Dragon Across the Multiverse (Si-WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 8: New Game, Same Rules

‘Can’t say I didn’t expect this.’ I thought, keeping my expression blank as I listened to Claire politely decline my offer for now. My gaze shifted toward Jill, and I felt the corners of my lips twitch upward.

‘At least one of them agreed.’

After we’d moved on from discussing Sherry, I had extended the same invitation to both Claire and Jill. Only the latter had accepted. To be fair, it was a bit much to ask Claire to make that decision now when I knew she still had plans to search for her brother. That’s why I made sure she knew the offer would remain open.

The only ones I hadn’t extended the offer to were Leon and Ada. Leon, because I had no intention of inviting him and I already knew he wouldn’t accept. And Ada? She didn’t exactly have a say in the matter. She had already agreed to work for me earlier. Her joining was a foregone conclusion.

Jill, sharp as always, finally picked up on that small detail.

“Is there a reason you didn’t offer the same thing to Leon? Or Miss FBI over there?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. One, Leon’s not a cute girl,” I teased, shooting him a playful smirk. Leon scoffed but didn’t seem offended.

Then, more seriously, I added, “But the real reason is that I knew he wouldn’t accept.”

“That’s right,” Leon nodded in agreement. “I’m a cop. My place is here, helping whoever’s left.”

“As for Ada,” I continued, turning my gaze on the silent woman and catching the subtle scowl she shot me, “She’s already agreed to work for me. So she’s coming whether she likes it or not.”

“As if I had a choice,” Ada muttered under her breath, turning away and crossing her arms. Her voice was too low for the others to catch, but I heard it just fine.

“That said,” I went on, my smile returning as I pulled two small flasks from my inventory while making it look like I’d pulled them from my jacket, “Just because you two won’t be coming with me doesn’t mean I’m leaving you empty-handed.”

I held one out to Claire, the other to Leon.

“What’s this?” Claire asked, taking hers without hesitation. She twisted the cap and sniffed it. “A smoothie?”

I smiled. “You remember when I told you my blood was a little special?”

Claire nodded slowly, her eyes locking onto mine.

“That flask has a bit of my blood infused into a nutrient blend. It's also bigger on the inside than it looks. Once you finish it, you’ll get a minor upgrade. Stronger. Faster. Not enough to raise eyebrows, but enough to make a difference.”

Both of them stared at their flasks, clearly surprised.

“That’s…” Claire murmured, speechless.

“Are there any downsides?” Leon asked cautiously, still sniffing his flask like he expected it to bite him.

“Not with such a small dose,” I said, shaking my head. “Anything can be harmful if you overdo it—especially my blood—but don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”

Leon looked slightly more at ease, though he still examined the flask with caution. Claire, on the other hand, just shrugged and took a generous swig. Her eyes widened in surprise as she licked her lips.

“Whoa~ This is delicious,” she said with a pleased smile, already going back for more. She blinked in curiosity as she realized the flask wasn’t emptying.

‘It should be,’ I thought with amusement. ‘The Faerie Feast perk makes even the most basic food taste divine.’

Stretching a bit, I looked over the group. “Well, it’s been a long day for all of us. I say we get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll be going our separate ways, so make sure you’re well-rested.”

That seemed to trigger something in Claire. She glanced at me, then at Jill—quietly sitting beside me—before her gaze returned to mine. She didn’t say anything, but the determination behind her eyes was clear.

The moment passed, and almost like a signal had been given, everyone else let out tired yawns and started mumbling their goodnights, heading to their rooms one by one.

I turned and made my way toward my own room, fully aware of the pair of eyes watching my back as I disappeared down the hall.

=====

Late Night – Hotel Suite

The city outside had quieted to a hum, the kind of stillness that only came after chaos. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow over the room. I stood at the edge of the window, arms crossed loosely as I let the silence wash over me, reviewing the memories from my clone.

A soft knock at the door behind me drew my attention.

Claire.

She stepped inside without a word, her expression unreadable. But she didn’t have to speak — I felt her presence like a heartbeat echoing against mine. There was a flicker in her eyes. Hesitation… then resolve.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said quietly, stepping closer.

I offered a small smile. “Me neither.”

We stood close now, the tension between us no longer sharp like it had been during the worst of the fight. Now it was something warmer. Softer. Earned.

Claire looked up at me, her voice steady but her gaze gentle. “Is this really goodbye?”

I shook my head. “Not unless you want it to be.”

That was all she needed.

She reached for me, and I met her halfway.

Our kiss was slow — not desperate, not rushed. Like we’d both been holding our breath since the outbreak began and finally let it out in each other’s arms.

