Chapter 10: Chapter 10:
The tavern had grown quiet, the faint crackle of the fireplace the only sound filling the empty room. Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, bathing Shells Town in silver light. The world felt hushed, as if holding its breath for something momentous.
Xander sat by the window, his crimson eyes fixed on the streets beyond. The two years of his grueling training had hardened him, sharpening his edges and tempering his mind, but something about tonight—about her—made him feel vulnerable in ways he hadn't known possible.
He swirled the rum in his glass absentmindedly, listening to the faint creak of the floorboards. It was a sound he'd come to recognize over the last few days, and sure enough, when he turned, Mari stood there at the top of the stairs.
She descended slowly, a small bag slung over her shoulder, her soft white blouse laced just enough to catch his attention. The moonlight streaming through the window illuminated her figure, the flowing skirt clinging to her curves. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders in silky waves, and though her expression tried to stay neutral, there was something vulnerable in her eyes—something hesitant.
"Packed already?" Xander asked softly, his deep voice cutting through the quiet.
Mari paused, fingers tightening on the strap of her bag. "Not everything. Just... the essentials."
Xander leaned back, his crimson gaze steady as he studied her. She was strong—he'd always known that—but the faint tremor in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.
"You don't sound ready," Xander said, his voice gentler than usual.
Mari's shoulders sagged slightly, and she let out a quiet sigh. "It's not that I don't want to go. It's just... this place has been my whole life."
Xander stood, his tall frame moving toward her with a quiet, commanding grace. He stopped just in front of her, his imposing figure close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. His eyes softened as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her chin, tilting her face upward.
"It's hard to leave what you know," he murmured. "But you don't have to do it alone."
Mari's lips parted, her heart fluttering as his thumb grazed her jawline. Xander's presence was overwhelming—steady, unshakable, yet tender in ways she hadn't expected.
"Xander..." she began softly, though the words caught in her throat.
His eyes searched hers, crimson irises flickering in the firelight. "Tell me the truth, Mari. What do you want?"
Mari swallowed, her cheeks flushing. For years, she'd pushed her own desires aside, keeping her head down and her heart guarded. But with Xander so close, so patient and yet so firm, the walls she'd built began to crumble.
"I... I don't know," she whispered.
Xander's hand lingered a moment longer before falling away. "Then let me help you figure it out."
Mari blinked, surprised, but before she could respond, the familiar voice of the system echoed in Xander's mind.
[Ding! Mission issued: "Have sex with Mari." Reward: 1000 HP.]
Xander closed his eyes briefly, suppressing a groan. The damn system and its timing...
When he looked back at Mari, though, the system faded to the background. She stood there, vulnerable and uncertain, and something in Xander told him that tonight wasn't just about the mission.
"Come sit," he said softly, pulling a chair out from the nearby table.
Mari hesitated before moving closer, perching on the edge of the seat. Xander grabbed a bottle of wine from behind the counter and poured two glasses, sliding one toward her.
"I remember you liked this," he said.
Mari's eyes widened slightly. "You remembered?"
Xander smirked faintly. "I remember everything about you."
Mari's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she took a sip of the wine to steady herself. The silence that followed wasn't awkward—it was heavy, filled with something unspoken.
Finally, Mari broke it. "You've changed so much, Xander. When you left, you were so reckless. And now..."
"Now?" he prompted.
"You feel... different," she murmured. "Like you've grown into yourself."
Xander chuckled softly. "Two years of hell will do that to a man."
Mari smiled faintly, though her gaze lingered on him, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "You kept your promise. You really came back."
"I don't make promises I can't keep," Xander said firmly.
The weight of his words hung in the air, and Mari felt her heart skip a beat. She looked at him across the table, her chest tight with emotions she hadn't dared to name.
"You must think I'm weak," she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xander frowned, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Why would I think that?"
"Because I've spent years here, doing nothing but surviving," Mari admitted, her voice trembling. "While you've been out there... becoming stronger, chasing your dreams."
Xander stood abruptly, moving around the table until he was in front of her. Mari's breath hitched as he crouched slightly, resting his hands on the arms of her chair, his face mere inches from hers.
