CHAPTER 45: EQUIP, SLIDE, PENETRATE

Nash zipped up his freshly bought athletic jacket, its charcoal mesh glinting subtly in the streetlight glow.

His joggers clung to lean muscle, and his fresh kicks hit the pavement with a steady, confident beat.

He was in fire, both physically, mentally and in his pant. A figure that those who used to know him would be frozen once seeing him again.

But the true attraction was walking next to him.

Zayela turned every head.

She looked like danger and temptation in denim.

Her black halter crop top hugged her massive chest tight, thin belly chains glinting against her toned brown stomach. Her low-cut ripped jean shorts clung to her hips like a second skin, exposing the straps of a barely-there thong.

Gold hoops swayed from her ears, and her dark curly hair was tied up high, messy and flawless at once.

A soft vanilla scent followed her with each step, new shampoo. Or maybe perfume, Nash couldn’t tell. All he knew was, she looked like the cover of a dream.

And she refused to leave his side.

They hopped the evening train heading east toward the district’s infamous underground court. Nash sat near the window, eyes narrowed as the city lights passed in streaks.

Zayela sat next to him, legs crossed, chest forward, abs flexing with every movement.

But Nash’s mind was locked in. He pulled up the system interface with a thought.

[Quest: Street Crown – Time Left: 2h36m]

Breakball of course.

He still hadn’t used today and yesterday’s stash. It was time.

[Crystal #1 – OPENED]

Skill Unlocked: Disorder Shoot

A rogue shooting technique. Allows user to launch shots from any position or balance state with scaling chance of scoring. The more chaotic the posture, the more unpredictable the shot. Scales with Short/Long Shot.

Nash blinked, then let out a soft exhale. His lips curled into a sharp grin.

"No way... No fucking way..."

For the first time, he could shoot. He could score without needing to pass, without hiding behind his playmaker role.

Disorder Shoot wasn’t just a skill, it was a weapon. He was no longer just a ghost. He could finally be something else entirely.

[Crystal #2 – OPENED]

Skill Unlocked: Dash Shift

Enables rapid sidestep shifts and momentum cuts during dribbles or sprints. Grants +12% Speed and +10% Reflex during short-burst dodging or tight space movement.

[Crystal #3 – OPENED]

Passive Gained: Kinesthetic Flow

Body adapts efficiently to physical stimuli. +10% Flexibility, +5% Recovery, +5% Focus. Also boosts sensual response and coordination under pressure.

Nash blinked.

"Okay. That one’s a bedroom bonus too. Man, I’m really a problem."

[Rare Box #1 – OPENED]

Item Acquired: Street Gold Chip

Redeemable for 5,000 Credits. Untraceable. Accepted anywhere in the Underground.

[Rare Box #2 – OPENED] Item Acquired: Forbidden Doujin (Gift, Ultra Limited Holo Print)

A collector’s edition. Infamous among hentai fans. Boosts charm against anime-obsessed girls. +15% Charisma, +20% Affection, +15% Lust and +30% Trust Trigger to a girl caught seeing it. One-time use.

Nash stared at the Forbidden Doujin in his hand, brow furrowed. It was... a hentai artbook?

A rare, glittering collector’s edition, bound in smooth holo-foil and sealed with a heart-shaped sticker.

Even more strange, it was a gift item. One-time use, so really designed to be given. And it came with a massive bonus if the girl was into anime.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered.

He knew one or two girls who might be weeb-adjacent, but nobody came to mind strong enough for this kind of tool.

Sarra maybe? Well... He really started to know her like a few days ago... But she was already maxed out.

The stat boost wasn’t something to ignore, so he slid the item into storage.

"Better keep this one for now. Might just be the cheat code later."

[Rare Box #3 – OPENED] Item Acquired: Impact Armband (Precision Type)

A sleek, compression basketball armband. Enhances shot stability and stamina endurance. Grants +10% Short/Long Shot Accuracy, +5% Stamina Recovery during matches.

[Mystery Box (Rare) – OPENED]

Item 1: 10,000C

Item 2: Atlas Set – Piece 1/3: Whisper Lens Earring

A minimal black earring that enhances auditory precision, sexual rhythm detection, and emotional tone tracking. Grants +20% during seduction scenes when worn. Required piece of the full Atlas legendary body-enhancement set.

Item 3: VIP Ticket – Velvet Lotus Red Zone Club

Exclusive entry to one of the most elite sensual clubs in the Red Zone. Known for its privacy, class, and extreme stimulation. Grants access to private rooms, invitation-only events, and unlocks hidden seduction quests. Cannot be forged or replicated.

