Some regrets and pity.
That was what Lin Ye felt at the moment.
If he said he wasn't touched by Hoshino Ai's decision—to accept the invitation to the strange game, knowing it meant risking her life, just to keep her promise to him—he'd be lying.
For the first time in his life, someone like Hoshino Ai was willing to give so much for him.
But Lin Ye would rather she hadn't.
White stockings and a dance were insignificant compared to Hoshino Ai's life. If he wanted to see something like that, there were far less dangerous ways to achieve it.
"Well," Lin Ye sighed. "When you're gone, don't worry. I'll burn incense for you every year."
Hoshino Ai: ???
Her face fell as she nearly burst into tears.
"Lin Ye, don't just assume that I'm already dead! I passed a dungeon once, you know!" she protested with surprising confidence.
"You don't even realize who helped you survive that game," Lin Ye shot back. "With your IQ, you wouldn't last long in reality, let alone in a strange game. Honestly, I think you'd die from some unrelated blunder before the game even got you."
He boldly hypothesized,
"First, you'd get tricked by some scumbag into giving up your body. Then you'd get pregnant and have twins. After years of struggling to raise them, you'd finally return to the stage to restart your career—only for the scumbag to show up at your door and stab you. That's how the tragic life of the girl named 'Hoshino Ai' would end."
Hoshino Ai stared at him, stunned.
"Lin Ye, don't curse me like that!" she cried.
But in Lin Ye's mind, this was her canon future. Of course, given her current circumstances, her fate had already changed.
"I'm not cursing you. I'm just saying with your intelligence and emotional naivety, it wouldn't take much for someone to deceive you. Forget twins—I bet I could convince you to have four or five kids if I wanted to."
"Ugh…"
Hoshino Ai blushed furiously and whimpered in embarrassment.
'Four or five?'
She couldn't help but think about how long that would take—at least four years, one at a time! How could she keep being an idol and become the most popular star in Japan like that?
Lin Ye sighed, rubbing his temples. Just from her expression, he could tell exactly what this silly girl was thinking.
"During this month, eat well, drink well, have fun, and do whatever you want," he said finally. "If we end up in the same dungeon next time, I'll help you out."
Despite her naivety and silliness, she was pure to a fault—so much so that Lin Ye found her both endearing and heart-wrenching.
Her name was 'Ai,' or 'Love,' yet she was a girl who was profoundly lacking in love.
Lin Ye didn't mind lending her a hand, but he knew he couldn't protect her forever. Sooner or later, in some dungeon, she would face her inevitable fate.
"Um…"
"If you have something to say, just say it," Lin Ye prompted.
"I… have a blessing," she said hesitantly.
"Oh? What blessing?"
Lin Ye's interest was piqued.
"I've got [Off-field support]"
Lin Ye froze.
Moments later, he understood.
Hoshino Ai had earned an achievement:
[Fan Interaction: As an idol, you have received support from fans throughout the game and passed the level easily]
[Blessing Unlocked: Off-Field Support: You can summon an off-field player to assist you in one game per month]
The strange game required players to participate in a dungeon mission once per month.
This meant that Hoshino Ai can summon another player for help during her dungeon. And naturally, her choice would be him.
Lin Ye suddenly realized he was now tied to Hoshino Ai for life.
What a massive loss!
"Don't summon me," he said quickly.
"But...," Hoshino Ai whined, "you're the only one I can rely on!"
She shifted her posture, subtly revealing her legs clad in black stockings. The room's incandescent light cast a faint sheen on them, making them look alluringly smooth and inviting.
"I even put on white stockings for you. You can touch them if you want," she offered innocently.
"You're using this to bribe me, aren't you?" Lin Ye narrowed his eyes.
"Then… should I change into black stockings?"
"..."
Lin Ye pulled his gaze away, focusing on the conversation.
"Did you choose to become a gamer because of the blessing?" he asked.
Hoshino Ai shook her head.
"No. The promise to you was more important. If I lost my memory, I wouldn't be able to fulfill it."
She really means it!
Lin Ye couldn't believe it. This girl wasn't saying this just to win his favor; she was serious.
"The voice also strongly recommended it," Hoshino Ai added. "It said I had achieved a rare blessing, so completing the game wouldn't be an issue."
The off-field support blessing was indeed rare.
But...
"It didn't explain anything, and you just believed it?"
"Mm-hmm."
Lin Ye shook his head in disbelief. Gently patting Hoshino Ai's shoulder, he said, "I think I could probably trick you into having seven or eight kids now."
Hoshino Ai's jaw dropped, her face reddening.
Lin Ye decided to shelve his worries for the moment.
Thanks to her blessing, he could now join her dungeon missions as an off-field supporter.
"If the refresh time of these games is low, it might not be so bad," he thought.
More dungeons meant more rewards and experience for him. He was all about taking on challenges.
But Hoshino Ai getting his help for free?
Absolutely not.
What Lin Ye hated the most was suffering a loss.
"Seven... seven or eight? Isn't that too many, Lin Ye? I... I definitely can't have that many children."
Hoshino Ai's face flushed as her voice trembled. Her hands, which had been lightly pounding the bed, suddenly tensed as she tried to ease her embarrassment.
"Two… three, three is my limit. Any more is really... impossible," she stammered.
Then, as if overwhelmed by her own words, she quickly lowered her head, unable to meet Lin Ye's gaze.
Lin Ye's mouth twitched.
She's actually thinking about it! This is a heroine of the second dimension?
I like it—2D girls are amazing.
