Chapter 1: Enter: Abel De Sade
The sky was a suffocating shade of grey, as if the heavens themselves had been shrouded in ash. A cold, clammy fog slithered through the cobblestone streets of the sprawling district, devouring the morning sun and muting the cacophony of industry.
A factory whistle cut through the eerie stillness, its sound distant, hollow, as if coming from another world. Somewhere, a woman clutched her child to her chest, her breath shallow and uneven. Her eyes watered as she pulled a damp rag over her mouth, a futile attempt to shield herself and her baby from the air that clawed at their throats. She staggered, her knees buckling as the fog seemed to seep into her very lungs.
Somewhere else, a young boy, no older than eight, sat on the steps of a weathered tenement building. His face was smeared with soot, his hollow eyes darting nervously at the fog creeping closer, swallowing the streetlamps one by one. He clutched a tin toy soldier in his trembling hand. Around him, people moved sluggishly, their faces pale and damp, their breaths shallow. A woman with a basket of bread paused mid-step, clutching her chest, her loaf tumbling into the mud.
The fog thickened. It moved like a living thing, writhing and coiling through alleyways and open markets, snaking into homes through cracks under doors and poorly sealed windows.
Further down the street, a man in a threadbare coat leaned against a lamppost, his face pale beneath the grime. He coughed, the sound wet and violent, echoing through the silent street. His hands shook as he pulled a flask from his pocket, but even the burn of cheap whiskey couldn't clear the taste of ash and decay from his mouth. He slid to the ground, his gaze fixed on the blurred outlines of children running ahead, their laughter gone, replaced by shallow, desperate gasps.
In the marketplace, the stalls stood abandoned, their wares forgotten. Apples rotted where they fell, their skins mottled with black spots as if the air itself had poisoned them. A butcher, apron streaked with blood, knelt beside his chopping block, his cleaver dropped at his side. He tried to rise, but his vision swam, the edges darkening until the world was nothing but a swirling void.
Above it all, the smog stretched higher, twisting into unnatural shapes against the dim light of the sun. It seemed alive, a malignant force that consumed all in its path. People convulsed, dogs whimpered, cats shrieked, and birds fell mid-flight; they all crashed to the streets.
In a crumbling apartment, a little girl pressed her face to the glass, her small hands leaving smudges on the pane. She watched the world dissolve into grey, her mother's voice a distant murmur behind her, urging her to step away. But she didn't move, her eyes wide as she saw a figure in the distance.
The figure stood tall and slender, draped in a flowing white robe; her hair was pulled back, revealing a long, graceful neck that seemed to stretch endlessly. The woman's features were striking, yet there was an unsettling aura about her—a presence that felt both sacred and ominous.
The girl blinked, and the figure suddenly vanished as if an illusion.
In the quiet of an empty street, the boy with the tin soldier lay curled on the cold stone steps, his breaths coming in laboured gasps. The toy slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground. The fog enveloped him, a soft, suffocating blanket, until even his frail form disappeared into the haze.
Somewhere far away, a clock struck the hour. But no one counted the chimes.
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Loen Kingdom, Backlund, Empress Borough
Abel's eyes snapped open, his breath sharp as he jolted upright in bed. "A Dream Revelation?" He blurted, frowning two seconds later as he realised what he said.
Why did I…The young man's thoughts paused as information suddenly filled his mind.
"So that's how it is." Abel stroked his chin thoughtfully, pointedly ignoring—for now— how his surname was now De Sade. "A Jumpchain, huh?"
It was the cause of his current predicament.
Transmigrated, Isekai'ed, or whatever it was called, to another version of himself. Though, despite the suddenness, Abel wasn't perturbed about his situation.
Maybe it was because of his Calm & Collectedand Perspectiveperks working in tandem, but either way, the white-haired young man was sure that escaping the mundanity and monotony of modern society was another reason.
Who hasn't imagined themselves in a different world with different circumstances? Especially with actual power at their fingertips? He mused, slipping out of his bed and walking to the mirror.
