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Chapter 437 - Chapter 437

"Y-Yes… that's right… a little more…"

Pasloe's fingertips moved lightly, as if playing an invisible instrument, brushing across the radiant "holy light" and sending delicate, rippling sensations through it.

Kurose Akira froze where he stood, not daring to move an inch.

Gulp.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze locked intensely on Pasloe, who stood mere centimeters away.

He could feel it—clearly.

The "holy light" was rising.

Ascending.

It had reached an unprecedented brilliance—

And more than that—

It had surpassed the one-meter threshold.

"Not bad~"

Pasloe cast a glance at the dazzling glow, then shifted her gaze back to Akira, her eyes brimming with teasing allure.

"Only like this… can you place dozens of elemental lights at once~"

"And only this… can truly satisfy me~"

"What do you think, little Akira?"

As her words fell, Pasloe slowly released her grip on the radiant light.

In that instant, the surrounding elemental lights surged toward it like moths to a flame, clinging to its surface.

In the blink of an eye, the tip was coated in a dense layer of elemental particles—like a shimmering barrier enveloping it.

"Th-This… there must be over a hundred already, right?"

Pasloe covered her lips in astonishment.

But Akira couldn't respond.

This was the first time he had pushed beyond his limits—he couldn't yet control such overwhelming energy. All he could do was grit his teeth and hold on.

Every muscle in his body tensed.

Heat surged through his mind.

He felt an urgent need to release the excess energy building within him.

"My, look how impatient you are~"

Pasloe noticed the strain twisting his expression and smiled with clear amusement.

"In that case… please, go ahead and enjoy~"

As her voice fell, she slowly bent forward, aligning herself with him.

"I… excuse me!"

"Mmh~"

...

After three successive unions, Akira finally succeeded in placing the several hundred elemental lights Pasloe required.

But these were elemental particles of 99.99% purity.

Even the "holy light" he prided himself on could not fully withstand their power.

The clash of multiple elements brought about intense pain.

And yet—

For some reason, Akira found himself… enjoying it.

A strange blend of pain and pleasure intertwined.

"Haa…"

After dressing himself again, Akira let out a long breath and looked toward Pasloe.

Her starry-toned skin was now streaked with pale traces, leaving her looking slightly disheveled—yet her face was filled with satisfaction.

"This time…"

She took out a handkerchief and wiped her skin, smiling softly.

"I truly have to thank you, Guildmaster Akira."

"Ahem… I should be thanking you too."

Akira coughed awkwardly.

After all, during the process, he had also quietly completed the Elven Ruler's progress.

And admittedly… it had helped "liven up the atmosphere."

After a while, Pasloe finished cleaning herself, rewrapped her bandages, and draped her black cloak back over her body.

"Well then~ let's go."

"Mm."

As they walked, Akira asked, "By the way, what do you need all those elemental lights for?"

"To seek a breakthrough."

She answered without hesitation.

"A breakthrough…"

Akira suddenly remembered—Pasloe was already level 94, just one step away from demigodhood.

These elemental lights were one of her methods of reaching that threshold.

"If there's anything I can help with, just say the word."

Akira patted his chest, offering his support sincerely.

The moment he said that, something clicked.

"Wait! Pasloe, I have something!"

He quickly took out a Brilliant Crystal from his inventory and handed it to her.

The instant Pasloe saw it, a flicker of light passed through her eyes.

But she soon shook her head with a smile.

"This is of no use to me. You should give it to your guild members instead."

"…No use?"

Akira paused, then quickly realized—

He didn't have control permissions over entities outside his guild or pets.

Leveling mechanics didn't apply.

It wasn't that the crystal itself was useless—it simply couldn't function alone for her.

"I see…"

Soon, they exited the deep passage.

The dark elves were still standing guard outside.

But the moment they saw Akira, their gazes sharpened—almost hostile.

…It seemed they had heard something they weren't supposed to.

"Lady Pasloe, are you alright?"

They surrounded her immediately, concern evident in their voices.

"I'm fine," Pasloe reassured them gently.

Then she turned to Akira.

"Now that everything is settled, Guildmaster Akira, you should return to your companions."

"Right. Take care, everyone!"

Akira clasped his hands in farewell and hurried off.

After he left, Pasloe placed a hand over her abdomen, gently rubbing it with a satisfied smile.

"We should return to the Dark Forbidden Forest as well~"

"Yes!"

Before long, Akira returned to his guild members.

They were still waiting for him at the banquet—even though their guildmaster had slipped away to… indulge elsewhere.

"…Sorry I'm late!"

He apologized first.

In response—

Lucia shot him a glare.

"You finally decided to come back?"

