Chapter 2: Selling Myself Off
"Why do you want to marry me?"
"It was a love at first sight!"
"Love at first sight...?"
The ghost seemed to think Isaac could see her.
He decided to take full advantage of the misunderstanding.
"Yes. I feel in love as soon as I saw you. In fact, I came to this place just to get more chances to meet you."
He continued with a sincere expression.
"Look, I know how to cook, clean, wash clothes.
"I can keep the house spotless, make you delicious meals, and even give you massages after a long night of haunting people! I'd be the best husband you could ask for!"
"...You're seriously selling yourself to me?" the voice asked.
"Absolutely! You won't find a more devoted husband than me! Just give it a shot, and if you don't like it, well... you can still eat me later."
The ghost said nothing for a long time.
Isaac grew nervous.
But he kept his act up.
"Haha, I guess I'm bound to be rejected."
He did his best to fake a sad expression.
The ghost remained silent.
But since she hadn't eaten him yet, his sales pitch had to be working.
Or so, Isaac hoped.
He doubled his efforts and made the most melancholic expression that ever appeared on his face.
"I'm an orphan. Ever since I was a child, I always longed for love. But I had no one. I thought maybe that would change with you. I guess I was being delusional," he said with a pitiful expression.
Silence again.
'Why isn't she saying yes? Don't tell me she will refuse?'
Isaac started to sweat. He should've taken some acting classes, dammit!
Just when he thought it was the end, the status screen moved towards him.
"Do you really like me?"
"I do," he replied, hoping she wasn't a monster ghost with spider-like body.
"Okay, fine." The ghost spoke as if she had made a tough decision. "But don't think for a moment I won't drain your life."
A cool sensation brushed against his lips, silencing his response.
Isaac's eyes widened.
He couldn't see her, but he felt her.
Her soft lips, cold as death, melded against his.
The sensation was strangely pleasant.
Despite the chill, a tingling sensation ran down his spine.
His heart pounded, and an inexplicable warmth spread through his chest.
[Bonded Blessings System Activated.]
[Marriage Contract formed with Emily Warren, the Ghost Bride.]
[Host has received a Newbie Gift Package for his first kiss with his wife.]
The system notifications flashed before his eyes, but before he could even focus on them, a sudden wave of weakness crashed over him.
His limbs felt heavy, his vision dimmed, and his heartbeat slowed.
Her soft, supple lips were still pressed against his.
And she was sucking the life out of him.
Isaac tried to pull back, but his body wouldn't move.
His energy was draining too fast.
'Newbie package!' Isaac called within his mind, knowing he couldn't escape the ghost unless he had a trick up his sleeve.
[Opening Newbie Gift Package.]
[SSS-rank Appearance upgrade received.]
Isaac felt a light source appear within his mind.
He could use it with a thought, and his appearance would receive a tremendous upgrade.
The reward was good.
But....
'What the hell?'
'Give me something to escape this situation!'
Isaac felt wronged.
This system was a scam!
It wasn't helping him at all!
His consciousness blurred.
"W-wait." He barely managed to eek out a few words. "I need to breathe."
She pulled back slightly.
He could feel her ragged breaths against his skin.
They made his heart beat faster.
She kept her hands wrapped around his neck, as if to make sure he couldn't escape.
"Why stop?"
Followed by her voice, the darkness before him shifted, and a figure emerged.
Isaac's breath caught in his throat.
She was picturesque.
Platinum-white hair cascaded down her shoulders like strands of silk.
Her skin was pale, almost translucent, glowing faintly in the dim light.
Her eyes were a mesmerizing azure, like the oceans.
She was dressed in an elegant, flowing gown that seemed to be woven from moonlight itself.
A faint blush covered the tip of her ears as she stared into his eyes.
Isaac's mind blanked for a moment. He had never seen anyone so beautiful.
"Are we doing something wrong? You said this was what you wanted," she questioned, misunderstanding his gaze.
"I did?"
Isaac was stunned. He wondered when he asked for a minute-long kiss.
"You said you wanted us to be husband and wife. Isn't what we are doing something only couples do?" she asked hesitantly.
Her innocent expression almost made him say yes, and take advantage of her.
However, his survival instincts kicked in.
"There are steps to everything. We should get to know each other first, then move to things like kiss—"
"We are married already. We can do kisses and more."
Isaac clamped his mouth shut.
He really wanted to cry. Since when did ghosts become so logical?
While he was trying to think of an answer, she mistook his silence as a sign of approval.
Her arms pulled him in for another kiss.
Seeing her now, touching her, made everything feel more vivid.
Her lips were sweet like marshmallows.
Isaac found himself losing in them.
He pinched himself hard and used the pain to remain clearheaded.
His eyes darted around for a way to escape.
He suddenly noticed something.
An arrow symbol existed on system's status window of Emily.
He willed to click on it, and Emily's status window changed, as if a page was being flipped, and a new screen appeared.
Name: Emily Warren
Title: None
Species: Netherborn Phantom Empress
Rank: Initiate, Lv. 9 (Share)
Stats (Share):
Strength: 22
Agility: 40
Constitution: 25
Spirit Power: 45
Mana: 60
Skills (Share):
Spectral Claws (SSS rank) – Can extend razor-sharp spectral claws that ignore physical armor.
Life Drain (A rank) – Drains vitality from the target, restoring Emily's energy.
Phantom Step (SSS rank) – Moves through physical objects and attacks by phasing between realms.
Demonic Eyes (S rank) – Allows Emily to see souls, illusions, and weak points in enemy defenses.
'W-what is this status?'
Isaac had trouble believing his eyes.
Initiate was the first rank. A Level 9 Initiate would typically have an average of 19 in all stats.
It made no sense that some of her stats were near and above 50.
Her skills were even more frightening.
In human terms, only an Awakener with an SSS-rank Talent could have SSS-rank skills.
These Awakeners were the pride of a nation.
They were treated as royalty!
But they would have only one SSS-rank skill before they reached Level 10 Initiate.
Emily had two SSS-rank skills, one S-rank skill and one A-rank skill!
She was only Level 9!
'Her Life Drain skill is A-rank. She should be instantly able to kill me.'
'She is serious about letting me feel like I've married her before she kills me. That's why she is slowing the draining.'
Although her actions spoke of her kindness, it didn't change Isaac's situation.
He was still dying.
Just then, Isaac noticed the (Share) option that was present in multiple parts.
'What is this—'
His thoughts were cut short as a screen sprang before him.
[Would you like to share your wife Emily Warren's experience points with you?]