Overgeared: Saharan Successor

Chapter 55: Plans for the future

By the time they collapsed onto Odin's bed, their bodies had been spent, and they had lost track of time. Both were covered in a thin sheen of sweat, their chests rising and falling heavily as they caught their breath. 

Now wearing a casual tank top and panties, Eve snuggled into Odin's side, resting her head on his chest. Odin wore nothing but a pair of loose pants, his arm wrapped protectively around her as they lay together in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"That was... wow," Eve breathed, her voice filled with contentment and exhaustion.

Odin chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "Yeah, wow, it doesn't even begin to cover it." He glanced down at her, his fingers gently stroking her hair. "You know how to wear me out, huh?"

Eve laughed softly, nuzzling into him. "I could say the same about you." She tilted her head up to look at him, her brown eyes sparkling affectionately. "So, tell me… how was your day before this?"

Odin smiled, shifting slightly to get more comfortable as he began recounting his day. 

"Oh, you know… just the usual. I took down a couple of raid bosses with three newbies, almost died by stepping on a trap, got my hands on some Legendary Magic Spells, and got ourselves a new Guild Stronghold if everything goes smoothly." 

He chuckled softly, his tone playful. "Nothing too exciting until I got to you."

Eve giggled, playfully poking him in the ribs. "Flatterer."

And you?" he asked, his voice soft as he looked into her eyes. "How was your day?"

Eve let out a long sigh, her expression shifting to one of mild frustration. "You know how corporate life is," she started, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Now turn it up a notch, and you have your answer. It's HR, Mat. There's always people complaining, bitching, gossiping about something. Some executive screws around with a staff member, causing scandals."

Odin frowned slightly but kept quiet, listening intently as she vented.

"If it weren't for the high pay, I would have quit that job ages ago. But the working conditions are toxic, to say the least."

He nodded, gently rubbing her shoulder as he considered her words. "Hmm, I see. Babe, if you want to quit and are sure about it, I'll support your choice. You have me and Satisfy World to fall back on. There's plenty of money in this game, but as a Mage, your funds can get pretty tight."

Eve let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I've seen that firsthand."

Odin's voice grew more serious as he continued. "This is why sometimes I hesitate to say, 'Go YOLO and quit that corporate bullshit,' because I remember how tight things were for me financially when I first got into this. Until I started making some profits selling items and gold, things were… tough."

Eve's expression shifted, a conflicted look crossing her face. "I'm still on the fence about it," she admitted, her voice thoughtful. "But trust me, if any of those creepy executives ever push me into an uncomfortable position, I'll go nuclear on Space Group and reveal all their dirty secrets to the media."

Odin's eyes darkened, his protective instincts kicking in. "Babe, you're not being harassed, right? Be honest with me."

She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "Not really," she said, her voice firm. "But I've got my director and a few other executives acting all creepy around me. I know they want to get in my pants, but they have better chances fucking a goat than having any luck with me."

"..."

Odin's face remained stoic, but the brooding silence that followed spoke volumes. He stared at the ceiling, his jaw tightening as his mind began to work through what she had said. Eve immediately noticed the shift in his demeanor.

[Hmph, some swine are trying to eat from your acorn tree. If I were in your shoes, I would have killed all of them after skinning them alive.]

'Can you not, Braham? I'm thinking. I heard some rumors online that the chairman of a conglomerate had a 'Pleasure Squad' that did not care about public opinion. Which chaebol conglomerate was it? Shinhwa? Haewon? Uju?'

[Pleasure Squad? What bullshit are you aliens coming up with?]

'Yeah, don't ask me. It's the crackhead idea of an 80s psycho old man who's juiced to the gills with viagra and steroids.'

'Still, Mi-Jung is employed by UJU… I'll have to check that document from Xoroth since he managed to get his hands on so much dirt using those cheap Russian hackers.'

'She might be hiding something from me because she feels embarrassed or fearful that I might go crazy. Hah, when you have money, even in this generation that has barely escaped Nuclear Winter, they still talk.'

He turned his gaze back to Eve, who watched him carefully, her worry more evident now. 

She could sense something had shifted in him, something that made her uneasy. She wasn't used to this type of silence since it wasn't typical for him, and it made her second-guess if she had downplayed the situation too much.

"Mat..." She placed a hand on his chest, her voice filled with concern. "It's nothing serious. They're just creepy old men."

