EPISODE 5
Nicholas
(wakes up, stretching) …Okay. Good news: I didn’t die in my sleep. Bad news: I’m still here.
{???}
Survival Route progress: 16%. New Task: Learn the Dynamics hierarchy.
Nicholas
Ugh, fine. Give me the crash course.
{???}
Roles: Alpha – dominant leaders. Beta – stable middle ground. Omega – rare, fertile, often protected. Enigma—
Nicholas
“Fertile”? Did you just… bold that word?! Delete it immediately!
Servant Beta
(knocks, entering with breakfast tray) Good morning, Omega.
Nicholas
(grimaces) I have a name, you know. It’s not “Omega,” it’s Nicholas. Repeat after me.
Servant Beta
…Yes, Omega Nicholas
Xander
(enters without knocking, voice steady) You’re awake.
Nicholas
Do you people not believe in doors?!
Xander
(ignores) Eat. Omegas need strength.
Nicholas
(staring at the feast on the tray) …This is more food than my old landlord gave me for a year. What’s the catch?
Xander
No catch. You’re mine.
Nicholas
(points with toast) Sir. That is the catch
Nicholas
(💭)Okay, time to ask questions. Subtle ones. No panicking. No screaming. I need intel if I’m going to survive this soap opera world.
Nicholas
So… what’s an Enigma?
Xander
(pauses, studying him) Why do you ask?
Nicholas
Oh, no reason. Just wondering if there’s a rank that lets me file a restraining order against Enigmas.
Xander
(low chuckle) Enigmas are… beyond classification. Rare. Dangerous.
Nicholas
(nodding) Cool, cool. So basically the DLC content. Got it.
Servant Beta
(curious) My Lord, shall I show him the estate rules?
Nicholas
(perks up) Yes! Rules! I love rules. Rules mean I can figure out how not to get murdered, right?
Servant Beta
1}Omegas must remain in Alpha territory unless escorted.
2}Omegas may not mask their scent without permission.
3}Omegas—
Nicholas
(interrupts) Wow, wow, wow. These rules are basically: “Don’t move, don’t breathe, don’t exist unless an Alpha signs your permission slip.”
Xander
You sound dissatisfied.
Nicholas
Nooo, I love living in a dystopian zoo. Five stars. Would transmigrate again.
Nicholas
(💭)Okay, so step one: survive Enigma Lord with cheekbones sharp enough to be a weapon. Step two: figure out this Enigma business. Step three: find the nearest exit.
Xander
(leans closer, voice low) Don’t think about running.
Nicholas
(jumps) I wasn’t! I was—uh—thinking about breakfast! Eggs! Toast! Totally innocent thoughts!
Xander
(smirk) Good. Stay that way.
Comments
Mar Briyith ER
This book changed my life.
2025-08-18
1