Damien hummed quietly as they left the administrative building, his mind cataloging the day's victories. The mayor's face had been priceless—that perfect blend of fear and forced politeness. Nothing like watching a corrupt official squirm.
His thoughts turned to his rapidly growing power. From zero to 750 Infamy Points in less than a day—not bad for someone who'd woken up in another person's body with no clue what was happening.
'Status,' he commanded mentally.
The now-familiar screen materialized in his vision:
═══════════════════════════════════════
DEPRAVED SYSTEM - STATUS
═══════════════════════════════════════
Name: Damien Valtor
Title: "The Exiled Disappointment"
INFAMY POINTS: 750
CORRUPTION TARGETS: 1
[Sabrina Vael - 15%]
═══════════════════════════════════════
"Fifteen percent already?" he muttered under his breath. "That was quick."
[You're a natural villain, Master~] Satana appeared beside him, floating lazily with her crimson wings barely moving. [Though I should mention you're currently in what I call the 'tutorial stage.']
'Tutorial stage?' Damien raised an eyebrow, careful not to speak aloud with Sabrina walking silently beside him.
[The few months after System activation is when IP generation is boosted,] Satana explained, trailing a clawed finger along a shop window they passed. [The System wants to encourage new villains. Once the real story begins—when you reach the Academy—the easy points dry up.]
'So I won't keep earning hundreds of points for grabbing a maid's ass?' Damien thought with mock disappointment.
[You'll need bigger sins for bigger rewards.] Satana's gold eyes gleamed.
[Corrupting heroines. Stealing the hero's destined loot. Breaking sacred vows. Creating scandals that topple noble houses.]
'And that's why we build our foundation now.' Damien nodded slightly. 'What can I buy with these points?'
[Glad you asked!] Satana snapped her fingers.
A new window appeared:
═══════════════════════════════════════
DEPRAVED SYSTEM - SKILL SHOP (LEVEL 1)
═══════════════════════════════════════
AVAILABLE SKILLS:
COMBAT SKILLS:
├─ [Intermediate Swordsmanship] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
├─ [Basic Dagger Arts] E-Rank - 500 IP
├─ [Unarmed Combat] E-Rank - 500 IP
└─ [Combat Tactics] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
MAGIC SKILLS:
├─ [Intermediate Mana Circulation] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
├─ [Fireball] E-Rank - 500 IP
├─ [Mana Sense] E-Rank - 500 IP
└─ [Minor Healing] E-Rank - 500 IP
SYSTEM SKILLS:
├─ [Charm I] D-Rank - 500 IP
├─ [Corruption Touch] D-Rank - 800 IP
├─ [Dark Vitality] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
└─ [Contract Upgrade] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
SOCIAL SKILLS:
├─ [Intimidation] E-Rank - 500 IP
├─ [Seduction] E-Rank - 500 IP
├─ [Negotiation] E-Rank - 500 IP
└─ [Lie Detection] D-Rank - 1,000 IP
═══════════════════════════════════════
[Your Skill Shop is only Level 1 right now,] Satana explained. [The best skills are locked until you earn more infamy. Currently, D-Rank is your ceiling.]
Damien studied the options carefully. The E-Rank skills were tempting—he could afford one right now and still have points left over. But would a minor upgrade really make a difference?
'Tell me about Charm I,' he thought.
[Ooh, going for seduction, are we?] Satana's tail swished playfully.
[Charm I creates a subtle aura that makes you more persuasive. People find you more trustworthy and attractive without knowing why. It boosts your social success rate by about 20%, and weak-willed targets become more compliant.]
'And Corruption Touch?'
[One of my favorites!] Satana purred. [Physical contact slowly corrupts your target. Each minute of skin-to-skin contact adds 0.5% corruption. More effective if they're willing. Combine it with Charm I for best results.]
'Dark Vitality?'
[A survivability boost. Increases your HP and stamina, plus gives you minor regeneration abilities. You feed on others' negative emotions toward you—their hatred literally makes you stronger.]
Interesting options, but all more expensive than he could currently afford. The Guild was still several blocks away, giving him time to consider his choices.
