Desert's Hell Dungeon
1st Floor
There was a big, neon sign at the entrance, with the words 'Welcome to the 2nd Floor!'
Rael and Alice were standing in front of it.
Only sand could be seen around them, as far as the eye could see.
The greenery with trees, bushes, and flowers, had been replaced by endless dunes of sand.
The air was hot, and the sun was scorching.
It happened all of a sudden when Alice reduced the dragon to nothingness.
It was then that a screen appeared in front of Rael, telling him that the 1st floor's boss had been defeated, and the illusion which was created by the boss was broken.
The illusion, created a safe environment, a beautiful paradise.
It was so that players would lower their guard, and the dragon could easily kill them.
But, the dragon didn't know that he was trying to fight the guy who was a friend of an artifact which could control space.
Alice may look like an ordinary girl, but, she was a dangerous person, an artifact with a will of her own.
And, she was on Rael's side.
"So Alice," Rael spoke, his gaze shifting to the girl next to him, both of them were standing in front of a large neon blue wall, with the word 'Welcome to the 2nd Floor' written on it.
"Yeah? What is it, Rael?"
"You can wrap and distort space?" Rael asked.
"Hmm? I don't actually know what it was. It was a reflex," Alice replied, and scratched her head, her face was filled with confusion.
"Reflex?"
"Yeah, I saw you pushed away from the shock waves and I was afraid you might get hurt. So, my body moved on its own, and I did it," Alice explained.
She placed her arms on his shoulders and leaned in closer, and then added, "I don't want anything bad happening to you."
Rael had a slight smile on his face as he watched her.
He wasn't sure if she was lying or not, but, he had a feeling that she wasn't telling him everything.
'She is definitely hiding something.'
He had a suspicion that there was more to her, but, he decided not to push it.
He knew she would tell him the truth eventually, and he would be able to find out the truth.
"Is that so?" He asked.
"Yes, it is." Alice replied and moved even closer to him, and added, "You are important to me. I will never let anything happen to you."
Her breasts were pressed against his chest, and her lips were mere inches away from his.
Rael could feel her warm breath against his skin.
She was so close to him, that he could smell the sweet scent of her hair.
'She smells nice.'
Rael had the urge to touch her, to run his fingers through her silky black hair.
But, he suppressed the urge.
Because, he wasn't that type of guy.
Who would solely act on his desire.
Well, at least, if there was nothing he could gain by acting on his desires.
So, he decided to let it go.
'I can just ignore her advances, and she will stop.'
That was what he thought.
But...
"Um, Rael," Alice's soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and her breath caressed his skin, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Hmmm?" Rael looked down at her, and his nose brushed against hers.
"Don't you want to kiss?" She asked, and lifted her heels, and her lips were now just a breath away from his.
"Kiss?" Rael's heartbeat quickened, and his blood rushed to his cheeks.
"Yeah, don't you want to kiss me?" Alice repeated, and her eyelashes fluttered.
"No," Rael's eyes were cold, and his expression was emotionless.
"Huh?" Alice was stunned, her heart skipped a beat, and she moved her head back a bit.
"Are you rejecting me?" Her voice was barely a whisper, and her eyes were watery.
"Yeah, I am. Why?"
Rael met her gaze, and his tone was calm, but, there was a hint of anger in his voice.
He was trying to keep his cool, but, her actions were testing his patience.
He had never had someone throw themselves at him, and try to seduce him.
So, he was quite irritated.
"I-is it because you love Sera? Is that why you are rejecting me?" Alice asked, and her eyes were glistening with tears, and her face was flushed.
"That's part of the reason," Rael answered.
"But, it's mostly because, I don't want to."
His eyes were cold and sharp, and his expression was unreadable.
"B-but, we are friends, right? So, shouldn't you at least give it a try?"
Alice's voice was filled with desperation, and her eyes were pleading.
She was clearly upset, and she didn't understand why he was rejecting her.
She was a beautiful woman, and he was a man.
And how can a man resist a beautiful woman's charm?
So, why was he rejecting her?
Why was he pushing her away?
Rael noticed her being upset, and he couldn't help but sigh.
He wasn't sure why, but, she was clearly sad.
Maybe, because he had rejected her.
"Loo, Alice, I don't want to date you, or do anything to you, right now," he explained, his voice was gentle, and his eyes were filled with concern.
"But, if you can show me that you are worthy of me, and if I feel like you can make me happy, I will give you a chance."
Saying so, he raised his hand and placed it on her cheek.
"Worthy?" Alice looked at him, and her heart skipped a beat, their eyes were locked, and she could see his sincerity.
"Yes, worthy," Rael replied, his tone was soft, and his gaze was gentle.
"If you can clear the 2nd floor alone, then, I will consider giving you not only a kiss, but, something even more."
"Something more?" Alice's eyes widened, and her heartbeat quickened.
"Yeah, something more. So, work hard and prove yourself."
"Okay!" Alice's eyes were filled with determination, and her lips curved into a smile.
"I will prove myself worthy, and I will make you mine, no matter what!"
Her voice was filled with confidence, and her expression was fierce.
She was going to clear the 2nd floor, and win over his heart.
That was her goal.
And, no matter what, she was going to achieve it.
"Hahaha, I can't wait to see you in action," Rael said, his tone was playful, and his expression was smug.
'Yeah, clear it. So, that I can see what your powers are capable of so that I won't have trouble using them after stealing it.'
'After all, the power to control space is very powerful and very useful.'
'I should at least copy her powers if not steal them.'
His goal was to copy her power, but, he would steal it if necessary.
So, he wanted her to clear the 2nd floor quickly, and he was confident that she could.
"Let's go, Alice."
Rael turned around and started walking.
"Ah, Rael, wait up."
Alice followed him, and her heart was beating fast.
'I will clear the 2nd floor and show you, I am worthy of being your lover.'
'And, I will make sure that I am the only one you will look at.'
'No matter what it takes, I will become your girlfriend.'
Her mind was filled with thoughts of him, and she was determined to win his heart.
And just, like that, with their minds set, they walked through the neon blue wall, which was the entrance to the 2nd floor, and into a desert full of deadly traps, and powerful monsters.
'Just, watch me, Rael. I will do anything for you.'
'I will clear the 2nd floor, and become worthy of your love.'
'And, once I do, you will be mine, forever.'
Alice's thoughts were filled with Rael, and she couldn't help but smile.
And, as for Rael, he had a mischievous smirk on his face.
'Hahaha, this is going to be fun.'
'I can't wait to see the extent of her powers.'