Chapter 496: - Connecting with ine


    ?


    [Congrattions! You have earned the title of ''The Faery Bond Proposal Master''.]


    [Your aplishment is remarkable-no other yer has ever seeded in receiving a bond proposal from a Faery Tribe Leader who has lived for centuries!]


    [As a reward for your impressive feat, you now have a 10% increase in elemental damage when fighting alongside faeries.]


    [May your bond with the Faery Tribe Leader ine bring you luck and sess! Have a great time!]


    Broken blinked at the sudden notification. Another achievement, one that granted a boost in elemental damage when fighting with faeries-a powerful bonus, even if situational. But the true weight of the achievementy in the nature of the bond ine was offering.


    He thought back to the details of the curse and how it could only be lifted by someone willing to form a bond with her and then end her life in her Eternal me form. Now, he needed to carefully consider his response to this proposal.


    "So, with this decision," Broken asked, "you''re truly certain? You understand that this means sacrificing your life?"


    ine nodded slowly. She smiled faintly. "I have felt it, this belief, growing within me. Meeting you has only solidified that feeling. As our Queen prophesied, you are indeed the one I''ve waited for all these years." Her voice trembled. "With all my heart, I beg you to grant me this request."


    She bowed gently before Broken, cing her fate-and the fate of her tribe—in his hands. [You have been granted a monumental quest, one that promises to alter the destiny of the Moonlight Fae.]


    [Can You End the Suffering?]


    [Rating: S]


    [So, you think you''ve got what it takes to save the Tribe Leader, ine?


    You''ve got to be brave and willing to take on the challenge of breaking the curse that has gued her for centuries.


    Your journey will require you to form a bond with ine, then face her in her Eternal me form and y her.


    It won''t be easy, but if you seed, the rewards will be immense! Just make sure you don''t get too signed in the process!]


    [Clear Conditions: Form a bond with ine and end her suffering by defeating her in her Eternal me form.]


    [Clear Rewards: Will depend on performance and results.]


    [Quest Failure: The Extinction of the Moonlight Fae.]


    Broken pondered over the quest he had just received-an S-Rated challenge that seemed impossibly heavy. Forming a bond with ine and ultimately ending her life in her cursed form felt cruel, even for a game. Yet, despite how frustrating the task seemed, he knew he couldn''t ignore it.


    ine spoke again. "It would be an honor if you would grant me this wish. More than anything, I want my people to be free from this curse. If my death is the key to their liberation, then I will sacrifice myself willingly."


    Broken smiled at her response. "Tell me, ine," he began, "how do I form a bond with a faery? Specifically, with you?"


    "Uhm..." she hesitated. "Forming a bond with a faery is... a rare thing. It''s based on trust, respect, and shared emotions."


    [Connecting with ine]


    [Rating: A]N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [You have been tasked with a unique quest: To create a bond with the remarkable Tribe Leader of the Moonlight Fae, ine!


    She is a leader who always ces the well-being of her people above all else, and she''s willing to make incredible sacrifices to protect them. One of those sacrifices includes bonding with you!


    All you need to do is raise your affinity with her to at least 80%. Only then will you be able to proceed with the bonding process.]


    [Clear Conditions: Raise your affinity with ine to 80% and establish a connection with her.]


    [Clear Rewards: ine will be your dependable ally, offering unwavering support and loyalty.]


    [Quest Failure: ine will sumb to her curse, resulting in her demise and the eventual extinction of the Moonlight Fae.]


    Broken paused as he read the quest''s conditions again. He needed to raise his affinity with ine to eighty percent-a daunting task.


    Even Polly, his most trustedpanion, only had an affinity of 79%, and they had been through countless battles together. Now, he had to reach an even higher level of trust with ine, and quickly. Every passing month meant another faery would be lost to the Eternal me curse.


    The weight of the situation pressed down on him. Could he really do this in time? Could he build that kind of connection with ine before the curse imed more lives?


    He let out a deep breath. This isn''t something I can force, he thought. It wasn''t like fighting monsters orpleting tasks; this required something more delicate-trust, understanding, and mutual respect. Building a bond.


    Broken thought to himself. "Well, this is definitely something new... Gaining the trust of a faery leader, huh?"


    He couldn''t rely on brute strength or shy skills to get this done. It required a different


    approach.


    "When is the next time you''ll turn into the Eternal me?"


    ine hesitated for a moment before answering, "In two weeks."


    Her gaze softened as she continued, "Mr. Broken, I want to emphasize something-this bond we''re going to form, it''s nothingplicated. It''s just like the one you made with the Spirits. I don''t want you to feel like I''m stealing you away from Ms. Ivana. I know she''s someone who deserves to be by your side. What I''m offering is simply a contract, nothing more. I''m not taking any important position from you."


    Broken chuckled at her words. "How could you think that?"


    ine blinked, confusion crossing her face. "Aren''t you and Ms. Ivana in a rtionship?"


    Broken smiled warmly. "I don''t know how to answer that question, but you don''t need to worry about something like that, ine."


    ine returned his smile. "You''re so kind... I will do my best to aplish this," she said softly. "I want to get to know you better, to trust youpletely, and let you trust me the


    same way."


    She paused for a moment, her voice growing quieter. "I''ve seen how you fight, how you save yourpanions. I''ve seen the effort you put into protecting them... and I... admire that."


    Broken, sensing her vulnerability, gently ced his hand on her head. "Be brave. You''re doing this for your people, aren''t you? You should be proud of yourself."


    ine closed her eyes for a moment, taking in his words. When she looked at him again, there was a renewed determination in her gaze. "Thank you, Mr. Broken. I will face this with


    courage."


    [ine felt the warmth of each and every word you said. The hope she had been longing for finally appeared before her. She now ces her faith in you, and her fondness for you has


    increased to 69%.]


    Oh? The affinity had risen again, and so quickly.


    Broken couldn''t help but feel surprised at the rapid progress. Of course, this wasn''t just because of him—it was ine''s own willingness and her determination to form the bond that elerated the process. She had clearly already ced much of her trust in him, wanting the


    contract to seed for the sake of her people.


    Two weeks! He reminded himself.


    He had that short time to reach the required 80% affinity. Only 11% more... but that could still


    be a lot.


    He started to wonder, What makes a woman truly feel connected to someone?


    **


    (Author''s Note:)


    Aww, ine''s already up to 69% affinity![]


    That''s some fast progress for our Faery Bond Proposal Master!


    But with two weeks left before the next full moon, can Broken hit that magic 80% in time?


    What do you think—what''s the fastest way to a faery''s heart? [] Let me know your ideas in the


    comments!


    And if you''re loving these emotional rollercoasters (or just cheering for more cute moments), hit that Golden Ticket to keep the magic flowing! ??