Chapter 68

"Increase... Charm"

!~Ding~!

+1 Charm

Charm: 3↑

As the Log's response echoed, Aether couldn't feel any immediate change, unlike the distinct sensations that accompanied adjustments in his other attributes... that was pain and energy.

Charm seemed to manifest as a plain, unremarkable improvement.

Glancing at the Monster, Aether's hope flickered faintly, unsure of what to expect. The creature's reaction remained inscrutable, lacking any significant shift in demeanour.

He wasn't entirely sure what he was hoping to achieve, but Aether, who had garnered affection from various animals in the past, felt a glimmer of confidence stir within him. It was a fleeting sensation.... he could do something.

"Increase Charm"

!~Ding~!

+1 Charm

Charm: 4↑

Still, the white snake showed no sign of pause or reaction.

"Increase Charm"

!~Ding~!

+1 Charm

Charm: 5↑

"Hiss?" The sudden hiss from the snake carried a hint of confusion and displeasure, yet it pressed forward, undeterred.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Aether muttered under his breath,

"Increase Charm by 2"

!~Ding~!

+2 Charm

Charm: 7↑

Now... To his surprise, the snake abruptly halted, its piercing two black eyes fixed on Aether with a newfound curiosity.

+1 Affection

Aether blinked in astonishment, his mind echoing with a silent exclamation of 'Seriously?!'

Nevertheless, seizing the opportunity, he persisted,

"Increase Charm"

!~Ding~!

+1 Charm

Charm: 8↑

"!!!" The snake visibly reacted, flinching and blinking in quick succession before an unexpected surge of affection flooded in.

+100 Affection

'OMG!!!' Aether's internal excitement surged, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration.

"~Hisss~" The snake, now showing a hint of curiosity mixed with caution, approached Aether methodically. Its movements were deliberate, almost calculated as if it were assessing him for something beyond mere physical threat.

But then, in a sudden turn of events,

"!HHIISSS!!"

The snake's demeanour shifted abruptly, its previously curious gaze turning into a menacing glare as it focused intently on Aether's hand. The air seemed charged with tension, the threat of imminent danger palpable in the snake's aggressive posture.

'gulp'

Aether swallowed audibly, a nervous reflex in response to the escalating tension. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he cautiously released the branch he had been holding... just in case he was fucked up really!!

'Thud'

Despite Aether's attempt to defuse the tension, the snake continued to stare at him with an unwavering intensity, its eyes gleaming with a predatory glint.

The snake then slowly parted its jaws, a gesture that usually signalled an impending strike. In response, Aether decided to take a bold yet calculated action,

"Put everything into Charm!!"

!~Ding~!

+2 Charm

Charm: 10↑

Remaining AP: 00009

"!!!" The sudden change in 'Something' caused the white snake to abruptly halt its movement, its menacing posture giving way to a moment of stillness. With a graceful motion, it closed its mouth and delicately moved its nose toward Aether's face and

'Sniff, Sniff'

The snake's inquisitive exploration continued, its keen senses taking in Aether's scent with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.

"Hiss~"

Aether remained composed, though inwardly tense, as the snake's tongue made contact with his face. The sensation was alien yet oddly gentle, a stark contrast to the creature's earlier hostility.

The white snake's dark black eyes, usually gleaming with a predatory intensity, suddenly flickered with a mesmerizing mix of black and white hues before returning to their usual ominous darkness.

"Hiss~"

As the snake withdrew, Aether, who had been clenching his eyes in anticipation, slowly opened them. Surprisingly, he felt no lingering touch from the snake's tongue.

As his gaze met the snake's intense stare, Aether couldn't help but feel a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

"H-Hello?" Aether waved his hand tentatively, attempting to break the tension that hung in the air.

The snake blinked a few times, its gaze unwavering but not hostile...

"Hiss~"

The sudden sound from the snake didn't signal aggression but rather a gentle response.

+100 Affection

Gulping nervously, Aether slowly extended his hand toward the snake's face, his movements cautious and deliberate. He observed the snake's reactions closely, searching for any signs of danger or hostility.

Just inches away from making contact, the snake remained vigilant, its eyes fixated on Aether's hand, analyzing for any potential fires or any kind of other hidden attacks... Sensing no imminent danger, the snake gradually moved its head closer, allowing Aether's hand to approach without resistance.

