I stripped down quickly, leaving only the essentials to cover my lower half. My skin, cooled by the air, felt the soft breeze brushing against it. I took a deep breath, muscles tense from the humidity that clung to the forest. I told Quincy to raise all my stats to 100%.
Whenever I was at 1%, 5%, even 15%, my body never felt truly in sync. Every little fluctuation made me feel out of place, like I wasn't in harmony with the world around me.
My body always adjusted to the stats I selected, but if I wanted to experience a truly refreshing, relaxing bath... 100% was the only way.
Without overthinking it, I stepped under the waterfall and began to bathe out in the open. The water pounded down on me with force—revitalizing, sharp, crisp.
I closed my eyes for a moment. The solitude, the calm... it made me feel something unexpected.
I wanted to sing.
No one was around. Nothing to hold me back. No judgment. Just the quiet freedom to let out thoughts I always buried deep in my chest.
🎵 It's just... you inspire me 🎵
🎵 Every single time I see you 🎵
🎵 You're a masterpiece, I mean it 🎵
🎵 And I gotta admit it 🎵
🎵I just love loving you."🎵
While Brian sang, he had no idea he was being watched.
Two beings—secret guardians of this forested realm—were hiding nearby, mesmerized. Their eyes sparkled as they observed the boy's unexpected beauty and the soothing harmony of his voice.
They were dryads.
Gogo: "L-look at that human child..." her voice trembled. "H-how dare he bathe in a river protected by the water nymphs?"
Trusil: "Y-you're right..." she replied, equally shaken. "But we're only forest nymphs. We can't intervene."
Gogo: "Come on, Trusil… we've been following him since he entered the forest. B-but I don't get it… how did he become so beautiful all of a sudden?"
Trusil: "Do you think he's even more beautiful than our queen?"
Gogo: "If you ask me, he surpasses her… He's so beautiful."
Trusil: "T-then go tell one of the water nymphs to drive him out."
Gogo: "A-are you crazy, Trusil?! L-let him keep bathing! I love the way he sings!"
Trusil: "…Fine. Let's just keep watching…"
As Sam kept singing, his looks and charm began to stir the attention of more nymphs. What started as two watchers turned into a silent gathering. One by one, dozens of nymphs hid in the trees, listening to that enchanting voice, eyes locked on him in awe, unsure if the melody itself was casting a spell on them.
Alls—drawn by the voice, by the aura, by the presence— hiding among trees and reeds. Enchanted. Frozen. Captivated.
Ducaela, the oldest and wisest among them, arrived just as the chatter grew louder.
Ducaela: "Trusil, Gogo… why didn't you tell us there was a beautiful human boy bathing in our river? You're so selfish."
Gogo: "I'm sorry, Ducaela... we just wanted to watch him for ourselves... just us."
Daysi: "WHAT?! You pervert, Gogo!"
Gogo: "I'm sorry, Daysi… Wait—you're here too?! Don't call me a hypocrite when you're drooling like the rest of us!"
Before a full-blown argument could erupt, Ducaela raised a hand to silence them. They didn't want to alarm the boy beneath the waterfall.
Then one of the water nymphs approached her, visibly worried.
Nimue: "This doesn't feel right… something's off."
Yiku: "It's unavoidable. His beauty is too much."
Sam's allure was... unreal.
Even for the nymphs, who had seen centuries of mortals and demigods, the boy was… beyond explanation. Not even their queen could match this presence.
All of them remained frozen, captivated by the sight. Enchanted by his voice.
Ducaela leaned toward Yigni, who hadn't moved since arriving.
Ducaela: "Yigni, go tell the Queen to come. Immediately. Or ask her what we're supposed to do about this stunning human boy."
Yigni: "…But I don't want to leave… I want to keep watching and listening to that lovely voice…"
Ducaela: "The sooner you go, the sooner you'll see him again."
Yigni: "…Okay. I'm going, I'm going."
Meanwhile, Sam—blissfully unaware—continued singing, the water crashing around his body, the breeze gently brushing over his soaked skin.
🎵 It's your body, calling me at night 🎵
🎵 I know you need me, girl, it's right 🎵
🎵 You're so damn fine, you blow my mind 🎵
🎵 But it's your attitude… it's what pulls me tight 🎵
🎵"I wanna wake up with you every weekend, girl..."🎵
🎵 Doing all the wrong things… right from the start🎵
🎵"You're my secret, you're my world..."🎵
The words just poured out. Improvised. Unfiltered. Pure.
Like the waterfall behind him—he flowed freely.
Until...
[Ding!]
[System Message: Condition met. Your Charm stat has exceeded the allowable growth cap. You have acquired the active skill: «Dimensional Charm.»]
FINALLY. My first active skill.
I grinned and tilted my head slightly, feeling the power well up inside me.
I opened the skill window:
«Dimensional Charm»
(No Rank)
– You are the embodiment of seduction, charm, and pure talent. No one can resist you.
+100,000% Attraction
+100,000% Charm
+100,000% Charisma
+100,000% Likeability
Effect: Captivate the masses—or anyone.
Duration: 3 Hours.
Cooldown: 3 Days
[Note System: Skill is currently restricted by 90%]
I blinked.
"...Good thing this is an active skill," I thought. "If it were Bassic, Quincy would be worthless."
***
Back with the nymphs...
They whispered, giggled, stared.
Nagel: "Mmm... if only he weren't a child... I'd..."
Rihanna: "WHAT the hell, Nagel?! Humans are off-limits! Plus, he's clearly a kid!"
Yiku: "Oh, come on, Rihanna. Can anyone here honestly say they wouldn't devour him if given the chance?"
Nari: "That's immoral, right Trusil?"
Trusil: "Maybe for humans... but for us? Not really."
And then—
An overwhelming, divine presence surged through the forest.
The water shivered. The trees bowed.
She had arrived.
The Queen. The Guardianof the Nymphs.
The goddess of love herself...
Aphrodite.
[To be continued…]