The chamber faded.
Warm silk and glowing light were stripped away, replaced by cold stone and darkness. A deep hum echoed through the void, like the breath of something ancient and hungry.
Elias opened his eyes.
He stood alone in a circular arena, the floor cracked and bloodstained. The air was heavy, dry—like ash clinging to his skin. Torches lit one by one around him, casting long shadows.
> [Trial Initiated: Trial of Pain]
Objective: Survive your own worst memory.
Bonus Reward: Unlock "Pain Sync" ability if cleared under 10 minutes.
Elias flinched. The system didn't lie. His heart began to hammer.
"No tricks?" he whispered. "Just pain?"
> No illusions. Just truth.
Your memory. Your failure. Face it.
Suddenly, the arena trembled.
From the far end, a figure walked out of the shadows.
He recognized the silhouette instantly. Broad shoulders. Black hair. The same crooked smirk.
It was himself.
But… twisted.
This version of Elias had dead eyes—gray and empty. His skin was pale, like it hadn't seen sunlight in years. And the smirk on his face wasn't amused—it was hateful.
"You abandoned her," the shadow Elias said. "You ran when she needed you."
"What are you talking about?" Elias growled, fists clenched.
"You know damn well." The voice echoed. "You let her die."
Images flashed in Elias's mind—quick, brutal.
A girl with bright eyes. Screaming. Fire. A hand slipping from his grip. Blood. Silence.
"No," Elias whispered. "Not now…"
Too late.
The shadow dashed toward him, unnaturally fast.
Elias barely dodged, spinning to the side. The impact cratered the stone floor. Shadow Elias wasn't just a memory—he was a monster wearing Elias's own face.
He drew his dagger and rushed in. "If you're my pain, then I'm done running!"
Clash. Sparks flew.
They fought in a blur—blades clashing, fists pounding, grunts echoing through the arena. The shadow matched every move. Every thought.
Because it was him.
But something had changed.
Elias's aura glowed—faint flickers of red and violet burning around him. Riven. Lirael. Their bond wasn't just emotional—it was power.
> [Lust-Bond Effect Triggered]
+15% Agility. +Fire Resist. +Recovery Speed Active.
Shadow Elias struck his chest with a bone-cracking punch. Elias flew across the arena, coughing blood. His vision blurred.
But the fire didn't fade.
He stood again. Bloodied. Shaking. Eyes sharp.
"You think I regret pain?" he hissed. "It made me this."
He charged forward.
This time, he didn't dodge. He embraced the hit, took the blade through his side—but drove his own dagger into the shadow's throat.
A burst of light exploded between them.
> [System Syncing: Pain Acquired. Memories Stabilizing.]
New Ability Unlocked: Pain Sync – Increases power based on injury taken.
The shadow dissolved into smoke, his smirk fading last.
Silence returned.
Then… the torches flared gold.
> [Trial Complete]
Time: 9:43 – Bonus Achieved.
Pain Sync Ability Acquired.
Emotion Data Synced with Lust System. Bond Level Increased.
A soft voice echoed next—Lirael.
"I felt it," she said. "You remembered her."
Elias turned. She wasn't really there, just a projection—but her eyes looked real enough to make his chest ache.
"Who was she?" Lirael asked.
"…Someone I couldn't save," he answered.
And for the first time since this twisted journey began, Elias wasn't just fighting to survive anymore.
He was fighting to atone.
And maybe… to love again.
The stone beneath Elias's feet reformed into the glowing floor of the temple. The arena of pain faded behind him, leaving a dull ache in his ribs and a faint burn where blood had dried on his shirt.
But he didn't stop moving.
Not now.
> [Trial of Pain Complete]
System Sync: 82%
New Route Unlocked: Queen's Path
Warning: Only those with evolving Lust Potential may continue.
Elias walked through the gilded archway that opened in front of him.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
It was… darker. Velvet curtains flowed like ink. A low hum of chanting voices echoed far off, like whispers in a cathedral. Strange golden script floated in the air, ancient and moving like water.
At the center stood a wide throne—obsidian black, draped in translucent silk.
And on it, lounging sideways like royalty?
A girl.
No… a woman.
She wore nothing but a sheer violet veil, barely covering her dark skin and flawless curves. Long silver hair spilled across her shoulders like moonlight. Eyes golden as coins stared directly at Elias, unblinking.
She didn't move.
She didn't need to.
The system went crazy.
> [Queen Candidate Detected: Seraphine Nyla]
Classification: Forbidden Class – Lust Sovereign
Compatibility: 98.9%
Caution: Entity is fully aware of system rules.
Elias stopped cold.
She spoke—her voice soft, deep, velvet and dangerous.
"You're the new harem lord?" she asked, lifting one leg slightly, exposing more skin without shame. "Cute."
He blinked. "You're… part of the system?"
Seraphine stood.
She didn't walk. She glided.
"You've awakened the bonds. Tasted power. Faced guilt. But you haven't earned me."
Elias frowned. "Then why am I here?"
She stepped closer. Every movement was precise. Elegant. Seductive without trying.
"Because you're close to evolving," she said. "And I'm bored."
Without warning, her fingers brushed his chin. A spark raced down his spine. He couldn't move.
Not because he didn't want to.
But because her presence—her aura—was paralyzing.
> [System Override Detected]
Seraphine Nyla is a Queen-tier Candidate with system authority.
Warning: She can reject or erase Lust-Bond threads.
She smiled. "You feel that? That's dominance, Elias. Real, raw, divine control. If you want to keep your little flame-demon and angel, you'd better play carefully."
Elias scowled. "Are you threatening me?"
She leaned closer, her lips almost at his ear.
"No. I'm inviting you."
And then, just like that, she stepped away.
> [Path Split Available]
1. Pursue the Queen – Risky. Unlock forbidden power.
2. Return to Temple – Strengthen current bonds. Prepare for next trial.
Seraphine raised an eyebrow. "So, Lord Elias. What will it be? Will you dance with the devil… or run back to your girls?"
He clenched his jaw.
The system pulsed. A countdown began.
> Decision must be made in 10 seconds…
Elias's hand hovered between two sigils in the air. Seraphine watched with quiet anticipation, eyes glowing slightly—hungry.
9… 8…
And then—
He picked Path 1.
The room darkened instantly.
Seraphine laughed. Not cruelly—genuinely.
"Oh… you might just be fun after all."
The doors behind her blew open with a gust of black wind, and the Queen of Lust stepped into the void.
Elias followed.
> [New Route Chosen: Queen's Domain]
Unlocking Forbidden Trial: The Kiss of Obedience
Prepare for mental, physical, and soul-based seduction.
And as the door sealed behind him, the system whispered:
> Warning: Once you enter her domain… you may never leave the same.