Chapter 5. Basics of the System
The campfire crackled softly beside them, casting dancing shadows across the trees that encircled their small camp. As their conversation meandered, Nora found herself sinking into the first true moment of peace since arriving in this world. Her body still hummed with the afterglow of her forest experience—that unexpected, primal release that had somehow opened a doorway between worlds. The memory sent a pleasant warmth through her limbs, a secret heat that made her glance shyly at Sumi.
Night descended, stealing away the forest's vibrant colors and replacing them with muted twilight—yet paradoxically, everything felt more intense to her senses. Perhaps it was the lingering sensitivity from her earlier awakening, but colors seemed oversaturated, sounds carried farther, scents lingered longer.
Nora's mind was racing, trying to make sense of Sumi's revelations. A Goddess of Love. The concept went against everything she'd built her understanding of the world on—where things could be explained, where reality followed rules. Yet here she was, sitting in a forest she'd previously only visited in dreams, speaking with a foxkin woman who—by any reasonable measure—shouldn't exist.
Her grandfather's words echoed through her memory: "Some people have one foot in each world, little dreamer." She'd dismissed those tales as she grew older, filing them away as childhood fancies. She'd chosen a path of logic and reason, of concrete reality. And yet...
What if her grandfather had been trying to tell her something important? What if those weren't just bedtime stories? He'd spoken of paths between worlds, of beings who could walk freely between them, of ordinary people chosen for extraordinary purposes. She could almost see his weathered face, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he described the hidden doorways between realms.
If she accepted that a Goddess of Love existed and had somehow helped her cross between worlds, then what did that mean for her? What was she supposed to do here? And more importantly, why her?
The fire's warmth and reddish hue created a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The sounds of the forest had quieted as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something profound to happen. The flickering light created shifting patterns on the ground and nearby tree trunks, the shadows stretching and retreating with every gust of wind.
Feeling the weight of exhaustion finally catching up with her after the intense day, Nora shifted closer to Sumi, seeking warmth and comfort. The ground beneath her was cool, but at least the blanket of moss and grass softened it. Nora's head rested gently in Sumi's lap, and the softness of Sumi's fur-covered thighs offered a sense of peace that Nora hadn't felt in weeks.
Sumi, smaller in stature but strong and sure, instinctively adjusted her position to cradle Nora more comfortably. She ran her fingers through Nora's fiery red hair, her golden eyes glowing softly in the firelight. The gentle touch of Sumi's hand on Nora's forehead was calming, a rhythmic motion that lulled Nora into a sense of security. Nora could feel the soft rise and fall of Sumi's breathing, a steady rhythm that somehow complemented the quiet crackle of the fire. Sumi's scent was unexpectedly pleasant. It wasn't absolutely foreign but, at the same time, definitely not human. And it only improved Nora's sense of calm.
"So," Nora broke the comfortable silence, "if what you're saying is true, and there's a Goddess of Love involved here, I need to understand why. What does she want from me? What am I supposed to be doing here?"
Sumi smiled warmly, her tail curling around Nora's ankle in what was becoming a familiar, comforting gesture. "The gods don't always spell things out clearly, you know. They tend to nudge rather than push."
Nora frowned slightly, dissatisfied with such an open-ended answer. "But there must be some reason, some pattern to all this. Even magic must follow some kind of rules, right?"
Around them, the flickers of fire continued to play tricks in the darkness, stretching tall and thin along the trees before vanishing into nothingness, only to return again with each move of the flames. The light danced on their faces, illuminating Sumi's soft fur and Nora's sun-kissed skin in a warm, amber glow. The night air carried a cool breeze, but it wasn't chilling. It was too early to judge, but this world seemed very mild in many aspects. And the heat from the fire kept both women comfortable, a cocoon of warmth in the darkness of the night.
