Chapter 40 Public Event: Sanctuary

"Remember, everyone. During this period, trust of humans and candidates will be at record lows." Leon asserted.

"The only way we have any hope of recruiting new Civs is to save their lives, provide them with key support, and do so without expectations."

"That doesn't sound like you…." Reina noted in amazement.

"Figures you'd think that." Caitlyn replied with a smug expression.

Reina froze up when being addressed by her and fell quiet.

"I get your concern. However, brand value is key." Leon clarified.

"Even if we leave a group behind, we don't want them poisoning our relationship.

We're psychopaths; pretending to be normal and likable is what we do best."

The women giggled in response.

Despite everyone agreeing on the general strategy moving forward, Leon spent another thirty minutes on logistics.

He had to reframe the goals in a way that sounded as manipulative towards other candidates or future members as possible to ensure Caitlyn didn't get overly jealous.

In the middle of fine details, everyone received a push notification in the corner of their eyes.

Ding!

—

God's Announcement: New Public Event Open to All Candidates.

Event: Sanctuary

Time Till Event: 16:37

Context: All candidates and survivors of the apocalypse can receive thirty days of protection, food, and shelter in Lemmox City!

God enacted laws shall prevent violent crime and allow for full sanctuary for anyone within the city.

Event Duration: One Week; (7) Days. Those seeking sanctuary will receive 30 Days of Protection Starting from the Time of Arrival.

Warning! Anti-human, sin-representing, or predator candidates will attack survivors and candidates making their way to the city.

Warning! Candidates that represent virtuous or chivalrous actions have an opportunity to provide safe travel to survivors, and candidates will attack anti-human, sin-representing, or predator candidates.

Warning! Trying to win bonus rewards for categories that do not align with a patron god's philosophy can result in receiving a god's blessing and losing one's power.

The gods are extremely lenient about candidate actions so long as the actions are not intentionally against the core beliefs of the patron gods.

-

Current Participants: 0

Bonus Rewards:

Protect the Most Individuals from Attacks: 0

Party: ???

Get the Most Individuals to Lennox: 0

Party: ???

Eat the Most Candidates: 0

Party: ???

Eat the Most Survivors: 0

Party: ???

Most Powerful Representation of a God's Virtuous:

Candidate: ???

Most Entertaining Party

Party: ???

Hidden Rewards: Five

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Note: The God's Commission Will Not Release Candidate or Party Information Until Day (4) of the Event

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Warning! There are no bonus rewards for sin representing Gods; [as usual], most candidates may be sanctioned for being cruel, abusing, or psychologically harming survivors and candidates.

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[More Details] [See Map] [Registration]

—

"Well that's convenient." Leon laughed in amazement.

"Isn't it obvious? They're doing this for you, babe!" Caitlyn replied gleefully.

"Wait, what? I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Think, dummy. Why would the gods possibly curate an event for a specific party?" Lindy chimed.

Leon's eyes widened.

"Money! Isn't it wonderful, Leon?" Caitlyn asked gleefully, "The gods have seen your talent and recognized our love! Now they're helping you because—"

"Because they're bored—" Lindy tried interjecting.

"—they're selfish, decadent, and depraved!" Caitlyn completed.

"Wait, what?" Lindy asked in confusion.

"Think back, babe! Gambling is lucrative and the gods explicitly stated that your mundane event had record revenue." Caitlyn added.

"Therefore, they've created a longer event around your goals to ensure you'll show, entertain the gods, and get the gambling rolling."

Leon's eyes glided to the left in thought. He recalled the god's discussion of money and betting.

The more he thought about it, the more ecstatic he became. They were given a miracle opportunity!

"Then we shall accept our role as entertainers to keep this windfall coming." Leon grinned,

"Aside from the demi-candidates that earned the right to another trial, it'll be the third day of the trial, and we've hit one cheat loophole after another.

We may not remain the strongest, but our toxic mental health issues have made us cheats, and we need to exploit our advantage ruthlessly."

