[...]
Aether was briskly walking back to the Main Temple with a serious, unreadable expression on his face. The people who passed by glanced at him with slightly surprised and puzzled expressions, as if they recognised who he was but weren't entirely sure what to make of his deanour.
However, Aether didn't care about the stares or the whispers. He wasn't walking to impress anyone. He didn't say a single word as he kept moving forward, his steps firm and his gaze locked ahead.
However—
[... I am curious... are you acting or not?]
His log asked with a confused tone, almost as if it couldn't comprehend what Aether was doing right now. If he had just pretended a little, if he had shown even the slightest bit of charm or manipulation, Helena might have already been convinced.
Helena, honestly, could have been won over with just a few well-placed sweet words.
She wasn't the hardest to reach. And yet... he chose this path instead?
Why?
Aether let out a quiet sigh. 'It's not what you think, Log... I don't know why but... I just couldn't bring myself to lie to her... or fake anything...' he muttered inwardly, his eyes lowering to his own hand. He wasn't exactly sure why, but maybe it was guilt. Or maybe... There was sothing about this place—this temple, this world—that made him feel too much, more than he was used to.
And also... when she cried—when those tears slipped from her eyes—it pierced sothing inside him. He couldn't bear to see that pain. It added even more weight to the guilt already sitting heavily on his chest. It made everything feel real. He had decided then—this had to be her choice. He wasn't going to manipulate her feelings or force her heart.
She was innocent. She was gentle, warm, and kind. She deserved the freedom to choose. This decision had to be hers and hers alone.
[...]
Aether continued to walk forward, the sa intense silence cloaking him. As much as he wanted to use clever words or subtle flirtation to get closer to her, Aether... just couldn't do it this ti. He had done it before—yes, he had twisted his words to charm Aqualina and Sandra, skillfully navigating their emotions—but that was different.
Very different!
Because he understood what they were, how they functioned. But Helena... and Delphine... they weren't like that.
They weren't like any other won he had ever t.
He knew all too well how much it would hurt her to be called a 'Target'.
He knew how cruel it felt to be forced into love.
He knew... no, he deeply understood her. That's why he gave her the freedom. That's why he stepped back and didn't push.
[Sigh... If the term 'target' is what's troubling you, I can change that.]
Aether blinked, surprised, as he looked at his Log, which was unexpectedly taking action on its own.
!~Ding~!
[🔄 Request to #####: Initiating deletion of current Target List. Comncing full recalibration of Seduction Protocol's core paraters.]
[⏳ Processing...]
!~Ding~!
[❌ Request Denied!]
[🔄 Request to ##### : Re-attempting deletion of Target List and modification of Seduction Protocol, authorising User to interact with targets without artificial constraints or performance barriers.]
[❌ Request Denied!]
[.... 🔄 Request to ##### : User's behavioural paraters have now been elevated to Seduction Protocol Tier. User possesses optimal compatibility for all seduction-related operations. Request submitted: Escalate Seduction Protocol difficulty to deliver an appropriate challenge level.]
[⏳ Processing...]
[⏳...]
[...]
!~Ding~!
[✅ Affirmative: Request acknowledged.]
!~Ding~!
[ Comncing dynamic modification of Seduction Protocol. Implenting advanced challenge paraters for the current User profile.]
[⏳ Updating Log modules...]
[⏳ ....]
[⏳ ....]
!~Ding~!
[🚨 Critical Seduction Update: The Seduction Protocol has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. From now on, you will no longer receive any missions that involve seduction or target rescue. Instead, rewards will be granted solely upon successful mission completion. The daily quota system has been permanently retired.]
[⚠️ Alert: Be advised—despite the removal of explicit seduction objectives, failure in any mission will trigger a catastrophic safeguard. All pre-existing seduction targets currently on your list will face imdiate termination upon failure. Proceed with utmost caution.]
