Champion Of Lust: Gods Conquer's Harem Paradise!

Opening up to others, especially strangers or those we've just met, is often difficult because it exposes our vulnerabilities, fears, and truths—the very things we instinctively guard to protect ourselves.

Secrets are tied to our identities and our most personal experiences; sharing them can feel like handing over a piece of ourselves to someone who may not cherish or understand it.

This hesitation stems from several fears the fear of judgment where one worries that revealing our truths will lead to rejection or ridicule.

Will they still see us the same way?

Then there's a fear of betrayal—trust is a fragile thing, and giving someone access to your innermost thoughts requires believing they won't misuse or share them.

Also the fear to be misunderstood—explaining something deeply personal to someone who hasn't walked in our shoes might lead to misinterpretation or a lack of empathy.

But there's also an undeniable catharsis in being understood. Even if the initial fear is overwhelming, sharing secrets in a safe space can bring.

Relief where one no longer bearing the burden alone, are connection is formed in a sense of intimacy and trust that can deepen bonds. And also sometimes healing—the act of vocalizing something long-held can lessen its power and hold over people.

In some cases, it's about finding the right person, timing, and level of trust to let those walls down. Until then, those secrets remain a fortress—a private sanctuary for thoughts, waiting for someone worthy to unlock them.

Was this also true to the Seren-Lyra duo?

The air between the group was thick, weighted by the unspoken question Pyris had yet to voice. Seren and Lyra could feel his gaze, burning with quiet insistence.

His sharp, probing eyes sought answers, but he didn't press them—at least not yet.

Pyris was a master of subtlety when it came to unraveling secrets. He had already begun tipping the icebergs of mystery that shrouded the hearts of the two young women, slowly earning their trust and loyalty just witn creating a sense of camaraderie since they joined him.

Seren's crimson eyes darted to Lyra for a moment before stepping forward.

Her expression was a mask of calm, but her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner turmoil. When she finally met Pyris's gaze, she saw no malice or impatience, only unyielding curiosity, trust and the strength of someone who wouldn't judge.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steadying with each word.

"I'm Seren Nightshade," she began, her tone formal, as if she were preparing for a duel. "I know you've been waiting to ask about my purpose here. I won't waste your time. I came to retrieve something, and thanks to you, I've made it this far—closer than I've ever hoped" Her voice grew stronger, her hesitation fading as resolve replaced doubt.

After all if not for Pyris, her and her group would have either retreated or killed by the Special Class Rank 17.

"I'm looking for the Flower of Darkness."

Before Pyris could respond, Zara's sharp intake of breath filled the silence. Her piercing gaze locked onto Seren. "So you're that woman's daughter…"

Seren blinked in confusion. "You know my mother?"

"I do," Zara replied, her voice a mix of surprise and nostalgia. "Or rather, I encountered her long ago on one of my journeys. She's a formidable woman... She was… once. Before…" Zara's words trailed off, her expression clouded with something between sorrow and disdain.

"Before 'that' happened," Seren finished softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Pyris's sharp gaze flickered between the two women, noting the subtle tension in Seren's posture. Zara's words weren't just idle musings—they carried a weight that the vampire clearly felt deeply.

"When I heard you mention the Flower of Darkness," Zara continued, "it clicked. You look familiar, a young replica of her. You have the same fighting style. You took after her in every way, Little Nightshade."

Seren's lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed the sadness beneath. "Thank you," she murmured. "But… my mother isn't who she used to be. She's but a dark illusion of her past self now."

Zara upon seeing Seren thought she looked familiar but she didn't press to much to it and given how they faced off at the entrance of the labyrinth, it left no room for further probing, so she had completely forgotten about it all.

The group fell silent. Even Zara, who rarely let her emotions show, seemed affected.

Pyris, however, chose to step around the subject entirely. He wasn't about to tread the treacherous waters of Seren's family history—not now.

He hoped not ever.

Instead, he turned his attention back to their mission. "And where is this Flower of Darkness?"

Before Seren could respond, the system's cold voice echoed in Pyris's mind answering the question he had silently asked the system.

> [Host, the Flower of Darkness is a magical herb found in areas saturated with the Essence of Darkness. It has potent healing properties, capable of curing even the most advanced dark-elemental curses or poisons. The individual Seren's mother is likely afflicted by such a curse.]

Pyris's brow furrowed. The system rarely offered information beyond what he asked for. This time, however, it had gone out of its way to even connect the dots.

This is something only Lia did, O how missed her. Still something felt off with the system m

Seren's voice pulled him back to the present. "The Flower of Darkness is near the first guardian of the labyrinth's outer parts."

Zara tilted her head. "Convenient," she remarked dryly. "That means we won't have to stray too far from our path."

Pyris nodded but said nothing, his mind already calculating their next steps.

It was Lyra's turn now. Unlike Seren, who had shown no hesitation in baring her purpose, Lyra was visibly uneasy. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her golden eyes darting between the group.

"My goal…" Lyra began, her voice barely above a whisper. She exhaled sharply and straightened her back. "I want the core of the first guardian."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"What?!" Seren exclaimed, her crimson eyes blazing with disbelief. "You want the core? Are you insane?"

Even Zara's brows lifted in surprise, though a faint smirk tugged at her lips.

Lyra crossed her arms, her posture defensive. "I know it sounds crazy," she admitted, her voice firming. "But that's why I'm here."

Before anyone could argue further, Pyris chuckled softly. "Fair enough," he said. "Let's go, let's do it."

Seren blinked, stunned by his nonchalance. "What? You're just… agreeing? Do you even know what you're up against?"

Pyris shrugged. "It doesn't matter. We were going to face the guardian anyway. My goal lies beyond it, so killing it changes nothing for me."

"You're insane," Seren muttered, shaking her head.

"You're not wrong," Lyra added, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"But Petne," Seren pressed, her voice lowering, "fighting and defeating the guardian's challenge is one thing. But killing it? It's impossible."

"Impossible?" Pyris's lips curled into a dangerous grin. "I like the sound of that."

"It's unkillable," Lyra explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "You can defeat it, yes, but killing it? It's immortal!"

"Interesting," Pyris mused, his curiosity piqued. "So we just have to figure out how to do the impossible."

"You're ridiculous,"

"Oh I know!"