It was late at night. The moon hung high over the Royal Kingdom, casting its light across the stone buildings and empty streets.
Aldrich had sneaked out of his royal quarters. A dark hoody covered his head, hiding his face in shadow. He moved carefully through the Holy Land, keeping to the edges of buildings. Avoiding the main roads. Slipping from corner to corner.
Guards patrolled in pairs. Their boots echoed against the cobblestone. Aldrich waited in the shadows until they passed, then continued moving.
His destination was the slums of the Holy Land. Where the lowlifes stayed. Where people didn't ask questions.
"So you visited places like this often when you were alive?" Aldrich asked internally.
Solomon's voice responded in his mind. "Hell no. I only dealt with the best of the best. But yeah, I did visit here once. That's that. Don't ask me anything else about this. I'm too ashamed to tell the story of what took me there."
He paused. "But hey, Aldrich. It's gonna be a useful experience for you. You need to learn things quickly if you're going to fool those wives."
Aldrich's face tightened within the hoody. He said nothing.
He moved down a long staircase. The steps were old. Cracked. Moss grew between the stones. The air grew heavy as he descended.Below was the slum. A hidden part of the kingdom most nobles never saw.
The buildings were different here. Smaller. Made of cheaper materials. Wood instead of stone. Thatch instead of tile. Narrow alleyways twisted between structures. Clotheslines hung overhead. The smell of cooking food mixed with sewage.
"…What the hell?" Aldrich said
But there was life here. People talked quietly in doorways. Children played in the streets despite the late hour. Lanterns flickered in windows.Aldrich couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing."I thought the poor wouldn't exist in this realm."
Solomon's voice was quieter now. More thoughtful. "Well, you know, Aldrich, I always wanted to cross the border. To know what Earth feels like. But I never was able to. I wanted to know if it was the same thing as here. Poverty. Riches. All of those things."
Aldrich responded, his voice equally quiet. "It's almost the same thing. The only difference is the power we possess here."
Just as he said that, a young boy with ragged clothes ran past. He was being chased by an old man.
"THIEF! STOP HIM!" the old man shouted.
The boy clutched something in his hand.It was A piece of chicken. Stolen. His face was thin and full of hunger .His body slammed into Aldrich as he ran past. The impact nearly knocked Aldrich's hoody off. He grabbed it quickly, pulling it back over his face. His heart pounded he didn't want anyone seeing him.
But the boy was already gone. Disappeared into the maze of alleyways.Aldrich took a breath. Then continued moving.
Finally, he reached his destination. A building at the edge of the slum. Three stories tall. Windows glowed with warm light. Music played faintly from inside. Laughter echoed.
A wooden sign hung above the door: "Lose Your Mind House"
This was the place Solomon had directed him to. A place where people came for company. For distraction. For things they couldn't find elsewhere. Aldrich exhaled slowly as he said …" hmm nice name"
Aldrich pushed the door open and stepped inside.The interior was dimly lit. Red lanterns hung from the ceiling. Cushions and low tables filled the space. People sat in groups. Talking. Drinking. Some were already paired off, disappearing into rooms down the hallways.Heat, perfume, laughter, and moans echoed all around. Lantern lights bounced off silk curtains. Men lounged on sofas as women draped themselves over them. Some couples disappeared behind beaded veils. Others made deals at the counter.
Aldrich moved forward to the counter. A woman sat behind it. Middle aged. Her face was heavily painted with makeup. She looked up as he approached.
"Welcome," she said. Her voice was practiced and Professional. "What can we provide for you tonight?"
Aldrich kept his hoody low. His voice was quiet. "I need a room. And someone to… teach me things."
The woman smiled knowingly. "Of course darling. What kind of companion would you prefer?"
Aldrich hesitated. Then spoke the description Solomon had given him. "Someone experienced. !A slim one with extraordinary curves."
"Room 306," the woman said. She gestured down a hallway. "Second door on the right. Welcome to Lose Your Mind House, Mr…?"
Aldrich paused. He couldn't give his real name. "Vovris."
The woman nodded and made a note. "Enjoy your evening, Mr. Vovris."
Aldrich walked down the hallway. The floorboards creaked under his feet. Voices came from behind closed doors. Laughter. Conversation. Other sounds.
He found room 306. The door was plain wood. Unmarked. He opened it and stepped inside.The room was simple. A bed. A small table with a candle. A mirror on the wall. Nothing more.
Aldrich closed the door behind him and sat on the edge of the bed. He kept his hoody on.
"What now?" he muttered.
Solomon's voice was amused. "Now we wait for your girl to arrive. Just relax. Let her guide the conversation. You'll learn what you need to know. Act confident women can smell fear"
Aldrich's heart was racing. This was insane. All of it.
"I'm not scared " Aldrich muttered.
"You sneaked out of the royal estate to lose your Virginity and you're terrified."
Aldrich glared at nothing. "Shut up." He said but Just then, the door slowly opened.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing only a bikini of shining violet silk. The straps hugged her hips and chest in a way meant to disarm men on sight. Her skin glowed in the light. Her eyes sparkled with practiced seduction.
She closed the door behind her with a soft click. Then turned to face Aldrich.
"Good evening," she said. Her voice was smooth. Welcoming. She approached slowly. "My name is Ella. I'm here to make sure you have everything you need tonight."
She knelt beside the bed. Her hand reached out, touching his arm gently. "You seem nervous. Is this your first time here?"
Aldrich nodded. His throat was dry. "Yes."
Ella smiled. "That's alright. I'll take care of you. Just relax."
She moved closer. Her hand traced along his arm. Up to his shoulder. "You can keep the hoody if you'd like. Some guests prefer privacy."
Aldrich said quickly, "Yes. Don't take it off. Just… just do what you need to do."
Ella's smile widened slightly. "Of course."
She climbed onto the bed. Positioning herself closer. Her hand moved to his face, gently touching his jaw through the fabric of the hoody. "You're very tense. Let me help you relax."
She leaned in. Her lips were close to his. About to kiss him.there lips connected and she began kissing him softly,enticing him, teasing him her lips pressed deeper onto his.
But behind her back, hidden from view, her other hand moved carefully.
She pulled out a dagger. The blade was thin. Sharp. Designed for quick, precise killing.Her face remained calm. Smiling. But her eyes had changed, she was more focused despite the kissing.
As she leaned in closer, her lips dipping even deeper , her hand with the dagger moved. Rising up. Preparing to strike. Aiming for the gap between his ribs. A killing blow it was against him.
And then Aldrich's system prompted.
[System Notification: CRITICAL ALERT]
[Hostile Attack Detected]
[Threat Level: LETHAL]
[Analyzing Attack Vector…]
[Weapon Detected: Blade - 6 inches, aimed at vital organ]
[Attack Angle: 47 degrees from below]
[Time to Impact: 0.8 seconds]
[System Alert: Danger Detection Technique - ACTIVATING]
[Initiating Emergency Response Protocol]
[Host Reflexes: OVERRIDING]
[Evasion Sequence: ENGAGED]