She was warm. Real. Alive in a way that made my enhanced senses hum with appreciation. Her hands slid around my shoulders as mine held her waist, grounding us in something raw and simple.

We made our way to the bed without words, guided by instinct and passion. Her fingers traced the lines of my jaw. Mine brushed down her spine. Every touch asked a question. Every sigh answered it.

She laughed once, soft and breathless, when I whispered that she was beautiful. Then she pulled me down with her, and there was nothing left between us but honesty.

What followed was more than just a one-night stand, it was a promise. Tangled in sheets and quiet murmurs and lingering kisses that said more than either of us could out loud.

And when the passion settled, and we lay tangled together beneath the thin sheets, her head resting on my chest and her breath soft against my skin, she whispered the sweetest words into my ear.

“Will you wait for me?”

I kissed the top of her head and pulled her tighter into my embrace.

“Always.”

With those final words, sleep finally came for us, and we closed our eyes — content in the quiet certainty that this wouldn’t be the last time we saw each other.

=====

The Following Morning — After Breakfast

After preparing a breakfast so good it left everyone salivating — thank you, [Faerie Feast] — we gathered once more in the living room. Claire sat close to me, practically glowing with happiness and ignoring the amused glances Jill and Leon occasionally threw our way.

Not that I minded. Seeing her that happy was more than worth it.

“Here,” I said, handing both Claire and Leon a backpack, which they accepted without question. “Inside is enough money to last a few years if you use it wisely, along with a GPS and some basic survival supplies. I also got you each your own vehicle — a car for Leon and a bike for Claire.”

“Oooh, already confident enough to give me gifts, huh? Thanks, Akari~” Claire teased, still sounding like she was floating on a cloud. She surprised everyone, including me, by leaning up and planting a quick kiss on my cheek.

Leon, ever the professional, cleared his throat. “Ahem… Yeah, thanks, Akari. I won’t ask where this money came from, mostly because I don’t want my worldview shattered before noon, so I’ll just assume you’re really rich or something.”

Jill, to my surprise, didn’t look upset. In fact, she seemed calm, almost expectant. I could sense acceptance and a trace of anticipation from her, which made me wonder if she and Claire had a heart-to-heart last night. She didn’t even flinch at Claire’s obviously euphoric mood so far.

“You’re both welcome,” I said with a nod. “Just be careful out there. The world got a lot scarier after what happened in Raccoon City.”

“Don’t worry, I definitely learned my lesson,” Leon said with a grim smile, patting the shotgun strapped to his back. “I won’t be caught off-guard again.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Claire muttered, adjusting the magnum I’d given her, now secured at her thigh.

Speaking of shattered worldviews, I’d only ever given them an extremely condensed version of who I was and why I was here. Just the classic curious alien narrative, taking a little cosmic tour and deciding to lend a hand after witnessing Umbrella’s chaos.

It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was enough.

A heavy silence settled over the living room as we all realized at the same time—this was goodbye.

“I guess this is it, huh?” Leon said quietly, breaking the silence as he rose to his feet. He extended his hand toward me. “Thanks for everything, Akari. You didn’t have to get involved, but you did anyway. I’m sure escaping Raccoon City would’ve gone very differently without you. Take care of everyone, alright?”

I accepted his handshake with a firm grip and a faint grin. “Guess I can’t call you a rookie anymore. Still… something tells me you would’ve made it out with or without me.”

Leon chuckled. “Maybe. But I’m glad I didn’t have to test that theory.”

“You just take care of yourself,” I said, then turned toward Claire.

She was kneeling beside Sherry, doing her best to comfort the girl, who was crying softly and clinging tightly to her legs.

“Don’t worry, Sherry,” I said gently, kneeling beside them. The girl looked up at me, her big blue eyes still teary but searching mine for reassurance. “You’ll see Claire again soon. She already promised to visit after she finds her brother.”

My eyes flicked discreetly toward the Stamp I’d placed, cleverly hidden on the inside of her thigh where only I could perceive it. With that, she’d be able to reach my Demiplane at will once the time was right.

“Really, Claire?” Sherry sniffled, hope creeping into her voice.

“I was going to keep that a surprise,” Claire muttered with a playful glare in my direction, “but yes. Don’t worry. We’ll see each other again sooner than you think.”

She smiled and ruffled Sherry’s hair. “Make sure you keep an eye on this troublemaker for me, okay?”

Sherry nodded seriously, giggling as she wiped at her eyes. “Okay, Claire. I’ll keep an eye on your boyfriend.”

I didn’t deny it. Neither did Claire.

Finally, Claire stood and turned to me fully. Her playful energy had faded into something softer, more personal. Her eyes searched mine.

“I guess… I’ll see you later?” she asked, voice just a touch nervous.

It made me smile. Watching someone so strong-willed act a little shy now? That was too good.

