System of the Betrayed Genius

The air was thick with perfume and lies.

Riven Kael sat beneath the crimson blossoms of the moonlit garden, sipping his wine slowly, as though he had all the time in the world. In truth, time itself had become his greatest weapon — or perhaps his sharpest curse.

Across from him, Lady Eirya, the woman who once kissed his lips and later whispered his death warrant, stared at him with that all-too-familiar smile.

"So tell me, Riven," she asked, swirling her glass of midnight wine, "what have you been doing these days? You've been... different."

> System Message:

[You are being observed by: Lady Eirya – Trust Level: -37]

Warning: The observer suspects your rebirth or hidden identity. Be cautious.

'Negative trust? Cute,' Riven thought. 'I'd stab me too.'

Out loud, he smiled. "Different? Perhaps near-death tends to change men."

Her eyes didn't flicker — she was trained better than that. But her grip on the wine glass tightened. "What an interesting thing to say... especially for someone who was never 'near' death."

The tension thickened like fog, but Riven wasn't here to battle yet. No. First, he had to pull strings. Make people dance. He was done being the pawn.

He was the goddamn player now.

---

Inside the System Menu...

> Name: Riven Kael

Level: 6

Titles:

– The Betrayed

– The Returned Genius

Attributes:

– Intellect: 32 (+5 from Title)

– Charisma: 14 (+2 from Flirt with the Enemy quest)

– Control: 18

System Skills:

– Forged Lies (Passive)

– Memory Loop (Active): Replay any 3-minute memory exactly as it happened.

– Emotional Lockdown (Passive): Grants immunity to emotional manipulation.

Trigger Condition for New Power: "Expose a Traitor in Public" (0/1)

---

Back in reality, Eirya's fingers were tracing the edge of the glass. "So," she purred, "who are you planning to betray next? Or… who betrayed you this time?"

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"Do you know what I missed most while I was away?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Playing chess."

He flicked a piece of bread onto the table, where ants had begun to gather. He watched as one tried to carry the crumb and failed. Another joined, then a third. Soon, a small army of them worked together.

"Even ants understand unity. Humans? Not so much."

Eirya gave a soft laugh. "You always did like metaphors."

"And you always liked watching from the shadows while others bled."

Their eyes locked.

---

[Flashback – 5 Years Ago]

Riven knelt in the royal court, bleeding from his shoulder, the traitor's blade still warm in his body. Eirya stood among the nobles… not speaking, not blinking. But smiling.

He'd never forgotten that smile.

It had followed him into death.

And now, into his second life.

---

Present...

> System Notification:

[Flashback Resurfaced: Vivid Emotion Detected]

New Trait Acquired: "Cauterized Heart" – Your mind suppresses unnecessary emotional reactions. Your lies gain +5% effectiveness.

[Main Quest Progress: Betrayal Arc – Stage 1: Engage the First Snake — COMPLETE]

New Sub-Quest: Trigger the Public Fall – Calen's Secret Must Be Exposed Before the Noble Gathering (Time Limit: 3 Days)

---

Riven stood. "Thank you for the wine, Eirya. It tastes better than I remember."

"It's the same brand."

"No," he said, his voice low. "This time, I know there's poison in it."

Her lips twitched. Not in surprise — but in respect.

"I look forward to seeing how long you can keep playing this game, Riven."

He bowed slightly, "Oh, I'm not playing anymore. I'm writing the rules."

And just like that, he vanished into the shadows, the system humming quietly like a ticking time bomb behind his eyes.