Masquerade of Temptation (1)

Leaving behind the clash between Baek Yu-Seol and the Great Blade Spider, the students finally descended all the stairs.

The Masquerade Banquet was being held on the first floor of the clock tower, so as they reached the bottom of the stairs, they naturally joined the event.

However, just before that, Hong Bi-Yeon stopped.

"... I should tidy up my dress before going. Rags like these don't suit a banquet."

Their appearances were a mess from the repeated intense battles, with everyone wearing dresses.

Hong Bi-Yeon skillfully adjusted their clothes. Torn parts were boldly ripped off, creating a short dress-like effect, and some areas were covered with accessories. It was quite skillful handiwork.

Edna looked at her with a newfound curiosity.

"Was Hong Bi-Yeon like this in the original work?"

Well, she didn't remember such a scene.

"Something... seems different. Normally, by now, Hong Bi-Yeon would be jealous of Eisel's strategy and plotting some kind of conspiracy.

But instead of jealousy, she was silently helping Eisel even with her attire.

"Tsk, you look like a beggar."

"What?"

Of course, she had to interrupt with a comment in the middle of it.

"Well, considering it's gotten to this somewhat decent state, let's go now."

Princess Hong Bi-Yeon took the lead and entered the Masquerade Banquet, with the students following with tense expressions.

"Wow..."

However, as soon as they entered, someone involuntarily exclaimed in awe.

And it was understandable.

It was far more magnificent than one would expect from a gathering held in a simple mansion.

Crystal chandeliers shone brightly in mid-air, masked nobles held each other's hands and danced amidst the radiant ambiance.

At the end, there was a pedestal adorned with beautiful stairs, but no one was standing there yet.

The students quietly hid themselves in the masquerade. Since it was a familiar melody, it wasn't difficult to follow along with the dance.

"This is... the music we heard earlier."

"I'm sure we danced to this before."

The music felt strangely familiar as they listened quietly.

Tang! Tatang!

Immediately after, with a loud sound effect, some of the lights dimmed, and all the spotlights focused on the pedestal in the front.

It became silent.

The bustling nobles all fell into silence, as if they had been waiting for the protagonist's entrance.

In the darkness, a woman walked gracefully under the spotlight.

Tock, tock!

It was likely that she was the final boss of this world, Lady Aeron, the Duchess.

However, the Duchess was not wearing a mask, and the students, facing her, widened their eyes in astonishment.

"Wait. That face..."

"Could it be...?"

Finally, Lady Aeron opened her mouth and uttered words that were truly unbelievable.

"Nice to meet you, everyone. I am Jecky Aeron."

It was none other than Jecky.

"How... How is this possible?"

"This is unreal...!"

Tock!

As the students murmured, Jecky smiled and gracefully bowed in greeting.

It was a movement so elegant that it was almost perfect, but it didn't suit her at all.

Edna's complexion turned pale.

'How did this even happen?'

'Such a development doesn't exist in the original novel. Well, to begin with, the character Jecky doesn't even appear in the original novel. And the idea of a regular human becoming an NPC in the Persona Gate is impossible.'

But, to think that she didn't just become an NPC, but even the final boss.

"No way..."

There was a being in the Persona Gate who could become an NPC. They were called the Dark Mages.

Which means...

'Jecky... was a Dark Mage?'

Unable to believe the twist, she bit her lip and quickly looked around.

"Wow!"

"Hwiyou! Lady Duchess! You're as beautiful as ever!"

"What do I do? I think I'm falling for her even though I'm a girl..."

The noble NPCs were ecstatic towards Jecky. And a guideline message appeared in front of the students.

[Lady Aeron has revealed herself!]

[The nobles seem to be acting strangely. It seems like they've been enchanted by the Duchess's magic.]

[So many nobles had gone missing and were found in the Duchess's mansion... I didn't expect such a secret to be hidden.]

The story began to come together.

[There is only one way to oppose her.]

[Be more beautiful than Lady Aeron. Dance with grace and restore the nobles' sanity!]

"What... dance?"

"To suddenly ask us to dance..."

While the students were bewildered, the enthusiasm of the nobles grew even stronger.

"Aeron! Aeron!"

"Please, just give us a smile in this direction!"

"Kyaaah! The Duchess waved her hand!"

"Darling, I think I've come to love Lady Aeron more than you."

"Ahh, to be able to dedicate my love to the Duchess. It's the greatest honor for me."

"I offer my heart!"

An ecstatic frenzy beyond comprehension.

Jecky waved her hand towards the noble NPCs, then smirked and slowly descended the stairs of the stage.

"Ah, exhilarating."

Everyone was ecstatic about her appearance. Look at the enthusiastic greetings. Didn't it feel like becoming the protagonist?

Slowly crossing through the nobles, Jecky moved to the center of the ballroom and stood among the students, casting a leisurely gaze around.

