned into soft sighs of surrender.
Five minutes later.
Ren pulled back slightly, breathless. His lips brushed against hers.
"Do you believe me now?"
Lucifer's eyes were hazy, her face flushed a deep scarlet. She panted softly, trying to regain her composure.
"No!" she insisted, though her voice lacked any bite. "Don't think I'll believe you just because you kissed me! That's... that's cheating!"
Ren smiled dangerously. "Still not convinced? I guess I need to work harder."
He kissed her again. Harder this time. His hand slid from her waist to the back of her neck, deepening the contact. The temperature in the room seemed to spike ten degrees.
"Do you believe me now?"
"N-no...!"
"Stubborn Queen."
The argument dissolved into a tangle of limbs and soft sounds. The sunlight outside the window slowly shifted from the bright white of noon to the golden hues of late afternoon.
[Time Skip - Late Afternoon]
In the empty little shop downstairs, the silence remained unbroken. No customers had come to disturb the peace.
Upstairs, however, the atmosphere was lazy and warm.
Ren stood by the bedside, buttoning his shirt. He stretched his back, feeling a satisfying pop. He turned to look at the bed.
Lucifer was huddled in the quilt, buried so deep that only a tuft of silver hair was visible. The blanket rose and fell with her ragged breathing.
"As expected of Lucifer," Ren teased softly, walking over to sit on the edge of the mattress. "You're really persistent. Do you believe me now?"
Slowly, the quilt was lowered.
Lucifer's face was blood-red. Her eyes were watery, and her lips were slightly swollen. She looked like a cat that had been thoroughly petted until it couldn't move.
She poked her head out and whispered, "A little...."
Ren chuckled, leaning down to peck her forehead. "Just a little? You are truly demanding."
He stood up and walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Lucifer's voice was sharp with sudden panic.
Ren turned back, seeing her nervous expression. He smiled gently. "To get water. You're thirsty, aren't you? Is something wrong?"
Lucifer relaxed, sinking back into the pillow. "Oh... water. Yes. Get me some."
She paused, then added in a voice so small it was almost inaudible.
"And... give me my clothes.... I want to go too..."
Ren picked up her gothic dress from the floor where it had been hastily discarded and handed it to her.
"They're right here. Can you move?"
Lucifer sat up, the quilt slipping to reveal her pale shoulders marked with faint red spots. She winced slightly as she moved her legs.
"I.... I'm a little sore...." she complained, glaring at him.
Ren couldn't help it. He let out a laugh.
"Stop laughing!" Lucifer hissed, her shame turning into embarrassment. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him weaky. "If you laugh again, I'll bite you! I swear by the river Styx!"
Ren caught the pillow easily. He waited patiently while she dressed, offering a hand to help her stand when she stumbled slightly.
Looking at Lucifer, who was supporting herself against the wall, her legs trembling slightly and her face still flushed with the afterglow, Ren felt a surge of affection.
"Since you believe me now," Ren said softly, brushing a stray hair from her face, "let's level up another day then. Maybe stick to cooking games next time?"
Lucifer straightened her dress, trying to regain her regal aura despite the wobble in her step.
"Hmph~" she turned her nose up, though her hand squeezed his tightly. "For me to completely believe you, you still have a long way to go! Work hard in the future, human!"
Ren bowed theatrically.
"Yes, my Little Queen."
[Akarin Note:
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