Ren rubbed his eyes as he opened them, his vision still slightly blurry as light hit his face.
He stretched his arms lazily, letting out a long yawn before suddenly holding his head, gritting his teeth.
"Why my head hurting!? Ah! Damn… my body… it feels like I done muscle-breaking hardwork…"
His shoulders felt sore, his back stiff, even his legs slightly trembling as if he really had gone through something intense.
A faint glow caught his attention.
A screen was looming in front of him, floating silently.
"Oh yah… I remember the screen showing last night…" he murmured, rubbing his head again, saying with an awkward laugh, "what exactly happened last night?"
[ Are you in your consciousness? ]
Ren blinked, confused. "What do you mean by I am in my consciousness?"
[ I can't explain, just see this ]
Another screen popped up, larger this time, filled with moving visuals like a projection hovering in mid-air.
"Hmm! You have this feature too? Amazing…" his eyes almost shining with curiosity, like a kid seeing something new.
[ Of course… after all I am T.R.A.S.H ]
His voice clearly carrying a hint of shameless pride.
Ren thought did I just make a mistake by praising him… whatever, let's see what it is…
He leaned forward slightly—
Then suddenly—
"Pause!… pause!"
[ What now!? ]
Ren raised a thumbs up confidently. "Just give me a moment."
Without wasting a second, he jumped off the bed and rushed around the room.
RUSTLE RUSTLE
THUD!
He opened a bag, grabbed popcorn he had bought earlier, then picked up a drink—which clearly wasn't cold anymore—and somehow pulled out a pair of 3D glasses from nowhere.
He paused mid-step.
…But why was I naked?
[ … ]
"Hey—don't ignore that!"
Silence.
"…somthing not right?"
A few seconds later—
"I am ready."
He climbed back onto the bed, adjusting himself comfortably, putting the glasses on, holding the popcorn in one hand while placing the drink beside him like he was about to watch a full movie.
"You can start now," he said eagerly, already munching.
CRUNCH
CRUNCH
[ …where did you even get those? ]
The projection flickered—then the video started.
A young man appeared on screen, close with two beauties. The angle was from behind, his face completely hidden, only his back visible. The lighting was dim, the scene strangely familiar yet unclear.
Ren kept munching casually. "…Is it some kind of adult movie?"
CRUNCH
Soon the man in the video started going at it like a beast, completely out of control, movements rough and wild like he forgot what "stop" even means. The weird noises from those women echoed loudly in the room—
"Ahhhhh—!"
"Ahhh—! Stop—!"
—but he clearly wasn't listening.
Ren frowned, popcorn still in his mouth. "What a creature… who even does that hardcore stuff with women like this…" his face full of disgust as he kept munching. "…Seriously, no control at all… shameless guy."
Then a thought crossed his mind.
…Wait… why does it kinda feel familiar…?
[ Yeah… I agree with that… ]
[ Wanna see his face? ]
Ren raised a brow. "You can even do that?"
[ Of course. No fear when T.R.A.S.H is here! ]
The hologram angle shifted smoothly, zooming, rotating—like some premium movie experience.
Ren leaned forward a bit, still chewing. "…Okay now I'm interested…"
The face revealed—
Ren blinked.once...twice...thrice.
His mouth slowly opened, popcorn slipping from his fingers and scattering all over the bed while the drink tilted dangerously and the glasses slid down his nose.
"…No way…"
A drop of sweat slid down his temple.
He leaned closer.
"…This can't be…"
His eyes widened even more.
"…Hold on…"
"…No…"
"…NO—!"
Then suddenly—
PFFFT—!
Popcorn blasted straight out of his mouth.
"WAIT—THAT'S ME!?"
He pointed at the screen in pure disbelief, almost falling off the bed.
The man acting like a complete beast—was him.
[ Took you long enough to remeber your deeds from last night ]
Ren grabbed his head instantly. "…Did I really do that!? I mean—Lucia is one thing but—AZURE TOO!?"
He looked like his soul was leaving his body.
"After all that noble talk I gave… I went and did THIS!?"
He flopped back dramatically. "…I am the worst…"
[ Everybody knows that ]
"Shut up!"
