The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM

Chapter 46: BACK TO EARTH

A new screen appeared before me, glowing faintly with a pulsing golden light.

Subclass Unlocked: Trait Holder

Grade: Ultra Rare

Description: You can now acquire, store, and utilize an unlimited number of traits. You may also copy traits from others—temporarily or permanently—and even evolve them.

I stared at it for a long moment, a slow grin spreading across my face.

"Now this is some good stuff."

With this... I could do anything.

This wasn’t just a subclass. It was freedom. Power. Potential beyond limits.

Just as I was beginning to enjoy the moment, I heard a soft giggle from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Hui still clinging to my leg, her golden eyes staring up at me with that familiar mix of mischief and devotion.

Right.

There was still that situation to deal with.

I scratched the back of my head. "Uh... Hui, before we head back, can we talk about your appearance?"

She blinked. "What about it, husband?"

I gave her a pointed look. "You have horns."

She looked confused for a second. "Yes, of course. I’m a demon, remember?"

I sighed. "Yeah, I get that. But we’re going back to Earth. The last thing I need is people freaking out because I’m walking around with a horned loli clinging to my leg."

Her expression shifted, then she burst out laughing. "Pfft—ahahaha! Oh, that’s what you meant?"

She released my leg, floating up slightly before spinning mid-air. With a snap of her fingers, golden light surrounded her body, rippling like a wave of heat.

Her small form shimmered, stretching and reshaping before my eyes. In a matter of seconds, the little girl was gone—and in her place stood a tall, elegant woman with flawless skin, long black hair, and deep golden eyes that still held the same playful glint.

She smiled at me, tilting her head. "Better, husband?"

I blinked. Once. Twice.

My brain froze for a solid five seconds.

She was... beautiful.

Stunning, even. The kind of beauty that could topple empires and start wars. For a moment, I just stood there, caught off guard by how easily she had transformed into something so enchanting.

My thoughts spiraled, then crashed when she stepped closer.

"W-What is this form...?" I managed to say, clearing my throat awkwardly.

She smirked. "My human form. I can shift between forms at will. This way, no one will suspect a thing."

I forced myself to look away, trying not to get distracted. "R-Right. That’s definitely better. Just keep it like that when we’re on Earth."

"Of course~" she said, smiling sweetly. "But no matter what form I take, I’m still yours."

I didn’t respond.

Not because I agreed.

But because the next second, everything around us began to ripple.

The space trembled. The challenge realm faded away like smoke in the wind.

[Challenge Completed. Returning to Earth.]

I took a deep breath, steeling myself.

Whatever came next, I was no longer the same man who had started this journey.

And I wasn’t returning alone.

With Hui beside me and the Trait Holder subclass in hand...

Earth wasn’t ready.

As the light around me faded, I felt the familiar sensation of gravity return. My feet touched solid ground.

I was back.

The moment I opened my eyes, I realized something strange—no time had passed here at all. The flow of time between Earth and the System realm was completely different. While I had gone through what felt like hours—no, days—in the System, here... everything was just as I had left it.

I stood in the center of my mansion’s main hall.

And waiting there—eyes wide and full of mixed emotions—were Meiyun and Ruxue.

Standing quietly beside me was Hui, now in her stunning human form. Her golden eyes calmly observed everything, her presence radiating an unspoken dominance, though she said nothing.

Meiyun was the first to speak, her voice trembling slightly.

"Chen... are you okay? Were you... dragged to that place too?" Her brows were furrowed, concern plain on her face. "What’s happening? I... I’m afraid."

I took a deep breath and nodded. "I’m okay, Meiyun. Everything’s fine now."

Then I turned to Ruxue.

Her expression hadn’t changed much, but there was something different—off in a way that made my instincts tingle. Her aura felt stronger, more focused... almost dangerous.

"What about you, Ruxue?" I asked, carefully watching her.

She met my gaze with unusual calm. There was power in her eyes—controlled, but definitely awakened.

She had changed.

I stood there for a moment, stunned.

So this is what the system meant...

When I first met her, Ruxue had seemed nothing more than a cold, greedy girl—selfish and blunt. At the time, I had almost written her off completely.

But then, out of nowhere, the system had intervened.

[Notice: Keep this individual close. Potential: High.]

I didn’t understand it back then. I had kept her around only because the system insisted.

Now... everything was starting to make sense.