Their bodies entangled, and their voices dropped to a whisper. Nora and Sumi whispered about their strange connection from the first serendipitous encounter to the present moment. They shared stories of their worlds and the unexplainable events that had brought them closer. But they also talked about simpler things, like their biggest dreams and deepest fears, and building this... relationship... that started developing.
When she was almost ready to drift to sleep, Nora felt a profound shift deep within her. A sensation that went beyond the physical. It was as if something bigger-than-life had taken root, a connection between her and Sumi that transcended mere companionship. It was a feeling of unity, of being understood on the most basic level.
Simultaneously, Nora felt Sumi's hips tense under her head. The foxkin woman sensed this change as well. And she gently placed a hand on Nora's shoulder, her touch tender and grounding.
"Don't be afraid," said Sumi. "That's absolutely normal."
"What's normal...?" asked Nora. But then...
...It wasn't merely a feeling. Reality seemed to split open—not before her eyes, but within her mind. Something foreign yet oddly familiar crashed through her consciousness like a wave breaking against shore. Text materialized against the darkness of her thoughts, luminous and impossible, assembling itself like code being compiled in real-time. A interface, hovering in her mental landscape. A system.
========== System Console ==========
Name: Nora Foxgrove
Title: Chosen One of the Goddess of Love
Level: 1 out of 5 - Apprentice
Total skill slots: 10
Used skill slots: 8
Skills left to choose: 2
========== Skills ==========
Aura Defences: 0.0% (new skill)
Dream Manipulation: 0.0% (new skill)
Emotional Influence: 0.0% (new skill)
Empathic Sensing: 0.0% (new skill)
Energy Sharing: 0.0% (new skill)
Healing: 0.0% (new skill)
Sensory Enhancement: 0.0% (new skill)
Sexual Magic: 0.0% (new skill)
Continue for more info [Y/N]?
Nora's body jolted with surprise, causing her to quickly start up from her comfortable position in Sumi's lap. She tried to swat the glowing text with her hand, but it didn't want to go away. It didn't even react when her arm passed through the letters.
"What the hell? Sexual magic?" Nora blurted out, her voice cracking on the words. Back home, she'd written code for dating apps and financial systems—practical, logical applications. But this? This was something from fantasy novels she'd sneakily read during lunch breaks.
Sumi's throaty laugh bubbled up, her golden eyes crinkling at the corners. "Can you really be that surprised after how we first met?" she teased. "Some connections transcend worlds, you know."
Then, Sumi momentarily became serious. "But you want to tell me you know the names of your skills?" she asked. "That's strange. I don't think I have ever heard about any initiates knowing their skills right away. It is supposed to be no more than a vague feeling. Not that I know much about that stuff…"
When Nora stopped reading the menu, she noticed that Sumi suddenly became very quiet. Her gaze was introspective as if she was exploring something deep within her.
"What is it, Sumi?" she asked. "What do you feel?"
"That's bizarre, you know," said Sumi. "I had always known magic existed in my world. But I never expected to experience it firsthand. Well, besides some simple rituals made by a village's herbalist."
"So… magic… right…" said Nora.
"What else did you expect after you were transferred into a world of your dreams?" asked Sumi incredulously. "Yes, we have magic. But again, it's not that widespread. I don't think a proper mage ever came to our village. Even if I had some arcane wielders among my ancestors."
She looked at Nora expectantly.
"So, about the names of the skills," Sumi prompted. "This is very unusual. What else can you tell me, Nora?"
"It's like text is appearing in my mind," Nora said. "It says I'm the 'Chosen One of the Goddess of Love,' whatever that means. Wait, it looks like I can access more information."
Nora moved her finger before her, following the text and opening new menus.
A moment later, she exclaimed: "Yes! I have more!"
Then she read aloud:
========== Special Powers of the Chosen One ==========
Connection with Shrines of Love
Perceive the Stats of the True Mates
Share your Skills with the Keepers
Channel Skill Improvement from the Harem
Perceive the Affection of Mates
========== Quests ==========
Main: Unite the World with Love
Continue for more info [Y/N]?
