Waking up, I stretched lazily and went through the usual morning routine. After freshening up and eating a modest breakfast some nutrient rich cubes and synth-coffee I focused my mind.
Enter Game, with just a thought, my consciousness slipped into the digital world of Divine Descent, the full-dive game merged with this new Earth.
The familiar HUD loaded up. First thing I noticed: the daily upgrade chance had refreshed.
"Nice," I muttered, pulling up my status screen.
My profession still read: Harem Master (SSS)
Under the skills tab, I hovered over the one and only skill I had:
Eternal Contract – LV.1
The skill I had changed from Basic Harem Contract LV.1 to Eternal Bond after my profession upgraded to SSS category yesterday.
I used today's upgrade chance on the skill? because from the yesterday's dive into the research I knew that the skills are the most difficult to level up and can be leveled up only by using special props called as skill stones dropped only by high class monsters.
Currently even the high class players dont have their skills upgraded above LV.3 or LV.4, but I can do it without skill stone.
A soft glow enveloped the icon, and the skill shimmered before transforming.
[Eternal Bond – LV.2]
Passive/Active – Forms a permanent contract with any target of the opposite sex wether they are willing or not. Boosts loyalty, affection, and all stat gains by 20% while together. Can be upgraded.
I whistled low. "Now we're talking."
No time to waste I had to start progressing in this world. First stop? The village chief. Classic starter quest location.
I randomly spotting a guy sitting near a well, I approached him.
"Excuse me, do you know where the village chief's house is?"
The man gave me a weird look, as if I'd just asked where the sky was. But he pointed nonetheless. "Down the main road, last house to the right. Can't miss it."
I thanked him and headed out, though something felt... off.
Where were the players?
Normally, in any MMORPG-style game, the village chief's house would be flooded with newbies trying to spam F on his dialogue box. But here? The area around the chief's home was oddly quiet-dead, even.
Still confused, I approached the house and knocked.
The door creaked open... and I froze.
Standing before me was a gorgeous, curvy woman in her late thirties. She wore light armor that hugged her in all the right ways, her long hair tied back in a messy ponytail. Most striking, though, was the sharp sword she had pointed directly at my chest.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "What do you want?"
I instinctively raised my hands. "I..I just came to ask if the village chief needed any help!"
Her eyes narrowed for a second before she sighed and sheathed her blade.
"He's not here," she said, voice more relaxed now. "But… I do need help with something."
I blinked. "Oh? What kind of help?"
The woman leaned in slightly, arms crossed under her ample chest. "Help me find proof of the village chief's affair with a woman at the tavern." and instantly a notification popped up before me.
[New Quest: Infidelity Investigation]
Help the village chieftess uncover proof of the village chief's affair at the tavern.
Difficulty: D
Reward: Unknown
Failure Penalty: Decreased affection with Chieftess Mirella
So she was his wife?
I gulped. "Uh… sure. I'll help."
Because let's be honest, I wasn't just in this for rewards. This milf? She might just be my first bond candidate. Instantly a plan formed in my brain.
Leaving the village chief's house after accepting her quest, I made my way straight to the tavern. As expected, I could instantly spot the village chief. He was surrounded by players, all clearly gathered to trigger their starter quests. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear what they were talking about, game mechanism, of course, to prevent mission sniping.
I quietly joined the line and waited my turn. After a few minutes, I finally approached him.
A middle aged man was lounging on a plush sofa, flanked by other few NPCs young, flat-chested girls giggling in his lap. The sight made me pause for a moment.
So this is where the real world gets its weird sexual influences…
Clearing my throat, I stepped forward and spoke in one breath:
"Village Chief, Chieftess Mirella already suspects your affair with someone here at the tavern. She's asked me to find proof of your infidelity."
His eyes narrowed, gaze cold and calculating. After a pause, he asked, "And why are you telling me this instead of helping Mirella?"
I smirked slightly. "Because I have a better proposition. I can help you separate from her peacefully. That way, you can live however you want, without interference. In return, I'll take her off your hands, and all I ask… is for you to help me level up fast."
He blinked once. Then, without hesitation, stood up and extended his hand.
"Deal," he said firmly. "There's a place called the Cursed Canyon. It's off-limits to outsiders, but I'll authorize access for you. The monsters there grant more EXP than normal. It's dangerous, but for someone like you, it might just be perfect."
We shook hands.
And just like that, I secured a private grinding spot and a possible first contract target.
Two birds with one move. One milf and One EXP farm. Let the real game begin.
After speaking with the village chief, I made my way back to his house. This time, the door opened almost instantly, revealing Chieftess Mirella once again.
She raised a brow, arms crossed. "Got anything?"
I gave a small sigh. "Even though the chief is careful, I'm fairly certain he is cheating on you. But gathering solid proof will be difficult. He's constantly surrounded by high-level players that makes it nearly impossible to get close or eavesdrop."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression turning colder.
I continued, "That's why… I need your help."
She frowned. "What kind of help?"
"I need assistance leveling up in the Cursed Canyon just for a few days. Once I'm strong enough, I'll be able to handle the crowd around him and bring you the evidence you need."
Her suspicion deepened. "The Cursed Canyon? That place is off-limits. How can you even enter it?"
I flashed a calm smile and lied smoothly, "Let's just say I have my ways."
She studied me for a long second before finally nodding. "Fine. I'll help you… but don't make me regret it."
"Wouldn't dream of it," I said with a grin.
As I turned to leave, I asked one last thing. "By the way, what's your profession and rank? Just so I know what kind of backup I'm getting."
She looked slightly amused by the question. "Sword Veteran (B) LV.40."
Not bad. A solid combat class with decent power probably enough for me to survive in the canyon grinding for a few days.
And maybe, enough time to raise her profession to SSS while we're at it.
"Perfect," I said. "Let's prepare for tomorrow."
With that, I left, already planning the next move. One milf companion secured successfully. I could've contracted her successfully with my skill alone but I wanted my first contract without using skills directly.