Caitlyn and Lindy's eyes lit up like fireworks.

Reina's eyes narrowed in interest; while she was interested, she was also waiting to understand the nature of her fate. The question was: how would Leon use her?

Nevertheless, she was happier in the group than before and was excited to test her new power.

"Alright, let's start planning," Leon said with a grin, "Let's start with marking our route and assessing the terrain."

The group discussed the overall strategy of their efforts for two hours, detailing scenarios and creating communication signals.

"That's a great start. We'll set out first thing tomorrow for Lemmox and begin scouting." Leon said, "Now, learning from past mistakes, I will assign stats and research your strengths now."

"Can I still stay here?" Lindy asked nervously.

She was still shamelessly using Leon for a lap pillow and hadn't moved even during their official discussion.

"Of course. I'm a narcissist who thinks of you as slightly more than a tool. I appreciate the attention and small yet oddly significant satisfaction you bring me." Leon replied absentmindedly.

He was extremely comfortable. So comfortable that he didn't realize what he had said and immediately panicked.

Leon looked down at his lap to apologize to the sure-to-be fuming hothead. However, contrary to expectations, the woman was purring in his lap blissfully.

The purring was in direct contrast to Caitlyn's growling at her actions, and the scene bothered him significantly because they justifiably looked like pets!

Regardless, he didn't have time to worry about future women's fear of his power or his increasing acceptance of potentially-misogynistic tendencies enthusiastically encouraged by his entourage. So he opened his interface and got to work.

—

Name: Leon Traxler

Age: 21

Class: Harem Leader

Level: 49

Title: Yandere Groomer (Official Title!) (See Description in User Info)

[User Info]

[Skills] (5) (New!)

[Stats] (69+)

[Members] (2) (New!)

[God Relationships] (25) (New!)

[Item Storage] (12) New!

[Shared Item Storage] (New!)

[Trophies] (New!)

[Notifications] (69+) (New!)

[Milestones] (49) (New!)

[Rewards] (57) (New!)

[Aphrodite's Corner] (New!) (69,000) (New!)

[The Forbidden Library] (69+) (New!)

-

Yandere Groomer: You encourage sociopathic behavior and see it as your love language. As a result, your members increasingly demonstrate violent yandere behavior as their love and affection for you grows.

When these women reach the point of obsession, they'll be promoted to yanderes and deemed dangerous to all candidates aside from yourself, and gods may review compatibility. You may read this again in User Info.

—

Leon didn't care about people's perception of him unless he looked like he was grooming people for sex. He'd be fine with the title: Murder Factory Mogul.

Regardless, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and continued. He had something important that needed his attention.

—

[Caitlyn Mira - Yandere] (69+)

[General Information]

…

Name: Caitlyn Mira

Primary Level: 81

Relationship Level: 55

Age: 20

Sex: Female

Member Type: Yandere Paragon (New!)

Title: Bad Bitch (New!)

Relationship Status: A Toxic Relationship Normal Women Would Die For

User Reputation: 250/100

Emotional Magnification: 0%

Bonding Period Bonus: 0%

Max Comfortability: -35%

Bond Magnification: 20/50 (New!)

[Stats] (69+) (New!)

[Bonded Stats] (14) (New!)

[Class Skills]

[Bonded Skills] (2) (New!)

[Relationship Perks] (12)

[More Information]

…

Name: Caitlyn Mira

Primary Level: 81

Relationship Level: 55

Class: Fallen Angel (Pending Review)

Health: 875 (440)

-

Free Stats to Distribute [110]

STR: 180 (91)

STA: 152 (97)

AGL: 137 (103)

INT: 90 (82)

DEX: 76 (50)

—

"I…." Leon stuttered in disbelief.

"Is everything already, babe?" Caitlyn asked nervously.

"Yeah… I just realized how ridiculously overpowered this class is…."

"What? Lemme see!" Lindy demanded playfully.

"Just check your stats, Lindy." Leon replied dismissively.

