Just hearing the word "punishment" was enough to send everyone into a panic, struck with fear.
Not to mention the possible consequences that could follow—it all felt like a nightmare creeping into reality. One thing was clear: all the players were trembling, gripped by the same fear.
Yes, all of them. No exceptions.
Even those who passed the test this time couldn't feel relieved.
Instead, an unbearable guilt settled in their chests. A messy swirl of emotions.
But what could they do?
What's done is done. Like rice that's already turned into porridge. Like a seed buried deep in the soil—there's no taking it back.
Sooner or later, everyone would reap what they had sown.
Not long after, on the big screen—
[NEW STATUS & ITEMS ACQUIRED: LUST PROPERTY - NECKLACE & BRACELET]
A bright, flashing message:
[SEX SLAVE OF CARNAL DESIRE]
A neklace with a deep red pendant, framed in silver, reflecting the same words.
The other accessory—a bracelet, equally ornate and chilli—
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
A woman's hysterical scream echoed through the air, gut-wrenching, and she—yes, she too was wearing that accessory. Her cries sparked panic like a virus.
Some tried to escape from the circle, but it was useless—the system prevented them in place. Others were frozen stiff, while some started to cry. Fear turned into resignation.
There were shrieks. Screams. Curses.
"You fucking bastard!" someone shouted.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
Akuma simply smiled.
"From now on, you all have to obey your owner's orders. No exceptions. No negotiations. No compromises."
"Owner?! What the hell do you mean?!"
"Oooh, still don't get it, huh?" Akuma winked.
"You're all gonna get a D-Drive. With it, you can have your own slave~. One click, and they'll do whatever you say. Yep, whatever."
Someone screamed, "YOU'RE INSANE!"
Akuma chuckled. "Insane? Nope. This is just a game~."
She walked over to one of the trembling participants.
"Hey, you. Guy. Who's your favorite?" he asked casually.
The guy didn't answer.
Akuma nodded thoughtfully, but then sighing as if she was heavily disappointed.
"Alright then... let's give you a challenge." She pointed at a girl across him, the same one whose screaming echoed throughout the stage.
"You're gonna fuck her. Right now. Right here. In front of everyone."
She said while pressing a button on remote, giving him a permission to exit the circle.
Chaos erupted. Some people backed away. The girl pointed at screamed and covered herself, even though she was still fully clothed.
The guy froze. Everyone stared.
And then—he moved.
Slowly, like a puppet on strings, he walked toward her.
"No—don't!" the girl cried out, stumbling back, shaking her head.
"Please, don't—!"
But he didn't stop.
Tears welled in her eyes. She kicked, slapped—anything—but he moved with mechanical resolve. His face was blank. Dead behind the eyes.
"Stop it! What the fuck are you doing?!" someone shouted.
He pinned her down.
Screams erupted. Some turned away.
Others were frozen in place, watching the horror unfold.
Her voice broke into sobs.
But all of a sudden—
CLAP... CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP.
Akuma's slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the room—each clap dripping with mockery.
"Aaand... CUT!" She called out cheerfully.
The guy halted mid-motion, like someone had unplugged him.
"Great job, champ. You really sold the scene." Akuma grinned ear to ear.
"I mean, wow. You've really got dedication just to stay in one piece."
The girl was trembling beneath him, unable to move, breath shallow.
With a flick of Akuma's fingers, the guy was yanked off by an unseen force and flung across the room, back to the circle. He hit the floor with a thud, groaning in confusion.
Akuma strolled forward, humming.
"You didn't actually think I'd make you do it, did you?" She waved a hand dismissively.
"I mean—UGH. In front of everyone? That's so gross. No elegance displayed there."
Silence. Only the girl's quiet sobs remained.
"But hey," Akuma continued, eyes sparkling with mischief, "now we all know how far some of you are willing to go just because someone told you to. That's the fun part."
She twirled once on her heel, then threw her arms wide.
"Dundunduun!" she exclaimed gleefully. "So, what do you think of the punishment? Exciting and fun, right? Aren't you satisfied? You have to be! It's part of the game~"
He leaned forward, almost whispering:
"Winning and losing is normal. It's just a game, right?"
