Chapter 6 - Smug kara
The warm glow of the apartment lights cast a cozy atmosphere as Kara and Zero sat at the dining table, enjoying another one of Zero's homemade meals. Kara, still in her casual clothes from a long day of work, looked noticeably more relaxed than usual. Zero, on the other hand, was humming softly, setting down a bowl of freshly made stew in front of her.
"You've really outdone yourself again," Kara said, taking a bite and savoring the flavors.
Zero grinned. "Well, I have to make sure my girlfriend eats properly, especially with all the running around you do."
Kara chuckled, her icy demeanor melting in his presence. She stirred her stew for a moment, her eyes flickering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, she set down her spoon and leaned forward slightly.
"Zero, I have something to tell you," she began, her tone unusually enthusiastic.
He raised a brow, intrigued. "What is it?"
"I asked the guild to make you my exclusive porter," Kara said, her voice filled with excitement.
Zero froze, the smile on his face stiffening slightly. He blinked, trying to process her words. "Wait… what?"
Kara beamed at him, clearly proud of her decision. "It's perfect, isn't it? You'll get to stick close to me, and I can keep an eye on you while you get used to dungeon work. Plus, I know you'll do great."
He swallowed, feeling a mix of pride and panic. Being her exclusive porter meant working in higher-tier dungeons, surrounded by hunters far stronger than what he was pretending to be. It also meant more chances to slip up and expose his secret.
"That's… really thoughtful of you," he said carefully, forcing a smile.
Kara's eyes lit up. "I knew you'd love it! I told the guild you're hardworking, reliable, and already have experience as a porter. They approved it immediately."
Zero nodded, his mind racing. He had just started easing into his new role as a hunter, but now things were about to get much more complicated. Still, he couldn't bring himself to dampen Kara's enthusiasm.
"Well, I guess I'll have to live up to your expectations," he said with a small laugh.
Kara reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "You don't have to worry. As long as I'm there, nothing will happen to you."
Zero smiled at her reassuring words, though deep down, he wasn't worried about himself. It was everyone else he was concerned about.
As Kara leaned back in her chair, savoring Zero's hesitant yet grateful reaction, her lips curved into a satisfied smile. While outwardly calm, her thoughts were far from composed.
"That's right, thank me and praise me, my loving boyfriend," she thought smugly, watching him struggle to process the news. "You have no idea how much I had to deal with just to make this happen. Those old farts and uptight bureaucrats didn't want to approve it at first. 'Why waste an exclusive spot on an F-class?' they said. Hah, as if I'd let them dictate anything about you."
Her fingers drummed lightly on the table as she kept her expression soft and supportive. "They should be grateful I even bothered to explain myself instead of tearing down their ridiculous objections one by one. But, oh no, I didn't stop there—I fought for you, Zero. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
As Zero smiled at her, trying his best to mask his nervousness, Kara's heart swelled with pride. "You don't even realize how much you mean to me, do you? That's fine, though. One day, you'll understand. For now, just let me spoil you in my own way."
She gave his hand a squeeze, her voice as calm and confident as ever. "Don't worry, Zero. I've got everything handled."
But deep inside, she was already relishing the moment. "You're mine now, officially tied to me. And nothing—absolutely nothing—is going to change that."
As Zero watched Kara's proud smile, his chest tightened with a mix of guilt and affection. She looked so pleased with herself, clearly excited about what she'd arranged for him.
"Oh no…" he thought, his mind racing. "She's so happy about this, but I can't just stick to being her exclusive porter like this. If I don't grow on my own, I'll always be seen as just the F-class boyfriend riding her coattails. I have to change my plan."
His eyes softened as he glanced at her, trying not to let his internal conflict show. "She went through so much trouble for me, and I can't let her down. But if I stay by her side all the time, I'll never get stronger in my own way. I need to talk to her—ask her to let me dive into dungeons at my own level sometimes. That way, I can develop properly and prove I'm more than just a liability."
Zero clenched his fists under the table, determination sparking in his gaze. "She deserves a partner who can stand beside her as an equal, not someone who hides behind her shadow. I'll make it work somehow. I'll grow stronger while being her porter… and when the time comes, I'll show her what I'm truly capable of."
He looked up at her again, her proud expression lighting up the room. Despite the weight of his decision, he couldn't help but smile softly. "I'll make you proud too, Kara. Just you wait."
Zero took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. He looked across the table at Kara, who was still beaming with pride, clearly pleased with herself for pulling strings at the guild. Her radiant smile made it all the harder to bring up what he had in mind.
"Kara," he began, his tone warm and affectionate. "You've done so much for me, and I can't thank you enough. Really, getting me approved as your exclusive porter is… amazing. You're amazing."
Kara's smile widened, her chin tilting up slightly in pride. "That's right! You should be thanking me. Do you know how many hoops I had to jump through to convince those stubborn old men? They said so many ridiculous things, but I didn't back down for a second. All for you, my dear boyfriend!"
Zero chuckled, his admiration for her genuine. "And I appreciate every bit of effort you put into it. I really do. But…" He let his voice trail off, his expression softening into one of earnest concern.
