System of the Betrayed Genius

Riven Kael leaned back in the rusted chair of the ruined forge, his fingers stained with grease and blood — both not his own. The system's interface hovered faintly before his eyes, pulsing with crimson light like a living thing.

> [Ding! Skill Unlocked: Forged Lies Lv.1 — Passive]

"Your lies are now 20% more believable. Side effect: Slight increase in smirks during betrayal."

He chuckled.

"I always did enjoy irony."

The mansion was silent. The same mansion where his adoptive brother Calen had driven a knife through his ribs in the old timeline — now, the idiot was calling him "dear little brother" and feeding him grapes.

Literally.

Like some royal pet.

"Eat, eat! You need your strength," Calen grinned.

Riven smiled back. He remembered this exact day from his past life — two days from now, Calen would poison his tea and blame the maid.

Not this time.

---

Later That Night…

The moonlight filtered in, soft and sickly. Riven moved silently through the secret passage behind the east wall — one he never used in the past life, because he had trusted people.

This time, he didn't even trust his own reflection.

He found the secret ledger Calen had hidden. Inside: lists of names, payments, bribes, and one name circled in crimson ink.

Lady Eirya.

The Duchess of Shadows.

Riven's… former lover.

The one who smiled the brightest when he died.

"Of course," he muttered. "Why should betrayal only come from family?"

His hands trembled. Not from rage. But from something colder.

Anticipation.

---

Back in the Garden…

"Your eyes look darker than before," said a soft voice.

It was her.

Eirya.

As elegant as always. Velvet gloves. Midnight hair. The same smirk that once made his heart race… and his death faster.

"Do they?" Riven replied smoothly.

Eirya tilted her head. "You've changed, Riven. Grown colder. Smarter."

He sipped his wine. "And you haven't changed at all, Eirya. Still sniffing for the scent of rising power."

She didn't slap him. She laughed — a musical sound laced with poison.

He liked it.

He hated that he liked it.

---

> [Ding! Side Quest: "Flirt With The Enemy"]

Reward: 500 EXP, 1 Charm Point, Hidden Trait Unlock.

Warning: May cause emotional trauma or unexpected romance subplot.

Riven: "...You can't be serious."

System: [Deadpan silence.]