She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and the gesture only made her look composed and mature, completely aware of the warmth she carried and the effect it had on him. Her smile remained kind, yet there was a slow confidence in it, the kind that turned a simple request into something much more intimate.

"It’s a she," Crimson Halo said softly. "And of course, I’d like you to name her."

She leaned forward just enough for the golden glow to wash across her chest and throat. The light caressed the soft line of her collarbone, climbed her neck, and painted her lips in a warm shine.

Her voice had not changed much, but that was exactly what made it worse. She sounded gentle enough to comfort him and dangerous enough to ruin him.

Martin momentarily felt like her husband and the father of that adorable wolf spirit.

He stared in shock as a strange sensation wrapped around his heart, soothing his loneliness for one brief second. The room around them blurred at the edges. The reward windows, the table, the teasing smiles of the others, all of it became secondary to Crimson Halo’s warm gaze and the little spirit curled around her hand.

Then he shook off that dangerous feeling.

His mother’s old words resurfaced in his mind, and his cheeks heated up as his heart thumped loudly.

She’s a healer, but she’s also Chaos’ older sister. Come on now. Get a hold of yourself, Martin!

"Martin?" Crimson Halo asked.

Her voice slipped over his name with smooth patience. She tilted her head slightly, and the golden light caught the corner of her smile. Her patience made it worse, as though she could wait all night while he struggled in front of her.

Her patient smile only made that dangerous impression stronger.

Chaosgraphy sighed. "He became prey to her too."

NukEncore deadpanned. "Really now?"

Kill Clause only smiled faintly. "Isn’t it normal? Katherine knows her charm well."

Crimson Halo’s eyes curved with amusement. Instead of denying it, she continued to stroke the unnamed spirit with slow, careful fingers while her gaze stayed on Martin as though she had chosen him for something precious.

Older women tended to know exactly what they wanted.

Martin learned that lesson right then.

Crimson Halo smiled with a soft tease. "If you don’t name her, I won’t tell anyone what she can do."

The threat was gentle, but the way she said it made Martin’s throat tighten. She rested her cheek lightly against the back of her hand, watching him over the golden spirit with a sweetness that felt almost unfair. Rather than aggressive, it was patient, warm, and confident, as if she already knew he would give in.

That was more than Martin, lonely and without a girlfriend for a long time now, could handle. He grew flustered in a different way than he had in front of Cassandra. His brows drew together slightly as he searched for the right name, and the serious look made him seem sharper and more handsome.

For some reason...

Crimson Halo noticed.

Her smile softened instead of widening, and for a second, the teasing woman disappeared behind something more sincere. The look she gave him was still warm enough to make his chest ache, but it also carried quiet approval, as if she liked seeing him take even a small thing seriously.

Then Martin found one.

"Kinnami."

Crimson Halo’s smile brightened at once. "My, isn’t that a beautiful name on par with Ao Tenshin? I love it!"

The newly named Kinnami mewled as if accepting it. Her golden body curled around Crimson Halo’s wrist, then climbed along her forearm and settled against her chest again, glowing like a small living flame.

Crimson Halo lowered her hand over the spirit and held it there, protective and tender. The sight was almost too much for Martin. She looked like a healer, a mother, and a woman who knew exactly how dangerous softness could be.

Then Kinnami lifted her head.

The little spirit slipped from Crimson Halo’s chest and floated toward Martin, leaving a thin trail of golden mist between them. He froze as she stopped in front of his hand, blinked her green eyes once, and pressed her glowing forehead against his knuckles.

The touch was barely there, but the warmth sank into him anyway.

Crimson Halo’s smile softened. "It seems she accepts you too."

"I only named her," Martin said.

"Names are important," Crimson Halo replied. "Especially to spirits."

That answer made Martin’s chest feel strangely full again.

Across the table, NukEncore noticed the look on his face.

Her smile tightened for half a second before she covered it with a brighter one and rested her chin on her hand, as if the whole scene only amused her.

Still, her eyes lingered on Kinnami’s glowing forehead against Martin’s knuckles before moving to Crimson Halo’s soft smile.

"Hmph," NukEncore said, her voice casual enough to fool no one. "A spirit getting that close after one name. How bold."

Crimson Halo’s smile remained warm. "She is only thanking him."

"Of course," NukEncore replied, lifting her chin. "Exactly what I meant."

Kill Clause’s faint smile deepened by a fraction, while Chaosgraphy’s fingers slowed on San Kumoe’s fur. Neither of them missed the tiny spark in NukEncore’s voice.

NukEncore leaned closer, her eyes bright with appreciation. "She has a golden spirit form, a warm aura, and a dramatic entrance from the chest, so clearly she understands presentation."

Kill Clause glanced at her. "You are rating the spirit’s entrance?"

"Of course I am," NukEncore said, lifting her chin. "First impressions matter, and hers was excellent."

Chaosgraphy and San Kumoe’s three heads stared daggers at Crimson Halo.

You’re going to suffer the next time you visit me in real life. I’ll twist your limbs so much you’ll hate yoga.

San Kumoe barked as if she could read her owner’s thoughts.

Crimson Halo’s smile turned innocent in the most suspicious way.

Then she said, "I’ll share Kinnami’s details now."

At her words, everyone turned toward the wolf spirit and focused at once. The teasing faded from the table, replaced by the sharp attention of players who knew a cute companion could still change an entire build.