Kara's eyes narrowed slightly. "But?"
"Well, as much as I love the idea of being your exclusive porter and spending more time with you, I was thinking…" He paused, carefully choosing his words. "If I only follow you into high-level dungeons, I'll never get the chance to properly grow. I'm still new to this whole thing, and I think it'd be best for me to dive into dungeons closer to my level sometimes. You know, to build experience, improve my skills, and all that."
Kara tilted her head, her expression skeptical. "What are you saying, Zero? You don't want to work with me?"
"No, no, no!" Zero quickly waved his hands, his tone light and reassuring. "That's not it at all! I do want to work with you. I mean, who wouldn't want to work with the most amazing S-class hunter in the country? But think about it—if I don't improve, I'll just end up being dead weight. You deserve a porter who can actually keep up with you, and I want to be that person."
Kara leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she considered his words. "Hmm… go on."
Zero leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more persuasive. "If I take on dungeons that are closer to my level in between working with you, I'll get stronger at a pace that makes sense. And the stronger I get, the more helpful I can be when I'm by your side. It's a win-win! Plus," he added with a small smile, "you'd have the satisfaction of knowing that you're dating someone who isn't just relying on you all the time."
Kara's lips twitched, her expression softening despite herself. "You're really pulling out all the stops with this argument, huh?"
"Only because I care about you," Zero said smoothly, his voice full of sincerity. "And because I want to be the kind of partner you can truly rely on—not just as your boyfriend, but as your teammate in the field. So, what do you say? Will you let me take on a few lower-level dungeons to grow, while still being your exclusive porter?"
Kara let out a small sigh, her stern facade cracking as a fond smile crept onto her face. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"I'll take that as a yes," Zero said with a playful grin.
Kara shook her head, but there was a glint of pride in her eyes. "Fine. But you'd better not slack off. If I find out you're slacking, I'll drag you into one of my dungeons whether you're ready or not."
Zero laughed, relief washing over him. "Deal. And trust me, you'll be impressed with how much I improve."
As they continued their meal, Kara couldn't help but feel a small swell of excitement. Maybe this plan of his wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Zero hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat, drawing Kara's attention back to him. "Kara," he began carefully, "I was wondering if you could help me out with something."
Kara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it? You know I'll help you with anything."
"Well," Zero scratched the back of his head, trying to phrase it right, "since I want to grow and get stronger, I was thinking… maybe you could help me get permission to do solo raids in F-class and D-class dungeons. You know, as a way to train and improve my skills."
Kara blinked, momentarily stunned. "Solo raiding?" she repeated, her voice laced with concern. "Zero, that's dangerous. Even low-level dungeons can catch people off guard. Why would you want to do that when you can just stick with me and learn in a safer environment?"
Zero smiled gently, appreciating her protective instincts. "I get it, Kara. I really do. But if I don't face challenges on my own, I'll never learn how to handle things when I'm alone. I need to be able to stand on my own two feet, especially if I want to be someone you can rely on in the future."
Kara frowned, clearly torn. Her protective nature as a girlfriend clashed with her logical side as a hunter. "You really want to do this?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Zero nodded firmly. "I do. But I'll be smart about it—I'll only tackle dungeons I know I can handle, and I'll prepare thoroughly. I wouldn't do anything reckless, Kara. I just need the experience."
Kara sighed, crossing her arms. "You're really stubborn when you put your mind to something, you know that?"
"One of my better qualities," Zero teased, flashing her a playful grin.
Kara couldn't help but laugh, though she quickly composed herself. "Fine," she said reluctantly, "I'll help you get the necessary permissions. But you have to promise me—no unnecessary risks. And if you ever feel like you're in over your head, you'll stop immediately and get out. Understand?"
"Promise," Zero said, his tone earnest.
Kara leaned back, eyeing him critically. "I'll hold you to that. If I hear even a whisper of you doing something stupid, I'll personally drag you out of that dungeon myself. Got it?"
Zero nodded quickly, his smile widening. "Got it. Thanks, Kara. You're the best."
Kara rolled her eyes, though a small smile played at her lips. "Don't thank me yet. You'd better show me some real progress, or I'll make you regret it."
"I will," Zero said confidently. As they returned to their meal, he felt a surge of determination. With Kara's support, he was one step closer to his goal.
As Zero savored the meal Kara had prepared, the warmth of their shared moment filled the air. Her laughter rang out softly, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax.
But just as he raised his glass to take a sip, a familiar ding resonated in his head, shattering the tranquility.
---
Ding!
New Mission: The Path of the Strong
Objective: Solo raid dungeons within the time limit.
Rewards:
Title: The One Who Conquers
Title: One Man Army
Sub-Class Slot
---
Zero blinked, his grip on the glass tightening slightly. Solo raid dungeons? He thought, biting back the groan building in his throat. The system had a knack for throwing curveballs at the most inconvenient times.
"Zero?" Kara's voice pulled him back to reality. She was watching him with a slight frown, her fork paused mid-air. "What's wrong? You zoned out for a second."
