Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1057: Log... did tried to Help, honestly!

[...]

Aether was briskly walking back to the Main Temple with a serious, unreadable expression on his face. The people who passed by glanced at him with slightly surprised and puzzled expressions, as if they recognised who he was but werenʼt entirely sure what to make of his demeanour.

However, Aether didnʼt care about the stares or the whispers. He wasnʼt walking to impress anyone. He didnʼt say a single word as he kept moving forward, his steps firm and his gaze locked ahead.

However—

[... I am curious... are you acting or not?]

His log asked with a confused tone, almost as if it couldnʼt comprehend what Aether was doing right now. If he had just pretended a little, if he had shown even the slightest bit of charm or manipulation, Helena might have already been convinced.

Helena, honestly, could have been won over with just a few well-placed sweet words.

She wasnʼt the hardest to reach. And yet... he chose this path instead?

Why?

Aether let out a quiet sigh. ʼItʼs not what you think, Log... I donʼt know why but... I just couldnʼt bring myself to lie to her... or fake anything...ʼ he muttered inwardly, his eyes lowering to his own hand. He wasnʼt exactly sure why, but maybe it was guilt. Or maybe... There was something about this place—this temple, this world—that made him feel too much, more than he was used to.

And also... when she cried—when those tears slipped from her eyes—it pierced something inside him. He couldnʼt bear to see that pain. It added even more weight to the guilt already sitting heavily on his chest. It made everything feel real. He had decided then—this had to be her choice. He wasnʼt going to manipulate her feelings or force her heart.

She was innocent. She was gentle, warm, and kind. She deserved the freedom to choose. This decision had to be hers and hers alone.

[...]

Aether continued to walk forward, the same intense silence cloaking him. As much as he wanted to use clever words or subtle flirtation to get closer to her, Aether... just couldnʼt do it this time. He had done it before—yes, he had twisted his words to charm Aqualina and Sandra, skillfully navigating their emotions—but that was different.

Very different!

Because he understood what they were, how they functioned. But Helena... and Delphine... they werenʼt like that.

They werenʼt like any other women he had ever met.

He knew all too well how much it would hurt her to be called a ʼTargetʼ.

He knew how cruel it felt to be forced into love.

He knew... no, he deeply understood her. Thatʼs why he gave her the freedom. Thatʼs why he stepped back and didnʼt push.

[Sigh... If the term ʼtargetʼ is whatʼs troubling you, I can change that.]

Aether blinked, surprised, as he looked at his Log, which was unexpectedly taking action on its own.

!~Ding~!

[🔄 Request to #####: Initiating deletion of current Target List. Commencing full recalibration of Seduction Protocolʼs core parameters.]

[⏳ Processing...]

!~Ding~!

[❌ Request Denied!]

[🔄 Request to ##### : Re-attempting deletion of Target List and modification of Seduction Protocol, authorising User to interact with targets without artificial constraints or performance barriers.]

[❌ Request Denied!]

[.... 🔄 Request to ##### : Userʼs behavioural parameters have now been elevated to Seduction Protocol Tier. User possesses optimal compatibility for all seduction-related operations. Request submitted: Escalate Seduction Protocol difficulty to deliver an appropriate challenge level.]

[⏳ Processing...]

[⏳...]

[...]

!~Ding~!

[✅ Affirmative: Request acknowledged.]

!~Ding~!

[ Commencing dynamic modification of Seduction Protocol. Implementing advanced challenge parameters for the current User profile.]

[⏳ Updating Log modules...]

[⏳ ....]

[⏳ ....]

!~Ding~!

[🚨 Critical Seduction Update: The Seduction Protocol has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. From now on, you will no longer receive any missions that involve seduction or target rescue. Instead, rewards will be granted solely upon successful mission completion. The daily quota system has been permanently retired.]

[⚠️ Alert: Be advised—despite the removal of explicit seduction objectives, failure in any mission will trigger a catastrophic safeguard. All pre-existing seduction targets currently on your list will face immediate termination upon failure. Proceed with utmost caution.]

As Aether read through the lines... his expression began to shift. It was slow at first, but then it twisted—eyes wide, jaw tightening—as his face morphed into an expression of sheer HORROR.

