---
The grand hall shimmered with red moonlight.
Dark velvet drapes flowed like rivers of blood around obsidian pillars. In the center stood a stone throne, polished by centuries of heat and malice. The air smelled faintly of ash, roses… and something unspoken.
I stood beside the Demon Queen—Lilith—my wife, apparently—while five pairs of inhuman eyes locked onto me.
"These are my sisters," she purred. "And your other brides. Try not to die."
I barely had time to blink before one of them moved.
She landed in my lap like a thunderclap—skin hot, breath hotter. Crimson hair spilling like fire down her shoulders, she wore nothing but an open velvet robe barely hiding her curves. Her lips glistened with something… red.
Blood?
No—lip gloss. I hoped.
"You smell... delicious," she whispered, licking her lips. "So soft. So tense. I like it."
Her fingers traced down my chest, then lower.
"Feel free to do anything to me. I won't break... unless you want me to."
Lilith sighed. "This is Syla. She represents Lust. She's the… affectionate one."
"Guilty," Syla giggled, grinding lightly against me. "I like my men overwhelmed. Gasping. Maybe a little broken. Don't worry—I'll fix you."
"Enough." Another voice sliced the air like a dagger.
A tall woman in a tattered black dress floated forward. Her skin was pale, her eyes hollow. There was no warmth in her expression—only calculation.
"This farce wastes time. My name is Neve. Witch of Silence. I don't care for flesh, only progress. Keep your distance unless you have answers."
"You'll have to forgive Neve," Lilith said. "Her curse is... apathy."
"And I'm Rage," a sultry woman in battle armor growled. "Name's Vera. Hurt any of my sisters, and I'll show you what your lungs look like."
The last two stood at the back. One was a quiet woman humming while sharpening scalpels, a bloody bandage tied around her neck. The other had deep violet eyes that shimmered with sadness.
"I'm Iria," said the one with the bandage. "I fix what others break… and sometimes I don't."
She smiled sweetly. Too sweetly.
"And I'm Lilith," the soft one added, her voice trembling. "I… I hope we can get along."
They each carried a different energy—lust, rage, sorrow, silence, obsession. And apparently... they were mine.
"Why me?" I asked, backing toward the wall. "Why the contract? The scroll?"
Lilith's eyes narrowed. "The ritual is ancient. One mortal husband. Five demon wives. As your bond with each of us deepens, you'll awaken power. That power reflects our curses. What you feel... becomes what you can do."
Before I could speak, a glowing red sigil ignited in the air.
> [SYSTEM ONLINE]
Welcome, Pactbearer.
Tracking: Emotional Sync.
Stage One Unlocked: [Lust: Heat Manipulation - Level 1]
Status: Stable. Risk: Unknown.
The system's voice felt… alive. Watching. Breathing.
> "Warning: Over-synchronization may result in Host Degradation or Bride Collapse."
"What the hell does that mean?" I said aloud.
But no one had answers.
Not even the queens.
They didn't know that absorbing too much of their power could kill them.
They didn't know the contract wasn't just about binding me.
It was harvesting them.
And if I didn't figure things out fast…
The power I unlocked might come at the cost of their lives.
---
The Crimson Hall was quiet now—lit only by red crystal sconces and the flickering glow of a floating sigil above the throne.
Lilith, the Demon Queen, leaned back on her obsidian seat, legs crossed, fingers steepled.
> "Before we begin your… indoctrination," she purred, "a few minor questions to ensure you're worthy of our company."
I blinked. "Is this an interview?"
"Something like that." Her lips curled. "Sisters, ask away."
---
Lilith, arms crossed, sipping wine regally:
> "Do you... prefer a woman who takes control in bed? Hypothetically, of course."
Vera, slamming her goblet down:
> "Yeah, answer that! Would you rather be pinned, or do the pinning, weakling?!"
Neve, staring blankly at me:
> "What's your body temperature when you sleep?"
I blinked. "Uh... I-I don't know? Normal?"
> "…I'll measure it tonight," she said.
Syla, yawning and sprawled across three chairs, one leg bare:
> "Mmm~ what's your blood type? And how often do you… release mana?"
I choked on water. "Wh-what?!"
Syla twirled her fork lazily.
> "Scientific curiosity~"
Iria, smiling too widely:
> "If I had to amputate one of your limbs to test regenerative healing, which one would you least miss?"
> "WHAT?! NONE! I LIKE ALL MY LIMBS!"
Iria giggled.
> "Silly. I'd sew it back... probably."
Lilith, blushing but stern:
> "Enough! Let the fool eat. He'll need energy for… future obligations."
> "Oh, those obligations?" Syla smiled.
> "Tch. He wouldn't last five minutes," Vera sneered.
> "Three," Neve said coldly.
> "Let's Find Out," Iria concluded.
I clutched my spoon like a dagger.
> "CAN I JUST FINISH MY DAMN SOUP?!"
---