Seraphim Online: Afterlife

‘Huh? Where am I? Oh no…’

From just a moment ago, I was locked up in the arms of a clingy dragon but now, I’m in a space of nothingness. A return to the void. When I first entered the world, this place was the first thing I encountered.

And exactly as before, a cute blonde-haired woman smiles at me, appearing in the blink of an eye from the ominous background.

‘Shit. If it means I’m here… did I die again? Lena didn’t smother me in my sleep or squeeze me to death, right?’

[You can relax, my child, there is no reason to be concerned. The elven body is exactly where you left it, I’m just conversing with your soul for now.]

Her words initially put my nerves to rest, until I find something else to worry about.

“Conversing with my soul? You sure that wouldn’t kill me?”

[Hehe, no it wouldn’t, just imagine this as a lucid dream rather than anything sinister. Please relax child, this is only a check up to see how you are. Would you care to join me for some tea?]

“Okay?”

With a snap of her finger, a table and a couple of chairs form between us. I guess it’s time for a tea party with the Goddess of this world then?

Both sitting down, Seraphim pours the pot and what comes out is an already premade cuppa, mixed with milk and presumably sugar in the pot itself.

‘I’m really disappointed in her. This isn't right.’

Who in their right mind makes a batch for one specific set of tastebuds and this weak no less!? This is as bad as drinking it with the teabag still in the cup! Putting aside we’re drinking from what might as well be saucers, this is making the inside of my brain itch.

Regardless, Seraphim tries her hardest not to giggle at my annoyance while I try my best at not sticking my pinky out. If there’s a next time we do this, I’ll have to personally show her the ropes! She may be a Goddess but I am a goddamn Brit!

[Hehe… now, how are things? Not experiencing too much discomfort with things down below in Seraph?]

“Eh, the Badlands are pretty brutal and I’m weak as shit. Besides that, things have been alright… this tea is the biggest challenge I’ve across thus far.”

I’ve always been pretty adaptive but I think this comes down to one thing really… Lena. Without her and the ability to get around, those earlier quests would’ve been a slog.

Instead of continuing to smile and giggle from my tea snobbery, the Goddess honestly just looks a little sad for me, like she’s looking at me through a lens of pity.

[That’s not what I meant, child, I mean regarding your affliction. The fact you’ve been stuck possessing a body like this was something out of my control.]

“Oh that? It’s just one of those things really, no point becoming stuck on something I cannot change.”

Seraphim may look at me with remorse like I’m holding something in, the fact is things have been good. Sure, using the loo could be easier, life is colder and and I’m pretty top heavy, my love for breasts outweighs any downsides.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it… I’m going to get that time of the month soon, aren’t I?”

And so, my mood spectacularly falls off a cliff. It may be a joke but women are famously grumpy when that sort of thing kicks in. From what I’ve heard, it makes sense why but I still don’t want it!

[I’m glad you can make a joke, child, I can’t imagine most would adapt so well. How has the guide been serving you? I presume it got the tweaks I added? That book may be incomplete but it does a job at least.]

While she takes a long sip for her own bowl, I’m honestly a little surprised she’s still looking out for me.

“That was your work? Guess you can’t tell me what the extreme reward is?”

[That I cannot, child. I am able to offer out rewards in the form of quests, just with heavy restrictions as my role on Seraph has to remain limited.]

It really must suck to be a God on a leash but the thing is, what is actually stopping her?

“But why though? What happens if you do?”

[Rules and consequences, child, eyes are always watching so best remain anonymous for now. I try my hardest at helping but this place turns more into a prison every day. Someday… I doubt my intervention will leave this place…]

Feeling the Goddess and her aura dive off a cliff, I’m not going to question more on this. Eh, it’s not like I’d be able to help her with godly issues anyways.

[I see your finished with the cup, child. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll send you back to the dragon you’ve been spending so much time with. It really was difficult to grab her from that place.]

“You mean… you saved Lena from the Abyss? Why?”

[She was in distress, just like the time you spent in that place. Dragons aren’t meant to fade into obscurity, the abyss of nothingness does that to all. In time, you’ll understand what effect that place has on the world and more.]

Even though she obviously is trying to keep things vague, this Goddess seems to put my mind at ease. Maybe it’s akin to magic or maybe she’s just a master manipulator. Either way, she seems alright.

[For now, please enjoy the tea… if you want another dismal cup. However, the night grows cold and something is telling me a certain dragon likes to kick in her sleep.]

“Heh, freaking Lena. If it’s not hugging, it’s now kicking…”

__________

“…That’s pretty much everything since we left off. Just a load of death with some levelling in-between.”

“Yup, me and Sera took all their IDs if you want them… she is right though. The Badlands is sad.”