Everything about his appearance was more or less the same, the biggest change being his now white hair and gold eyes, a sign of being of the House De Sade.
Abel scoffed at the fact, his memories showing him that nobility was not as sunshine and rainbows as people would think.
Knock! Knock!
"Young Master?" A soft, feminine voice sounded from the other side of the door.
The jumper paused, a face coming to my mind as he heard the voice, "Enter."
The door creaked open, revealing Roberta, his personal maid. She stepped inside with grace that was precise and deliberate, her expression neutral. Dressed in a simple black-and-white maid uniform, she bowed slightly, her blue eyes sharp and focused.
"Good morning, Young Master. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Shall I assist you with your morning routine?"
Abel studied her for a moment, then curiously asked, "Roberta, do you believe in Death?"
The maid with mixed heritage calmly gazed into her young master's gold eyes, "I believe in Death, Young Master."
"I see." Abel nodded and didn't ask further, "As for help with getting ready, there's no need, I'll handle it myself today."
"As you wish, Young Master. Will you require anything else?" As she asked, her blue eyes shifted to his crotch before returning to his eyes.
The young man considered her for a moment, as explicit images of his maid flashed in his mind's eye, he shook his head, "Not at the moment, I'll be down shortly."
With another bow, Roberta stepped back, and as she was about to close the door, she paused, glancing back at him as she said, "If I may, Young Master…are you feeling well this morning? You seemed... preoccupied when I knocked."
Abel's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Just a restless dream, nothing more. I'm fine, Roberta."
She nodded once, then slipped out of the room, leaving Abel alone with his thoughts.
What an interesting reaction. He turned back to the mirror, his reflection staring back at him with twitching lips, "Seriously, whoever put me here must have been drunk and horny or fucking when they were creating my background."
Abel's reason for thinking such a thing was normal, as what was such a French—Intis-like noble family doing in Loen?
No, he knew why, apparently his ancestor assisted the Augustus royal family greatly, enough to get him the title of Earl.
There's definitely more to it…Abel's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and it's most likely Beyonder related.
And wasn't that a surprise?
The supernatural and magic existed in some form in this world, hidden from the common folk.
The system though?
Abel could confidently say it is one of the most unique power systems…and also one of the most dangerous.
Fireballs weren't shot, and wands were not required.
Rather, gaining power required drinking potions.
It sounded easy, but that wasn't the case. Potions required ingredients, ingredients that complemented the path one would take.
These paths are referred to as Pathways, and each pathway has Sequences numbering from 9 to 1. Each sequence contains its own abilities, and each pathway has its own specialties. As one increases in sequence, their abilities expand in scope and variety.
The people with these abilities are known as Beyonders.
Fortunately, the previous me didn't become a Beyonder, and instead chose to learn more about them. Abel's thoughts drifted as he made his way to the washroom.
The year was 1349 of the Fifth Epoch, and he was currently in Backlund, Loen Kingdom. Abel noted the similarities with the Victorian era of Britain that Loen had.
Similarly, the Intis Republic had places and names that were French, with their openness about sex and libertine lifestyles resembling the French Court of Versailles.
Speaking of Intis, that Roselle fellow is definitely from the Modern Era. Abel opened the bathroom door, halting as he came face to back with a tall, naked, feminine figure.
"Dominique," The name left his lips as the figure's black hair waved as she turned to face him.
Upturned gold eyes met his own pair, a look of surprise appearing on his half-sister's face, "Abel?"
Abel's surprise was only momentary, and he calmly asked, "Veronica?"
Dominique De Sade frowned in annoyance as a blush covered her face, "She's having her way with a maid in my bathroom."
The white haired man raised an eyebrow in amusement as he lifted her chin, "After everything we've done, you're still acting like a blushing maiden?"
"S-shut up." The ravenette glared at him with a flushed face, but it was clear to see there was no heat in words.
Abel's lips curled as his hand wrapped around her wide hips, sweeping her off her feet, much to her shock, "How cute."
