At that moment, Marcus felt completely restored, energy surging through him as though the exhaustion he had shown earlier had never existed at all. His eyes gleamed with undisguised anticipation as he strode toward the bathroom and pushed the door open, unable to hide his excitement. If the two little troublemakers could see him now, after all his earlier acting, they would never believe how lively he truly felt.

The soft creak of the door instantly drew attention from the bathtub. Lily turned her head, and the moment her eyes landed on him, recognition flashed across her face. She knew that body better than anyone. Strong shoulders, powerful lines, a presence that carried warmth and danger at the same time.

"Marcus, you pervert!"

"Get out!"

Embarrassment overwhelmed her so quickly that it almost seemed instinctive. Her heart raced as she sank deeper into the bath, rose petals scattering across the water as she tried to hide herself beneath the surface. She squeezed her eyes shut, cheeks flushed a vivid red.

Steam drifted lazily through the room, and in the gently rippling bathwater her beauty felt almost unreal. Her delicate features glowed with shy warmth, like a celestial maiden hidden within mist, alluring without trying.

Marcus stared, genuinely amazed. They had been together for so long, yet she still reacted this way. He never quite understood why women were so easily embarrassed, but he knew one thing clearly: he loved it. That natural shyness, effortless and sincere, stirred something deep inside him. It made her feel real, vulnerable, and irresistibly precious.

"Babe," he said softly, stepping closer, "why not wash together?"

He crossed the distance in only a few strides. Through drifting rose petals and rippling water, her figure appeared in fragments, smooth skin hinted at beneath pink reflections, graceful and elegant in a way that stole his breath. Her mature beauty carried a quiet nobility, and the lingering bashfulness in her eyes only made the moment more intoxicating.

For a brief second, Marcus wondered how he was supposed to keep his composure.

He stepped into the tub. Warm water closed around him, and he immediately pulled Lily into his arms. The scent of roses rose with the steam, mingling with her natural fragrance. Instinctively, he buried his face against her shoulder, inhaling deeply.

"So sweet," he murmured.

His hands settled around her slender waist, feeling the gentle curve beneath his palms. The familiarity of her body, the softness and warmth he knew so well, made his heartbeat quicken.

"Marcus..." Lily’s voice trembled faintly.

His warmth, his breath against her skin, the unmistakable closeness between them made her blush deepen. Yet after a moment, she opened her eyes again. The embarrassment faded into something softer, more intimate. She shifted closer instead of pulling away, relaxing into his embrace as though it were the most natural place in the world.

"Annoying," she muttered quietly, though her tone held no real complaint.

"Bad boy."

Leaning against his chest, she traced absent-minded circles along his thigh with delicate fingers. She did not stop him when his hands wandered again, resting comfortably where affection and familiarity guided them. The heat of the bath, the closeness of the man she loved, and the quiet privacy of the moment slowly melted her resistance.

Desire awakened gently rather than suddenly. Her breathing softened. Her body responded instinctively to his touch, to the warmth and safety she associated with him. Turning slightly, she shot him a helpless yet teasing glance.

"Babe," she said with a faint smile, "can’t a girl take a bath in peace?"

Marcus let out a quiet sigh, already defeated.

"Who told you to be this irresistible?"

Her playful complaint only made things worse for him. He leaned forward and kissed her, silencing the words still lingering on her lips. The kiss deepened naturally, unhurried yet full of longing. He held her closer, affection and desire blending together until neither of them could clearly separate love from yearning.

"Babe..." Lily whispered, her voice growing softer.

Before long, her eyes turned hazy, warmth spreading through her body as his kisses and gentle caresses drew her deeper into the moment. The quiet intimacy between them intensified, emotions rising until restraint felt meaningless.

Unable to hold back any longer, Marcus pulled her closer, their closeness becoming complete as the bathwater rippled around them. Lily gasped softly at the familiar sensation, fingers tightening around his arms as she leaned fully into him.

The water trembled with their movements. Steam fogged the room while her quiet sounds of pleasure escaped despite her attempts to remain composed. Supported in his embrace, she surrendered to the intimacy they shared, her reactions filling Marcus with an indescribable sense of connection and satisfaction.

Passion carried them forward until thought itself faded away. Their affection surged like a rising tide, overwhelming and warm, bringing with it a deep sense of fulfillment that neither of them wished to end. In that private space, surrounded by drifting petals and gentle water, they lost themselves completely in each other.

Tonight belonged only to them.

And as their breathing gradually slowed, Marcus felt the familiar circulation of the Human Rock technique move naturally through his body, responding to emotion and closeness alike. Energy flowed between them, guided not just by desire but by trust and shared spirit, strengthening both without effort.

After a night of perfect harmony, Marcus woke early the next morning feeling unusually refreshed. His mind felt clear, senses sharper than ever, and the effects of the Human Rock technique were unmistakable. Even breathing felt lighter.

He glanced down at Lily resting in his arms.

Her slender figure lay curled against him, peaceful and radiant. She looked like something out of a dream, graceful as a celestial maiden, elegant as a blooming rose, dignified even in sleep. Watching her stirred something deep inside him. He felt protective, grateful, and faintly ashamed all at once. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Holding someone you loved like this truly felt good.

And if he were honest, mornings without the two little devils barging in were priceless.

"Marcus..."

Lily stirred awake slowly, eyes still heavy with sleep as she looked up at him. The warmth in her gaze softened his heart immediately. A new day had begun, and simply seeing her smile made it feel worthwhile.

"Marcus," she added after a moment, voice faintly accusing, "you’re such a perv."

He laughed quietly at himself rather than taking offense. Just a month ago, he had failed her. He remembered shutting himself away, ignoring her feelings while she endured everything silently. The memory left a bitter taste. He tightened his arms around her slightly, silently promising himself not to repeat that mistake.

"Lily," he said gently.

He held her close until faint sounds drifted from the living room, childish voices announcing that the little troublemakers had finally woken up. Only then did he reluctantly release her and prepare for the day.

As usual, the morning followed its familiar rhythm. Breakfast together, walking the girls to school, a steady run to clear his thoughts. By the time Marcus returned home, anticipation had already begun to build again.

The Mystic Turtle’s Tomb awaited.

Logging into the game, a flash of light surrounded him as he entered the virtual world. The memory of those black wind monsters immediately reignited his fighting spirit. This time, he fully intended to settle the score.

He appeared at the entrance of the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb without hesitation. Pulling the Mystic Turtle’s Tear from his backpack, he stepped straight toward the yellowish-brown swirling portal embedded beneath the massive turtle-shaped boulder Liam Windrunner had once shown him.

With a decisive motion, Marcus jumped inside.

"What?!"

"Are you kidding me?!"

The words burst out before he could stop himself.

He looked around quickly, disbelief spreading across his face as he checked his surroundings again and again. Dark passageways stretched in multiple directions, forming a familiar intersection. Above him hovered the same yellowish-brown portal marking the tomb’s entrance.

He urged Blackie forward and leapt back through the portal briefly, confirming his location beneath the enormous stone turtle.

There was no mistake.

He was back on the first level of the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb.

Marcus frowned as realization settled in. Every marker he had carefully carved into the walls, every scratch and directional sign he had left along the floors to guide himself through the maze, had vanished completely.

The labyrinth had reset.

Which meant he would have to conquer the entire first level all over again.