Suddenly—
GRAB
Someone hugged him tightly from behind.
Ren froze like his soul just re-entered his body only to leave again.
He slowly turned his head—
Azure.
Smiling. Bright. Innocent. Like nothing happened.
"…Master," she said softly.
Ren's brain crashed.
I'm dead...this is it.
Judgement day—but nothing happened, no anger, no shouting, no "you bastard."
Just…
"Master, do you want something to eat?" she asked casually, still smiling like it's a normal morning.
Ren blinked rapidly.
…Huh?
Wait… what?
Where is the slap? The scream? The emotional breakdown!?
He forced a laugh. "N-no… I just ate something… maybe later…"
Azure nodded calmly. "Then I'll go take a bath, Master."
She turned and walked away normally.
Ren sat there, completely stunned. "…I'm… saved?"
He touched his chest like checking if his heart still exists. "…At least she doesn't hate me…"
Relief hit him like a blessing.
But just before leaving—
Azure turned back with a small teasing grin. "Master… let's bathe together."
Ren internally exploded.
CRITICAL DAMAGE!
But outside—calm.
"Hard pass."
Instant. Clean. Professional rejection.
Azure puffed her cheeks. "Boooo…"
She walked away, slightly annoyed.
Ren watched her go, still processing life. "…She's more of a kid than I thought…" then he sighed, relaxing a bit, "…but yeah… good thing her trauma isn't messing with her…"
He stretched his arms, cracking his neck slightly, his usual grin slowly returning, forgetting his deeds from last night like it never happened.
"…Anyway…"
His eyes sharpened with excitement.
"Let's see what I got out of this chaos."
He smirked.
"Trash… show me my rewards."
[ Here it goes! ]
[ You have obtained a random skill card ]
[ You have obtained an achievement: Beast of the Bed ]
Ren thought with an awkward face, what's with that achievement title again…?
[ Strength +5 ]
[ Stamina +3 ]
[ Agility +2 ]
[ Luck +2 ]
[ Endurance +7 ]
[ SSX Rank Unique Skill: Divine Liquid has leveled up F → E ]
[ Additional Card Slot has been added ]
[ Time reduced: 24 Hours → 20 Hours ]
[ Bonus Skill Card granted ]
[ Your permanent skill has evolved into: Body Count ]
Ren's eyes lit up. "YES!!! Finally it leveled up! And I got so many rewards too!"
He leaned forward, scanning everything quickly. "I'll check the skill cards later…" he murmured, then his gaze paused. "…Endurance? That's new… I guess it increases durability."
He stretched slightly—then froze. "…Wait."
His body felt different. Lighter. Stronger. Faster.
"…Why do I feel like I can punch a wall and apologize later…?"
He looked down at himself, lifting his shirt. "…Wait wait—since when did I get this!?"
Defined abs. Clean lines.
"…Six pack!? Nah this is cheating…" he grinned. "Literal cheats."
A pity thought crossed his mind—I kinda feel bad for those hardass gym guys grinding for this… he giggled evilly, clearly not feeling bad at all.
He flexed a bit. "…Okay I'm not complaining."
"My skill leveled up…" his eyes shined again. "Even better than before. Time reduced… extra slot… yeah, this is good."
Then his gaze dropped again. "…Permanent skill evolved… Body Count?"
He stared at the screen. "…Why does that sound suspicious…"
"Trash, show description."
[ Skill – Body Count ]
[ Description – Shows how with many people the target has had 'intimate' with.
Can be used on anyone as long they are in user range of vision]
Ren went silent.
"…I knew it."
"…I ALWAYS get pervy skills."
He thought, before it was a horny meter… now it's a sex count… damn.
Then he shrugged internally. Whatever, I'll take it without any complaints… at least this one's more useful.
He let out a long sigh, rubbing his face. "…This system is definitely trolling me."
Then his eyes shifted toward the two cards floating in the air—one silver, one golden.
A lazy idea popped into his head.
"Hey Trash, can I activate commands without touching? Like… just voice, just like now?"
[ You do have a brain after all. Anything is possible as long as you are with me. ]
"…Why does that sound insulting…"
"Anyway, store both skill cards. I'll check them later."