Her tone was laced with resentment.

"Ahem… had to deal with something…"

Akira scratched his nose, avoiding her burning gaze.

"Something?"

Lucia sneered faintly. "You've only got one kind of 'something,' don't you?"

Ivsha, overhearing, immediately perked up.

She leapt onto him excitedly.

"Mr. Akira~ what was it? Was it what I'm thinking?"

As she spoke, her fingertips brushed against the "holy light," sensing its lingering warmth.

As a succubus, she instantly understood—

This was the aftermath of a "holy battle."

And more importantly—

She could clearly feel that it had reached an entirely new level.

Her "food"… had evolved.

"…It's late. Let's head back to the guild."

Akira abruptly changed the subject.

"Where's the Elf Queen?" Lucia suddenly asked.

"She was by the stream earlier…"

Akira looked around—but she was nowhere to be seen.

Only Yuluxi and the others remained, cleaning up the aftermath of the celebration.

"You're still here? The banquet's over."

Elina skipped over, addressing them.

"We were just about to leave."

Akira turned toward her—

"You!"

Elina rolled her eyes, clearly still fuming about earlier.

But as she approached, she suddenly froze.

Because she sensed it—

A trace of dark, fallen aura clinging to him.

Pasloe's presence.

"…Hmm~"

She leaned closer, her gray-blue eyes narrowing as she examined him closely.

Smack!

"Ow!"

Before she could figure it out, Akira flicked her forehead.

"That hurt! What was that for?!"

"I'm heading back to sleep. You should rest too, Princess."

He activated a spatial ring with a casual gesture.

After using it in real combat, his mastery of space magic had improved significantly.

Now, he could open a portal back to the guild effortlessly.

"You—!"

"Bye."

He stepped through before she could stop him.

"KUROSE AKIRA!"

Elina nearly jumped in frustration.

One by one—

Lucia, Mare Rhine, Virola…

Everyone followed through the portal.

"Then~ good night, Miss Elina~"

Ivsha waved with a smile before stepping in last.

The portal vanished.

Silence fell.

"..."

Elina stood there, stunned.

Then—

"You jerk! Idiot! Bastard! Useless worm!"

Back at the guild—

Akira collapsed onto the sofa.

His mind replayed everything that had happened beneath the World Tree.

Pasloe… truly lived up to her near-demigod status.

Even for her first time, she had been astonishing—arguably even more intense than Ivsha.

And despite his experience…

She had guided him like an older sister tending to a younger one.

"…Mr. Akira, I'll head back now~"

Ivsha bid him farewell.

She knew there would be no "late-night snack" tonight.

"Mm."

"See you tomorrow."

Lucia was even more concise—then entered the teleportation array.

Akira: "..."

In the blink of an eye, only he and the Dark Elf Queen remained.

He patted himself down, preparing to log out—

"Pasloe told me she gave you the sapling of the second World Tree. Is that true?"

The Dark Elf Queen's voice stopped him.

"Something like that. But I didn't take it."

"…You didn't?"

She paused.

Then, after a moment, seemed to realize something.

"If she truly gives it to you… could you give it to me?"

"You want it?"

Akira smiled faintly.

"That depends on your performance. Impress me, and I might consider it."

"You—!"

She glared at him, then turned away.

"I'm tired. Good night."

With that, she stormed off and slammed her door shut.

Akira chuckled helplessly… then logged out.

Back in reality—

He found Xu Feiyan sitting in his room, occupying the only chair.

She was working on her laptop, earbuds in, talking to someone.

"…Why are you working in my room?"

"I came to find you," she said calmly, sipping her coffee without looking up. "But you were in-game, so I didn't interrupt."

"What are you doing?"

"Work."

Then—

"I'm hungry. Order food."

"…What do you want?"

"It's Thursday."

"…You eat fried food too?"

"Occasionally."

"Got it. I'll treat you."

Akira placed the order, then grabbed some clothes and headed into the shower.

Xu Feiyan glanced at him briefly… then returned to her screen.

After bathing, Akira stepped out, refreshed.

Right on cue, Xu Feiyan entered with the delivery.

"Let's eat."

"Mm."

As he sat down, he noticed her gaze lingering on him.

"…What?"

"…Don't you think your body's gotten… more muscular lately?"

Akira paused.

"…Now that you mention it…"

He took a bite, thinking.

The changes had been subtle—but real.

And combined with what Xu Feiyan had said before…

This game…

…might actually be affecting reality.

Then—

A thought struck him.

If the game could subtly alter reality…

Then wouldn't that mean—

Akira slowly lowered his gaze.

Toward his "holy light."

"…Huh."

It… seemed…

…a little bigger.

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