Slowly pushing open the heavy, pitch-black doors revealed a long corridor lined on both sides with murals depicting the layers of Hell, as well as an exceptionally alluring, breathtaking woman.
She wore a sumptuous gown that left her cleavage and back enticingly bare. A gentle, seductive smile played upon her lips, while her violet eyes rippled like water, exuding a mysterious and intoxicating allure.
The woman made no attempt to conceal her nature. Horns curved through her soft, amber hair, and a pair of feathered black wings unfurled from her back—traits that unmistakably broadcast her identity.
An erinyes, a devil whose existence revolved around charming mortals and luring them toward damnation. To the players, however, such a form was far from terrifying; instead, it added a captivating layer of mystique, resembling a gorgeous fallen angel.
Instantly, even European Emperor—a seasoned connoisseur of the 3D corner of the internet—stood utterly mesmerized. He held his breath, rooted dumbly to the spot.
The erinyes covered her mouth and let out a silvery, melodic laugh before extending a slender, fair arm. "What is the matter, my honored guest? How long do you intend to stand there staring?
"Please, come in. We have... plenty of time."
"Right, yes, right away."
Hearing her voice made European Emperor feel as if his very bones were turning to jelly, and he began to stammer.
Stiff as a board, he walked forward, completely unprepared when the erinyes took the initiative to press close against him. A soft touch brushed his skin, accompanied by an intoxicating, faint fragrance.
The erinyes stared straight into European Emperor's rapidly flushing face, a faint glint dancing in her violet eyes. Smiling, she purred, "My name is Eunice, a service representative of the Soul Exchange. I shall do my absolute best to... serve you."
*Who on earth could withstand this!* European Emperor clenched his fists, breaking out in a sweat as he screamed inwardly.
And so, guided intimately by Eunice, European Emperor walked stiffly down the corridor while listening to her soft, melodic explanations.
"This is the Infernal Exchange, officially established by the Empire. Here, we devils can conduct transactions with mortals in full compliance with the law.
"You may obtain many things you have only ever dreamed of, requiring merely... a trifling price." The erinyes gave a playful wink.
Though his brain was reduced to mush, European Emperor still managed to ask cautiously, "What can I get?"
Eunice licked her lips, offering an unabashedly alluring smile before whispering softly, "That depends entirely on what price you can pay... and what it is you desire."
As she spoke, she wrapped a slender, fair arm around him, her delicate fingers lightly brushing across his chest.
*Even if I'm a total gentleman, nobody should be tested like this!* European Emperor's ears burned red, his pulse racing as he cried out helplessly in his mind.
Amid the sultry atmosphere, he forcefully wrestled his composure into place and choked out, "I—I want to obtain the power of Hell."
Suddenly, Eunice leaned her exquisite face intimately close, whispering softly against his burning ear, "I can grant you power and endless ecstasy... but are you willing to pay with your soul?"
"I... I..."
In that instant, European Emperor felt as if a hazy mist had veiled his sight. Dizzied and utterly bereft of the capacity for speech, he simply nodded on instinct.
As the old saying went, the land of beauties was the tomb of heroes.
Basking in that soft touch and intoxicating scent, European Emperor, having been single for over twenty years, felt that his life was finally complete.
A radiant, enchanting smile blossomed across Eunice's face. "Splendid," she said softly. "Then... welcome, my contractor."
The erinyes unfurled the wings at her back. A flurry of black feathers swept out, enveloping the dazed European Emperor and whisking him straight into a private booth inside the Infernal Exchange.
***
When European Emperor stumbled out of the Infernal Exchange, his head was still spinning. It felt as though he had just awakened from a dream, not quite comprehending what had just transpired.
All he knew was that he had signed a contract, traded away his soul in a haze of infatuation, and become the contractor of a drop-dead gorgeous devil.
"Is... is it really over just like that? Did I... actually get my subclass expansion?"
European Emperor looked down at the strangely shaped, evil-radiating infernal brand on his hand, catching the lingering trace of perfume on his skin, his heart awash with bewilderment.
In truth, the vast majority of devils accepted only this single currency in exchange for infernal power or the services they provided. Souls were typically claimed only upon a mortal creature's natural death.
Immortal devils could afford to wait an exceptionally long time for a contract to run its course. If a contract permitted a devil to claim a soul before a mortal died, the devil would immediately whisk the prize back to their home in the Nine Hells of Baator; only divine intervention could ever liberate a soul possessed by a devil.