Zero quickly masked his reaction with a casual smile. "Nothing, just thinking about what you said earlier. I'll need to plan out my training properly."
Kara's frown melted into a proud smile. "That's my Zero, always so serious about improving. Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Of course," he replied smoothly, though his thoughts were already spinning. Looks like I've got more to do than just training.
As the night continued, Kara chatted animatedly about her plans for the week, but Zero's mind remained half-focused on the system's mission. A title like The One Who Conquers sounded impressive, and the sub-class slot was too tempting to ignore.
Alright, system, he thought as a determined gleam lit up his eyes. If you want me to solo raid, I'll show you what I'm made of.
As Zero leaned back in his chair, still listening to Kara's excited chatter, he decided to check the titles' descriptions. With a thought, the system interface materialized before his eyes, the glowing text illuminating his vision.
---
Title: The One Who Conquers
Description: A title granted to those who have proven their dominance over the impossible. Boosts all stats by 25% when fighting alone. Reduces all incoming damage by 30%. Grants immunity to fear and mind-control effects.
---
Title: One Man Army
Description: A title bestowed upon those who stand against hordes without faltering. Increases combat efficiency by 50% when outnumbered. Enhances stamina and mana regeneration by 100% during prolonged battles.
---
Zero's breath hitched, his hands tightening around the edge of the table. His eyes widened as he reread the descriptions, his mind reeling from the sheer absurdity of the boosts these titles offered.
25% stat boost? 30% damage reduction? Enhanced regeneration? These are insane!
"Zero? Are you okay?" Kara's voice broke through his thoughts.
He blinked, quickly shutting the interface and putting on his best smile. "Yeah, sorry, just zoned out again. What were you saying?"
Kara narrowed her eyes slightly, but her smile returned. "I was just saying how I want to spend more time training together, you know? To help you out more."
Zero chuckled nervously, his mind still racing. If I can get those titles… my growth will skyrocket.
As Kara continued talking, Zero's resolve solidified. He needed those titles. He'd figure out a way to tackle this mission without raising suspicion. After all, with rewards this overpowered, failure wasn't an option.
Zero quickly navigated to the description of the Sub-Class Slot, curious about what it entailed. When he opened the interface, the details appeared before him, glowing faintly.
---
Reward: Sub-Class Slot
Description: Unlocks the ability to add a secondary class, providing access to unique skills, abilities, and stat bonuses from another class. The sub-class can be freely chosen or obtained through specific achievements. Progression in the sub-class is independent but synergizes with the primary class.
---
Zero's eyes widened even further. A sub-class?! This is insane!
The possibilities began flooding his mind. If I get a powerful sub-class… it could cover my weaknesses, or I could focus entirely on offense and overwhelm anything in my way.
His thoughts spun wildly, imagining the potential combinations. What if I go for a magical class to pair with my physical stats? Or maybe a support-type class to amplify my survivability?
A subtle grin formed on his lips. With this, I won't just be powerful—I'll be unstoppable.
"Zero?" Kara's voice snapped him out of his trance again, her brow furrowed slightly. "You keep zoning out. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Zero laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, sorry, just thinking about how much I want to grow stronger. You know, to be a proper support for you."
Kara's expression softened, and she gave him an encouraging smile. "That's sweet, but remember, you're already amazing."
He smiled back, but his resolve only grew stronger. She has no idea… but soon, I'll be strong enough to truly stand by her side—or even surpass her.
As the conversation continued, Kara pulled up maps and resources to help Zero plan his dungeon runs. They analyzed the types of monsters he would encounter in F-class and D-class dungeons, discussed strategies, and even debated over which dungeons would be the most efficient for him to grow.
"You should probably start with the Iron Fang Caverns," Kara suggested, pointing at a marked location on the map. "The monsters there are manageable, and the resources you can gather will sell for a decent amount."
Zero nodded, taking mental notes. "What about the Fallen Grove? It seems like a good place to practice against trickier enemies."
Kara frowned slightly. "Maybe, but the traps there can be dangerous if you're not careful. You'd need to hone your awareness first."
They kept exchanging ideas, their discussion becoming a mix of strategies and lighthearted banter. Kara's excitement about helping him was evident, while Zero carefully steered the conversation, ensuring she wouldn't worry too much about him soloing these dungeons.
As the night deepened, their energy began to wane. Kara let out a small yawn, stretching her arms as she leaned back against the couch. "I think that's enough planning for one night. You've got a solid starting point now."
Zero smiled, standing up and offering his hand to her. "Thanks, Kara. You've been a huge help."
She took his hand, her lips curving into a tired smile. "Of course. Anything for you."
They headed to their room, the earlier excitement settling into a quiet warmth. As they lay down, Kara rested her head on his chest, her breathing soft and steady.
Zero stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing despite the calm. The system's mission… the titles, the subclass… everything is pointing me toward a path I can't ignore.
But as he glanced at Kara, peacefully asleep beside him, his resolve solidified. I'll do this my way. I'll grow stronger, not just for myself, but for her too.
And with that thought, he closed his eyes, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.