NIKKE: The Apocalypse Arrives, But the System is 100 Years Late

Mo Chen casually tossed the trash from the table into a garbage bag and set it aside.

"Forget cleaning up. Let them do it tomorrow. They need to handle their own mess—I'm not spoiling them."

He walked over to Rapi, shifting all responsibility onto Anis and Neon without a second thought.

"It's late. We should get some rest."

The implication was more than obvious—even an idiot could pick up on it.

"It's only eight… Still too early for bed. Ah, you must be hungry. I'll go get something to eat,"

Rapi, surprisingly flustered, got up, using the excuse of grabbing food as a way to escape.

Her instincts told her this was dangerous.

But how could Mo Chen let his prey slip away?

Reaching out, he caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms effortlessly, his hands naturally wrapping around her slender waist. His voice was low as he breathed into her ear.

"Rapi."

The fire that hadn't been fully extinguished with Syuen flared up again.

Rapi initially struggled, but as his warm breath tickled her ear, a shiver ran through her, and her tense body weakened. Even so, she still had enough clarity to protest in a hushed voice.

"Anis and Neon are still here."

Her last line of defense.

Mo Chen's eyes lit up, the heat in his chest surging even higher.

So, when they're not around, it's fine?

To him, her resistance sounded more like an invitation.

Just as he was about to take things further—

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star~ Up above the world so high~"

A muffled, off-key song filled the air as a completely drunk Anis staggered out of her room, her head drooping, footsteps unsteady as she wobbled toward the bathroom.

She didn't even seem to notice Mo Chen and Rapi.

Rapi snapped back to reality and, without thinking, broke free from Mo Chen's embrace. Practically fleeing, she rushed back to her room, shut the door, and leaned against it, her face burning red.

No matter how composed or mature she usually was, this was… new territory for her. And the thought of Anis possibly seeing them just made her more flustered.

Mo Chen, on the other hand, was beyond frustrated.

Damn it. Just when things were getting good.

Anis stumbled her way toward the bathroom, swaying with each step. Just as she reached the door, she suddenly let out an "Ah!"—it sounded like she had twisted her ankle.

Mo Chen knew Nikke bodies were durable and wouldn't suffer something as minor as a fracture, but he instinctively stepped forward to help her.

He wasn't expecting what happened next…

Mo Chen had just helped Anis up when the drowsiness in her drunken eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a cunning glint that made his heart jolt, and, before he could react, Anis had already wrapped her arms around his neck, spun around, and dragged him into the bathroom with her. 

As her shoes dropped to the floor, the bathroom door shut behind them.

There was no way she had actually twisted her ankle—this girl had been faking it!

"Hey, what are you doing? Weren't you drunk?"

Before he could push her away, Anis leaped onto him, wrapping her long legs around his waist. Her slender, fair arms coiled around his neck like a snake, locking him in place.

Anis grinned mischievously, clearly pleased with herself.

"A few measly drinks? As if that would get me drunk! Hmph, if I hadn't faked it, I would've walked right into your little rendezvous—how awkward would that be? And if I hadn't pretended to twist my ankle, how else could I lure you over? Still… I didn't expect the Commander to be so concerned about me."

She giggled teasingly. Though her words were playful, she had definitely been drinking—her slightly flushed cheeks and the hazy allure in her amber eyes made Mo Chen's heartbeat quicken involuntarily.

"I'd be just as concerned if it were a stray cat or dog limping around."

Mo Chen refused to back down, keeping his voice low. "Now get down before someone sees us."

Although Rapi had returned to her room earlier, there was no guarantee she wouldn't come back out. If she saw him tangled up with Anis like this, there'd be no way to explain.

"Hah, the guilty always fear being caught."

Anis squinted at him with a sly smirk, her slightly tipsy expression making her look like a fox staring down its prey.

"Come clean, Commander. Where have you been these past few days? Sneaking off to mess around with someone else? Oh, and that woman claiming to be your wife—what's the deal with her? Tell me the truth."

"What truth? You're talking nonsense."

Mo Chen grabbed a water bottle from the sink and flicked Anis on the forehead with it. A crisp thunk rang out as she recoiled.

"Also, did you drink my liquor?"

Even in a luxury hotel, alcohol wasn't something that just magically appeared. Mo Chen had stashed away a special bottle from the system's lottery rewards, originally considering using it as fuel. An endless energy source, essentially.

"Ugh, stingy! I only had a little, and it wasn't even that good. Honestly, carbonated drinks taste better," Anis pouted, still slightly intoxicated. Her amber eyes turned liquid as she leaned in closer, her tone suddenly carrying a sultry note. "Commander, you still haven't answered me—who is she? What's your relationship with her?"

Before he could respond, their cheeks brushed together.

Anis's skin was unbelievably soft, a delicate warmth pressing against his own. The subtle friction sent an electric tingle down his spine.

Mo Chen could feel her against him—clearly.

It was as if two lively, soft bunnies were squeezed between them, shifting in shape as they pressed against him.

A rush of tantalizing thoughts flooded Mo Chen's mind.

The fire he had just suppressed flickered back to life.

Of course, he refused to admit anything out loud.

"This has nothing to do with you."

"Of course it does," Anis straightened her back, tilting her fair chin up with justified confidence. "I'm helping Rapi keep an eye on you, making sure you stay loyal. Gotta prevent any cheating—what if someone steals you away?"

Loyalty?!

Mo Chen almost choked.

This world had this kind of concept too?

But before he could dwell on it, his attention was abruptly pulled elsewhere.

A warm, fragrant breath caressed his neck, tickling against his skin. Anis was close—so close that he could smell the subtle, intoxicating scent rising from her body.

"Smells good, right?" Anis seemed to pick up on his thoughts, grinning as she leaned in even closer. Her bright amber eyes gleamed mischievously, like a cunning little fox. "I bought it on Royal Road. The salesgirl said this perfume is a bestseller—perfect for couples."

"We're not a couple."

Mo Chen could clearly feel the temptation radiating from her, but he still stubbornly refused to give in.

Unlike the softness of a petite girl, Anis's figure was far more shapely. Her snug pants hugged the curve of her hips tightly, the round fullness stretching against the fabric like a perfect crescent moon—its astonishing elasticity practically demanding to be held in his hands.