Chapter 194: A Real Kiss: Will Ulysses Kiss Me to Death?

Ulysses arrived through a spatial passage.

He politely stopped outside the door and knocked.

An Ruo felt this whole procedure wasn't really necessary.

Still...

It was probably better to keep doing it. What if he happened to be changing clothes, taking a shower, or had just gotten out of bed looking completely disheveled?

An Ruo walked over and opened the door.

The moment Ulysses saw him, his silver eyes lit up. Then a trace of nervousness crept into them.

"My God," he said softly, "I've brought you gifts."

An Ruo blinked.

"...?"

Had he just heard a very strange form of address?

Was this some kind of roleplay?

Completely bewildered, An Ruo invited Ulysses inside.

One by one, Ulysses began taking gifts out of his spatial storage.

Polished fluorite.

Fruit unique to the desolate planet.

Flowers.

Grilled fruit, roasted meat, roasted fish...

He knew his God liked everything related to the novel and its protagonists, so he had prepared all of it.

Of course, the fluorite had been mined personally by him from an untouched fluorite vein before being polished.

He certainly hadn't gone around prying loose those "dirty" fluorite stones the Heavenly Garuda had touched inside the cave.

Every piece was excellent quality.

He had even chosen multiple colors—green, blue, and orange-red—to satisfy a collector's heart.

As for the roasted meat and fish, they had been prepared exactly according to the recipes the Male Zerg in the novel had praised.

Even after being taken out of the spatial storage, they were still steaming hot, as though they had just come off the fire.

As for the "Male Zerg" specialty from the deep-space uninhabited region...

He had already handed him over to the Male Zerg's guardians.

He had absolutely no intention of bringing the protagonist back himself and letting him steal his God's attention.

The room quickly became so full of gifts that An Ruo hardly knew where to look.

The grilled fish smelled wonderful.

And somehow...

There wasn't a single bone.

He had no idea how the chef had managed it.

Not only had every large bone been removed—even the tiniest fish bones were gone.

"Is it good?" Ulysses asked.

An Ruo nodded repeatedly.

Ulysses' eyes curved gently, looking as though he himself had just received praise.

Eventually, the two of them enjoyed a wonderfully rustic feast together in the balcony garden before turning their attention to everything else.

The fluorite crystals were beautiful.

Each one was so enormous it required both hands to lift.

An Ruo honestly couldn't imagine what anyone would even use such gigantic fluorite for.

Even as a nightlight...

It would probably be far too bright.

"Does this count as discovering another resource planet?" he asked.

"Of course."

"The scenery is beautiful as well. It's habitable and suitable for tourism."

Ulysses thought to himself,

God really is so kind to my protagonists.

Even after stranding them on a desolate planet, He had still given them such a wonderful environment in which to grow closer.

If it had truly been a desolate planet...

They should have been struggling to survive somewhere covered in nothing but ice, shattered rock, and drifting dust.

He didn't voice those thoughts.

Instead, he simply said,

"It's just too far from Federation territory. Developing it would be difficult right now, but that won't remain the case for long."

An Ruo immediately understood the implication.

Ulysses intended to expand the Federation's territory all the way there.

And it wasn't some distant dream.

It was already part of his near-term plans.

Please don't calmly say something this terrifying.

Then again...

Coming from Ulysses, it wasn't surprising at all.

He really could accomplish it.

In the interstellar age, even the greatest distances amounted to little more than several hyperspace jumps.

As long as the star charts were fully explored...

The coordinates accurately mapped...

And enough supply stations established along the route...

No destination was truly too far away.

That was exactly what the Federation's deep-space exploration fleets existed to accomplish.

The Expeditionary Forces cooperated closely with them.

If negotiation worked, they negotiated.

If not...

They conquered.

That had always been the Federation's style.

An Ruo once again felt grateful that the Federation didn't exist in the same universe as his original home.

Having neighbors like this would have been absolutely terrifying.

Ulysses quietly observed the Male Zerg's expression.

He couldn't tell whether An Ruo was pleased or displeased.

The uncertainty filled him with unease.

After a long silence, he spoke softly.

"I missed you very much."

It had been a long time since he had been separated from his God by such a great distance.

Although they hadn't actually been apart for very long...

He had missed Him every single day.

Every single moment.

He had wanted nothing more than to return to His side.

Only now did he truly understand why, during the era of male Archons, the Federation had generally favored conservatism and defense.

They had focused on internal development rather than expansion.

They had preferred peaceful relations with foreign civilizations instead of conquest.

Female Zergs simply couldn't bear being separated from their Male Zergs for too long.

Although the Federation's current leader was no longer a Male Zerg...

Although military and political authority had gradually gathered into Ulysses' hands...

The Federation itself was slowly returning to the same inward-focused pattern that had existed under the male Archons.

The rising marriage rate...

The increasing birth rate...

All of it proved the same point.