In his past life, convincing anyone to have even one child was a challenge, let alone three.
"It was just a joke," he clarified.
"Hey!" she protested.
"I was just trying to point out how naive you are, Ai. Your innocence and simplicity will definitely make you a target for people with bad intentions someday. You'd probably even count their money after they sold you out."
"But..."
Hoshino Ai looked up at him, her starry eyes glimmering as they reflected Lin Ye's face.
"But Lin Ye wouldn't use me or sell me out. And if… if you really did, don't tell me, okay? I... I'd be sad."
What a sweet girl!
Take her home and raise her forever—it's definitely worth it.
"I almost think you're acting," Lin Ye teased.
"Hey! No, no, no! I'm really not acting! Lin YeYou have to believe me," she exclaimed, flustered.
Lin Ye sighed and reached out to pat her head firmly. The girl, with her long purple-black hair, finally settled down from the whirlwind of her hurried explanations.
"You can call on me to help with the mandatory monthly games," he promised.
"Lin Ye is so kind to me! You're such a nice person," she cried out, delighted.
She launched herself forward, hugging Lin Ye tightly and rubbing her face against his clothes with an audible rustling sound.
Lin Ye's expression shifted immediately. "Don't call me a nice person—I don't want a nice guy card."
Her face tilted in confusion.
He elaborated, "When girls reject a confession, they usually say, 'You're a nice person, but we're not suitable.' That's what a nice guy card is."
The explanation hit home, sparking a memory in Hoshino Ai.
She had rejected Lin Ye's confession not too long ago.
Regret bubbled up. 'Why did I reject him? Can I take it back?'
"I don't want to be labeled as a nice guy," Lin Ye continued. "And I don't intend to be one. If I support you, I expect compensation. Let's talk about that now."
After signaling her to release him, Lin Ye casually sat beside her.
From this angle, he had a perfect view of Hoshino Ai's delicate, breathtaking profile.
"Ai-chan has no money," she muttered, lowering her head.
Thinking about the balance in her bank account made her feel worse—it wasn't that much.
"You have other things," Lin Ye pointed out.
"Ai-chan... can have three children," she blurted out.
Lin Ye: ???
What you just said is explosive!
"Think about what you gain after clearing the game," Lin Ye said, brushing past her comment.
Game points could be transferred, functioning as the currency of the "strange game."
As Lin Ye explained, Hoshino Ai shifted slightly, lifting her white-stockinged left leg onto his lap. Feeling unsatisfied with the position, she added her right leg as well.
Under the bright incandescent light, her black stockings shimmered with a seductive sheen. Even through his clothes, Lin Ye could feel the soft elasticity of her thighs wrapped in the sleek fabric.
"Lin Ye, you can touch them. This is my reward," she offered hesitantly.
Lin Ye froze.
'I want game points.'
'Something real… more real than gold.'
That's what he thought.
But his hands betrayed him, resting on the girl's white-stockinged thighs without his conscious intent.
'My hands are out of control! It's not my fault—it's all their fault. They must be possessed by a demon!'
Hoshino Ai's face turned even redder as her body trembled with nervousness. Her teeth clenched, and her eyes became watery, as though tears might spill any moment.
"Woo…" she whimpered softly, occasionally tightening her thighs and letting out faint moans.
'This… is probably the first time I've properly touched a girl's thighs.'
In his past life, Lin Ye had been a virgin until his death. He hadn't even held a girl's hand, let alone touched a leg.
This time, thanks to the "demon" guiding his hands, he finally had the chance to experience it.
After a few minutes, realizing the girl's legs were about to cramp, Lin Ye silently withdrew his hands.
Hoshino Ai exhaled in relief.
This was her first time being touched continuously by a member of the opposite sex. While Lin Ye had taken advantage of her briefly before during a time-stop incident, it had been nothing like this.
"I've received my reward," Lin Ye declared. "Next time..."
"Don't worry! I'll wear black stockings next time," Hoshino Ai chirped, nodding earnestly.
'I meant the content of the reward, not the color of the stockings… but black stockings aren't bad either.'
Lin Ye gave her thigh a light pat, and Hoshino Ai seemed to take it as a cue to sit back and adjust her posture.
"You need to remember what I'm about to tell you," he said firmly.
"Mm-hmm," she nodded attentively.
"Don't tell anyone else you're a player in the 'Strange Game,' not even your manager," Lin Ye instructed.
Given how little he knew about this world's stance on the game and its players, secrecy was the safest option—especially for someone as vulnerable as Hoshino Ai. If her status was exposed, she'd undoubtedly become a target.
"I won't tell anyone, except you," she promised, understanding that he was looking out for her safety.
"In everyday life, avoid mentioning the 'strange game.' If your friends bring it up, be careful with your words and don't reveal your identity."
"I understand. I'll definitely be careful," she assured him.
Satisfied, Lin Ye continued advising her.
Then, the two of them sat on the bed, examining their character panels.
When Lin Ye saw Hoshino Ai's stats, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
[Name: Hoshino Ai]
[Character Nickname: Unnamed]
[Strength: 6]
[Agility: 6]
[Constitution: 8]
[Charm: 15]
[Mental Strength: 10]
Her Charm value stood out.
The average for a human was around 10, making Hoshino Ai's 15 exceptional.
Her beauty and presence were indeed extraordinary.
Lin Ye speculated that "Charm" wasn't limited to appearance but likely influenced other traits, like popularity. For an idol, high Charm seemed vital—it wasn't possible to succeed as an idol without it.