Meanwhile, a certain student stepped forward.

"Alright, this is great! Our goal this time is to dance more beautifully than Lady Aeron, and if you're Lady Aeron herself, it should be an easy task, right? Help us win!"

Then, silence.

All the music and commotion came to a halt. One of the spotlights that had been illuminating Jecky shifted and focused on the audacious student who had spoken.

The entire audience turned cold gazes toward him.

Jecky raised her chin, covered her mouth with a fan, and spoke.

"... Why should I do that?"

"W-Well..."

The tone was so chilling that they wondered if it was the same classmate they knew before. The students had an instinctive feeling of an aura of death emanating from her.

"Heheh."

However, Jecky smiled.

Despite emitting a dizzying aura that seemed like she could tear off his skin at any moment, she had gained a sense of composure.

Then, as if exaggerating her performance like an actor, she spoke while circling around the ballroom.

"What should we do with this rude individual?"

The responses came immediately.

"How dare he!"

"Bring forth death!"

"Drag him out!"

"To speak ill of the Duchess!"

"I'll personally rip out his tongue!"

"Ahahahaha!"

Seeing the nobles who were ready to offer their hearts to her every word, Jecky burst into laughter.

Then, she covered her mouth with the fan once again and chuckled.

"No. I am merciful, so I'll be satisfied with just expelling this student from here."

"Ah, indeed, Lady Aeron."

"How can someone be so kind-hearted?"

"Sob. I am ashamed of the uncivilized remarks I made!"

Soon, the knights stepped forward, grabbed the boy who had spoken and dragged him away.

"Wait, wait! Why are you doing this? Nooo!"

Thud!

After the boy was expelled, the main entrance closed firmly, and a heavy silence fell.

No one could understand this situation.

Why did Jecky become the final boss?

But, why wouldn't she cooperate?

Could it be that the control of her physical body was taken away by the final boss?

… No, that's not it.

That girl was definitely Jecky. She was moving of her own volition.

Edna was certain.

'Was this the reason why Baek Yu-Seol warned me to be cautious around her?'

Having spent time with Jecky and closely monitoring her condition, there had been no signs of her succumbing to the dark magic.

It meant that without a doubt, the seed of darkness had been transferred to her from someone else.

Furthermore, due to not suppressing her own emotions and letting them run wild, she had fully awakened as a being consumed by darkness the moment she entered this space.

Edna shouted out with the last glimmer of hope.

"Jecky, please calm down. If you succumb to that power, you might transform into something terrible!"

"Hah! Nonsense! Are you jealous of my popularity?"

"No, it's not like that! I'm really worried about you..."

"Shut up, Edna. If you envy my charm, just say it. Look, everyone loves me, not you, they're all looking at me."

She was wrong. Her mind had already been firmly corroded by the darkness.

Moreover, she had become deeply immersed in her role in the Persona Gate, making persuasion seem futile.

There was only one remaining option. To win in the dance battle and strip her of the power of temptation, returning her to her original self.

"That's right... Nothing has changed. I just have to defeat Jecky and bring her back to her senses."

"Well then! Shall we start the party together?"

Standing at the center of the ballroom, Jecky raised both arms high and shouted, and a thunderous cheer erupted.

"Wowww!"

"Whoo-hoo!"

"Aeron! Aeron!"

Everyone in the ballroom cheered for her.

It was exhilarating. It felt like her head, chest, and heart would melt away. The feeling of being in the spotlight, receiving attention from people, came with such an electrifying thrill.

"Haaa..."

Jecky let out a passionate sigh and turned to Edna with flushed cheeks, her eyes filled with a loving gaze.

"Edna, my Edna..."

She spoke in a slightly chilly voice that only Edna could hear.

"You... have been enjoying this amazing feeling, haven't you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You were really bad. Selfish. Look, it's so sweet, thrilling, and delightful. I feel like I'll never forget this."

Ah.

As she was speaking, Jecky realized something and immediately licked her lips, wearing a seductive smile.

"... No, I won't let go of this forever."

In this place, she too could live as the most beautiful existence in the world, eternally receiving applause, just like Edna.

She didn't want to leave. With such a fantastic place existing, why should she help those savages?

Even Edna, Eisel, and Hong Bi-Yeon were nothing more than mere extras in this world...

'It's heaven.'

'A world just for me.'

'A stage just for me.'

"Edna, don't you want to dance with me?"

In her mind, she felt countless rhythms, music, songs, and dances. Despite never having learned to dance before in her life, at that moment, Jecky felt like she could perform the most elegant and beautiful dance.

Tap, thud!

As she lightly stepped, sparks of dark magic flickered from the floor.

£Swish!*

Creating a magic circle ablaze with crimson flames, Jecky spoke gracefully.

"It's better to charge with full power. In this place, I have no intention of losing to you."

[Before the boss battle, the 'Masquerade of Temptation' has begun.]