Badb glanced at the window, where moonlight hung high in the sky. “It’s getting late, hero,” she murmured, her voice soft and coaxing. “Time for bed.” She gently released her pheromones to draw Han along.

  Han felt the haze from the drinks she kept pulling from the "Magic Box." The mushroom mead slowed his thoughts while sharpening his senses in odd, intoxicating ways. He struggled to focus on the creation process as his mind drifted back to the night before.

  "You're a bad Badb girl," he said with a lazy smile. Her eyes lit up. She knew she would not need to coax him tonight. They both rose eagerly to leave, but the Avatar had other plans.

  Oshun, still seated across from them, tilted her head blankly. “Completion required. Test Mode. Try skills.” She was having none of it. They were not escaping that easily. She dispersed Badb's scent and pointed at the book.

  Badb sulked and reluctantly showed him how testing mode let him experiment with skills to find the ones he liked.

  Han grinned, foggy but eager to see his new form. “Fine. Let’s see the new model.”

  He focused on the character's appearance and assumed a T-pose. The Half-elf form snapped into place. His reflection appeared in the small cabin mirror: roughly the same size overall, but leaner. He tugged at the pointed ears as if they might pop off like cheap cosplay. Silver highlights gleamed in his black hair, and sharper cheekbones gave him a distinguished edge. He played with the stat sliders to test different looks. Maxing Strength turned him into a chiseled Greek god; he laughed and dialed it back. High Dexterity refined his muscles into something sleek and coiled. He spent time tweaking: less pretty-boy, more roguish. "I don't want to look like Chad or Gandalf."

  Badb helped adjust settings he could not see himself, circling him like an artist inspecting a sculpture. She tweaked here and there, even giving his backside a playful slap to "get it just right." She liked the final result very much. Stepping close from behind, she wrapped her arms around him. "You're even more handsome and charming than you were last night." Once again she released her pheromones on instinct. She wanted first claim on his virginity.

  He ignored the compliment long enough to select “Soul Read.” He wanted to test what it revealed, but mostly he wanted Badb's character sheet. The skill was expensive, so he stacked restrictions: three uses per day, target must consent, does not work on items. The cost dropped to something affordable.

  He turned to Badb. “Mind if I read you?”

  She batted her lashes and laughed. “Go ahead. I have nothing to hide from you.”

  He activated it. A translucent sheet bloomed in front of her.

  Badb Raven - Level 20/20 - Messenger of the gods

  Heroic Mage/Thief, Lawful Neutral. Avion (Crow)

  Winged Flight, Feathers. Divine transformation.

  Strength 15, Dexterity 20, Constitution 12

  Intelligence 17, Wisdom 12, Charisma 18

  Comeliness 19, Age 23/103, Height: 4'7", Weight: 107lbs.

  HP: 130, AC: 0, Mana: 176, Max Level spells: 8th

  Pick Pockets: 110%, Open Lock: 95%, F/R Traps: 120%, Move Silent: 120%

  Hiding: 110%, Listen: 110%, Climb: 85%, Code Break: 120%

  Spoken Languages: Avion (Crow), Highmen, Wood Elf.

  Written Languages: Avion (Crow), Highmen, Wood Elf.

  Weapon Proficiencies: Staff, Shortbow, Dagger, Sap, Blowgun

  Non-Weapon Proficiencies: Anatomy 15, Astronomy 17, Herbalism 15, Spell Sculpting 17, Appraising 17, Disguise 17, Read Lips 15, Endurance 12, Navigation 15, Trailing 20, Voice Mimic 18, Danger Sense 17, Singing 18, Persuasion 18, Direction Sense 12.

  Traits: Charming (Charisma +1 vs Females, +2 vs Males), Compassionate.

  Weaknesses: Blindly obeys orders. Insatiable desire for carnal pleasures.

  Special: Talon Feet, Exceptional Feathers, Exceptional Pheromones.

  Han stared, stunned by the detail. Most of it sailed over his head at first. Then it sank in. "Over 100 hit points! That's more than four times what I have. 110% to pick pockets? 120% to move silently? No wonder you snuck up on me without me noticing!"

  "Actually, it's a lot easier when you're passed out and under a spell," she laughed, "but who's counting?"

  He barely heard her. She was a mage with over 175 mana and 8th-level spells. Level 20 in two classes. And she was the weakest one here.

  “You’re max level? Forty!” he blurted. "You're a monster!"

  “Almost a century of guiding souls,” she purred. “But I’m a bit bored of all that now.”

  "You have more skills than I do!" He paused. "Why do you have two ages?"

  "I was 23 when the divine took me as a messenger and I stopped aging. I'm almost 100 years old now."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "103 actually," he said, then regretted it. He added quickly, "You're gorgeous though. Wait, you have Astronomy?"

  "Yes." She smiled, pleased they shared a love for the stars. "I have to navigate the heavens while guiding souls."

  Han smiled back at their new common ground and sat down to continue. Badb pressed close again, her scent distracting once more.

  Pheromones was not cheap, but it granted resistance to others' pheromones. He added restrictions: weak during the day and stronger at night, always present and cannot be turned off, diminishes with age.