Sabrina walked beside him silently, keeping precisely one step behind—close enough to follow, far enough to avoid accidental contact. Her posture remained rigid, eyes fixed straight ahead. The street narrowed as they entered the commercial district, forcing them closer together.
"Worried I might grab you again?" Damien asked, breaking the silence.
Sabrina's jaw tightened. "Would my worry stop you?"
"No," Damien admitted. "But your hatred feeds me in ways you can't imagine."
"I don't understand you." She glanced at him briefly. "Yesterday you were a drunk, spoiled child. Today you're... something else. People don't change overnight."
"Don't they?" Damien smiled. "Maybe I finally sobered up."
A cart rumbled past, forcing Sabrina to step closer. Her arm brushed against his, and she flinched away as if burned.
"The slave crest," Damien said suddenly. "How exactly does it work?"
Sabrina's red eyes flashed with suspicion. "Why?"
"Humor me."
She sighed. "It binds my will to my owner's commands. Direct orders cannot be disobeyed without severe pain. My abilities are suppressed to half their potential. And I cannot harm you or your family, no matter how much I might want to."
"Can it be modified?"
Her step faltered slightly. "Only by the one who placed it or someone with equivalent skill in binding magic."
"And that would be?"
"Your father paid a specialist in binding contracts."
Damien filed this information away. "Interesting."
They continued walking, passing shops with faded signs and tired-looking merchants. The people of Harrow's End moved with the slow resignation of those who expected little from life. Damien watched them, seeing potential pawns in every face.
'I need to decide on a skill,' he thought to Satana. 'What would you recommend?'
[For your first purchase? Charm I.] She floated upside down in front of him. [It's subtle enough that people won't realize you're using magic, but effective enough to give you an edge in every conversation. Plus, it'll accelerate corruption.]
Damien nodded slightly. The D-Rank skills were tempting, but at 1,000 IP, they'd wipe out his current points entirely. Starting smaller might be smarter.
'I'll take Charm I then,' he decided.
[Excellent choice, Master~]
The skill shop window updated:
[Charm I] D-Rank - 500 IP - [PURCHASE]
Damien mentally pressed the purchase button. A warm sensation spread through his body, starting at his chest and radiating outward to his fingertips. The knowledge of how to activate and control the charm aura flowed into his mind like he'd always known it.
[Purchase Successful: 500 IP Spent]
[Remaining IP: 250]
[Skill Acquired: Charm I]
[Ability Active: +20% Social Check Success]
Damien smiled. He'd just made himself 20% more persuasive with a thought.
"Why are you smiling?" Sabrina asked, suspicion coloring her voice.
"Just thinking about all the ways I'm going to enjoy my time in Harrow's End." He activated Charm I, feeling the subtle magic wrap around him like an invisible cloak.
Sabrina blinked, her expression softening for a fraction of a second before her natural defenses reasserted. But that brief moment told Damien everything he needed to know—the skill worked.
"The Guild isn't far now," she said, her tone marginally less hostile. "Around the next corner."
"Tell me about this Kara person. What should I expect?"
Sabrina hesitated, then answered, "Kara Steelwind. Former B-rank adventurer, now Guild administrator. Wolf beastkin. She lost her leg in a labyrinth six years ago and got stuck with this posting."
"Is she competent?"
"Very. Also very strict about Guild rules. And..." Sabrina paused, "not fond of nobles who waste her time."
"Perfect." Damien's smile widened. "I love a challenge."
They rounded the corner, and the Adventurer's Guild came into view. Unlike the decrepit buildings surrounding it, the Guild hall stood solid and well-maintained—a two-story structure with stone walls and a sloped wooden roof. A carved wooden sign hung above the entrance, depicting crossed swords over a treasure chest.
Two adventurers lounged outside, comparing weapons and bragging loudly about their recent exploits. They fell silent as Damien approached, eyeing his expensive clothes with poorly concealed disdain.
"Fresh meat," one muttered to his companion. "Bet he doesn't last a day."
Damien smiled pleasantly, Charm I active. "Care to put money on that wager? I'd hate for you to lose on an unfair bet."
The adventurer blinked, caught off guard by Damien's confidence. "Uh..."
"No? Pity." Damien pushed open the Guild door.
"Next time, speak your challenges to my face. You might find me more dangerous than I appear."