"It's UJU or how is it known Globally, Space Group, the name of the company you work for?" His voice was calm, almost too calm.

Eve blinked, suddenly worried. "Are you okay, Mat?" she asked, her eyes searching his face. "Yes, that's the name."

Odin didn't answer immediately. His thumb gently stroked her cheek as he stared into her eyes, searching for something. His silence unnerved her even more, and the tension in the room became palpable.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice steady, though the concern and intensity were evident in his gaze. "I need you to be completely honest with me, Mi-Jung. Suppose you're holding something back because you're embarrassed or scared that I'll overreact… don't. I know how disgusting some people in power can be. If something's happening at work, I need to know."

Eve's heart clenched at the seriousness in his tone. She placed her hand over his, pressing it against her cheek as she tried to reassure him. "Mat, I'm not hiding anything. You know I'm not a great liar." she said softly, her voice sincere. 

"The situation is not that bad when the upper management doesn't visit the office. They're just… gross."

"But I've never been pressured or blackmailed into doing anything. I earned my position through years of hard work, and while I know some of those idiots might think my looks played a part in it… they didn't. I've never had to do anything unethical for my promotion. I swear."

Odin's gaze softened slightly, but the protective fire in his eyes remained. "You're sure?" he pressed, his hand sliding down to rest on her shoulder. "If any of them try something, even hint at crossing the line… you tell me. Don't downplay it. We got Satisfy World as a platform to propagate any dirt and bury them to the ground."

Eve nodded, her hand reaching up to cup his face. "I know, Mat. I promise I'll tell you if anything crosses the line. But right now, it's just creepy stares and inappropriate comments. Nothing I can't handle."

There was a long pause as Odin absorbed her words, his expression still serious. He wasn't fully satisfied, but he trusted her. He knew Eve was strong and capable, but the thought of anyone pushing their power and authority onto her, blackmailing her with her livelihood, sent a wave of anger through him.

"I believe you," he said finally, his voice low. "But I'll still be keeping an eye on it. If it ever gets to the point where you want to walk away or burn the whole damn company down, just say the word. I'll have my lawyer ready to handle any lawsuits they try to throw your way."

Eve smiled softly, her fingers brushing through his hair as she leaned in to kiss him gently. "You're too good to me," she whispered against his lips. "But I don't want you to worry. I've got this."

Odin returned the kiss, his lips lingering on hers as he murmured, "I'll always worry about you, Mi-Jung. That's not something I can turn off."

Eve let out a soft laugh, resting her forehead against his. "I know," she whispered, her heart swelling with love for him. "But I'll be fine. I promise."

Odin's expression softened as he looked down at her. "Anyway, let's not ruin the mood. Tell me, how was Mina's dance recital?"

Eve's eyes lit up at the mention of her daughter. "Oh, she was adorable," she beamed, her voice filled with motherly pride. "And, of course, I was the proud mom taking a million pictures. After that, I logged on for a bit, but nothing too crazy. I've been thinking about you all day, though."

He gently brushed a strand of her silky black hair behind her ear. "I'm glad to hear Mina did well. Sounds like she's found her passion."

Eve nodded enthusiastically. "She loves dancing, Mat. It's all she talks about nowadays. The way she moves… I can already see her being a global K-Pop star one day."

Odin raised an eyebrow, his tone gentle but thoughtful. "That's amazing, babe. But you know, you shouldn't push her into anything she isn't comfortable with, right?" 

He paused, making sure Eve was listening. "Let her decide for herself. As parents, we can guide them in the right direction, but ultimately, it's their life. Even if she loses her passion for dancing, you, as her mother, should always be by her side, remaining her biggest fan no matter what."

Eve's smile faltered slightly, and she gave him a thoughtful nod. "You're right… I guess I've been a little too excited. I just see how much she loves it and want to support her in every way."

Odin leaned back a bit, his hand resting on her hip as he continued. "I get it, trust me. But don't fall into that strict Korean mindset where school and success are everything. Not every successful person was a genius from birth, and life has its path for everyone."

"I wouldn't want to see your relationship with Mina go down a strict road where she feels pressured. Keep that mother-daughter bond strong, okay?"

Eve's heart warmed at his words, and she felt a rush of gratitude and love for him. She admired his balanced perspective and how he understood the importance of being supportive without pushing too hard.

