Ch 167.
The following days found Matt navigating through various smaller settlements, each encounter eliciting a spectrum of reactions that ranged from indifferent shrugs to wide-eyed fear. The latter often arose when townsfolk caught sight of his and Bob’s impressive levels displayed through some skill or item they possessed. Most of the time, he simply moved on without a second thought, uninterested in lingering where he wasn’t welcomed. However, there was one instance when an overzealous local attacked him; in response, Matt absorbed the blow, coldly transferring the injury back to the man, leaving him to suffer alone. Strangely, it seemed the settlement had someone capable of healing nearby, as Matt didn’t receive any notification about gaining zero experience points for what felt like the hundredth time.
Yet, amidst these encounters, it was the daily messages from Rose, detailing her frantic flight from Spencer, that truly gripped his attention. He learned that she had been forced to flee twice more after he had managed to track her down, and it took every ounce of his willpower to resist calling her. Though he wouldn’t consider it a waste of time, reaching out would be his only means of coordinating with Emily or Greg, both of whom had pressing matters to discuss regarding the Scattered Stars guild.
Though what truly made it weigh heavily on his mind was the knowledge that during their next conversation, he intended to end their relationship. This thought churned within him, causing deep inner turmoil. If he called and promised her that once they reached the dungeon entrance, they could be together, it might buoy her spirits momentarily. Yet, that would be a deceitful promise, one that would ultimately shatter her heart. Even if he attempted to salvage things when she finally arrived at the dungeon, the truth loomed ominously. Telling her the reality of their situation would devastate her, likely causing a momentary lapse in her will to survive. Even if she could bounce back, she couldn’t afford to lose precious hours mending from such a blow. Thus, Matt chose silence, except for the brief messages of encouragement he appended to his daily posts in the leadership chat, hoping to provide some measure of support from afar.
Rose furrowed her brow, struggling to regain her breath after narrowly escaping Spencer once more. She opened the leadership chat and scanned the messages from her comrades, each one urging her to stay strong and reassuring her that she could persevere. Yet, it was Matt’s message that captured her attention; today, it simply read, “I know you have it in you.” This wasn’t the encouragement she longed for. Deep down, she understood that their relationship was on a collision course with an inevitable end, but until that moment arrived, she wanted to cling to the fantasy of their connection a little longer. Dark thoughts occasionally crept into her mind—what if she fell to Spencer’s hand? She imagined Matt avenging her death, becoming a tragic hero in the aftermath. With a sigh, she composed a brief message before settling in for the night: “I’m exhausted, in every way I can think of, and I don’t know how much longer I can run.” After sending her message, Rose conducted a final sweep of her surroundings, ensuring the coast was clear before seeking refuge in the skeletal remains of a car, its rusted frame a relic from a time long before Earth had merged with this new reality. The juxtaposition of the familiar and the foreign weighed heavily on her, making the world around her feel disjointed and surreal.
Meanwhile, Spencer couldn’t suppress a chuckle as he sank down onto a nearby rock after another day spent pursuing Rose. He relished the challenge she presented, savoring the thrill of the hunt, and had had no intention of hastening the end of their twisted game, but the time had come. Although he sensed that she might not willingly submit to his desires, stalking her was proving invaluable experience in understanding how humans reacted when faced with danger. Yet, he could feel the tension building toward a climax, and he anticipated that even without rushing, it would be only a day or two at most before she succumbed to exhaustion. Confident that she had finally found a moment of rest, Spencer stealthily approached the car where she had sought shelter, his heart racing with anticipation.
Rose jolted awake, her breath catching as a hand tightened around her throat while another gripped her arm, yanking her from the car’s cramped shelter. In a desperate attempt to draw her sword, she felt it slip from her grasp, clattering to the ground as her eyes locked onto Spencer’s. The pity reflected in his gaze sent a jolt of confusion through her; why did he look at her that way? As he forced her down onto the gritty pavement, pinning her belly against the rough surface, she realized the futility of her struggle. Even if she summoned every ounce of strength and tapped into the essence of struggle within her, it would alter nothing. Reality was unyielding, and while she might have escaped when adrenaline fueled her, that moment had long passed. Still, the fact that she was alive ignited a flicker of hope within her. She drew on that spark, channeling her essences of faith and resilience to search for a way forward.
“Good, you know that you’ve lost our little game,” Spencer said, a smug satisfaction washing over him as he noted her lack of resistance. This was his moment to speak. “Now, have you had time to reconsider my offer?”
“That’s not an offer; it’s a sick joke,” Rose spat, anger flaring within her. “You’re nothing but a rapist.”
“No, I will only fuck you if you ask me to,” Spencer replied, his chuckle chilling her to the bone. “I’m simply asking you which you value more: your life or your free will?”
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“You know that if I agree, I’ll kill you the first chance I get!” she shot back defiantly.
“Ah, that’s where the wonderful system comes into play. One of my aspects is control, but don’t ask about the rest,” he said, a gleam of arrogance in his eyes. “I’m certain I’ve developed a skill that will allow me to force you to obey my commands once you agree to become my slave.”
