The moon hung low and heavy in the sky, casting silver shadows over the imperial city. Inside a lavish inn located just outside the Heaven's Crest Academy, an elegant woman with blood-red eyes and silver-white hair stood calmly before a wall-length mirror.
Her name was Nyra, a top-tier assassin from the Nightshade Empire, trained since childhood in the art of silent murder, illusion magic, and seduction.
Her mission tonight was clear: "Eliminate the hidden power rising in the Academy — codename: The Phantom King."
Unknown to her, that very 'Phantom King' had already read her file — twice.
Elsewhere – Priyanshu's Underground Hall
The system chimed.
[Alert: High-Level Hostile Detected within 500 meters]Class: Grandmaster AssassinOrigin: Nightshade EmpireTarget: YOU]
Priyanshu's lips curled up. "So… they finally took the bait."
He waved his hand, and a hologram of Nyra appeared above a table made of crystal light — courtesy of his Shadow Web surveillance.
She was enchanting.
But her soul? Ice-cold.
[Analysis: Weaknesses – Abandonment trauma, trust issues, secretly yearns for control]Suggested Strategy: Break her through illusion traps, reverse seduction psychology, and display absolute dominance without physical harm.]
Priyanshu laughed softly. "System, you're starting to think like me."
Nyra's Point of View – Academy's Courtyard
She had disguised herself as a newly transferred elder from the Southern Hall. Her charm technique was flawless; no one suspected her as she silently entered the inner courtyard.
Every step was calculated.
Every glance planned.
She had coated her lips with a rare poison — one kiss was fatal to even a Dao Elder.
She expected resistance.
She expected fear.
She expected to find a fool with too much power and not enough experience.
What she did not expect was to find him.
Inside the Courtyard Pavilion – Midnight
Priyanshu was already there, seated under a glowing spirit lantern, sipping a steaming cup of black tea. He looked up as if meeting an old friend.
"You're late," he said casually.
Nyra's instincts screamed — this man knew.
Still, she played her part. "I heard the Pavilion Master was lonely tonight."
She walked closer, her voice sultry. "Care for some… company?"
Her hips swayed like a serpent's dance, and her aura exuded a gentle, hypnotic warmth.
Priyanshu's Inner Mind
[Skill Activated: Mental Web][Effect: Immune to charm, illusion, or seduction-based magic below Divine Rank]
[Special Villain Perk: "Reverse Allure"]– Females who attempt seduction fall under a slow-binding charm of mental dependency. Time to full effect: 3 minutes.
"Don't try the poison lipstick trick," Priyanshu said suddenly.
Nyra froze.
"Rose Viper venom. Made from Lunar Serpents of the North Sea. Toxic even through a breath."
She instinctively stepped back.
But the door behind her had vanished.
"…An illusion?" she muttered, panicking slightly.
The walls faded into shadow. The lanterns went black. The air grew cold.
She had walked right into a psychic trap.
[Shadow Domain Activated – Mind Space Variant: Seduction Trial Room]
Priyanshu's voice echoed around her. "I like your confidence. Let's see how well you survive without it."
Inside the Illusion Trap – Nyra's Trial
She saw herself, tied in chains of regret.
Every memory she hid — her dead mentor, her betrayal, the kingdom that turned her into a weapon — all played out before her.
She screamed.
Fell to her knees.
And yet, she refused to beg.
Priyanshu stepped forward inside the illusion.
But instead of hurting her, he knelt and gently touched her forehead.
"I won't break you," he whispered. "I'll free you. Then use you. And you'll thank me for it."
A part of her… wanted that.
And that scared her more than death.
Back to Reality – Time Passed: 3 Minutes
[Skill Success: Reverse Allure Complete]Status: Mental Chain Link Created (Level 1 – Fragile Obedience)]Target: Nyra (Assassin Princess of the Nightshade Empire)]System Title Earned: "Mind Weaver"]
Nyra stood in silence, breathing hard, sweat dripping down her neck. Her seductive mask had cracked. Her fingers trembled. She couldn't understand why she no longer felt the urge to kill.
"You…" she whispered, "what… did you do to me?"
Priyanshu gently wiped her forehead.
"I just showed you a truth you refused to see."
She stepped back but didn't flee. Her body was ready to fight. But her mind…
Her mind had already surrendered a little.
Moments Later – Underground Base of the Dark Heaven Society
Nyra was escorted in.
Still wearing her black assassin suit, but no longer holding her dagger.
Ritika, standing nearby, narrowed her eyes. "Another one?"
Priyanshu chuckled. "Don't worry, she's not in the harem yet. Just being… trained."
Nyra lowered her gaze, cheeks burning in shame and confusion.
[Harem Potential: 81% – Bond Level: 9%]Hidden Trait Detected: Loyalty Through Collapse
Nightshade Empire – Secret War Council
A general reported grimly, "We've lost contact with Agent Nyra. She's either dead… or worse."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Prepare Phase Two. The Phantom King must not rise."