Sumi leaned in close, her fur tickling Nora's ear. And with a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke: "You don't have to shout."
Then she drew back a bit and said, gesturing towards her own head: "It's all happening within your consciousness," she tapped her temple for emphasis. "You don't even need to speak aloud."
"Ah, right, that's reasonable," answered Nora. "But what the hell? True Mates? The Harem?!?"
"To put it bluntly, all of that sounds right up the alley of the Goddess of Love," Sumi said. "But again, I'm not an expert. But even I have some ideas about some of these things."
"Yes?" said Nora. "And those ideas are?"
"You," Sumi purred, wagging her finger while her tail curved suggestively, "are deliciously naughty and wonderfully impatient." She leaned closer, her fur brushing against Nora's arm in a way that couldn't possibly be accidental. "This definitely confirms what I suspected before. Can you see anything else in there? For me, it's all just... feelings. Instincts." She tapped her temple, golden eyes glinting in the firelight. "Like knowing exactly where to touch to make someone…" she paused, grinning mischievously, "…or something respond. But also, it's more about nature, connections, healing. Good, but not as exciting as… Sexual Magic! Still, nothing as specific as what you're seeing."
"Wait, skills, let me see…" said Nora. "There was something about that as well. I need to choose two!"
"Two? That's very unusual," exclaimed Sumi. "How many do you have in total?"
"Ten," said Nora." Is that strange?"
"Well, as I said, I'm not an expert," answered Sumi. "People with powers aren't that rare, but it's not like all the intricacies of their abilities are readily available and disclosed. Especially to us, non-mages. I only know that skills are usually granted to people touched by Higher Powers. And in the beginning, there should only be four skills available. Three are given right away, and one left for the person to choose. Legends say that the higher forces know your path and select the skills that fit you the best. But you are still given an opportunity to forge a personal story for yourself. Hence, the choice."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her excitement. But in the end, she couldn't hold it at bay.
"But ten skills?!?" she shouted. "Ten skills is insane! I guess it is because you are the Chosen One."
Nora pressed her palms against her temples, the information swirling through her mind like data packets flooding a server. "I'm drowning in all this," she admitted, her voice steadying as she fell back on what she knew best: breaking complex problems into manageable parts. "Let's approach this systematically. I'll explore what I'm seeing and share it with you. Together, maybe we can make sense of whatever's happening to me—to us. Deal?"
"Deal!" Sumi's hand extended, delicate claws retracted, palm up in offering. The simple gesture—so human yet not—somehow grounded Nora more than anything else in this strange new reality.
Nora clasped Sumi's hand, the initial contact sending a small jolt through her fingertips. The soft fur against her skin anchored her somehow—a tactile reminder that amid all this impossible magic, there was something real to hold onto. Almost without conscious thought, her fingers traveled upward, tracing the silken path where fur met the foxkin's warm skin. She followed the contours of Sumi's forearm, mesmerized by the contrast of textures, only stopping when she reached the hollow of her throat. There, Nora paused, feeling Sumi's pulse quicken beneath her fingertips, both of them caught in a moment that suddenly felt charged with more than just magic.
"I'm feeling overwhelmed again," Nora said. "But I'll try to focus on smaller things."
She mentally reached out to the list of skills and started browsing, exploring the options.
========== Skill Availability ==========
Camp Building
Craftsmanship
Enhanced Physical Strength
Magic of Love
Nature Attunement
Optimism
Telepathic Communication
You have to choose 2 skills out of 7. Are you ready to choose [Y/N]?
"So," said Nora, "It seems that fair share of the skills they imposed on me are mostly focused on sensual stuff. Wouldn't it be nice to balance them with something more useful? Here's what I have offered to me: Camp Building, Craftsmanship, Physical Strength, Magic of Love, Nature Attunement, Optimism, Telepathic Communication."
She looked at Sumi with a pleading expression. Almost as if she wanted the foxkin to make that decision for her.