Back to Bordertown and to our place of employment, me and Lena have just told the sisters what we’ve been through recently. Of course, we left out a few key details… seems like everyone here already knows why we’re so fast.

Unlike the usual, the place is half filled today and judging by the fact the busty receptionist has bags under her eyes, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s been up all night working. Her older sister is working her to death.

“Shame about what happened to that adventurer, his father will at least be happy knowing he’s put to rest. Thanks for doing this for us, most other adventurers would’ve said no.”

“We’ll take the IDs and fill in the report. Like usual, a reward for a job well done.”

[Level 6 has now been obtained, Sera. You know what to do.]

‘Okay… stamina today. Save the perk for another time… the strength threshold isn’t that far away.’

Now that’s sorted, both me and Lena conveniently look over to the quest board and what do you know, there’s options! For a rare change, we’ve got two quests left!

“Before you ask, those are more herb collecting quests. We’re recommending to every adventurer NOT to take them. The travel costs outweigh the reward.”

“Yes! We’re going to take them down in a few days, you can have them but we’re trying to teach the idiot who posted the quests a lesson. No one is going to travel to the desert just for a bag of weeds!”

There’s some unexpected guild politics I didn’t know. If the quest sucks that hard, even the receptionists don’t want people taken up the job. This doesn’t even appear to be a danger thing.

While I’m pondering on the inner details how this place even works as a business, probably down to quest posters paying a small fee, the busty receptionist seems to raise one brow like she’s in surprise or planning something sinister…

“You know, Miss Sera and Miss Lena, did you ever pick up on our names? I don’t think we ever told you!”

“Moron… you’re really bothering them with this? It’s highly unprofessional.”

The both of us honestly haven’t a clue, who thought guild receptionists have names anyway? It’s like that one anime with the guy who “loves” goblins, find me one character that has a name that isn’t a role or title? My name would be Red Elf and Lena’s would be Purple Dragon.

‘I mean, I could just cheat…’

‘You blurred their names just to spite me, didn’t you, Guide?’

[Affirmative Sera, use the status for more important measures rather than name learning.]

All of a sudden, a tiny memory comes to mind that puts a smile on my face. I’m not allowing my Guide to spoil my mood.

“Heh… got a good idea on your sister’s nickname at least.”

“Nickname?”

“Please don’t say it.”

“Hehe, Sera’s right! It was Peaches! He called you Peaches, didn’t he?”

Lena unfortunately doesn’t get the teasing blackmail route I was taking and blurts it out, right in front of a sister who’s bound to make fun of it.

“Did you just call her… Peaches? Freaking Peaches!?! Hahahaha…”

Falling over and causing an earthquake sized crack to split the headquarters in half, minus my exaggeration, the bustier receptionist gasps into laughter while the smaller sister just facepalms and even seems to fluster a bit.

“You just had to tell her that, didn’t you? I’m going to skin that guy alive.”

“Hahaha… *cough cough*, I can’t breathe! You know as a child, she used to sneak off at night to steal from father’s peach tree! She stuffed her face like a chipmunk!”

“And you had a thing for digging up and eating from mother’s melon patch. How is that any different?”

“It’s way different! At least I’ve got the evidence to back it up! Your metabolism just sucks!”

“Fat idiot.”

Returning back from below the counter from her laughing fit, the gigantic sister has to flaunt her authority over her sister by swinging her chest at her. All the while, the smaller just shakes her head and tries her best and remaining composed. I’m stunned someone so stoic looking can fluster like this.

“Whatever… there is something else you two should probably do. The guild master is asking for you… don’t ask why. Head on upstairs, first door on the left.”

“Heya, no fair! I’m the head of customer relations! All you do is scare away members, big sister Peaches!”

“*Facepalm*. Get back to work or you’ll be working overtime for the next month!”

Leaving the bickering sisters alone, we head up the stairs while Lena starts to giggle uncontrollably. She’s going to make this worse…

“Hehe, at least we know their names now, Sera! Melons and Peaches!”

“I heard that!”

“Suitable… she has similar intelligence to a melon…”

Now chuckling to ourselves while we’ve given little sister Peaches some ammunition to work with, we get to the open upstairs of this guild and find three doors in a line ahead of us. Behind door number one is…

Inside is a relatively small study, cozily decorated with three seats inside, one obviously behind the desk. That seat however appear to already be occupied by one hell of a man.

“Bloody hell! You’ve got a barmy body mate, innit!”

‘Heh, I’m not going to stop teaching her things from back home. She hasn’t grasped slang just yet.’

“Ha! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, adventurers Sera and Lena. Please be seated so we can start.”

