Chapter 10: The Temptation of Power
Elvas stumbled into his room, his chest heaving, the fae queen's warning still carved into his mind like a curse that wouldn't let go. Her voice echoed in him, repeating over and over until his skull felt ready to crack.
He dropped his backpack onto the bed, the sound a dull thud in the silence. His breath came in ragged bursts, shallow and uneven.
He sat on the mattress, elbows on his knees, hands trembling as if the weight of the entire city pressed down on him. Guilt dug deep, fear curled sharp in his gut.
"Is the system… evil?" His voice was low, barely audible, like speaking it louder would summon something he wasn't ready to face. "Is that why Kalia's gone?"
The thought sliced through him, too sharp to ignore.
He stood and paced, steps restless, until his eyes landed on the drawer where the black book was hidden. Even unseen, its presence filled the room like a shadow pressing on his skin.
He yanked the drawer open and pulled it out. The cover was cold under his fingertips, smooth and heavy, the crimson letters glinting faintly in the light—Demon System.
Elvas stared at it, his chest tight, his mind twisting between fury and temptation.
"Why should I feel bad?" His voice was sharper now, cutting the quiet. "They all deserve it."
He clenched the book tighter, his eyes hard.
"The elders, the seven clans—they killed my mom. They turned my life into hell. If this book can erase people, maybe it's not a curse. Maybe it's a weapon. Maybe I can make them pay. Every last one of them."
His hands shook, but it wasn't from fear anymore. Anger ran hot, mingling with the dark lure of possibility.
He dropped the book onto the bed. It sank deep into the mattress like it belonged there, heavy and final. His thoughts spun faster, darker.
A sudden knock jolted him, sharp and demanding.
His heart lurched.
He shoved the book into his backpack, his fingers clumsy, panic clawing at him.
"Who's there?" he called, his voice cracking. His eyes darted to the bag, like it might betray him.
The door creaked open. A woman stepped inside, her uniform dark, her expression carved from stone—the enforcer of justice.
"We're searching all rooms," she said flatly, her gaze sweeping the space. "Orders from the clans."
Elvas froze, his throat dry, pulse hammering so hard he thought she could hear it. "Searching for what?"
"The demon system book." Her voice carried no emotion, only certainty. She stepped further in, her boots striking the floor with purpose. "It's dangerous."
Elvas's stomach twisted. His eyes flicked to the backpack. If she opens it—
"Why?" His words came out fast, too sharp. "What's it done?"
Her gaze cut to him, narrowing. "You don't need to know. Just stay out of the way."
She moved through the room with precision, pulling open drawers, rifling through shelves, turning over clothes. Every sound tore at his nerves.
"What happens if you find it?" His voice was tight, strained. "What's so bad about it?"
She didn't look at him. Her hands moved methodically, searching every corner. "It's a threat to Avalon. That's enough."
Elvas's heart thundered. His palms went slick. If she reached the backpack, everything was over.
And then she did.
Her eyes landed on the bag. She unzipped it without hesitation, her hand reaching inside.
Elvas stepped forward too quickly, his words tumbling out. "That's just my school stuff. There's nothing in there."
She ignored him. Pulled a book free.
Elvas's breath caught. His body locked, bracing for the sight of crimson letters.
But she frowned, flipped it open, then tossed it back like it was nothing. "Just a textbook."
His knees nearly gave out from the rush of relief.
The woman straightened, her voice cold. "Be watchful, kid. If you see that book, report it. Don't even think about keeping it. Especially what your kind do."
Elvas blinked. "My kind?"
"Demons." She said it like a curse. "The system always finds its way to you people. Don't hide it if it shows up."
His jaw clenched, anger flaring hot in his chest. "I'm not my kind. I'm not a full demon. I'm not like them."
She shrugged, already heading for the door. "Doesn't matter. Just do what you're told."
The door closed behind her.
Elvas stood there shaking, rage boiling through him. "My kind," he muttered bitterly. "Always the same crap."
He yanked the backpack open, his heart stuttering. The book lay inside, untouched, its surface flawless, as if she'd never touched it at all.
"How?" he whispered, pulling it out. "She looked right at it. She had it in her hands."
The cover seemed darker, heavier, the crimson letters glowing faintly like embers ready to burn.
Elvas's fingers traced the surface. "What are you?"
The air shimmered. Red words flared to life, sharp and glowing, the system's voice slicing straight into his mind.
[System Response: Host Elvas Das, I can make your dreams reality.]
[I can grant you strength to defeat the elders of the seven clans.]
Elvas's eyes widened, his pulse spiking. Excitement broke through the fear in his chest.
"Really?" His voice came out eager, almost breathless. "You can make me strong enough to take them down? I could finally make them pay for what they did to my mom?"
[System Response: Affirmative. But a sacrifice is required for such power.]
His excitement faltered. His brow furrowed. "Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice?"
His voice rose, edged with anger. "Don't tell me it's another player thing.?"
[System Response: No player deletion. To gain great power, you must bond with the system.]
Elvas gripped the book tighter, his pulse hammering in his ears. "Bond? What are you talking about? Explain it!"
His voice shook the air. "What do I have to do?"
[System Response: Your soul will be exchanged. Full bonding will grant ultimate power.]
[All tasks must still be completed. Failure is not an option.]
Elvas's breath caught, a cold weight forming in his gut. "My soul? What does that mean?"
"You're saying I give you my soul, and I get stronger? How does that even work?"
[System Response: Upon bonding, your soul merges with the system. Only your destruction will end me.]
[Do you agree to these terms?]