By morning, the storm had passed.
Aiko stepped out of the stone hut, wrapped in Kael's cloak, the scent of him still clinging to her skin. Her legs ached in the best way. Her inner thighs were sore, her lips swollen, her body marked in ways only she could feel—but she felt powerful.
A breeze danced across her skin, teasing already sensitive places. She wasn't cold.
She was alive.
Kael stood at the edge of a cliff, staring into the forest below. Shirtless. Unapologetic.
Aiko knew she shouldn't gawk—but her eyes slid over the lean ridges of his back, the scars like stories, the shadows like temptation.
"You keep staring like that, and I'll have to bend you over the rocks," he said, not turning around.
She flushed. "You're not as charming as you think."
He smirked and finally turned, black eyes sweeping over her. "And yet you're still here."
She walked up beside him. "Because the system would've forced me into heat mode again if I stayed alone."
"That's not the only reason."
Her gaze flicked to the forest below. "So… what now?"
"We hunt," Kael said. "The Demon King's minions have been stirring. The longer you stay unclaimed, the more dangerous this world becomes."
"Unclaimed?" she scoffed. "That some caveman term for single?"
He stepped close, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It means no man has marked you with an orgasmic bond. It's a scent. A claim. Without it, you're an open invitation."
Her breath caught. "So you want to... what? Mark me like a wolf?"
Kael leaned in, lips grazing her ear. "I already have. Last night."
She trembled, torn between fury and arousal. "That wasn't a claim. That was survival."
He tilted her chin up. "You came. I came. You synced. That's enough to make half the continent smell you and want to own you."
"Then I'll fight."
His smile was wicked. "Good. You'll need that fire."
---
[ SYSTEM NOTICE – QUEST UNLOCKED ]
Main Quest Update: Investigate the Corrupted Grove
Objective: Defeat corrupted beasts and extract Male Essence
Warning: Essence may trigger involuntary arousal or rare mutation
Recommended: At least one sync partner present during extraction
Reward: Experience Points, Essence Crystals, Skill Fragment
---
They traveled for hours, the forest thickening into something older, darker.
Every so often, Kael would glance at her—like he was checking her temperature, or waiting for her to crack.
But she didn't.
Even when her panties grew damp for no reason.
Even when her body responded to his nearness like a loaded trigger.
They reached a clearing ringed with blackened trees and crimson flowers pulsing with energy. At its center, a stone altar slick with something... sticky.
Aiko wrinkled her nose. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is."
Kael inspected the surface, pressing two fingers into the residue and sniffing it.
She gawked. "Did you just smell monster cum?"
"It's part of the ritual corruption," he said flatly. "This place breeds Lesser Incubi. They're attracted to high-libido energy."
She backed away. "And I'm walking bait."
"You're more than that," Kael said. "You're the magnet."
A low growl echoed through the clearing. Then another.
Figures stepped out from the shadows—humanoid, but not human. Tall, muscular, with skin like onyx and eyes glowing red. Their lower halves were grotesquely aroused.
"Incubi," Kael growled, drawing his blade. "Stay behind me."
But they didn't attack.
They stared at her.
Aiko felt the pull before she understood it—like invisible hands stroking every inch of her skin.
"Oh god," she gasped, knees buckling.
The creatures moaned in unison, throbbing erections leaking clear fluid as they advanced slowly, scenting the air like animals in heat.
Kael struck first, slicing the throat of the lead incubus, who dissolved into a burst of black mist. But two more took its place.
"They won't stop," Kael hissed. "They're synced to your arousal!"
Aiko's body betrayed her—nipples stiffening, thighs clenching. "What do I do?!"
Kael didn't answer. He was busy fighting.
One of the creatures circled behind her, claws reaching for her thighs.
She spun, kicking him in the face—but contact sent a jolt of pleasure up her leg.
"Oh fuck—!" she cried.
---
[ SYSTEM ALERT – FORCED EROTIC SYNC INITIATED ]
Unwanted Contact Detected
System Response: Auto-defense enabled
Skill Choice: Erotic Drain (temporary)
Effect: Absorb stamina and pleasure from attacker via orgasmic feedback
Warning: Side effects include shared climax, memory imprint, emotional confusion
---
The creature lunged again.
This time, Aiko didn't dodge.
She grabbed its head, yanked it between her legs, and let go.
A scream tore from her throat as a rush of pleasure flooded her system. The incubus shuddered, climaxing violently, its form melting into smoky residue as the stolen essence surged into Aiko.
She collapsed to her knees, panting, drenched in sweat.
Kael dispatched the last one, then rushed to her side.
"Aiko—what did you do?!"
"I—I don't know," she gasped. "It felt... it felt good."
Her hands shook. She looked down—her skin glowed faintly, like embers under flesh.
"I think I absorbed it."
Kael stared at her, unreadable. "You just came... by killing something."
"I didn't mean to!" she snapped, confused and turned on and furious all at once.
Kael knelt in front of her. "This is what the Breedbound System does. It rewrites you. Merges desire and power until they're the same thing."
"That's insane," she whispered.
"And it's only the beginning."
---
[ SYSTEM NOTICE – SYNC LEVEL UP ]
Breedbound Level: 2 New Skill Unlocked: Erotic Drain (Passive) Status Effect: Lust Rush – Temporary increase in power after orgasmic sync
Next Threshold: 3 Syncs to unlock "Summon Partner" ability
Current Partner Bond: Kael Ravaryn – 1
---
Aiko trembled, energy buzzing through her. She met Kael's eyes.
"I'm scared."
He reached out, brushing a hand down her thigh. "And you're wet."
She didn't flinch.
"Yeah," she said. "I am."
"Want me to take care of it?"
She bit her lip. "Do you want to?"
Kael's mouth curled into something dark and hot.
"Yes."
She shoved him down on the stone altar, straddled him, and unbuckled his belt with shaking hands.
"This time," she whispered, voice thick with heat, "I ride."