CHAPTER 109: LET THE GAME BEGIN!

The Morning Of The Game...

The day of the Game arrived, and Rin stood in his chamber, dressed in the long robe Lirien had chosen for him. The black silk flowed around him, soft but heavy, concealing his form in a way that felt both protective and suffocating. The cut was feminine, designed to hide his body, but his crimson eyes shone openly, unhidden, because he chose it.

He touched the mirror, his reflection calm but unreadable, his silver hair tied high, catching the morning light. With a thought, his system clicked alive, its familiar chime a steady anchor in the chaos of his mind.

"Hey system... Activate Pheromone Concealment," he whispered.

DING!

[System Notification: Pheromone Concealment Activated.]

[Duration: 12 hours (maximum).]

[Side Effect: Possible early onset of heat. Use with caution.]

Rin smirked faintly, his lips twitching. "Half a day will be more than enough. I can’t let anyone get a whiff of my pheromones, especially the Vortellions."

He adjusted his hair, the silver strands gleaming like moonlight, and studied himself in the mirror. This was it... his first step outside the brothel in two years, straight into the heart of enemy territory. His eyes flickered toward the system’s invisible inventory, where his gun lay hidden, its weight a comforting promise. He didn’t touch it, not yet, but knowing it was there steadied his nerves.

The door creaked open, smoke curling in before Lirien herself entered, robed in elegance, her pipe resting between her fingers. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Rin, then softened, a rare warmth breaking through her usual sharpness. "You look... good."

Rin tilted his head, offering her a small smile, genuine but fleeting. "Thank you. And thank you for the dress."

Lirien blinked and quickly looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed. She wanted to warn him never to smile like that again... it was too dangerous, too disarming... but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. "You’re welcome. Are you ready to leave?"

Rin’s gaze slid briefly to the inventory, his hand twitching again, but he shook his head.

"I’m ready."

Still, worry lingered in Lirien’s eyes, her fingers tightening around her pipe. This was the first time Rin had stepped beyond the brothel’s walls in two years, and the Vortellion estate was no safe haven. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, settling for a quiet sigh.

"Just... be careful, Rin."

Rin nodded, his crimson eyes softening for a moment. "I will. Don’t worry."

But he knew she would. He could see it in the way her shoulders tensed, the way her smoke curled faster, as if trying to shield her from her own fears. He said nothing more, only walked forward, his steps light but deliberate.

They took a hidden route, slipping through the brothel’s back corridors, past rooms filled with the soft hum of music and laughter. The walls were familiar, a sanctuary that had kept Rin safe for two years. But as they reached the main entrance, sunlight burst over them, bright and unrelenting.

Rin stepped out, staring at the endless sky, its blue spread wide above him. He saw it every day from the brothel’s courtyard, yet now, it felt different... colder, louder, too open, like a world waiting to swallow him whole.

He sighed, long and quiet, then entered the carriage with Lirien at his side. The door closed with a soft thud, and they rolled toward enemy territory, the Vortellion estate looming in his mind like a storm on the horizon.

.

.

The Vortellion Estate...

Traffic clogged the Vortellion gates, a chaotic line of carriages stretching down the road. Nobles waited impatiently, their voices sharp as they presented their invitations. Guards were ruthless, checking for weapons, turning away anyone without proper credentials. The air buzzed with tension, the weight of the Game pressing on everyone.

Rin’s carriage reached the front, and he lowered the veil over his face, the thin fabric doing little to hide his crimson eyes. He opened the window, his gaze steady as a guard stepped forward—and froze. Those sharp, crimson eyes locked onto him, piercing and unyielding.

The guard’s face flushed red, his knees nearly buckling as he stared shamelessly at Rin, caught in the spell of his beauty.

"Invitation," Lirien snapped, thrusting the gilded card forward, her voice cutting through the guard’s daze.

The guard blinked hard, snapped back to reality, and took the card with shaking hands. He examined it... VIP, marked with the Vortellion crest. He swallowed hard, handed it back, and bowed deeply, his voice trembling.

"Please, enter."

As the carriage rolled forward, Lirien frowned, puffing on her pipe.

"Why would they give us a VIP invitation? Rin... does Evan know who you are?"

Rin pondered for a moment, his fingers brushing the edge of his veil. A humourless smirk curved his unseen lips.

"If he did, do you think I’d still be sitting calmly here? He would’ve broken down the brothel by now and dragged me out with his bare hands."

"...True," Lirien admitted, her smoke curling around her like a shield. "That bastard would do anything to get you back."

The carriage stopped, and Rin let out one last sigh before stepping down, his robe flowing around him. Guards and maids were already waiting, bowing low, guiding them toward the grand stage. The Vortellion estate was massive, overwhelming, its towering walls and sprawling grounds a testament to Evan’s power.

Rin’s feet moved lightly, but every step drew eyes—nobles, servants, guards, all staring, caught by his cold beauty despite the veil. Whispers followed him: lust, curiosity, envy.

He ignored them all.

’It’s not my fault this world gave me a super handsome face,’ he thought, his lips twitching with a mix of amusement and disdain.

The crowd swelled, over a thousand already seated, more pouring in, their excitement a feverish hum. They were here for the Vortellion Game, a cruel spectacle where omegas were thrown into the forest to be hunted for sport. Rin’s lips tightened, his frown sharp. Disgusting.

Lirien handled the guards, her voice firm as they were shown to their VIP seats, high above the main stands. A tray of fruits, snacks, and pastries was set before them, gleaming with temptation. Lirien plucked a pastry, biting into it with little care, her eyes scanning the crowd.

Rin reached for one, then paused as the system chimed, its tone sharp.

DING!

[System Notification: Item Analysis Complete.]

[Result: No poison detected. Foreign substance present - mild sedative.]

[Intended effect: Sleep induction.]

Rin’s lips curved into a grin, his crimson eyes glinting with mischief. He leaned close, whispering to Lirien.

"Listen carefully, Lirien, you’re a demon, so it won’t affect you. But they laced the food with a sleeping potion."

Lirien didn’t flinch, chewing calmly, her pipe trailing smoke.

"Hmm. Clever of them."

"Clever, but useless," Rin corrected, lifting a pastry and twirling it between his fingers. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "I’ll give them what they want. I’ll eat... and pretend to sleep. Let’s see what game they’re playing."

Lirien gave him a long look, worry flickering beneath her calm exterior. "Are you sure you’ll be fine?"

Rin nodded once, firm, his voice steady. "Don’t worry. But remember... don’t expect me to keep promises about my weapon. Not in this place."

"...I thought so," Lirien sighed, puffing smoke, resigning herself to Rin’s recklessness.

Minutes passed, the stands filling with nobles, merchants, and even middle-class citizens, all buzzing with anticipation. The air grew thick, the excitement rising like a storm. Then, trumpets blared, sharp and commanding, silencing the crowd.

The crowd erupted in cheers, deafening and hungry, their voices shaking the air.

The Vortellion Game had begun.

Rin leaned forward in his seat, his crimson eyes sharp, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Let’s see what this devilish game is all about."