The petite brunette puffed out her cheeks and grumbled until she reached her stats.

"Wait! I've leveled up 27 times normally and another 23 times with your power. And…."

"The levels provide the same value." Leon completed with a satisfied expression.

Caitlyn squealed in joy and hugged Leon merrily.

"This power provides fast development upfront due to forced emotional changes and prior attachments, but slows down after." Leon analyzed, "However when you consider that levels become deadlier and increasingly time-consuming to reach, this skill far surpasses [cheat]."

Once candidates reached level 100, levels would get far more difficult to reach. However, Caitlyn was 55 levels ahead of them with two days of effort; it was far beyond unfair.

He could only imagine that Harem Leveler was usually used on people with relatively healthy emotions and partners without severe mental health problems.

That way, Caitlyn would be level 7, and he'd be at level 3 tops after the second day.

Lindy's eyes filled with excitement, and Reina's eyes trembled with lust and excitement.

She had never been so thrilled to be a part of something. Moreover, the evil grin on Leon's face that said he'd take over the world made her shiver.

"For now, Caitlyn. What are your strong suits?"

Caitlyn described what she did best, and they decided to distribute half of her free stats into INT and keep the rest constant.

Their research showed that using bonus attacks like Sick Em' or reward broke the person's capabilities. Thus mana is used to shield the user.

Caitlyn's dangerous drop in mana and stamina resulted from that. Therefore, they stacked 55 bonus stats into INT from his power, and she distributed 81 from her primary leveling.

At 308 combined INT and Freyja's Brísingamen necklace that Reina returned to her, Caitlyn was officially stacked at 370. She was a nonsensically powerful cheat mage that rarely used magic.

However, she was too strong, and mana was the key to ensuring they never lost their flying ability, so it was worth it.

"Okay, now it's time for bonding stats." Leon announced.

"Wait!? Aren't you going to look at my stats?" Lindy cried.

"Not yet. Caitlyn is an armored regiment, airforce division, intelligent confidant, future sex kitten, and is really hot." Leon replied ambivalently, "Right now, she's all that matters and you should feel grateful."

"W-Wait! I get she's important, and I'm grateful she's saved my life," Lindy replied hurriedly, "but 50% of those things aren't power related. Don't I at least check off a couple?"

"If you switch [really hot] to attractive and [sex kitten] to a pledged sex partner, then yes." Leon clarified dryly.

"Wait! What!? Am I not enthusiastic enough about offering my body?" She cried in an apologetic voice, desperate to correct misunderstandings.

"Enthusiasm isn't the right word. Caitlyn [desires] me to use her as a sex puppet without reservation or regard for her sexual desires.

I'll shamelessly accept my duty to make her happy, but I don't like the term [puppet]; thus, she is a kitten. You're a sex partner like everyone else; you're just more enthusiastic."

"W-Well then, if…." Lindy stuttered nervously. She knew she couldn't accept that role.

"I'll change your title to Late Night Snack." Leon compromised to make her happy.

"That's better, but it doesn't represent my aspiring devotion—"

"Thirsty Late Night Snack?"

"That's just an enthusiastic booty call…." Lindy whimpered.

"Rechargeable Play Thing? Is that good—" Leon sighed.

"It's perfect! Skip my stats and sleep—"

"Thanks, Caitlyn. I appreciate you being gentle." He sighed.

The blond covered Lindy's mouth and gave her a friendly smile that warned of impending lower-body paralysis.

Lindy gulped and blinked three times to communicate her understanding.

"Bonded stats. What is this?" Leon asked with interest.

—

Welcome to Bonded Stats!

Bonded stats change a member's personality or hormonal functions. The user earns them through direct relationship developments (i.e. start dating).

The member may give the user a degree of discretion or require changes to be consensual. The user may use stats to reduce levels above (8), as they are deemed unhealthy or dangerous.

Note: Reducing an attribute costs a point, and the reduced amount is lost forever.

Warning! The changes are general and do not apply to the user exclusively.

