'W-what came over me!'
'Why was I so… passionate?'
'The hell!'
Vale stood up and slowly backed away, looking at Salome, who still lay folded over in a near-fetal position, an intensely delighted expression on her face, his masterpiece still painted on her back.
'Since when was I so inclined toward debauchery!'
Vale focused his eyes on one spot and read the first challenger's timer, which didn't seem to disappear, unlike the other messages. But, at least this one wasn't incessant and was off in the corner of his vision.
[First challengers: 2:33:13]
While Vale's newfound clarity was eating at his psyche, those numbers quickly snapped him back to his grim reality…
He'd ended up finding out some things about his situation…
Namely that he had to earn the Champion's servitude after summoning them through… 'coitus'
Vale threw his face into his palms.
'And the fact that I have to pleasure her to get more Satisfaction!'
He'd made her finish twice, so he'd been given two points. Or at least, that was his takeaway.
'What a barbaric system I've been saddled with.'
Vale didn't know much about this foreign world yet, but there was one thing he was vaguely sure of… If he wanted to live, being idle was not the path of his salvation.
So, much to his chagrin, he'd have to continue his debauchery.
He'd have to walk the path of vice…
Truly, one day, he may become deserving of his Title.
Vale let his hands fall to his side and sighed. He still had two and a half hours to prepare, and there was still much he hadn't explored yet. He wasn't going to face his foes unprepared.
He once again summoned his status.
♥︎♥︎♥︎
Name: [Valentin Laurent]
Title: [Fifth Advent of Lust]
♡♡♡
Dungeon Class: [Vice]
Dungeon Core Rank: [Nascent]
♡♡♡
Aspect: [Lust]
Class: [Vice]
Core Rank: [Nascent] - (0/700)
♡♡♡
Aether: [10]
Satisfaction: [2]
Traits: [Rudimentary Shapeshifter] [Charm] [Ember of Lust]
♥︎♥︎♥︎
Nothing had really changed, except the number following Satisfaction. However, looking at that wasn't the entire reason he summoned this screen in the first place. He'd just needed a minor refresher on what was there since he hadn't been spared the time to take it all in.
The first thing was the Dungeon Class, which was Vice.
Vale racked his brain, and the only possible thing he could come up with was that there was some innate ranking he'd gotten. Same for his Aspect's Class.
As for Nascent… he knew the definition, but the true meaning would probably be revealed over time; for now, it eluded him.
Finally, Vale's gaze settled on his Aspect: Lust…
Surprisingly, as he did so, the page disappeared and reappeared, with Lust's description next to it.
[Lust] - [You are a slave to sexual desire who craves all different forms of pleasure. Your hedonism is the source of an Origin that once drowned the world in the flames of an insatiable passion. You are the fifth heir to that passion. The fifth demon of desire. The fifth sin of humanity. You are Lust incarnate.]
'Fifth…'
'What's up with the number five? Why is 'Lust' capitalized? Same with 'Origin'?'
'And… this tells me jack shit!'
The description provided to him was entirely nonsensical and seemed only understandable to one as mad as whatever entity wrote it! It served no other purpose than to drive Vale insane with questions!
Vale summoned back the status page and read the text at the bottom — the Traits. They, too, when focused on like his Aspect, made a new page appear with descriptions next to the Traits.
[Rudimentary Shapeshifter] - [Your understanding of passion has led you toward a mastery of the body in pursuit of becoming the ultimate being of pleasure who can cater to anyone's desires.]
'Where the fuck did that passion come from! It sure as hell wasn't my own!'
Vale sighed, but this was actually a little helpful… Well, the description helped only slightly, but as he read it, information about his actual ability flooded his mind.
Vale held up his hand and focused hard on his fingertips, slightly transforming the ends until they were sharp like Salome's claws; however, the moment he lost concentration, his hand reverted to normal.
While he wasn't too good at controlling it, he could innately sense that the ability could grow and become stronger.
This ability could actually prove to be quite useful…
'Not for that! Get your mind out of the gutter!'
Vale looked over at his Champion, who was… napping now.
Sleeping so soundly as if she'd been awake for weeks straight.
Vale rolled his eyes and looked over the description of another Trait.
[Charm] - [As the incarnation of Lust, people are naturally drawn to your presence. People can't help but feel inclined to worship you. Your words and actions are convincing and appear honest. Those who are charmed by you can also evolve into your Champions and submit to you if their Loyalty rises high enough. But, beware, the acid of Love rusts the chains of Lust.]
'This…'
Knowledge of his ability entered his mind beyond the simple description.
It was an insidious ability that no doubt could serve as the backbone of this dungeon… if not for the one glaring problem.
The only way to thoroughly charm someone and raise their Loyalty was to…
'Perform coitus and other acts with them…'
'Godamnit.'
At the moment, he could only charm one entity. That number would rise the stronger he got, but for now, it was just one. Still, the ability also felt morally wrong…
While it wasn't a true enthrallment and force into servitude, his natural presence put pressure on someone or something's mind to lust for him. Technically, if they could control themselves, he had no power over them, but the very fact that his mere presence would plant the seed of sin for this vice to sprout was deplorable.
Still… Vale was still uncertain of the dangers of this world.
He'd be dumb not to use every ability at his disposal, no matter how nefarious they may be.
He finally took a look at the last, and possibly most periphrastic Trait he possessed.
[Ember of Lust] - [Lust was thought to have vanished from the world, but a dim ember stirs deep within your soul. Nurture that passionate flame, then unleash Lust upon the world once again.]
'Huh…'
This time, no extra information flooded his brain. It was even more nonsensical than the earlier description!
Vale sighed deeply while looking over at the sleeping Salome.
'Now, what about you?'