Even though Luo Hong had "reset" their physical states, a faint scent of heather lingered in the luxurious room, making Bronya feel extremely out of place. Recalling what had just happened, her mind felt like a tangled mess of yarn. If it weren't for her obsession with Seele, she wouldn't even know how to hold herself together.
Looking at the man who had just been so intimate with her, she began to process the information provided by the voice in her head.
First, this was not her world; it was a "Lord Game." And she—or rather, this body—was a Valkyrie belonging to the man before her. Even though she knew she was lying to herself to cope, she held onto that thought to calm her racing heart.
Second, the man in front of her was the only "real" being in this world, possessing absolute power. As a pro gamer, she knew this kind of existence was called a "GM"—someone she absolutely could not afford to provoke.
Lastly, if she wanted to know anything, she could ask him. But miracles and magic weren't free. She had to be prepared to pay the price.
"It seems you've grasped the situation," Luo Hong said, noticing the calm returning to Bronya's pale gray eyes. "I am Luo Hong. You may call me 'Lord'."
"Would you like a tour of this world, or would you prefer to meet your 'comrades' first? Sadly, Seele isn't here yet." He wore a look of mock disappointment.
Bronya bit her lip. This time, she didn't lose her cool at the mention of Seele. "The voice in Bronya's head... you arranged that, didn't you? If so, how can Bronya trust that you have the power to save Seele?"
She stared intensely at him, watching for any flicker of emotion. Her hands gripped the bedsheets so hard her knuckles turned white, looking like polished jade.
"Yes, I arranged the voice," Luo Hong admitted with a faint smile. As a fan of web novels, he had prepared that "Online/Offline" system long ago. He just hadn't expected Bronya to wake up during one of their "training sessions."
That was a nice surprise, though. Hehe.
"But as the Lord, I only issue commands. I don't care about the specifics of how they are carried out. Honestly, I don't even know exactly what the system told you."
"Furthermore," he continued, "you might have misunderstood. I don't have the power to save Seele. That is something you will have to work for yourself."
"At most, I can give you some sound advice. Whether or not you execute it is up to you."
His tone suddenly turned cold, as if everything had nothing to do with him. In hindsight, the main plot really didn't involve him—he didn't even have a chance to be a bystander. At best, he was merely an "Observer from Beyond."
If the person standing before him were "Bronie" (Haxxor Bunny), he could shamelessly call her his wife. But since it was Bronya, he, as a "Captain," felt a certain distance.
"Advice... and execution?"
Although she didn't know why Luo Hong's voice had suddenly turned icy, Bronya could sense that this coldness wasn't directed at her. More importantly, she cared far more about Seele than his change in temperament.
"Then, what price must Bronya pay for this?"
"That depends on your sincerity."
Luo Hong, who had been cold just a second ago, now had the corners of his mouth curled into a playful smirk. It was as if his previous demeanor had been a complete act.
"As long as Bronya has it..." She bit her lip, looking like a martyr prepared for the end. "You may take it. But only if you can prove you can actually do what you say."
"No, no, no!" Luo Hong wagged his index finger at her. "Don't give me that look. If you keep that expression, our deal will never be struck."
"Hm?"
"Don't look at me like that." Luo Hong rested his chin on his fist. "What you can offer me is very limited. At most, it's a bit of 'sincerity' from the heart. Don't forget—"
Suddenly, he lunged at Bronya, pinning her beneath him on the bed.
"—This body of yours is already my property!"
"..." Bronya fell silent. As he said, she truly had nothing of material value left to trade with him.
"I'm kidding!" Luo Hong leaned down, whispering into her ear, "If you're willing to cooperate and try some... new tricks with me, I can grant your wish."
If he had made this demand outright earlier, she might not have refused, but she would have loathed him. By clarifying their power dynamic first and then offering a solution, he was actually manipulating her into feeling a strange sense of gratitude.
He had her right where he wanted her.
Sure enough, hope flickered back into Bronya's dull eyes. Like someone drowning who suddenly sees a hand reaching down, she had no choice but to grab it tight. Moreover, since they had already been intimate, her psychological barrier wasn't as high as it might have been.
"Then... it's a deal." She turned her head away, unable to look at his triumphant smile. Her face, usually as cold as an ice sculpture, began to burn with a deep crimson flush.
Before, she could tell herself she was being forced. But now that she had agreed to the deal, it became "voluntary." Thinking about this made her feel shy... Wait!
When did Bronya regain her emotions?
She had been "emotionless" since childhood, but that didn't mean she lacked feelings. She had lost the biological capacity to express them during the X-10 Experiment. Physiologically, she shouldn't be able to feel "shy."
"Oh?" Luo Hong sat up and grabbed her slender calves as she tried to pull them away. He grinned. "You finally realized? You're a 'Healthy Duck' now!"