Within a massive dome-like structure stood a unique city. The structure resembled a giant greenhouse made of a transparent material that allowed ample light to pass through, illuminating the entire space and showcasing the vast infrastructure of what appeared to be an enormous living facility.
At the center of the dome was a colossal multi-sports stadium, encompassing various fields and training centers, occupying more than 30% of the city's interior. Surrounding the stadium, distinct zones were meticulously organized, such as commercial areas, recreational spaces, green parks, and more. Bars, gyms, stores, and markets were neatly situated in their respective zones, collectively taking up just over 40% of the dome's area.
Residential zones, including dormitories and other housing complexes, were another well-defined section, covering about 20% of the dome's expanse. Finally, occupying roughly 10% of the available space were various military-oriented structures, including barracks, military academies, prisons, and warehouses.
Among these military facilities was one particularly significant and prominent structure—the largest in this zone. A grand sign on the building's façade read: "Superintendency of Hunters and Hounds." This massive complex spanned the equivalent of two city blocks, with its main building towering over 70 meters high and connected to several smaller structures by corridors and walkways.
Inside, on one of the ground-level corridors, a teenage boy stood face-to-face with a towering Lamia woman.
"I want you to be mine."
The two had just met, yet the boy's opening line left the woman stunned and visibly uncomfortable.
"Excuse me?!" she exclaimed, incredulous, as if she had misheard him.
"I want you as my Hound and my Pact," he repeated calmly.
"I can't tell if you're incredibly foolish or incredibly brave, kid," she hissed, her voice laced with skepticism. "But judging by that Military Hunter Academy graduate uniform, Hisss it's clear you're neither stupid nor insane. Stop spouting nonsense and get out of my way."
To anyone passing by, the Lamia have appeared extraordinarily beautiful. She had vibrant black hair, piercing blue slit-pupiled eyes, and dark, flawless skin. Her symmetrical face bore no imperfections, and a reptilian tongue occasionally protruded from her mouth so she could taste the air.
Clad in nothing more than a form-fitting dress with a plunging neckline that accentuated her curves, she stood with arms crossed, further emphasizing her ample chest. Below her waist, her voluptuous hips transitioned into a long, sleek black tail.
"I'm serious. Dead serious," the boy stated, his demeanor unwavering.
The Lamia leaned in closer, her forked tongue flicking out as she tasted his scent. She detected no fear, only an unusual calmness. Whether it stemmed from youthful naivety or sheer determination, she couldn't quite tell.
"Hisssss..."
She moved even closer, towering over the boy and looking down at him. However, she quickly noticed that his gaze wasn't fixed on her eyes; instead, he seemed mesmerized by the two prominent mounds on her chest.
"SSSSSSSSSSSSSS" she hissed in irritation. "If you want a little pet to play with, you'd be better off heading to the Superintendency entrance and find a cat in heat or a needy dog to deal with your Testonitus level. Hisss I won't be treated as some child's pet. Especially not by someone who doesn't even know what it's like to fight monsters and Fallen."
She turned abruptly and began slithering toward the exit.
"WAIT, please. Wait... Ahem. Forgive my distraction, Miss Rosen. I couldn't help but..." he said, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency as he tried to stop her from leaving.
But the Lamia ignored his apology and continued her exit, her long tail gliding across the floor.
"Please, Miss Rosen, stay. I have no intention of degrading or disrespecting you. Just hear me out," he pleaded.
Nearly running to catch up with her, the boy managed to intercept her path and convinced her to turn back toward him.
The boy was tall and robust for his age, standing at 1.89 meters, yet he still appeared small compared to the towering 2.26 meters of the Lamia before him. Despite the height difference, he looked at her with a sincerity and intensity that caught her off guard.
"Stop staring and just say what you want. Hissss Besides, I'm certain this is the first time we've met, yet you act like you know me. I don't like that. Hissss," she said, feigning anger as she averted her gaze, embarrassed by his unwavering and warm look. It was perhaps the first time anyone had looked at her that way since her Degeneration.
"It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable. It's just... I first saw you two months ago," he began explaining gently as he stepped closer to her. "I was going through the list of Pact volunteers and came across your profile. This might be the first time you've seen me, but I've lost count of how many times I've looked at you."
"I've also researched you, Miss Rosen. I heard that you are the oldest Parahuman in the Efflium Superintendence and managed to reach the Top 50 of the Class A Hound Rankings. But you were unable to advance in class because you refuse to form Pacts, even temporary ones."
The Lamia said nothing, but it was clear she was taken aback by how intimately he talked. Distracted by the admiration and curiosity evident in his words, she watched in silence as the boy crouched and gently touched the tip of her tail.
"But to stay strong and maintain your edge, you've increased your training regimen and participated in several temporary hunting partnerships. You've earned the respect and admiration of Hunters and many Hounds here."
He ran his hand delicately along her tail, his curiosity leading him to explore its texture and warmth. Both his hands soon caressed the sleek surface, and...
"Hissss"
For the Lamia, the sensation was exquisite. The boy's touch was precise, stimulating the most sensitive nerve endings in her tail. His hands moved with a finesse that sent shivers up her spine, filling her with waves of pleasure she'd never experienced before.
Each touch felt like an electric pulse of ecstasy flooding her mind, leaving her in a trance. She closed her eyes, struggling to maintain her composure, her thoughts clouded by the unfamiliar yet addictive sensation.
She had never allowed anyone to touch her like this—only she herself had ever ventured to explore such sensitive areas. The boy's caresses felt like a gentle rain nourishing a barren desert.
"Sadly, your credit reserves have never been high enough for you to purchase a Priority Seal or buy enough Estronites to Ascend at least once." he remarked softly.
"SSSSsssssSSSS! You talk too much, boy. Keep prying into other people's lives, and you'll lose your head for it."
Snapping out of her trance, the Lamia pulled away from his touch, her mind racing to escape the meaning behind his words. With a furious hiss, she pounced on him, pinning him to the ground with supernatural strength.
"I can help you Ascend," he said, unfazed, despite her firm grip on his arms and the looming threat of her venomous fangs.
"You keep spewing nonsense. Hissss. I could inject just a drop of my venom into your soft little neck, and that would be enough for you to die painfully but quickly enough that no one could save you," she hissed menacingly, her sharp fangs glistening as she brought her face closer to his throat.
"Strong, resilient, disciplined, focused, persistent; that's how I'd describe my ideal Hound. And yet, you surpass that ideal," he declared, his voice steady and filled with admiration. "Since the first time I saw you, I knew it had to be you, Miss Rosen. You're who I want as my first lifelong Pact and my Hound. Not a temporary arrangement or a fleeting partnership—I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you."
His words were genuine, and the Lamia could taste his calm determination and passion in the air. It was warm, chaotic, and infectious, each syllable weakening her mental defenses. Reluctantly, she released him and backed away.
"Leave," she commanded, her voice faltering. "Even if you could help me, I refuse to accept a lifelong Pact with someone so young. I won't let you waste your potential and resources on a Hound who has long passed her prime. That would make me feel like a worthless scoundrel."