Empire State University, Library, After Classes:
It had been a little over a month since I carved my way out of the Iron Serpent MC's ambush. Things had been quiet since then—quiet enough that I almost started missing the chaos. Most of my days went into grinding missions and polishing skills, the kind of repetition that would drive anyone else insane but kept me sharp.
The midterms were also over. I did well enough, two As and the rest Bs. After that, I had more time, as I didn't need to study for the exams.
So, why was I still in the library?
Two reasons.
One is that I was studying various advanced programming and computer books in the library. I would sometimes come to the library after classes to study programming.
The other reason, of course, is Gwen. Even though our math coaching arrangement was for a week, we extended it and studied together till the end of midterms. We had clicked together enough that we studied together in the library once every few days, even after that.
Today was one of those days. My class ended early, so I got here first. The library was half-empty, sunlight spilling through the tall windows, quiet except for the occasional rustle of pages. While waiting, I opened my status window to kill some time.
Name: Kevin Kolt
Rank: F2
Titles:
Third-rate Warrior
Attributes:
Strength: F3
Agility: F1
Constitution: F2
Endurance: F3
Vitality: F3
Intelligence: F2
Wisdom: F2
Perception: F2
Willpower: F3
Charisma: F3
Passive Skills:
Gamer's Mind
Gamer's Body
Observe
Driving (Expert)
Martial Arts (Apprentice)
First Aid (Adept)
Stealth (Adept)
Acting (Apprentice)
Silver Tongue (Apprentice)
Firearms (Apprentice)
Programming (Apprentice)
Active Skills:
Brutal Strike (Novice)
Side Missions:
Taxi Driver (100/100) (Complete)
Vigilante (53/100)
Paramedic (95/100)
Delivery (52/100)
Burglar (55/100)
Art of Persuasion (93/100)
Sharpshooter (24/100)
Assassin (1/25)
Party Members:
Frances Barrison
None of my stats had increased after the last increment of strength to F3 when I completed the first objective of the Vigilante mission during the ambush.
But that didn't mean there was no growth. While my stats seemed stagnant, I made substantial gains in some of my skills.
The Driving skill was still stuck at the expert stage. I had no idea how long it would take for it to reach the master level. It could be considered a drawback of the system's skill-level upgrade rewards. As I had completed the Taxi Driver mission, the skill had increased at rocket speed, but now that there was no objective to push it further, the growth felt plateaued.
Oh well, even the expert level Driving skill was good enough for now.
Next was the Martial Arts skill. As expected, it was still stuck at the apprentice level. One month was nowhere near enough to take it to the next level. It took me around six weeks just to reach the apprentice level. It would have taken longer if I hadn't trained under two great martial artists during the last stretch. Even with those two teachers, I didn't feel I could reach the adept level in a year.
The next skill was the First Aid skill that had been upgraded to the adept level. It was the outcome of my increasing the Paramedic mission count to 95. I was extremely close to completing this mission.
At the adept level, I now had a basic grasp of hygiene, nutrition, diet, prescribing medications for common conditions, and human physiology. I could now treat bigger wounds, burns, suspected fractures, and stabilize extreme conditions so that they could be treated at the hospital. Practical, if not flashy.
The next was the Stealth skill, which had also leveled up to the adept level. It happened after completing the second objective of the Burglar mission, which rewarded a skill increase. My skill was now comparable to Felicia's. She was still better, but now not by much.
Speaking of the Burglar mission, I now no longer targeted the electronics and appliances from a poor sob's house. I now had two other sources for it. One was Fix, and the other was the cartel. After saving one of their lieutenants and killing one from their rival gang, I was now more trusted with regular jobs. Of course, with my skills, I didn't give the cartel any chance to complain.
Likewise, for the Delivery mission, I was no longer solely dependent on that bag of lard wearing a police hat. The two sources above also gave me smuggling jobs that counted toward the mission.
The day was coming closer for that corrupt fatty to retire permanently from the force and from life.
I was gaining increasing prestige with the cartel through more and more job completions. That also allowed me to use my First Aid skills on the members, which was the reason for the explosive increase in Paramedic mission numbers.
The cartel had a few doctors on payroll, but since I was closer and wasn't charging any money, for now, those with minor injuries let me patch them up. Of course, most injuries were too minor to increase mission count, but they still counted towards the skill experience.
Next were the Acting and Silver Tongue skills. These skills went hand in hand, and with how much I used them, it was no shocker that I had leveled them up both to the apprentice level. That also led to an explosive increase in the count of another mission, Art of Persuasion.