  The moment it locked in, the air turned musky, woody, salty. Han felt far less distracted by Badb. Not that she was any less beautiful.

  Badb pouted. “No fair.” Then she smiled, leaned in, nostrils flaring. "Actually, this is very good," she purred, cuddling against him. Gone was her midnight-flower scent. To others, he now smelled like a man who had just finished a long day of heavy labor. To him, it was just his own familiar smell. But the change hit everyone else hard.

  Even Oshun shifted in her seat. His musk affected her too. She rubbed her legs together, eyes closed, a faint flush creeping up her neck. She had never felt these sensations before, and her mind wandered to the sights and sounds she had observed in the bedroom the previous night.

  Badb was drunk on the salty-wood scent, but as she leaned closer, Han turned the page. “Naming ritual!" she said excitedly. "This one is for Legendary Champions only. It’s very expensive, but it evolves henchmen one champion category. I used to be exceptional until I was named!”

  Han scanned the description. “Let’s stack restrictions.”

  He scribbled into the tome, which glowed with each entry:

  No henchmen allowed, only willing companions who meet all parameters.

  Only uncoerced females can be companions.

  Max one companion per level, fixed and cannot be replaced.

  Two family members or close friends must approve.

  All existing companions must be present at the ceremony.

  Ritual takes six hours and requires companion nudity.

  Companion must always wear a collar made by the Master.

  The collar must contain a precious stone matching their soul.

  Companion must be fully informed of all pros and cons.

  Companion must Soul Read the master before agreeing.

  Badb whistled. “You just made it consensual, expensive, and permanent. Bold.”

  Han shrugged. “If I’m going Legendary, might as well go all-in.”

  He moved on to other traits, carefully balancing risks and benefits. Ideas for travel, storage, and reconnaissance appeared. Some he tested; others he invented just to see the system's response. Each invention granted bonus points, even if he did not take them. Most ideas already existed as spell-like abilities, but the truly perverse ones did not. He realized the real power lay in stacking restrictions. Some skills, like pheromones, could even receive mana for temporary boosts.

  Badb’s encouragement grew quieter. Her face flushed, her breathing quick. Han wondered if she was ill or if the mead hit her harder. Maybe she was allergic to mushrooms. She slipped one strap off her shoulder and stood, ready to pounce on him right there, in front of everyone. She figured the Avatar could see through walls anyway.

  Oshun stood suddenly, short of breath. “Enough.”

  Badb froze. “Mistress?”

  Oshun's divine energy rolled through the cabin, thick with the overwhelming sweetness of honey and flowers. Han’s head throbbed. Badb whimpered softly and leaned against him for support. Even Elea and Hebe, half-asleep in their corners, stirred awake. Oshun turned, placed her elbows on the table, and stared at Han.

  Her voice was soft but firm. “Test your skills.” Wind stirred clothing and hair. The world tilted. Down became left, right became up. Disorientation gave way to primal instinct in a haze of feathers, skin, and heat.

  Han remembered only flashes: his hands gripping Oshun's hips, voices rising, energy surging. Cries of passion. Everything blurred into euphoric darkness. No one was spared.

  Han woke tangled in sheets with Badb's naked body pressed against his. Her head rested on his chest, breathing slow and steady. Sunlight streamed in. His body ached in a strangely satisfying way. He was getting used to these blurry nights. He kissed her forehead. Her sleepy eyes opened.

  "Morning, my Raven beauty," he said warmly, pulling her closer.

  "Morning, Hadofi, my hero," she murmured. "Maybe we could find a way for you to stay here with us?"

  A flash of green light edged the door.

  "OSHUN! What have you done!" The voice boomed. "Get dressed, everyone get dressed!"

  The cabin shook at its foundation. The bedroom door disintegrated in flames.

  “You filthy piece of mortal trash! Your creation process is done.” The goddess stood in the doorway, fiery hair sparking fires across the cabin. "I'll burn this place to the ground like it never existed!" The amulet around her neck glowed brighter, ready to explode. Her eyes burned like twin stars, setting the roof alight as she screamed.

  "But I'm not done," Han protested. "I didn't finalize anything. I was just testing skills and... things got out of hand." Panic rose as she looked ready to kill. "I still need a couple days to—"

  The cabin erupted in an inferno. The bedroom wall exploded outward as Badb acted on instinct, pulling Han outside with her magic.

  “Go from here and never return. I hope you die. It matters not to me.”

  Reality tore open. Badb's shielding magic strained against the rift.

  Badb’s cry, “No!”, was the last thing he heard.

  Then there was only darkness. Cold stone. A cavern with a heartbeat.

  Notifications exploded across his vision.

  Unique exploration - Level Up x4

  Forcefield Activated – 20:00 remaining

  He blinked into the darkness. Half-elf low-light vision kicked in.

  Ancient scales gleamed. A massive head lifted. Steel-gray eyes opened, glowing with fury.

  An ancient Steel Dragon stared down at him.

  “Now how did YOU get in here?!” its voice stormed, echoing through the cavern.

  He swallowed hard.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”