Gathering Husbands with a System in a Game Like World [BL]
Chapter 18: Meeting a Scumbag

Chapter 18: Meeting a Scumbag

Kai had always believed that if he were given an SSS-Rank skill again, the world navigation would probably become a much easier place. He had imagined many possibilities. Perhaps he would gain an ability that could erase armies. Perhaps he would obtain some incomprehensible power that would allow him to stand at the peak of the world immediately. Perhaps the System would finally give him something that made surviving in this dangerous world a little less stressful.

Kai sat alone in his room at the inn, staring at the translucent window floating before him.

[SSS-Rank Skill Lottery Ticket]

[Would you like to activate?]

Kai rested his chin against his hand.

"Finally."

He had deliberately waited before using it. The reward had been too important to waste. His first actual skill after Arcane Eye would shape the direction of his development. He couldn’t simply pick something flashy because it sounded powerful.

Kai had only one real skill. Arcane Eye. It was useful. Extremely useful, in fact. But it wasn’t a combat skill. He could see things. Analyze things. Understand things. He could identify weaknesses and hidden properties. But knowing that something was dangerous didn’t mean he could actually fight it. That had become painfully obvious in Emeraldwood. The Mistfang Tyrant had been an A-Rank beast. Knowing what it was hadn’t made him capable of defeating it. Kai still needed power. And if he was serious about becoming an Adventurer, he needed something that could keep him alive.

He pressed the confirmation. The interface changed.

[SSS-Rank Skill Lottery activated.]

A brilliant light appeared before him. Several cards materialized in the air. Kai’s eyes narrowed as the cards began turning one after another.

[SSS-Rank Skill: Absolute Regeneration]

[SSS-Rank Skill: Spatial Dominion]

[SSS-Rank Skill: Soul Armament]

[SSS-Rank Skill: Infinite Strength]

Kai froze when the last card appeared. Infinite Strength. That sounded exactly like the kind of skill that could turn him into a monster. He selected it without hesitation. The card shattered into countless particles of light that rushed toward him. For one brief moment, Kai felt something change. Not in his mind. Not in his mana. His body. A strange sensation spread through his muscles, he could feel it.

[SSS-Rank Skill acquired.]

Kai smiled and immediately opened the skill description. His smile lasted approximately three seconds before it disappeared.

[SSS-Rank Skill: Infinite Strength]

[Description: A supreme physical enhancement skill that allows the user to continuously increase their physical strength beyond ordinary biological limits.]

[Current compatibility: 1.7%]

[Current physical output: Restricted.]

[Warning: The user’s physical body is currently incapable of supporting the skill’s full potential.]

[Requirement: Physical development and continuous bodily strengthening.]

Kai stared at the window in silence. He read it again. Then a third time.

"Wait. That’s it?"

[You can use it.]

"Really?"

[Yes.]

"Then what’s with the one-point-seven percent?"

[Your body currently limits the skill’s output.]

Kai’s expression fell.

"How much strength can I actually use?"

[Enough to be considered abnormal by ordinary standards.]

Kai sighed. Of course the System would answer like that. He looked back at the skill description.

"Explain."

[Infinite Strength does not simply grant you a fixed amount of physical power. It provides a framework through which your physical strength can continue developing beyond conventional limits. Your body is the foundation. The stronger your body becomes, the greater the amount of power the skill can safely provide.]

Kai’s eyes narrowed.

"So I have to train. Actually train. Build my muscles. Condition my body. Work hard."

[Yes.]

Kai stared at the window for a long moment, then couldn’t help smiling.

"Fine. If I have to train, then I’ll train."

He stood and looked around the small room.

"Let’s see what I can actually do first."

The room was too small for proper training, but he could at least test his current strength. He approached the wooden table, placed one hand against it, and pushed. Nothing happened. He frowned and pushed harder. The table slid several inches across the floor. Kai stared at it in surprise. He hadn’t used much strength at all. He crouched, placed his hand against the floor, and pushed himself upward. His body shot into the air. He landed awkwardly, his feet hitting the ground hard enough to crack one of the wooden floorboards. Kai froze and slowly looked down at the crack beneath his foot.

"...Oops."

[Your current strength exceeds your previous physical capacity by a significant margin.]

