With a clear chime ringing in my head, long system messages poured down before my eyes like a waterfall.
[Beginning combat results calculation.]
Ding— ding— da-ding— ding—
[You have slain the enemy commander-class entity “Kardor Ironskin.”]
[You detected in advance and perfectly repelled a nocturnal surprise attack that threatened allied forces.]
[Through deceptive tactics that turned the enemy’s trap against them, you annihilated “Gromnar Ironfist” and the main force of the Ashen Claw tribe.]
[You have completely seized the Ashen Forest, a key stronghold on the Western Front.]
I scrolled down with a satisfied smile. The most important reward message appeared.
[You have acquired a massive amount of experience as a reward.]
Ding—!
[Your level has risen to 10!]
[You have acquired 1 new skill point.]
Ding—!
[Your level has risen to 11!]
[You have acquired 1 new skill point.]
“Ha, as expected.”
My prediction had been right. If I’d taken down a mid-boss, defended against a night raid, and even killed the final boss only to gain a single level, I would have felt cheated. Two levels in one go. With that, I was now level 11.
But the notifications did not stop there. Instead of the usual blue window, a dazzling golden window appeared before my eyes, brilliant enough to sting.
[Congratulations! As a special benefit for reaching level 10, the following skill is provided.]
“Oh….”
It seemed to be a bonus given separately from skill points. Filled with anticipation, I read the golden skill window.
[Conception Control]
Detailed Description: When ejaculating, you may manipulate at will the activity of sperm released into the body and the probability of fertilization. It is possible to completely prevent unwanted pregnancy (0%) or to reliably induce implantation with a single act (100%). This skill cannot be leveled up.
“Huh.”
It wasn’t surprising. It was an exceedingly [Harem Overlord Integrated Pack]-like skill. Fortunately, I liked the effect itself. From now on, I wouldn’t have to bear the risk of pregnancy. Just thinking about joining bodies with Hannah without a condom already made my lower half grow heavy.
Whoosh—!
Golden particles poured out and wrapped around my body. Along with the sensation of an electrifying current running through me, a heavy, hot warmth settled in my lower abdomen.
I then checked the skill window.
[Owned Skill Points: 2]
[Please select one of the options below to receive your reward.]
1. [Enhance Existing Skill]
2. [Acquire New Skill]
Without hesitation, I entered [Acquire New Skill].
1. [Bullet Time]
Detailed Description: Upon activation, you enter a hyper-accelerated state in which, for up to 3 seconds, you perceive the flow of the world except yourself as slowed to 1/10 speed.
Number 1 was [Bullet Time], holding its place as always. I looked down without hesitation.
2. [Iron Virility]
Detailed Description: During sexual interactions with the opposite sex, physical vitality and stamina increase dramatically. This skill cannot be leveled up.
“Hmm?”
[Iron Virility]? If it had been a perk, I would have gladly taken it… but I didn’t feel it was worth spending a precious skill point on. I hadn’t particularly felt short on stamina when doing it with Hannah, either.
I moved over to [Enhance Existing Skill]. Then I selected [Touch of Attunement]. It was an essential skill if I was going to continue managing Seraphina.
[Do you wish to enhance the skill “Touch of Attunement”?]
“Yes.”
[The level of the skill “Touch of Attunement” will increase. (Lv.1 -> Lv.2)]
[You can now sense, manipulate, or reconstruct the target’s bio-energy with greater precision.]
A new sensation seeped into my hands. A strange feeling, both electrifying and ticklish. Somehow, it felt as though the sensations I perceived through my hands had become sharper.
“I wonder how well I can control [Mana Overload] with this.”
[This skill has reached its maximum level.]
And it seemed level 2 was the maximum for [Touch of Attunement]. Thanks to that, I had 1 skill point left.
I returned to [Acquire New Skill] and chose [Bullet Time]. It was far better than [Iron Virility], which was useless outside of sex.
“Still feels a bit lacking.”
Since I was taking something I’d always pushed to a lower priority, I felt a little unsatisfied.
But I still had points I could get from promotion to captain or from Seraphina.
[You have selected the skill “Bullet Time.”]
[You have acquired a new skill!]
Along with a ding, information and sensations regarding the skill flowed into my mind. I instinctively understood how to activate it and how I should move.
It was then. I heard an irritating buzzing sound. A fly.
“When you live in the military, bugs tend to gather around you.”
Especially quick flies like that one—I’d long since given up trying to catch them.
“I probably won’t have any use for it for about a day anyway, so I might as well test it.”