“Who knew you had such a cute side, Claire~” I teased, smirking.

“You—! I swear, if you—!”

I silenced her with a kiss. She melted into it without hesitation, wrapping her arms around my neck as if we had all the time in the world.

When we finally pulled apart, Claire’s breath was coming in soft, quick bursts, her face flushed as I gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’ll see you soon, alright?” I murmured, pressing another soft kiss to her lips.

“…Yeah,” she breathed, still slightly dazed before snapping out of it with a grin. “And when I do, I expect the full tour—and a proper date, mister~”

“Hmhm. It’s a date then.” I nodded, smiling back.

With nothing more to say, Claire offered quiet goodbyes to the others. Then, with one last, lingering glance in my direction, she and Leon stepped out, each heading toward their next path.

As the door clicked shut, a familiar voice drawled from behind me.

“So… do we get to see your world now?” Ada asked, one brow arched behind her shades.

Turning toward the others, I gave them a bright grin and casually slung an arm over Jill’s shoulder.

“With pleasure.”

With a casual wave of my hand, a shimmering portal unfurled against the nearest wall, crackling softly with contained energy. Gasps echoed behind me as the room lit up with its glow.

“Ladies first~” I said smoothly, gesturing toward the swirling gateway.

As they stared in awe, I couldn’t help but wonder how the others back home would react to the newcomers… and to the fact that the real me wouldn’t be returning just yet.

After all, I was just a clone right now.

Sometimes, I couldn’t help but envy the original—and maybe even hate him a little—for leaving me with cleanup duty while he ran off to have all the fun. Though at least this time, Veldora wasn’t tagging along.

=====

Unknown Location

“Master, why are we in another zombie setting?” Ciel asked, her voice laced with exasperation.

“Two reasons,” I replied with a grin, leaning lazily against the rooftop railing of a school building—already dressed in the local uniform, of course. Below me, the city was calm… for now.

“One: I wanted to visit a world that felt more like the modern Earth I came from. And two: I figured I’d get all my zombie cravings out of the way before we hit the next world.”

Ciel sighed inside my head, but I ignored it, eyes scanning the horizon. “Besides,” I continued, “this place is pretty weak. Shouldn’t take more than a week at most.”

As if on cue, the rooftop door creaked open behind me.

My smile widened.

Showtime.

Stepping through the doorway was a black-haired teen with sharp amber eyes. He froze as soon as he saw me standing there, clearly not expecting company.

“Who a—?”

He didn’t get to finish. His body went rigid, eyes glazing over as the illusion wrapped around him like a warm blanket. A second later, he collapsed mid-sentence.

I was beside him instantly, catching him with one arm and gently propping him up against the wall. The door clicked shut behind me.

My eyes dimmed as I deactivated my Sharingan.

“Sorry, Takashi... or was it Mokuro? Eh, doesn’t matter.” I sighed, brushing imaginary dust from my sleeve. “There can’t be two harem protagonists in one setting. Especially with the apocalypse just around the corner.”

Behind me, my Shroud flared to life, curling through the air like a living shadow before enveloping the unconscious teen.

Exactly one minute later, the process was complete. I pressed the sell button, and in an instant, he was gone—erased from existence like a badly written side character.

No fuss. No witnesses.

I returned to my previous perch, letting the Shroud vanish as the rooftop fell silent once again.

‘Now I just have to wait.’

The faintest smirk curved my lips.

“Don’t worry, Saya, Rei,” I murmured into the breeze, amusement dancing in my voice. “I’ll take good care of you.”

A few minutes later, the door to the rooftop creaked open again. This time, it wasn’t a black-haired boy who stepped through—but a beautiful girl with long, twin-tailed pink hair, sharp orange eyes, and a bust that defied the limits of her uniform. The white-and-green top hugged her chest dangerously tight, and the pleated skirt swayed just a breath away from revealing what lay beneath.

“Taka—Hmm, who was I looking for again?” Saya Takagi muttered, pausing mid-step with her hand lightly touching her chin, eyes briefly unfocused.

Gone and Forgotten had already done its work.

I watched her quietly, inwardly pleased with how seamless this takeover was turning out. When I cleared my throat, it was a deliberate move—soft, but enough to draw her attention.

Her eyes snapped toward me immediately, narrowing into that signature Takagi glare—sharp, proud, distrustful.

Then they locked with mine.

My Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life.

“Kotoamatsukami.”

A single command whispered across her mindscape—gentle, absolute.

‘You trust the boy in front of you more than anyone else in the world.’

It took hold instantly. The suspicion in her eyes faded into something warmer and a little shy. As if a girl meeting her crush for the first time.

And just like that… Saya Takagi was mine.