MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin

Adam again found himself on the second floor of the bar, looking at everyone mingling with each other. But this time it was a bit different.

The first time something like this happened, way back when the first party was held at the Wild Hunt, he was lost and could only admire the skills of others. But now that he had The World with him, he was able to perceive everything clearly without much problem.

Slowly, he walked down the stairs and took a glass of champagne on the way before standing alone in a relatively quiet corner.

Despite the name, there was nothing wild about what was happening in the bar at the moment. A few women would come in groups, and a group of boys would entertain them by discussing their life, aspirations, and goals.

Of course, this was just an extreme example, most of the time a woman would just come and drink by herself and a host would talk with her about her day and have a good time together. It was a very simple thing.

This place's main goal was not sexual gratification. Such a thing could be obtained and paid for at a lesser price at any time and any place.

What those women needed the most was a way to unwind from the stress of their lofty lives. A place where they could take off the mask of being some classy lady and just be treated as a normal human.

'Yui really did a good job with everything.'

Using his domain, Adam didn't need to actually 'see' people to check their stats. He could slowly obtain information about all the people here simply by standing still.

He wasn't just looking at their stats of course. Thanks to his Eyes of Truth, he could know their affiliation and find those who were the most important among the lot.

As this night was a masked party it was very useful for him. He could also understand how they feel and act in accordance with their wishes.

Ahem~

Adam cleared his throat and took a look at all his skills outside his unique and innate ones.

『 Skills: [Eyes of Truth] || [Parallel Thinking] || [Accelerated Perception] || [Silver Tongue] || [Eidetic Memory] || [Soothing Speech] || [Mermaid's Voice] 』

'Haha, if Sae could see this, she would say that I am slowly becoming a true hentai protagonist, or in this case, I guess a con artist would have a better ring to it.'

He chuckled quietly when a voice sounded next to him,

"My, my~ What a mysterious man… May I know what is making you so happy?"

He looked behind him, not that he actually needed to, and gazed at the woman who had spoken to him.

Unlike his plain white mask, she was wearing a colorful fox mask dyed blood red. Her red lips and her equally red robe made a startling contrast with her flowing black hair.

Adam nodded at the woman and pointed at the room, "I am just observing the room and laughing at my own inexperience."

"Oh? Is it your first night here?"

She approached him and asked quietly, to which Adam simply chuckled, "It's my second, but this does not change my situation."

Her lips formed a gentle smile, "You are awfully honest, huh…"

"Honesty can go a long way from what I was told."

"Or it can make you burn."

"Well, I am already burning inside by being in proximity of a woman as beautiful as you, so I would be rather happy if that's the case."

"Heh, how do you know that I am beautiful? I am wearing a mask."

Adam smiled mysteriously, "Then all you have to do is reveal your face to prove me wrong."

"Pfft."

She laughed lightly, "You are indeed a beginner."

"What can I say? Corny line seems to be the only way for a newbie like me."

She laughed even more and brought her dainty hand forward, "I am… Let's say I am a fox. What about you?"

"For you and you only tonight, I am willing to become a magician."

He took her hand and rather than giving her a handshake he brought it close to where his lips would have been.

"Forgive me for being unable to give a true kiss to your lovely hands. But who knows? Perhaps I will take off my mask for you later on."

He whispered calmly, his voice slightly lower, causing the woman to blush slightly even though something like this shouldn't make her react so. She did not understand why she was acting like this.

She had been quite curious about the new arrival and since it was her first time here, she decided to give it a try. His aura had been unusual. Even though he had been standing alone in silence, her eyes had been drawn to him and she noticed that he wasn't the only one.

But the more she spoke with him the deeper she seemed to be pulled into his presence and self.

His voice was so beautiful, making her feel like… as long as she talked to him, there won't be any problem left in the world. He seemed a little younger than her, but his mannerisms were exemplary and his way of speech was truly worthy of a gentleman.

Finally, she couldn't help it anymore…

"I have a few friends there, would you like to spend some time with us?"

"Refusing to spend some time with even more beautiful women would be quite insane don't you think so? Lead the way, please."

He took her arms in his and began walking with her.

———

For the next few hours, Adam found himself speaking more than he sometimes did in a few days' time.

He did not need to say anything particularly important, it was like they would acquiesce to anything as long as they could hear him speak.

This made him understand once more about the power of his charm stats and the few skills he had bought related to his Throat Chakra.

Silver Tongue made him extremely convincing as long he stayed within the limit of logic while Soothing Speech brought them happiness simply by listening to his voice.

It came as no surprise but, as long as the one in front of him was a woman with no power, simple seduction would never be a problem for him anymore.

The table he occupied at first only had four women but soon it was filled to the brim as five more were added to the mix.

"So tonight is your birthday?"

The woman he spoke to was also wearing a fox mask though this one was dyed blue. The woman in question emptied the glass in her hand in one shot and gave a sad smile in response to that question.

"Well. This isn't important but indeed, it's as you say. Though neither my husband nor my children seem to care about it. I guess I am too old for my birthday to be something important."

She had a few small wrinkles around the corner of her lips, and she was wearing a rather demure robe, but she still had a body that would make heads turn no matter where she may go.

Adam ignored her age as he kneeled in front of her and made a bouquet of roses appear in his hand.

"For a beautiful queen on a beautiful night."

The women around him exclaimed and clapped while the woman in the blue fox mask covered her mouth in surprise. Soon, she touched the flowers, and they exploded in small lights, giving a magical sight to the eyes.

Adam cleared his throat and proceeded to finally make use of his last new skill,

"Happy birthday to you~"

His voice was slow and suave, behind his mask, his eyes seemed to shine like jewels and he approached calmly before taking her hands in his.

"Happy Birth… Day… to you~"

A small silence spread through the bar as his voice had even overpowered those who were currently on the stage.

The woman to whom he had been singing this song was sobbing quietly underneath her mask as she continued to express her gratitude over and over again and everyone else was looking at him in wonder.

In the silence brought by his powerful presence, Adam spoke quietly to the woman,

"Your birthday may not be important for others. They may even forget about it. But… Trust me, I will never forget about it."

He wasn't lying. He had a perfect memory.

Adam thought quietly as he observed the smile slowly spread on her lips as she muttered,

"Thank you."

[+10 Karma]

'No, thank you.'

Chatting up the wife of a senator would certainly be useful one day. The additional Karma was also welcome.

"I am here to serve, my queen."

Endless applause soon filled the bar and Adam knew then, that he had already cemented his place as the best host today.

Now it was time to milk as much money as possible from them.

Like this, the night continued in this magical den filled to the brim with lies, illusions, and deceit.

This was a place that sold dreams to those who wanted to escape reality for even a split second. A place where poor and lonely souls could escape their lonely and tiring fates when they did not wish to face the harshness of the outside world.

(AN: Only one chapter today guys. Tired as hell and seriously need to rest. Gotta enjoy my Sunday.

Anyway, Adam's skills are a dream for seduction. Though with his stats, even if he did nothing he could still seduce most women.)