Chapter 21: The Sin Market
The Vault was still and silent, only faint embers glimmering where the Phoenix's ashes lay. Kael stood beneath the fractured murals, breath slowing, arms trembling. The rush of battle still burned in his blood—but now came clarity.
> [System Alert: Level 10 Reached — Crown of Sin Core Functions Unlocked] [New Feature: Sin Market — Access Granted]
A translucent crimson window hovered in front of Kael, bearing glyphs that shimmered like living blood. It unfolded like a blooming flower, each petal etched with runes of power.
> Welcome to the Sin Market. Currency: Sin Fragments (Current Balance: 2,700)
Categories materialized:
Bloodline Upgrades
Physique Mutations
Race Evolution Keys
Forbidden Arts (Locked)
Mystic Contracts (Locked)
Bond Enhancements
Combat Techniques
Selene approached, eyeing the screen. "So this is what your system kept hidden."
"It's… vast," Kael said softly. "This isn't just power. It's a roadmap to something much darker."
Thalaria leaned on her glaive. "Bloodlines and races? So you could become a dragon or demon?"
"Eventually," Kael muttered. "It's gated behind quests and compatibility."
He tapped on Bloodline Upgrades. Options expanded:
Lesser Dragonkin Lineage — 3,500 SF
Shadow Seraph Heritage — 5,000 SF
Crimson Wyrm's Seed — 2,800 SF (LOCKED: Prerequisite Quest Incomplete)
Then on Physique Mutations:
Infernal Vessel Frame — 2,000 SF
Starforged Bone Marrow — 4,500 SF
Lunar Vein Bloom — 3,000 SF
And Bond Enhancements:
Flame-Kissed Soul Link (Selene) — 1,000 SF
Thunderclasp Resonance (Thalaria) — 1,200 SF
Celestial Arcane Pulse (Vaeloria) — 1,400 SF
Kael frowned. "So I can strengthen my bonds… enhance their powers in battle."
Selene gave a knowing smile. "And outside battle too, if you know what I mean."
Kael flushed slightly but tapped Selene's bond upgrade. The moment it activated, a pulse of heat spread between them. Her eyes widened slightly, pupils narrowing like a cat's.
> [Bond Enhancement Activated — Selene: Flame-Kissed Soul Link] [Effects: Shared Heat Resistance, Temporary Stat Sync in Combat, Emotional Resonance Amplified]
Kael felt it instantly. A warmth that went beyond comfort—like their hearts briefly beat in tandem.
Selene leaned in, her voice sultry. "I feel your heartbeat in mine. It's intoxicating."
Kael reached for her waist and pulled her close. Her lips hovered just an inch from his.
Behind them, Thalaria cleared her throat. "Don't start without us."
Vaeloria smirked. "As if they could resist."
Kael chuckled and turned, approaching Thalaria next. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. He tapped her bond upgrade.
> [Bond Enhancement Activated — Thalaria: Thunderclasp Resonance] [Effects: Shared Lightning Reflexes, Boosted Stamina Recovery, Combat Sync]
Electric warmth flooded his limbs as Thalaria shivered in delight.
"Spirits, I feel like lightning itself kissed me."
Kael whispered, "Wait until you feel the storm inside me."
She bit her lower lip. "Tonight, then."
He moved to Vaeloria.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Always," she said, tilting her chin.
He tapped the bond.
> [Bond Enhancement Activated — Vaeloria: Celestial Arcane Pulse] [Effects: Shared Mana Flow, Enhanced Magical Defense, Bonded Arcane Surge]
A blue-white aura surrounded them. Vaeloria closed her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips.
"You're inside my magic now," she whispered. "And I… inside yours."
Kael looked at them—his bonded. Three powerful, dangerous women who gave him their hearts, bodies, and now, their souls. And he gave them everything in return.
That night, they didn't leave the Vault.
Instead, Kael led them into the sanctum's inner chamber—a ruined shrine beneath the mural of a dead god. Ancient energy still shimmered there, reverent and quiet.
There, love met strength. Lips met lips. Flames danced over skin, lightning pulsed between breaths, magic crackled in whispers and gasps.
Selene's hair pooled like silk over his chest as they kissed, her body arching to meet him. Thalaria joined soon after, her wild passion a storm on skin. Vaeloria, ever composed, surrendered with sacred abandon.
Their union was not just carnal. It was spiritual. A convergence of purpose and desire.
Their moans echoed off ancient stone. Kael whispered each of their names like prayers. And they, in turn, spoke his with devotion that burned deeper than lust.
Later, when their breaths slowed and their bodies glowed faintly with shared power, the four lay tangled in warmth and silence.
Selene traced lazy circles across Kael's chest. "Did you ever imagine we'd come this far?"
He shook his head, brushing a lock of her hair back. "No. But I don't want to go back."
Thalaria grinned, curled against his side. "Good. Because you're stuck with us."
Vaeloria kissed his forehead. "Your path is dangerous, Kael. But your heart keeps us together."
Kael smiled. "Then I'll never let it falter."
Above them, the vault mural pulsed faintly—as if watching.
---
Meanwhile, the Divine Spark still floated above the battlefield.
> [Optional Quest: Inherit the Hollow Flame — Status: Pending]
Kael approached it slowly.
"What happens if you take it?" Vaeloria asked, her voice hushed.
"Maybe I change," Kael replied. "Maybe I burn."
His hand hovered over the ember.
And the moment he touched it—
> [Warning: Unknown Integration in Progress] [Crown of Sin Harmonizing with Divine Residue…]
Kael's mind plunged into light and agony. Visions screamed into his skull—firestorms, cities melting, a goddess weeping into ash.
Then, silence. The spark nestled in his chest, pulsing like a second heart.
> [Flame of the Hollow Inherited] [Trait Gained: Embersoul — Allows Resurrection Once per Week; Fire Damage Amplified; Passive Aura: Minor Burn to Hostile Entities]
He collapsed to one knee. The girls rushed to him.
"I'm fine," he gasped. "Just… changed."
The glow of the Vault dimmed.
Kael stood, taller somehow. His presence heavier. More dangerous.
He flexed his hands—flame tracing his knuckles like coiled serpents. A new fire stirred within.
"Then let's leave this ruin," Selene said, brushing her hair from her brow. "We've earned our rest."
Kael didn't disagree.
But in the back of his mind, the Crown whispered.
New powers await. And new sins must be earned.
As they walked out into the moonlight, Kael pulled them all close. A new chapter of his journey had begun—burning bright, deepened by love, and forged in sin.
---
End of Chapter 21