Yet the players knew nothing of this—and even if they had, they wouldn't have cared in the slightest. Most gladly signed away their souls without a second thought.
After all, to them, Baator was merely another fascinating dungeon. Some exploration-minded players couldn't wait to go there.
"This is..."
European Emperor looked up at his translucent status interface. His various attributes and skills had undergone substantial changes, and a brand-new expansion class had appeared.
[You have signed a contract with an erinyes from Hell, obtaining the expansion class: Warlock—Fiend Pact]
[You have obtained the exclusive trait: Hell Apostle]
[Hell Apostle]
[Your pact with a devil channels the power of the Nine Hells of Baator. It shall bestow upon you a more formidable physique along with an innate mastery of unique talents.]
[Bonus Attributes: Strength +1, Constitution +1, Dexterity +1, Charisma +3]
[Bonus Skills: Bluff +14, Diplomacy +12, Disguise +10, Hide +8, Concentration +7]
Staring at the dense wall of text refreshing across his screen, European Emperor's jaw dropped in sheer astonishment.
"Holy crap, that's an infernal expansion for you! This exclusive trait alone blows most standard classes right out of the water!"
Filled with awe, European Emperor tapped open his panel again, eager to read further. But right then, a sharp pain struck the top of his head.
*Thwack!*
"Ow! Who the fu—"
European Emperor rubbed his head and whipped around, ready to unleash a torrent of curses. But the moment he recognized his "assailant," his mouth snapped shut in utter embarrassment.
Standing before him was none other than Charlotte, guild master of Magic Coin and the self-proclaimed "Strongest Wizard." He held his staff firmly in hand, his expression distinctly sour.
Instantly, a heavy silence fell between them, thick enough to freeze the surrounding air.
After hesitating for a moment, European Emperor scratched his head and offered a sheepish grin. "Guild Master, what brings you here? Did you come to interrogate me? But honestly, I wasn't the one who posted that video..."
European Emperor tried to defend himself, but Charlotte let out a weary sigh, waved his hand, and cut him off directly.
"Drop it. I'm not as bored as you, nor do I share your twisted sense of humor. I'm here to give you a heads-up. You never replied to any of my messages."
Hearing that, European Emperor rubbed his hair awkwardly once again.
Why hadn't he checked Charlotte's messages? Because his conscience was guilty, of course!
Charlotte looked him up and down before remarking offhandedly, "You probably haven't signed a contract yet, right?"
Before European Emperor could answer, Charlotte continued, "I've already dug up some insider information on this event. You can't just pick blindly in this infernal expansion; there's a lot of nuance involved. The devil pacts vary greatly in strength—the gap between them is massive.
"The optimal choice is to ascend to the highest floor of the Infernal Exchange and form a pact with an emissary of the archdevil Bel. That way, you'll have a chance to learn spells like Fire Storm, Major Image, Hold Person, and even Meteor Swarm, along with a suite of potent spell-like abilities."
Charlotte gave a slightly mocking smirk. "Of course... rumor has it that some idiots were seduced by the erinyes at the entrance and signed contracts with her. Those guys are completely ruined. All they'll get are spells like Charm Person and Sleep—"
Right at that moment, Charlotte noticed that European Emperor had turned as pale as a sheet, looking ready to burst into tears.
"Wait... what's with that face? Don't tell me you're the idiot I've been hearing about?"
"No, Guild Master, listen to me..."
European Emperor tried to explain, but Charlotte grabbed his arm, yanked back the sleeve, and spotted the exclusive erinyes brand etched into the flesh.
To put it more crudely, it looked like a lewd crest.
With a face full of misery, European Emperor whined, "How was I supposed to know what kind of devil she was..."
Charlotte pressed a palm to his forehead and sighed, staring at European Emperor with pity reserved for fools, brimming with frustrated disappointment. "Unbelievable. Such an incredible opportunity, completely flushed down the drain because you let your lower head do the thinking for your upper head, you absolute brainlet."
By this point, Charlotte's anger had evaporated entirely. He patted European Emperor's shoulder and offered in a solemn, earnest tone, "What's done is done; there's no changing it now.
"Don't be too heartbroken. Something is better than nothing. You'd better review the new abilities granted by your devil pact."
"Alright..."
European Emperor reopened his panel and enabled shared vision, though he was now thoroughly dejected.
[You have signed a contract with an erinyes from Hell, obtaining the special ability: Charming Sorcery]
[Charming Sorcery]
[Mortals possess weak wills, gladly letting themselves be driven by evil for the sake of physical pleasure. Erinyes harbor not the slightest guilt when seducing males (or females) of any race.]
