CHAPTER 103: THE INVITATION!

A few minutes before the gunshot echoed through the Pleasure District, Rin sat cross-legged on the velvet couch in his private chamber, the soft glow of candlelight dancing across his pale skin. His white robe—marked only for him, the courtesan above courtesans—flowed around his lean frame like a pool of moonlight, its sheer fabric catching the flicker of flames. In front of him, floating in the air visible only to his eyes, was the familiar pink screen of his system, its faint hum a constant companion in the chaos of his life.

DING!

[System Online.]

[Host: Kim Myung Uploaded Successfully.]

[Current Vessel: Rin Elric — Omega.]

[Initiating Status Screen...]

Name: Rin Elric (Kim Myung)

Race: Half-demon

Gender: Male

Secondary Gender: Omega (Fake Beta)

Level: 10

Health: 100/100

Strength: 59

Agility: 49

Intelligence: 75

Endurance: 69

Libido: 76

Demonic Energy: 74%

Condition: No Pheromone Leak Detected

Skills:

Pheromone Concealment Lv. 4

Physical Defence (Intermediate)

Memory Echo (Unique)

Dark Seduction Lv. 4

A small, pleased smirk tugged at Rin’s lips as he scanned the screen. "Hah... not bad," he murmured, his voice soft but edged with pride. "Two years, and I’ve gone from barely keeping myself alive to this. If that damned Duke saw me now, he’d choke on his wine."

He reached out lazily, plucking a ripe apple from the bowl beside him. His pale fingers turned it over, admiring the glossy red sheen, before lifting it toward his lips. Revenge was no longer just a dream scratched in blood on the wall of his heart—it was close, so close he could almost taste it, sharp and sweet like the fruit in his hand. Julian’s betrayal, Evan’s cruelty, the pain they’d inflicted on him and Ezra—it would all come crashing down. He just needed a little more time, a few more secrets uncovered by Memory Echo.

"Soon," he whispered, his crimson eyes flickering with determination. "The world will remember the name Rin Elric."

DING!

[System Notification: Warning! Pervert Alert Detected.]

[Threat Level: Minor. Distance: 37 meters.]

The apple nearly slipped from his hand. Rin froze, blinking once, then twice, before letting out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "Of course. Right when I was about to take a bite."

He stood, tossing the apple back into the bowl with a flick of his wrist, his robe flowing as he stormed toward the door. The warning might not be aimed at him directly, but Rin had no patience for creeps in his house. This brothel, under Lirien’s guidance and his own influence, was a sanctuary for omegas, not a playground for predators. His slippers barely made a sound as he moved swiftly down the corridor, passing rooms filled with the sounds of moans, laughter, and soft music. None of it mattered—not when someone was breaking the rules.

His hand pressed against one door that resisted him—it was locked. His eyes narrowed, a spark of anger flaring in his chest. Without hesitation, he drew back his foot and kicked. The wood splintered under the force, the door swinging wide with a loud crack.

Inside, a young courtesan knelt on the floor, tears streaking his painted face, his robe torn at the collar. Above him, a drunken noble loomed, fumbling with his belt, his face flushed with entitlement.

Rin didn’t think. He pulled the gun from within his robe—a polished black pistol, its sleek design alien in this world of swords and magic. He pointed it squarely at the noble’s chest and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

The sound ripped through the room like thunder, rattling the walls. Smoke curled from the barrel as the noble staggered back, pale and wide-eyed, clutching his chest where the bullet had grazed the wall beside him. It was a warning shot, but it was enough to sober him instantly.

"What... what the hell is that?!" the noble slurred, his voice trembling with fear.

Rin’s eyes gleamed, cold and dangerous, as he stepped closer, his voice low and sharp. "The only one of its kind. A weapon that decides life or death with a single twitch of my finger. And right now, your life dangles by a thread."

He grabbed the noble by his hair, yanking his head back until their eyes met. Rin pressed the barrel against the man’s sweaty forehead, his voice a venomous hiss. "Tell me. What are the rules of this house?"

The noble trembled, his lips quivering. "...N-no forcing oneself on the courtesans. Courtesans first, customers second..."

Rin pushed the gun harder against his skin, his crimson eyes narrowing. "And?"

"...Always respect the courtesan’s choice. No violence. No marks without permission. No titles matter here..." the noble stammered, his voice breaking.

"Good," Rin purred, his voice dripping with venom. "Then you know exactly how badly you’ve just ruined yourself."

The door slammed open. "Rin!" Lirien’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. She rushed in, her obsidian hair loose, her sharp eyes locking onto the gun in Rin’s hand. She crossed the room in three quick strides, her voice firm but laced with worry. "Put it down. You’ve made your point."

Rin’s lips curled in disdain, but he shoved the noble to the floor and stepped back, lowering the gun. "Blacklist him," he said, his voice cold. "He never sets foot here again."

Lirien gave a short nod, her expression unreadable. The noble scrambled toward the door on his hands and knees, too terrified to speak, his fine clothes dragging through the dust.

Rin turned, kneeling beside the shaken courtesan, his tone softening instantly. "You’re safe now," he said, his voice gentle. "Rest for today. No one will bother you again."

The young man’s eyes brimmed with gratitude as he whispered, "Thank you, Rin..."

Rin smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from the boy’s face before rising. Lirien, however, hadn’t relaxed. She folded her arms, her gaze sharp as a blade. "How many times have I told you not to bring that weapon out when you’re angry?" she hissed, her voice low to avoid being overheard.

Rin sighed, running a hand through his silver hair, the strands catching the candlelight. "I couldn’t let that pig walk free. He deserves worse."

Lirien exhaled slowly, her fingers twitching as she pulled something from the folds of her robe—a gilded envelope, its edges gleaming with gold leaf. "Then focus your fire where it matters," she said, handing it to him. "This came for you."

Rin raised a brow, taking the envelope. "What’s this?"

"An invitation," Lirien said, her voice grim. "From the Vortellions."

"The Vortellions?"