I gained another skill during this time and even upgraded it to the apprentice level: Programming. At its current level, it wasn't much, but I was confident that I would reach the adept level in a short time. Then this skill would be good enough to use. As for going further, that's where the real grind would start, as adept was the limit from my last life.
Lastly, there was the Firearms skill. It also reached the apprentice level after I completed the first objective of the Sharpshooter mission.
After I got the Sharpshooter mission, I had already decided to do it together with the Vigilante mission. With my improved rapport with the cartel, I easily got a silencer from them. I didn't even need to bother Reina for that; Isabella easily arranged one for me.
Since I targeted only criminals for the Sharpshooter mission, it also increased the Vigilante mission count. As a result, I also completed the Vigilante mission's second objective. It rewarded me with a new skill, my first active skill.
Brutal Strike (Novice)
Increase the strength of physical impact attacks by 50% at the cost of stamina.
The explanation might seem simple, but the effect was not.
At my F3 strength, each punch at 50% increased strength was on the verge of E1 strength. That meant, even if momentarily, I could dish out a low-tier enhanced human output.
As mentioned, it drained stamina. Too much stamina. Even with the 100% stamina regen increase I got after completing the second objective of the Delivery mission, I could only do four strikes with the skill before using up all my stamina.
But that was not the only limitation. There was another unwritten limitation.
Even if only momentarily, my body had 50% more strength, which meant it had to handle more strain than it could.
With my F2 constitution, I could use the skill only twice. The third time would cause multiple muscle tears. The fourth time would essentially half-cripple me.
How did I know this?
Of course, because I tried it myself to push this skill to the limit.
As for the crippling injuries? Those were already healed after a good night's sleep thanks to my Gamer's Body skill.
And of course, this strength increase was only just at the novice level; beyond that, the increase would be even higher. Which, in turn, would mean an increase in the Constitution stat requirement.
As I was checking my status, I noticed Gwen approaching me.
"Hi, Gwen," I said with a smile.
"Hi, Kevin," Gwen returned with a bright smile. Then she came and sat beside me naturally.
I turned to her and said with a playful smile, "So, I think congrats are in order."
"Congrats?" Gwen laughed. "For what?"
"Of course, it's for finally defeating your first supervillain," I replied with a smile.
"Oh," Gwen realized.
"I always thought that my strength was already too strong, and here I met a guy who was stronger than me and definitely much more durable than me. That was the first fight I was injured in," Gwen said with a slightly frustrated expression. Then she moved her left hand as if remembering the fight while wincing in pain.
Then a hint of pride peeked from her expression as she continued, "Though he was far below me in agility and miles away in intelligence. It wasn't too hard to use his own thick skull against him. By the time I was done, he had lost a few teeth, his head was swollen from repeated crashes, and in the end, he was left unconscious."
I laughed hearing his end. Gwen joined the laughter.
Unfortunately, in our joy, we forgot where we were.
"Shh," the aged librarian screamed at us from her desk.
We both fell silent at once and mouthed an apology to the librarian. She glared a final warning at us and then focused back on the book in her hands.
I turned back to Gwen and started laughing again, but this time it was a suppressed laugh, without a sound.
Gwen smiled and playfully slapped my arm at my antics, then we went back to studying.
"So, did JJJ thank you for saving his son?" I asked after some time, breaking the silence.
Rhino aimed to kidnap J. Jonah Jameson's son, John Jameson. In the canon, Spider-Man saved him, but with Gwen in the picture, she saved John this time.
"Don't talk about that senile fool," Gwen said with gritted teeth.
"Why? What happened?" I asked, laughing. I had a rough idea what would have happened, but I still wanted to hear from her.
"Forget thanking me," Gwen said with anger and frustration. Her voice sharpened, like she wanted to punch something. "He accused me of working with Rhino — said the whole thing was a publicity stunt to make myself look good."
"You sure have it tough with him," I said with a laugh.
Gwen gave me a dirty side eye but cracked up herself. We went back to studying.
"So," I said, pulling her attention to me. "Did you think about what we discussed last time?"
"I did, but isn't it enough to use the University's lab?" Gwen asked with a skeptical look. "I don't think there is any need for a private lab."
I internally rolled my eyes.
Does this foolish woman really think she can carry out the ethically questionable experiments I'll require once she's on my payroll in the University lab?
I sighed loudly enough that the librarian glared at me again. I gave her an innocent smile and then turned back to Gwen.
"Gwen, Gwen, Gwen, my silly Gwen, what do I do with you?" I asked, shaking my head.
