An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

"This is a Void Stone," Arthur began. "On the surface, it looks like a harmless decorative gem, but its real use is much more sinister. It's a tool that can open portals—gates, to be precise—between two places. That's why Gerrak wanted it so badly."

Alicia frowned, leaning closer. "Portals? Like teleportation? That doesn't sound so bad… unless…"

"Exactly." Arthur nodded, his expression darkening. "Unless it's used in the wrong hands. Imagine opening a gate in the middle of a crowded city and letting demons pour through. That's what Gerrack was after. This stone is a weapon disguised as a trinket."

"Ok, but I still have one more question. Why are you so str-"

Before Alicia could finish her sentence, Arthur raised his hand, cutting her off. "No more questions, Alicia. I'm exhausted. That fight with Gerrak drained me completely," he said, his voice heavy with weariness.

Alicia's expression shifted from curiosity to guilt. "Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't realize how tired you were," she said softly. "Alright, I'll let you rest. We'll talk tomorrow."

Leaning in, she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, her face slightly flushed. "Take care, okay?"

Arthur nodded, offering her a faint smile. "You too, Alicia."

With that, she turned and left, the sound of the door clicking shut signaling her departure.

Arthur let out a sigh of relief as the door clicked shut behind Alicia. "Finally," he muttered, sinking deeper into the couch. "Why does she have so many questions?"

He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders, feeling the exhaustion of the day's events catch up with him.

"Hey, Sol," Arthur called, his voice low.

[Yes.]

"So, what are the rewards? They better be worth all the trouble," he said, leaning back and closing his eyes.

[Here's the list of rewards,] Sol replied, and a translucent screen appeared in front of Arthur.

[Mission: Child Rescue]

Status: Complete

Rewards:

10,000 FP10,000 Gold Coins

Title: The Faceless Protector

Description: A title earned for completing heroic deeds while avoiding public recognition.

Effects:

Increases respect and awe among those who hear tales of the user's deeds (+10% to reputation gain, even when remaining anonymous).

Bonus charisma when wearing disguises or operating under a false identity.

Ring of Fortune:Description: It may or may not bring good luck to the wearer...?

[Sudden Mission: Defeat Gerrack]

Status: Complete

Rewards:

50,000 Kill Points

Artifact: Demonbane Sigil

Effects:

Passive: +20% increased damage to demons.

Active: Creates a barrier that weakens all nearby demons, reducing their power and resilience for a short time.

Elixir of Potential: Description: Can increase the consumer's potential. Can only be consumed once.

Arthur read through the list, a satisfied smirk forming on his face. "Not bad," he muttered. "Especially the Elixir of Potential. That's a rare one."

[You did well,] Sol commented.

"Well, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, but I'll take the rewards. The Demonbane Sigil will be handy, considering the mess we're in with these demons."

Arthur took a moment to summon the Ring of Fortune. It was a simple silver band with a faint golden sheen. "Looks ordinary," he said, turning it between his fingers. "Honestly, I was expecting something more… dramatic. Do you think it'll help with Gacha spins?"

[Highly unlikely. Your luck is already borderline absurd,] Sol replied. [The ring's effects are probably wasted on you.]

Arthur scoffed, tossing the ring up and catching it. "So, it's just glorified trash for me?"

[Not trash. Just not optimal for someone like you. However, it could prove invaluable to someone with terrible luck. Perhaps gifting it could forge an alliance or pay off a debt,] Sol reasoned.

Arthur raised an eyebrow but quickly shook his head. "I'm too tired to argue about this right now. Just show me my status window. Let me see if today's chaos was even worth it."

[Understood. Bringing it up now.]

Arthur's Status Window materialized before him, filled with new rewards and upgrades. As his eyes scanned through it, Arthur couldn't help but grin, his earlier fatigue momentarily forgotten.

Name: Arthur Ludwig

Age: 15

Title: Heir of Ludwig | The Faceless Protector

Strength: 85
Find more adventures on empire

Agility: 68

Stamina: 55

Intelligence: 75

Perception: 80

Charm: 38

Luck: 90

Titles: Transmigrator | God's Chosen | Scholar | The Faceless Protector

Mana Affinity:

Light, Fire, Dark, Space, Earth, Wind, Divine

Aura:

Intermediate (Hint: Could evolve into Advanced/Legendary)

Class:

Swordsman | Mage | Healer

Skills:

Ironwill (S-SS): A defensive skill that shielded the mind from all mental influence.

Observer's Gaze (B-SSS)

Allows the user to peek into another's status window, scaling in effectiveness as skill evolves.

Dragon's Gaze (SS)

Instills overwhelming fear or awe in weaker opponents and grants the ability to intimidate even higher-level beings. Can see mana and spirits.

