Chapter 23 – I don’t have a lover!

"Just—" I swung my sword with precision, landing a clean hit on the frog's slimy body. Green ichor splattered as the frog let out a guttural croak of protest. I quickly stepped back, allowing the swallowtail butterfly to dart in and deal with its tongue.

Health Points: 50/80 [62.5%]

"Die!" I shouted, stepping forward again with a fierce determination. My blade sliced through the air, connecting with another solid strike. The frog stumbled, its slimy skin rippling with the impact, as I deftly sidestepped to avoid any counterattack.

Health Points: 37/80 [46.25%]

"Already!" I growled, adrenaline coursing through me. The butterfly circled around the frog, distracting it just long enough for me to land another well-timed strike. The frog's croaks grew weaker as its movements slowed.

Health Points: 22/80 [27.5%]

The butterfly swooped in again, glowing faintly as it danced around the creature's head. With the frog visibly weakened, I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, ready to deliver the final two blows.

I delivered two quick slashes, the blade cutting cleanly through the frog. Its body stopped moving, collapsing with a wet thud. A faint glow emanated from its remains, and a luminous gem materialized beside it, shimmering softly.

[+25 EXP]

[+10 Weapon EXP]

As I bent down to pick up the gem, a holographic screen appeared in front of me, its translucent glow casting faint light onto my surroundings.

[You have leveled up to Level 2 (EXP 10/250)]

Health Points: 100/100 → 120/120 

Mana: 20/20 → 24/24

Physical Attack: 10 → 12 (+3)

Magical Attack: 0 → 0.2

Defense: 2 → 2.4

Agility: 12 → 14.4

I stared at the stats, letting the information sink in. "Huh, I leveled up," I muttered to myself, feeling a strange mix of pride and anticipation.

Sophia, perched casually on the rock, smirked as she observed my progress. "Hm… not bad," she murmured, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "At least you're improving quickly. Though, I guess you'd better—this is just the beginning, after all."

I huffed and puffed, my sword still at the ready, as I glanced around. The beach was dotted with small monsters: rabbits with sharp horns and mushrooms walking on stubby little legs. They didn't seem particularly threatening, but I stayed cautious. Sliding the luminous gem into my inventory, I heard the familiar sound of a system notification.

[+2 Luminous Gem]

I tightened my grip on my sword, preparing to test my newfound strength. But before I could make a move, my stomach let out a loud, embarrassing grumble.

"Pfft." A poorly concealed snicker came from Sophia, who was still lounging on her rock. I turned red as her laughter grew louder.

"Well, we haven't had breakfast," she said between chuckles, her wings twitching with amusement. "So it's natural, isn't it?"

I sighed, lowering my sword and returning it to my inventory. "Just when I thought I'd get to test out my increased stats," I muttered, placing my hand on my stomach. "How am I supposed to know how strong I've gotten now?"

Sophia hopped off the rock gracefully and stretched her arms. Her tail swayed as she spoke. "Every time you level up, your stats increase by about 20%. That means everything—your strength, defense, agility—gets a nice boost," she explained, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Of course, it's not the most effective way to grow stronger, but it'll do for now."

I raised an eyebrow. "Not the most effective way? What do you mean?"

She grinned slyly. "Oh, there are other ways to increase your power—training, acquiring magical artifacts, mastering advanced skills. But leveling up is the easiest, especially for someone like you."

"Someone like me?" I echoed, tilting my head.

Sophia waved her hand dismissively. "You'll figure it out soon enough. For now, though…" Her stomach growled suddenly, interrupting her sentence.

Sophia stood at the edge of the beach, her gaze fixed on the shimmering waves. Her expression softened as she closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Then, without warning, she opened her mouth, and a brilliant torrent of fire erupted forth. The flames roared as they licked the ocean's surface, sending a plume of steam into the air.

The fiery spectacle didn't last long, but it was enough to cause a commotion in the water. A few moments later, the charred remains of massive sea creatures began floating to the surface—a giant tuna and an enormous octopus, each roughly the size of a mango tree.

Sophia spread her crimson wings and took off, her movements smooth and effortless as she soared over the ocean. Hovering above the water, she reached down, grabbing the floating carcass of the giant tuna with ease before turning to snatch the octopus in her other arm. Despite their size, she carried them as if they were no heavier than a basket of bread.