“So, you’re not just a rapist; you’re a slaver too!” Rose shouted, her struggles becoming increasingly futile against his weight. “I can’t wait to see you get killed and—”
“Then you’ll need to be alive,” he interrupted, a sinister smile curling his lips. “So, how about it? I’ll even promise not to force you to fight anyone but Matthew Pierce from Scattered Stars as part of the deal. Think about it—you won’t have to betray anyone but him.”
A laugh bubbled up from Rose, but it quickly morphed into a torrent of tears as her emotions spiraled out of control. She realized with a sinking dread that Spencer was oblivious to the depth of her connection with Matt; he had no inkling of the tumultuous feelings she had wrestled with for months, feelings that had only intensified since their return to Earth. A part of her yearned for an end to it all, yet another voice screamed in defiance, insisting that this moment could be a pivotal turn on her path. Accepting this dreadful bargain might grant her an unexpected advantage, a power that Spencer could never hope to wield. Deep down, she understood that the choice she was about to make would lead her into a labyrinth of suffering, but it also promised a chance to draw closer to Matt. “Promise me you won’t demand any information about Scattered Stars beyond where Matt is heading and why, and I’ll agree,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute.
Spencer stared at her, momentarily taken aback by her acquiescence and the singular condition she had set. If he were being honest, her proposal was nearly perfect; the destination of his next move was the most crucial piece of the puzzle, and her knowledge of it was invaluable enough that he would allow her to avoid becoming his mere plaything. The realization caused him to hesitate; she prioritized concealing details about Matt over his whereabouts. This indicated to him that she believed Matt was invincible and perhaps hoped Spencer would hasten to confront him, allowing her a quicker escape. “No, I want every scrap of information you possess about Matthew Pierce. And let me be clear: I will not lay a finger on you, nor permit anyone else to touch you sexually unless you explicitly request it without my prompting. The only reason you’re still breathing is that I don’t presume I can find him without your help, and you will continue to act as if you’re evading me whenever you contact them.”
Rose’s heart sank, yet a flicker of defiance ignited within her as she grappled with the grim reality of her situation. She couldn’t shake the feeling that escaping Spencer's intentions was nearly impossible. Still, a nagging suspicion crept into her mind: perhaps he had never truly intended to violate her, but rather, he had planted that horrifying thought to manipulate her into accepting an even worse fate.
“No,” she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice. “Don’t make me the reason Matt loses to you. I’d rather endure the torment of bearing your children day in and day out for the rest of my life.”
Spencer smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. “You think I won’t do worse than that?” he challenged, calling her bluff with a chilling confidence. “If you refuse to comply, I can ensure you’re used repeatedly by any man who pays for the privilege. You’ll give birth more times than you can count before your life slips away.”
“Fine,” Rose spat back, her resolve hardening. “But know this: even if you possess all the knowledge I have, he will still defeat you. He has tricks up his sleeve that you can’t even begin to fathom.”
“Let it be bound!” Spencer declared triumphantly, a sinister grin spreading across his face. In that moment, Rose felt an oppressive weight settle over her spirit, a clear indication that a skill had been activated. Yet, despite the darkness enveloping her, she fought to suppress a smile. She could envision a future escape; it would take time, but she sensed that a single misstep in their twisted agreement could unleash her essences of struggle and resilience, shattering the chains that now seemed to bind her.
As Spencer rose to his full height, the air crackled with his authority. He began issuing commands, his voice cold and unyielding. “You are not to harm me or yourself. You are not to engage in any actions that might jeopardize either of us unless I explicitly order you to do so. Now, tell me everything you know about Matthew Pierce.”
Rose fought against the urge to withhold information, but no matter how fiercely she battled with her thoughts, the words spilled from her lips uncontrollably. Resigned, she began at the very beginning, recounting every detail of her time with Matt. A smile crept across her face as she described their first encounter and the blunders he made, such as selecting a camping spot that was utterly unsuitable. Even in those early days, his instinctive fighting style and propensity for reckless decisions were evident. She recalled how he had attempted to venture off on his own right from the start, only to find himself unexpectedly surrounded by a group of women, a humorous image that illustrated his charm and naivety.
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but notice Spencer’s expression darkening with each story she told, his displeasure growing as it became clear that Matt was far from the formidable opponent he had anticipated. Nevertheless, Spencer pressed on, his curiosity piqued with every new ability Rose revealed about Matt. When they reached the moment where Matt had healed Zara’s burns in the dungeon, Spencer had asked pointedly if Zara was Matt's woman. Rose felt a pang of truth as she replied that Matt had no woman. It was an undeniable reality; though they had never openly discussed it, she knew she could no longer claim that title for herself, not by any stretch of the imagination.
This realization weighed heavily on her heart, filling her with despair, yet it also brought an unexpected sense of liberation that she couldn't quite comprehend, leaving her feeling guilty for the relief. Regardless, she pressed on, determined to share everything while trying to suppress the anguish that accompanied each memory. Meanwhile, miles away, Matt continued to forge ahead, oblivious to the fact that an enemy was piecing together valuable insights about him. All he focused on was Rose, aware that she was embroiled in a struggle that would determine her fate, and he hoped fervently that she would emerge victorious so they could find some semblance of closure in their relationship, whatever that might mean for them both.
