Darkness surrounded Ethan. Yet, it wasn't empty. Faint golden symbols floated around him, drifting like fireflies in an endless void.
Their soft glow pulsed in a rhythm that felt almost alive. There was no ground, no ceiling—just an infinite expanse filled with light and shadow.
His mind struggled to make sense of it. One moment, he was in his bed, drowning in unbearable heat, and the next, he was here. Wherever here was.
Before he could panic, a smooth, sultry voice echoed through the space.
[Welcome, Master Ethan.]
He turned, searching for the source of the voice, but there was nothing. Just the golden symbols swirling around him. His chest tightened. "Who... who said that?"
[I am your system. More specifically, I am the manifestation of your Incubus Bloodline, created from your own subconscious to assist in your awakening.]
Ethan blinked. "My... what?"
[Your Incubus Bloodline]
The voice was patient, almost amused. [You were born with the Mythical Incubus Bloodline, a power that surpasses most fantasy creatures in existence.
However, it was sealed at birth to protect you from being consumed by its overwhelming power.
Now that you've reached maturity, the seal has begun to weaken, but without any help, it will still devour your consciousness, so I am here to guide your evolution.]
Ethan felt a headache creeping in. "Okay. This has to be a dream."
[No, this is your reality. And soon, you will experience it for yourself.]
He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Alright. Let's assume this is real. What exactly do you do?"
[My purpose is simple: to help you awaken your full potential as an Incubus. The process must be gradual to avoid destabilizing your body and mind.
To assist you, I will provide guidance, assign tasks, and unlock your abilities as you progress.]
That didn't sound too bad... except for the 'Incubus' part. The word itself sent alarms ringing in his head.
He had heard of incubi before—I mean, who hasn't? Incubi are part of the succubus clan, with the incubi being male.
But even in stories, it is said that they do not exist, and even when they do, it is a rare case and not something that can be seen as a normal phenomenon.
So to him, all of this is like a dream, but he still wanted to know as the pain he felt just a few seconds ago was not normal, and it is not something that you would experience even when you awaken your superpower.
"Wait. You're telling me I'm supposed to be some kind of..." He hesitated, struggling to say the word.
[Yes, an Incubus. But not just any Incubus. You are the heir to a Mythical Incubus Bloodline. Your existence is far above the common fantasy creatures found in myths and legends.]
Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but the system continued.
[To ease your transition, I have unlocked some basic abilities that will help you in daily life.]
Golden text appeared in front of him, displaying his newfound abilities:
New Abilities Unlocked:
Enhanced Physique – Your strength, agility, and endurance have increased to be higher than normal physical superhumans.
Heightened Senses – Your sight, smell, and hearing are significantly sharper than superhumans with similar powers.
Charm Aura (Passive) – Your presence naturally draws attention, making people want to get close to you, and others will always have a good first impression.
Ethan scanned the list. It wasn't anything crazy. Compared to the monstrous powers he expected, these abilities seemed... mild.
Then, his eyes caught a second list, grayed out and locked.
Incubus-Specific Abilities (Locked):
?????
?????
?????
....
"What's this?" he asked, pointing at the locked section.
[These are your true abilities as an Incubus. However, they are currently inaccessible. They will only unlock through certain... experiences.]
The teasing tone in the system's voice made Ethan uneasy. "What kind of experiences?"
[Let's just say they require female interaction. I am sure you know where I am going.]
Ethan groaned. "Great. So, I get a system that requires me to have sex with others?"
[It's not just about having sex. It's all about bringing out the true nature of the incubus while making it obey you and not the other way around.
And to do this, you have to do what you and every other human would like to do, but know that this is not just about having sex with others and then dumping them.
No, you have to make sure to select the best mates you can find, as your bloodline is a great tonic that can make the other party obsessed with you.
So make sure that the other party is capable of accepting this, or they will burst out like a balloon due to the potency of your bloodline.]
He wasn't sure how he felt about that.
But before he could ask anything else, the golden symbols around him began to pulse faster. The space around him flickered, the darkness pulling away as light consumed everything.
The system's voice echoed one last time before everything vanished.
[See you soon, Ethan.]
With a sharp inhale, Ethan jolted awake. He was back in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, the soft moonlight streaming in through the smart-glass windows.
For a moment, he lay still, wondering if it had all been a hallucination.
But as he stretched, a wave of unfamiliar energy coursed through his body. He felt... different. Stronger. Sharper. His mind was clearer, his senses more refined.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood up, the motion smoother than he remembered. Even his breathing felt more controlled, as if his body had been fine-tuned overnight.
He walked toward the mirror, hesitating before looking at his reflection.
Ethan's breath hitched as he stared at his reflection. His dark hair looked glossier, richer in tone, as if it had absorbed the very essence of the night.
His once sharp but ordinary features had subtly refined—his jawline more sculpted, his cheekbones slightly more pronounced, his skin clearer with a faint, almost unnatural glow.
His eyes, once a deep brown, now carried a mesmerizing golden hue when the light hit them just right, drawing attention in a way that was hard to ignore.
There was something undeniably alluring about him now, something that made him appear both captivating and dangerous.
It wasn't just how he looked—it was how he felt. A quiet confidence, one he had never possessed before, settled in his chest like a steady pulse.
For the first time in his life, Ethan didn't just see himself. He noticed himself.
And he wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not.