Refusing My God’s Advances

As I sat on the edge of the floating island, contemplating the intricacies of my situation, I was starting to relax. Aria's explanation had shed some light on her circumstances, yet the uncertainty and potential dangers loomed large. Trusting my instincts was crucial, but navigating this world required a delicate balance.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to explore the Blueprint Library in my printer menu to get my mind off things. The concept of crafting and enhancing items intrigued me, and perhaps uncovering new blueprints could provide valuable tools for the challenges ahead. My focus shifted from the vast sky to the holographic menu projected by my system.

Printer Menu:

1. Print Item
2. Disassemble
3. Enhance
4. Blueprint Library
5. Storage

Choosing the Blueprint Library, I scrolled through the available blueprints. The absence of higher-tier items and the mysterious "Leon's Computer" had me curious. As I delved into the options, my legendary system kicked in, providing additional details.

Blue Print: Enchanted Healing Salve

Print time: 00:10:00

Items Required: Healing Herbs, Crystalized Water

Item's Description: A potent salve that accelerates natural healing. Applied to wounds, it boosts the regenerative properties of the body.

Blue Print: Shadow Step Boots

Print time: 00:15:00

Items Required: Moonshadow Silk, Essence of Stealthroot

Item's Description: Boots that grant enhanced agility and stealth. Allows the wearer to step into shadows briefly, avoiding detection.

Blue Print: Luminous Warding Amulet

Print time: 00:20:00

Items Required: Radiant Crystals, Silver Chain

Item's Description: An amulet that emits a protective aura. Grants resistance to dark magic and enhances the wearer's defenses.

The blueprints presented a range of possibilities, each with its unique benefits. It struck me that these items could be instrumental in facing the challenges that lay ahead. A plan began to form in my mind — a plan to utilize these new tools strategically.

As I pondered my next steps, Aria joined me on the edge of the island. Her eyes held a mix of wonder and confusion. Without saying a word, she sat down beside me, gazing out into the open sky.

I hadn't realized that she was still her, but I wasn't about to chase her away. I just didn't know how to deal with her. Rather than talk, I continued to look through the list. 

Pretty girl or not, this was the passion of my life and something that would never lie to me.

"There seems to be a lot that you can do with this printer thing of yours," Aria said, speaking up finally, and I turned my head with a smile, but our faces were so close that we nearly kissed!

Aria quickly pulled back, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. I chuckled, breaking the tension with a light-hearted comment. "Looks like we almost stumbled into a romantic scene there."

She sighed, a smile playing on her lips. "Sorry about that. I'm still getting used to this... closeness."

"No need to apologize. I am not against it, but I just don't want to push you. If you are as green with men as you say, trying to kiss you might push you over the edge," I replied, glancing at the holographic menu. "Speaking of which, these blueprints could be useful. After I  get my computer finished, I'm thinking of crafting some items to enhance our capabilities. What do you think?"

Aria's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in to get a better look. "Enhanced healing salves, shadow step boots, and luminous warding amulets... they all sound helpful. Do you have enough materials?"

"...No," I said slowly as my own stupidity caught up with me. I had missed that part since my computer didn't need anything to make.

Looking back at the list, I let out a long sigh. "Where am I even going to get any of these things? I have never even heard of any of these!"

Aria chuckled, her smile returning. "Well, lucky for you, I have some knowledge of the local flora and materials of the floating islands. Healing herbs are abundant in the nearby forest you and Daryle were in before, and crystalized water can be obtained from Grim Rock Cave on the Floating Shadow Island. Moonshadow silk comes from a rare breed of spiders that inhabit the Shadow Island, and Essence of Stealthroot can be found in the deeper parts of the forest on a few different islands but is a rare drop. Radiant crystals are typically found in any caves but only from Core Bosses, not Mini-Bosses. Last, but the easiest is silver chains which can be crafted using materials from the mines on the island."

She seemed genuinely excited about explaining these items, her eyes shining with a mix of enthusiasm and determination. It was a side of her that I hadn't seen before, but more than that, I was impressed. Her love of floating islands was no joke, and I was really happy about that.

"Wow, color me impressed! I thought Daryle knew a thing or two, but you are like a walking book!" I laughed, but that made Aria Roll her eyes for some reason with an annoyed look.

"If I would have known you needed to find herbs, I could have taken you. Even after Mary told me that you two had gone, she wouldn't let me go help you!" Aria said, making a cute pouting face with her arms crossed.

She was so cute that I couldn't help but wrap one arm around her shoulder since she was so close. I don't know what made me do it, but as soon as I did, Aria started to breathe hard. 

I mean, at least she was breathing this time, but I thought I had better let go of her. 

Then everything happened really fast.

I tried to remove my arm, but danger bells went off in my head, and time slowed so much that I couldn't move. All I could do was watch Aria's hand reach for mine to stop me from taking it off her I assumed. That was pretty cute, but why was I frozen watching it happen in slow motions with a feeling of real danger coming.

Before Aria's hand reached mine, Mary's hand grabbed Aria's to stop it. My eyes slowly focused on Mary's arm, and I realized that all of her veins were popping out. I tried to look up, but I was suddenly ripped from my place beside Aria.

Then time snapped back, and I realized that Daryle had me, and we were back at the cave entrance. Before I could speak, there was the sound of an explosion in the direction that I had just been, and the entire island shook violently.

"What just happened?!" I demanded, but Daryle laughed as Aria and Mary suddenly appeared.

"I am so sorry!" Aria exclaimed as Mary gasped for breath beside her.

"Huh? For what? What is going on here?!" I demanded again.