As they emerged from the vortex that had transported them back into their world, the rush of modern city life assaulted their senses. They landed in a narrow alleyway, the three of them bumping into each other with soft grunts.Before either Aiden or Risa could even stand up straight, Gregg had launched himself forward, pressing his lips against the cold, harsh concrete in a parody of a passionate kiss. Aiden and Risa watched, speechless, before dissolving into fits of laughter at the sight of their friend's ridiculous antics."I...uh, Gregg..." Aiden managed between laughs, "...you do know where that floor's been, right?"Gregg sprung back, his face contorting in disgust as he spits out whatever particles of dirt and grime had latched onto his tongue. "Ugh...disgusting!" he exclaimed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. But a grin spread across his face as he echoed their laughter."Welcome back, dumbass," Risa finally said, her voice quiet but full of joy. "Collow has missed
A month had passed since the trio's return to their familiar world, and in that time, many changes had taken place. The joy of being home was still palpable, yet with every passing day, a new kind of reality set in. While Aiden and Risa were navigating the changes in their lives, Gregg was on a different path. His search for Zin had taken him to various corners of Collow, but he had yet to find the woman he had longed to see.Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, the streets bustled with life. The summer heat blanketed Collow, turning the city into a large, urban oven. Despite the searing temperature, the city remained as vibrant as ever, each corner teeming with life. On one such afternoon, a black, sleek car made its way through the city. Its tinted windows hid the identity of the passenger within, yet the logo on the vehicle was known to all. It was the symbol of one of the city's most renowned philanthropic organizations, headed by none other than Zin herself. The car pulled up
Ding!–––––––––––[Name: Aiden Lancaster][Gender: Male][Age: 22][Level: 3][Height: 180cm][Inventory: 2][Spending Quota: $45000][Merit points: 1000502100][Ability: Enhancer, Tracker]–––––––––––'Inventory...' Aiden thought, his mind wandering to what he could do with those items. 'Lyris, could you display what's in my inventory?'[Of course, host][150000 worth of Amazon gift cards][One golden card worth spending]Aiden sat up on his bed, contemplating what he could do with these two items. With Risa out on a shopping spree with the head maid of the house, there wasn't anyone else who would notice him speaking to his system.His mind trailed on who could benefit from the gift card and golden card, then it hit him like a ton of bricks.With a flick of his fingers, he contacted Lyris and asked her if he could transfer them to those who could use them or be pleasantly surprised.His request caused her eyebrows to furrow slightly, but she didn't say anything at first. [Are you s
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with
[R-18]'When am I never ready?' Gregg replied in his thoughts, but instead of going along that line of thought, he gave her a tender smile as he brushed her hair away from her face and planted soft kisses on her cheeks and along her jawline."You're my dream girl." He whispered softly into her sensitive ears.Zin's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Gregg with a surprised smile. He had said that to her countless times before in different ways and situations, but it felt different coming from him now. He wasn't saying it because it was something he wanted her to do. It was simply how he saw her.With an easy grace, Zin disrobed, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she was wearing nothing but a sheer white slip of lingerie that accentuated her curves and accentuated her light pink nipples that were already hardening beneath the thin fabric. "Must have been the flour and grease on them," Zin teased with a playful smirk, stripping off the remaining clothing as quickly a
The news of their forthcoming child was still fresh in their minds as they sat down to discuss their imminent wedding. The room was filled with a sense of exhilaration, excitement, and anticipation. The huge dining table was strewn with various wedding catalogs, color palettes, floral arrangements, and tentative guest lists. Risa, brimming with an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, was a picture of excited expectancy. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and anxiety, her fingers fluttering across the catalog pages as she attempted to decide on the most fitting color code for their nuptials."Aiden, what do you think of this one?" She pointed towards a palette that was an array of earthy colors, inspired by nature.Aiden leaned over to see what she was indicating, his gaze falling on the hues of deep forest green, soft brown, and a touch of gold. He studied it for a moment, his blue eyes reflecting the colors she chose."It's perfect, Risa. It truly reflects who we are, connected