Leveling Up With Monster Girls

Before the conversation could proceed any further, a knock interrupted them.

How convenient.

Julius opened the door to find Mudgob standing outside with a clipboard and a pen.

"What is it?" he questioned.

"The item on tonight’s menu is bread with our special brew of mudmilk," Mudgob said. "I was checking in to see if it is to your taste?"

Julius was familiar with the first item, but mudmilk didn’t sound appetizing. At the risk of sounding like a stranger, he turned to Yumiko. She was already standing and gave a nod and said she would have whatever he had.

At least he had someone to suffer alongside him if the taste turned out different. He also asked Mudgob for water along with the meal.

Mudgob wrote down his answers, which Julius found strange considering there were only three items, before bowing and leaving.

Julius closed the door, double-checking for any hole someone could use to watch him from outside. He found none.

He turned back to the room. Yumiko’s clothes were on the bed. The washroom door was open and the water was running. He also noted his footwear was missing.

He took the opportunity to explore the system. This was a good moment since he hadn’t had privacy since he came to this world.

He asked Iris to pull up the interface.

He was curious about the limitations of the system and the Bond Protocol, and this was as good a time as any to ask.

"What are your limitations?"

[You have to be specific.]

"Can you read my mind?"

[If you mean your thoughts about your brother, or the curves of the Drakin woman by gate or the ones about Yumiko when you saw her clothes on the bed — ]

"Okay, I get it."

[Anything else you’d like to know?]

"What is your main goal objective?"

[To ensure You complete the main Quest and utilize the Bond Protocol]

Julius paused before asking the question he had been holding off on for a while.

"What is the Bond Protocol, and what does it entail?"

[Would you like to activate it?]

"That’s not what I mean."

[The protocol is made to aid your main quest and comes with necessary skills that help your physical attributes.]

[I can’t tell you beyond that unless you agree to activate the protocol.]

[Would you like to activate it?]

Julius noted the system was a crafty one. He needed the information, but it was locked beyond activation like a paywall for premium content. He had no idea what activation entailed. He hoped it wasn’t anything too crazy.

"Very well. Activate the protocol."

The screen hummed as the outline glowed before fading away. A new pop-up appeared.

[Bond Protocol activated.]

However, that wasn’t the only thing that appeared. A few dozen followed.

[Horny Elven maidens in your area.]

[Local Lamia wants your sword.]

[The Mortal Glaze: To come or to go]

[Level up with monster girls]

And various other screens highlighted in pink

A wave of panic overcame Julius.

"What the hell — "

He clicked each pop-up’s cancel button, turning back to check if Yumiko was behind him, before looking straight at the remaining screen.

[I thought it was fitting to give you a warm welcome.]

[My apologies.]

[It may happen again.]

"You are without doubt the worst system I have heard of."

[But You have heard of Me]

Julius smacked his palm to his face. He looked at the pink outline around the interface before asking his earlier question.

"What is the bond protocol and what does it entail?"

[The protocol aims to improve your physical body for what is to come.]

Julius was about to ask another follow up question when a flicker of movement happened in his peripheral vision.

Yumiko stood in the doorway, hair damp. The shower was still running.

She said nothing.

Julius had no idea how long she had been there.