Nash closed the interface, eyes wide with barely concealed excitement. This was even better than he expected.

He struggled to keep a straight face, turning his head to the side so Zayela wouldn’t catch the grin twitching at the corner of his lips.

The earring, the VIP pass, the cash, the new skills... he was stacking power like a future king.

As the train hissed into the station, Nash stood up and adjusted the collar of his jacket.

Before stepping out, he slowed his pace and let Zayela go ahead. She glanced back, confused, but he waved her on casually.

He needed a second alone.

Slipping one hand into his pocket, Nash reached for the Whisper Lens and put it on his ear.

The moment his earlobe touched it, the earring dissolved into a pinpoint of pressure then vanished, fully equipped.

A chill ran down his neck.

Next, he unwrapped the sleek black Impact Armband and slid it on.

It clung tight over his forearm like it belonged there, kissing his size. An unassuming piece of gear, no one would suspect the power behind.

By the time he caught up with Zayela, she was waiting just outside the courtyard alley. The noise grew louder the closer they got.

A crowd had gathered.

People stood shoulder to shoulder around the broken fence edges, the ones who couldn’t find a view climbing streetlights and rooftops.

Nash pushed forward, his frown tightening. This kind of noise meant one thing: a match.

And on the court, his eyes locked in.

Jaz.

The giantess.

Still built like she ate girls like Sarra for breakfast.

Beside her, Jinzo, the flash king, with a new haircut with braids bouncing as he threw taunting gestures at the other team.

The two NPC nobody cares about were there, forgettable and sweating.

And then...

"Oh hell no," Nash muttered.

Nia, Nia Valencia.

His eyes widened as his body stiffened.

The virgin breaker.

The CEO of bitches.

The escort with platinum ratings and a body forged to end lives.

The girl who, he now remembered with horror and arousal, had invited him to a private session in the Red Zone.

The one he technically ghosted like an idiot because he’d been cooked and served after his threesome.

Everything hit him like God’s hammer.

She was the reason he’d slept with Lina. With Sarra. Even Amara, if he was being honest.

She was the event horizon. And he had completely forgot about her and now she was here.

Nash stood there frozen for a second too long, a sudden chill breaking through his bloodstream.

He didn’t feel like playing anymore. Not with them on the court. Not with her.

But then the system flashed again in his periphery.

[Quest: Street Crown – Time Left: 2h15m]

He clenched his jaw. No choice. He had to play.

On the far sideline, a tall blonde woman leaned against the fence, arms crossed. Her lips curled in disdain as another street rat tried a clumsy drive to the rim.

"Pathetic," she murmured.

The player went for a dunk, telegraphed it too wide and got absolutely stuffed by Jaz, who swatted the ball into the chain fence with a loud clang that silenced half the crowd.

Before the dust could settle, Jinzo swept in, grabbed the ball mid-rebound, flicked it behind his back to one of the NPCs, who did a single dribble before lobbing it forward.

Jaz caught it again, pivoted, and launched it toward Nia, who alley-ooped it back to Jinzo.

The captain soared.

A clean tomahawk.

Boom.

15-0.

The crowd let out a mixture of groans, awe, and a few sarcastic claps. Blacklist was killing it again.

Jinzo landed and turned toward the crowd, arms spread wide.

"It’s over again, trashbags. 3-0. Are you finally ready to admit you’re just street scum?"

Boos erupted. Shouts fired back.

"Get off the court, poser!"

"You only win when Nash ain’t here!"

Jinzo raised a brow and mock-squinted.

"What was that? You miss your boyfriend? Then bring him, damn it. I can’t sleep without killing this rat."

Nia scoffed beside him, flipping her hair.

"Yeah, bring that little cocky player. I got three words for him."

Or maybe he could play after they left... Like in two hours?

The crowd stirred, voices buzzing.

Behind them, Zayela leaned in slightly.

"Why are they all... after you?"

A short guy in front of her, not even noticing who was behind, answered casually, eyes focused on the court.

"’Cause Nash’s the best of us in the block. Smoked Blacklist like it was nothing. Heard he made Nia fold on court and off."

Zayela blinked. A slow smile curled on her lips.

"You? Wait... You are the best? You... beat a team? Is that what’s happening lately?"

The boy turned, confused.

"... Me? What? No, I mean Nash. Who are..."

He turned, then stopped cold.

His eyes fell on the belly chain over the sexiest belly he ever seen, then on Nash standing just behind her.

"B... Blaze!"