"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Gwen snapped with a smile. "Who are you calling silly?"
I conveniently ignored the slight blush on her face when I said "my Gwen".
"Of course, I am calling you," I said with a smirk. "Otherwise, how can you say something like that?"
Gwen looked ready to explode. To save myself from being punched into oblivion by her, I stopped teasing her.
"Fine, let me explain," I sighed.
I looked at her intensely. "Gwen, you are smart, brilliant. You are the most intelligent woman I know."
That was true. Even though many female characters are more intelligent than she is, I personally only know Gwen, who was worthy of being called a genius in the Marvel world.
Gwen's face turned completely red with my intense stare and words.
"Make up your mind, whether I am silly or smart," Gwen huffed, but the shyness wasn't hidden on her face.
"You are both," I laughed. "Let me explain."
"You have that scientific attitude, so I am sure you will want to experiment with a bunch of stuff. But do you think the university will let you test whatever you actually want to test? Grants, permissions, and ethics boards bind every lab. You'll spend more time writing reports than doing the real work. In your own lab, you answer to no one," I said.
Well, you will answer me, after all, I will own both you and your lab, but for now, we can conveniently ignore that fact.
"Now, I think you are exaggerating here. I know that it can be a chore to get the university's permission for some experiments, but I don't think it will take that long for good projects," Gwen reasoned.
"Ok, you may be right here," I agreed to her reasoning. Gwen showed a triumphant expression, but I was nowhere near done.
I leaned in, keeping my voice low so it felt like a shared secret, not an accusation. "Say you have a good idea, and the university signs off. You get the grant, the approvals — the nice glossy paperwork. Then you start showing results. Who takes notice first? The university. They patent it, they bottle it, and suddenly your name is an asterisk in some press release."
Gwen frowned. "They wouldn't—"
"They would." I shrugged, easy. "If it looks profitable, the university will claim the IP. At best, you get a credit line in a four-page paper and a tiny slice if it's commercialised. At worst, your research vanishes into bureaucracy while you write reports for the next two years."
"In a private setup, you will own everything."
Technically, I will own everything.
This time, Gwen had no comeback.
Every scientist takes pride in their creations or discoveries. No one wants to let someone else take the credit for their work.
"And surveillance," I continued. "Cameras, lab logs, signed access forms. If you try something off-book — even for a good reason — they'll notice. As a scientist, you know how fast a compliance officer can escalate a deviation into a hearing."
"No, that's not, that, I will not," Gwen stuttered. She wanted to refute it; she wouldn't do anything unconventional or illegal. But stopped because even if her moral part of the brain wouldn't agree with unorthodox experiments, the scientific part agreed with me.
"Don't you want to help people?"
"In your vigilante career, you must want better gear, better tech to maintain your edge. You can't exactly ask ESU to loan you a particle accelerator to analyze criminal residue. Your own lab lets you help people faster, without red tape."
"Moreover, let's say you get the permission to use some of the high-end toys in the lab and use those to create devices for your work. If anyone connects your tech to your vigilante work, you're done. All your research will be confiscated, and you'll be called a criminal. But if it's off the grid… It's just another lab no one knows about."
Gwen now no longer said anything. She just looked deep in thought with a serious expression on her face. The scientific part was now cataloguing the pros and cons, and the moral part was still arguing with itself.
Time to hammer that nail in completely.
"Do you know Gwen?" I asked, bringing her attention to me. "Subconsciously, you believe every word I said. Otherwise, why did you create your web shooters at home? Why not in the university lab?"
"I," Gwen said, but couldn't continue.
"Do you know what's the reason that you are consciously rejecting it?" I asked. She only shook her head.
"Because you are relating having a private lab to doing a crime. You are made to believe that if it is done in the public eye, it must be good, but if it's done privately, it must be something bad. But is it really the case? Is the world really that black and white?"
I no longer said anything else. Anymore, and it would only backfire. My current points were more than enough for her to ponder. It wouldn't be long before she wanted her own private lab.
—
After training in the Chikara dojo, I went back home. By the time I freshened up, Frances was at the door.
I let her in. I had called her to get an update on her gang activities. We sat on the sofa, facing each other.
"How are you, boss?" Frances asked with a smile.
Good," I replied. "What's the status?"
Frances straightened up. "Boss, we have acquired another street. Now we control three streets and have a total of ten members in the gang," she said with a hint of pride.
I nodded.
Frances had proposed taking another street just two weeks after taking the first one.
It was a little too aggressive compared to how I did things. I would have waited at least a month before even considering targeting the next street.
