The first thing Lucian Darkthorne tasted was betrayal.
It came in the form of a silver goblet pressed into his hand, the dark liquid inside swirling with deceit. The man offering it—Sir Garrick Volmark, his so-called loyal knight—wore concern like a cheap mask. But Lucian saw through it instantly.
Floating above Garrick's head in glowing crimson letters:
[LOYALTY: 31%]
[SECRET AGENDA: Poison you before the lunar eclipse]
[GREATEST FEAR: His sister's life in pawn to the Shadow Guild]
Lucian's lips curled. God hadn't just sent him back into his own poorly-written novel—He'd given him the ultimate cheat code.
"Your tonic, my lord," Garrick said, the words smooth as dagger's silk. "The healer insisted."
The Omniscient System flashed another warning:
[MOONBLISS ELIXIR - LACED WITH DREAMSHADE]
[3 DOSES TO DEATH]
Lucian swirled the poison, watching the violet liquid catch the light. Back in his billionaire life, he'd paid millions for corporate espionage reports. Now? The truth floated above men's heads like party balloons.
"How is your sister?" Lucian asked casually. "Still trapped in Brynthall's pleasure district?"
Garrick's grip on the goblet tightened. A bead of sweat snaked down his temple.
[LOYALTY DROPS TO 28%]
[EMOTION: PANIC]
Too blunt. Lucian set the chalice aside with deliberate slowness. "I could make her debts disappear," he murmured. "Or..." His fingers tapped the poisoned rim. "...we could discuss why you're trying to kill me."
The knight's breath hitched. Lucian watched the numbers dance:
[28% → 45% → 62%]
Not loyalty yet—but desperate hope was almost as good.
Alone in his chambers, Lucian examined his new toys. The Omniscient System unfolded before him like a dealer spreading a winning hand:
[TRUST INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO]
Asset: Garrick Volmark
Current Value: 62% loyalty
Projected Growth:
70%: Gains "Shield of Faith" (Takes fatal blows)
90%: "Unbreakable Oath" (Betrayal becomes impossible)
[INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES]
Pay sister's debt: +25% ROI
Sparring session: +10% ROI
Fake vulnerability play: +15% ROI
Lucian's fingers danced across the phantom display. He'd built fortunes on less reliable data.
A frantic knock interrupted him. Garrick burst in, armor clanking. "My lord—Duke Eldrin plans to name you traitor at tonight's feast!"
[LOYALTY RISES TO 65%]
Lucian's smile turned predatory. "Then let's give the duke a performance he'll never forget."
The great hall reeked of wine and ambition. Nobles clustered like vultures, their jeweled fingers clutching cups they believed held power. At the high table, Duke Eldrin preened, already tasting victory.
Every eye turned as Lucian entered—Garrick shadowing him like a reformed attack dog. The poisoned chalice glittered in Lucian's hand as he raised it high.
"To loyal friends," Lucian toasted, locking eyes with Eldrin. "And to fools who mistake patience for weakness."
The duke's goblet slipped. Wine bled across the table like a prophecy.
[NEW QUEST: HUMILIATE DUKE ELDRIN]
[REWARD: Political Capital +50%]
Lucian drank deep—from his own cup, of course—as the System whispered in his ear:
[GARRICK'S LOYALTY SECURED]
[+5% CHARISMA UNLOCKED]
Around him, the feast continued. Laughter rang false. Whispers slithered through the crowd. Lucian leaned back, savoring the game.
The first move was his. The board was set.
And oh, how he'd missed this.