I will share my past with you I

The 85th floor of Hell's Spire; it was a sprawling expanse that stayed unchanged as time flowed by effortlessly.

Just like all the other floors, it was a battlefield where countless players fought to survive against hordes of monstrous creatures, either to get stronger or to gain new skills and otherworldly treasures.

The sky above the players' heads was covered in dark, hazy clouds, witnessing their valiant struggle. But they fought with all their strength, hoping to one day move up to the next floor with their companions or, if they lost them, at least by themselves.

In the midst of this treacherous landscape, nestled among many dark mountains, there was a cluster of wooden houses inside protective stone walls. These mountains were infested with menacing lizard-like creatures, with pitch-black eyes.

But the stone walls shielded the small population of players from the monsters, providing them a place to rest and find respite inside the wooden houses.

The area was crafted by an elderly elven couple, distinguished by their pointy ears, who chose to settle on this floor after growing weary of the constant battles.

They not only constructed numerous houses but also established a small business to earn coins for their own sustenance within the Hell's Spire.

Now, after all these years, the place has gained quite a reputation. So, if players want to stay on this floor for a while, this section becomes a true paradise for them.

Inside one of the wooden houses, Nian's sea-blue eyes slowly fluttered open in a dimly lit room, decorated with rustic wood furnishings, including a spacious bed, a quaint table, and a simple chair.

The ambiance in the room was set by the gentle glow of light filtering through the curtains of the sole window, creating an intimate and enchanting atmosphere.

The haze lifted from Nian's eyes as the person beside him on the bed stirred, snuggling closer to his chest. Her warm breath brushed against his bare skin, eliciting a soft sigh.

Gently, he brushed away the stray strands of hair from the face of the woman in his arms, revealing her serene expression with tightly shut eyes. He hummed softly, his fingers gliding through Lara's cascading locks, which draped elegantly over her shoulders and the pillow beneath her.

Nian's gaze lingered on her peaceful face, and the corners of his eyes softened with a faint, rare smile—one that seldom appeared on his otherwise expressionless face since he had entered the Hell's Spire.

He absorbed every tiny detail, observing how their bodies entwined on the bed, with Lara's arms draped tightly around his waist as if she feared he might run away.

A chuckle escaped him as he leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Lara hummed contentedly, but her eyes snapped open, and she swiftly grabbed Nian's hand as he tried to reach for the old, withered book she had acquired from the chamber, Glimpse of the Vast Universe.

"Don't..."

She whispered softly with a hint of sleepiness in her voice, but Nian persisted and encircled her waist with his other hand. The soft warmth of her bare skin pressed against his cold body as he pulled her close and moved his face towards hers to stare directly into her eyes.

"Why? I know I told you not to go in that chamber and search for your past as it would resurrect old memories... but now that you have discovered your past, I want to know everything about the life you led before stepping into this dreadful place..."

Lara's eyes crinkled slightly as she locked eyes with the deep ocean blue gaze fixed upon her with solemn intensity.

Oh... He truly wanted to know...

However, how could she tell Nian that her life before arriving at the Hell's Spire was simply that of a jealous noblewoman who harmed her friend because the person she loved fell in love with her friend? How could she disclose to him that she was simply a puppet created for the entertainment of those who scripted the tale of her world?

She wrapped her hands around his neck, drawing him even closer until their lips were mere inches apart. Nian held his breath, and all she could hear was his heartbeat that was quickening its pace. Lara whispered softly.

"I like this... being in your arms. It feels like I could stay like this forever."

Nian's pupils shrank slightly in response to her words, and he quickly bridged the gap between them, crashing his lips onto hers in a deep, soul-stirring kiss.

It was very uncommon to hear such endearing words from the woman in his arms, so he just couldn't contain his heart, which felt like it would burst any second.

Lara gasped for breath as their lips finally parted. She could sense his cool touch exploring her body. Her eyes sparkled as she whispered softly in his ear.

"I will share my past with you... but you must share yours in return."