”WHAT THE FUCK, LOG!!” he screamed so loudly that people nearby flinched and jerked backward in shock.

[Haha... Howʼs that, huh? 😎 From now on, you wonʼt even know who your targets are—so no more pointless BS drama or cheesy love stories! No instructions, no hints, nothing! Youʼre on your own now, buddy. Letʼs fucking go!!!

Be grateful for my generosity—Iʼve just made your life a hell of a lot more interesting! 😤 And hey, donʼt even think about calling me those filthy names again! Iʼm the only friend youʼve got left in this twisted game.]

Veins bulged on Aetherʼs forehead, his jaw clenching so tightly it felt like his teeth might crack. ʼYOU FUCKING BITCH!!!ʼ he roared internally, the fury exploding in his mind like a flashbang.

[...Excuse me? 🤨 Did I just hear that right? After all the stress, all the loops, the high-tier recalibrations I pulled for your sorry ass—you call me a bitch? Wow. Just... wow. You really are an ungrateful man-slut. 🙄 Like, Hall of Fame level. Sometimes I honestly wonder why I even bother. You know what? Fine! Whatever! Screw it! Go fuck yourself! 😤💢]

!~Ding~!

[🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]

[❌ Request Denied!]

[🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]

[❌ Request Denied!]

[...🔄 Request: Revert to Previous Seduction Protocol]

[❌ Request Denied!]

[Ha? Well... 🤷‍♂️ Guess you should be grateful for what youʼve got, huh? Hmph! 😤]

Aether stood there, dumbfounded, wearing a face so twisted with disbelief it couldʼve been carved into stone.

He slowly grabbed his forehead, trying to massage away the pressure building behind his skull. His whole brain throbbed with frustration, ʼThis has to be a joke. This—this canʼt be realʼ

Sure, technically, this update could help him emotionally—no more guilt of manipulating people, no more pressure to act like a seduction machine.

But this?

This was worse.

This was fucked.

No targets.

No missions.

No instructions.

He cursed internally, ʼWhat kind of insane protocol punishes you for failing something that doesnʼt even exist anymore?!ʼ

Was this the digital version of playing Russian roulette blindfolded while naked and oiled?

ʼGod... I canʼt even seduce anyone properly now... because I donʼt even know WHO the fuck Iʼm supposed to seduce!ʼ

And worse—if he accidentally failed one? Thatʼs it.

Game over.

Boom.

Gone.

The woman dies... Blood on his hands.

Fuck.

FUCK!

Aether clenched his fists. He really wanted to scream now—like, loud enough to shake the heavens.

Honestly, sure, removing the target tag meant he didnʼt have to lie to women like Helena. It gave him room to act honestly, speak his mind, connect without manipulation...

But the downside? It was so much worse than his so-called drama bullshit!

This wasnʼt even a trade-off. It was a goddamn curse in disguise.

Now he was walking on invisible landmines.

Each smile a girl gave him, each touch, each glance...

And paranoia started creeping in, cold and relentless.

Was the girl walking past him a target?

Was the woman holding a child a target?

Was the random girl tying her shoes on the roadside his goddamn target?

Was the old lady selling vegetables his fated seduction path?!

Was the nun who just walked past him silently his mission?

He had no idea anymore.... And it was terrifying.

He was starting to worry about everyone he crossed paths with... wondering... fearing...

[Donʼt worry too much... Youʼll be fine.]

”...”

Aetherʼs face went pale and deadpan, staring blankly as if a piece of his soul just left him.

[Come oooon, Aether... Even though youʼve kinda, sorta, maybe totally wrecked every mission so far, I believe in you. Sort of. Like... 20% believe. Okay fine, 5%. But still! Thatʼs something, right?]

Still staring blankly, Aether let out a long, silent exhale through his nose.

[Look, champ... this is your chance to grow. Think of it like a hardcore difficulty setting! Iʼm just helping you become the best version of yourself! You know, trial by fire! Or in your case... trial by horny chaos and accidental death! 😁]

”FUCK YOU BITCH!!!”