Chapter 4: First Taste of Power
The next morning, the world looked different.
Alex stepped out into the sunlight and breathed in the air as though it were sharper, clearer, more vivid. The streets of Grendale were the same — cobblestone charm, sleepy shops, clanging bells in the distance — but to him, they shimmered beneath a thin veil of energy.
It wasn't the world that had changed.
It was him.
The system interface hovered at the edge of his vision like a silent guardian.
Status:
Name: Alex Darnell
Title: Reincarnated Vessel of Asmodeus
Lust Stat: 1.5
Bonded: Sophia Liane (Pleasure Bond - Tier I)
Skills:
Aura of Desire (Passive)
Emotional Sense (Passive)
Essence Share (Active)
Lust Infusion (Active)
His fingers twitched at the thought of using them.
The Lust Infusion skill was simple in theory — temporarily amplify a target's physical or magical ability using lust-generated energy. But Sophia had warned him:
"Power gained from passion is volatile. Use it wisely. Or it consumes you."
That warning echoed now as he walked to the greenhouse — their secret meeting place since yesterday.
Sophia was already there, lounging on a moss-covered bench, bathed in sunlight streaming through broken glass panels. Her silver braid shimmered, and she wore a simple black hoodie and shorts, but somehow it looked like royal attire on her.
"You're late," she said without looking up.
"You're early," he shot back.
She smirked. "I don't sleep much. Comes with being a succubus. Shall we begin?"
Alex nodded, heart thumping.
Lesson One: Essence Share
Sophia stood, her posture suddenly sharper.
"Place your hand on my chest," she instructed.
Alex blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Don't get any ideas," she said, eyes twinkling. "This is about focus, not fondling. The heart is where the bond channels form."
Alex cleared his throat and cautiously placed his palm against her sternum. Her skin was warm beneath the fabric, and he immediately felt a pull — like invisible threads connecting them.
"Now breathe slowly. Focus on the bond."
His mind fell into rhythm with hers. Their shared energy became a soft hum. The system responded.
[Essence Share: Active]
Transferring accumulated Lust Energy... Bond: Sophia Liane (Pleasure Bond - Tier I) Boost Applied: +10% Reflex, +5% Mana Control (5 minutes)
Sophia gasped softly as the energy flowed into her.
Her eyes flared bright violet.
"Mmm… that feels good," she murmured. "You're a fast learner."
Alex pulled his hand back, trembling slightly.
"You okay?"
She smiled, licking her lips. "Better than okay. Your energy is potent. Untamed… but strong. Once you deepen the bond, this will become second nature."
"How many bonds can I have?" he asked.
Sophia gave him a look. "With your lineage? As many as you can handle."
He stared.
She winked.
"Don't get cocky yet, my king."
Lesson Two: Combat
They cleared an open space among the broken stones, dead vines, and mossy roots. Sophia conjured a simple practice blade from her satchel — a sleek wooden sword etched with faint runes.
"Your powers aren't limited to intimacy," she said. "The Lust System enhances all aspects of your being. Physical. Magical. Emotional."
She stepped into a loose fighting stance, blade pointed lazily at him.
"Let's test how much it's enhanced."
Alex blinked. "Wait, you want me to fight you?"
"Don't worry. I'll go easy."
He barely had time to react before she lunged.
Her footwork was precise, her movements fluid. He barely managed to block her first strike with the broom handle she'd handed him in place of a sword.
"Too slow," she said, spinning low. The next blow swept his legs out from under him.
He hit the moss with a grunt.
Sophia grinned. "Come on, Alex. I want to see that fire. You've awakened. Prove it."
He scrambled up, panting.
And this time — he felt it.
Something awakened inside him. A pulse of heat. A flare of instinct. His aura surged, and the system chimed.
[Lust Infusion: Self-targeted]
+20% AgilityDuration: 30 seconds
Alex moved.
Faster.
Sharper.
His next block met her strike with equal force. The blow echoed through the greenhouse. They danced — wooden blades clashing, stepping, striking. He wasn't trained, but his body learned fast. Every parry and counter built upon the last.
Sophia's eyes lit up with surprise.
"That's it!" she said. "You're starting to feel it!"
Then she faked left, struck right — and knocked him back again.
He groaned.
"Still too slow."
"But closer," she added, offering a hand.
He took it.
They sat on the moss afterward, both breathing heavily.
"You're improving," she said. "Your instincts are waking faster than I expected."
"Because of the system?"
"Because of who you are," she corrected. "You weren't just some playboy king. Asmodeus was a warrior. A general. A seducer, yes — but also a strategist. You don't rule a demon domain by charm alone."
Alex leaned back, watching the sun filter through the leaves above.
"You talk like you knew him. Me."
Sophia hesitated.
"I served him. Briefly."
He turned to her.
"I was… part of his court. Before the betrayal."
A shadow passed through her eyes.
"The one who took your throne… he's still alive, you know. Still feeding off the domain you built. Still hunting those loyal to you."
"And you're still loyal?"
She looked at him then. No smile. No flirtation.
Just raw, burning truth.
"Always."
The Intruder
The air changed. Sophia sat up instantly.
"You feel that?" she whispered.
Alex nodded. His skin prickled. The bond in his chest pulsed.
From the shadows beyond the greenhouse, something stirred.
A low growl echoed through the broken glass.
Then it stepped forward.
A Wraith Hound — a spectral beast formed of shadows and hate. It was twice the size of a wolf, with glowing red eyes and black mist leaking from its mouth.
Alex froze.
"What is that?"
"Scout demon," Sophia said, rising slowly. "Sent by someone. It followed your awakening. Your bloodline stirred too loudly."
The beast growled again, muscles rippling.
"You have to fight it," she said.
"What?!"
"You need your first kill. You need essence. And this thing won't stop until it feeds."
Alex gulped.
The hound lunged.
He rolled aside just in time, the beast's claws tearing through moss and wood. He scrambled up, breath ragged.
The system flared.
[Combat Detected: Class - D Threat][Quest Initiated: First Kill]
Objective: Defeat the Wraith HoundReward: Essence Crystal (Low Grade), XP, Skill Unlock
The hound leapt again. This time, Alex ducked and struck with the broom handle. It passed through the shadow-flesh — but the beast hissed, recoiling.
"Use your aura!" Sophia shouted. "Infuse your strikes!"
He focused. His body burned. Lust Infusion activated again.
His next strike hit harder — and this time, the hound yelped. His weapon, laced with his essence, left a glowing mark across its flank.
The battle turned.
Blow after blow, Alex drove it back. The system kept feeding him instinct, speed, and power. The hound's form began to flicker.
One final strike.
Straight through its head.
The Wraith Hound howled.
Then exploded into black mist.
A crystal clattered to the floor.
[Quest Complete: First Kill]
Essence Crystal (Low Grade) AcquiredExperience Gained: +500Skill Unlocked: Basic Weapon ProficiencyLust Stat +0.3Bond Strength Increased
Alex fell to one knee, panting, chest heaving.
He had done it.
He had killed something.
Sophia knelt beside him, her hands on his cheeks.
"You were amazing," she whispered. "You're becoming him again."
He met her eyes.
"No," he said.
"I'm becoming something more."