[At Warlock levels 3, 6, 9, and 12, you will gain the following spell-like abilities respectively: Charm Person, Suggestion, Charm Monster, Dominate Person]
Charlotte rubbed his chin, his expression turning curious. "Actually, this spell list is pretty strong too. They're all highly practical enchantment spells. Seems it isn't completely hopeless."
European Emperor let out a sigh of relief and patted his chest. "Thank goodness... let me check what else there is..."
[Your pact with a devil grants you the power of the Nine Hells of Baator. You have obtained the special ability: Devil's Body]
[Devil's Body]
[As a contractor bound to Hell, you are capable of corrupting your physical form. At a certain cost, you may transform completely into a devil.]
[Due to the erinyes pact, you unlock a special form: Erinyes Form]
For some reason, seeing the words *Erinyes Form* and thinking back to the gorgeous woman who lured mortals into the abyss gave European Emperor an unsettling premonition.
Charlotte, however, urged him on deadpan, "Hurry up and show it off. You need plenty of practice to master your abilities..."
"Fine."
Though a bad feeling gnawed at him, European Emperor yielded under Charlotte's urging and activated Devil's Body.
The brand on his arm flared with blinding light. Hellfire engulfed his body, accompanied by churning smoke and swirling tongues of flame.
"No... you've got to be kidding me..."
European Emperor muttered to himself. His body felt bizarre, and that eerie premonition grew violently stronger.
Suddenly, the hand he had held against his chest was pushed outward as his chest grew heavy, his palm meeting a soft, yielding fullness.
Next, he felt his rear perk up, his waist and abdomen slim down, and his skin turn delicate and smooth.
A pair of pitch-black feathered wings sprouted from his back, a slender tail grew from his tailbone, and curved horns emerged atop his head.
European Emperor's expression twisted into utter dread. "Don't tell me..."
*Pfft...*
European Emperor looked up to see Charlotte biting back laughter while retrieving a mirror he had clearly prepared in advance, handing it across.
"See for yourself."
Reflected in the glass was a breathtaking, curvaceous erinyes. While she might not surpass the one inside the Infernal Exchange, she was more than enough to stir the heart of any mortal.
Silky black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her torn garments strained against her form, exposing generous expanses of fair skin. Even an angry glare seemed like playful coquetry—the kind of sight that would have made the old European Emperor drool.
The only flaw in this masterpiece was that the erinyes in the mirror was European Emperor himself.
"What the actual..."
European Emperor stood stunned for a long while before a few uncharacteristic words tumbled past his crimson, cherry-red lips.
Yet his voice had turned exquisitely soft and sultry; even his cursing sounded like seductive pillow talk.
Charlotte patted his shoulder, struggling valiantly to suppress his grin as he met European Emperor's gaze, speaking with absolute solemnity: "You know, European Emperor, everyone has their own calling. Professional tasks should be left to professionals.
"Sure, you didn't land the strongest combat expansion, but it's a blessing in disguise—you gained such a unique ability!
"From now on, you're Magic Coin's dedicated succubus. Seducing Count Donald, Duke Lawrence, and whoever else... we're counting on you, pfft..."
Charlotte delivered his grand speech with absolute vigor and righteous flair, but by the end, he broke down and burst out laughing all over again.
European Emperor turned bright red, fuming with embarrassment. It took him ages to force out a single sentence: "You... you can't tell anyone!"
Yet with his current appearance, that expression made him look like a bashful, blushing maiden, only adding to his radiant charm.
"Of course! Magic Coin has always been united as one. We'd never sling mud at each other," Charlotte promised solemnly.
However, in his erinyes form, European Emperor's Charisma was so high that it instantly drew the stares of surrounding players.
"Holy crap, a succubus?"
"What a babe!"
"I didn't know there were players this gorgeous! Wait, why does that username look kind of familiar?"
Flustered and panicking, European Emperor hastily cast Fog Cloud and vanished into the crowd amidst the confusion.
Charlotte remained behind.
Pulling down his hood, he took a few steps, picked up a recording stone disguised as a pebble from the ground, and curled his lips into a cold, ruthless smirk.
"European Emperor, my friend, since you struck first, you can hardly blame me for returning the favor. But unlike you, I'm not reckless. Heh, this time, I've got an ironclad alibi."
Tossing the recording stone casually in his hand, Charlotte murmured at a leisurely pace, "Now then... what should I title this video?"
Chapter 597