Chapter 20: Alexandra? Elisebeth?

Martin immediately read Chaosgraphy’s incredulous look.

"Don’t get me wrong. You won," he said quickly. "For the next ten party runs, all my loot and rewards are yours."

He wasn’t trying to back out because he feared losing. He was trying to stop the bet from locking him into a path he didn’t want.

"The passives on these items are pushing me toward a solo tank path," Martin said. "I also got a skill called Solitary Edge. I don’t even need to read the description to know what it’s for. And the rest of my skills match the moves I practiced on my own. You noticed it too, right?"

Chaosgraphy nodded once. "I did."

That meant the Light Tree dungeon wasn’t random at all. It watched how players behaved, then rewarded that behavior. Solo players got solo tools. Parties got rewards that reinforced teamwork.

"I didn’t start this game to be a solo player," Martin admitted, voice firm.

The last few years flashed through his mind. Twenty-four, broke, always tired. No time for friends, relationships, or hobbies. His mother’s words resurfaced, along with that dumb, playful plan to "find a healer girlfriend," and a faint smile tugged at his mouth.

They moved on. I had to, too.

Even without knowing the full story behind his words, Chaosgraphy could tell he meant them.

"Have you made any friends in this game?" she asked.

"...Just one," Martin replied.

"Mmm. Then that makes two," Chaosgraphy said.

A new window appeared in front of him.

[Chaosgraphy has sent you a friend invitation.]

[You have accepted Chaosgraphy’s friend request.]

"Thanks," Martin said.

"You shocked me," Chaosgraphy replied. "I’ll give you that. I like plot twists. And you reminded me why I started playing this game."

"Plot twists?" Martin asked. "You like reading?"

"Yeah. Have you heard of the Three Empires Dawn trilogy? It’s famous. And I’m especially obsessed with the villainess in the series."

He tilted his head. "Three Empires Dawn... I’ve heard the name somewhere, but I can’t place it. Not like I’ve had time to read lately. Let alone watch a movie." His eyes narrowed. "That said, the villainess. Is she a twin-sword user too?"

"She’s a master of dual swordsmanship," Chaosgraphy said, with the pride of a diehard fan.

"Alright. So you’re her biggest fan." Martin snorted. "Who asks for twin swords at the start of an immersive game? Only a real fan. Not gonna lie, it impressed me."

"I’d heard NPCs were more human and would go out of their way not to follow the script," Chaosgraphy said. "It never even crossed my mind that Rangar might be an NPC..."

He could only agree.

Then he checked the time, and his expression went flat.

"I’m going to be a zombie at work tomorrow," he muttered.

"Blue collar or white collar?" Chaosgraphy asked.

"White," Martin said. "At the bottom of the company’s hierarchy."

The words came out bitter. His voice carried every ounce of his disgust for his current life. Chaosgraphy patted his shoulder in quiet support.

A beat later, she changed the subject. "Dungeon tomorrow?"

"Monday is usually hell," Martin said. "How about Tuesday?"

"Fine by me." Chaosgraphy nodded. "I’m free tomorrow, so I’ll try the party dungeon with others and get a feel for it. I’m curious how different it is from solo runs, and what people actually focus on."

"Yeah. Sure," Martin said.

His plan was to spend tomorrow evening learning cooking and finally taking a break from the weekend’s grind. Cooking couldn’t be harder than tracking everything in that Baby Kraken fight.

"We’ll need at least two more people for our party run," Chaosgraphy added. "You could call your friend."

"Uh..." Martin thought of the training he’d gone through with NukEncore.

Her Arcane Mana Bolts were their own kind of thing. Somehow, she could turn something simple into a spectacle, sometimes brilliant, sometimes a disaster.

"You like a challenge," Martin said. "So yeah, I can ask her." His gaze flicked up. "Oh. She’s here."

He sent a message through the system. NukEncore halted, read it, then turned. Once she reached them, her eyes landed on Chaosgraphy sitting on the bench.

Chaosgraphy looked up at her at the same time.

Chaosgraphy’s gaze swept over NukEncore, calm and measured.

That downward gaze... she steals attention without trying. Like it’s hers by default. I hate that it works.

And those tits... heavy as bowling balls.

NukEncore’s gaze slid back, unhurried and appraising.

She blends into the scenery... like she thinks she belongs there... like she’s part of the set. I hate how well it fits.

And those thighs... thick as bowling pins.

They both landed on the same ridiculous question.

Alexandra?

Elisebeth?

Oblivious to the silent appraisal happening right in front of him, he raised his voice. "NukEncore, this is Chaosgraphy. She’s a solid rival I met at the start of my gaming career. We’re going to clear the Level One Dungeon on Tuesday as a party. Want to join us?"

NukEncore let the silence hang for a beat, then gave him a slow nod. "Of course. I’ve been waiting for you to call me." Her expression stayed composed, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "It’s always been me coming to you, so I didn’t want to bother you. I figured you’d reach out when you were ready."

Chaosgraphy’s eyes narrowed.

NukEncore’s eyes glittered. "Besides, you’re the one who brings out my crits." She leaned in just a little, close enough to make the air feel smaller. "I’ve been practicing my aim a lot, you know? Really, really a lot. I’m not missing on Tuesday."

She leaned closer on purpose, and her huge tits filled his line of sight, crowding out everything else. Her eyes caught the light, a lazy gold glint in them.

He swallowed.

How heavy are those? And why did she have to drop them right in my face? Not like I mind.

"If your Arcane Mana Bolts carry even half of that enthusiasm," he said, "you’ll crit again."

"Mhm. Just watch."

Chaosgraphy leaned back against the bench and crossed her legs. The motion was casual, but her thick thighs made it feel like a quiet flex.

His throat went dry.

Focus... before I start staring like an idiot.

"I don’t want to rain on your parade," Chaosgraphy said.

Yeah, not rain. You want to stomp it into the dirt.

"But it sounds like you struggle with something as simple as a basic attack," Chaosgraphy continued. "Have you ever even been invited to the Level One Dungeon?"

"Ah," Martin and NukEncore said at the same time.

NukEncore had never been invited to the Level One Dungeon, which meant she couldn’t join them on Tuesday.

Chaosgraphy licked her lips with the same sudden, seductive edge as the villainess she loved.