The world was darkness.
Machio Araki floated in a violet void, shirt half-torn, blindfold fluttering off his head like an abandoned bandana in a typhoon. The air was thick with energy—raw, seductive, and slightly pervy.
[TRIAL ZONE INITIATED: DIMENSION OF NIGHTSHADE] Objective: Survive three Crimson Challenges. Resist corruption. Maintain dignity. (Optional.) Reward: +5 Crimson Resonance, Unknown Trait Unlock
"Unknown trait? That never means anything good," Machio muttered.
Suddenly, the void lit up like a crimson rave. A gothic gate spiraled open in front of him.
"Welcome, Machio Araki," echoed a sultry voice. "To your reckoning."
He turned—and saw her.
The Crimson Judge herself. Yuki. Now dressed in a skin-tight corset of black lace, blood-red robes flowing like liquid moonlight. Her horns curled upward, glowing faintly, and her gaze pinned Machio like a butterfly on velvet.
"You have power. But do you have control?" she asked, stepping forward. "Your 'Harem King Aura' is unstable. It seduces even ancient magics."
"That… sounds like a weird compliment."
She raised a finger—and Machio fell through the floor.
CHALLENGE ONE: TEMPTATION OF FLESH
He landed in a misty bathhouse.
Steam curled. Towels slipped. Girls appeared.
Azumi, in a sheer black towel that didn't cover nearly enough, leaned against the wooden edge.
"Mmm~ Machio-kun, join me. You need to wash all that tension away."
His eye twitched. "This feels illegal."
Kagura was there too, wrapped up primly—but her glasses fogged up as she adjusted her top.
"It's part of your trial. I need to purify your aura. With... sauna rituals."
Even Koko bounced in, bubbles flying. "Let's loosen his thighs!"
Machio's aura sparked, and for a moment, his heartbeat synced with every jiggle and sway around him.
[WARNING: CRIMSON RESONANCE OVERLOAD — 75%]
"Nope! No nosebleeds today!" he shouted, clenching his fists. With a heroic yell, he dunked his head in the water.
Steam exploded.
The girls vanished. The scene melted.
CHALLENGE ONE: PASSED.
CHALLENGE TWO: TRIAL OF DESIRE AND DIGNITY
This time, he found himself in a velvet throne room.
At his feet were Veronica and Anzu-senpai—dressed in dominatrix cosplay.
"Oh, poor king," Veronica purred. "We must test your loyalty."
Anzu cracked a whip. "Choose one of us. Only one may stay."
Machio blinked. "Why do I feel like this is fanfiction I didn't consent to?"
He focused. Crimson light flared from his chest. He stepped between them and slapped himself.
SMACK!
Tachibana's voice echoed in his memory: Don't get seduced by nonsense. We already have enough problems!
"I CHOOSE NEITHER!" he declared. "I am the Harem King! I unite, not divide!"
[CRIMSON RESONANCE BALANCED — 50%]
The throne room crumbled. Both girls gave faint blushes before dissolving into mist.
CHALLENGE TWO: PASSED.
Meanwhile, outside the dimension…
Tachibana Haruka paced under the night sky, arms crossed.
"It's been too long," she muttered. "What if he fails?"
"He won't," came a smug voice.
Kira stood behind her, now dressed in a sleek assassin outfit, hair tied back, fangs peeking out.
"You're not supposed to be here," Haruka frowned.
"You think I'd let my sister's possibly-doomed crush go through vampire court alone?"
"He's not my crush!"
Kira smirked. "Yet you've been staring at his house like a lost puppy since the beach trip."
She threw a pebble at him. He caught it.
"Stay out of trouble."
"No promises."
Inside the dimension again…
CHALLENGE THREE: TRIAL OF WAR
Machio now stood in a black arena. His blindfold returned, fluttering dramatically. A sword materialized in his hand—shaped suspiciously like a giant lollipop.
Raka stepped from the shadows, wearing a sharp black uniform, eyes unreadable.
"Your final trial. Defeat me."
Machio blinked. "You're in on this?!"
She said nothing, merely rushed forward.
He parried. Just barely.
Each strike from Raka forced more Crimson Resonance from his core. Each dodge brought him closer to unconsciousness.
But something stirred in him.
The memories. The girls. The chaos. The affection.
You're not just a pervy protagonist, he told himself. You're the glue that holds this madness together.
Machio's aura ignited.
His gym shorts glowed.
His lollipop sword became an actual katana—with heart-shaped etchings.
He parried, spun, and countered. Crimson and pink energy surged.
Raka smiled.
"Good," she whispered. "Then survive."
And vanished.
[TRIAL COMPLETE] [NEW TRAIT: RESONANCE COMMAND – You can channel others' energy through physical contact.]
Machio collapsed to his knees, breathing hard.
Outside the dimension…
He blinked awake in Tachibana's lap.
"You're back," she whispered.
He stared up, dazed. "Your lap is comfy."
She didn't move. Just muttered, "Don't make it weird."
Kira leaned nearby. "So… how'd it feel fighting my hot vampire sister figure?"
"Raka? She's hot?!"
Tachibana kicked him. "Wrong takeaway!"
Azumi appeared behind them, cradling a wine glass.
"Well, well. The boy lives."
Kira froze. Azumi was in her sultriest robe, red lipstick glistening.
"M-Miss Azumi," he stammered.
She winked. "Did I miss the nightshade trial, or shall I test you myself, Kira?"
Machio groaned. "Someone save me from this harem."
Tachibana smiled faintly. "You don't really want saving."
From above, in a crow-filled balcony, the Crimson Judge watched.
"He grows stronger," Yuki said. "The bond spreads. Soon… Mishima High will never be the same."
TO BE CONTINUED…
> NEXT TIME: "Succubus Substitute Teacher & The Midnight Panty Theft Scandal"