The air snapped like a wire.
Wind howled through the ruined temple as the black-armored soldiers moved in, weapons raised, faces cold and empty.
Elias stood in front of Lirael and Riven, heart racing. He could feel it again — that pressure in his chest, heat building beneath his skin like something wanted to burst out.
> [System Active: Choose Ability]
➤ Erotic Illusion: Project false images, confuse enemies
➤ Dual Lust Link: Fuse energies with a bonded partner for enhanced power
➤ Chaos Bond Trigger (New): Fuse with Riven for a wild magic boost
"Riven!" Elias shouted. "Get ready!"
"Ohhh, yes." She laughed, wild red hair whipping in the wind. "Finally."
She sprinted toward him—barefoot, fast, eyes glowing with chaotic red light.
Their hands touched.
> [Chaos Bond Triggered]
Compatibility Detected: 89%
Temporary Fusion: Lust + Chaos Type – Activated
Skill Unlocked: Frenzied Mirage Slash
Everything exploded into red light.
Elias felt like his soul had touched fire. A scream tore from his throat—not pain, just power, raw and untamed.
His body shimmered. Riven's chaos bled into him, and for a brief second, they moved as one.
When he opened his eyes again, his shirt was gone, skin glowing with red glyphs across his chest. His hands held dual curved blades—blades that pulsed with heat and illusion.
The first soldier charged.
"Too slow," Elias whispered.
He dashed forward—so fast the man didn't see it coming.
With one slash, he cut through armor and pride, dropping him instantly.
But the others didn't hesitate. Two surrounded him, while another aimed a spear at Lirael.
"Not today." Lirael blurred forward in a spin, sword meeting spear. Metal clashed loud and hard.
She was graceful, precise—a trained knight, but something more. She moved faster than before, powered by her bond with Elias.
> [Lust Thread Support Active – Lirael's Strength Increased by 40%]
Meanwhile, Elias danced between soldiers, his illusion magic activating passively. As he moved, copies of himself spun off, flickering in red mist—making it impossible to tell which one was real.
One of the men screamed, stabbing an illusion that vanished in a burst of heat. A real blade slipped through his chest a second later.
Behind Elias, Riven let out a laugh as she slid beside him mid-fight.
"Gods, you move nice," she panted, eyes shining. "I could do this all night."
"Focus, wild girl," Elias muttered, spinning away from a swing.
They landed back-to-back, breathing hard, blades dripping.
"Think they're scared yet?" she asked, licking a cut on her wrist like it amused her.
Elias smirked. "Let's make sure."
Together, they launched.
He moved like smoke. She moved like fire.
The last of the soldiers didn't stand a chance. In minutes, only one was left — the cloaked man with silver eyes. He hadn't moved the whole time.
But now, he raised a hand.
And the ground cracked.
Something rose. A shadow. A creature made of dark lust and envy, crawling from the earth, its body twitching and glowing green.
> [System Warning: Unregistered Demon-Type Entity Detected – Class: Bansin, the Greedbound]
Recommendation: Retreat or trigger emergency Lust Ritual
"Emergency what?" Elias asked aloud.
> [Emergency Lust Ritual – Bond Required. One partner. Full synchronization.]
Ritual requires close contact. Initiating will stun the demon briefly.
The demon shrieked, sending a shockwave of pure hunger. Elias nearly stumbled—his body humming with tension.
He turned to Lirael and Riven.
Both were watching him.
Both stepped forward.
Neither said a word.
"...Which one of you...?"
"Choose," Riven whispered, already tugging at her top. "You know you want me."
Lirael's cheeks were red, but her eyes were steady. "If it'll save your life, I'm yours. All of me."
> [Ritual Timer: 10 seconds]
Pick one. Engage now or face the demon's next form.
Elias's mind spun.
Sweat dripped.
He reached out—heart pounding—
And made his choice.
Elias's hand stretched out — trembling, pulsing with energy he didn't understand.
And he chose Lirael.
Her eyes widened for half a second… then she stepped forward without hesitation, pressing her body against his like it was fate written in fire.
> [Ritual Initiated: Soul-Link Bond with Lirael]
Emotional Compatibility: 74%
Physical Compatibility: 92%
Result: Ritual Success
Initiating Lustborne Awakening…
The world blurred.
Heat. Light. Breath.
Lirael's arms wrapped around his shoulders. Her lips brushed his ear. "Don't think. Just feel it."
Their bodies moved together, not out of lust alone—but out of survival, desperation, power.
Elias gasped as her aura merged into his, her knightly discipline fusing with his unstable lust energy. Her magic laced into him like ribbons of light and control.
His skin burned with golden symbols, ancient and alive.
A circle of red and white fire erupted around them.
Riven watched with narrowed eyes, biting her lip. "Lucky little knight…"
The demon screamed — sensing the change.
Too late.
> [Lustborne Form: Tier One Activated]
Class: Hybrid Lust Knight
New Skill: Bladed Desire – Every strike burns with emotional energy
Passive: Desire Barrier – Nullifies incoming mental attacks
Elias's outfit changed.
His chest was covered by dark red armor veined with glowing white lines. His hair spiked, eyes glowing a crimson-gold. Lirael stood behind him, hand still on his shoulder, like a sword had just been unsheathed from her soul.
And he was that blade.
"I feel… everything," Elias whispered. "Her pain. Her strength. Her… heart."
The demon — a twisting, twitching beast of limbs and envy — lunged, claws swiping.
Elias didn't flinch.
He moved like lightning, blade singing as it cut through the creature's arm — not just physical damage, but emotional rupture. The demon wailed, green light leaking from the wound.
> [Bladed Desire Activated]
"You're not just flesh," Elias growled. "You're hate. Regret. Jealousy. I'll cut it all."
He vanished in a burst of heat, reappearing above the demon's head. In one clean arc, he slammed his blade down, splitting the monster's upper body.
The demon screamed, falling.
Riven jumped in, laughing wildly, and landed a flame kick to its chest, burning the corpse as it collapsed in a heap of twitching bones and smoke.
Silence.
Then: a deep breath.
Elias stood there, body still glowing, chest rising and falling.
Lirael approached slowly, still flushed. She touched his hand. "I'm… yours now. Aren't I?"
He didn't know what to say.
But he didn't pull away.
Then came the voice.
> [System Alert: Lustborne Mode cooldown — 6 hours]
Warning: You are attracting attention from higher Lust Entities…
Multiple spiritual eyes have turned toward you.
"…What does that mean?" Elias asked aloud.
> [New Quest Unlocked: Claim or Be Claimed]
Survive the attention of a Lust Duke. Form alliances. Grow your harem. Or be devoured.
Riven stepped beside them, stretching. "Well damn… seems we've stirred up something big."
She leaned in, brushing her lips against Elias's cheek. "Next time, I want that ritual with me."
He blinked.
She winked.
Then walked ahead, hips swaying.
Lirael gripped his sleeve. "Elias…"
He turned.
"I'll protect you from them. Even if I have to share you."
He didn't know how to respond. But in the back of his mind, the System was already preparing the next upgrade.
> [Path Divergence: Choose next route]
➤ Track the Lust Duke approaching your region
➤ Return to the city and recruit more bonded partners
➤ Explore the hidden Lust Temple to unlock sealed powers
Elias took one last look at the burning battlefield.
"…Let's go," he said. "Before more of them come."
And they vanished into the night.