Natasha's Affection Reaches the Target

Belobog, Underworld.

A wild party was in full swing.

So much had happened over the past few days, with one twist after another, but in the end, things had turned out well.

At least, they had for most people.

The eighteenth Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, had died heroically in the war against the Stellaron. The nineteenth Supreme Guardian, Bronya, had succeeded her.

And the young hero who had fought alongside them against the Stellaron, Jing Yan—hailed by the people as the "Great Liberator of Belobog"—was being praised as well.

So when Jing Yan arrived in the Underworld, he was greeted with an incredibly warm welcome.

"Jing Yan, brother, I can't believe you really helped us lift the blockade between the Upper District and the Underworld!"

A miner held a bottle of Jim Roger Bread-Flavored Soda in his left hand and a Fried Rock Hermit Crab in his right. His face was flushed as he cheered at Jing Yan from a distance.

Jing Yan smiled at the sound of his voice. They had defeated Cocolia, resolved the Stellaron crisis, driven back the Frost Wave, and replaced the Supreme Guardian. Lifting the blockade between the Upper District and the Underworld was inevitable—or, one might say, merely a side benefit.

Jing Yan didn't consider himself a Trailblazer or a liberator. He was simply somewhere between a "fun-seeker" and a "normal person"—far more reliable than those who were "Elation" incarnate, or followers of the "fun-seeking" Aeon of Elation, such as Sampo.

So, even if his true goal was the Stellaron and boarding the Astral Express, liberating the place where he had been born and raised was only natural.

"Jing Yan, as the representative of the path of Eros, what do you plan to do for this planet next? Is there anything I can do to help? And at least today, you're not some lofty, distant figure, are you?"

Natasha approached from behind him.

The blizzard and Frost Wave brought by the Stellaron had retreated, and most of the Fragmentum had been sealed away, so fewer people were coming to the clinic.

And since today happened to be Belobog's "Liberation Day," Natasha didn't have to bustle around as she usually did. She wasn't even wearing her usual white coat.

Instead, she wore a brand-new evening gown.

Natasha had always had a lovely figure, especially her ample bust. But during the Frost Wave, she often had to go outside to gather herbs, so she wore thick dresses that concealed her figure completely. Now, the evening gown brought out her full, slender shape.

Even if she hadn't become a doctor or, before that, a teacher at the Rivet Town orphanage, Natasha could have made it as a model.

Besides, she had been adopted by Upper District nobility. Though she had later come to the Underworld to help its people, she was still outstanding in every way—her education, knowledge, character, and figure.

[Natasha's affection increased by 4%. Current affection: 90%.]

[The first person to reach 90% affection has been found. The power of Eros has planted a seed within Natasha!]

[You may choose to grant her the power of Eros and make her your Emanator!]

[Achievement completed: "First Follower." Reward: Stigmata Grant.]

[Description: You can inscribe Stigmata on your followers to empower them.]

[Your Aeon power has been unlocked. Emotion Manifestation and the Seven Deadly Sins have received a new enhancement: "Eros Manifestation: Reality from Void." Your comprehension has improved!]

[Description: You can extract one kind of Eros from a living being and manifest it, turning it into a physical entity that can fight! Control and combat power increased! You can now perfectly control two at once!]

[Your horizons have broadened, and you have realized more ways to increase your Aeon power: 1. Faith and service; 2. Absorb the Eros energy of other individuals; 3. Improve your skill proficiency through battle, explore and deepen your skills, and iterate!]

[New check-in location: Bronya's lips.]

[Reward: Void Candle Shears.]

[Description: Can repair two curios that have been used up and rendered ineffective.]

Jing Yan stared at the system notifications before him, feeling surprised and pleased.

Natasha reaching 90% affection hadn't surprised him at all.

Natasha had been one of his original targets for winning affection. She had liked him from the start, and they had known each other for a long time, even before the system had appeared.

They had both worked as doctors at the clinic, so they had a certain bond as colleagues.

Now he had successfully liberated Belobog's Underworld and resolved the crises of the Stellaron, the Frost Wave, and the Fragmentum. He was a genuine savior.

As a doctor who had always devoted herself to solving the people's struggle to survive, Natasha's affection for Jing Yan was naturally higher than ever. She admired not only what he could do, and loved his looks and character, but also revered the power of his path.

In Natasha's eyes, Jing Yan was not only the greatest person in the world, but also the lover who made her heart race the most.

As long as Jing Yan accepted her, that was.

"Natasha, have you sensed the name of this path and understood it?"

Jing Yan turned and asked with a smile.

"Yes."

Natasha came over and sat beside Jing Yan at the same wooden table.

People all around them were still singing and dancing, laughing and feasting.

Seele and Oleg were among those hosting the festivities.

"Then it's good to spend more time feeling it out!"

Jing Yan smiled and kissed Natasha.

She looked a little shy, but didn't pull away.

A performance was underway in the distance, so no one paid them any attention. Of course, some people—like the old miners—might have been deliberately "looking the other way."

But then a familiar figure crawled out from under the table.

It was Hook, with her two sidekicks, Alina and Luke, beside her.

"Brother Jing Yan, are you kissing Big Sister Natasha?"

Hook blinked innocently as she asked.

"What's with all the questions, kid? Go check on your dad and help him pace himself with the drinks," Jing Yan said, unembarrassed as he tried to send her away.

"Mm... Hmph!"

Hook thought for a moment, then suddenly puffed out her chubby cheeks.

She looked at Natasha, then at Jing Yan. Her cheeks flushed, and she asked in a slightly disgruntled voice, "Hook wants a kiss too! Hook wants Brother Jing Yan to kiss her!"

Jing Yan was speechless.

He took off her felt hat and ruffled her wheat-blond hair. "You're still a kid. If you want a kiss, go ask Big Sister Seele!"

"Okay... fine."

Hook didn't seem happy about it, but she gave in. She turned and ran off with her two sidekicks.

"That child really is adorable," Natasha said softly.

"I hope my children will be just as adorable someday," she added wistfully.

Jing Yan thought he heard a hint of suggestion in her words.