Chapter 9: Her First and Only Sin
Darkness trembled at the edge of Kael's mind.
His body ached, soul seared, blood humming with lingering fire from the Qilin's final strike. But above it all… there was warmth. A hand. Fingertips brushing his brow with reverence.
A voice hummed low beside him.
"Mine. Mine. Mine…"
Not a whisper. A claim.
His eyes opened.
The ceiling above him was red crystal — the inside of the shrine. He lay on soft silks that smelled faintly of incense and something sweeter — her.
The Priestess knelt beside him, cradling his head in her lap. She smiled down with eyes that shimmered like molten gold.
"You're awake, finally… I was starting to worry. I even thought of tying your arms down… just to keep you here."
Kael blinked. His body felt… repaired, but drained.
And then—
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SYSTEM UPDATE: CROWN OF SIN — STATUS WINDOW
Name: Kael
Age: 22
Level: 6
Realm: Bloodcore Realm – Stage 9 (Peak)
Title: Lord of the Marked
Crown Sync: 84%
Alignment: Sovereign Sin (Ascendant)
Combat Stats:
Strength: 74
Endurance: 70
Agility: 55
Mana: 140
HP: 850 / 850
Charm: 86
Sin Aura: Dominant (Seduction Radius: 12m)
Flesh Dominion: Active
Bonded Partners:
1. Selene Nightshade – Moonmarked Assassin
• Age: 37
• Realm: Moonbind Realm – Stage 8
• Bond Level: Obsession Tier 1
• Crown Trait: Shadow Blink (Teleport to Kael within aura)
2. Thalaria Vex – Crimson Vanguard
• Age: 39
• Realm: Celestial Flame Realm – Stage 3
• Bond Level: Obsession Tier 1
• Crown Trait: Bloodheat (Battle buff post-climax)
3. Vaeloria Il'syn Serenthaal – Divine Unknown
• Apparent Age: 35 | True Age: 317 (Sealed in Divine Time)
• Realm: ??? (System Scan Failed)
• Bond Status: Initiating | Crown can't read power level
• Warning: Emotional instability detected — Possessiveness: 91%
New Trait Unlocked:
> Crown Vision – Allows Kael to perceive a woman's emotional state, lust, and hidden desires during bonding or ritual.
(Warning: Extreme obsession detected. Proceed with caution.)
---
Kael turned his head.
Selene sat nearby, arms crossed, trying to hide a smirk as her thigh pressed against the shrine wall.
"You nearly died again," she said flatly. "Do that once more, and I'll kill you myself."
Across from her, Thalaria paced, armored chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
"And now we have this Priestess watching him like a starving beast," she growled.
The Priestess smiled wider — not amused. Triumphant.
"He came to me. Fainted into my arms. His sin sings only for me now."
She caressed Kael's face again, her fingers delicate.
"You can all glare and sharpen your blades... but I heard him whimper in his sleep. My name. Even if he doesn't know it yet."
Kael felt heat rise in his chest — and lower.
The shrine had become a battlefield of lust, power, and emerging obsession.
And Kael was the prize.
She leaned closer again, brushing a kiss to his brow.
"You don't know my name yet," she whispered, lips grazing his ear. "But your heart already speaks it in silence."
A moment passed.
"I am Vaeloria Il'syn Serenthaal… the last voice of this forgotten shrine."
Her breath deepened, voice softer still.
"And now… I speak only for you."
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Crown Whisper: "She's falling. Her sin... is love."
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End of Chapter 9