Name: Caitlyn Mira

Relationship Level: 55

Relationship Status: A Toxic Relationship Normal Women Would Die For

Consent Level: Requiring Consent

-

Base Alterations

User Reputation: 250/100

Emotional Magnification: 0%

Bonding Period Bonus: 0%

Max Comfortability: -35%

Bond Magnification: 20/50 (New!)

-

Bonded Stats

Note: (5) is average. (7) is a high positive number when examined independently. An (8) or above is deemed excessive and unhealthy. (3) is dangerously low.

Bonded Points: 14

Sexual Desire: (5/10)

Attachment: (10/10)

Honesty: (8/10)

Loyalty: (10/10)

Respect: (10/10)

Comfortability: 10/10

Chronic Anxiety: (0/10)

Stability: 3/10

Self-Worth: User (10/10) | General (0/10) (see warning below)

Impact of User's State: (10/10)

Note: The higher the number, the stronger their emotional magnification for events or engagements involving the user.

-

Self-Worth Warning: The member feels her purpose is to serve the user without distinction. If the user died, the member would cease any feeling of self-worth or purpose.

Due to the extreme nature of the relationship, spending a point on self-worth allows you to modify both the user and general self-worth, unique to this relationship.

—

"Fuck. That." Leon declared while turning away from the stats.

"What's wrong?" Caitlyn asked in confusion.

"I… don't want to talk about it." He sighed, "Please respect that, as it will make me happy."

Caitlyn immediately acquiesced once he made it an order. Lindy, on the other hand, didn't have the same reaction.

"Hey, you know that just makes us—"

Caitlyn covered the brunette's mouth and cuddled closer to Leon. Ultimately, Caitlyn would do anything for Leon without exception.

Her instability was simply too high to remember to follow directives. Leon could change that…. But! If he increased her stability, would that change other factors?

Leon was half a second away from dumping the max amount of honesty into Reina and reducing Lindy's sexual desire.

However, he didn't want to change Caitlyn, who was perfect in his eyes. Why? He was selfish. Or at least that is what society would make one think.

Caitlyn was happy, and so was he. Toxicity is only toxic if it impacts someone's life negatively. It's relationship-specific; any opposing argument is blind social theory or bad philosophy.

Leon continued onward for a while longer. He learned the following:

1. Caitlyn leveled up her flying and Light Pillar Magic.

2. Lindy Leveled up 23 times with Harem Leveler due to being honest with herself, sharing herself, having her first with a member, etc.

3. She increased the power of Cyclone and finally unlocked the soap magic skill, which she was desperately hoping for.

4. The brunette begged Leon for two hours to initiate an orgy [solely] on the grounds that another ten levels would unlock a shampooing skill.

5. Leon unlocked a new skill called [Minor Telepathy] for a link with one member at a time when he established a legitimate harem. It would level into a communication channel.

6. He earned a passive skill called Harem Hustle which increased the charm on harem members by 10% when two or more members were engaging in a conversation.

Leon earned that skill when he, Lindy, and Caitlyn convinced Rakov to spare them.

7. Leon and Caitlyn were showered with dozens of items. Amongst them were health and mana potions, a few minor weapons, and items.

They were mainly sex products, drugs, and alcohol, however.

8. God Victoria gifted Lindy a special reward and threw one for Caitlyn. They'd certainly talk about them nonstop the following day.

9. Leon developed over two dozen relationships with gods with bond statuses ranging from [hated] to [#1 fan girl]. To Leon's shock, the bond status didn't belong to Aphrodite.

10. Aphrodite's Corner sold far more than he imagined,

The entertainment value of Caitlyn and Lindy's sex scene, combined with the practicality, enjoyability, sexiness, raw passion, and countless other factors, resulted in the largest payout of Sexy Points for a single sexual act in God Trial history.

He now had enough to buy at least one item of high-epic to low-legendary quality.

Lastly, he got a note from his patron and cosponsor. Naturally, they were as wild as he imagined.