The crowd dispersed slowly, murmurs rippling like a low tide across the courtyard. Some sisters looked disappointed, others amused. A few stared at Ryon with wary curiosity, like they'd just witnessed a curse begin to bloom—and weren't sure whether to run or worship it.
Ryon stood over his weapon, panting. His arms trembled from the duel, his ribs throbbed from Seyna's kick, but the only thing louder than the pain was the System's soft chiming in his head.
> [Harem Bond Progress: Seyna – 1%]
Compatibility: Increasing...
Warning: Bond must deepen within 48 hours or reset to zero.
Seyna sheathed her twin-bladed spear and approached, her silver eyes locked on his face.
"I didn't expect you to land a hit," she said coolly, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "That move you used—some kind of charm magic?"
Ryon hesitated. "…Something like that."
Seyna arched a brow. "Hmm. Subtle. Dangerous." She leaned in, voice even lower. "I like dangerous things. But don't mistake today for affection."
She reached out and gently pressed a gloved finger to his throat—where his pulse raced.
"You're still prey."
She turned and walked away, her braid swinging behind her like a whip of confidence.
Ryon let out the breath he'd been holding.
Lyria approached next, her expression unreadable.
"You impressed her," she said. "And the others. They'll be talking about this for days."
"I wasn't trying to impress anyone," Ryon muttered. "I was trying to stay alive."
Lyria gave a rare hint of a smile. "Same thing, in this house."
She turned to walk with him. "You've earned a moment of peace. Come—I'll show you where you'll sleep."
The Quarters of the Cursed
His new chambers were surprisingly lavish: high ceilings, carved obsidian walls, a wide balcony that overlooked the southern mountain spires. Candles floated in glass spheres above a bed large enough for three.
It wasn't luxury—it was a trap.
He understood that immediately.
Everything about this place whispered seduction and suspicion. From the silk robes laid out on a golden rack to the scented oils in the corner. Someone expected him to perform, to charm, to win—and fail.
> [System Note: This room was once assigned to Ryon Zareth. Trace echoes of old soul remain.]
[Would you like to access: Soul Memory Fragment – Ryon Zareth (Original)?]
Ryon hesitated, then whispered, "Yes."
[Memory Fragment: Activated]
A flash.
He stood in the same room—but smaller. Weaker. Pale. Sitting at the edge of the bed, arms trembling, curse sigils glowing under his skin.
The original Ryon Zareth.
Lyria stood beside him in the vision, holding his hand, whispering something soft he couldn't hear. The boy's eyes were filled with desperation. His lips moved:
"I wish I was someone else… someone strong enough to protect you."
Then the memory ended.
Ryon blinked as the vision faded.
A hollow echo remained in his chest. The pain of someone else's last wish now buried inside his bones.
> [System Sync: +5% Compatibility Boost – Lyria Zareth. Hidden Bond Detected.]
He exhaled and looked out over the balcony. The sky was purple with the coming dusk.
"I don't have time to mourn," he whispered to no one.
"Then don't."
He turned sharply.
Seyna stood in the doorway. She wasn't wearing armor now—just a dark crimson tunic over tight leather pants. Her long hair was damp from a recent wash, and a sword still hung at her hip.
"I figured you might fall over and die," she said, stepping into the room without waiting for permission. "Or run."
Ryon blinked. "I… wasn't planning to."
"Good." She walked over and sat on the edge of his bed like she owned it. "Then I'll offer you something useful."
He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of offer?"
She smiled, slow and dangerous.
"Training. Tomorrow. Dawn. I'll teach you how to survive here. And if you're good…" She trailed her fingers across the sheets. "I might let you keep breathing."
> System Alert: New Bond Path Available – [Combat Compatibility Route: Seyna]
Progress toward soul-binding: 3%
Favorability: Mild Interest
Lust: 7%
Loyalty: 0%
Ryon swallowed hard.
"You don't do this with every man, do you?" he asked, joking weakly.
Seyna's smile sharpened.
"There are no other men, curseborn."
She stood and walked to the door.
"But I do enjoy breaking rare things."
She left him alone in the room, his mind spinning faster than the System's updates.
> System Reminder: Time Remaining – 6 Days, 4 Hours
Next Objective: Deepen bond with Seyna to 10% within 48 hours
Suggested Path: Train, impress, or seduce