The wind carried a strange scent, earthy but tinged with something sharp—like copper and rain. My hands still glowed faintly from the battle with the shadows, but I didn't dare relax. Every step I took across the soft grass felt purposeful, as if the world itself was watching me. The system hummed quietly in my mind, pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat.
Sinful System Alert: Quest Available. Title: "Trial of Desire." Reward: Unknown. Risk: High.
I froze. Desire? Reward unknown? Risk high? That was… ominous. But curiosity gnawed at me, sharper than fear. I glanced toward the silver-haired girl. She was gone. Just as suddenly as she appeared, she had vanished. And yet, her presence lingered like a whisper in the air, teasing, almost daring me.
Quest Accept?
I hesitated. My instincts screamed caution. But the system wasn't a suggestion—it was a challenge. And in this world, challenges meant survival… and growth.
Yes.
Immediately, the sky darkened slightly, as if acknowledging my acceptance. Shadows gathered again—not like the ones before. These were subtler, curling in shapes almost human, almost… seductive. My pulse quickened.
The system whispered: Trial starts in 3… 2… 1…
From the tall grass emerged a girl. Human? Not human? I wasn't sure. She had hair as black as midnight, flowing in waves over her shoulders. Her eyes… her eyes were golden, glowing faintly as they locked onto me. Her lips curved into a teasing smirk.
"You're the new human," she said, voice low and sultry. "Carrying the Sinful System, hmm? They told me someone like you would come."
I swallowed hard. "I… I don't know who 'they' are. And I don't know what's going on!"
She laughed softly. "Oh, you will. But first… play with me. Survive me."
Before I could react, she lunged. Fast. Lightning fast. I barely dodged, rolling to the side. She was already behind me, fingertips brushing my shoulder. The air around her burned faintly with magic, intoxicating and dangerous.
Sinful Points potential detected: High.
I glanced at the system menu floating in my vision. "Level 3. Points 25. Combat skill: Low." My stomach churned. I didn't know if I could beat her—or if I wanted to. Something about her presence… it was addictive.
"You're hesitant," she murmured, circling me like a predator. "Weakness is dangerous. Desire… is stronger. But desire can be a weapon—or a trap."
I gritted my teeth. "I don't even know what you want from me."
She smiled knowingly. "I want to see if you're worth the system."
The words made my chest tighten. The system buzzed, whispering in my mind:
Hint: Temptation grants power. Resist wisely, or gain more than you can handle.
My instincts screamed—fight, flee, survive—but curiosity, the same trait that had led me to survive so far, kept me standing. I readied my hands, energy flaring faintly. The first strike came fast, aimed at her midsection. She sidestepped effortlessly, laughing.
"You think brute force will win?" she teased. "No… to survive this world, you must think. And desire… desire will test you."
Sinful Points Gained: 5
Her next attack was different. She didn't strike at my body—she struck at my mind. A vision flashed before my eyes: my old world. My mother struggling, me failing to save her. Then a glimpse of someone I loved, laughing, happy… and then gone. My chest ached, my stomach twisted.
I shook my head violently. "No! I won't fall for illusions!"
The system buzzed approvingly: Mental resistance successful. Bonus Points: 10.
I felt my body surge with energy, glowing brighter, faster. My hands shot out, blasting a pulse of pure energy. She stumbled back slightly, impressed. "Not bad… human. You might survive yet."
I took a deep breath. "Why are you doing this? What's your purpose?"
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Purpose? I'm the first real test. And maybe… your first ally. Or your first enemy. That depends on you."
I felt a chill run down my spine. Ally or enemy? In this world, there was no guarantee of friendship. Trust was a gamble, and every choice could be deadly.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Dark cracks split the grass, glowing with a reddish light. From the rifts, shadowy monsters poured out, bigger than anything I had faced. Their eyes glowed red, their claws sharp, and their mouths opened in snarls that echoed through the valley.
The girl stepped aside, observing. "You must fight. And survive. Only then… will you understand desire."
I gulped, chest pounding. This was it—the first real trial of the Sinful System. My hands flared, energy lancing outward, and I felt the power I had gained from previous battles flow through me.
Sinful Points: 40. Combat Skill Updated.
I struck the nearest creature, energy tearing through its dark body. Another attack, another monster fell. But there were too many. I was surrounded, and the girl's gaze held mine, teasing, almost encouraging me to push harder.
The sky darkened further, clouds swirling unnaturally. A voice echoed in the distance, deep and commanding: "So… the human awakens."
I froze. My heart skipped a beat. Another presence. Stronger than the girl. Stronger than anything I had faced.
The girl smirked faintly. "Ah… the one I warned you about. Your true trial has begun."
Before I could react, the ground beneath me cracked open further, and from the depths emerged a massive figure—a humanoid shrouded in black armor, eyes like molten gold, and a sword that seemed to drink the light around it.
Sinful System Alert: Extreme Threat Detected.
The girl stepped back, letting me face it alone, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Survive. Or perish. Choose wisely… human."
My pulse thundered. My hands glowed brighter than ever. The creatures lunged, the dark figure advanced, and I realized something terrifying yet thrilling:
I wasn't just fighting for survival. I was fighting for power… and for the choice of what kind of person I would become.
And in that instant, I knew the Sinful System was not just a tool. It was a test of everything—strength, morality, desire… and perhaps, even my heart.