'Touch'

Aether's hand made contact with the snake's cool, scaled nose, the texture surprisingly smooth and soft to the touch. With gentle strokes, Aether explored the contours of the snake's face, marvelling at the creature's intricate features.

"Hiss~"

The snake emitted a soft hiss, not of warning but almost in response to the comforting touch it received. Its eyes, previously sharp and alert, now closed slowly, a gesture that hinted at a newfound sense of trust or relaxation in Aether's presence.

+200 Affection

"Hehe..." Aether couldn't help but let out a small, sad smile, tinged with a mix of emotions as he rubbed the snake's nose.... It was an odd situation, attempting to seduce (He wasn't sure whether it was seduction or something else) an animal... more like a monster that just ate his... Friend?

'hehe... I fucking seduced a.... monster...hehe' Aether couldn't help but feel the bitterness.

After a few moments of gentle rubbing, Aether spoke softly, "M-My name is Aether."

The snake slowly opened its eyes, its gaze meeting Aether's as he stopped the soothing motion.

"Hiss~"

Aether smiled warmly, interpreting the snake's hiss as a response, even if it was nonverbal.

With a mix of nervousness and hope, Aether ventured, "C-Could you spit out the girl you ate?"

The snake's reaction was immediate, a frown forming on its scaled face as it withdrew slightly, conveying a sense of reluctance and perhaps impossibility in fulfilling Aether's request.

"Hiss!"

The snake hissed again, this time with a hint of frustration and refusal, making its stance clear.

Undeterred, Aether persisted with a pleading tone as he really wanted to save the friend he got here,

"P-Pretty Please!!" His expression was one of earnest pleading, hoping against hope for a positive response.

+1000 Affection

"Hisss~"

In a surprising turn, the snake coiled its tail around Aether's leg and stared at him with even more curiosity.

"...." Aether stood there, his mind reeling from the surreal turn of events, as if he had just borne witness to something beyond his comprehension.

"Crrhh,Currr...Cough..."

The snake's sudden coughing fit caught Aether off guard, a desperate attempt to expel what it had consumed.

'Thud'

The sound of something hitting the ground snapped Aether back to reality. He rushed forward as the snake spat out Stella, her form covered in a slimy residue from within the snake's belly.

"Stella?... Stella?..."

Aether called out to her repeatedly, his voice filled with a mix of relief and concern. He glanced at his log and noticed the blinking green finally settled down as if there was no danger hereafter.

As he checked her pulse, Aether noticed, her heart was beating but she wasn't breathing. Without hesitation, he laid her down gently, lifted her chin partially parted her lips and.... performed CPR, and tried to revive her.

The white snake observed curiously, unable to comprehend why the human wasn't using healing potions. It watched intently as Aether worked to revive Stella.

After a few tense minutes,

"Cough, Cough"

"Stella," Aether called out as he saw her coughing.

With hazy eyes, Stella looked up at Aether, recognizing him through the haze. "A-Aether?"

"Yes," Aether smiled softly, gently brushing the sticky hair from her face.

"W-What happened?" Stella's voice was weak as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings.

"Well, I saved you... Kind of," Aether replied with a hint of uncertainty and his expression was kind of 'Wasn't sure'.

".... Hehe.." Stella giggled softly, her trust in Aether evident in her demeanour.

"Hiss~"

At the sound of the snake's hiss, Stella's eyes widened in surprise as she finally noticed the creature that swallowed her whole fully standing behind Aether.

"It's fine, it won't hurt us anymore," Aether reassured her, sensing her apprehension.

Stella frowned but ultimately sighed, her body weary from the ordeal. She accepted Aether's words, but then,

"Did you...." Stella's words trailed off as she rubbed her lips, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Of course, I needed to pump your lungs..." Aether began to explain why touched her without her consent as he believed this world might revolve around some old traditions or something, but before he could finish, Stella's face lit up with embarrassment.

Just his agreement was enough to break fuse Stella's mind as her face, neck, and ears turned bright red and

+10000 Affection

!~Ding~!

Congratulations Mission Completed!!

Reward: ???? is unlocked now

Congratulations for Completing the Trail!!

As the notifications flashed before him, Aether felt something warm against his neck, and then everything faded to black as he fell unconscious.