"Let go." Ignoring her plea, Abel sank into the warm bath with her in his lap.
Dominique instinctively relaxed into his arms as she felt the warm water, a peaceful silence filling the room.
After a few minutes, Dominique tilted her head to look into his eyes, "I heard from Roberta that you're visiting Viscount Glaint?"
"You can come." Abel directly said with a knowing smile, surprising his sister.
"…You know?"
"Know that my half-sister stalks me?"
"Yes—I mean no!" Dominique vehemently denied after his words registered.
Abel chuckled, running his hand through her hair, "It was a joke."
"Not funny." She pouted.
"Sorry, my dear knight hidden in the shadows."
"Vampire," Dominique corrected, changing her position so that she was sitting sideways on his lap, "I am your Vampire knight, mon chéri~"
The Vampiress' face moved to Abel's neck, and her mouth parted, revealing fangs that sunk into his neck the next moment.
This…No wonder women always get seduced by vampires in movies and stories. The pleasure Abel received made a certain erect body part throb.
It wasn't the first time having his blood sucked, as ever since Dominique had become a Sequence 7 Vampirelast week, she would drink his blood at least once a day.
It's just that she seemed more fervent and intense today, and he more or less knew why.
After a minute of drinking his blood, Dominique's fangs dislodged from his neck, and as she licked the remaining blood, she said, "Abel, the taste of your blood today is…divine."
Abel unhurriedly replied, "I had a strange dream."
"Dream?" The raven-haired vampiress expression instantly shifted to concern, "Did you hear voices or meet someone in that dream? Did 'They' ask you to help 'Them'?"
Abel's first thought was to deny that he encountered a hidden existence or evil god, but then he remembered a perk of his, Ritebound. A ritual that would allow someone to call upon him, allowing him to respond in ways a deity would.
The perk allowed him to scry on and teleport to whoever held the ritual, with the range being a little above planetary. He could also share his abilities for at least a day with the target.
This was an opportunity to slip in the ritual which would allow him to have a way to protect his sister in the future.
After a moment of thought, he threw the idea to the wind. Dominique was too emotional when it came to him, and she may tell their father if she thought Abel was in danger or entangled with an unknown power. Even if her intentions were to protect him, Abel had no intention of letting his abilities be exposed this early.
"Mon chéri?" Slender hands grabbed his face as gold eyes stared at him with worry.
"I was thinking," He started, "It might be a revelation."
Dominique gave him a look that said, 'Are you being serious?'
And to be honest, Abel couldn't blame her, she was the only person who actually knew how impious he was…and maybe their father.
And Earth Mother, He thoughtfully added as he replied to Dominique, "Prophetic dream then. That tragedy is going to strike Backlund."
The vampiress knew that despite her brother's aloof demeanour, he had a gentle, caring, loving, passionate, benevol—ahem!—heart. So she wouldn't be surprised if the dream was getting to him, "Tragedy?"
Abel eyed her for a moment as he wondered if the liquid on his leg was from the bath water, "A world consumed by its own decay. A fog that eats away at life itself... and the sky, suffocating beneath it all…East Borough will be drowned in despair."
Demoness Pathway…The perk Folkloric Interestprovided Abel general knowledge of the 22 Beyonder Pathways, supernatural creatures, and important figures.
Thanks to this, he was aware that the Demoness Pathway is centred around causing disaster and catastrophe. With Demoness' specialties being assassination, seduction, curse magic, and inflicting diseases.
At least tens of thousands died in that dream…Demigod. To be able to pull such an attack off without being intercepted by official beyonders means that her concealment and disease abilities have reached another level.
Or she had received a sufficient Sealed Artefact, but that wouldn't explain how no one responded in time…A diversion? Something else occupied the Churches?
If I want to deal with the Demoness I need the help of at least a sequence 4, preferably a sequence 3. Abel's thoughts churned as he tried to dissect the happenings of his dream.
