[Yes.]
[Which of the following would you like information about?]
[First Seal of ???]
Skills:
[Manipulation]
[Martial Arts]
[Paralyzing Gaze]
Celestia's gaze flickered over the list before settling on the first option. "First seal."
The text pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging her choice, before shifting into a new message.
[First Seal of ???]
The First Seal of ??? is an ancient and forgotten binding, placed upon beasts, objects, locations, or even humans. It is a legendary seal, its origins lost to time, crafted by an unknown figure of unfathomable power. Its purpose? To lock away all elements, erasing their existence from the wielder.
However… there is a way to remove it.
Would you like to attempt an unsealing?
[Yes / No]
Celestia scoffed, crossing her arms. "Well, no shit I want to give it a try."
She cast a cautious glance around her dimly lit chambers, ensuring no unwelcome eyes would witness whatever was about to happen.
Without hesitation, she reached forward and selected—
[Error.]
[User does not meet the requirements.]
The following conditions must be fulfilled before an unsealing attempt:
[Level 02]
[Possession of 'Melody Branch']
Celestia's eye twitched. "...The hell is a Melody Branch?"
[SYSTEM UPDATE REQUIRED.]
Initiating automatic update…
…Update complete.
New features have been unlocked.
Celestia blinked. "Huh. That was fast."
Curiosity stirred within her as she straightened up. "Uh… system, open?"
A new interface materialized before her, its sleek, crimson-tinted display reflecting off her emerald eyes.
[Welcome to the Villainous System.]
Name: Celestia Solara
Age: 18
Elements: Sealed
Level: 1
Skills: Manipulation – Level 4
Martial Arts – Level 2
Paralyzing Gaze - Level 4
Villainous Reputation:
Fear Rating:0
Bounty:None
[Would you like to read about Villainous Reputation?]
[Yes / No]
Celestia stared at the glowing text, her fingers hovering over the screen. "This… might be interesting," she murmured, intrigue flickering in her emerald eyes. But first, I need to know exactly what I'm dealing with.
Without hesitation, she tapped [Yes].
[Villainous Reputation Unlocked.]
A new system has been integrated specifically for the user.
[Fear Rating] – Measures how much others fear the user. A higher Fear Rating increases obedience when issuing commands and boosts EXP gained from quests.
[Bounty] – Reflects how much the world seeks the user's downfall. Crimes, completed quests, and public actions contribute to this. A high bounty will draw the wrath of entire nations, but certain factions may recognize the user's infamy and grant safe passage and information.
Celestia exhaled through her nose, a slow smirk tugging at her lips. "So it's a double-edged sword… Greater power, but greater risk." Her gaze darkened. "If this gets out of hand, I might have the whole world hunting me down."
A thought struck her. "What if I don't want this?"
She opened another window, her voice measured. "System, is there a way to disable Villainous Reputation?"
[There is no way to disable an update once it has been integrated into the system. Good luck.]
Before she could even react, the interface blinked out of existence, leaving Celestia alone in the dimly lit room.
Her smirk widened. "Tch. Figures." She leaned back, amusement gleaming in her eyes. Fine then."
"...I have a lot to think about though," Celestia murmured, exhaling a slow sigh as she dismissed the system window with a flick of her fingers.
Turning away, she strode toward her closet, her movements smooth and unhurried. With a casual shrug, she let the silk gown slip from her shoulders, the cool fabric gliding down her skin before pooling at her feet. Her fingers trailed down her spine as she reached behind her, unclasping her bra. The straps slid from her arms, and she let it fall, her bare skin tingling from the sudden freedom.
She slid off her underwear before it fell to the floor. She placed the delicate fabric aside before bending over, her movements sinuous, as she pulled open a hidden drawer. Her fingers grazed over the selection before settling on an emerald-green set, the color deep and rich—like her own piercing gaze.
She slid the underwear up her legs, the smooth fabric hugging her curves as she adjusted them into place. The sensation was soft against her skin. A slow smirk played at her lips as she stood, reaching for a black bra. Lifting it, she slipped her arms into the straps, her fingers working effortlessly to clasp it behind her back. The fit was perfect—tight, yet comfortably snug.
"This should do... I think," Celestia murmured, running her fingers over the fabric before grabbing a pair of black pants.
