Harem Online: My Party Is Full of Beautiful Celebrities-Chapter 76: Crimson Halo

Ao Tenshin froze, corrected herself at once, and planted all four feet with exaggerated dignity, as if that tiny stumble had never happened. A second later, she lifted her head proudly, puffed herself up as much as a young Dragon Turtle could, and bumped the top of her shell against Martin’s wrist.

It was not a headbutt this time, but a demand for recognition.

"Nah, nah. I saw that stumble," Martin said, already grinning.

Ao Tenshin squealed louder and nudged him again as if threatening to upgrade it into a real attack.

"Nah, nah. I’m not taking any more of your headbutts unless I have to," he added, raising both hands in surrender. She’s only level three, and her growth was already this huge. I can really see her becoming an island in the future.

His own level-up had given him twelve stat points to allocate, but he would look at that later with his friends. The Baby Trident had a level five requirement, and now that he could level inside the Hidden Level One Dungeon, it was only a matter of hours before he could wield it and test it properly.

For now, he decided to add Crimson Halo to his friends.

[You have accepted Crimson Halo’s friend request.]

[Emperoar: Hi. Nice to meet you.]

[Crimson Halo: You took your sweet time accepting my friend request. I saw you online the whole time! I’m here completely clueless about what to do, and I even told this NPC to leave me alone because Alex said you’d help me! Keeping a woman waiting is the mark of a terrible man. Fix that!]

Martin deadpanned. Woah, I feel like I’ve got déjà vu. Clause’s bossy attitude came off strong at the start too, and she’s like some madam... I guess being older makes her look down on me. Annoying. And who told you to skip the tutorial? Just because Chaos said I’d help you, you skipped it? Come on now.

He slipped into worker mode and typed complete bullshit.

[Emperoar: I understand. Something huge just happened on my side, but I should not keep a lady waiting, let alone the older sister of my friend. That will not happen again. Sorry. I’ll be entirely at your disposal today!]

[Crimson Halo: I’m glad you understand. You do not have to be so stiff around me either. It’s reassuring to have a man looking after me. Could you meet me at this academy? Too many people have been hitting on me already, and it’s getting tiring.]

[Emperoar: Yeah, give me a second!]

A few more messages came in from guild members because of his achievement, but Martin did not want to keep the lady waiting any longer. He was also curious after reading her words. Was Chaosgraphy’s older sister actually that beautiful, or had she gone wild with the character room’s makeup settings?

He sent Ao Tenshin back into her pocket dimension and left the dungeon.

Outside, he followed the route he had first taken with Rangar and finally spotted Crimson Halo. A few newbie players around her level were trying to hit on her and barely giving her room to move or speak. She had already rejected them several times, but they kept pressing anyway.

Martin slowed for half a step. He had never actually seen players swarm someone like that before.

Then Crimson Halo turned just enough for him to catch her side profile, and suddenly the whole scene made sense.

She had wide hips and a thick, bubble ass that made her beginner linen clothes look almost indecent. The cheap fabric stretched and clung in all the wrong ways, outlining the lush shape of her lower body so clearly that it was no wonder the idiots around her had lost their minds. Her figure had that dangerous kind of mature fullness that made a woman look soft, fertile, and far too easy to imagine in ways decent people should not. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Her crimson hair fell in elegant drill curls, and with the lift of her chin and the calm set of her shoulders, it gave her a mature, noble air that stood apart from the crowd around her.

She did not look like a lost beginner.

She looked like a woman temporarily inconvenienced by being forced to spawn among commoners.

Martin had to give it to her. Presence like that started trouble all by itself.

Of course, Crimson Halo had hidden her real appearance, just like Chaosgraphy and the others. Some things could not be hidden, though, like her real height, body proportions, and sheer presence.

Martin’s gaze swept over the crowd first, taking in the blocked path, the overeager newbies, and the way Crimson Halo stood in the middle of it all without giving up an inch. Only then did he walk over and cough.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Crimson Halo."

The other men turned and looked at him. They noticed that he was not wearing beginner gear, and that was enough to make them realize they should not push their luck any further.

And just as Martin had taken a good look at Crimson Halo, she did the same to him.

He’s not bad-looking, though he lacks presence. It might be a self-esteem issue. That’s what I would think if I weren’t so sure you’re someone from our world, Martin. You’re a good actor. But I will expose you. You can hide behind your avatar, but I’ll eventually force you to lay bare your real name and status.

Crimson Halo’s eyes moved over him in one smooth sweep.

Then, without hurry, she adjusted one sleeve, took a few graceful steps toward him, and slipped against his arm with practiced ease.

"See? I told you people were hitting on me," Crimson Halo said aloud, hugging his arm more tightly and looking every bit like a wronged girlfriend.

Martin felt the soft press of her breasts around his arm and nearly snorted.

So that was how she wanted to play it.

"Sorry, guys. Tough luck. Better luck next time," he said with a chuckle, then turned and led a stunned Crimson Halo with him toward the Light Tree’s Hub.

Eh? He didn’t use this chance to hit on me? What are you plotting, Martin?!