The young noble wasn't heartless, and he couldn't simply turn a blind eye to the suffering that would befall East Borough. However, his survival and that of his loved ones came first. Though that doesn't mean he will abandon them at the first sight of danger. To fade away without even knowing why, that is despairing.
Humans truly are contradictory creatures, Abel sighed, before stiffening at the feeling of a hand wrapped around his delicate prized possession. His gaze shifted to the maliciously smirking Dominique.
"Mon chéri~ You have a naked, beautiful woman in your lap and you get lost in thought?" She rhetorically questions, shaking her head, "Non, non, non, this cannot stand."
With seemingly no effort, the vampiress manhandles Abel, making him sit on the edge of the bathtub. As a consequence, his erect member comes into full view, making his half-sister lick her lips in anticipation.
Abel inwardly sighs as he piously prays for the Earth Mother's blessings to survive the ordeal without losing any blood, unaware that he almost touched upon an over a thousand year old concealment.
….
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De Sade Family Dining Room.
"Oyah~ You two sure took your time." As Abel entered the dining room along with Dominique, a feminine voice mused aloud.
"Good morning, Veronica." Abel unhurriedly greeted his elder sister who spoke up, feeling no surprise or embarrassment at her insinuation.
Veronica was Abel and Dominique's elder sister by three years -being 23–She had the typical white hair and gold eyes of the De Sade family, along with a generous figure, her bust prominent unlike Dominique.
Has my libido increased along with my improved body? Or is it because I'm Intisian? Abel controlled his expression as he greeted the rest of his family.
It was a strange feeling, as not even an hour ago, he was an orphan, and had been for as long as he could remember.
"Good morning, Father, Mother, Antoine."
"Good morning, Mon chéri, and you too, Ma chéri." Lady De Sade, Abel's mother, and Dominique's stepmother greeted them with a smile. Despite being nearly fifty years old, the woman seemed to look as if she wasn't a day over a thirty.
Is white hair common? Or am I a result of incest…The transmigrated young man wondered.
"Good day to you too, my littlest siblings." The heir apparent to the De Sade House, Antoine, smiled brightly in greeting.
How fake. Abel thought, as his gaze went to the head seat of the dining table.
Earl De Sade was a dignified man with sharp, striking features. He had long greyish-silver hair tied back in a half-up style, a neatly groomed beard and moustache that showed his age, and golden eyes that seemed to exude wisdom.
Interesting…everyone except Mother is a Beyonder. Abel took a seat beside Antoine, with Dominique next to Victoria.
Soon, the breakfast was brought into the room by the servants.
Not bad, The second son of De Sade thought, as he savoured the quiche.
"I hear you're planning a visit to Viscount Glaint." Abel paused, swallowed his food, and looked to the head of the table.
"Yes, Father, I received an invitation from the Viscount."
The Earl De Sade paused his hand over his cup, his gaze shifting from Abel to Dominique, and back to his son. The silence stretched for a moment, and then, in a voice that carried the weight of years of, he spoke.
"Uphold the House De Sade's reputation…"
What reputation? Our skill in extramarital affairs? Abel resisted saying, letting his father continue.
"…And don't do anything dangerous."
Of course he knows about the Beyonder gathering. He and Dominique shared a glance, the latter responding.
"We understand, Father, I will protect Abel."
Sister, what's with that resolve in your eyes? What battlefield are we heading to? Abel's lips twitched as he lampooned.
"Kids, they grow up quickly, right Mother?" Antoine said with a wistful smile.
Elise De Sade placed her teacup down, and glanced at Abel with a knowing smile, "When will my grandchildren be coming, Abel?"
"Mother?!" Dominique squeaked, feeling flustered.
The Modern man calmly put down his cutlery, lips curling upwards as he glanced at his sister and then mother, "Tonight, if Dominique is ready."
"…."
Silence suddenly filled the dining room at the unexpected answer.
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A/N: An actual Lord of the Mysteries snippet and not COI. Story pacing might be slow for this snippet, not really sure, but hope you enjoyed.
[Abel Image]