A memory from my previous life surfaced—a mysterious figure known only by the name Fire Witch. She was a reclusive S-rank existence, powerful beyond measure. No one ever uncovered her real identity, and she operated alone.

Could it be...?

Was Ruxue the Fire Witch in my past life?

It would explain her sudden change. Her rising aura. The flame-like energy I could now subtly feel emanating from her. And it would explain why the system had flagged her as someone to keep by my side.

If I was right... she wasn’t just another ally.

She was a sleeping giant.

I glanced at her again—Ruxue had returned to her usual expressionless demeanor, but her energy was unmistakably different.

Inside, I felt a strange sense of relief.

I was right to trust her.

Even if I didn’t understand it at the time, keeping her close was one of the smartest decisions I’d made. Now, with the power of my new subclass Trait Holder and someone like Ruxue awakening beside me...

I had more than just strength.

I had powerful allies too.

A slight smile tugged at my lips.

The world had no idea what was coming.

I turned.

Hui was staring at me with a cold, piercing glare. Her golden eyes, usually calm and elegant, now shimmered with something far more intense—jealousy. Her expression twisted slightly as she took a step forward, her voice laced with anger.

"...Who are they?" she asked, her tone icy and possessive.

I froze. My eyes darted toward Meiyun and Ruxue, who were already watching Hui with wary expressions.

"They’re..." I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly flustered. "They’re... both my girlfriends."

The moment the words left my mouth, both girls stiffened.

Their cheeks turned crimson in sync.

I had never said it out loud before. Not to anyone. And certainly not in front of a third party. Hearing me openly call them my girlfriends caught them completely off guard.

But before I could process their reactions, Hui’s eyes narrowed further, her aura darkening.

"Oh?" she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "So... my husband has girlfriends too?"

The room turned still.

Husband...?

Then she took another step forward, a casual flick of her wrist releasing a subtle, yet menacing pressure.

"Well, if that’s the case... I’ll just kill them. Once they’re gone, you’ll be all mine."

Boom.

The emotional tension exploded in an instant.

Meiyun’s eyes widened in shock. "Wait—husband? What do you mean husband?!"

Ruxue looked equally stunned, but her gaze stayed sharp, almost as if trying to assess whether Hui was serious or just bluffing.

"Chen... you need to explain," Ruxue said, her tone low. "Right now."

I quickly raised both hands and stepped between them, desperately trying to calm the storm.

"Okay! Everyone just—just take a deep breath!"

All three girls stared at me.

Even Hui paused, though the glint in her eyes didn’t fade.

I exhaled and began to speak carefully. "Let me explain everything. But first—no one’s dying. No killing, alright?"

Hui pouted slightly but stepped back. Meiyun and Ruxue nodded, though still clearly on edge.

"Look," I said. "I met Hui during a trial I went through. It was... different from anything else. She’s strong—insanely strong—and she helped me. I... made a deal with her."

"A deal?" Meiyun repeated.

I nodded. "It’s called a Demon Contract. It’s a kind of bond. She agreed to help me, and in return, well... she chose me as her partner. Which is why she’s calling me ’husband’ now."

I purposefully left out any mention of the System. Or the memories of my previous life.

Those were secrets I couldn’t share yet—not even with them.

Ruxue narrowed her eyes. "A demon contract? You signed something like that willingly?"

"It was life or death," I replied. "And I judged it was worth the risk."

"And she calls you husband because of that?" Meiyun asked, half in disbelief, half trying to process the jealousy flickering in her gaze.

"I didn’t know it would be like that!" I quickly added. "At the time, I just thought it was a power exchange kind of deal... I didn’t expect her to be this, uh, clingy."

"Clingy? You say it like I’m not standing right here." Hui’s voice was sweet, but her stare said otherwise.

I turned and gave her an apologetic smile.

"Look, Hui. They’re important to me. I won’t let anything happen to them. Just like I wouldn’t let anything happen to you."

Her eyes flickered for a moment before she let out a sigh and crossed her arms. "Hmph. Fine. But if they try to take you from me, I won’t hold back."

Meiyun and Ruxue both looked like they had a dozen questions swirling in their minds. But for now, they said nothing more.

The tension had lessened... slightly.

I silently thanked the heavens no one had drawn blood.

Still, this wasn’t over.

Now that Hui had shown up like this—and with her possessive side revealed—it was only a matter of time before things escalated again.

But for now... I had bought myself a moment of peace.

And that was more than I could ask for.