The cathedral behind me faded into golden light as I stepped through the door. I expected… nothing. A forest? A field? Maybe a quiet town? But this—this was something I had never imagined, not in my wildest dreams.
The air hummed, alive with energy. It wasn't just magic—it was aware of me. The grass beneath my feet shimmered faintly, like it was breathing. The scent of wildflowers mixed with something metallic, like blood from far away. I could feel it, and my senses were sharper than ever. The system had activated environmental adaptation, and suddenly, every detail was overwhelming.
I swallowed hard. Okay, MC. Stay calm. Don't freak out. You can do this.
But before I could even take a proper step, a rustle in the grass made me freeze. I wasn't alone. My pulse quickened. From the tall blades, something emerged—a creature larger than a wolf, but twisted, dark, and scaled. Its eyes glowed crimson, and fangs peeked out of a snarling mouth.
The system buzzed in my mind:
Sinful Points potential detected.
The words ignited something inside me. Fight. Survive. Grow.
My hands flared with energy instinctively. The creature lunged. I rolled, barely dodging its snapping jaws, and unleashed a pulse of energy. Sparks hit its armored body, cracking scales and sending it recoiling.
Sinful Points Gained: 3
Another strike, another recoil. I barely had time to breathe. This was insane. I'd never fought anything like this in my old world. But somehow, with the system guiding me, instinct took over.
Finally, the creature dissolved into smoke. My chest heaved. The world felt… bigger now. More dangerous. More thrilling.
I wandered through the fields, cautious but curious, when I noticed movement on a distant hill. A figure—tall, graceful, with silver hair glinting under the twin suns. She was sitting atop a smooth rock, calm and observing me as if she had been expecting me all along.
I froze. There was something… electric about her. Not just beauty, though yes, she was impossibly beautiful. But she radiated power, and I felt it tugging at me, an invisible thread I couldn't resist.
"You're awake," she said softly, almost a whisper. But somehow her voice carried clearly across the distance.
"I… I'm sorry. Who are you?" My throat felt dry, and I sounded smaller than I felt.
Her eyes narrowed, piercing me like a blade. "Who am I? I could ask the same. But I know you, human. You carry the Sinful System."
I swallowed hard. "You… you know about it?"
A faint, cruel smile curved her lips. "Of course. I've been waiting. And you—yes, you—have been chosen for far more than you understand."
My hands twitched. What do you mean, 'more than I understand'? But before I could question her further, the ground beneath my feet shivered violently.
Shadows rose from the grass, darker than the night sky, writhing and twisting like living serpents. I took a step back, alarmed. The girl stood then, her movements fluid and predatory, and the shadows seemed to obey her.
"You must prove yourself," she said, voice cold but intoxicating. "Show me what the Sinful System can do."
My chest pounded. This is it, MC. Your first real test… and it's not just the creatures.
The shadows lunged, faster than I could see. My hands flared again, energy lancing forward, slashing through some of the tendrils. Sparks flew, and the shadows hissed, twisting to avoid the strikes. With every hit, I felt power coursing through me, raw and intoxicating.
Sinful Points Gained: 5
The girl circled me, silent, watching, her silver hair flowing like liquid. I could feel her eyes on my back, her presence unnerving yet… somehow magnetic. A warning, or an invitation? I didn't know.
One of the shadows wrapped around my ankle. I yelped and struck at it blindly, my pulse thrumming in my ears. The system buzzed:
Sinful Point Bonus: Courage under threat activated.
I felt strength surge through my body. My strike cut through the shadow, which disintegrated into smoke. My hands trembled, my chest heaving. But my mind… it was racing, excited. Addicted.
Finally, the last shadow recoiled and vanished. I sank to my knees, panting. Golden light filtered through the trees, the wind whispering through the grass. Then, a soft notification appeared before my eyes:
Level Up! You are now Level 3. Sinful Points: 25.
I blinked. The power inside me pulsed, steady and alive. My body felt electric. But before I could catch my breath, the silver-haired girl stepped closer, her gaze intense.
"Not bad," she said. Her voice was like silk over steel. "But the real trials have only begun."
I swallowed hard. "Trials? What… what do you mean?"
A faint smirk. "Everything in this world is a test. You think surviving shadows is the hardest part? No. You will face temptation, betrayal, desire, and power beyond your control. And through it all… you will either ascend or break."
I felt a chill run down my spine. This wasn't just a fight for survival. It was a fight for my soul, my mind, and maybe even my heart.
Then, she leaned slightly closer, and I caught the faint scent of jasmine. My pulse skipped. "Do… you always make tests… so personal?" I asked, half-joking, half-serious.
Her lips curved into a slow, almost predatory smile. "Only when it's… worth it."
Before I could respond, a rumble shook the ground. From the horizon, dark shapes were rising. Larger than the first shadows. And I knew, with a sinking feeling, that these were not just animals. Not just creatures. Something far more intelligent, far more dangerous, and far more… sinful.
The girl's eyes glimmered with excitement. "Go. Survive. And perhaps… you may earn your first ally—or your first enemy. Time will tell."
My heart raced. My hands glowed. My mind screamed. And one thought dominated everything:
I will not die here. Not now. Not ever.
The shadows moved closer, twisting and writhing, and the girl stepped back into the light, watching, her smile unreadable.