Even the Generals of each Military Region and many other senior officers had gradually begun expressing interest in marriage.

If he had to describe it...

The Federation was currently somewhere between the two eras.

Even Ulysses himself didn't know what the future would ultimately become.

Faced with such direct words of longing, An Ruo found himself completely at a loss.

He wasn't used to people expressing their feelings so openly.

He didn't know how to respond.

In the end...

He simply reached out and hugged him.

"Welcome back."

Those words sounded almost as though...

He himself was Ulysses' home.

A smile appeared in Ulysses' eyes.

He buried his face in those moonlit silver strands of hair...

Quietly stealing another breath of moonlight.

His heart was filled with genuine contentment.

Then he remembered something.

"Morris plans to hold a wedding with his virtual Male Zerg in the next couple of days."

He looked at his God.

"When they throw the bouquet..."

"...may I catch it?"

He was seeking an answer.

An Ruo couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Even though he vaguely understood exactly who Ulysses intended to use that bouquet on.

"Of course."

Trying not to let too much of his own feelings interfere, he answered as objectively as possible.

"It's your decision."

"You can do whatever you want."

Ulysses' eyes brightened.

Then, both hopeful and nervous, he carefully asked,

"In that case..."

"...may I exchange that bouquet..."

"...for one kiss from You?"

He didn't dare ask for more.

After all...

When Morris caught the bouquet, he'd received a kiss from his Male Zerg.

Ulysses wanted one too.

Looking into those hopeful silver eyes...

An Ruo still couldn't refuse.

Stammering awkwardly...

He agreed.

For a split second, Ulysses nearly lost control and kissed him immediately.

But he restrained himself.

There would be another opportunity.

...

Over the next few days, two enormous events shook the Federation.

The first was the return of the missing Male Zerg.

The second was the official launch of the virtual romance game.

At the same time, Commander Morris announced that he would marry his virtual partner Roy, with the entire ceremony streamed across StarNet.

There would be two weddings.

One inside the game.

One in reality.

The in-game ceremony would take place on the Floating Island.

Players everywhere wanted to join...

Only to discover it was the Floating Island from the closed beta.

Only the one hundred beta testers could enter.

Everyone else could only watch the livestream in disappointment.

Inside the game, Roy invited every one of his relatives, friends, classmates, and teachers.

He was finally wealthy enough to casually say,

"I'll cover everyone's shuttle transportation."

Morris didn't have many people to invite inside the game.

So he simply invited every beta tester.

Looking around...

He realized that most of them were familiar faces.

Even the ones he didn't know personally were military personnel.

Basically...

They were all family.

The Marshal also attended.

Accompanying him was a mysterious Male Zerg.

Since the Male Zerg disliked crowded occasions, Morris arranged the villa's best room for them at the Marshal's request.

The wedding ceremony itself still took place in the Floating Island garden.

Roy and Morris exchanged wedding rings.

Then they shared a kiss.

Afterward...

Standing on the stage...

Roy tossed the bouquet high into the air.

There were countless unmarried military female Zergs among the beta testers.

Nearly all of them had brought along their beloved virtual partners.

Naturally...

Everyone wanted that bouquet.

The military female Zergs surged forward all at once, terrified someone else might get there first.

Then—

A spatial rift flashed.

The bouquet disappeared.

Most ordinary officers stared blankly, completely confused about where it had gone.

Several Generals, however...

Had seen everything clearly.

They were somewhat surprised that even the Marshal had competed for the bouquet.

But considering his relationship with that Male Zerg...

It immediately made sense.

Morris quietly explained the situation to the bewildered Roy.

The wedding continued.

Inside the villa room...

Ulysses returned carrying the bouquet.

He handed it to his Male Zerg.

Looking at him expectantly, he asked,

"May I?"

An Ruo knew exactly what he meant.

Holding the bouquet, his face gradually grew warm.

He had already agreed.

So...

He nodded.

Ulysses stepped closer.

Tentatively wrapping an arm around him...

He lowered his head and kissed him.

His movements were eager.

Yet when their lips finally met...

They were incredibly gentle.

Just like before...

He began with nothing more than a cautious touch.

Waiting for permission.

When An Ruo finally yielded beneath his persistent tenderness...

When he parted his lips ever so slightly...

Ulysses slipped inside.

Just as always...

He only knew how to keep going deeper.

An Ruo had originally intended to close the curtains.

But after being kissed...

He forgot completely.

One hand remained behind him, clutching a corner of the curtain.

His head grew light.

He felt as though he were running out of oxygen.

He couldn't help thinking...

After all this time...

Ulysses' kissing technique hadn't improved at all.

It was exactly as terrible as it had been the very first time.

Well...

He'd never had another Male Zerg to practice with.

He probably didn't even realize how bad he was.

At first, An Ruo simply let him continue.

Eventually...