I needed to confirm whether my body could handle the accelerated time, and whether the skill truly worked as I imagined, before using it in real combat.
I waited a moment for the fly to come closer. The thing had been wandering around inside the tent as if it owned the place, and soon it flew toward me.
“Now.”
[Activating skill “Bullet Time.”]
In that instant, every sound in the world stopped. No, it hadn’t stopped. The buzzing of the fly had stretched into a bizarre low drone—bzzzzzzzzzz.
Before my eyes, I could clearly see the fly flapping its wings slowly, as if in slow motion.
I reached for the military boot lying on the floor. Then I struck the fly without mercy. Thuuuuud—! With an extremely light sensation, the fly died.
I looked around. Time was still slowed. I returned the boot to its place and took a bite out of an apple sitting in the corner of the tent.
“……When does this end?”
Crunch, crunch. Only after I had taken three bites of the apple did [Bullet Time] end. At the same time, a system message appeared in one corner of my vision.
[The skill “Bullet Time” has entered cooldown.]
[Remaining Time: 23 hours 59 minutes 57 seconds]
After trying it, [Bullet Time] turned out to be an even more incredible skill than I’d thought.
“Three seconds at 1/10… That means I can use 30 seconds. Thirty seconds is much more than I expected.”
If I sprinted at full speed for 30 seconds, while others covered only a few dozen meters, I alone could run well over two hundred.
“1/10. It means I can move ten times faster than others. This is definitely overpowered.”
I also checked my body’s condition. Had I injured any part of myself by moving so quickly? Getting hurt because the body couldn’t keep up with accelerated senses was an obvious cliché.
“I’m fine.”
But there were no injuries.
“In the end, this place is inside a game, and this is a skill.”
For me, that was a good thing.
*
A few days later, the 7th Regiment returned to headquarters, leaving only a minimal garrison in the Ashen Forest. Officially, it was for time to reorganize in the rear, but in reality, rumors were circulating that the breakthrough we had opened would be handed over to follow-up units, and the 7th Regiment would take a rest.
The rumbling line of trucks and the footsteps of soldiers patterned the dirt road. I sat in the passenger seat of a jeep and looked out the window. The familiar main gate of the base came into view.
Soon the jeep stopped, and I got out, straightening my clothes. At that moment, I caught sight of Seraphina getting out of the vehicle in front.
“……Ho.”
An exclamation escaped me before I realized it. She was not dressed in the combat uniform I always saw. Perhaps she had changed clothes before our return; she was wearing the dress uniform of an Imperial female officer.
The dress uniform of Imperial female officers was famous for its strange balance between practicality and aesthetics. The top was a tight tunic that emphasized the waistline, similar to that of male officers, but the bottom was not trousers.
It was a black, form-fitting H-line skirt that rose slightly above the knees.
Below it were flawless black stockings and long leather boots.
“She always wore pants before.”
Why had she chosen to change clothes at this exact time, when we were returning?
Perhaps she felt my gaze, because she turned her head. When our eyes met, she flinched in surprise and looked away. The tips of her ears were slightly red.
[Status: Conscious of Max Jaeger’s gaze.]
“She must have wanted to show me.”
I chuckled and approached her.
“Welcome back, Captain. Your dress uniform suits you very well.”
“……I merely dressed properly because I have to report my return to the regimental commander.”
She replied in a deliberately stiff tone.
“…Tomorrow, there will be a preliminary meeting chaired by the regimental commander regarding rewards and commendations. The atmosphere suggests your promotion is all but certain.”
“Thank you. It is all thanks to you, Captain.”
“No, it is due to your own ability.”
Seraphina paused for a moment. She drew it out as if what she was about to say was important.
“…And, this evening.”
Her voice grew quieter.
“I will come to your quarters.”
Oh-ho.
“…I need treatment, don’t I?”
“Understood. I will prepare.”
*
Knock, knock.
“…It’s me.”
At the appointed time, there was a knock. The door opened, and Seraphina entered. She was still dressed in the uniform I had seen earlier.
“Loyalty. You’re here, Captain.”
[Status: Suppressed fatigue.]
[Hidden Trait: Mana Overload - Chronic internal injury. Pain is beginning again.]
It seemed the effects of touching her back during the operation had worn off. As if the pain had begun again, Seraphina’s complexion was pale, and her body was trembling faintly.
“Where are you uncomfortable?”
“…This time too, it’s my whole body.”
“Then today as well, starting from your back…”
“No….”
Seraphina’s low voice cut me off.
“Today, I will receive it on the front… And the lower body as well.”
“…….”
Her trembling hand moved toward the buttons of her shirt.