CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER : 41 : FIVE MORE MINUTES...

The dungeon was silent.

For once, it wasn’t the silence that came before blood and screaming monsters. It wasn’t dread.

It was warm.

Soft.

Peaceful.

Aiden didn’t remember falling asleep. One second he was lying between Luna and Lysandra, both curled into him like blankets with claws and sass. And the next... gone. Out cold. His body had finally given up after wave six.

He was warm.

And heavy.

Why was he heavy?

His eyes were still closed, but something soft and small was pressing down on his chest. It moved with each breath—gentle, warm, breathing. Then he felt it—little fingers clenched tightly in the collar of his shirt. Soft cheeks nestled into his upper body.

Ivy.

She was lying completely on top of him, her small body stretched along his torso, tummy pressed to his chest, face buried under his chin like she’d melted into him. Her little legs curled up near his waist, bare toes twitching slightly as she mumbled something in her sleep.

And then, across his left side, Luna. Still soft and impossibly close. Her face tucked against his neck, her arm looped lazily around his stomach, her thigh slung over one of his legs. Her tail had wrapped around his calf during the night.

And nestled on that tail like it was the most comfortable throne in the world—

"...Miii~..."

Fluffynugget.

Snoring.

On. Her. Tail.

And on the other side of him—his right side—Lysandra. Regal, proud, and currently drooling lightly on his shoulder. Her arm had wormed its way under his shirt sometime during sleep, and her leg was draped over his thigh like she’d been trying to claim territory.

He was covered.

Pinned.

And...

Weirdly okay with it.

---

PLAYER PLEASE WAKE UP. FINAL WAVE BEGINS IN 05:00 MINUTES.

---

The soft synthetic voice echoed in his head like a whisper laced with static.

Aiden groaned.

His eyes cracked open slowly, vision blurry. The system panel hovered in front of him, gold and glowing, gentle despite the doom it foretold.

"Five minutes...?" he muttered, voice rough.

Then he blinked.

He looked down.

And froze.

Ivy was sprawled over him like a plush toy. Her chest rising slowly, her lips slightly parted, one soft breath after another tickling his neck. Her little hands were clenched in his shirt like she was scared he’d vanish if she let go.

Aiden swallowed. Carefully. He didn’t move.

"What the hell..."

He peeked left.

Luna, purring softly in her sleep, her fingers gripping his side. Her full chest rose and fell against his ribs, her warm breath tickling his collarbone.

Right.

Lysandra, flushed even in sleep, had curled tighter against him, her arm still under his shirt, her knee practically brushing somewhere dangerous.

"...Goddamn," Aiden whispered.

He sighed and rested his head back. "Y’know... system, you’re a pain in my ass."

But then, glancing at the peaceful faces clinging to him, he smiled.

"...Thanks."

Even with doom incoming, this moment—this mess of limbs and closeness and weird-ass glitter monsters behind them—felt like something worth surviving for.

Still, they had to get up.

Eventually.

He turned his head slightly and whispered, "Luna... Ly... wake up."

No response.

Just soft groans and mumbled half-syllables.

"...Hey. Final wave’s coming. Time to get up."

Luna snuggled closer and purred. "Five more minutes..."

Lysandra mumbled, "Mmh... no royal duties today..."

"Ivy?"

She didn’t even twitch. Just let out a little "Mmm... Onii-chan~" and nuzzled into his chest.

Aiden blinked. "We have four minutes."

He stared at the system clock.

Then looked back at all the girls.

Pinned.

Surrounded.

"...Screw it."

He looked at Luna’s tail.

Wiggling his fingers, he reached toward it—

Only to feel a faint tremble.

He looked up.

Fluffynugget’s nose twitched.

Then he shimmered.

Sparkle Blast: Charging...

"Nope!" Aiden yanked his hand back just as the air glittered slightly.

He stared at the fluffy time bomb. "How the hell are you half-awake and still ready to explode?"

"Mii~..." Fluffynugget snored.

"...Menace."

Then Aiden turned his attention to something else.

His eyes slid to the right.

To Lysandra.

Specifically...

To her chest.

Perfect. Plush. Soft under the thin fabric of her dungeon-torn top.

And very close.

He smirked.

"If they won’t wake up..."

His hand slid up slowly, cupping Lysandra’s breast softly. Testing the weight.

She twitched.

His thumb brushed.

She gasped.

Eyes snapping open, her face instantly crimson.

"S-Sir Aiden!?" she squeaked.

"Morning," he said with a shit-eating grin, squeezing gently.

"I—y-you’re—what are you doing!?"

"Waking you up," he said innocently. "Five minutes left."

"There are better ways!"

"You looked peaceful."

"I WAS ASLEEP!"

"You’re still adorable when you yell."

"Y-you... you MENACE!"

But she didn’t pull away.

Not really.

Just hid her face in his shoulder, blushing violently.

Then—

His other hand slid down.

To Luna.

Specifically...

That round, perfect, delicious wolf-girl butt.

Squeeze.

"Mmm~" Luna purred, still half-asleep. "Master... more..."

Aiden paused.

"...Wait, you’re awake?"

"Was waiting," she purred, tail swishing lazily now, brushing against his thigh. "I like your hands there."

She arched her back slightly, pushing into his grip.

Lysandra gasped again. "Y-you two—h-have you—?!"

"We have," Luna said proudly, eyes still closed. "And it was amazing~"

Aiden chuckled. "Luna..."

"Just stating facts," she purred.

Lysandra let out a choked groan and slapped his chest lightly. "Perverts. Both of you."

"You’re blushing way too much to be angry," Aiden teased, squeezing her again.

"Y-you’re impossible!"

"And yet, you’re still holding me."

"...Shut up."

---

Aiden sighed and finally sat up—slowly, carefully, cradling Ivy gently as he moved.

She murmured softly, still asleep, her cheek pressed to his chest. Her fingers didn’t let go.

Luna stretched with a sleepy moan, tail swaying behind her. "So warm..."

Lysandra sat up beside him, arms folded under her chest—trying (and failing) to hide her flustered expression.

Aiden looked down at Ivy.

"...I hate waking her."

"I’ll carry her," Luna offered.

"No," Aiden whispered. "Let her sleep a bit longer."

He turned to the others, adjusting Ivy’s position just enough that she rested safely in his arms. Her breath was soft, steady, sweet.

Then he stood, slowly, stretching his limbs.

"Time to finish this."

Luna stepped beside him, brushing her tail against his back. "Together."

Lysandra sighed, brushing her hair from her eyes. "If we die... I’m haunting you."

"I’d expect nothing less," Aiden smirked.

Behind them, Fluffynugget blinked awake.

"Mii~?"

The sparkle started rising already.

"Let’s end this," Aiden said, his voice calm—but ready.

One last wave.

One last fight.

But for now, he was awake.

And he was whole.

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END OF Chapter 41: FIVE MORE MINUTES...

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