Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 2: Selling Myself Off

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"It was love at first sight!"

"Love at first sight...?"

It appeared the ghost believed Isaac had the ability to perceive her presence.

He resolved to exploit this error in judgment completely.

"Yes. The moment I laid eyes on you, I fell deeply in love. Actually, I traveled here solely for the opportunity to encounter you more often."

With a look of pure earnestness, he pressed on.

"See, I possess skills in cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

"I can maintain a pristine home, prepare tasty dishes for you, and offer relaxing massages following your exhausting evenings of terrorizing others! I'd prove to be the ideal spouse you could ever desire!"

"...Are you truly pitching yourself to me like this?" the voice inquired.

"Without a doubt! No one could match my dedication as a husband! Why not try it out, and should it not suit you, you can always devour me afterward."

For quite a while, the ghost offered no reply.

Anxiety built within Isaac.

Yet he maintained his performance.

"Haha, seems like rejection is my fate."

He strained to craft a sorrowful look on his face.

Still, the ghost stayed quiet.

However, without her consuming him immediately, his persuasion must have been effective.

At least, that's what Isaac desperately wished.

He intensified his endeavor, summoning the saddest face he'd ever worn.

"I'm an orphan. From my earliest years, I've yearned for affection, but there was never anyone for me. I believed perhaps that could alter with you. I suppose it was all wishful thinking," he uttered, wearing a heartbreaking expression.

Once more, silence enveloped them.

'Why hasn't she agreed yet? Could she really turn me down?'

Sweat began to bead on Isaac's skin. He regretted not investing in drama lessons!

Right as he feared it was over, the status panel drifted closer to him.

"Do you truly like me?"

"I do," he answered, praying she wasn't some nightmarish specter with a spider form.

"Alright, very well." The ghost responded as though reaching a difficult conclusion. "But don't imagine for a second that I won't sap your vitality."

A chilly touch grazed his mouth, cutting off any retort he might have had.

Isaac's eyes grew wide in surprise.

Though invisible to him, he sensed her unmistakably.

Her lips, icy like the grave, pressed softly onto his.

The feeling turned out to be oddly enjoyable.

Even with the coldness, a shiver of excitement raced along his back.

His pulse raced wildly, while an odd heat bloomed in his torso.

[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 alerts from the system appeared in his view, yet prior to examining them closely, an abrupt fatigue overwhelmed him.

His arms and legs grew leaden, his sight faded, and his heart's rhythm faltered.

Those tender, yielding lips continued to cling to his.

And she was drawing his essence away.

Isaac struggled to withdraw, but his form refused to budge.

His vitality ebbed away at an alarming rate.

'Newbie package!' Isaac mentally shouted, aware that without some hidden advantage, fleeing the ghost was impossible.

[Opening Newbie Gift Package.]

[SSS-rank Appearance upgrade received.]

Within his thoughts, Isaac detected a glow manifesting.

Activating it mentally would vastly enhance his looks.

The prize seemed valuable.

However....

'What in the world?'

'I need something to get out of this mess!'

Isaac felt deeply cheated.

This system was fraudulent!

It provided zero aid!

His awareness started to fade.

"W-wait." He scarcely whispered. "I need to breathe."

She eased away just a bit.

Her uneven breathing brushed his face.

It accelerated his heartbeat further.

Her grip stayed firm around his throat, ensuring no getaway.

"Why halt now?"

As her words sounded, the shadows ahead twisted, revealing a silhouette.

Isaac's inhale hitched.

She possessed stunning beauty.

Her hair, a cascade of platinum strands, flowed over her shoulders akin to fine silk threads.

Pale skin, nearly see-through, emitted a soft luminescence in the low light.

Azure eyes captivated like deep seas.

Clad in a graceful gown that flowed as if crafted from moonbeams.

A subtle flush tinged her ear tips while she gazed at him.

For an instant, Isaac's thoughts emptied. He'd encountered no one more exquisite.

"Is there something improper in our actions? You claimed this is what you desired," she probed, misreading his stare.

"I did?"

Isaac felt shocked. He pondered when he'd requested such an extended embrace.

"You mentioned wanting us as husband and wife. Isn't this the sort of thing solely for lovers?" she queried softly.

Her pure demeanor nearly prompted him to affirm and exploit the moment.

But his urge to survive overrode it.

"Everything has its progression. We ought to familiarize ourselves initially, before advancing to acts like ki—"

"We're wed now. Kisses and beyond are allowed."

Isaac sealed his lips tightly.

Tears nearly welled up. When had phantoms grown so rational?

As he scrambled for a response, she interpreted his quiet as consent.

Her embrace drew him close for yet another kiss.

Now visible and tangible, the experience intensified everything.

Her mouth tasted sugary, reminiscent of marshmallows.

Isaac began to surrender to the allure.

He bit his own skin sharply, leveraging the sting to stay alert.

His gaze scanned frantically for an exit.

Abruptly, a detail caught his attention.

On Emily's system status display, an arrow icon appeared.

He mentally selected it, causing the panel to flip like a page, unveiling fresh details.

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 kind of status is this?'

Isaac struggled to accept what he saw.

Initiate marked the starting rank. Normally, a Level 9 Initiate averaged around 19 across stats.

Her figures exceeding or reaching 50 defied logic.

Her abilities terrified even more.

Among humans, solely an Awakener boasting SSS-rank Talent might wield SSS-rank skills.

Such individuals represented a country's elite.

Honored like nobles!

Yet even they possessed just one SSS-rank skill prior to hitting Level 10 Initiate.

Emily boasted two SSS-rank skills, plus an S-rank and an A-rank!

All at Level 9!

'Her Life Drain is A-rank. She could slay me in an instant.'

'She's genuinely committed to this marital pretense before ending me. That's her reason for pacing the drain.'

Though her deeds hinted at mercy, Isaac's peril remained unchanged.

Death loomed near.

At that moment, he spotted the recurring (Share) labels.

'What's the meaning of—'

His reflection interrupted as a new prompt materialized.

[Would you like to share your wife Emily Warren's experience points with you?]