Landing back on the beach with a flourish, she dropped her haul onto the sand with a loud thud. The sheer size of the creatures left me speechless for a moment.

"Breakfast is served," Sophia said with a smirk, brushing her hands together.

I stared at the enormous seafood lying before us. "That's… a bit excessive, don't you think?"

She tilted her head innocently, her tail swishing behind her. "What? You said you were hungry."

I sighed, knowing I couldn't argue with her logic. "I hope you know how to cook these."

Sophia grinned mischievously. "Oh, I've got it covered. Trust me, you're in for a feast!"

Sophia wasted no time. With a flick of her hand, a small flame ignited on her fingertip. She carefully used it to sear through the thick scales of the tuna, making swift, precise cuts. It was surprising how dexterous and skilled she was, considering her playful and carefree demeanor.

Meanwhile, I tried to make myself useful by gathering some driftwood and dry seaweed from the shore to create a makeshift fire pit. After arranging the materials, I awkwardly glanced at Sophia. "Uh, do you want me to—?"

Before I could finish, Sophia snapped her fingers, and a roaring flame instantly consumed the fire pit. I flinched, nearly dropping the seaweed I was holding.

"Relax, Mashiro," she chuckled. "I'll handle the cooking. You just sit tight and watch."

I let out a sigh and sat down on a flat rock nearby, my stomach growling in anticipation as the rich smell of roasted fish began to fill the air. Sophia worked quickly, skewering chunks of tuna meat and tentacles from the octopus on makeshift sticks. She seasoned them with herbs and spices she pulled out from her maid pocket.

As the skewers roasted over the fire, the crackling sound and savory aroma were mouthwatering. Sophia turned to me with a grin, holding up a perfectly grilled piece of tuna. "Here, try it!"

I reached out hesitantly, taking the skewer from Sophia's hand. The aroma was incredible—smoky, savory, and tinged with a faint hint of the sea. The golden-brown crust on the tuna was slightly charred, and the juices glistened as I brought it closer to my mouth.

"Wow," I muttered before taking a bite. The fish practically melted in my mouth, tender and flavorful, with the perfect balance of smokiness and the subtle spices Sophia had somehow conjured from her pocket.

"How is it?" Sophia asked, leaning in expectantly, her tail swishing behind her like a curious cat

"It's… amazing," I admitted, chewing eagerly. "This is seriously good."

She puffed out her chest, clearly pleased with herself. "Of course it is! I've cooked for dragons, nobles, and adventurers alike. Making a meal fit for a fox girl is child's play."

I paused mid-bite, glancing at her suspiciously. "Wait, what exactly is in your maid pocket? You're pulling out spices like it's a magical pantry."

Sophia smirked and wagged her finger. "A good maid never reveals her secrets. Let's just say it's a handy little trick I picked up back in the Golden City of Fox."

"Golden City of Fox again…" I muttered, taking another bite of tuna. It was delicious enough to distract me from pressing the matter further.

Sophia, meanwhile, skewered a few tentacles from the octopus and roasted them over the fire. The rich, buttery scent of grilled seafood filled the air, and my stomach growled again despite already having started eating.

As we sat on the beach, eating and listening to the gentle crash of waves, I realized how surreal this moment was. A dragon girl cooking seafood for me on an isolated beach in another world—it felt like something out of a dream. But the warmth of the food and the carefree atmosphere made it all too real.

"Hey Mashiro, do you have a boyfriend?" Sophia suddenly asked, her tone casual but curious.

I nearly choked on my food, a surprised cough escaping me as I struggled to swallow. "What brings this up?"

Sophia tilted her head, grinning mischievously. "I mean, it's the beach. A place full of passion and heat," she said, her eyes drifting toward the ocean as if contemplating something. "And well, Catherine told me you ran away because of… your lover?"

My face turned beet red. "That did NOT happen!" I nearly spat out my food in panic, quickly swallowing and trying to regain my composure. My mind, however, was in a whirlwind. I had never really interacted with the opposite sex much, aside from casual conversations. The last guy I spoke to was... "Ah." I muttered aloud, my thoughts snapping and I involuntarily thought back to yesterday—back to when I left Scheon and the others without even saying goodbye.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Oh, you do have someone in mind."