Her grip on his hand tightened slightly as she let the words swirl around in her mind before speaking. She bit her lip, hesitating momentarily, her voice soft and a little unsure. "You know, Mat... you'd make an incredible father."

She hesitated before speaking again, her voice more timid than before. "Mat… when do you think… I should introduce Mina to you? It's been five months… No, it's been over fifteen months if you count the time we've spent together in Satisfy World."

Odin's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the question. It was something they had talked about in passing before, but hearing her bring it up so earnestly now made it feel more real. 

He chuckled softly and gave her a warm smile.

"I guess it's about time I meet Mina, huh?" He paused, looking thoughtful. "Still, Mi-Jung, have you been warming her up to me like we talked about?"

Eve's face lit up again, this time with a playful smile. "Yes, honey. She's your biggest fan. She watches all of your old videos, especially the ones where you worked with Mr. Mavrik on that cabbage farm, preparing kimchi and other Korean delicacies. She's obsessed with those!" 

She laughed, and the sound light was filled with affection. "Oh, and she loves that one video where you're training with the wooden dummy, practicing your footwork. I caught her mimicking you in the living room the other day."

Odin grinned widely, a chuckle escaping him. "Oww, that sweet candy. I didn't know I had such a young fan."

"She says you're her hero, Mat," Eve added softly, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "It greatly boosts her morale to see you training and working hard. I think it gives her confidence."

Odin's heart melted at the thought. "That's… sweet," he said, his voice softening. "I've got some new recordings from when I was climbing Gravelmark. I'll send them to you so she can watch the scenery of Nihilaine from the top of the world. I think she'll like that."

Eve's smile grew even wider. "She'll love that, Mat. Thank you."

The conversation lulled for a moment, the two basking in the comfortable silence, enjoying each other's presence. Odin pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly against him.

"Mi-Jung," he murmured after a while, his voice tender. "I'll be happy to meet Mina whenever you're ready. But just know… I'm not going anywhere. Whether it's tomorrow, next week, or months from now, I will not ghost you. I'll be here for you both."

She gazed up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I know, Mat," She leaned up and kissed him again, this time slower, more deeply.

As time passed, they were cuddling in bed, checking up on their news feed on Satisfy World, especially for Odin, who needed to be on top of everything happening all over the Nihilaine Continent, from newly discovered hidden grounds, contested hunting grounds, dungeons, or the political situation inside the Empire and the smaller Kingdoms.

Being the Guildmaster of a Global Guild was taxing, but someone had to do the research.

However, Odin began to stir out of nowhere. His arm, which had been lazily draped over Eve's waist, tightened briefly, pulling her closer to him. 

He felt her nuzzle against his chest, her breath warm against his skin, but the soft chiming sound of his in-game interface pulled his focus away from the peaceful intimacy they shared.

[V: Master, your schedule for Sell's Talk Show is approaching. You should prepare for a log-out if possible.]

Then came a voice from the system of an AI Assistant that was set up to notify him about his schedule so he wouldn't forget to take a break from Satisfy World since it was too immersive. 

Odin glanced at the notification hovering in the corner of his vision.

He let out a soft sigh, running his hand down the curve of Eve's back as she shifted slightly, clearly not ready to leave their bubble of comfort just yet.

"What is it?" Eve's voice was soft but laced with curiosity as she felt his movements. She propped herself up on one elbow, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder as she looked at him, her brown eyes gleaming with curiosity and a slight hint of concern. "You seem distracted."

Odin gave her a small smile, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. "I've got an interview later today," he admitted his tone casual but with a note of reluctance. "One of the biggest Talk Shows in Romania."

Eve's eyebrows lifted, and her curiosity was immediately piqued. "A Talk Show?" She sat up slightly, adjusting the thin straps of her tank top that had slipped down her shoulder. "What's it about? Why didn't you mention it earlier?"

Odin chuckled, his eyes following her movements as he pushed himself up into a seated position, the sheets pooling around his waist. "It's about Satisfy World," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "They want to talk about its impact on younger players and their development, especially the ones who are just turning 16 and getting into the game. You know, it can be a double-edged sword for kids at that age. Too much gore if you get immersed and fight monsters."

Eve's expression softened with understanding, though a small playful smile crept onto her lips. "Of course, it's about Satisfy. It's your second life." She shifted closer to him, resting her chin on his shoulder, her breath tickling his skin as she added teasingly, "I'm guessing they'll want to know all about your new Legendary Class too?"

