Damien stared at the floating screen, his mind racing as he digested the information displayed.
This was his status—his actual fucking status like he was in some RPG. Except this wasn't a game. This was his life now.
"D-Rank?" he muttered, scowling at the glowing text. "That can't be right. I'm basically useless."
[That's exactly right, Master~] Satana giggled, floating upside down above him.
[The original Damien was terrible at everything except being a spoiled brat. You've inherited his pathetic body and stats.]
Damien poked at the holographic display, watching it ripple under his touch. "How do I see more details? This is just a summary."
[Just think 'Status' with more intent. The system responds to your thoughts.]
Damien focused, and the screen expanded with a soft chime.
═══════════════════════════════════════
DEPRAVED SYSTEM - FULL STATUS
═══════════════════════════════════════
Name: Damien Valtor
Age: 18
Race: Human
Title: "The Exiled Disappointment"
OFFICIAL RANK: D-Rank
TRUE POWER RANK: D+ → C- (System Boosted)
INFAMY POINTS: 0
IP REPUTATION: "Disgraced Noble Brat"
NOTORIETY: Local (Harrow's End only)
─────────────────────────────────────
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
─────────────────────────────────────
Strength: D+ (Mediocre swordsmanship training)
Agility: D (Slower than average)
Endurance: E+ (Poor stamina in prolonged fights)
Stamina: D- (Can't fight long battles)
PHYSICAL COMBAT RATING: D-Rank
[Pathetic. A real third-rate villain\~]
─────────────────────────────────────
MENTAL/MAGICAL ATTRIBUTES
─────────────────────────────────────
Intelligence: C+ (Reincarnated - modern knowledge)
Mana Capacity: D (Low magical reserves)
Mana Control: D+ (Basic spellcasting only)
Willpower: C (Strong-willed from two lifetimes)
Charisma: D- → C (System boost active)
MAGICAL COMBAT RATING: D-Rank
[At least your brain works, Master\~]
─────────────────────────────────────
SKILLS
─────────────────────────────────────
\*\*Combat Skills: \*\*
├─ \[Basic Swordsmanship\] - D-Rank
├─ \[Basic Mana Circulation\] - E-Rank
└─ None
\*\*Magic Skills: \*\*
└─ None
\*\*System Skills: \*\*
├─ \[Contract Initiation\] - Unique
├─ \[Infamy Sense\] - Unique
└─ None
\*\*Social Skills: \*\*
└─ \[Noble Etiquette\] - C-Rank (Only useful thing he learned)
─────────────────────────────────────
CONTRACTS: 0/3
─────────────────────────────────────
\[Empty Contract Slot\]
\[Empty Contract Slot\]
\[Empty Contract Slot\]
─────────────────────────────────────
CORRUPTION TARGETS: 0
─────────────────────────────────────
No active corruption in progress
─────────────────────────────────────
HAREM STATUS
─────────────────────────────────────
Members: 0
Tier: None
Bonus: None
[Hurry up and get some women, Master\~]
═══════════════════════════════════════
"Holy shit," Damien whispered, eyes widening as he took in the information. "This is... a lot."
[Overwhelming for your tiny human brain?] Satana teased, her tail swishing lazily behind her.
"No, it's just..." Damien paused, running a hand through his silver-white hair. "It's actually happening. I'm really in a fucking fantasy world with stats and skills and... corruption targets? What the hell is that?"
[The good stuff,] Satana purred, her golden eyes gleaming.
[The thing that makes the Depraved System special.]
Damien paced the room, trying to process everything. "So I'm weak as shit physically, mediocre at magic, and the only things I have going for me are my intelligence and these 'System Skills'?" He pointed at the status window. "What even are these? Contract Initiation? Infamy Sense?"
Satana snapped her fingers, and another window appeared.
[Let's start with the basics,] she said, tapping the floating display. [First, understand that this system is different from what everyone else in this world has. They all have the Divine Status System, or what they call the Akashic Record.]
"Like the status screens in RPGs?" Damien asked.
[Exactly. Boring, restrictive, and designed to make heroes stronger while keeping everyone else in their place. The Divine Sovereigns created it to maintain order.] Her voice dripped with disdain.
[But the Depraved System is special. It feeds on villainy, corruption, and depravity. The more infamous you become, the more power you gain.]
"And these Infamy Points?"
[The currency of your growth,] Satana explained, stretching languorously in midair. [You earn them by being a proper villain. Making people hate you. Breaking social norms. Corrupting the pure. Stealing what belongs to heroes. The more outrageous and depraved your actions, the more IP you earn.]
Damien examined his status again. "So I use these points to... what? Buy skills? Improve stats?"
[All of that and more.] Satana's smile widened, revealing sharp teeth. [You can purchase skills directly from my shop. Upgrade your pathetic attributes. Enhance your system abilities. Everything has a price.]
"And these System Skills? Contract Initiation and Infamy Sense?"
[Your starter abilities,] Satana replied, floating around him. [Infamy Sense lets you see how people view you, their emotional state, and their corruptibility. Think of it as an advanced appraisal skill.]
She moved closer, her golden eyes inches from his face. [Contract Initiation is the real prize. You can create soul contracts with others, binding them to you. They gain benefits, and you gain... control.]
"Soul contracts?" Damien's eyebrows shot up. "Like selling your soul to the devil?"
[More like striking a mutually beneficial arrangement that happens to slowly corrupt them from within,] Satana said with a wink. [They get something they desperately want. You get their service, access to their skills, and passive IP generation.]
Damien's mind raced with possibilities. "And these contracts... how do I get people to agree to them?"
[Find their weakness. Their desire. Their desperation.] Satana's voice was hypnotic. [Everyone wants something badly enough to make deals they shouldn't. Your job is to find that breaking point and offer the perfect solution... with strings attached.]
Damien nodded slowly, processing the information. "And the corruption targets? What's that about?"
[My favorite part\~] Satana clasped her hands together excitedly. [Every person has a corruption meter, from 0% to 100%. The more time they spend with you, the more they're exposed to your influence, the higher it rises. At certain thresholds, they change. Their morals shift. Their desires transform. They become more... susceptible.]
"Susceptible to what?" Damien asked, though he was beginning to understand.
[To you, Master. To whatever you want from them.] Satana's voice dropped to a seductive whisper. [At 100% corruption, they're yours completely. Body, mind, soul.]
"And this... harem status?"
[Ah, that.] Satana smirked. [The system recognizes official harem members—women who are fully corrupted and contracted to you. They generate passive IP, share their skills with you, and provide... other benefits.] Her eyebrows waggled suggestively.
"So let me get this straight," Damien said, pacing again. "I earn Infamy Points by being a villain, use those points to get stronger, corrupt women to join my harem, and that makes me even more powerful?"
[That's the basic idea.] Satana nodded approvingly. [Though there's much more to it. Different contract types. Corruption rewards. Skill fusion. Dungeon exploration. The system has many ways to make you stronger.]
Damien stopped pacing, a realization hitting him. "Wait, what's the goal here? What am I trying to accomplish with all this power?"
Satana tilted her head, studying him. [That depends, Master. What kind of man are you?]
"What do you mean?"
[What kind of villain do you want to be?]