She was certain it was the end.
That was the only thought echoing through her head as she sprinted, lungs burning, through the dim alleyway. A distorted roar chased her heels, heavy steps growing closer with every breath.
Then—impact.
But not with the creature.
She crashed into a solid chest.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist, catching her with practiced ease. Before she could register what was happening, she was staring up into the face of the silver-haired man she'd glimpsed earlier that day—mysterious, striking, unforgettable.
"You—!?"
Yuki Suou's voice cracked with disbelief. Her heart pounded—not just from fear. There was something about him, a spark, like static jolting between them the moment their eyes locked.
Zzzt!
Adrian flinched ever so slightly, as though physically struck by the intensity of the moment. His eyes widened—he wasn't in love, not instantly, but there was no denying it: he liked this girl. A lot.
The system's red-tinted blessing was merely nudging him along.
[Love Curse (Red): Intensifies affection, but does not alter true intent.]
If anything, it only amplified his attraction—lust, perhaps, but not mindless.
And her reaction was even more dramatic.
[Favorability: 10 → 79!]
[He's so handsome! And cool! Are those pecs?! He feels like a protagonist straight out of a manga!]
Her thoughts screamed inside her skull, a giddy whirlwind. For a brief second, she completely forgot the monster still tailing her.
Until she remembered—"Wait! The creature—!"
She turned her head. But the beast was… backing away?
Terrified.
Trembling.
Its wide, bloodshot eyes were fixed on the man holding her.
"What...?" she breathed, struggling to comprehend. "Who is this guy?"
Adrian's gaze sharpened. He finally turned to look at the grotesque thing—muscles taut, a cruel grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Not a bad upper body. Shame about everything else."
The demon snarled, revealing its unhinged jaw—rows of teeth like broken glass splitting across its bloated abdomen. It let out a shrieking roar, trying to intimidate him.
Adrian didn't flinch. He lifted a finger.
"Sincere Flame."
A whisper. A flick. A spark.
A whisper-thin flame shot forward and touched the creature's flesh.
It didn't scream.
There wasn't time.
The inferno blossomed silently, devouring the beast in less than a heartbeat. In its place, a gust of wind scattered warm ash across the alley.
[Ding! Points earned: +0.5]
[Ding! Random Plundered Entry: Lactic Acid Secretion (Green)]
[Lactic Acid Secretion (Green): Your chest can now emit a wall-melting acid.]
"...The hell is this garbage? Discard."
Adrian grimaced and flicked the notification away like a bug. As his attention dropped back to the girl in his arms, he found her staring at him—mouth open, eyes shining with disbelief.
"You—You're amazing!"
She nearly shouted, awe dripping from every syllable.
He blinked. "Not scared?"
"Scared? That was awesome!" she beamed, eyes blazing. "Are you some kind of masked hero? Or a warrior of justice sworn to protect mankind!?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow, dryly. "You've watched too much anime. I'm not some fictional cliché—just a new exorcist in Kuou Town."
Yuki looked like her soul had ignited.
"I knew it! You're totally the brooding type with a tragic past and hidden power!"
He sighed, reached out, and flicked her forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For being the first girl to ever cop a feel while I was saving her."
"Oh, come on! You caught me! What else was I supposed to do—not hug my hero?"
She pouted, rubbing her forehead, clearly unfazed.
Her eyes were still hungry. Curious. Excited.
Too excited.
Adrian frowned. "Stop acting like this is a fairytale. This was just a stray demon attack. Random. You got unlucky."
"But—but that's how fateful encounters start!" she protested, hands on her hips. "You can't just kill the magic!"
He opened his mouth to argue—and stopped.
She wasn't wrong.
Given his current passive skill—[Protagonist Halo (Blue)]—this kind of thing was probably inevitable.
He sighed again, long and low. "Alright, enough. Why were you even in this part of town?"
Yuki blinked, her dramatic spark dimming slightly. "…I, uh… might've gotten left behind."
A pause. Then a sheepish grin.
"I altered your memory and forgot to bring you," Adrian muttered, jaw tightening. "It must've been the Halo effect. No other explanation."
The two of them stood there awkwardly, neither speaking.
Then Yuki took a deep breath and extended her hand. "Well, since we've officially survived mortal danger together, I think it's time we introduced ourselves. I'm Yuki Suou."
"…Adrian Blake. I'm the exorcist. Here."
He handed her a card.
She took it eagerly, eyes scanning the printed summoning circle drawn beneath his name.
"Wait, is this… a summoning sigil?"
"Yes."
"Summon!"
"…What are you doing?"
"I'm summoning you, duh!"
"We're standing two feet apart."
"Well, you didn't say it wouldn't work!"
He groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "It doesn't automatically activate. I have to respond to the call, genius."
"Come oooon! Let me try at least once!"
She gave him the full puppy-dog eyes, complete with clasped hands and trembling lip.
He stiffened.
That sudden switch—from fiery chaos kitten to helpless little lamb—hit him like a freight train.
The voice. The pout. The imploring gaze.
It was too much.
She wasn't just dangerous.
She was a walking hazard.
...
(End of Chapters)
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