But Frances was confident she could take in another street and requested that I let her do it. I thought that since I had made her the leader, I might as well agree if she was so confident. With her complete affection and loyalty to me, I was never worried about betrayal from her.
"You did well. I am impressed," I said lightly.
Praise must be given where it is due.
That single praise made her day as she showed a bright smile and said, "Thank you, boss. It is all because you trust in me."
Then Frances showed a hesitant expression. It looked like she wanted to ask something, but couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Speak," I ordered sternly.
She flinched at my tone, then gathered herself. "Yes, boss." Her fingers twisted together. "I… was wondering if I could—if you'd let me—serve you. As a reward."
I looked directly in her eyes, hearing that. She shyly lowered her gaze.
Oh well, she did do a good job.
And a good leader must give both rewards and punishments.
[R-18 Start]
I hooked my finger and gestured for Frances to come towards me. She beamed as she understood what I meant.
Frances practically leaped at me as soon as she got the green light. She sat on my lap with her legs on either side and started kissing me, with her body pressed on me.
I reciprocated in kind, matching and even surpassing her intensity. My hands went to her supple booty and started squeezing it mercilessly.
I occasionally slapped her butt while mashing it. Each time I did that, Frances would moan into my mouth. The next time she moaned, I attacked, and my tongue entered her mouth.
My cock was already hard. Frances also noticed it as she started grinding on it.
While kissing, we started taking off each other's clothes. Soon, both of us were topless and started kissing again. Frances crushed her erect nipples against my chest and started taking pleasure from it.
Finally, after minutes of kissing, Frances fell under the simultaneous assault to her lips, breasts, and butt. She had an intense orgasm that shook her to the core as she moaned and screamed in my mouth.
Finally, I let her lips go. She looked at me with half-lidded eyes, looking drunk on her orgasm.
"Strip," I ordered. Frances complied immediately. She stood up and took off her lower garments. Then she helped me take off my clothes too.
"Sit," I said. She understood I meant on my erect cock.
Frances's face showed a fanatic expression as she once again climbed onto my lap. She lined her pussy entrance to my cock head. Then, she took the plunge and, in one go, swallowed it whole.
"AAH," Frances screamed in pleasure as she took my cock to the hilt. She had another mini-orgasm as she just stayed put.
"How long are you going to stay still?" I asked sternly. "Start moving."
Outwardly, I wore a stern expression, but inwardly I felt great pleasure, too. I was a virgin in both my previous and current lives. So, finally feeling a woman's warmth was intoxicating. The way her tight pussy wrapped around my cock and applied pressure on it from all sides.
"Sorry, boss," Frances said, starting to move. The pleasure only increased after that. She began with small movements, but soon she was already jumping on cock.
"Aaah, yes, aah, boss, fuck me, more," Frances pleaded between pants.
Who was I to refuse such a request from my subordinate? I started thrusting too, matching the timing with her movement.
Her moans got louder, so I shut her mouth with mine.
The thrusting continued for ten more minutes, and I was about to cum. Then, without warning or informing her, I painted Frances's insides white with my cum. The moment I ejaculated inside her, she cummed herself as well.
Our lips separated, and we both stopped our movements as we started panting lightly. My cock was still inside her as she stayed on my lap.
[R-18 End]
I let Frances rest for a few seconds, and in the meantime, I checked the notification I received when I penetrated Frances.
Congratulations! Feat Achieved!
Virginity Lost!
Reward: Eromancy Magic Tome
I was speechless for a moment. Yes, I was looking forward to getting magic, but I never thought that my first magic would be sex magic.
Oh well, at least with this, I could finally start practicing magic. I could acquire other types of magic later.
Moreover, with eromancy, I could fast-forward a few of my plans.
It didn't look like the end, as I got another notification after that.
Acquired magic knowledge. Mage mission activated.
Title: Mage
Description: Learn magic and begin walking the arcane path.
Objective 1: Learn three novice-level spells
Reward: Intelligence (F3), Wisdom (F3)
Objective 2: Reach the Novice stage in one school of magic
Reward: Active Skill: Rapid Casting, Mana Regen Increase (+100%)
Objective 3: Reach the Novice stage in two schools of magic or the Apprentice stage in one school
Reward: Intelligence (E1), Wisdom (E1)
Just as I read it, Frances pulled back her head from my neck. It looked like she had had enough rest. She looked at me with a hungry gaze.
I can delve into the mission and the magic knowledge later.
Currently, I have a hungry subordinate to satisfy.
Time for round two.