Ashen pushed the gate, and the door made of flesh-metal opened with a slow, guttural groan. An icy draft slipped out from within — but it wasn't ordinary cold. It was a void-like chill that touched not just the skin, but the soul.
> [Warning: Entering Forbidden Depth – Layer: Mirror of Madness]
[All resistances reduced by 20%]
[Mental Fortitude Check: Ongoing]
"Game on," Ashen whispered, and stepped through.
Inside, there was no darkness… but no light either. Everything — the ground, the walls, the air — was translucent, as if he had entered a liquid dream. And everywhere, there were his reflections. Literally. In every direction, images of Ashen — some calm, some seductive, some utterly broken — stared back at him.
A floating path lay ahead — crystalline, yet breathing. With every step, his own reflection gazed up at him from below.
The system softly chimed:
> [Trial Begins: Face the Echo of Desire]
[Objective: Overcome what you crave the most — or be consumed by it.]
Ashen clenched his jaw. "I know what I desire. Power. Control. Pleasure. Then show me."
Suddenly, the center of the floor flared. A circular platform lit up, and a shape began to form — a woman. Naked, glowing, with perfect symmetry. But she wasn't any specific heroine — instead, she was an amalgamation. Elira's graceful curves, Nyari's raw wildness, Kaelira's noble dominance — all combined into a single divine hybrid form.
"Ashen," she said — her voice a blend of warmth, seduction, and annihilation. "I am the ultimate form of your hunger. Your perfect conquest. Accept me."
Ashen's throat went dry. His heartbeat quickened. "This is a trap…"
> [System Alert: Warning – Emotional Resonance Spike Detected]
[System Authority Blocked. You are on your own.]
The hybrid figure stepped forward — and with every step, Ashen's breath grew shallower. Something primal stirred inside him — ancient, untouched even by the system.
She came right up to him and placed a soft touch on his cheek. "You are an Incubus, Ashen. You shouldn't be a slave to your desires… you should be their king. And I… am your throne."
She leaned down and pressed her warm, full lips to his collarbone.
Ashen's body began to tremble. A surge of deep pleasure traveled up his spine, stealing his breath. His arousal spiked — physically, magically, and spiritually.
But then… a cold memory grabbed his hand. A scream — a woman's scream. The same one he had heard from an enslaved priestess.
"Save them…"
Ashen opened his eyes. "I don't exist for pleasure. I exist for conquest. But conquest without choice… is rape."
The hybrid's smile cracked. "You're denying your true soul."
"I'm defining my soul."
Ashen raised a hand — a pitch-black flame glowed in his palm.
> [Skill Override: Shadow Bind – Manifestation Form Variant]
He touched her wrist with the flame — and her body froze instantly. She began to struggle, screaming in distorted tones. Her face shifted into Elira's, then Kaelira's, then Nyari's… then blank.
"Ashen… please… I'm everything you've ever wanted…"
"Wrong," Ashen growled. "You're everything that wants to hold me back."
He intensified the flame.
The hybrid shattered into glass-like fragments.
Silence.
> [Trial Passed: Mirror of Desire Subjugated]
[New Trait Acquired: Incubus Will – Immune to Seduction-type Mental Assaults below A-rank]
[Core Sync: 45% Complete. Seed Evolution Accelerating.]
The platform began to shift, and another gate was revealed — this one made of obsidian stone, within which his own reflection was trapped. And that reflection… was smiling.
The system whispered:
> [Final Trial – Face Yourself.]
Ashen exhaled. "Of course."
—
In the next chamber stood… Ashen himself.
But slightly different.
That version smiled like a king — dressed in a golden robe, with a black feathered cape, and glowing crimson eyes. Around him were a dozen naked slave-girls — all familiar faces: Elira, Kaelira, Nyari, even a twisted version of Ardyn — all kneeling.
False-Ashen said, "Why do you struggle, when power can be so easily yours? Just bend them. Break them. Feed. Rule."
Original Ashen looked at him. "There's a difference between conquering through submission and conquering through trust."
"Difference? You're an Incubus! For you, it's all just a game. A pleasure loop. So enjoy it."
Ashen summoned a blade — a curved black dagger. "Games have rules. And I don't break my own."
Then combat began.
False-Ashen struck fast — illusion-based attacks and waves of seduction aura. Every illusion featured a heroine, moaning, pleading — "Ashen, don't leave me… please, fuck me one more time…"
Real Ashen closed his eyes. "I remember why I fight."
> [Skill Chain Activated: Dominus Pulse + Soul Glimpse]
He swung his dagger and slashed through the illusion — striking directly into the false self's heart.
The strike landed.
False Ashen screamed and shattered — his echoes repeating one sentence: "How long will you pretend you're better than this?"
And then, silence.
The system spoke:
> [Final Gate Unlocked. Forbidden Layer Cleared.]
[Core Progression: 65%]
[Reward: Trait – Soul Tamer (Locked, requires Heroine Resonance)]
[New Title: Mirrorbreaker – One who conquered the self.]