"You're stronger than you know, Mari," he said softly, his voice low and intense. "You survived on your own. You didn't give up. That's not weakness—that's strength."
Mari's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she met his gaze. "Xander..."
He reached out, his knuckles brushing against her cheek, wiping away the tear that slipped free. The tenderness in his touch made her breath catch, and the warmth of his palm against her skin sent a shiver through her body.
"Come with me," he whispered, his voice like a promise. "Let me show you the world beyond this place."
Mari stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to hope—allowed herself to want.
"I will," she whispered.
Xander's crimson eyes darkened slightly, his gaze dropping to her lips. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that stole the air from her lungs.
Mari froze at first, her mind racing, but the gentleness of his kiss broke through her hesitation. She melted against him, her hands reaching up to clutch his shirt as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer.
The kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, Xander's lips moving against hers with a hunger that ignited something deep within her. Her heart raced, her body tingling with sensations she'd never felt before.
When they broke apart, Mari was breathless, her cheeks flushed and her lips slightly swollen. Xander rested his forehead against hers, his breathing unsteady.
"Upstairs," he murmured, his voice rough and husky.
Mari nodded wordlessly, her fingers still tangled in his shirt as he carried her toward the stairs. Each step creaked beneath their weight, the sound mingling with the quiet rush of their breathing.
Xander pushed the door to Mari's room open, the faint moonlight spilling in through the window. It was a small, simple space—a bed, a wooden desk, and a few personal touches that made it hers.
Mari stood by the edge of the bed, her hands trembling slightly as Xander closed the door behind them. He turned to her slowly, his crimson gaze soft but intense.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity.
Mari met his eyes, her heart fluttering. "Yes."
The word hung in the air like a spark, and then Xander was there, his hands framing her face as he kissed her again—deeper, more possessive this time. Mari whimpered softly against his lips, her hands clutching at his shoulders as he pressed her back toward the bed.
Clothes were shed slowly, deliberately, the anticipation building with every brush of skin against skin. Xander's hands moved with practiced care, tracing the curves of her body, worshipping her with every touch. Mari gasped as his lips traveled down her neck, pressing kisses along her collarbone and across her bare shoulders.
"Xander..." she breathed, her voice trembling as his hands explored her, igniting a fire that burned away her insecurities.
"You're beautiful," he murmured against her skin, his deep voice sending shivers through her.
Mari's body arched into his touch, her breathing uneven as he laid her back against the mattress. The moonlight painted silver patterns across their skin, the room filled with soft gasps and whispered names.
Xander moved with care, his strength tempered by tenderness as he guided her through every moment. Mari's hands roamed his body, tracing the scars and muscles that told the story of his years away. He was strong, powerful, but with her, he was gentle—reverent.
As their bodies moved together, Mari's world narrowed to the man above her, to the sensations overwhelming her senses. She gasped his name, her fingers tangling in his hair as he claimed her completely.
Time lost all meaning, the night stretching on as they explored one another with a hunger that couldn't be sated. When it was over, Mari lay curled against Xander's chest, her body trembling slightly from the intensity of it all.
[Ding! Mission complete: "have sex with mare"
Congratulations for the host taking Mari's virginity
Reward: 2000 HP and 2 Strength Potions.]
[Ding! Mari's affection has increased to 90%.]
Xander glanced at the system notifications briefly but dismissed them, his focus entirely on the woman in his arms. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his fingers brushing through her hair as her breathing slowed.
"Are you alright?" he murmured, his voice low and gentle.
Mari smiled softly, her eyes closed as she rested her head over his heart. "Better than alright."
Xander's lips quirked into a faint smile, his arm tightening around her. For the first time in years, he felt at peace—not because of his strength, but because of the connection he'd found.
Mari sighed contentedly, her fingers tracing small circles against his chest. "Thank you, Xander."
"For what?"
"For keeping your promise," she whispered.
Xander pressed another kiss to her temple , his heart full in a way he hadn't expected. I'll keep all of them, mari. Always''
The two of them drifted to sleep in each other's arms, the moonlight spilling over them like a quiet blessing. Outside, the world continued on, but for now _ for this moment _ it belonged to them
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone