[Location: Morningstar Manor, New York]

The day after the Central Park battle.

*Shift... groan... rustle*

With an annoyed groan, I woke up with a leg draped over my torso. While the body beside gave me pleasant warmth, the sun peeking from the curtains made it impossible to ignore.

I blinked the sleep out of my eyes, only to find a mess of crimson hair sprawled over my chest. Zeraphira. Her breathing was calm, serene—nothing like the battle-crazed storm she'd been yesterday. Her arm hugged my waist possessively, as if she feared I'd vanish if she loosened her grip.

"…you're heavy," I muttered under my breath.

Her eyelids fluttered, and a lazy, sultry murmur slipped out, "Mmh… Darling's fault… You smell too good…"

I sighed. "That's not even an argument."

Trying to move her was like trying to shift a mountain—her grip tightened automatically, her legs coiling lightly around my leg. She didn't even open her eyes. Just a small pout on her lips.

For someone who had razed a section of Central Park to ash yesterday, she looked absurdly peaceful.

I exhaled, letting my head fall back on the pillow. "Right… peace, huh? After what happened yesterday, I'll take it."

Tti-ring!

[Daily Quest Available!]

Riiiiight~

I can't even ignore it, after that penalty zone experience, I would rather not like to repeat.

And let's not forget about that 'Job Change Quest' I got mid-fight yesterday. This capped my levels with excessive EXP being stored until I complete it.

Groan~

"Baby, you sleep some more, I will be back~" I tried to free my body from the octopus-like body of hers, but the instant I shifted, her hand shot up, gripping my wrist with inhuman precision.

"Mmh… no…" Zeraphira mumbled, voice hoarse with sleep. "You'll run again…"

Run again? The words hit deeper than I expected. She wasn't awake enough to think, which meant she was talking from instinct—memory. Her body still remembered the thousand years I'd been sealed away.

I let out a small sigh and brushed a strand of her crimson hair from her face. "I'm not running anywhere, Zera. Promise."

Her grip loosened slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "…you better not."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, slipping out carefully this time, using just enough strength to slide from her hold without waking her. Her warmth lingered like a brand against my skin.

The room was dim except for the sunlight sneaking through the curtains. My clothes from last night lay torn near the dresser, a silent reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. I grabbed a black shirt and pants, pulled them on, and stretched.

'First, I should complete that annoying 'Daily Quest' before focusing on the 'Job Change Quest'.'

[Daily Quest]

• Objective: Strength must be maintained through actions.]

• Tasks:

— 500 Push-ups

— 500 Sit-ups

— 500 Squats

— 50 km Run (indoors or outdoors acceptable)

• Rewards: +10 Stat Points, +1 Random Box (Common)

• Failure Penalty: Forced Penalty Zone Transfer

Tch!

My eyes zeroed in on the 'Penalty Zone Transfer'.

Still, that wicked penalty, I'm starting to think this system of mine is a sadistic bastard, enjoying my torment. Every time I slack off, it threatens to throw me back into a place I don't want to remember. But… rules are rules. Can't let it stack on top of that "Job Change Quest" either.

I pushed off the edge of the bed, stretching carefully so as not to wake Zeraphira again. She murmured, turning onto her side, and I swear she almost purred. Damn… impossible to resist a sight like that, but focus. Priority one: survive my own System without dying of punishment.

Slipping out of the bedroom, I glanced at the living room. Zeraphira had left a light trail of her scent—subtle but intoxicating.

I took a deep breath and activated the System interface, keeping it invisible to anyone else. The floating menu blinked into existence above my palm, displaying the Daily Quest. The numbers glared at me with judgmental precision.

"Fine… fine," I muttered, cracking my knuckles. "Let's get this over with."

[Task 1: Push-ups. 500]

I dropped to the floor, arms braced, and started the first set. The burn came fast, but nothing I hadn't trained for. The System quietly counted, its interface invisible to Zeraphira.

…78… 79… 80…

The movements became rhythm, thought fading into repetition. Every push, every flex of muscle, kept the body primed, kept the SPIRAL flowing.

And yet, from the corner of my vision, I caught her gaze. She was awake now, crimson eyes blinking lazily, hugging a pillow, standing wearing nothing but my worn t-shirt, watching me with that impossible mixture of curiosity and something far deeper, something tied to instinct. Her aura radiated quietly, like a low hum vibrating through the room—a subtle reminder that the thousand years of loyalty weren't just words.

I pushed through.

…250… 251… 252…

Zeraphira tilted her head. "Darling? Why're you doing such..." Even she couldn't name it, not understanding why I am even bothering with exercising first thing in the morning.

So I did what I thought was best, lied. "It's... discipline. Helps in keeping the body strong. Can't let myself go soft." My voice was calm, almost casual, but inside, every fibre of me was calculating, measuring—keeping the System in check, avoiding penalties, and ensuring my hidden abilities remained untraceable.

Zeraphira's lips pressed into a thin line, and she tilted her head further, crimson hair cascading like a wave of fire over her shoulder. "Discipline… hm. Sounds boring." Her tone was teasing, yet there was an undercurrent of something else—attachment, vigilance, memory of a thousand years of struggles.

I smirked faintly. "Boring keeps you alive. You want me alive, don't you?"

Her gaze softened imperceptibly. "…Always."

I ignored the heat rising in my chest. Focus, Dominic. The System doesn't forgive sentiment.

…499… 500.

A faint chime rang in my ears, invisible to anyone else. The System confirmed completion of Task 1.

Next: sit-ups. I flipped onto my back, arms behind my head, feeling the familiar burn in my abs as I began the next series. Zeraphira stretched languidly on the couch, the sunlight catching the gold flecks in her hair, moving as if she were part of the light itself.

…120… 121… 122…

Her eyes narrowed slightly, studying me. "You… really care about these exercises, huh?"

Exhaled sharply, keeping the rhythm. "Of course. Even Grayfia said it's good for keeping the body battle-ready and strong. Can't let myself become a liability," I replied evenly, pushing upward through the burn, ignoring the subtle tension building in my chest at her gaze.

Zeraphira tilted her head, lips parting slightly as if to speak, then hesitated, letting the silence stretch. Her presence was grounding, yet dangerous in its familiarity—a reminder of loyalty, memory, and centuries of unspoken devotion. My hand brushed the floor for another sit-up, feeling the burn deepen, yet I pushed on.

…250… 251… 252…

She shifted, curling slightly forward, crimson hair spilling like fire across the couch. "I… don't understand why you push yourself so hard," she murmured, voice soft, almost reverent. "Yesterday, you tore through them all… and now… this?"

I exhaled, holding my form for a brief moment before lowering myself again. "Because if I feel invincible just defeating the dog of Ares, then me dying in the near future wouldn't be a surprise. Because it breeds arrogance, which in turn feeds recklessness. And recklessness gets punished by reality itself." I lifted myself for another repetition, letting the burn sharpen, my muscles screaming quietly under control. The invisible interface blinked each completed count, tracking every fibre of effort.

…400… 401… 402…

Zeraphira shifted again, now sitting upright, her crimson eyes fixed on me like molten gold. "You… you think too much," she murmured softly. Her fingers absently traced the hem of my black shirt draped over her lap, as if she were anchoring herself to the living presence of me. "But… I… like that about you…"

…498… 499… 500.

Another chime sounded, signalling completion. Task two finished. I allowed a brief, controlled exhale before rolling to my side, hands pressed against the floor for balance.

Next: squats. The burning rhythm returned almost immediately as I lowered my body, maintaining perfect form. Zeraphira leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees, her chin cupped in her hands. Her gaze followed every motion, quiet but unrelenting, a living mirror of awareness and care. Her presence alone created a pressure that was almost tangible—but manageable. Barely.

…250… 251… 252…

Her voice cut through the rhythm, soft, almost hesitant. "Darling… I… want to help you… somehow…"

I paused briefly at the words, letting them hang in the air. "I know," I replied carefully, choosing tones that betrayed nothing of the hidden System, of the memories only I carried. "Just… keep watching for now. That's help enough."

Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly, a faint frown tugging at her delicate lips. "Watching isn't enough," she whispered, almost to herself. "I… want to protect you. I… always will."

I ignored the spike in my chest, focusing instead on the final push of squats. Each repetition demanded not just muscle, but control, balance, and endurance. The invisible count ticked steadily, unrelenting, unblinking.

…498… 499… 500.

Chime. Task three completed.

Finally: the run. My body was already warm, blood flowing, SPIRAL thrumming quietly through every sinew. I stepped outside into the courtyard, the sunlight washing over me, feeling the breeze tease at my hair. Zeraphira followed, standing close, form emanating an unspoken presence—loyal, vigilant, and utterly aware.

The System silently acknowledged my outdoor run, calculating the distance, time, and exertion, but keeping every bit invisible to her. She didn't need to know. Nobody did. The System, my cheat, my secret, my advantage—my solitude in power.

I began jogging, setting a steady rhythm. Zeraphira matched me without effort, gliding alongside, her presence simultaneously comforting and constraining. I couldn't allow a distraction. Not now. Not with the Daily Quest and the looming Job Change Quest waiting.

…5 km… 6 km… 7 km…

She hummed softly beside me, the sound faint but grounding, a tether in the otherwise mundane physicality of the run. Her crimson hair caught sunlight in fleeting glints of gold and red, eyes reflecting focus, devotion, and an almost imperceptible concern.

…25 km… 26 km… 27 km…

I pushed harder, legs burning, lungs screaming, SPIRAL rising subtly to maintain efficiency and stamina. The invisible barrier surrounding the park remained unchallenged, contained, a controlled field of independence where the only rules were mine and mine alone.

…48 km… 49 km… 50 km.

The System's chime rang one final time, the invisible interface confirming completion of the last task. Daily Quest cleared. +10 Stat Points, +1 Random Box (Common) added to inventory.

I exhaled heavily, muscles trembling, sweat running down my temples. Zeraphira remained by my side, silent, watching, her expression unreadable yet intensely personal.

"Done," I muttered, finally slowing to a walk. Her crimson eyes flicked toward me, a small, approving nod brushing against centuries of memory and devotion.

"…You… always push too far," she murmured. "But… I… like seeing you… alive… strong…"

"There is much more you would see~" With that, I swept her off her feet, as by my sudden movement, a gasp escaped her lips, followed by laughter.

"Next stop bathhouse~" I declared while holding in a princess carry.

"Whatever you say, darling~" she giggled as her arms snaked their way and locked behind my neck.

***

Stone me, I can take it!

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