Harem Tournament of Champions

This chapter is dedicated to my most active/privilege reader [Intermoment]

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The next day,

Standing outside the door of Pesa, Hisha knocked on her door.

"Who the fuck is it?" She barked and threw a lampstand at the door.

Bang!

Clank!

Hisha chuckled at her method of starting up a conversation.

"You do know I am the only one who knows of this particular room," Hisha replied amidst chuckling.

Even though he could enter if he needed to, he refrained from using his ability aggressively with her if he wanted to win her trust.

"Kritz knows about this place." Pesa snorted on the other side.

Hisha facepalmed, his brows twitching at the response. He had thought they were past the weird remarks and spiteful comments.

[Be calm, she's trying to force out what isn't there]

'Oh, it's there, alright!' Hisha placed his palm on the wall and closed his eyes to calm his slowly building anger.

"Pesa, could you open the door?" Hisha tried one last time, speaking through gritted teeth.

[Someone's in a bad mood]

'Bad mood, you say? She's the only freaking harem member who thinks of me as worse than trash and a murderer.'

[Well you are a mur–]

Recalling their little discussion the previous night, HTC was quick to cut off its comment.

[Even though she thinks that way, it's up to you to prove that you aren't the man she thought you to be]

Hisha nodded his head to the explanation and smiled. 'Thank you, HTC.'

[Anytime]

HTC replied, slightly glad that its host could not detect its nervousness at almost ruining the promise made if it wasn't for the timely intervention and switch it could do.

Click!

Pesa pulled the door open and peered out with her head. She looked uninterested and tired.

Locking eyes with Hisha, she immediately looked away.

[Exp+1]

Hisha was stunned by the gain and was left speechless but also glad about the improvement.

[We have made progress, host!]

HTC whooped in joy for its host, glad he was finally getting a lead in the most difficult harem member.

"Can I come in?" Hisha stressed with a warm smile.

Pesa stood still for a while, exhaling and inhaling before opening the door.

Walking in with his hands clasped behind him, he was quick to take in her revealing nightdress.

It was a transparent bodycon mesh dress with the length to her knees. He could tell from the mesh robe she covered up with that she wore nothing other than that.

Trying his best not to have his eyes glued to her not-so-visible nipple, he looked towards the ceiling.

"You do take care of this place quite nicely." He commented, nodding his head.

[Stop doing that, it makes you look slightly–]

Thinking things through, HTC realized what a terrible idea it was to agree to such a condition with its host.

It was one thing to speak on what it felt without masking anything, it was another to try to put all the things it viewed in a positive light.

[You wouldn't want your harem's respect dwindling if they see you being less of a courageous overlord]

Hisha forced his head down at the words and looked into those captivating eyes, repeatedly telling himself that he had come to her for some discussion and no other activity.

"My lord," Pesa curtsied much to the dismay and discomfort of Hisha as he watched her breast bounce to the movement.

Feeling the need to spark up the conversation till it flowed naturally, he chose to attack the first problem he was facing–his attention dwindling and swaying to other places.

"Pesa, should I consider your dressing as some form of–"

Pesa wrapped her hand around Hisha's neck and kissed him passionately on the cheek.

Expecting some sort of exp, Hisha was left disappointed when she pulled away, it left something odd inside of him.

[She initiated a kiss, host!]

'I got no desire points in any way, couldn't you feel something wrong with that?' Hisha retorted, taking a step back.

The urge to wipe on his lips and glare at her was a feeling that was so hard to keep at bay, so much so that he had to turn his back on her and exhale.

Not looking back at her for a while, he spoke calmly. "What was that for?"

Pesa stood frozen and unsure. "It just came at the moment."

Even though Hisha knew that they all couldn't see the Exp+ points he would get for every successful hold he had on his harem in specific situations, kissing was by far the easiest way of getting points.

'Yet nothing.' He thought with suspicion.

[There is a speck of desire towards you, although it isn't confirmed what might have been the case to bring about such a reaction]

His eyes still latched onto her nightdress, he suddenly found it repulsive. "Could you change into something a bit befitting, you don't have to force yourself to put in the effort?"

Pesa looked down at her body and furrowed her brows, downhearted by his reply. "This doesn't please you?"

'What the heck is she driving at?' Hisha wondered but gave no response to her question just yet.

Pesa tugged at his waistband, "my lord if it's alright by you, I would love to rejoin the others as part of your harem."

'This is another trick of hers.'

[Charismatic ability activated]

[Host, no!]

Hisha's eyes had glowed, and so was Pesa who stood frozen in place while under his hold.

'It wouldn't hurt to know what is truly in her thoughts, I should be justified.' Hisha defended.

"What is your–"

[Please, host, listen to me]

Hisha narrowed his eyes at the user interface, wondering why it was suddenly concerned about using the ability.

[Using your charismatic ability on your harem could bring about dire consequences. If you can't get the information without the use of the charismatic ability, then you are no better than a useless head]

Hisha fumed at the condition set before him, 'is there any freaking thing that goes my way for once?'

[With anyone other than your harem, you are free to use as you please with 100% authenticity]

'You sound like an ad.' Hisha deadpanned with a grim look on his face.

Taking a glance at Pesa, his fists clenched with regret as he disabled the ability. Although he could sense she was positively different from the first time they had met.

'There's just something strange with her desire to join the others.' Hisha shook his head, disturbed by her request.

[Calmly explain your reasons, and offer conditions]

"Lord Hisha?" Pesa's voice brought him out of his trance-like state from her perspective.

"I need time to verify your trustworthiness. If that's settled, you're free to join the rest in your designated meretrix." Hisha explained.

"Oh..." Pesa sighed, "even this isn't enough to do it, huh?" She unintentionally muttered her motive.

Catching on, Hisha held her hand and pulled her closer.

Gasp!

Pesa was startled by the frightening speed used and was now only mere inches away from his face.

[Exp+2]

'Strange.' Hisha noted whilst searching her eyes.

"Tell me–truthfully, why did you try to seduce me?" Hisha held the stare long enough for her to feel uncomfortable.

She tried to pull away but was firmly held by the waist by Hisha.

A slight shake of his head, and he raised a brow signaling his desire to hear her express herself.

Her mouth made an 'o' but no words came out, then her lips drew into a thin line, reconsidering her actions.

"Pesa, if you truly want my trust, this is the first step." Hisha pressed further, hoping to appeal to her reason.

[That's right, go the sweet talker way]

Hisha internally facepalmed and ignored HTC like a plague.

Pesa struggled to maintain her composure as she spoke after a nod of her head.

"I had thought if I could seduce you, I could try to love you like the rest." She muttered, fiddling with her fingers.

Hisha stifled a laugh, almost certain that he was being mocked.

"You were a little vocal about yours, but I'm sure there are thousands among the rest who are hiding their true motives, like you."

Pesa struggled to hold his stare after the accusation he put out.

Pulling her by the chin, he grinned and had his breath fan her face. "You on the other hand have a beautiful habit of showing your real colors. To your benefit, it's for the best."

Pesa couldn't understand what he meant by that, "I do not understand that, my lord."

"If I get wind of those who plot against me, I have no reason for their lives being spared–not even my harem." He concluded with a grim look.

Pesa's eyes doubled in size, realizing how fortunate she was, curious, she needed to know. "What makes me different, my lord?"

*****

A/N

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