The Risthans had picked items small enough to fit into their pockets, making it impossible for the others to see what they had chosen. Sam’s smug expression made it clear that he expected them to have picked worthless items."We have them with us," Eris replied coldly. "What does that have to do with you?"Before Sam could reply, Liliana’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "The result will be announced in ten seconds."Sam grinned at Eris, clearly relishing the moment. "You guys are going to get the lowest mark here. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize for speaking to you all like this. But if I’m right, then you all will be my slaves for a day."Eris’s eyes flashed with anger, and she was about to retort when Perseus intervened, his voice steady and controlled. "It’s a deal unless you want to change your punishment."Sam frowned at Perseus. “What do you mean by changing my punishment?”“You said we will be your slaves for a day if we lose, and you will only get to apologize. That
When she had heard about Jacob’s success, she thought it had been luck and that she might not be as fortunate as him. It turned out it wasn’t luck at all—it was just the game's rules.“Top 5 is Jeremy from Risthan! He got his item for 40 points, and it’s a hairpin worth $1,900,000.”“Top 4 is Ace from Risthan! He got his item for 30 points, and it’s an electric toothbrush worth $2,150,000.”“Top 3 is Ethan from Risthan! He got his item for 20 points, and it’s a ring worth $2,400,000.”Ethan’s eyes widened. He was third?“Top 2 is Eris from Risthan! He got his item for 10 points, and it’s a bracelet worth $3,000,000.”Sam's teeth gritted, and his hand clenched tightly. He had thought he would get a position, but he didn’t. A grin appeared on his face—first place was still open, and that person could be him.“Top 1 is…” Liliana said, trailing off in an attempt to build suspense.Sam’s fist tightened, and he almost screamed at her to say it already but managed to compose himself.“The to
It was midnight when Perseus pulled up his mask and adjusted his cape. He walked towards his room's window and peered outside. Although the camera was turned off and everyone must have fallen asleep, Perseus knew there was still a camera outside the room, monitored by security to ensure no one left the building.'Iris, invisible coat,' Perseus commanded.[Right away, host.]Within seconds, the coat was wrapped around his shoulders. He leaped out of the open window, floating down from the upper floor. Landing swiftly on the ground, he glanced around. The place was empty, as expected—no one else was sneaking out of the mansion like he was.[You don’t have to worry about them noticing your absence,] Iris informed him. [I locked the room just like I did last time; no one will be able to get in.]Perseus smiled. “Good job, Iris.”Invisible, Perseus dashed towards the gate. Upon reaching it, he swiftly climbed the fence and jumped over to the other side. Taking the path to the left, he beg
The woman trembled as she met Perseus’ gaze. “My… My name is... Cynthia,” she mumbled.Perseus raised an eyebrow. “Oh, okay, Cynthia.” He wondered why she was telling him her name.“Are you part of the gang?” the woman in his arms asked.Perseus glanced down at her. “If I were part of the gang, would I have punched the leader and rescued you?”Hearing that, she looked away, seemingly reassured. On the other hand, Cynthia was still trembling, her head bowed.“Could you tell me all you know about him?” Perseus asked, preferring to get the information from her rather than using the system.Cynthia nodded. “He’s a slave master. He’s taken many slaves and formed a harem with them. I know where the slave house is too, and I can take you there. I’ve always wanted those girls to be free.”Perseus noticed that she wasn’t shivering anymore and was speaking to him more confidently.[I think she doesn’t see you as a threat anymore,] Iris informed him. [She’s glad you’re helping them.]‘I can see
Perseus turned around to look at the man who had just spoken, ready to throw a punch if necessary.“Are you questioning me?” Cynthia demanded.From the look on her face, she seemed nothing like the woman she was with the leader. Perhaps seeing the man who had made her life a living hell taken by the police had given her some sort of confidence.“Nope,” he replied. “I was just worried if he would be able to lead the girls to his car. They are quite fierce.”“We know that,” Cynthia retorted. “Back to your job.”The men closed the door without any more questions, and Perseus glanced at her. He wanted to ask why she hadn’t let him use his fists but decided against it. In no time, the room was filled with women.Perseus gritted his teeth at the sight of them looking at him with terrified expressions. He wondered what all these women must have gone through to be that scared.“I will be letting them out now,” Perseus told Cynthia.“I will keep watch of the others,” Cynthia said before headin