In response, he gives Lena a little flex while I try my best at not eyerolling our new boss while taking a seat. I am a little surprised that his accent is quite strong, similar to how a Northerner or a Scot might sound speaking the language of the King. I’m not smelling any chips drenched in gravy or fried chocolate bars around here though.

Now together facing eye to eye against the smiling man, it’s time for my own show. By that, I mean I’m getting serious. This guy may appear happy and carefree on the surface, there’s way more to this guy than meets the eye.

“What is the meaning of this? Let’s skip the pleasantries and dive right into the problem.”

Why else would we be called to the boss’s or principal’s office? There has to be something bigger at play here.

“It’s nothing concrete just yet but your reputation may be growing. Unofficially, you two may be growing eyes from wealthy backers. Officially, there is a problem that may unsolvable…”

Elbows on his desk, beefy fingers coming together and his face turning deadly serious in the blink of an eye, whatever the next subject is must be really important.

“The official reason is regarding that darkened figure. You didn’t capture a name, did you?”

Me and Lena ponder for a moment but know it’s probably for the best we try and say more. That person is already responsible for one destruction of a guild branch.

“Can’t be sure but we may have heard the name General being said once or twice.”

“Mhm-hm. It sounds pretty lame considering what he’s done.”

“That General? Shit… it’s exactly what I feared. Listen, under no circumstances do you two engage or even approach him, understood?”

A single drip of sweat seems to run down the guild master’s face, clearly this hasn’t made the situation any better.

“What’s the big deal? I bet me and Sera could take him down if we really tried.”

“Look lass, the toughest of heroes or idiots have tried, he’s a warrior not worth it. You two have proven yourself competent so listen up, you will die if you try. I won’t have your unnecessary deaths on my conscience.”

Lena almost looks to sulk from this and crosses her arms. I think I’ll be the sensible one for the both of us and make sure we leave this guy well enough alone.

“Anyways, onto a lighter tone, I’ve got another investigation quest for you to follow up on. Like the last set of ruins, just find out what happened and then return. That’s the other reason of this meeting.”

“Heh, bit ironic. You do know he’ll probably be responsible for the other set of ruins?”

“Yeah! You just told me and Sera to stay away!”

Thankfully, this guy is able to put his smile back on pretty quickly. It was obvious I was going to mention the hypocrisy behind the next quest.

“Ha! I’m more perceptive than I let on, lasses. I’ve got a good idea on how you two get around so I’m sure you’ll be able to ‘outrun’ him.”

Like to no one’s surprise, both of us tense up when the guild master so brazenly announces knowing about Lena’s secret. It seems this entire guild knows she’s a dragon.

“Just relax, you two are valuable to anyone with a brain so this isn’t something that is public. The only others that know of this are the two sisters and they’ve already promised to keep it to their last breaths.”

“Fair enough, I guess that works.”

“Hehe, I don’t care that much about it. Sera does though.”

At the end of the day, my concern for this just comes down to Lena not being exploited really. It’s bad enough I have to rely on her so much, I’d hate for her to be forced to serve people who look at her like a tool. This dragon is so much more than that.

“Unless there’s anything else you want to ask, I’ll give you the quest. Since this is more of a personal errand, the reward will be better…”

__________

“Sera… why are you so boring at times!?”

‘Heh, she can be such a child.’

“Seraaa! Pay attention to me!”

The wind blows my crimson hair astray as I stand tall and slightly sweaty, a woodchopper’s axe locked my hands and an childish dragon to my side. Before we set off, had an idea on another way of levelling strength.

As you can tell by the fact my strength has increased and my hands already start to blister, this is working well. It’s just a shame Lena gets nothing from my gains.

“Everything sucks if I can’t pester you… Seraaa! Look at me!”

‘Heh, ignore the loveable lizard. I’ve already given her some money to do something with.’

Between the cuts of splitting up firewood, Lena keeps getting closer and even now puts her pouting face right up against my ear. If she goes to nibble it, I may just have to call this quits.

“Can’t you do this later and we start on that other quest you told me about?”

“Heh, already told you, Lena, it’s not that simple.”

The quest to create twenty-four differing potions, you’d think you could cheat by finding an alchemist’s or ingredient shop. The thing is, the Bordertown high street that has everything, doesn’t have anything regarding to potions.

“Lena, don’t you want me growing muscles like that guild leader anyways? I saw how your eyes looked him up and down, it’s like I’ve got competition now.”

As my axe swipes down splitting some more firewood in two, Lena physically recalls from my question and even gags!

“That’s gross, Sera! He has way too much muscle! You’re not jealous, are you?”

“Heh, of course not. I’m just trying to get the same sort of fawning over here.”

“I wasn’t fawning, Sera! I was looking at the safe behind him, just imagine how many shiny coins were there! And I fawn at you all the time… I’ll have you know.”

