34 Sceptical Stephanie

Nelson's mind whirred violently. He was a squirrel caught in the maw of a coyote. An acidic bile poisoned him from within, he felt a plague swarming his insides. 

He stared at John, inferiority slithering through him like a spectre. Intangible, yet so suffocating that it left him gasping for breaths. Life had never prepared him for this indignation or the inner moil that manifested physically on his trembling fingers and quickened pulse. 

And things only got worse as he stared in disbelief at John's actions. Just hugging his Stephanie wasn't enough. No, this monster had the audacity to claw at her ass right in front of him. Something Nelson had never dared to do. Stephanie was a confident woman and someone like Nelson wasn't qualified to take the initiative with her.

The world around him warped and distorted, like nightmares seeping through reality. Reality itself was being manipulated and it was all because of the man in front of him. 

John clawed his fingers deep into the squishy flesh of Stephanie's buttocks, one of his fingers sneaking towards her slit. Stephanie fought hard to suppress a moan as she pressed herself closer to John. This was too embarrassing, even for her. She had worked hard to maintain her strong presence, but here she was, like a doll in his hands.

The hallway had been cut in half. Nelson's side was coloured black. His inner moil spreading over the hallway like a black mass of illness and disease, whereas John stood proud, like a shining beacon at the top, a glimmer of hope amidst the disease-ridden lands.

John looked down at Stephanie. Her cheeks were flushed crimson as she panted with ragged breaths. He lifted her chin and asked, his voice feigning concern, "are you okay, babe?"

Stephanie nodded, that was all she could do. Her eyes were a haze, raw and pure lust obscured her gaze. This was enough to set off Nelson.

"You fucker!" Nelson roared as he clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. As John flashed a smug grin towards Nelson, the wronged man swung his fist wide towards John. 

Nelson's fist glowed with power. John thought it must be a skill, but he stood unmoving. Stephanie panicked, unable to do anything, but as the fist got closer, John simply thought of one word in his mind...

Shockwave.

Nelson was blasted backwards like a ragdoll. His momentum stopped when his back hit the wall and he shouted in agony. His anguished cry pierced the air. The hallway hushed in shock as the survivors all stared with wide eyes at Nelson's state.

The intensity of his agony was palpable, like a wounded animal making the forest vibrate with raw, searing panic.

John strode towards Nelson and knelt beside him. "Stay away from Stephanie. She belongs to me, now," he hissed, the venom in his words slithered through Nelson's souls and etched a permanent warning. 

[Brag about Your Conquest Completed]

[2 Strength Obtained]

[Bonus Reward: Camouflage Coat Delivered to Inventory]

Satisfied with the rewards, he turned on his heel and sauntered off with Stephanie by his side. The episode had left the onlookers wondering what was going on, but they could only speculate. 

As John arrived back at his lean-to with Stephanie, he sat her down back on the stool and he leaned back on his makeshift bed. 

"John," Stephanie said meekly. "Am I your girlfriend now?"

He curled his lips into a smile and said, "yes, but..."

Stephanie's nose scrunched up, she wasn't expecting a but, but who would?

"You can't be the only girl for me, Stephanie."

"What!?" She cried, piercing the air with indignation.

"You just want me to be your side-chick?"

John's eyes closed shut and took in a deep breath. He knew this conversation would be difficult, but he had to do it. He guessed he would be with many women in his quest for strength and keeping it a secret was simply impossible. 

"It's not like that. It's related to my class," he said as he glanced at Stephanie, scanning for her reaction.

Stephanie cringed, her features distorting beyond recognition. 

"That's the worst excuse I have ever heard," she retorted.

John chuckled, though there was a hint of frustration behind his smile. "It's not an excuse, Stephanie. My class forces me to... well, be with other women. It's complicated."

Stephanie's anger ebbed, replaced by confusion. "What do you mean, 'forces' you?"

John sighed, rubbing his temples. Explaining this was never going to be easy. "I can't control it. I have to fulfil certain quests, and some of them involve... being with other women. It's not something I want, but I can't go against my class's nature."

Stephanie's expression softened as she began to grasp the situation, or should we say, fall to his schemes. "So, you're saying it's not because you want to, but because you have to?"

John nodded solemnly. "Exactly. I don't want to hurt you, Stephanie, but I can't escape the demands of my class. It's a curse as much as it is a power."

Of course, this was all a lie. John might not have wanted it at first, but it had been some time since he began to enjoy his class.

Stephanie let out a long sigh. "I... I don't know if I can believe that."

"Well, do you want proof?" John offered and Stephanie nodded instantly. She was not a paranoid person, but this was just too convenient for her to believe.

"Alright, then..." John began, lifting his bare arm to Stephanie's eye level. Stephanie observed, puzzled at what he was trying to do, but her eyes widened as she saw all his muscles tightening and pulsing with energy.

"This is your Skill. Muscle Strengthening."

Understanding flashed in her face. This was proof. John was telling the truth, after all. She rubbed her nose and release a deep sigh. What was she supposed to do now? Was she supposed to be okay with this? Could she be with a man that would be sleeping with many other women just so he could gain strength? 

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Stephanie's eyes narrowed with an edge of scepticism. "Wait a minute," she began, her tone taking on a chilling edge. "Did you sleep with me just to steal my Skill?"