It Resists

Since he discovered his divine heritage, Tom Losers was amazed by the power of magical arrows, that miraculous tool he had heard about numerous times in mythology and fiction.

Unable to contain his excitement, he bounced lightly, which would have puzzled anyone if time hadn't been frozen.

"I see that makes you happy, but before anything else, you need to know a few things," Staxis warned him, breaking his bubble of happiness.

"What things?"

The blonde disappeared, only to appear behind Tom in less than a heartbeat, hugging the young man and pressing her breasts against his back.

"Creating an arrow requires a significant amount of energy and a lot of concentration, hence its difficulty. If you succeed, it would be a tremendous advancement in your new life, but if you don't..." she said in his ear, deliberately pausing.

"If I don't, what? Will I die?" Tom asked, feeling a drop of sweat trickle down his cheek.

"Oh no, dear, your life won't be in danger but if you fail, let's just say I will have to pick up a sad vegetable."

Hearing that brought forth several drops of sweat rolling down the young demigod's face.

"Hm... What... What are you talking about?"

"It's not that complicated; it's just that your body will lose all its divine energy. You would be so depleted that you would hardly survive, losing that valuable progress you worked so hard to achieve. It's like in that video game—what was its name? Or was it Dark Souls? All your powers and skills would evaporate, leaving you as that pathetic baby I once knew."

"WTF!"

Abruptly, Tom distanced himself from her in terror, seeing her cheerful expression as if she had made an innocent joke. But it was quite the opposite; he knew that beneath that beautiful face, there was no reason to lie. Moreover, she had always sought a way to create fear in his heart.

"You're crazy... There's no way I'm... Come on, you want me to risk it just like that?"

Displaying monumental calmness, Staxis walked towards the motionless janitor with sensuality, whistling a tune.

"Oh, little one, that's why it's a test. You don't expect it to be that easy, do you? In life, you have to take risks if you want to reach the top."

"What you want is to mess with me," Tom said, stomping his foot hard.

Immediately after, Staxis gently ran her hand over Lincoln's face like the finest silk.

"For Zeus's sake, look at it another way. Look at him—a poor soul in misfortune, light-years away from his dream. Suffering for an impossible love that he will never attain no matter how hard he tries. Come on, don't you feel even a shred of compassion for our dear Mr. Lincoln?"

Tom grunted in frustration because he genuinely felt a lot of pity for the janitor; seeing someone immersed in a miserable and pathetic life reminded him of his former life. A part of him wanted to give the help he had received, to make his platonic love a reality... And Staxis knew that.

"Just look at his VERY sad face pleading for help. Will there be anyone who can help him? Or is he doomed to an eternity of agony?" the blonde said exaggeratedly theatrically.

"Fine, I will create the arrow!"