The Trial Room wasn't made of stone or metal.
It was built from memory.
We stepped into a vast hall lined with floating shards of light, each shimmering like broken mirrors suspended in midair. They pulsed softly, like they were alive.
And watching.
[Trial of Devotion Initiated]
Objective: Face the emotional burden of love, jealousy, and loyalty.
Warning: Illusions will tempt, wound, or sever bonds.
Survive with harem intact to advance.
Difficulty Scaling: HIGH (Multiple High-Bonded Partners Detected)
The door sealed behind us with a loud thud.
And then the lights flared — and we were all separated again.
Hiro – Alone
I landed on my back in a field of pink grass, staring up at a swirling sky.
I sat up, groaning.
"Great. Again."
[Harem Master: System Sync Initiated]
You have reached a Bond Threshold.
Do you wish to reveal your current full status?
"Yes," I said instantly. "Let's do it."
The world shimmered.
A glowing status panel appeared in front of me — big, detailed, overwhelming.
Hiro – Full Status Window
Name: Hiro Makunagi
Race: Human (Transmigrator)
Class: X-Rank – Harem Master (Hidden)
Level: 29 [Novice Awakener Tier]
Exp: 71%
HP: 820/820
MP: 610/610
Lust Energy: 154/200
Bonded Partners: 5
Titles: Transmigrator, First Touch, Dream Conqueror, Lustweaver, Raven's Bonded
Stat Points: 12 [Unassigned]
Skill Points: 3
Primary Stats
Strength: 32
Agility: 27
Endurance: 41
Intelligence: 29
Charm: 62 (+10 Raven Bonded)
Luck: 18
Libido: 45
Unique Skills(5/5 – X-Rank)
Lustweave Overdrive (Passive/Active)
– Constant passive allure aura.
– Active: Release shockwave of lust energy.
– Buffs bonded girls. Weakens enemies.
Bond Sync
– Share minor stat bonuses with harem members in physical contact.
– Stronger the bond, stronger the buff.
Arousal Overload
– Once per day: Trigger a wave of climax in nearby targets.
– Enemies suffer stun. Allies gain battle buff.
Seductive Insight
– See a target's emotional state and sexual receptiveness.
– Boosts persuasion in intimate or social settings.
Lust Empowerment
– Every intimate act with a new bonded girl grants permanent buffs.
– Stackable. Stronger with emotional connection.
Bond Bonuses:
Raven (100%) – +10 Charm, +Combat Sync Bonus
Iris (69%) – +5 Agility, Lust Distraction Passive
Lira (60%) – +5 Intelligence, Healing Boost
Aria (65%) – +5 Endurance, +Dungeon Perception
Mei (67%) – Mutation Affinity (Locked), +Libido Synergy
I stared at the screen.
Damn.
"I'm getting OP… from sex and feelings. That's kinda beautiful."
I tapped the panel away.
Then the sky shattered.
Raven's Illusion
Her room looked like the bunker back home.
Dark. Cold.
She stood there, watching me fuck Iris.
Again and again.
While she sat in the corner — bleeding, forgotten.
Her fists clenched.
"Why him?" a voice whispered in her ear. "He'll always want them more."
"No," she muttered. "He's mine."
"Then prove it. Leave him before he breaks you."
She turned to face the illusion.
And punched it in the face.
[Raven – Trial Passed]
Bond Secured
New Skill Unlocked: Harem Defender – Raven
Auto-intercepts attacks against Hiro once per day.
Iris's Illusion
She walked into a ballroom.
Elegant.
Candlelit.
Hiro stood across the floor — with Aria in his arms.
Dancing.
Smiling.
Laughing.
He didn't even look at Iris.
And every time she called his name, the music swallowed her voice.
"No one hears the backup girl," the illusion whispered. "You're just a tease. A toy."
Her hands trembled.
She dropped to her knees.
But then she remembered the dream.
The moment his fingers curled inside her. The way he made her laugh when she cried.
"No," she said. "He sees me."
She stood.
[Iris – Trial Passed]
Bond Strengthened
New Passive Unlocked: Climax Link – Iris
Shared orgasms restore minor HP and MP for both.
Lira's Illusion
She was back in the slave pens.
Naked.
Chained.
Hiro stood just outside the gate — ignoring her cries.
"Lira?" he asked. "Sorry, I don't need you anymore."
The door slammed shut.
She sobbed.
Then clenched her jaw.
Then screamed.
Magic erupted from her body.
Chains melted.
The illusion shattered.
"I'm not weak anymore."
[Lira – Trial Passed]
Bond Strengthened
New Skill: Elemental Pulse – Lira
Damage +20% when fighting near Hiro.
Aria's Illusion
She was in bed with Hiro.
But it wasn't Hiro.
It was a fake. Cold. Robotic.
He kissed her like she didn't matter.
Touched her like a doll.
"You're just pretty," the illusion said. "Not special."
She froze.
Then reached under her pillow.
And stabbed him in the heart.
The illusion hissed as it dissolved.
"Hiro may be a perv," she said, "but he never fakes how he looks at me."
[Aria – Trial Passed]
Bond Strengthened
Skill Gained: Dungeon Sync – Aria
+10% team detection, trap resistance.
Mei's Illusion
She was naked and alone.
Hiro stood surrounded by the others, laughing. Kissing them. Fucking them.
Mei called to him.
He didn't hear.
She crouched in the corner.
Teeth bared.
Claws twitching.
"Kill them," the shadow whispered. "He'll be yours. Forever."
She growled.
Then looked at her hand.
At the ring Hiro had given her.
And whispered, "No… I won't be a monster."
The shadow recoiled.
And vanished.
[Mei – Trial Passed]
Mutation Status Stabilized
Skill Unlocked: Shadowbound Lust – Mei
Increases Hiro's stealth and libido by 10% when she's near.
Reunion Room
The lights faded.
We all stood in a circle.
Sweaty.
Tear-streaked.
Tired.
No one said anything at first.
Then Raven walked over and hugged Iris.
Iris sniffled and clung to her.
Lira leaned on my shoulder.
Aria kissed my cheek.
And Mei wrapped her arms around my back, forehead pressed to mine.
[Trial of Devotion: Cleared]
Harem Synergy Level Increased.
Hiro – Stat Boost: +5 to all primary stats
New Title: Heart of the Harem
Later That Night
We sat by a fountain in the temple's resting chamber.
Steam rolled off the water.
Warm and quiet.
Everyone had their own cushion.
Mei curled beside me, stroking my chest.
Iris was polishing her blade in a suspiciously sensual way.
Lira traced her fingers across her thighs, watching me.
Raven was already shirtless.
Aria was slowly untying her corset.
The air was electric.
I gulped.
"…You're all gonna jump me, aren't you?"
Raven cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, we're beyond that now."
End of Chapter 26