Ethan handed his phone to Perseus, who glanced at the picture. It was indeed him. They must have gotten it from security footage somewhere.Perseus nodded. “Alright.”“See you later,” Ethan said with a grin. “Don’t go anywhere alone.”“Okay.”Perseus stared at Iris. “I thought I told you to deactivate all of the cameras.”[I did,] she claimed. [I might have forgotten to turn the others off.]Perseus headed for the door since the game of the day would begin soon.[You were wearing a mask though. They wouldn’t be able to recognize you,] Iris said. [There’s nothing to worry about.]Upon reaching the general living room, Perseus met with the others, who were peering at him as if he had something on his face.“You were late, Perseus,” Liliana said.Liliana was standing in front of them with a woman with long lashes next to her. She grinned at Perseus, a smile crossing her face.“I had something to do,” Perseus replied. “I apologize for arriving late.”“No worries,” Liliana said. “Now that
Tossing in bed, Perseus looked away from Iris. “You don’t have to apologize, Iris. Even if I were to die, it wouldn’t be today anyway.”Iris scowled at him. [What did you just say?]“I said if I were to die, I wouldn’t—”His words were cut off as an electric current surged through him. The shock was so intense that he trembled all over, and when it stopped, steam was rising from his body.[That’s what you get for thinking about death, host!] Iris bellowed. [Do you know that both Lint and I will be gone if you die? Do you know how many people will be sad when you die?]Perseus flinched and slowly turned to lie on his back. Seeing the annoyed look on Iris’s face made him want to laugh.“I was only joking,” Perseus muttered. “I won’t die. I promise.”[You idiot!] Iris yelled, watching Perseus laugh. [If you die, I will kill you!]“How are you going to kill someone who’s already dead?”Two days later.“Are you ready?” Eris demanded, poking her head through the door to look at her teammat
[Your death is near, host.] Iris said, appearing next to Perseus, her gaze fixed on Aera.[Why are you following her? Shouldn’t you be in the game?]Perseus glanced at Iris. ‘I should be in the game, but she insisted on treating my injuries first.’[You have to leave her and level up!] Iris cried. [I have no idea what’s happening, but the panel is blinking more furiously than before.][Your death is really imminent! You need to listen to me and run!]‘I’m not running,’ Perseus replied. ‘That man killed one of my family members and went on with his life. Now, he’s come after me, leaving Zeppelin out of the fight. If I run and he can’t find me, he’ll go after Zeppelin and kill him.’Iris’ eyes widened. [If you don’t run, there’s a high chance you’ll die.]‘I know that.’[Why are you with her then?]‘I can’t let Zeppelin face the same fate as our parents.’[It won’t take long for you to reach level 20.] Iris retorted.‘I have something he doesn't have.’[And what’s that?]‘I have you and
Two years later, Perseus was at the airport, having just landed back in his home country after traveling full-time for two years. He hadn’t heard from anyone during that time, as he’d been constantly changing his number while traveling. He had successfully visited 100 countries and would have continued if not for being called home by his aunt.“Perseus!” Sherry’s voice made him flinch as she called out to him.It had been two years since they last spoke. After the game, he had vanished, claiming he wanted to travel.[She waited for you, Iris noted. I doubt the others did.][He glanced at her. <
Perseus smiled at the cheering crowd, then turned his gaze to the other side of the audience. His eyes widened in embarrassment when he spotted his aunt and Eriane, waving an old, embarrassing photo of him.His aunt was cheering louder than the teenage girls around her, almost as if she were a teenager herself.He wondered how she even knew about the game and its location since he hadn’t invited her. He was sure he’d be scolded later, but he didn’t mind. Shifting his attention away from her, Perseus walked to his gaming seat.As soon as they all sat down, Perseus glanced at the opposing team, just centimeters away. Sam, one of the opposing players, grinned at him, then gave Perseus the middle finger and mouthed, "Loser. We all know how terrible you are at gaming. Stop using your handsome face
‘What is my chance of winning now?’ Perseus questioned.Iris glanced at a panel, her eyes widening in shock. [79%][What am I seeing? You have upgraded to level 20 for discovering Forest's secret and finding a way to defeat him.] She squealed.[Is this really true?]A glint of relief slowly washed over Iris. There was hope that Perseus could finally defeat the man who had long wanted his life.[You can beat him now;] Iris claimed. [Just breathe properly.][His skills have been sealed with all of the points you have left. He won’t be able to use them against you anymore.] Iris announced.Perseus glanced at her, and a t
Forest leaned in, his eyes cold and calculating. "This isn't just a fight. It's a battle of life and death. I often wonder why your parents gave the power I wanted most to you. I’ve waited for years to see if you’re worthy of the power you possess. But if this is all you have, then you’re not worthy and are just a piece of useless dirt occupying space."Before Perseus could react, Forest flung him across the room like a ragdoll. Perseus crashed to the ground, pain radiating through his body despite Iris’ efforts to heal him.[Perseus, we can’t keep this up much longer!] Iris warned. [You need to find a way to defeat him, or he’ll—]"I know," Perseus muttered, forcing himself to his feet. His vision blurred, but he refused to back down. "I know, Iris. But I’m not giving up. Not yet."Forest approached him slowly, almost leisurely. "So, what will it be, Perseus? Will you continue to fight and prove yourself? Or will you admit defeat and accept that you’re not ready for this?"“If you ad
