Volume 2, Chapter 8: I Accidentally Summoned a Love God and Now He's Jealous of My Harem
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"So," Kai said, holding up the now mostly-taped-shut Codex Amoris, "We're not opening this again, right?"
"Nope," Yui replied flatly.
"Definitely not," muttered Velmaria, still blushing at the memory of her spectral twin offering Kai a bouquet of roses and a suggestive wink.
"I have personally blacklisted the book from reality," Nyxa added, projecting a digital lock symbol.
Kai sighed in relief, until the Codex… vibrated.
Everyone froze.
A glowing heart-shaped glyph ignited on its cover, pulsing in rhythm with Kai's heartbeat.
"Nyxa?" he asked, already panicking.
"Um," she chirped. "It appears the Codex just completed a Summon Romance Deity sequence. That's… not one of the standard subroutines."
"Summon what—"
The sky opened like a romantic anime transition.
A thousand rose petals exploded across the clearing, perfume wafting like enchantment.
And descending from the light… was him.
Six feet of golden skin, obsidian curls, a jaw carved by divine hand, shirtless and sparkling, wearing only a red silk sash that didn't cover much. Wings not of feathers, but love letters. Eyes that made even Iseria flinch.
He landed with a pirouette and struck a pose.
"I… have arrived," he declared.
Kai blinked. "Oh no. It's… him."
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> [WARNING: Divine Entity Identified – Eros, the God of Love (and Very Bad Decisions)]
[Threat Level: Unstable]
[Current Mood: Offended and Flirty]
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Eros sauntered toward them, hips swinging like a parade float of desire. "So this is the mortal stealing all the goddess-grade affection in the realm, hmm?"
Kai raised a finger. "In my defense, it wasn't on purpose."
Eros's voice dropped an octave. "That makes it worse."
Seraphina stepped forward. "He's under my protection."
Velmaria ignited a flame in her palm. "Back off, sparkle-boy."
Yui raised her sword. "You're not touching him."
Eros raised an eyebrow. "You've all been thoroughly wooed, haven't you?"
Nyxa chimed in. "Statistically speaking: yes."
Veyra crossed her arms. "We kissed him in hellfire. Your move."
Iseria, ever stoic, simply growled.
Eros looked at Kai. "They love you."
Kai shrugged. "Apparently."
Eros scowled. "And you love them?"
Kai glanced at each of them.
Then smiled. "More than anything."
Eros sighed dramatically. "That means I can't erase you."
Everyone relaxed slightly.
"...So I'll duel you instead."
Everyone un-relaxed again.
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> [New Quest: Survive a Divine Duel of Love Against Eros the Jealous God]
[Rules: No Weapons. No Death. Just Romance.]
[Winning Condition: Out-charm the literal God of Love]
[Bonus Objective: Don't get kissed accidentally]
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The battlefield was conjured: an arena made of rose petals, floating platforms, candlelight towers, and a romantic sunset on loop.
Kai stood at one end.
Eros at the other.
A bell rang. A chorus of swooning cupids cheered.
Round 1: Compliment Duel
Eros went first. "Your eyes are stars that forgot they belonged in the sky."
The arena glimmered.
Kai cleared his throat. "Your hair looks like the kind that'd clog a divine drain, and I'd unclog it without complaint."
The arena shuddered.
Yui gasped. "That's… oddly sweet."
Round 2: Gesture of Affection
Eros summoned a harp and played a melody that made three clouds cry tears of wine.
Kai stepped forward, pulled a daisy from the ground, and tucked it behind Yui's ear. "No music. Just this moment."
The arena tilted.
Round 3: Dance of Passion
Eros floated into the air, waltzing with literal starlight.
Kai… took Iseria's hand.
And danced, awkward but sincere.
She didn't smile, but her grip tightened.
The petals froze in midair.
Eros staggered.
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> [CHARM CRITICAL: Divine Confidence Overwhelmed]
[Final Round: Kiss Declaration – Voluntary or Received]
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Eros stepped close to Kai. "One kiss, mortal. And I leave."
Kai stared.
His harem bristled.
Yui shouted, "Don't!"
Veyra snapped, "We'll kill him."
Velmaria summoned fire.
Iseria drew steel. "Try it."
Kai held up a hand. "Wait."
He stepped forward, nose inches from Eros's.
And whispered: "You don't need a kiss. You need to be loved... for more than your looks."
Eros froze.
The arena exploded into roses.
And the god… cried.
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> [Duel Over – Kai Wins by Empathy]
[Eros Status: Redeemed (For Now)]
[Codex Amoris Sealed Temporarily]
[Kai's Glitch Level Increased: Now Able to Subvert Divine Trials with Emotionally Honest Dialogue]
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Later...
Eros, now fully clothed in an oversized hoodie (from Nyxa's wardrobe), sat sipping tea beside Kai.
"I think I was lonely," he admitted.
Kai smiled. "We all were. Before they came."
He looked at his chaotic, dangerous, loving harem.
"I don't deserve them," he said.
Seraphina kissed his cheek. "You do."
Velmaria nuzzled his other cheek. "Especially because you think you don't."
Iseria just whispered, "Hmph."
Yui tucked herself into his side. "You're not allowed to be humble and hot."
Eros sighed, blowing into his tea. "So what now?"
Kai looked to the horizon.
Where the stars were… twitching.
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> [NEW QUEST CHAIN: The Hearts of the Void – An Ancient Love Cult Awakens]
[System Warning: Too many entities falling for Kai. Timeline stability low.]
[Next Chapter: "The Cult That Wants to Marry Me (All at Once)"]
Kai groaned.
Then smiled.
"Bring it on."
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End of Chapter 8 – Volume 2