The silence of the chamber pressed down on Kai as the words still glowed in the air, mocking him with their merciless ultimatum.
"Quest Timer: 7 Nights Remaining."
Seven nights to seduce a princess. Seven nights to conquer his first woman or face eternal erasure. His pulse hammered as his eyes lingered on the floating runes, shifting and rearranging before his eyes.
"System Menu Unlocked."
"Status: Candidate of Desire."
"Lust Points: 0."
"Available Skills: \[Seductive Aura Lv.1] – Passive. Weakens resistance of nearby targets slightly."
"Penalty: Lust Drain – every day without Lust Points drains vitality."
"Warning: Failure to progress results in dissolution."
Kai exhaled slowly, lips curling upward. So this was his system. It wasn't about strength or blades or sorcery—it was about lust. Desire itself had become his weapon.
The interface shifted again, lines of glowing script spiraling before his eyes.
System Explanation:
— ''Lust Points (LP)'': Earned through acts of intimacy, seduction, or conquering targets.
— ''Pleasure Bonds": The deeper the bond with a woman, the greater the strength unlocked.
— ''System Growth'': Lust Points may be used to upgrade skills, unlock abilities, and expand influence.
— ''Forbidden Path Clause'': Once a target is identified, failure to pursue or claim them may trigger penalties.
Kai smirked, a bitter laugh escaping him. "So… sex is power."
It was ridiculous. Unreal. Yet, as he looked around at the towering marble pillars, the golden tapestries woven with dragons and roses, and the endless night sky beyond the arched windows, he knew this was no dream. His heart thundered with exhilaration. This world had rules, and he had been given the key to bend them.
The sound of distant bells drifted into the room, soft but haunting. Beyond the palace walls, a city stretched across the horizon, lit by lanterns and guarded by towering statues of armored kings. The air shimmered faintly, magic woven into every stone. This was no mere kingdom—it was an empire built on centuries of blood, faith, and secrets.
Kai leaned back against the bedpost, his mind racing. If this world had princesses, nobles, and castles, then it had to have rulers. Armies. Perhaps even gods. And if the System of Desire was truly forbidden, then he wasn't the only one playing with power. Rivals would exist—men blessed with other systems, other forbidden paths.
The door creaked, and his attention snapped back. The princess still stood there, watching him with narrowed eyes. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was her presence that made his breath catch. She carried herself like fire wrapped in silk—commanding, untouchable, yet vulnerable in ways he couldn't yet name.
"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice firm but not loud, as though she didn't want others to hear. "And why are you in my chambers?"
Kai's lips parted, but before he could speak, the System flickered again.
''Dialogue Option Unlocked.''
\[1] "I'm a traveler who lost his way."
\[2] "Your servant, at your command."
\[3] "Your destiny."
Kai nearly laughed out loud. Was this a game? A twisted role-play? His instincts screamed to test the waters, but he forced his expression into something calm, calculating.
"Perhaps," he said with a faint smile, "I was meant to be here."
Her eyes hardened, suspicion flashing. She stepped closer, the faint scent of roses clinging to her silks.
"This is the royal palace," she said coldly. "No one enters without permission. If the guards discover you…" She trailed off, glancing toward the door. A flicker of unease crossed her face.
The System pulsed again.
''New Insight: Princess Lyra feels trapped within her own palace.''
''Hint: Exploit her desire for freedom.''
Kai's pulse quickened. She wasn't just a target—she was a cage bird, bound by duty and suspicion. If he could appeal to that yearning, he could chip away at her defenses.
But even as the thought formed, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor outside. Lyra's eyes widened.
"Hide," she whispered sharply. "Now."
Before Kai could move, the chamber door rattled. A man's voice rang out, deep and commanding.
"Princess Lyra, are you alone?"
The princess stiffened, glancing at the bed where Kai sat. For a heartbeat, their eyes locked—hers filled with warning, his burning with thrill.
The System flared once more, its words urgent and merciless.
''New Event Triggered: Rival Approaches.''
''Failure to conceal yourself will result in immediate exposure and execution.''
The doorknob turned.
Kai smirked. "Well," he thought, "things just got interesting."