Chapter 10: Triumph Over the Demon

『Skill granting process initiated.』

『Kairi has been granted the A-rank skill [Defense Penetration].』

"Defense… Penetration?" I murmured, my eyes widening as the implications sank in.

This sounded like a perfect fit. We'd been struggling against the demon's impenetrable defensive field, and if this skill could pierce through it, we might finally have the upper hand.

"What's wrong, Kairi?" Karen asked, her voice pulling me from my thoughts, her fiery hair catching the sunlight as she tilted her head.

"Oh, I just got a new skill," I replied, then paused, realizing something. "Wait, you can't see or hear it, can you?"

I hadn't paid much attention before, but it seemed the system messages tied to my [Reincarnation Perk] were exclusive to me, invisible and inaudible to others, a private interface between me and whatever force governed my abilities.

"The skill's called [Defense Penetration]," I explained, my voice tinged with excitement. "It's an A-rank skill, so it should pack a serious punch. My other A-rank skill, [Freeze], took out a dragon in one hit, after all."

Karen nodded, her emerald eyes gleaming with strategic focus. "That sounds promising. It could very well break through the demon's defenses."

"Then let's test it out," she said, her gaze locking onto mine, a spark of determination in her expression.

"Uh, yeah, but… one sec," I stammered, my eyes briefly darting away. Staring at her naked form head-on, now that the heat of the moment had passed, brought a sudden wave of embarrassment, my cheeks warming despite myself.

"Oh… sorry," Karen said, a flush creeping up her own face as she quickly gathered her scattered clothes, slipping back into her bikini-style armor with practiced ease.

I followed suit, pulling on my own clothes, and together we approached the demon, still bound by Karen's fiery whip, its form writhing faintly within the restraints, its hooded silhouette ominous even in captivity.

"Alright, I'm gonna try the new skill," I said, steadying myself. "But just in case it doesn't work, Karen, be ready to rebind it immediately."

"Got it," she replied, her voice calm and professional. "You ready, Kairi?"

"Ready," I confirmed, gripping an imaginary bow as I focused on the skill.

"Then I'm releasing the binding," Karen announced, snapping her fingers with a sharp pach!.

The flaming ropes shattered, dissolving into embers that flickered out in the air. "RUOOOOOOOOOOH!" the demon roared, its voice a guttural explosion of rage as it surged upright, its staff glowing with malevolent energy.

"Here goes—[Defense Penetration]!" I shouted, activating the skill.

A radiant arrow of light materialized in my hands, shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance as I loosed it toward the demon. The creature reacted instantly, conjuring its glowing defensive field, the dome flaring to life like a shield of liquid starlight.

The arrow streaked forward, meeting the barrier—and with a resonant zunn!, it pierced clean through, the field rippling uselessly as the light plunged into the demon's robed form.

The demon collapsed, crumpling to the forest floor, its staff clattering beside it. A single glance confirmed it was dead, dispatched with ruthless efficiency.

"That was… almost too easy," I said, exhaling a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, a mix of relief and awe washing over me.

"That just means your skill is exceptionally powerful," Karen remarked, a satisfied smile curving her lips. "Either way, we took down the demon without a scratch. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome."

She turned to me, her expression softening. "Thank you, Kairi—for coming with me. Truly."

Her smile widened, a dazzling, heartfelt grin that lit up her face, her fierce beauty softened by gratitude, and I felt my heart skip, caught in the warmth of her gaze, the victory we'd shared binding us closer in the quiet aftermath of battle.

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With the demon vanquished, Karen and I made our way back to the village, the tension of battle replaced by a quiet sense of triumph. She planned to stay the night before departing tomorrow to report the demon's defeat to the Adventurer's Guild. Apparently, a global organization oversaw demon subjugation, but Karen's role ended with delivering the report to the guild, who would handle the rest.

"Defeating a demon comes with a hefty reward," Karen said as we walked, her voice carrying a practical edge. "Since you were the one who landed the killing blow, the bounty should rightfully go to you."

"We took it down together," I countered, shaking my head. "Why don't we split it? Seems fair."

Karen's expression faltered, a hint of unease crossing her face. "I didn't contribute much this time, though…"

"That's not true," I insisted, meeting her gaze. "Besides, if we hadn't… you know, been together, I wouldn't have gained the [Defense Penetration] skill that let us win."

Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a shy laugh. "Heh, you might have a point there."

Her blush deepened as she glanced away, her voice softening. "Thinking about it now… I got pretty bold back there, didn't I? It's kind of embarrassing in hindsight."

"We were both caught up in the moment," I said with a grin, my own memories of our heated encounter stirring a warmth in my chest.

Karen hesitated, then looked at me with a playful glint in her eyes. "Well… how about tonight, then?"

"Huh?" I blinked, caught off guard.

"As thanks for helping with the demon," she clarified, her tone a mix of gratitude and teasing. "I don't know if my body's enough of a reward, but… if you'd like…"

"You mean… you'd let me be with you again tonight?" I asked, my pulse quickening as I met her gaze.

Karen's lips curved into a bashful smile, and she nodded, her eyes shimmering with a quiet invitation.