CHAPTER 100: A NEW ARC!

Rin froze, his breath catching. "Memory Echo?" he muttered under his breath, careful to keep his voice low so Kiro wouldn’t hear. "What the hell is that?"

DING!

[Unique Skill: Memory Echo]

[Description: Touch a person’s bare skin to glimpse 5-10 seconds of their recent memories. Requires focus and contact]

[Warning: Emotional overload may cause disorientation. Overuse may result in headaches or nosebleeds]

[Cooldown: 5 minutes per use.]

Rin’s lips twitched into a sharp smile, his heart racing. "Now that’s something I can work with," he whispered. A skill that lets him dig into people’s minds? That was a weapon.

Rin nearly gasped, his fingers tightening around the chains on his wrists to keep from grinning. He couldn’t show it... not here, not in front of the others. He stole a glance at them. Many had fallen asleep, their bodies slumped against the walls or each other.

Kiro’s head rested on Rin’s shoulder, his breathing soft and steady. Lia leaned against his other side, her red hair spilling across his arm. Even Soren, usually so guarded, had curled up close, his warmth a quiet comfort.

Rin realised it then... his scent, even if it was faint, it was soothing and calming for them, lulling them into rest. He didn’t push them away. Instead, he let them stay, his heart heavy but calm. They’d saved him, and now, in their own way, they were trusting him.

When the carriage doors finally opened, sunlight poured in, blinding and harsh. The omegas stirred, blinking groggily as rough hands hauled them out one by one. Rin was dragged to his feet, the chains on his ankles clanking as he was lined up with the others in front of a towering building. Its stone facade was carved with intricate designs, but the red lanterns hanging above the entrance told him everything he needed to know.

"Where are we?" he whispered to Kiro, who stood beside him, shivering in the morning chill.

The slaver who’d lied to the knights... the lean one with the patched cloak... glanced down at him. His expression was oddly gentle, a stark contrast to his rough appearance.

"A brothel," he said quietly. "Better than the Duke’s dungeon. Trust me."

Rin froze, his stomach twisting. A brothel. Memories of his mother flooded back... her tired smile. The story Zepharion told him... the faint scent of incense clinging to her clothes, the dim glow of red lamps in the narrow halls where she’d worked. She’d been a demon, like him, gathering energy in secret, hiding her true nature from a world that would destroy her for it. And now, here he was, standing in her footsteps.

Maybe this was fate.

He bit his lip, his voice barely a whisper.

"Thanks... for saving me."

The slaver’s lips twitched into a faint smile.

"Survive here, kid," he said. "It’s better than being prey."

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of perfume and smoke. The omegas were stripped of their filthy clothes, bathed in scalding water, and dressed in thin, flowing garments that left little to the imagination. Rin flushed as the others whispered about his pale skin and delicate features, their voices a mix of awe and curiosity.

"Goddess, you look like a doll," Lia said, her eyes wide as she adjusted the loose tunic draped over Rin’s shoulders.

"Yeah, yeah," Rin muttered, brushing her off with a smirk. "Don’t stare. Focus. We’ll meet the madam soon."

Soren snorted, tugging at his own ill-fitting clothes.

"Hope she’s not as bad as the slavers. I’m done with chains."

Kiro clung to Rin’s side, his small hands fidgeting with the hem of his tunic.

"What if she doesn’t like us?" he whispered.

"She’ll like you. I hope so," Rin said, ruffling the boy’s hair. "Just keep your chin up, okay?"

Kiro nodded, but his eyes were still wide with fear.

.

.

When the madam finally entered, the room fell silent. Smoke curled around her, trailing from a long pipe clutched in her hand. Her hair was jet-black, swept into an elegant knot, and her eyes were sharp, cutting through the group like a blade. She moved with a predator’s grace, inspecting each omega with a practised eye... sorting them into roles with a flick of her wrist.

Kitchen. Drinks. Dance. Pleasure.

When she reached Rin, her eyes froze. The pipe slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

"Everyone. Out," she barked, her voice low but commanding.

The omegas froze, their eyes darting between Rin and the madam.

"OUT!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the stone walls.

The room emptied in seconds, the others scrambling out, leaving Rin alone with her. He stood his ground, his heart pounding, confusion swirling in his mind.

"What... what are you... What’s happening?"

Before he could finish, the madam fell to her knees, her forehead touching the ground. Rin stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

She reached forward, grasping his hand with trembling fingers, pressing her lips to the back of it. Her voice shook as she spoke, barely above a whisper.

"The son of Elyria... You’ve returned."

"Son of..." Rin’s breath caught, his throat going dry. "You... knew my mother?"

The madam raised her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Of course, I’m like her. A demon. She was my sister in blood before she fell in love with a human. You are her child. Her heir."

Rin’s chest tightened, a flood of emotions crashing over him—shock, grief, hope.

"Where is she now? Where is my mother?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

The madam’s smile faltered, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"I cannot say," she whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Rin’s hands trembled, his mind reeling. His mother... Elyria... had been a demon, like him. She’d hidden it, lived in the human world, and raised him until she vanished. And now, here was someone who knew her, who called her sister.

The madam rose slowly, her eyes softening. "I am Lirien," she said. "This place is mine, but it is yours by right. Elyria was meant to lead us, to guide the succubus demons hiding in the capital. When she left, I took her place. But you..." She paused, studying him. "You are her blood. I’ll step down. You will take my place."

Rin recoiled, shaking his head.

"What the hell? No! I don’t want that. I don’t care about running this place. I just... I just need freedom. Strength. I need to survive."

Lirien studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Then take it," she said. "My doors are open to you. Do what you will. But know this... You are not alone. Not anymore."

Rin’s lips trembled, his throat tight. He bowed his head slightly, his voice barely a whisper.

"...Thank you."

DING!

[System Update: Academy Arc Complete.]

[New Arc Initiated: Pleasure District.]

Rin’s eyes widened, his heart racing as the system’s words sank in.

’A new arc? Fuck...’

He straightened, his jaw set, his eyes burning with resolve. "Well, I’m not done yet," he whispered to himself. "Once I gather enough energy, I’ll get back at those fucking Vortellion,"

.

.

Outside, in the Vortellion estate, Lucien’s carriage rolled to a stop. He stepped out, his bloodied hands still trembling, his eyes scanning the mansion for Rin. And Lucien would find him, no matter what it took.

"Hold on, Rin," he muttered, his voice low and fierce. "I’m coming for you, I’m here now,"