Volume 2, Chapter 2: Dungeon Dates and Sinful Alliances
---
Three hours after Kai narrowly avoided being married, sacrificed, and devoured (possibly in that order), he found himself staring at a portal shaped like a seductive wink.
"That's not a metaphor," he muttered. "The damn portal just winked at me."
"It likes you," Seraphina purred, trailing her fingers across his back like a predator marking its prize. "This dungeon only opens for those who've tasted lust without losing their soul."
Yui folded her arms. "Are we seriously trusting a demon dungeon?"
Velmaria was already halfway through the portal. "You call it a dungeon. I call it Tuesday."
Eirnys followed, dragging her cursed chains across the stone floor like a mood-setting violin. "If it kills us, at least we'll die in leather."
Nyxa blinked. "...You've worn leather this whole time?"
"Underneath," Eirnys replied smoothly.
Kai sighed and stepped through the portal, the wink giving him a final cheeky wink as he passed.
---
[Location: Heartspire Dungeon – Layer 1: The Atrium of Ache]
> [New Quest: Enter the Heartspire and retrieve the Luststone Core]
[Bonus Objective: Survive the Date-Trial in less than 30 minutes]
[Penalty for Failure: Eternal bondage. Literally.]
The moment Kai entered, he understood why it was called a "date trial."
The walls were painted like candlelight. The air smelled like rosewater and regret. Romantic music wafted through the dungeon, and floating platforms hovered above a glowing lava lake.
A sign floated above the first room:
"Welcome Couples! Only one may proceed... with their most trusted partner."
The portal sealed behind them.
Kai turned to the group. "So... who's my most trusted?"
All five goddesses said, "Me."
He closed his eyes. "Why do I feel like this is going to kill me harder than the boss fights?"
---
After a not-so-democratic vote (involving bribery, threats, and Velmaria throwing a fireball), it was decided that Nyxa would accompany Kai for the trial.
Because, in her words, "I've already read the dungeon code, and he needs someone who won't stab him mid-kiss."
Kai and Nyxa stepped forward, leaving the others behind.
---
[Trial: Room of Revealed Regrets]
A heart-shaped mirror rose before them.
It shimmered.
Then showed them kissing. Naked. Floating in space. With background music playing suspiciously like Nyxa's favorite theme.
Kai coughed. "I... don't remember that."
"You will," Nyxa said, completely unfazed.
The mirror asked: "Reveal a regret, or relive it."
Nyxa didn't hesitate. "I regret that I didn't kiss him the first night we met."
Kai blinked. "Wait—what?"
Nyxa leaned in. "You were glitching through the floor and spouting nonsense about pizza and gods. I almost kissed you anyway."
The mirror turned gold. The door opened.
Kai whispered, "Is this dungeon powered by thirst?"
Nyxa smirked. "No. It's powered by truth... and yes, also thirst."
---
[Trial: Room of Chaotic Compatibility]
A floating bed appeared.
Above it: "Demonstrate synchronized desire."
Kai and Nyxa exchanged a glance.
Then, without a word, they both turned toward the wall and simultaneously kicked it.
A secret door opened behind the bed.
> [Secret Discovered: Shared Defiance – +10 Affection (Nyxa)]
[Hidden Trait Unlocked: Synced Spite]
"I knew breaking rules was the way to her heart," Kai muttered.
Nyxa just grinned.
---
Back outside, Seraphina was pacing.
"She better not seduce him completely. I've only begun marking my territory."
Velmaria rolled her eyes. "Nyxa doesn't do seduction. She hacks your mind until love seems logical."
Yui smirked. "Honestly? Still terrifying."
Eirnys was knitting something ominous. "I'm making him a collar. Just in case."
---
[Final Room: Core of the Heartspire]
A massive heart floated in the center. Pulsing. Glowing. Purring.
Yes—purring.
> [Luststone Core Recognized Kaizelon]
[Processing Harem Matrix...]
[Error: Excessive Lust Potential Detected]
Kai approached the core. "Do I... touch it?"
Nyxa nodded. "Gently. Like you're holding divine breasts. Respectfully."
He touched it.
Reality quaked.
The dungeon trembled as the core dissolved into his chest, sending spirals of power across his glitch system.
> [Luststone Core Acquired]
[Divine Glitch Skill Gained: "Harem Overclock" – Temporarily Amplify All Ally Affection-Based Powers]
[WARNING: Overuse May Cause Goddesses to Enter Heat-Locked State]
Kai: "...Define 'heat-locked'?"
Nyxa: "You'll find out. Eventually. Probably during an orgy."
---
As they exited the dungeon, the rest of the harem awaited them at a picnic table. Someone had summoned wine. Seraphina was casually feeding Velmaria roasted hell-fruit. Yui was teaching Eirnys how to stab without spilling wine.
Kai plopped down, exhausted.
Yui smirked. "So, did you survive your romantic apocalypse?"
He looked at Nyxa. She just raised an eyebrow.
"I learned things," Kai muttered. "Unholy, terrifying things."
Seraphina leaned in. "Oh, darling. That was just the first date."
---
[System Alert: Lust Protocols Phase 1 – COMPLETE]
> [Next Quest: Attend the Demon Queen's Summit of Sin – Convince Three Rival Queens to Join or Surrender]
[Side Quest Unlocked: "Group Therapy for Murderous Harem Members"]
End of Chapter 2 – Volume 2