6 Soft Surprises

[ Initializing Integration Protocol ]

A mechanical echo reverberates in my mind, a symphony of a robotic female voice.

'A system? A subconscious manifestation I instinctively comprehend? This is crazy...'

"This is indeed intriguing…" The Goddess's voice interjects.

She keeps stealing glances at my left hand, but I choose to ignore it. It's clear she's avoiding the topic.

Before I can delve into more questions, another notification disrupts my thoughts.

[ Integration Complete ]

[ Welcome to the ACL System ]

'ACL? Ah, That long-ass name for that artifact right? What was it? The Aurelian Celestis Luminarum. ACL for short…'

"…"

"That's it? I don't get a manual or anything?" I mutter.

"A manual? You're supposed to grasp its usage instinctively. Do something," a voice behind me instructs.

"Woah! When did you get down? Wait, forget that! Can you see this too?" I point to the golden panel floating in front of me.

"I cannot. To me, you look like a guy glaring at the floor like a lunatic," she says with a smirk.

I sigh, refocusing my thoughts.

I gaze at the golden tattoo on the back of my mind.

"Status…" The word instinctively escapes my lips.

Another translucent, golden holographic display materializes in the air in front of me.

[Status Page]

[Name: ???]

[Level: 0]

[Age: 16]

[Attributes]

- Strength: Null

- Agility: Null

- Intelligence: Null

- Vitality: Null

- Willpower: Null

[Skills]

- None

[Titles]

- None

"Woah! Wait, what the shit? Why is my name not here? Also, what's with the null attributes?" I question.

"Hm? What's wrong?" The Goddess behind me asks.

"Uhh, the manifestation you were talking about earlier is a game-like interface for me. I can see all my attributes and abilities in a numerical form. It's called a Status Page. The thing is that my name is missing, and all my attributes have the word 'Null' next to them," I explain.

"Your name is missing? Ah, that's probably because you don't have a name anymore. Names are related to the Karmic Bonds that bind your existence to reality. Every name in existence is carved on the Luminara Codex. Once a named being dies, the karmic threads that connect them to the Codex get severed, resulting in the name being erased as well. You have achieved True Death so your name has been erased. Try to recall your name." She says.

'My name? My name is of course…eh? I can't remember…' My eyes widen.

Seeing the expression on my face, the Goddess makes an expression as if saying 'See?'.

I shrug my shoulders as I stop thinking about it.

"Regarding your attributes, given your current corporeal form, you lack any discernible traits. Nevertheless, a system, you say? Quite befitting of a legendary artifact!" She exclaimed, placing her hands confidently on her hips, and with pride, she pushed out her ample chest.

My eyes inadvertently go down.

'Whoa... they're massive…'

The Goddess's brows twitch as her confident demeanor fades, replaced by a blank stare fixed on me.

'Crap! Totally forgot she can read minds!' A blush creeps up on my face as I instinctively turn my head away.

Observing my reaction, the Goddess's blank expression transforms into a smug smile.

"Hmph! I suppose you're at that age, huh? Are your teenage hormones going wild after witnessing my beauty?" She remarks, strolling toward me.

"I can even let you touch them if you wa-"

"Yes, please!" I turn back, responding with a serious expression.

"Eh…?" The Goddess pauses in her tracks.

"What…did you just say?"

"I said that I accept your proposal. What? Don't tell me the mightiest Goddess is going back on her words?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Wha? Y-your whole character changed! Where is the meek and shy boy I know?! You haven't even touched a woman's hand yet! Y-you're supposed to be embarrassed and stutter like a little boy!" The Goddess stammers, pointing her shaking finger at me.

"Meek and shy? I killed him! He was too weak! My grandpa taught me that a man always seizes the opportunity in front of him! Not doing so is a sign of weakness!" I clench my fist in front of my face, my serious demeanor taking on a determined expression.

"W-wha?" The Goddess stumbles back, clutching her hands together. She looks down as her body starts to shake. A few seconds later, she glances up, slight tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"F-fine! You want to touch them that badly?!" She yells.

She then strides towards me and grabs my hand.

"Here you go then!" She shakily guides my hand to her bountiful chest and gently places it there.

"…mmn…" A soft moan escapes her lips.

"…"

'Areh?' I tilt my head to the side as my body freezes in place.

My fingers instinctively sink into her soft flesh. My hand unmistakably feels the gentle contours of her chest through the thin fabric of her dress. I can sense something firm brushing up against my palm.

'N-no bra?!' I exclaim silently in my mind.

The Goddess's teary-shut eyes widen as she disappears from her spot.

I glance back to find her on her throne, her face covered by her fingers.

"Defiled… I got defiled! A man touched me…awawawa…" Her face turns bright red as she starts shaking her head.

"…"

'This? This is the strongest Goddess in existence? My Goddess can't be this cute…"

"I'm not cute!" She glares at me with her teary purple eyes.

"D-don't look at me like that! I was just joking around with you! Who would have thought th-"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You defiled a virgin goddess! I don't want to hear your excuses! I condemn you to execution via seppuku!"

"Unreasonable!" A small smile appears on my face at our banter.

"Look you're smiling too! You evil monster! You groper! You Monster Groper!" She pouts cutely and points her finger at me.

[ Title Acquired : Monster Groper ]

"…" I stare at the notification in silence

'Fuck me…'

"Anyway, you have to go now! Leave! The Nexus is barely holding your soul from dissipating. It won't hold on for much longer!" She says.

"Oh! I almost forgot! Take this too, you'll need it." She points her finger at me, conjuring a bright crimson-red energy that surges forward and melds into my chest.

"What the?" I stagger back in surprise.

[ New Skill Acquired : Fatestrider Gaze ]

"Woah…" I gaze at the golden, translucent notification before me.

"Alright, now that that's done…" She snaps her fingers again, and her eyes light up.

An intricate purple-red magic circle materializes beneath my feet.

It begins to revolve slowly, enveloping me in its ethereal glow.

"I guess this is it huh?" My eyes light up.

"Wait! You never told me your name!" I look back up at her swiftly as the magic circle starts to revolve faster and faster.

"My name? Ah, I guess you never asked, huh?" She places a finger on her chin, tilting her head to the side.

A gentle smile graces her face as she looks back into my eyes.

"You may call me, 'The One Above All'…" Her eyes light up briefly as the space around her slightly distorts.

The runes on the magic circle radiate, casting a vibrant purple light over me.

'Guess this is it…'

"THEY WERE REALLY SOFT!!!"

A dazzling flash of light engulfs the space as the figure disappears.

"…" The speechless Goddess just stares at the empty space where the boy once stood.