Ultimate Spin System: Ero Spin?-Chapter 113 - Bad Offer

The next morning, Lucas was roused by a sharp knock on his door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

His eyes flickered open, still heavy with fatigue. The encounter from last night lingered in his mind like a bad aftertaste. His hand instinctively brushed the hilt of his dagger, but the familiar voice that followed made him relax—just a little.

"Lucas? Are you awake?"

Lena.

Lucas exhaled, running a hand through his messy hair before getting up. He opened the door to find Lena standing there, her expression a mixture of curiosity and mild concern. She was already dressed in her adventurer’s attire, her brown leather armor fastened neatly, her sword strapped to her hip.

"You didn’t come down for dinner last night," Lena said, tilting her head. "Are you okay? I was about to drag you out of bed if you didn’t answer."

Lucas forced a smirk. "You and what army?"

She crossed her arms. "I’d just kick you until you got up."

Lucas shook his head and sighed. "I was just... too tired to eat." It wasn’t entirely a lie. Between the system’s warning, Zareth’s messenger, and the unsettling words he’d heard, food had been the last thing on his mind.

Lena squinted at him, clearly not buying it. "You look awful. Come on, you need breakfast. And no, I’m not taking no for an answer."

Lucas sighed. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do. And maybe some food would help him think clearer.

"Fine. Lead the way."

As they walked downstairs to the inn’s common area, the scent of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air. The morning crowd was already bustling, adventurers sharing exaggerated stories of their exploits over steaming plates of food.

Lucas sat at their usual table, letting Lena order for both of them. He wasn’t feeling particularly hungry, but he figured eating would at least keep her from asking too many questions.

As their food arrived, Lena shot him another look. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

Lucas hesitated, but before he could answer—

The door to the inn swung open.

A woman entered.

The chatter in the room quieted slightly, some heads turning toward the newcomer.

Lucas froze.

A black robe adorned with runes and embroidery.

Aurelia.

The mage he had saved when he first arrived in this world.

His stomach twisted.

Why is she here?

She spotted him almost immediately and approached their table with an elegant stride, her eyes sharp and unreadable.

Lucas could already tell this wasn’t a social visit.

Lena blinked in surprise. "Aurelia? What are you doing here?"

Aurelia’s gaze flickered toward Lena before settling on Lucas.

"I need to speak with him."

Lucas leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Well, I’m right here. What’s so important?"

Aurelia placed a piece of parchment on the table. "I have an offer. One that I strongly suggest you consider."

Lucas glanced down at the parchment but didn’t pick it up. He already had a bad feeling. "And what kind of offer is that?"

Aurelia’s expression remained calm, but her tone carried weight. "Velmoria’s Holy Knight is beginning its next recruitment cycle. They’re looking for promising adventurers. If you accept, you would only need to reach Gold rank to qualify."

Lena’s eyes widened. "Wait... the Holy Knight? You mean the forces that fight against the devil power?"

Aurelia nodded.

Lucas, however, remained silent.

Lena turned to him, her expression hopeful. "Lucas, this is huge. If you join them, you could get resources, protection, better quests—"

"No."

Lena blinked. "What?"

Lucas exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "I’m not interested."

Aurelia studied him carefully, her sharp violet eyes searching his face. "You refused too quickly. You didn’t even think about it."

Lucas didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to.

Last night’s warning echoed in his mind.

Do not cross the boundaries between worlds that were never meant to be crossed.

Do not join the war against the Abyss.

If he accepted Aurelia’s offer, he knew exactly what would happen.

Zareth would stop being patient.

And Lucas? He wasn’t suicidal.

Aurelia leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Lucas... the higher-ups already have their eyes on you. They know your potential. If you refuse, it won’t just be ignored."

Lucas clenched his fists. "Then they can be disappointed."

Lena looked between them, clearly confused. "Lucas, why are you so against this? I get not wanting to join the knight , but this is more than that. What’s going on?"

Lucas hesitated.

How could he explain? That a god of darkness had already noticed him? That if he joined this war, he wouldn’t just be fighting monsters—he’d be painting a target on his back for something far worse?

Instead, he forced himself to remain calm. "I have my reasons." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Aurelia sighed, rubbing her temples. "I had a feeling you’d say that."

She straightened, looking him dead in the eyes. "I’ll tell them you refused. But don’t think this is over."

With that, she turned and left.

Lucas exhaled, only now realizing how tense his body had been.

Lena watched Aurelia leave before turning back to him, her brows furrowed. "Lucas... I don’t get it. Why refuse? You want to leave this world, right? Wouldn’t this be a safer way to survive until then?"

Lucas pushed his plate aside, no longer hungry. "There’s nothing safe about being part of a war, Lena."

Lena frowned but didn’t argue.

Lucas stood. "I need some air."

Without another word, he left the inn.

---

Outside, the sun was bright, the streets bustling with morning activity. Lucas inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air calm his nerves.

Then, the system’s text flickered into view.

[Ding!]

[ Good boy. You made the right choice. ]

Lucas rolled his eyes. "So you do care if I live."

[ Of course. If you die, I lose my favorite source of entertainment. ]

Lucas scowled. "Screw you."

[ Love you too, Host. But on a serious note... you just avoided your first major death flag. Congrats! ]

Lucas didn’t answer.

But deep down, he knew it was true.

He had just dodged something very, very dangerous.

The problem was—he had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time.

*****

Lucas leaned against the wooden railing of the inn’s balcony, arms crossed as he gazed at the bustling town below. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh bread and damp earth, but his thoughts were weighed down by the conversation he was about to have.

He sighed deeply before turning to Lena, who stood beside him, fidgeting with the strap of her leather glove.

"Lena," he said, his tone firm yet calm. "We need to talk. Just the two of us."