She lifted one leg, sliding it in smoothly before doing the same with the other, pulling the snug material up over her hips. The fit was perfect. With a small smirk, she adjusted the waistband before her eyes scanned the room.
Spotting a long-sleeved black shirt, she grabbed it and slipped her arms into the sleeves, the fabric clinging to her skin as she pulled it over her head. It hugged her frame, sleek, and dark.
She reached for a white corset, running her fingers over the smooth fabric before wrapping it around her torso. With practiced ease, she pulled the laces tight, the fabric cinching perfectly against her curves, accentuating her waist and highlighting her silhouette.
She grabbed a pair of sleek black military high boots she got from a guard last year.
She smiled as she gazed at herself in the mirror, taking a moment to admire her reflection.
Satisfied, she knelt down, her fingers brushing against the cool floor as she shifted part of her closet aside, revealing a hidden compartment. With careful precision, she reached in and pulled out a rapier, its sleek white sheath glistening under the dim lighting of her room.
"Rose has been such a good person to me… Gotta love her for getting me things I can't get personally," she murmured, her voice laced with amusement. Her fingers traced the sheath for a moment before she turned toward the window.
Without hesitation, Celestia climbed out, stepping onto the cold tiles of the roof. The night air brushed against her skin, sending a small shiver down her spine, but she welcomed the sensation. The world was quiet, yet alive. The soft rustling of trees, the distant chatter from the city, the occasional footsteps of a wandering guard below—it all created a symphony only she could truly appreciate.
She walked along the edge of the roof, her rapier resting comfortably at her side. One step, two steps—then a pause. She knelt down, her emerald eyes scanning the area below before she leaned forward. In one swift motion, she pushed off, her body tilting forward as she descended.
The wind rushed past her ears, her heart thrummed in excitement, and then—impact.
Her boots met the dense shrubbery below, absorbing the force of her landing. The scent of crushed leaves and earth filled her senses as she straightened, rolling her shoulders. She inhaled deeply, allowing herself a moment of stillness before exhaling slowly.
Then she ran.
Her movements were fluid, and smooth. Every step she took carried a sort of purpose.
The dark streets were alive with whispers of the night. Merchants finishing their business, drunkards stumbling from taverns, and hidden figures lurking in the alleys. Celestia wove through the shadows effortlessly, her presence barely a flicker in the grand scheme of the night.
Her emerald gaze flickered as she slowed her pace, shifting from a sprint to a casual stride. The city's dim lanterns cast a golden glow on the cobblestone streets as she approached a small but well-kept stable. The scent of hay and earth filled the air, mingling with the faint musk of the horses.
Her eyes landed on a striking black stallion with a bold white stripe running down its face. Strong, fast, and untamed—it was perfect. Without hesitation, she swung herself onto its back, her movements smooth and practiced.
Just as she settled into the saddle, a merchant stepped forward, his hands rubbing together eagerly.
"Ah, I see you've found the finest in my stock, lady," he said with a wide grin. "That beauty will be 20 silver coins."
Celestia returned his smile—sweet, and very innocently.
"Alright," she said softly.
Then, with fluid precision, she threw her foot forward, striking him hard under the jaw. The force sent him sprawling backward with a choked grunt. Before he could even groan in pain, she yanked the reins, commanding the stallion into a fierce gallop.
The startled horse neighed but obeyed, muscles tensing as it charged forward. The cool night air rushed past Celestia, whipping through her white hair as she steered the horse toward the last open gate of the kingdom.
With a final glance over her shoulder, she smirked as the last gate closed behind her.
And just like that—she was gone.
As Celestia pressed forward, the rhythmic pounding of the stallion's hooves against the earth filled the night air. The wind whipped through her silver hair, and the kingdom's towering walls faded behind her. She pulled the reins slightly, guiding the stallion north—toward the unknown, toward freedom.
Then—
A sharp ding! echoed in her mind, followed by a translucent window flashing before her.
━━━『 Villainous System 』━━━
New Quest Available
[Title: First Steps into Darkness]
Task: Kill a group of bandits blocking the road ahead.
Rewards:
Fear Rating: +3
40 EXP
[Accept/Decline]
Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Didn't expect the first quest to come so soon."
The stallion beneath her snorted, seemingly attuned to her shift in mood. She took a slow breath, her fingers tightening around the reins. "Just some bandits, huh?" she mused aloud. "This should be... simple enough." A grin spread across her face as she tapped [Accept].