"Zephyr, could you do me a favor? This computer stuff can be a real challenge," Mira's voice remained as melodious as ever, her charm and charisma a magnetic presence in the office.

As a junior apprentice, Zephyr felt a surge of excitement when asked for help, especially by Miss Mira.

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Zephyr's response came with a hurried attempt, coupled with a clumsy salute, much to the amusement of the entire office.

"Oh, at ease, soldier! I only need your help with the computer, not on the battlefield!" Laughter filled the room as Mira played along, shouting like a drill master. Zephyr couldn't help but blush in response.

"Take it easy on the junior, ma'am!" someone chimed in.

"Hahaha!" Though Zephyr was embarrassed, the camaraderie in the room was infectious, making him feel like he had found a new home.

Before long, Zephyr, the Archaeological Technician and Researcher in the Department of Archaeology, became a center of attention in the office. Zephyr's adept work and impeccable management skills garnered admiration from most, and his modesty won the hearts of his colleagues.

Mira, his superior and first crush, played a significant role in smoothing his transition into the workplace. Zephyr was immensely grateful to her.

"Wow, Zephyr, you're exceptionally skilled at this!" Mira's frequent praise might have made Zephyr's nose grow a little longer. "It's all thanks to your guidance, ma'am. You're a terrific teacher," he replied, maintaining his characteristic modesty.

"Don't be so modest, Zephyr. I only give credit where it's due, and you consistently do an outstanding job," Mira's presence gradually became a beacon of admiration for Zephyr.

She playfully teased, "And drop the 'ma'am.' Am I really that old? Just call me 'senior.'"

"You're not old at all; in fact, you look very young and beautiful, ma'am – I mean, senior!" Zephyr's cheeks turned several shades of red as he fumbled with his words.

"Hahaha! I can't take it anymore," Mira laughed heartily, holding her stomach, and seeing Zephyr's face turn as red as a tomato. "Ah, look at the time, let's get going." Her friendly demeanor put Zephyr at ease.

"Is this the dream place to work, or did I do something great in the past to have such wonderful people around me?" Zephyr pondered. His cheerful attitude and endearing nature were adored by everyone, or so he believed.

As the days passed, the office gradually became Zephyr's second home, thanks to Mira. His circle of friends expanded, and his popularity soared. Consequently, he found himself frequently invited to post-work gatherings.

However, whenever an opportunity arose, he invariably chose to spend most of his time with Mira, opting out of large office parties without a second thought.

Zephyr couldn't help but be captivated by Mira's style, from her chic outfits to the tantalizing glimpse of lace beneath her white shirt. Her fragrance, her new haircut, her playful hair flips, her confident gait, her gentle smile, and even the sound of her heels—all etched deeply in his heart.

Unbeknownst to Zephyr, he had fallen head over heels for Mira, remaining oblivious to the changes happening around him. The most significant change was in how people perceived him.

Gradually, he noticed that people were distancing themselves, and his interactions with his colleagues grew more limited. This was despite his growing proximity to Mira, and it left him feeling short-lived happiness.

As the project they collaborated on concluded, they went their separate ways, though Mira still visited Zephyr frequently.

Over time, the favors Mira requested began to increase, shifting from casual requests to obligations. However, Zephyr remained oblivious to this shift in dynamics, attributing it to his humility and unassuming nature.

His lack of awareness and modesty inadvertently led others to misconstrue his intentions as cunning and ignorant.

Then, inevitably, the unexpected occurred. The unsettling change finally lifted the fog in Zephyr's mind.

"I-I'm so sorry! Are you okay, Natasha? I didn't mean to bump into you," a commotion captured everyone's attention. Zephyr, standing with a guilty expression, hurriedly helped a distraught woman named Natasha.

No one was quite sure what had transpired, but it appeared that coffee had spilled on Natasha's table, and her distress seemed to point fingers at Zephyr as the culprit.

The accusatory glares from his colleagues puzzled Zephyr. Why was he being viewed as a criminal? In reality, he had been helping the girl who lost her balance, inadvertently spilling coffee over her work.

"What's happening here? And what are you doing, Zephyr?" Mira, now overseeing the department, entered the scene without prior knowledge. Without asking any questions, she admonished Zephyr, "Is this how you treat a junior? This is rather careless, isn't it?"

Her voice resonated throughout the department, capturing everyone's attention, including those who had initially ignored the commotion.

"Haha, nothing, Senior, it was just an acci–" Zephyr was abruptly cut off.

"Why the smile, Zephyr? Is this office a joke? This is a workplace, not your home. And where are your manners? How could you spill coffee on Natasha’s table?"