"What's your opinion, Sumi?" Nora asked. "Or, at least, any advice?"
Sumi fiddled with her fingers as she spoke. "You are telling me that you are overwhelmed," she said. "But I can't make this decision for you. At least you can see the names of the skills, thanks to your special powers. For me… I'm having trouble categorizing my skills as well as you do,"
She looked away, biting her lip nervously. "But if you really want my opinion, I feel like one of my skills aligns with your Healing Touch," Sumi said. "It feels like we're tapping into the same source."
"Is that even possible? "asked Nora incredulously.
"That's exactly what I'm trying to tell you!" exclaimed Sumi. "I don't know! I don't have any experience with any of that magical stuff! Even if my world has magic, I never had any. But maybe I should choose that one skill so we can compare notes and progress together?"
"Sounds smart," said Nora with an encouraging smile.
"As for your choice," Sumi continued, "Craftsmanship and Camp Building seem a bit too narrow. Nature Attunement is definitely something I have as well—it's a skill that was present in my family more than once among the previous generations. If I were you, I'd take Telepathic Communication. I didn't even know telepathy was possible at all. Probably, the people who have it prefer not to share they have this power."
"Right," said Nora. "I'll take it and Enhanced Physical Strength as well. Not that I'm complaining about my physical abilities, but I feel it may become handy if we need to build something."
They both closed their eyes, and each took a deep breath, exploring the new abilities within themselves. After a moment of contemplation, Nora and Sumi nodded in agreement simultaneously. The decision had been made.
========== System Console ==========
Name: Nora Foxgrove
Title: Chosen One of the Goddess of Love
Level: 1 out of 5 - Apprentice
Total skill slots: 10
Used skill slots: 10
Skills left to choose: 0
========== Skills ==========
Aura Defences: 0.0%
Dream Manipulation: 0.0%
Emotional Influence: 0.0%
Empathic Sensing: 0.0%
Energy Sharing: 0.0%
Healing: 0.0%
Sensory Enhancement: 0.0%
Sexual Magic: 0.0%
========== New Skills ==========
Enhanced Physical Strength: 0.0% (new skill)
Telepathic Communication: 0.0% (new skill)
The next 2 skills available after level up to Initiate
"Did you know there will be more skills available after level up?" asked Nora in surprise.
With a deep sigh, Sumi frowned and rubbed her tired eyes. "No, as I said before, it's not a widely discussed topic." Her words trailed off into a yawn that caused her mouth to stretch wide open.
"And besides," Sumi continued, stifling another yawn, "it's not like we're going to reach that point anytime soon." She leaned back against the tree trunk, the weariness evident in her posture and voice.
Nora was still excited about all the changes and new abilities she gained. To her, all of that felt like a fairy tale. Completely unreal. Even if it was getting late, her mind was focused on exploration. But it wasn't the same for Sumi.
"I know it's a lot to take in," Sumi said. "But it was an intense day, maybe we should go to sleep?"
"Yeah, you are probably right," said Nora and also yawned. Now, tiredness was overcoming her as well, as soon as she allowed her focus to slip away from the strange events of the recent hours.
The fire surrendered to night, its final embers pulsing like dying stars against the darkness. Nora's breathing slowed, unconsciously synchronizing with the gentle rise and fall of Sumi's chest beside her. The day's revelations still echoed through her mind—Chosen One, magic, skills, harems—but the weight of them seemed lighter somehow, shared between them on this forest floor.
Nora's last conscious thought wasn't of the code she'd left unfinished in another world, nor of the mysterious goddess who had marked her. Instead, it was of this moment: the warmth of Sumi curled against her, the canopy of stars overhead, and the strange certainty that she belonged here more than she ever had in the world she'd left behind.
The shadows danced one final time across their sleeping forms—a true spell in motion—before the forest stilled around them. Two figures, barely visible in the vast wilderness, yet somehow at the center of something much larger than themselves—something that had only just begun to awaken.