The next morning, the university campus buzzed with weekend energy. Students moved in excited clusters across the lawns, drawn by underground fights, high-stakes gambles, and faction gatherings. The air felt charged with anticipation and barely restrained tension.
In Lucas's luxurious bedroom, Yuna stirred awake slowly. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the tangled black silk sheets in a warm glow. Her body felt pleasantly heavy—thighs aching, her pussy still swollen and tender from being thoroughly used for hours. The faint, sticky sensation between her legs reminded her of how many times he had filled her.
A satisfied smirk curved her lips as memories surfaced: Lucas pinning her down, the deep stretch of his cock, the relentless rhythm of skin slapping against skin until she was screaming his name.
With a soft wince, she sat up. The sheets slid down her naked body. The space beside her was empty. A small flicker of disappointment passed through her chest, but it faded when she took in the state of the bed—twisted sheets, scattered pillows, and the unmistakable evidence of how thoroughly he had claimed her.
She slipped out on slightly shaky legs and headed to the bathroom. Deliberately, she used his shower gel and shampoo, wrapping herself in his scent. After drying off, she slipped into one of his oversized bathrobes, the fabric slipping off one shoulder and brushing against her thighs.
The savory aroma of breakfast greeted her in the hallway. On the dining table sat a neatly prepared meal: fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, toasted bread, and fresh fruit. A folded note leaned against the plate.
I made you something. Eat up, then come find me at the Merit Exchange Pavilion.
Yuna's pulse quickened. She picked up the note and pressed it lightly to her nose, a shy smile blooming on her face.
"He actually cooked for me…" she whispered.
She took a bite, and her eyes widened. "Damn… It's really good."
She ate quickly, the simple gesture warming something in her chest. Once she finished, she changed into a tight red top that clung to her curves and form-fitting jeans that hugged her hips and ass. After slipping on sleek shoes, she headed out.
As the Merit Exchange Pavilion came into view, her steps faltered. The memory of William and his bullies cornering her on her first day flashed through her mind. She stopped, fists tightening at her sides.
I'm not that girl anymore, she told herself firmly. I will never be weak again.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder.
Yuna spun around, startled.
Vivienne Laurent stood there, warm amber-brown eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. "Easy. It's just me."
Yuna exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest. "Sorry… I got lost in my head."
Vivienne smiled knowingly but didn't press. She already knew what had happened on Yuna's first day.
"Anyway, where's Lucas? He called me here."
Yuna shook her head. "No idea. He asked me to meet him here too."
Vivienne arched a brow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Weren't you two sharing the same bed last night?"
Yuna's ears burned. A slow, possessive smile tugged at her lips as memories of Lucas buried deep inside her flooded back. "We were. All night."
Vivienne's brows lifted slightly, catching the new confidence radiating from Yuna. Interesting… she's different this morning.
A low voice came from behind them.
"Looks like you both made it."
Lucas approached with confident strides, dressed in a sleek black combat outfit—neck-zip top, tactical pants, a heavy trench coat with golden outlines, and rare-grade boots. Trailing behind him was a girl around 5'6" with long mint-green hair tied in high twin ponytails. She wore a tight black turtleneck and a shiny black mini-skirt paired with thigh-high boots. Beside her walked Owen, a heavyset man with a reinforced bag slung over his shoulder, chewing gum lazily.
Lucas winked at Yuna as he reached them. "Come on. Quick introductions, then we move."
They took a round table in a quieter corner of the pavilion. Once everyone was seated, Lucas nodded toward Kira first.
"You've probably seen her around. Kira—same advanced class as us. Epic-grade healer. She's in after I promised her bonus credits per raid."
Kira gave a small, shy wave, her cheeks turning pink. "Hi… nice to meet you all."
Lucas gestured next to the heavyset man. "Owen awakened a collector class. He'll handle salvage and transport. No spatial artifacts are allowed inside most gates, so we need him."
Owen leaned back in his chair, his eyes openly roaming over Yuna and Vivienne with obvious appreciation. "Morning, ladies. Can't say I'm complaining about the view."
Yuna didn't spare him a glance. Her eyes stayed on Kira, a flicker of suspicion passing through her pink eyes. Great. If Vivienne wasn't enough, now we've got this shy little beauty joining the party.