Kai stared at the floor for a moment longer, then laughed quietly. He needed something he could hit properly. The System spoke before he could even ask.

[There is a training facility within the Adventurer’s Guild.]

Kai blinked.

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

[You did not ask.]

Kai stared for a second, then grabbed his cloak.

"Never mind."

It was time to visit the Guild.

The Adventurer’s Guild was busy. Adventurers filled the main hall, some collecting rewards, others accepting quests, a few drinking at the nearby tables. The atmosphere was loud and lively as usual.

Kai entered with his hood pulled over his head. He walked toward the quest board.

His objective was simple. He needed to reach D-Rank. That meant completing F-Rank and E-Rank quests. His previous expedition into Emeraldwood had contributed to his progress, but he still needed to continue working. Kai scanned the board. There were several available quests. He didn’t need to accept one immediately. His main purpose today was to test his new ability. Still, he couldn’t help looking. He was an Adventurer now. This was his path. He should probably start behaving like one.

Kai reached toward one of the quest papers. Someone bumped into him hard. His hand stopped. The person who had collided with him didn’t apologize. Kai frowned and turned around.

"Excuse me."

Nothing. Kai’s hood shifted slightly as the man took a few steps away. Kai’s eyes narrowed.

"Hey."

The man stopped and turned. Kai opened his mouth to speak, and that’s when he saw him.

A man standing several steps away. Tall. Strikingly handsome for his stature and Dangerously brave kai was. His Arcane Eye activated instinctively.

[Name: Elias]

[Race: Human]

[Occupation: Adventurer]

[Rank: S]

[Profession: Assassin]

[Threat Level: Extremely High]

Kai’s expression changed. S-Rank. He immediately became more cautious.

There were very few S-Rank Adventurers in the kingdom. They were people whose names were known, people who had achieved things most Adventurers could only dream of. And this man was apparently one of them. Kai’s gaze moved over him. Elias looked completely relaxed. He had the kind of confidence possessed by someone who had never needed to worry about consequences. His appearance wasn’t delicate. It was sharp. Masculine and Dangerously attractive in a way that suited his profession. But there was something else. Something Kai couldn’t quite put into words. The man looked like trouble. The kind of trouble that smiled before ruining your day.

Kai adjusted his hood.

"Sorry."

He turned away. He had no interest in getting involved with an S-Rank Adventurer, especially not one whose threat level had been classified as extremely high. He took one step. Then he heard a voice.

"Wait."

Kai stopped and looked over his shoulder. Elias was staring at him. Not at his hood. Not at his clothes. At him.

"Yes?"

Elias didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on Kai. Something had changed. Kai noticed it. The moment his hood had shifted, part of his face had become visible.

Apparently that was enough. Elias’s eyes widened. Kai’s instincts immediately told him something was wrong. Very very wrong. The man was looking at him in a way that made Kai’s skin crawl. Elias slowly walked closer. Kai instinctively stepped back.

"Can I help you?"

Elias smiled. It was a charming smile. The kind that had probably gotten him into countless beds. Kai didn’t like it.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

Elias stopped in front of him.

"What’s your name?"

Kai’s expression became flat.

"Why?"

"Because I want to know."

"That’s unfortunate."

Elias laughed. Kai’s expression didn’t change.

"Move."

He stepped around him. Elias moved with him. Kai stopped. Elias stopped. Kai looked at him. Elias smiled. Instantly his patience began to disappear.

"Are you following me?"

"Not yet."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I haven’t decided if I’m going to."

Kai slowly pulled his hood back into place.

"I recommend deciding not to."

Elias looked amused.

"That’s a shame."

Kai turned. He was done with this. Unfortunately, Elias wasn’t.

"Wait."

Kai stopped again and slowly turned.

"What?"

Elias looked at him, then smiled.

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much do you want?"

Kai stared. Elias continued.

"Money."

Kai’s expression slowly became confused.

"For what?"

Elias smiled wider.

"For your time."

Kai stared at him, then glanced around. Maybe he had misunderstood.

"Are you asking me to do a quest?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Elias stepped closer. His voice lowered.

"I’ll pay you."

Kai’s expression became suspicious.

"For?"

Elias looked him directly in the eyes.

"Spend the night with me."