Recap of Chapter 21
Ray and Veronica entered the Mansion of Desires. The mansion tested him with illusions of women from his past, the moaning sirens whose voices almost broke his will, and finally the endless bed that multiplied their passion into infinite realities. Ray emerged stronger, unlocking a new system skill—Endless Climax—and proving to Veronica that his hunger was bottomless. But the mansion isn't done yet. Something, or someone, waits for him in the next hall…
The vast bed dissolved into mist, leaving Ray and Veronica standing before another golden door. Unlike the others, this one pulsed as if it were alive. Veins of red light crawled across the wood, and every pulse came with a faint whisper.
"Ray…"
His blood ran cold. He knew that voice.
"No," he muttered.
Veronica's eyes narrowed. "You hear her, don't you?"
The system hummed inside him:
[System Notification: Next Test – The Hall of the Forgotten Flame. Temptation Level: Extreme.]
Ray clenched his fists. "That voice… it can't be her."
Veronica tilted her head, lips curving. "The mansion digs deepest, Ray. It shows you what you lost, what you buried, what you never truly let go. Are you ready to face it?"
He didn't answer. He simply pushed the door open.
The Hall of the Forgotten Flame
The hall was dim, lit only by a crimson chandelier dripping wax-like light. At the far end stood a woman in white. Her hair fell in familiar waves, her perfume hit him like a dagger through time.
"Ray…" she whispered again, stepping forward.
It was Liana.
His first love.The one who had left him broken before Veronica ever appeared.The girl who had once promised forever—then vanished from his life, leaving him hollow.
Ray's chest tightened. "Impossible. You're not real."
Liana smiled, the same sweet, heartbreaking smile that used to melt him. "Real enough to touch you."
She pressed her fingers to his cheek. Warm. Alive. The moan that slipped past her lips when she leaned closer made his knees weaken.
Veronica leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with sharp amusement. "Well, well. Looks like the mansion knows you better than you know yourself."
Ray's breath came ragged. Every cell in his body screamed at him to resist, but Liana's scent, her voice, the way she whispered his name—it was all too much.
"Ray… don't you remember how much you wanted me? How many nights you dreamed of me touching you like this?"
Her lips brushed his ear, her breath hot. "Mmmhh… I want you to take me… right here."
The system chimed in, merciless:
[System Challenge: Conquer the Forgotten Flame. Reward: Evolution Key Fragment.][Warning: Failure will permanently weaken Lust Power.]
Ray cursed under his breath. This isn't a choice. It's a trap.
The Battle of Desire
Liana pressed herself against him, moaning softly, nails raking his chest. Every sound, every sigh, every wet lick of her lips pulled him deeper into her spell.
Ray growled. His mind shouted No but his body roared Yes.
Veronica's voice cut through like a blade. "Careful, Ray. If you give in without control, the mansion wins. You'll be a slave to your past."
Ray's eyes snapped open. That was it. This wasn't about pleasure—it was about dominance.
He seized Liana's wrists, spun her against the wall, and kissed her hard enough to steal her breath. She moaned loudly, her body arching under his grip.
"Ahhh—Ray—so rough—mmmhh—"
"Shut up," he growled, biting her neck, his other hand sliding down her waist. "You're not here to tempt me. You're here to submit."
The chandelier shook as Liana screamed his name, her moans echoing through the hall. The system flared:
[Synchronization Progress: 40%...]
Ray drove her harder, faster, dominating every inch of her. Her tears mixed with her cries of pleasure as she begged him to never stop.
"Ahhh—yes—Ray—harder—mmmhh—don't leave me again—ahhh!"
[Synchronization Progress: 80%...]
With one final thrust, Ray roared, claiming her utterly. Liana collapsed in his arms, whispering his name like a prayer.
The system exploded with light.
[Challenge Complete: Forgotten Flame Conquered.][Reward Acquired: Evolution Key Fragment (1/3).]
Aftermath
As Liana faded into mist, Ray stood panting, drenched in sweat. His body trembled—not from weakness, but from the overwhelming rush of power.
Veronica stepped forward, touching his chest. "You did it. You conquered the past instead of letting it conquer you."
Ray smirked. "If this mansion thinks it can break me, it's wrong. I'll take every test, every woman, every temptation—and I'll turn it into my strength."
The system pulsed again, cold and hungry.
[Warning: Stronger temptations ahead. Prepare for the Mistress of the Mansion.]
Ray's smirk only widened. "Bring her on."
End of Chapter 22