Silver Tongue (C-S)

Enhances persuasive abilities; can charm and manipulate others with words. Success depends on skill level and resistance of the target.

Elemental Mutation (A)

Combines different elemental spells to create new, unique, and often unpredictable spells.

All Rounder (S)

Effortlessly excels in any skill or field undertaken.

Spirit Slasher (D)

A basic combat skill allowing the user to slash through ethereal beings.

Death's Touch (SS)

Drains vitality from enemies through physical touch, potentially fatal.

Purification (A)

Cleanses potent toxins, curses, and negative effects.

Weapon Master (S)

Proficient handling of all weapon types, though not at grandmaster level.

Foresight (SS)

Briefly predicts an enemy's next move.

Divine Grace (B)

Grants minor resistance to weak curses and injuries for allies.

Friend of Nature (A)

Beasts and magical creatures are naturally friendly towards the user.

Quick Learner (B)

Increases the user's learning speed and retention.

Shadow Manipulation (A)

Allows control over shadows, shaping them into weapons or defensive constructs.

Sensual Pheromones (Active/Passive)

Emits an aura that heightens attraction and arousal, useful for seduction or manipulation.

Chantless Magic (B)

Allows for silent casting of spells, increasing speed and stealth.

Blade Dance (D)

Basic sword skill allowing rapid slashes.

Arcane Shield (D)

Summons a basic magical shield to absorb damage.

Hypnotic Gaze (C-S)

Induces hypnosis or compulsion through eye contact.

Shadow Step (C-S)

Allows short-range teleportation through shadows.

Primal Tongue: Can Understand Beast Language

Items: Venom (Untainted) (Bound to Host) | Drakathorn | Unknown Beast Egg | Demonbane Sigil (Artifact) | Elixir of Potential | Ring of Fortune | Mana Shield Pendant | Blindfold of Submission | Mana Blade of Precision (Legendary) | (Miscellaneous items are omitted)

Familiars: Thunderbird (SS)

Harem: Lily, Alicia

Points:

Eroge Points: 683,000

Fate Points: 61,000

Kill Points: 85,000

Whenever I look at my status window, the more it feels like I'm becoming a monster myself.

[You're not wrong. The list of your skills keeps growing endlessly,] Sol commented dryly.

"And it's still not the end," Arthur replied with a chuckle.

[Indeed not.]

With a light laugh, Arthur got up and stretched before heading to his bed. "Alright, Sol. Let's call it a day. Tomorrow, the game continues."

[Sweet dreams, Hero,] Sol said, its voice fading as Arthur finally allowed himself to relax.

The next morning, Arthur slept in much later than usual, his body demanding rest after the chaos of the previous day. His peace was abruptly interrupted by a persistent pecking on his head accompanied by high-pitched chirping.

"Quit it, Zephyra. Let me sleep," Arthur muttered, his voice groggy, as he pulled the blanket over his head.

The pecking didn't stop.

Frustrated, Arthur groaned and finally opened his eyes, ready to scold Zephyra. But what greeted him wasn't what he expected.

On his bed sat a small, fluffy red chick, its feathers glowing faintly with an ethereal sheen. The chick tilted its head, looking at him curiously with bright, intelligent eyes.

More surprising was Zephyra—his proud SS-class beast companion—prostrating herself under the chick's tiny foot. Her head was bowed low, as if she were submitting to a superior being.

Arthur blinked, his exhaustion forgotten. "Sol, what's going on? Why is an SS-class beast like Zephyra acting like this? And where did this chick come from?"

[Exactly what it looks like. The 'chick's' bloodline is pressurizing Zephyra,] Sol replied in a flat tone, as if the situation were entirely normal.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me this tiny fluffball is some kind of big deal?"

[Yes. A very big deal.]

"Okay… but where exactly did it pop out from?" Arthur pressed, his frustration showing.

[Where all birds come from: an egg.]

"Sol, seriously—"

[It's the unknown beast egg you got as a mission reward. Its incubation completed this morning, and it hatched,] Sol clarified.

Arthur groaned. "So, I got a chick from it. What am I supposed to do with this? Fry it?"

[You could try,] Sol said dryly. [But I highly doubt you'd succeed.]

"Sol!" Arthur exclaimed, exasperated.

[What? You're the one asking ridiculous questions. If it were just an ordinary chick, why would an SS-class beast like Zephyra feel bloodline pressure from it? Think about it.]

Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, okay, I was being dumb. I'm not awake enough for this yet."

Turning his attention back to the little red chick, now preening its feathers with a regal air, Arthur muttered, "Alright, let's see what you really are, little guy."

He activated [Observer's Gaze], focusing on the chick to reveal its details.