The resort slowly stirred to life under the touch of morning sunlight. Riku and Kira remained wrapped in each other's arms, unwilling to return to the world outside their shared warmth. The calm after their intense night clung to the air like a soft fog, but Riku's thoughts had already begun to shift.
His system's alert still hovered in the back of his mind:
> [Companion Bond Voucher Acquired]
[Physical Synchronization Upgrade Available – Would you like to activate now?]
He hadn't activated it yet. Something told him to hold off until he was sure Kira was ready—emotionally and physically—for the next step their connection would bring. There was a depth in her eyes now, a silent promise. But even in the midst of trust, caution kept its grip on Riku.
By noon, the couple was dressed and relaxed on a private cabana. Kira lounged in a thin, breezy robe, sipping a tropical drink as she studied Riku's face.
"So... this system," she began casually, her tone playful. "When did it start?"
He leaned back, hands behind his head. "Few weeks ago. It just... appeared one day. Said I was selected for something called the 'Infinite Wallet System.' I thought it was a joke until it started giving me points and vouchers."
"And how does it work exactly?"
"I earn points by completing tasks, missions, achieving milestones, or even... experiences. Then I use those points to buy things—skills, objects, even authority. But I don't want to rely on it too much. I want to earn my place in this world, not just cheat it."
Kira nodded slowly. "That's... unexpectedly noble. Most people would go power-hungry."
"Believe me, it's tempting. But I've seen what blind power does to people. And I don't want to lose myself."
She looked at him with something bordering on admiration. "So why tell me now?"
Riku hesitated. Then he reached out and took her hand. "Because you already knew. And because I trust you."
Kira's fingers squeezed his. "You're right. I had my suspicions for a while. Your reflexes, the sudden money, the way you avoided impossible trouble. I just... put it together. But I didn't want to pressure you."
"And yet you still stuck by me. Even when it could've been dangerous."
"Because I believe in you, Riku. Not your system. You."
His throat tightened. "Thank you."
They stayed that way for a moment longer—then the air shifted.
From the treeline near the resort's cliff edge, a figure watched them.
Elsewhere, a phone buzzed.
---
Back in the city, the aftermath of Riku's growing influence was beginning to ripple. A man in his mid-thirties stood in front of a map filled with red strings and photos. On one side, a blurry image of Riku stood with a yellow sticker labeled "ANOMALY."
The man sipped coffee, dark eyes narrowing.
"You think you can stay hidden forever, boy? Everyone slips eventually."
Behind him, a woman in a lab coat nodded. "We detected another burst of non-registered energy last night—massive, high-emotion output."
"Track it. And if it's him... we make contact. Whether he's ready or not."
---
Back at the resort, Riku opened the system menu again. His points sat at 2,450—most of them accumulated through hidden missions tied to emotional growth and character milestones.
> [Hidden Mission Complete: Soulbound Intimacy]
[Bonus: 500 Points, 1x Skill Sync Voucher]
He didn't expect the system to reward emotions like trust and love. It both comforted and worried him. Was someone—or something—watching?
Later that evening, Kira wandered the beach in a sundress, her hair loose in the breeze. Riku followed a few steps behind, watching her with quiet appreciation.
She stopped suddenly. "Hey, Riku. What do you want from all this? I mean... this whole system. The rewards. The power. What do you really want?"
He didn't answer right away. He watched the horizon, the sky bleeding orange and gold.
"I want to build something real. A life. Not just for me. For the people I care about. For the ones no one else looks out for. I want to create a place where people like us can live without fear, where power doesn't corrupt everything."
Kira blinked, stunned. Then smiled. "Then maybe you're not just lucky, Riku. Maybe you're exactly the person who should have that system."
He stepped beside her and took her hand. The waves rolled in quietly at their feet.
But far away, storms were already gathering.
---
The next morning, Kira woke up to find Riku scribbling something in a notebook on the cabana's desk.
"Are you journaling now?" she teased, still wrapped in a blanket.
He grinned. "Just thinking through some ideas. Kingdom stuff. System blueprints. I need to be ready when we go back."
"Planning your empire while on vacation. Classic."
Riku shrugged. "Can't rest forever."
He opened the system again and browsed through categories: 'Properties,' 'Skills,' 'Tools,' and a new section—'Kingdom Foundations.'
> [Special Offer: Starter Territory Bundle – 1,000 Points]
[Contents: Land deed, portable shelter units, population management panel, resource monitoring tool]
He paused. "This could be it, Kira. Our starting ground."
Kira came over and leaned against him. "Then let's do it together."
He purchased it.
> [Bundle Acquired – Starter Territory added to Inventory. Access via Map Interface.]
As the sun dipped below the horizon again, Riku held Kira close. The moment of peace was nearly surreal—but deep in his gut, he knew it wouldn't last.
Because shadows always follow those who shine too brightly.