As Aether read through the lines... his expression began to shift. It was slow at first, but then it twisted—eyes wide, jaw tightening—as his face morphed into an expression of sheer HORROR.
"WHAT THE FUCK, LOG!!" he scread so loudly that people nearby flinched and jerked backward in shock.
[Haha... How's that, huh? 😎 From now on, you won't even know who your targets are—so no more pointless BS drama or cheesy love stories! No instructions, no hints, nothing! You're on your own now, buddy. Let's fucking go!!!
Be grateful for my generosity—I've just made your life a hell of a lot more interesting! 😤 And hey, don't even think about calling those filthy nas again! I'm the only friend you've got left in this twisted ga.]
Veins bulged on Aether's forehead, his jaw clenching so tightly it felt like his teeth might crack. 'YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!' he roared internally, the fury exploding in his mind like a flashbang.
[...Excuse ? 🤨 Did I just hear that right? After all the stress, all the loops, the high-tier recalibrations I pulled for your sorry ass—you call a bitch? Wow. Just... wow. You really are an ungrateful man-slut. 🙄 Like, Hall of Fa level. Sotis I honestly wonder why I even bother. You know what? Fine! Whatever! Screw it! Go fuck yourself! 😤💢]
!~Ding~!
[🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]
[❌ Request Denied!]
[🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]
[❌ Request Denied!]
[...🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]
[❌ Request Denied!]
[Ha? Well... 🤷♂️ Guess you should be grateful for what you've got, huh? Hmph! 😤]
Aether stood there, dumbfounded, wearing a face so twisted with disbelief it could've been carved into stone.
He slowly grabbed his forehead, trying to massage away the pressure building behind his skull. His whole brain throbbed with frustration, 'This has to be a joke. This—this can't be real'
Sure, technically, this update could help him emotionally—no more guilt of manipulating people, no more pressure to act like a seduction machine.
But this?
This was worse.
This was fucked.
No targets.
No missions.
No instructions.
He cursed internally, 'What kind of insane protocol punishes you for failing sothing that doesn't even exist anymore?!'
Was this the digital version of playing Russian roulette blindfolded while naked and oiled?
'God... I can't even seduce anyone properly now... because I don't even know WHO the fuck I'm supposed to seduce!'
And worse—if he accidentally failed one? That's it.
Ga over.
Boom.
Gone.
The woman dies... Blood on his hands.
Fuck.
FUCK!
Aether clenched his fists. He really wanted to scream now—like, loud enough to shake the heavens.
Honestly, sure, removing the target tag ant he didn't have to lie to won like Helena. It gave him room to act honestly, speak his mind, connect without manipulation...
But the downside? It was so much worse than his so-called drama bullshit!
This wasn't even a trade-off. It was a goddamn curse in disguise.
Now he was walking on invisible landmines.
Each smile a girl gave him, each touch, each glance...
And paranoia started creeping in, cold and relentless.
Was the girl walking past him a target?
Was the woman holding a child a target?
Was the random girl tying her shoes on the roadside his goddamn target?
Was the old lady selling vegetables his fated seduction path?!
Was the nun who just walked past him silently his mission?
He had no idea anymore.... And it was terrifying.
He was starting to worry about everyone he crossed paths with... wondering... fearing...
[Don't worry too much... You'll be fine.]
"..."
Aether's face went pale and deadpan, staring blankly as if a piece of his soul just left him.
[Co oooon, Aether... Even though you've kinda, sorta, maybe totally wrecked every mission so far, I believe in you. Sort of. Like... 20% believe. Okay fine, 5%. But still! That's sothing, right?]
Still staring blankly, Aether let out a long, silent exhale through his nose.
[Look, champ... this is your chance to grow. Think of it like a hardcore difficulty setting! I'm just helping you beco the best version of yourself! You know, trial by fire! Or in your case... trial by horny chaos and accidental death! 😁]
"FUCK YOU BITCH!!!"
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