Chapter 4: Dungeons, Demons, and Dangerous Dresses
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1. System Error: New Dungeon Detected
We were halfway through a very awkward forest breakfast—Cluckles pecking toast, Yui trying not to look at me, me trying not to think about her dagger pressed against my thigh last night—when it happened.
> [WARNING: Unstable Dungeon Forming Nearby. Type: Chaotic. Boss Probability: 98%. Recommended Response: Flee, Cry, or Win.]
"System," I grunted, "give me a location."
> [Coordinates received: 3.2 km northwest. Signature: Demonic-Class Interference Detected.]
"Demonic?"
Yui wiped butter from her lip, expression tight. "There haven't been demons in this zone for years. Not openly."
"Maybe someone forgot to read the update patch."
> "Or someone's rewriting it." Lyria's voice came softer than usual. "This isn't a normal dungeon. It's… alive."
Cluckles let out a concerned co-co-cooo, flapping onto my shoulder.
"You coming too?" I asked.
> "Chicken God™ Squad never abandons its summoner," Lyria said solemnly.
"I didn't summon—"
> "Too late. You're bonded now."
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2. The Living Dungeon
The dungeon was a spiraling rift in reality—literally.
A jagged portal tore through the base of a moss-covered hill. Vines wilted near it. The air smelled of burnt sugar and ozone.
> [Dungeon: Maw of the Crimson Dress] [Theme: Seduction, Control, and Glamour-based Combat]
Yui stared at the system alert. "That sounds… weirdly specific."
I frowned. "Is it just me or do our quests keep getting weirder?"
> "It's not just you," Lyria whispered. "This dungeon wasn't supposed to spawn until Chapter 35."
"What?"
> "Nothing! Let's go!"
We stepped through.
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3. Welcome to the Velvet Maw
The dungeon interior was… a ballroom.
Not a cave. Not a lava pit. A full-on glowing crystal ballroom with chandeliers, silk curtains, and a quartet of demonic violinists playing sensual music.
"What in the glitchy fashion show is this?" I muttered.
Yui's eyes flicked across the room. "Illusion magic. But also real. This place feeds on desire."
> [Passive Effect: All party members affected by Minor Lust Aura.]
Yui coughed and took a half-step away. I coughed and took two.
"Stay focused."
> "Too late," Lyria said grimly. "We've been invited."
From the grand staircase above descended a figure.
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4. Lady Nerezza Enters
She didn't walk. She glided.
Wearing a slit dress the color of sin and eyes that glowed like ruby malware, she exuded confidence and chaos.
"Welcome, Glitched One," she purred. "And guest."
Yui stiffened beside me.
> [NPC Identified: Lady Nerezza – Demon Heiress of House Velkris, Title: 'Crimson Thread of Temptation']
"Why does she sound like a boss and a fashion model?" I hissed.
> "Because she is."
Nerezza stopped a few steps above us. "I'm here for a single purpose, Kai of the Broken Code."
My heart skipped.
"You… know my name?"
"Of course. The gods whisper it in fear. The women sigh it in their dreams."
Yui growled. "He snores."
"Delightful," Nerezza purred. "You'll both make perfect additions."
"Additions to what?"
She smiled wider.
"To my harem, of course."
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5. Dance of Blades and Tongues
Yui lunged forward with a snarl.
Nerezza barely flicked her wrist—and Yui froze mid-air, held by invisible silk threads.
"Such fire," the demon cooed. "I'll enjoy breaking it."
"No thanks," I muttered, activating [Scrambled Shift Lv. 3]—and blinked behind her.
A sword formed in my hand, glowing with raw glitch-light.
Nerezza turned, amused.
"Do you think you're the first broken hero to challenge me?"
"No," I said. "But I'm the first who brought a flaming chicken."
Cluckles dove from above, ablaze with holy fire.
The ballroom erupted.
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6. Code Breaker vs Crimson Temptress
Yui broke free. I parried six illusion blades at once. Cluckles pecked through demonic violinists.
And Nerezza laughed.
"I like you more by the second."
I unleashed [Overeasy Echo Slash], disrupting her aura for a moment.
She staggered—but her smile never faded.
"Good. Now let's see what makes you break."
A red aura enveloped me. I felt… all my emotions heighten.
Desire. Regret. The fear of being used again.
"Don't let her manipulate your code," Lyria shouted.
I bit my tongue. Centered myself. Focused on my allies.
Yui fighting with fury and elegance.
Cluckles pecking demonic heels.
And Lyria's system window flickering with concern.
I surged forward.
"This isn't your dungeon anymore."
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7. Boss Battle End Phase
Nerezza unleashed her final form—wings of silk, eyes of glowing script, a sword made of desire itself.
But she bled.
"I haven't bled in decades," she whispered.
I stabbed forward with all I had.
Our blades clashed.
And her silk sword cracked.
[Boss Defeated – Conditional Victory Achieved]
Nerezza collapsed, smirking even as she fell.
"I yield. I'm not dead. But you've… earned me."
Yui growled. "He's not yours."
"I didn't say I'd take him yet. But maybe… I'll apply to your harem too."
I blinked. "I don't… have a harem."
> "You do now," Lyria whispered darkly.
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8. Aftermath and Rewards
The ballroom faded.
We emerged from the dungeon, breathless.
[Loot Acquired: Crimson Dress Fragment – Grants +20 Charm, Passive Hypnotic Aura (Toggleable)]
[Yui's Affection +15]
[New Ally(?) – Lady Nerezza: Status: Flirtatious, Dangerous, Maybe Slightly Obsessed]
We sat around a new campfire that night.
Yui said nothing. Just sharpened her dagger.
Cluckles roasted a demon leg.
Lyria pinged softly.
> "You did well. But you've attracted more attention than ever. Elari watches. Nerezza wants you. And others… are coming."
"How many 'others'?" I asked.
> "Twelve, at last count."
"Twelve what?"
> "Divine Harem Contenders."
Yui glared at me.
"I didn't choose this!"
"You didn't stop it either."
Cluckles clucked.
I sighed.
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9. Elsewhere Again…
The Crimson Court received word.
A demon general frowned. "Lady Nerezza has… submitted?"
"Voluntarily. To a human."
They turned toward the crystal map.
"Kai of the Broken Code. He must be… deleted."
A new portal shimmered open.
From it stepped a figure in white flame.
The goddess with the blazing hair.
She smiled cruelly.
"Let's see how much his 'system' can handle."
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[End of Chapter 4 – Dungeons, Demons, and Dangerous Dresses]