Can’t help at chuckle at my dragon compatriot, it’s that baser instinct that dragons share with crows. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that little bit at the end she sputtered under her breath.

Anyways, I continue on with my training placing down some more uncut firewood when Lena grows even more impatient, this time making sure to get in my way and even leaning into me. With her breasts slightly rubbing against my shoulder like this, she either has no clue what she’s doing or knows exactly what she’s doing…

“There has to be a way of getting your attention somehow, Sera…”

‘Heh, she’s going to take this too far now. Just let me train, damn it vixen!’

“I know! Humans love breasts, right? What if it’s impossible to focus on your work?”

…

My jaw might as well hit the stump when Lena confidently finds a solution to her attention deficit, even somehow levelling up my speech in the process. I’ve somehow managed to pass a speech check without even realizing I was in one!

“Lena, please! Can I just do this without having to worry about you stripping off in front of me!?”

Strength is notoriously annoying to level especially lugging around so much stuff. Even though this may be slow, it’s still faster than anything else I’ve done up to this point.

But as expected, she now decides the best course of action is to play it coy. Sitting down on the stump and placing her elbows together, I’m not going to win this battle, am I?

“Nope! You’ll just have to hurry up, Sera! Say… should I start with the left strap or the right?”

…

Using all the power and might I can muster, I ignore the temptress to my side now playing with her bra and put one-hundred percent effort into my swing. Breathing steady and ready to strike, the axe skies above my head and then crashes down again!

With every swing, another batch of firewood is split and my speed increases rapidly. Whack! Cut! Split! My power level surpasses nine-thousand as my woodchopping skills reach an all time high! The wood I’m cutting is so precise and such a high quality, Seraphim herself would weep at the thought of ever burning such a prized batch of wood.

I’m so fast in fact, my face fills with sweat all the while Lena tries her best at holding back the giggles. In the time it’s taken Lena move the bra strap down her sleeve, I’ve cut up a dozen carriages worth of firewood. I’m of course not exaggerating at all.

“Phew… I’m done for now, Lena. You have my undivided attention.”

Thankfully, the strap has returned back up her arm but what’s left is a woman who now appears flustered. Or is she annoyed I basically just tuned her down?

“Lena… you weren’t seriously going to strip off for me, were you?”

“Hehe, don’t see the problem if I did, Sera. You know I’m technically always nude as a dragon, right?”

“I… didn’t know that! You mean to say I’m literally riding someone who’s nude!?”

Why is this the first time I’m realizing this? I thought this relationship was moving at a leisurely pace but it appears I’ve already been riding her naked through the skies!

“Hehe, did say you’re naughty, Sera. How you’ve corrupted my heart like this I’ll never know!”

“Yeah yeah, poxy dragon. Stay there a second… got a gift for you.”

“Hehe, okay dokey, Sera!”

Still up on the stump, this seems like as good time as any. Seeing that she knows how to bring life to this blank elven face, might as well bring life to hers as well.

My hands placed against her arms; eyes longing deep into Lena’s and noses brushing against each other, this dragons gets even cuter up close. We have to do this.

‘Her ruby lips are always so nice.’

The kiss is spectacular as usual, our lips locking and fluster growing expeditiously. That’s until something takes me aback.

“Mhmm… e-erm, sorry Sera. Did you not like that?”

“I’m… n-not sure, Lena. Can we try that again but not together?

In the bliss of pure passion, Lena’s warm hands wander to somewhere soft and squidgy while her tongue… dives deeper. It’s not like it was bad, just took for surprise.

Again, I initiate the kiss and going extremely slowly, Lena’s hands return to where they just were, lightly rubbing around and the outside of my bosom. I think my eyes might be in the back of my head, no one told me how much this could enhance a simple kiss.

“Mhmm, h-hehe, Sera. Y-You pinch me d-down there and w-we’ll have a problem.”

“Heh, d-don’t give me ideas.”

Seeing that her hands have a mind of their own, it’s only fair if my hands my hands retreat to somewhere firm but also plump.

In response to my hands wandering, Lena’s replaces her travelling palms by following it up with that kiss thing she just tried. Her tongue dives deeper…

It’s… definitely an odd but euphoric feeling, a warmth inside that’s hard to describe. Our tongues move about passionately, it’s definitely different to say the least.

‘Heh… we really are useless. Think we’ll need to stop soon.’

I think it’s safe to say both of us have never done this before, neither of us are exactly sure where to place our tongues but are trying to wing it the best we can. The warmth of feeling another inside your mouth is definitely… arousing though.

[Ahem… this guide should probably remind Sera that the strength threshold was met earlier on.]

‘What? Ah right, the strength levelling. Eh… let’s keep this going for a little longer…’