Odin laughed softly, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if that comes up," he said. "Now that the Proclamation video went viral on SkyNet, they'll probably be fishing for details."

"You're kind of a big deal, aren't you?"

Odin smirked, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Don't flatter me too much, Mi-Jung. My ego's big enough as it is," he teased. His tone softened as he continued, "But yeah, I'll have to log out soon to prepare. They're expecting me in a few hours, and I need to get my thoughts in order."

Eve's expression faltered slightly at the mention of him logging out, a slight pout forming on her lips. "Already?" she murmured, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. "We didn't get nearly enough time together… not with all that's happened."

Odin's smile was gentle as he lifted her chin with his fingers, his gaze locking with hers. "I know," he said quietly, his thumb brushing her bottom lip. "I hate having to cut our time short, but this is something I need to do." He leaned in, kissing her softly before pulling back to add, "Will you be okay while I'm away?"

Eve's pout melted into a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling as she pressed herself closer to him, her body fitting perfectly against his. "Mhm," she hummed, her lips brushing against his jaw as she spoke. 

"You've already calmed me down by filling me up so good." 

She let out a playful sigh, her fingers trailing down his arm. "But it's still frustrating that we can't synchronize our game time because of the time difference."

Odin chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. "I feel it too, Mi-Jung," he said softly. "But we've got to be patient, okay? I told you I plan to take a vacation break now that I've gained the Legendary Class." He paused momentarily, his hand sliding down her back soothingly. 

"I'll be visiting Seoul about a week after I handle some business at home."

Eve's eyes widened in excitement as she pulled back slightly to look at him. "Really? You're coming to Seoul?"

Odin nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah," he said. "I've got some family stuff to sort out, too. My old pop's birthday is coming up, and I was thinking of getting him a VR Capsule as a gift. What do you think? Would that be a good present for a 75-year-old man?"

Eve's laughter filled the room, warm and genuine. "A VR Capsule?" she repeated, shaking her head with a grin. "I'm pretty sure that grandfather would love anything you gave him, even if it were just a pair of socks." Her teasing tone was light, but the affection in her eyes was sincere.

Odin chuckled, leaning back against the pillows as he pulled her closer again. "Hehe, already calling that grumpy old man 'grandfather,' huh?" he teased, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're trying to get into his good graces."

Eve smiled, resting her head on his chest again, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his skin. "Well, I want them to like me," she admitted softly. "Your family matters to you, so they matter to me."

Odin's expression softened at her words, but a shadow passed over his face as he thought about the rest of his family. "You don't have to be nervous when you meet them," he said, his tone quieter now. "It's just me, pops, my two aunts with their husbands, and cousins, oh, and my uncle, but he's in the USA, so we rarely get in touch. That's it."

Eve hesitated momentarily, sensing the shift in his mood before speaking cautiously. "You're still not on talking terms with your parents and siblings, are you?"

Odin's jaw tightened slightly, and he exhaled through his nose before answering. "No," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "Only Valentina. But even that's rare. Either she reaches out, or I will check on her. As for the rest… they're not worth my time or emotions. I'm better off staying no contact."

Eve's heart ached for him, her fingers gently stroking his chest as she pressed a soft kiss to his collarbone. "... I know it's hard," she whispered, her voice full of empathy. "But don't worry, Mathias. I'll always be here for you. I'll always be beside you, to love you and support you. You'll never be alone."

Odin's lips curled into a small, appreciative smile as he looked down at her, the warmth in her words soothing the coldness in his heart. "You better remember those words, missy," he said, his tone turning playful as he wrapped his arms around her. "Or I'll hold you accountable."

As Odin prepared to log out of Satisfy World, he glanced at Eve one last time, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. She was still lying on the bed, her figure relaxed after their time together, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. 

He leaned over, delivering a firm yet playful slap to her large, toned ass.

~Smack~

Eve let out a surprised yelp before bursting into a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. 

"Hey! What was that for?" she turned to look at him with mock indignation.

Odin grinned, his eyes warm but mischievous. "Just reminding that marshmallow who's in charge," he said with a wink, running his hand briefly along her curves. "And I'll send you some pics of my outfit later. You know, just to give you something to look forward to."

Eve chuckled, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her affection. "You better," she said, still smiling as she watched him fade from the game, her laughter echoing in his ears as the virtual world dissolved around him.