Vivienne offered a neutral nod before turning to Lucas with a raised eyebrow. "What exactly did you promise him to get him on board?"
Lucas leaned back, calm and in control. "Mentioned you two were coming. That was all it took."
Owen's grin widened. "What can I say? Opportunities like this don't come every day."
Lucas shook his head with amusement and gestured around the table. "This is Yuna—assassin class, already at Initiate-stage Secret Art. And Vivienne, who most of you have probably heard about."
Kira's eyes widened with genuine awe, her twin ponytails swaying as she leaned forward. "You're already at the Initiate stage? That's… really impressive."
Yuna sat up a little straighter, pressing closer to Lucas's side. A smug, satisfied smile curved her lips as she soaked in the admiration.
Owen smirked as he leaned back in his chair. "Plenty of low-rank gates are open this weekend. So, what are we hitting, boss?"
Lucas scanned the group, his blue eyes calm and decisive. "F-rank Undead Dungeon."
Owen nearly choked on his gum. "Undead? For a warm-up? We could start with something easier—slimes, horn rabbits, anything that doesn't try to eat your face off first."
Lucas stood up, his combat outfit shifting with the movement. Every inch of him radiated quiet confidence. "Where's the fun in easy?"
He turned and walked away without waiting for a reply. The others quickly followed.
They made their way to the main counter inside the Merit Exchange Pavilion. A middle-aged staff member looked up from his terminal with a bored expression.
"Raid request? Team composition and grade?"
Lucas stepped forward. "F-rank Undead Dungeon. Team of five. Immediate slot."
The staffer's eyebrows rose. He glanced over the group and let out a short chuckle. "Undead already? You kids really like dancing with death on the weekends."
His eyes lingered on Yuna and Kira for a moment before shifting to Lucas and Vivienne. Recognition flashed across his face. He immediately straightened up and cleared his throat.
"Vanderbilt… and Laurent," he muttered, suddenly more professional. "This is your first time entering a gate, correct?"
Vivienne gave a small nod. "We already know the basics. Just book the slot."
The staff member hesitated for a second, then sighed.
"Alright, I'll keep it short. Gates are ranked from F to SS. The higher the grade, the stronger the monsters, the worse the environment, and the nastier the boss. F-grade is basically training wheels—weak mobs, simple layouts. Once you hit C-grade and above, that's when people start dying for real. Pack tactics, elite variants, hidden bosses… sometimes even Disaster Events that can trap a whole party inside."
Lucas nodded. "What about EXP distribution?"
"Strictly by contribution—damage, kills, healing, scouting, buffs, everything. The Academy takes fifteen percent off the top. The rest is split based on individual performance. Final blow on the boss gives a bonus multiplier."
Yuna spoke up. "What happens if someone much higher-ranked enters a low-grade gate?"
The staff member's expression turned serious.
"Then you get nothing. The system usually blocks rewards entirely. In some cases, the gate can even mutate, which has caused casualties in the past. The Academy strictly forbids it. So don't try dragging a high-ranker in to carry you. Everyone pulls their own weight inside."
He glanced at their faces, satisfied with their serious expressions, then quickly processed the request.
"Slot confirmed. F-rank Undead Gate—stability at 87%. Departure in thirty minutes."
Lucas's bracelet pulsed with a soft blue light as a system notification appeared for the entire party:
[Raid Slot Confirmed — F-rank Undead Dungeon]
[Slot Fee: 1,000 Merits per Member]
[Base Reward on Successful Clear: 2,500 Merits per Member]
[Additional Loot & Contribution Bonuses Apply]
Owen whistled. "Not bad for openers."
They left the pavilion and made their way to the academy's fortified gate zone. A wide plaza ringed with reinforced barriers and hovering surveillance orbs led to the center, where a dark-violet portal swirled within heavy mana stabilizers. Faint moans and the distant clatter of bones drifted out from within.
Students and staff gave their group a wide berth, whispers following in their wake.
Lucas stopped at the edge of the gate, staring into the vortex with a cold, anticipatory smile. Yuna quietly brushed her fingers against his. Vivienne stood with focused calm, while Kira fidgeted nervously beside her. Owen adjusted the heavy bag on his shoulder.
The gate hummed louder, almost hungrily.
Lucas took one step forward, his voice low but steady.
"Time to find out what this world is really made of."
***
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