[You can! You idiot!] Iris yelled.Perseus snapped out of his thoughts and dodged the attack by moving to the side as quickly as he could. This time, he didn’t hold back his power and unleashed it to the maximum.[Good job.]The man’s eyes glinted with admiration. “Aren’t you a little thing?” he asked. “I get to see someone I can actually fight with without killing them first. This is wonderful. You’re amazing!”Perseus gritted his teeth. The way the man spoke, it was clear he was looking down on him. “What is your name?”The man was taken aback by the sudden question. “Why are you asking your killer their name?”“I just wanted to know the name of the person I’m going to kill before I kill them,” Perseus replied. “Is it that hard?”The man’s lips curled. “Fine. My name is Forest. Not a common name, I guess.”Forest? Perseus’ eyes darted to Iris. ‘Analyze him with the name.’[I am unable to analyze him.] Iris said. [I tried when he arrived, but it was impossible.]“Let’s continue with
[Your death is near, host.] Iris said, appearing next to Perseus, her gaze fixed on Aera.[Why are you following her? Shouldn’t you be in the game?]Perseus glanced at Iris. ‘I should be in the game, but she insisted on treating my injuries first.’[You have to leave her and level up!] Iris cried. [I have no idea what’s happening, but the panel is blinking more furiously than before.][Your death is really imminent! You need to listen to me and run!]‘I’m not running,’ Perseus replied. ‘That man killed one of my family members and went on with his life. Now, he’s come after me, leaving Zeppelin out of the fight. If I run and he can’t find me, he’ll go after Zeppelin and kill him.’Iris’ eyes widened. [If you don’t run, there’s a high chance you’ll die.]‘I know that.’[Why are you with her then?]‘I can’t let Zeppelin face the same fate as our parents.’[It won’t take long for you to reach level 20.] Iris retorted.‘I have something he doesn't have.’[And what’s that?]‘I have you and
Tossing in bed, Perseus looked away from Iris. “You don’t have to apologize, Iris. Even if I were to die, it wouldn’t be today anyway.”Iris scowled at him. [What did you just say?]“I said if I were to die, I wouldn’t—”His words were cut off as an electric current surged through him. The shock was so intense that he trembled all over, and when it stopped, steam was rising from his body.[That’s what you get for thinking about death, host!] Iris bellowed. [Do you know that both Lint and I will be gone if you die? Do you know how many people will be sad when you die?]Perseus flinched and slowly turned to lie on his back. Seeing the annoyed look on Iris’s face made him want to laugh.“I was only joking,” Perseus muttered. “I won’t die. I promise.”[You idiot!] Iris yelled, watching Perseus laugh. [If you die, I will kill you!]“How are you going to kill someone who’s already dead?”Two days later.“Are you ready?” Eris demanded, poking her head through the door to look at her teammat
Ethan handed his phone to Perseus, who glanced at the picture. It was indeed him. They must have gotten it from security footage somewhere.Perseus nodded. “Alright.”“See you later,” Ethan said with a grin. “Don’t go anywhere alone.”“Okay.”Perseus stared at Iris. “I thought I told you to deactivate all of the cameras.”[I did,] she claimed. [I might have forgotten to turn the others off.]Perseus headed for the door since the game of the day would begin soon.[You were wearing a mask though. They wouldn’t be able to recognize you,] Iris said. [There’s nothing to worry about.]Upon reaching the general living room, Perseus met with the others, who were peering at him as if he had something on his face.“You were late, Perseus,” Liliana said.Liliana was standing in front of them with a woman with long lashes next to her. She grinned at Perseus, a smile crossing her face.“I had something to do,” Perseus replied. “I apologize for arriving late.”“No worries,” Liliana said. “Now that
Perseus turned around to look at the man who had just spoken, ready to throw a punch if necessary.“Are you questioning me?” Cynthia demanded.From the look on her face, she seemed nothing like the woman she was with the leader. Perhaps seeing the man who had made her life a living hell taken by the police had given her some sort of confidence.“Nope,” he replied. “I was just worried if he would be able to lead the girls to his car. They are quite fierce.”“We know that,” Cynthia retorted. “Back to your job.”The men closed the door without any more questions, and Perseus glanced at her. He wanted to ask why she hadn’t let him use his fists but decided against it. In no time, the room was filled with women.Perseus gritted his teeth at the sight of them looking at him with terrified expressions. He wondered what all these women must have gone through to be that scared.“I will be letting them out now,” Perseus told Cynthia.“I will keep watch of the others,” Cynthia said before headin