Nightmare
When Linfeng’s eyes opened again, he was in a place that definitely wasn’t Natucor. He was in the dark, with only a dim glow illuminating what seemed to be a cell of some kind. The walls were grey, the floor was grey, the ceiling was grey… Only the door was different, made out of wood.
It seemed strange, as Linfeng would easily be able to bust it open even without using much force. However…
“I can’t move…”
He was bound to some sort of chair. It seemed to be melded into the ground since it wouldn’t budge, and it had clearly been specifically designed to restrain someone. Case in point, Linfeng couldn’t circulate his inner Yang at all. He was still physically strong even without enhancement, but it wasn’t enough to break free.
‘System… Can you hear me? How long has it been?’
I think it’s been a week since then
‘You think? Even you aren’t certain?’
I came to this conclusion based on what I could gather. I am sorry, Linfeng. I am not as reliable as I should be right now. Edrick’s system reached out to me once you passed out… He is much stronger than I am, and I think he is an older system than me, too. I am as restrained as you are right now
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like they intend on killing you. Edrick’s system hinted that his user was going to try to somehow bring us to his side
‘Ridiculous… Who would want to be on the same side as this guy?’
Just as he thought this, the wooden door was pushed open, and a silhouette carrying a tray of food alongside water stepped inside. The luminosity made it hard to tell who it was at first, but Linfeng soon recognised her.
“You’re the maid who was with him that day…”
It was Xiaolie, and she was wearing a smug smile that the script holder couldn’t stand.
“Well, look who has finally woken up! What are you waiting for to say the magic words?”
“What?”
“Idiot, you’re supposed to be thankful that you were healed. I’ve even been feeding you while you were unconscious! Good thing you’re awake now. That was quite a pain. I much prefer taking care of my Master”
Her gaze turned icy.
“How dare you harm him? Filth like you should have grovelled at his feet at the first occasion. You’re lucky to have value. Otherwise, you would have been in a torture room instead of a mere holding cell”
“He deserved it. How’s his lower jaw?”
Xiaolie shook her head at his remark.
“Well, of course. Master is a high noble. Do you think he wouldn’t have swift access to talented physicians and healers? It took a full week to regrow, and it still needs attention, but whatever damage you dealt is gone by now… You were a disappointment, Linfeng. You’ve disappointed Master!”
“You do realise that he had high hopes for you as an adversary, right? But you soiled the trust he had in you by turning out to be a weakling! You could only manage a few strong hits–A few decent feats of speed… My dear Master would have been better off sparring casually with Chang Sheng”
The maid with the fierce crimson eyes stabbed a piece of food with a fork.
“Say ‘aah’, Linfeng”
“Where are the others?”
“Do I need to do the plane trick for you to eat? Urgh… You mean your harem? They are in other cells. Don’t worry about them. They’ll definitely be less annoying than you”
“What-”
Linfeng tried speaking again, but the maid shoved the food into his mouth the moment he opened it.
“Eat. Stop asking useless questions. Or better yet, ask them after you’re done eating”
Linfeng didn’t really have a choice, as she didn’t give him any opportunity to speak. She kept putting food in his mouth or making him drink.
“You know, Linfeng… You and I are sort of kindred spirits. I used to be just like you, an enemy of Master Edrick Lucien Anoteros, but I have been reformed, and I now know of his glory and of his kindness”
“There is no kindness in this man, nor is there glory”
“Just because he isn’t kind to you, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t capable of it. He loves his belongings dearly. Even we mere maids are beloved… Ahh… You should just submit. Your little harem won’t be able to resist his charms for long once he starts working on them. If you don’t want to suffer, you and your system should accept that you were completely defeated and don’t stand a chance”
“Those restraints don’t just stop you from circulating your Yang. They stop you from regaining it. Hence, even if you were to break free, there is nothing you could do. So put your lofty ambitions to rest and prostrate before the Master when he comes to see you. You’ll only suffer if you resist”
“I am speaking from experience”
With these words, Xiaolie left the room.
The door came shut, leaving Linfeng alone in the dark.
“Damn it…”
I am afraid that the best course of action is to do as that maid said…
“I can’t accept this…”
Several more days passed, with the daily visit of Xiaolie being the only interaction he had apart from the system. In Linfeng’s eyes, she was nothing more than a zealous cultist reciting the falsified greatness of her cult leader. However, some things she said were simply strange.
Sometimes, she spoke as though she had once been a man before being ‘tamed’ by Edrick. Or mentioned how Anoteros had taught her her place using his ‘prowesses’. Which to the script holder just meant that he had Viotted her into submission.
After another week concluded, the person who came through the door was different.
“Hello, Linfeng! Are you finding your stay comfortable?”
Linfeng just glared.
“Wow, what a killer stare. I am absolutely spooked! In all seriousness, though. Look at this”
Edrick pointed to his lower jaw.
“...What is there to see?”
“The lack of scars, obviously. You didn’t hit hard enough. How am I supposed to brag about my battle with you if I don’t even have a little scar to show for it?”
The scion chuckled before clapping his hands.
“Anyways, would you be willing to submit to me?”
“No”
“Splendid. At least I get the joy of breaking you… Unfortunately, it seems like that Yang of yours is truly quite potent. The food and water you’ve been getting contained liquid from my Twink-Master’s ring, and even some Plunder-Ripe Pills, but it just doesn’t have any effect on you! And I don’t just want to go for the real deal just yet, so… I’ll have to focus on other things to break you, as you are definitely not my type at all as it stands”
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
“Nothing. I am the most sane person in this room. Anyway, have you ever heard the terms ‘Pipitorsm’ and ‘Mollico’?”
“...No…? Vaguely, I suppose?”
“How nice, I’ll introduce you to the concepts, then”
Edrick turned around to leave.
“First, I’ll go and have a private discussion with your dear little Alrinir. I bet she’s been missing me”
“Don’t you dare-!”
The door was already shut before he could finish his sentence.
“This is a nightmare…”