Ashen looked down. The dagger in his hand faded — but inside him, a clarity burned. This dungeon wasn't just a sexual trial — it was an emotional autopsy. One that revealed his truth.
Then a new gate opened — simple, plain, made of old wood. Like the threshold of a temple.
The system whispered one last time:
> [Exit Confirmed. Do you wish to leave Whispering Veins Dungeon?]
[Optional: Connect Resonance Thread with Rescued Priestess – Begin Heroine Route.]
Ashen closed his eyes. The priestess… whose heart still ached.
"Yes."
He walked toward the gate, without looking back even once.
And as he stepped through it — light exploded.
—
Ashen had closed his eyes while crossing the gate, but when he opened them… he was in another world.
It wasn't a dungeon layer. It felt like a sacred sanctuary — an open courtyard where moonlight fell like silver ribbons on marble floors. The air carried the soft scent of incense — lavender and something else… sensual, magical.
The system softly notified:
> [Location: Temple of Forgotten Vows – Sacred Plane Projection]
[Resonance Thread Detected – Subject: Exiled Priestess of the Moon]
[Initiating Heroine Route (Optional Binding Available)]
Ashen took a deep breath. "So this is her memory space?"
A soft humming reached him. He looked ahead — there was a pool, filled with translucent water, and within it sat a girl, waist-deep. Her silver hair glowed like moonlight, and she traced spirals across the surface with her fingers.
The Priestess.
But this version was different from the broken, enslaved one. This was her sacred self — powerful, gentle, untouched by corruption. Her back was exposed, and near her shoulder blades were faded tattoos — or perhaps ancient divine sigils.
Ashen stepped forward.
She heard his presence. Slowly turned — recognition in her eyes, but also shock.
"You… came back," she said softly. "Something inside you… has changed."
Ashen replied calmly, "The part you had forgotten — yourself."
She smiled faintly. "I never truly forgot myself… the world just took it from me."
Ashen held out his hand. "If you wish… I can help you reclaim it."
After a pause, she stood on her own. Her naked body rose from the water slowly — with a sacred sensuality. Her eyes no longer held fear or guilt — only acceptance.
She walked to him and placed her hands on his chest.
"I'm not part of your system," she whispered. "But I want to be part of your truth."
Ashen took her hands into his. "Then shall we complete the contract?"
She came closer, cheek brushing his. "I want pleasure… but beyond pain. I don't want possession… but passion."
The system confirmed:
> [Resonance Consent Achieved.]
[Initiating: Lust Contract – Moonbound Oath]
[Warning: Soul-Link type bond is irreversible.]
Ashen gave his consent.
In that moment, the moonlight intensified — and the space between them vanished. The priestess placed her hands on Ashen's shirt and gently unbuttoned it. With each button, her fingers traced his skin.
Ashen held her hips — her skin was cool, but warmth radiated from within. Her aura was different — this wasn't the lust he'd known. This was… healing.
Their lips finally met — a kiss that was deep, sensual, and soul-binding.
Ashen lifted her and gently laid her down at the courtyard's edge, upon a silken platform carved with moon sigils. He parted her thighs softly.
The priestess looked into his eyes. "Tonight… make me yours. Give me pleasure… that makes me forget my pain."
Ashen responded with only action.
He pressed his tongue to her soft inner thigh — slowly ascending, until she gasped. With each lick, she trembled, moaning, "Ashen… please…"
Ashen explored her core — with slow, deliberate strokes, and teasing fingers that made her writhe. When her orgasm peaked, she moaned his name like a divine chant.
Ashen was ready — he positioned himself and slowly entered her. She gasped, but her eyes held no tears… only hunger.
He thrust rhythmically — slow at first, then deeper, gradually picking up pace. With each thrust, their bond deepened.
The system displayed an overlay:
> [Soul-Link Progress: 42% → 68% → 83%...]
[Emotional Layer Reached – Priestess Heartwall Collapsing]
Ashen whispered her name, "Do you accept me?"
The priestess arched her neck, her breath broken. "I feel you… in every place… in every wound… you're not my savior… you are my moon of the night."
Then came their climax — a shared divine release. Moonlight exploded — and the courtyard began to dissolve.
—
When Ashen opened his eyes, he was back in the real world — at the outer edge of Whispering Veins.
The priestess was with him, clothed — but she no longer seemed weak. Her eyes glowed, and her body radiated a graceful strength.
The system updated:
> [Heroine Route Initiated: Lyria, the Exiled Priestess]
[Unique Ability Unlocked: Moonveil Blessing – Adds passive magic regeneration aura in battles when Lyria is nearby.]
[Current Affection Level: 72% – Trust Achieved, Desire Kindled]
Ashen placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go."
Lyria smiled and said, "I'll go anywhere, as long as you're with me."
They walked out of the forest — under a new light, and into a new beginning.
But far away… another entity watched them. A dark familiar stood beside it, and a cold grin played on its lips.
"Incubus," it hissed, "You seduced a priestess? Very well. I'll be watching your next one…"
—
TO BE CONTINUED….