[ Easier done than said ]
The silver and golden cards vanished instantly.
[ Skill Slot: 3/3 ]
Ren dropped back onto the bed. "…Nice."
He stretched lazily. "Let's sleep a bit more…"
Clearly—he had no intention of moving.
But—
"Ren…"
A voice.
Ren blinked slowly.
…Why am I getting déjà vu?
He turned his head—
—and froze.
Lucia stood there, fresh from a bath, water droplets still sliding down her skin, her presence alone enough to make the room feel hotter.
Ren gulped.
A small nosebleed escaped.
He wiped it instantly. "…Not good… I am not getting a good feeling…"
Lucia looked slightly shy, her fingers fidgeting a bit. "…You see… you didn't give me much time last night so—"
Ren's eyes twitched.
DANGER.
His brain screamed.
RED ALERT.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
He sat up instantly, survival instincts kicking in.
…Not enough time…? he let out a dry, awkward laugh.
Yeah… right.
If I hadn't seen that replay just now, I might've actually believed you…
His expression slowly turned dead serious.
…But after watching that…
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
I'm pretty sure YOU are the main reason my energy is in critical condition right now.
Silence.
Ren slowly lay back down again—carefully.
…I choose life today.
Lucia closed her eyes, still in that shy posture, her body slightly stiff, her voice soft. "…why don't we—"
But the moment she opened her eyes—
Ren was gone.
She blinked.
"…Huh?"
Her head moved left, then right, then behind—nothing.
Only the door… slightly open.
"…He ran…"
---
Ren was already outside, walking on the road, carrying his deadly weapon on his back like a man who just escaped death itself.
A gentle breeze brushed past him, the night sky stretching wide and clear above, starless night.
He stretched his arms slightly, breathing out. "…Man… I'm starting to miss sunlight…"
For a moment, he just walked peacefully.
Then—
I actually survived…
A small smile appeared.
I really escaped getting sucked dry…
Relief. Disbelief. …a tiny bit of regret. …still… kinda wasted opportunity…
He immediately shook his head, no… survival first, his face turning serious as rule no. 30—survival is top priority, and he nodded to himself like a wise man.
Then paused mid-step.
"…Wait."
He looked left.
Then right.
Then scratched his head.
"…Where am I even going?"
A few seconds of silence—
Then suddenly—his face lit up.
"Oh! I got money!"
He snapped his fingers.
"Let's go visit Ming."
A grin spread across his face.
The thought of relaxing, chatting, enjoying some casual conversation… maybe recovering his energy a bit… it all sounded perfect.
But—
Luck clearly had other plans today.
---
As soon as he arrived at the court, the old hag greeted him with her usual expression.
Ren walked up casually. "I want to see Ming." He handed over the check.
The old woman glanced at it—but then shook her head.
"Sorry, sir… she isn't here today. She had some personal business to attend to. You can come tomorrow."
A bead of sweat rolled down her face.
Ren stood there for a moment.
Silent.
Then slowly turned around.
A dark cloud of disappointment followed him as he walked out.
"…Today is really a bad day…" he muttered, eyes dull.
He walked aimlessly again.
…Guess I'll go to the dead cage…
After all, why else would he bring his weapon?
His perfect plan replayed in his head—
First, chat with Ming.
Relax. Recover energy.
Then head to the cage and test his new weapon.
Simple. Perfect. Flawless.
…And completely ruined.
"…Damn it…"
He took another step—
THUD!
"Ow—!"
He stumbled into someone and fell straight to the ground.
He blinked, "…Huh," …that didn't hurt… he tapped himself lightly, …wait, yeah… that usually hurts… was that just my old reflex?
Before he could think further—
A sound pierced through the air—wet, heavy, disturbing—the sound of something… devouring flesh.
Ren's body froze as he slowly—very slowly—lifted his head. …That presence… His instincts screamed even before his eyes confirmed it, a cold sweat rolling down his face. What is this…?
Then—his eyes landed on it.
And his mind went blank. His mouth opened wide—but no sound came out, his body trembling. …What the hell… is THAT…?
Then suddenly—