Hollow Crown: SSS-Ranked Godslayer’s Rise

The moment Lirael stepped close enough, Ethan's hand shot out and pulled her toward him.

He was sitting at the edge of the bed, legs dangling down. She stumbled, falling neatly into place across his left thigh. Her arms looped instinctively around his neck for balance, her folded knees pressed between his legs. One of his arms held her slender waist firmly while the other braced her from behind, keeping her from slipping.

Their faces were so close now that she could feel the warmth of his breath brushing against her lips.

"So?" Ethan murmured near her ear, his voice low, teasing. "Will you give me my reward… or should I just claim it myself?"

Her crimson cheeks betrayed her, and her voice trembled.

"I-I'll… I'll give it… myself. But first… let me go."

Ethan chuckled. "Haah… I told you before—you should raise your strength a bit. That way you could at least resist me, even a little."

With that, he released her.

Lirael scrambled to her feet, retreating several steps until she was a safe distance away, her flushed face half-hidden by her hair. She raised a trembling hand toward him.

"Close your eyes."

Ethan blinked, suspicious. "Huh? What are you up to?"

"J-Just do it!" she stammered, her tone sharper than usual.

Amused, Ethan obeyed, leaning back slightly and shutting his eyes. He listened carefully, the quiet creak of the floorboards giving away her hesitant steps as she drew closer.

Then—softness.

A warmth pressed against his lips, so delicate he almost thought he imagined it. His eyes snapped open instinctively—and there she was. Lirael, her eyes squeezed shut, face crimson, kissing him.

For a heartbeat, he didn't move. Then, slowly, he let the sensation settle in, relaxing into it. Her lips trembled against his, unpracticed but earnest. He closed his eyes again, letting her do as she pleased.

But as soon as the kiss broke, Lirael gasped, spun away, and practically leapt into the bed as if running from a ghost.

Ethan smirked. "Nuh-uh. You think that's enough?" He rose after her, his tone low, playful, dangerous. "For the torture you've put me through? That doesn't even fulfill fifty percent."

"W-What do you—ah!"

Her protest cut off as Ethan caught her by the waist and pinned her down against the bed. With one hand he trapped both her wrists above her head, the other cupping her cheek, tilting her face up toward him. Then, without hesitation, he pressed his lips against hers.

"Mmm~!"

She squirmed beneath him, legs kicking lightly against the blankets, but her resistance quickly faltered under his weight and persistence. His kiss deepened, stealing her breath until she had no choice but to respond.

Through their link, his voice slid into her mind, husky and relentless.

Do you want me to stop?

Her answer came stammering, her thoughts breaking apart even as their lips stayed locked.

I-It's not that… but it's too sudden!

Well, Ethan replied, smug, that's what you get when you cut corners on someone's well-earned reward.

His mouth moved against hers again, slower this time, deliberate. He wasn't rough—though his grip kept her trapped, his touch lingered with surprising patience, as if coaxing her into unfamiliar territory rather than overwhelming her.

Lirael's heart hammered in her chest, each beat louder than the last. Her arms tugged weakly against his hold, but she didn't truly want to break free. Not now.

---

Meanwhile, outside…

The muffled thud of movement and a faint squeal slipped through the walls of the rented inn room.

Down in the lobby, a pair of adventurers paused mid-conversation, glancing toward the staircase.

"…You hear that?" one muttered, brow raised.

"Yeah. Sounds like someone's… busy." The other smirked knowingly, earning a round of chuckles from the nearby group.

The receptionist, busy sorting parchments, froze mid-motion. Her face turned scarlet as she realized what the noises might mean. She cleared her throat loudly and tried to focus on her work, though her ears were burning bright red.

An older adventurer leaned against the counter with a grin.

"Ahh, young love. Brings me back."

The receptionist shot him a sharp glare, flustered.

"Keep your voice down! Guests need their privacy!"

Still, despite her scolding, she couldn't stop herself from sneaking a glance up the stairs every so often, curiosity betraying her professionalism.

---

Their lips finally parted, and Lirael gasped for air, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breath. Ethan was still above her, one hand pinning her wrists against the pillow, his weight keeping her firmly in place.

Her flushed face turned to the side, avoiding his gaze, blue strands of hair sticking slightly to her damp lips.

"You… you're the worst…" she whispered between breaths, her voice trembling but sharp.

Ethan chuckled, low and amused, leaning closer so his chin brushed her cheek.

"The worst? That's how you describe the man you just kissed back?"

"That wasn't… that wasn't me! You forced—" she bit her lip, eyes flicking away again. "I only… did it once. The rest was yours."

"Exactly." His grin widened. "That's what I mean when I say you cut corners. You think a tiny peck on the lips is enough for me after everything you put me through? Not even close."

Lirael struggled weakly, her wrists tugging against his grip, but her strength was no match.

"Let me go already…" she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction.

"Not until you admit it."

"A-Admit what?"

"That you wanted it too." His tone dropped, half-tease, half-serious, and for a heartbeat, the air between them grew heavier.

Her blue eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She stammered, "I-I… I didn't—"

But her pulse, hammering beneath his hand at her wrist, betrayed her.

Ethan's smirk softened into something more patient. He loosened his grip just enough for her to notice the difference, his lips brushing against her ear.

"You can keep calling me the worst all you want… but I'm not letting you run away from this."