Chapter 8

Nicole sat in her room, bathed in the soft glow of her level-ups.

Every few moments, her body shimmered with energy as the system acknowledged her progress.

Thanks to the Rejected's efforts, she was rapidly gaining levels, and with Joshua's guidance, she better understanding what build to go for.

Joshua remained by her side, offering advice on skill selection and stat allocation. "Speed and Presence are your best assets. You're not built for direct combat, so focus on movement, stealth, and precision kills," he explained.

After two days of non-stop leveling up, Nicole was finally ready to return to Revelation.

Her updated character sheet now read:

Name: Nicole Rose

Age: 25

Health: 760

Mana: 300

Stamina: 1000

Level: 50

Class: Assassin

Job Title: Slave

Status Page 1:

Strength: 10

Speed: 32

Intelligence: 12

Endurance: 19

Presence: 30

Humanity: 95%

Status Page 2:

Passive Abilities: Leveling Up, Contestant, Killer's Mark, Shadow Sense, Assassination, Acrobatics, Slothful.

Skills: Dagger Proficiency, Crossbow Proficiency, Critical Impact, Dark Step, Hidden Knives, Hidden Strike, Invisibility.

She had also been given proper gear and trained in combat techniques to make the most of her abilities.

---

Nicole opened her menu, ready to return to Revelation. "Thanks, Josh. I promise I'll do my part."

Joshua gave her a thumbs-up and smiled. "Just don't die."

A system message flashed before her eyes.

A blinding light engulfed her, and within seconds, she found herself back in the dense forest where she had first encountered the werewolf.

Unlike before, she felt different—stronger, faster, more in control.

She gripped the steel dagger at her waist and activated Shadow Sense, scanning for prey.

A short distance away, a small group of goblins was minding their business, completely unaware of her presence.

Nicole smirked.

Perfect.

[Dark Step – Active]

Her body melted into the shadows, reappearing from the darkness beneath one of the goblins.

Before it could react, she sliced through its throat in one fluid motion.

The others barely had time to register the attack before she dispatched them with swift, precise strikes.

She exhaled, barely feeling winded. "Hah, too easy." Her confidence soared.

Then, laughter echoed behind her.

A slow, mocking chuckle.

Nicole turned sharply, only to see Ruby materializing out of thin air, clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably.

Nicole frowned. "What's so funny?"

Ruby wiped away a tear, her grin widening. "You players are all the same."

"What?"

"The moment you gain a little power, you think you're unstoppable." Ruby circled her like a predator toying with its prey. "You become a version of yourself that believes you can do anything—only to be crushed by the reality of it all." Her eyes gleamed. "You were never supposed to be special. Not in the slightest."

Nicole crossed her arms. "Must I remind you that you didn't warn me about that werewolf? I could have died that day."

Ruby shrugged. "I'm an observer, not a babysitter. It doesn't matter what happens to you, as long as I see the contestants enter the Passage of Happiness." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Besides, you have more pressing matters. I suggest you read your job description."

A cold feeling crept into Nicole's gut.

She hesitated before tapping her ring finger to open her character sheet.

She clicked on her Job Title: Slave.

A description appeared before her:

Slave – You lose 75% of EXP gained from monsters when in a party. All other party members receive a 75% increase in experience. Party members have permission override player menu input.

Nicole's breath hitched.

"Wait… what?"

She tried used her menu and access the different features but it said .

She couldn't used the remaining points she had because she received the same prompted.

She couldn't exited the party, couldn't message anyone, and she couldn't even leave Revelation.

Ruby clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Your character sheet is a reflection of how you see yourself. It's honestly adorable how you think you're going to survive in this world."

Nicole clenched her fists. "This has to be a mistake."

Ruby suddenly appeared right in front of her,—her face morphing until she was staring at an exact copy of Nicole herself.

She cupped Nicole's face in her hands, tilting her head with eerie gentleness. "That's the face I love to see. Sadness, weakness, desperation, self-hatred… It's all the same."

Nicole's body stiffened.

"You all have that expression when you realize you were doomed from the start," Ruby whispered.

Then, Ruby body burst into flames.

Nicole stumbled back, watching in horror as her own burning doppelgänger screamed, writhing in agony.

The sound of flesh sizzling filled the air before it finally collapsed into a pile of charred remains.

Nicole stood frozen.

Heart pounding. Breath shallow.

She couldn't move.

Ruby's laughter echoed in the silence.