He had no choice but to resist the movement of Ulysses' tongue.

Otherwise...

He was genuinely afraid he might suffocate.

The instant he pushed back—

Ulysses froze.

Like he'd been struck by lightning.

His eyes widened.

Yes.

This Marshal liked kissing with his eyes open.

Watching every single one of An Ruo's reactions.

As though he were solving an exam question.

An Ruo gently pushed his shoulder.

Signaling him to stop.

Although obviously reluctant...

Ulysses obediently withdrew.

He looked at An Ruo with obvious concern, afraid he had made him uncomfortable.

"Ahem..."

An Ruo coughed lightly.

Wiping away the glistening moisture at the corner of his lips...

His eyes slightly red from discomfort...

He said,

"Don't go so deep."

Realizing the Male Zerg was actually teaching him...

Ulysses' silver eyes lit up.

"Yes! Yes!"

"I'll definitely pay attention next time."

"...May I try again?"

"This time I'll do better."

He asked cautiously.

Filled with hope.

An Ruo hesitated.

Then suddenly remembered—

They were still attending a wedding.

Even though only the two of them were inside this room...

There were countless Zergs outside.

Given the perception abilities of those Generals...

They undoubtedly knew exactly what had just happened.

An Ruo's face instantly turned scarlet.

He hurriedly pushed Ulysses.

"Not here."

"Let's go back first."

Ulysses immediately agreed.

An Ruo had meant returning to their residence inside the game.

He switched maps...

Only to discover Ulysses wasn't there.

Then...

His real body sensed spatial energy.

Opening his eyes inside the game pod...

He found Ulysses standing beside him.

Those silver eyes...

Unexpectedly gentle.

Sparkling brilliantly.

An Ruo froze.

...He's not planning to kiss me in real life too, is he?

He slowly sat up inside the pod.

Ulysses reached out to help him.

His fingers lightly brushed over An Ruo's.

"...Can I now?"

What else could An Ruo possibly say?

He could only nod.

Ulysses leaned down and kissed him again.

One hand braced against the edge of the game pod.

The other supported An Ruo's back.

Carefully sensing every emotion...

Every reaction...

This time...

He truly didn't go any deeper.

Even accidentally brushing against the inside of An Ruo's mouth startled him so badly it felt as though he'd suffered a tremendous shock.

An Ruo gently patted his shoulder.

Signaling him to stop.

Ulysses looked at him expectantly.

Waiting for his evaluation.

After a long silence...

An Ruo finally said,

"You can..."

"...move a little."

Ulysses nodded earnestly.

"I understand."

"...Then may I try once more?"

An Ruo agreed again.

This time...

Ulysses gently lowered him back into the game pod before following him down.

One arm supported his own weight against the side.

He made sure not to press all of it onto An Ruo.

Even so...

Their bodies were now pressed tightly together.

Far different from before.

They could clearly feel one another's heartbeat...

One another's physical reactions...

It felt like another kind of bond.

This kiss...

Was completely different as well.

Ulysses began actively teasing and entwining An Ruo's tongue.

An Ruo's thoughts dissolved into complete chaos.

He could no longer think about anything else.

Breaths carrying pheromones lingered inside the game pod.

They made his head spin...

Yet not unpleasantly.

Instead...

Everything felt light.

Comfortable.

This...

Was their first real kiss.

Ulysses' pupils nearly narrowed into vertical slits.

Then uncontrollably widened again.

Over and over...

Contracting.

Expanding.

His imagination had never come close to the reality.

His mind went completely blank.

He acted entirely on instinct.

This time...

An Ruo never asked him to stop.

Only when Ulysses realized he was beginning to struggle for breath...

Did he voluntarily pull away.

He stared blankly at the beautiful Male Zerg beneath him—

The corners of his eyes flushed red...

His lips vividly crimson...

Moon-colored hair spread beneath him...

...So this...

...is what kissing is like?

An Ruo inhaled deeply.

For the first time in a long while...

He appreciated how wonderful fresh air truly was.

Through the lingering haze before his eyes...

He looked up at Ulysses.

He was honestly afraid Ulysses would ask for another lesson.

He had absolutely nothing left to teach him.

His tiny reserve of theoretical knowledge had already been completely exhausted.

If Ulysses asked again...

The only thing left would be telling him to practice tying cherry stems into knots with his tongue.

"Tying cherry stems into knots? Understood."

"I'll go back and practice diligently."

An Ruo blinked.

"...?"

When had he accidentally said that out loud?

...Forget it.

Whether Ulysses would someday kiss him to death...

That was a problem for Future An Ruo.

At least...

Present An Ruo had survived.

He slowly steadied his breathing...

Gradually recovering from oxygen deprivation.

Then Ulysses cautiously asked,

"...May I serve You?"

Inside a game pod built for only one person...

Their bodies remained pressed so closely together...

There was nowhere for either of their reactions to hide.