Bastard. Filthy. Inhuman.
I ground my teeth as those words rang in my head.
"Just a game," they said?
Where the hell did you leave your mind?
Even the most deranged freaks wouldn't go this far. This wasn't twisted—it was calculated, surgical cruelty masquerading as entertainment.
I didn't know exactly what that label meant.
But I knew one thing for sure:
It wasn't anything good.
"Okayyy~ just to make it simple, let's explain the 'punishment' real quick~"
"So here's the deal, let's just say anyone with that label can be… fucked anytime, anywhere, without protection. But remember! They're property of the game, a prostitute. So if you wanna use them, you gotta rent. Hourly, if you want. Or, if not for getting laid, they can be made into labor slaves, ordered to do whatever, or..."
"Be freed."
Hold on, what? Freed?
Wait a minute… if that's actually possible, then I can save at least one of them?
"Wanna save someone? Sure, but only one person can be freed. And only with this card~"
She raised her card high into the air.
A card? Oh yeah…
The V-CARD.
The one and only way to set someone free—
"How? Just check your messages, duh! Don't expect me to explain everything! Put in a little effort, will ya?!"
Jeez. I thought we'd get the instructions right away.
Everyone immediately checked their screens. Me too, still shaking.
I opened the message attachment. A large headline filled the screen:
[V-CARD SYSTEM - RULES AND SAFETY PROCEDURES (259 kb)]
I started reading carefully.
It said that each player could only choose one person to free—one, as a form of "ownership" over a D-Drive bearer.
Ideally, if every player saved one person, then all the victims could be rescued. But of course, it wasn't that simple. Because… some might refuse—they were now considered "used goods", like a bunch of fodders.
And then there's the fact that everyone shared rooms in pairs.
Choosing one over the other? That was its own moral burden.
So… how exactly do you free someone?
I scrolled down—and it turned out...
You had to have sex with them first. And yes, actually get laid.
A condition that completely went against ethics and morality.
Completely inhumane. Not to mention the victim's obvious state of acute trauma.
"Well, you've all read it now. Easy peasy, right? Come on~ it's just as simple as sex, why make it so complicated, hehehe~"
That rotten grin on her cutesy face. I really wanted to slap her so badly.
This Akuma indeed was a demon.
Covered in a human-alike flesh.
"Okay, that's enough for today's announcements before the round one. And oh, right—you're all curious about the next even after this, aren't you?"
We said nothing. Still in shock. Our voices stuck in our throats.
"Come on~ where's the hype? Why so quiet?"
Silence. Sobs still echoed from some of the players.
"Geez~ what's wrong with you guys? Come on! WHERE'S THE NOISE?!"
THUD!
"Y-YES, WE'RE SO CURIOUS!!!"
That scream burst from all our mouths at once.
Including mine.
And no—it wasn't because we truly were so curious.
But because our mouths were forced to scream it out.
A cruelty beyond comprehension.
Freedom stolen in an instant.
What once felt like fun… was now the most brutal form of torture.
I almost choked just for saying that—pretty sure everyone else did too.
"HELL YEAH! There we go! Now the host doesn't have to work so hard, right~?"
A smug, arrogant, and hollow response.
This psychopath truly didn't care about the players now shivering in terror.
She only wanted to have fun.
This was her stage.
And what about us?
Nothing. Just mere puppets in it.
"Alright, let's not drag this out… without further ado, let's welcome…
Where's the drum roll, you bastard bitches!!!"
The sound of a drum roll began. Akuma's once soft and moe voice turned sarcastic and vile, like a toxic girl gamer going over the top.
"Dun-dun-duuuun!" she said, while—
From the center of the stage, slowly rose the head of a man. His black hair perfectly neat. His face hidden behind a mask—half black, half white, both sides grinning.
A black suit, white shirt. Elegant.
So striking, everyone's eyes locked onto him.
Black trousers. Shiny dress shoes.
His movements were calm, arrogant, as if the world belonged to him.
His presentation was so grand, like the main character of a final boss fight.
Even Akuma looked so captivated. Her eyes were all flowers and glitters.
And at that very moment...
Questions slammed into my chest.
Who is this man, really?
And most importantly, why does he seem so familiar?