The stone corridor groaned and shifted as the next trial prepared itself, grinding gears and fleshy walls melding like a living nightmare. From above, a massive golden coin with Kael's face engraved on both sides spun slowly in the air, radiating sickly green light.
TRIAL 3: GREED
Objective: Claim control over Kael Adrienne for one hour.
Method: Each Obsession must offer something precious to the System—sacrifice, betrayal, or treasure.
The highest offering wins.
Bonus Objective: Betray another obsession during this trial for a secret reward.
"An hour of full control…" Clara muttered, licking her lips. "You could be very productive in sixty minutes, Kael."
Eva cracked her knuckles. "I could train you so hard you'd cry. In a good way. Maybe."
Kael took a step back. "Is it too late to just give you all chocolate and run away?"
"No," Mireille said sweetly. "But the System will break your kneecaps for trying."
Kael: "I hate this System."
[System: Your hatred has been noted. It feeds us well.]
The Vault of Obsessions
The party entered a vast room filled with mirrors that reflected not their physical forms—but their desires.
Kael saw himself as a crowned monarch, thousands kneeling at his feet. It disgusted him. He turned away.
Ravynne saw herself with Kael chained beside her throne, whispering sweet songs of submission. Her smile widened.
Clara's mirror showed her and Kael on the battlefield, bodies entangled between explosions of magic and lust. She didn't blush—she grinned.
Eva's reflection flickered. At first it was her and Kael sparring. Then it shifted—Kael tending to her wounds, holding her close. For a heartbeat, she looked… shy.
Iris didn't look at her mirror at all.
Aria stared into hers with trembling fingers. In it, she was a bride. Simple. Peaceful. Happy. "It's not real," she whispered. "It can't be."
But Mireille—Mireille stepped into her mirror. And disappeared.
Kael blinked. "Wha—"
[System Alert: Mireille has entered the Shadow Vault of Forbidden Offerings.]
The Bidding War Begins
A massive golden altar rose from the center of the chamber, floating above molten desire. Each girl stepped forward to offer something only she could give.
Eva stepped up first.
"I offer… my Sword of Vow-Breaking. Forged from the bones of a fallen demigod." She stabbed the blade into the altar.
[Offering Accepted: High Rarity]
[Greed Score: 32]
Clara dropped a necklace.
"This contains my soul contract with the royal mage guild. I'm breaking it. For him."
[Offering Accepted: Life-Bound Magic Sacrifice]
[Greed Score: 40]
Iris slammed her shield down.
"My holy emblem. Without it, I cannot return to the Temple. I offer my excommunication."
[Offering Accepted: Religious Exile]
[Greed Score: 45]
Aria hesitated.
Then she stepped forward, holding a small glass vial.
"My last memory of my family. The System gave it back to me once as a mercy. I give it up."
Kael's breath caught.
[Offering Accepted: Priceless Sentimental Relic]
[Greed Score: 55]
Kael turned away. He couldn't bear to watch.
Then… Ravynne stepped forward.
She cut her palm open and dripped blood into the altar.
"My real name," she whispered. "And the true origin of Kael's soul."
[Offering Accepted: Hidden Truth Tier]
[Greed Score: 70]
[Kael Soul Mystery Progress: +5%]
Everyone gasped.
"You know what I am?" Kael shouted.
"I always have," she said. "You're not just the trash villain. You're the key."
And finally… Mireille returned.
Floating above them, she gently laid a black quill upon the altar.
"The original manuscript," she whispered. "Of this story. My first draft. Where I win."
[Offering Accepted: Metanarrative Offering Detected]
[Greed Score: 100]
[Greed Trial Concluded – Winner: Mireille]
The Hour of Ownership
Kael felt invisible chains wrap around his limbs. Not binding him—guiding him.
[Mireille has full control of Kael for 1 Hour.]
"You can't be serious—" Kael began, but Mireille silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"Shhh. My turn."
She didn't hurt him.
She didn't tie him up or steal a kiss.
She just walked with him.
Through the dungeon. Through memories. Through regrets.
They passed a broken hallway filled with echoing laughter from his past. Every girl had taken something from Kael. But Mireille?
She had studied him.
"You were born during a red eclipse," she whispered. "The villagers thought you cursed. You burned down a church to save a child. They called it a massacre."
Kael shivered. "How do you know that?"
"I wrote your file. The System isn't a machine. It's an author. A divine narrative. And someone is writing your downfall."
He looked into her eyes. "Then why help me?"
Mireille's voice trembled.
"Because I fell in love with the version of you no one else ever saw."
Secret Betrayal
As her hour ended, the altar cracked—and a hidden score appeared.
Bonus Detected: Betrayal Triggered.
Aria's offering was stolen mid-trial. Memory vial corrupted.
Hidden Saboteur: CLARA
Kael turned. "You what?!"
Clara's smile fell.
"I had to win, Kael. I just… couldn't let Aria have more than me!"
Aria clutched her head. "W-Why can't I remember… my sister's voice?!"
Kael grabbed Clara's wrist. "That memory wasn't just sentimental—it was her humanity!"
Clara whispered, "I didn't know it would erase—"
"You lied," Kael said coldly.
[System: Clara's Obsession Level – Dropped to Rank B]
[Trust Score: -20]
[New Yandere Risk: Escalated]
The room darkened.
And a final scroll burned into existence.
Next Trial: ENVY
Objective: Only one may remain by Kael's side.
The others will be banished… for now.
All contestants will be forced to reveal the moment they first envied the others.
Last one standing gets a permanent mark on Kael's soul.
Ravynne licked her lips.
"Now this is where things get delicious."
Kael? He could only scream internally.