I smiled and said making her shy as she just said "Hmmm..." while nodding.
Then, a sudden system prompt cut through the moment of bliss we shared.
[Congratulations to player Adrian White for successfully recruiting an SSS potential NPC, breaking all previous records and securing first place on the NPC Subordinate Rankings!]
[Your achievement will be announced publicly three times. Do you want to reveal your identity?]
[Y/N]
I instantly chose "No." I wasn't ready to draw that kind of attention yet. Honestly, I had forgotten about the ranking system altogether.
After my selection another prompt appeared before me.
[Please choose an alias to display in place of your real name.]
I thought for a moment, then smirked. A name popped into my mind, and without hesitation, I typed it in and hit confirm.
In the next instant, a booming announcement echoed across both the in-game world and the real world.
[Congratulations to player HOMEWRECKER for recruiting an SSS-potential NPC subordinate: Mirella.]
[Congratulations to player HOMEWRECKER for recruiting an SSS-potential NPC subordinate: Mirella.]
[Congratulations to player HOMEWRECKER for recruiting an SSS-potential NPC subordinate: Mirella.]
After the sudden announcement the global ranking board updated in real time, shocking players everywhere.
[NPC Subordinate Rankings]
1. Mirella White: Sword Empress (SSS)
Player: HOMEWRECKER
2. Callus Kane: Butler (S)
Player: Bill Mates
3. Aria Tunner: Fire Mage (A)
Player: Long Ma.
-----
For a moment, the entire community froze. The former first place was an S rank butler under Bill Mates, a LV.923 player and CEO of one of the largest in game guilds, Microhard. He was rich, powerful, and feared.
And yet, some unknown, under the name HOMEWRECKER, had overtaken him with an SSS ranked Sword Empress NPC.
Forums exploded instantly. Streams lit up. Conspiracy theories emerged. The name 'HOMEWRECKER' became a new hot topic among the players to discuss.
In a matter of minutes, Divine Descent's official forums, player livestreams, and chats were flooded with messages. The forum was where any occuring event, rankings or any major change in Divine Descent is announced.
where any player can leave a message anonymously without revealing his identity as everyone can have two usernames in the game one their real game name and other by setting it on the forum.
My previous host hadn't gone on forum and unknowingly I broke a ranking record and got the chance to set a alias without going on the forum or else I might've even forgotten doing it.
[Official Divine Descent Forum – Hot Thread: "WHO THE F* IS HOMEWRECKER???"]
Player_TitanSlayer69:
WTF! Some unknown guy just snatched the #1 ranking from BILL MATES?! Is this a bug or what?
ShyMage77:
No way this is real… an SSS-rank NPC?? Those were supposed to be difficult to subdue!
GuildLeaderDawnFang:
I've been grinding this game since its merge and never even seen any of the SSS potential NPC'S up close. I CALL HACKS.
BillMatesFanClubMod:
Calm down. Bill will make a comeback. It's just a fluke. Probably a fluke.
MarinaSimp999:
I saw the announcement in game. She's a Sword Empress! I NEED one too. Where do I find this NPC? Is she a cute loli?
PvPGodX:
Can we talk about the name tho? HOMEWRECKER?? Bro is WILD for that did he kidnapped some powerful NPC'S little daughter.
DigitalHermit:
I bet this guy sold his soul or pulled some hidden storyline. Anyone else think this might be tied to some secret quest?
TheoryCrafter:
Hear me out… what if HOMEWRECKER isn't a player? What if it's an AI or the devs testing out endgame content early?
JuiceKnightYT:
Live on Twitch now. I'm doing a full breakdown of this HOMEWRECKER guy. If you know ANYTHING, DM me. We find him TONIGHT!
Meanwhile, streamers were losing their minds live.
"Guys, this has NEVER happened before. No one ever confirmed SSS as obtainable… What kind of monster did this HOMEWRECKER tame!?"
"Wait, Mirella White? That name sounds… scripted. Could she be a unique NPC tied to lore? An Empress class?? That's not even in the player profession list! Is it a hidden profession that can be unlocked by doing some missions?"
"Yo chat, spam W if you think HOMEWRECKER just became the new hidden boss of the server."
And I? Seeing all this, I just smirked turning to Mirella as her bangs, a mix of silver-white and golden blonde, fluttered softly despite the still air of the closed room. The game's physics engine liked to show off sometimes. Her sky blue eyes locked onto mine with quiet admiration, loyalty embedded deeply that it felt real.
"Let's go," I said.
She nodded, stepping forward without hesitation.
Just then, another prompt flashed across my screen, the virtual interface tinged with gold instead of blue.
[NOTE: Maintaining 1st Place in the NPC Subordinate Rankings grants the player random rewards every month.]
[Additional Reward: Profession related Unique Reward granted if 1st place is held for an entire in-game year.]
That's great I thought and without thinking much of it glanced at Mirella spoke to her gently.
"Now, there should be nothing holding you back in this village," I whispered getting close to her. Mirella stood at the center of the room, her eyes lingering on the empty house here and there as if searching for something. Her expression was unreadable calm, maybe even relieved.
She suddenly turned to me slowly, her silver blonde hair catching the warm light of the lights in the room. "I guess… this house is the last attachment I have with my ex-husband," she said, voice soft and laced with something deeper, freedom, perhaps I don't know.
I stepped closer, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Coming close to her I said "Then let me take it away from you my dear Mirella, I'll create a new memory for you to remember this house by claiming all of you. Your mind, and your body all for myself."
"Just you and me right here and right now."
The room fell silent, yet the air pulsed with something raw, something electric.
She nodded slowly, as if surrendering not from weakness but by choice. I remained calm waiting for Mirella's response to my words and sure it came.
"…Then take me, Adrian, make me feel loved make me yours."
I instantly released my restraints.
In one swift motion, I pulled her into me, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist. Her breath hitched, her body stiff for a fraction of a second before melting into mine. My right hand slid up the curve of her back, fingers threading through her silken silver-blonde hair as I cradled the back of her head.
And then I kissed her lips locking them with mine.
Not a fleeting touch or gentle brush, but something deeper and fierce. Claiming her lips for myself.
Our lips met with purpose, her soft gasp caught between us as I poured everything I couldn't say into that moment. Her hands clutched at my still beginners costume, gripping the fabric like it anchored her. She trembled whether from nerves or the rush of emotion, I didn't know. But I felt her surrender at that moment.
The kiss deepened, slow as I pried her mouth open with my tongue. Her sky blue eyes fluttered closed, lashes brushing against her cheeks as she leaned into me, matching my intensity with her own growing hunger.