"I apologize, ma'am. But I did not do this–"

“I don’t want to hear anything! You’ll be doing her work tonight; that’s your punishment for being careless.” Mira pronounced her judgment, her tone akin to a jury delivering a sentence, and then she walked away.

“Come with me, Natasha. Don’t cry–” Her tone turned softer as if nothing had happened.

Murmurs circulated throughout the office, yet no one dared to approach Zephyr; he was shunned like the plague.

At that moment, Zephyr experienced an unsettling feeling, as if a dagger had pierced his heart, as if something in his world had shattered, like a facade crumbling to pieces. He felt utterly lost.

...

"I'm sorry for scolding you earlier, Zephyr. I wanted to set an example for the newcomers and show them I'm not easy to please and can be very strict when necessary. You understand, don't you?" Mira extended an olive branch, handing Zephyr an iced tea with a warm smile.

‘So that was the reason…’ Zephyr felt relieved. However, as Mira continued, “Now, like a good boy, complete Natasha’s work and help me set an example so that…”

Mira's words went unheard as Zephyr stared at her with blank eyes.

“...you’ll do that, right?”

"Yes, ma'am, I understand."

Despite his affirmation, a myriad of questions plagued his mind. Did Mira intend to set an example? If so, why had she chosen him? Even though she had offered an apology, her eyes conveyed no hint of remorse; did they carry a trace of malice?

Small cracks appeared in front of his vision, which gradually took on a reddish tint.

...

As he contemplated in the dimly lit department hall, a sad smile tinged with melancholy lingered on his face. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't stop smiling.

The humiliation he had experienced, being cast aside and betrayed, swirled in Zephyr's mind.

'Since when did I become so gullible?' This question echoed in his thoughts.

Like a fly ensnared in a spider's web, Zephyr found himself trapped from all sides. The memories of recent events, his history in the office, and even his image of the old Mira – all of it felt like an illusion.

It took time, but eventually, he realized he had been used, and manipulated by Mira's machinations.

The once inviting world now felt suffocating.

He questioned himself: Was Mira always like this? Why the sudden change? Why had her warm eyes turned cold?

As time passed, the warmth in the office faded, and Zephyr lost himself, much like a flower wilting in the snowfall.

And on the day he mustered the courage to confess to Mira, Zephyr found answers to his questions.

The colleagues in the office neither supported nor cheered for him. His confession seemed unwelcome as if they no longer recognized the man Zephyr had been. Mira, too, appeared far from pleased. An uncomfortable silence pervaded the room, an excruciating moment for Zephyr.

Another crack fractured his vision, intensifying the reddish hue.

“Zephyr, you're just a child. I can't see you as a man," Mira’s response was colder than ice, echoed by numerous sighs from those in attendance who supported her words.

‘Why are these people rejoicing when she's rejecting me?’ Zephyr's face darkened.

“Don’t chase after something out of your league, you rat.” Someone from the crowd hurled an insult.

‘Wait a minute, were there so many people in the office?’ Zephyr looked around, taken aback by the sudden aggression.

“You're clumsy, filthy, and annoying. Always ogling my breasts and whatnot. Get away from me, you creep.” Mira's words were met with cheers from the crowd.

Fear gripped Zephyr, and he felt cornered, with no way to escape.

Mira's laughter, once warm and friendly, now sounded vicious as he fled the room, pursued by a feeling of panic.

His mind struggled to grasp the situation.

‘What's happening? When did Mira develop fangs? Why are they all attacking me? Wasn't I supposed to confess to Mira?’ Zephyr stumbled while running, but he realized there was nothing beneath his feet.

As he ran, he found no path, and Mira covered the distance between them at an unnatural speed.

The click of her heels echoed in the void, and Zephyr's heart trembled with fear.

No escape was in sight; Mira's shadow drew closer with each passing moment.

The darkness enveloped the surroundings, mirroring the woman cloaked in shadows.

"But you see, Zephyr... I'm an older woman... considerably older, I must say..." Her voice echoed, and time came to a halt.

"Zephyr..." The shadows retreated, revealing her rosy lips. Emerging from the darkness as she spoke, her figure transformed into a flowing black Victorian gown.

"I apologize," Maria spoke, her long black hair flowing like a river down her back.

"I apologize, my lord... it seems I may have placed my trust in someone else." Maria's words, tinged with a twist, resonated in Zephyr's mind. Yet, he couldn't discern whether he was dealing with Mira or Maria.

Crac- Crack-

The cracking sound intensified, echoing in the void.

Why had he been betrayed by both of them? How had he come to trust both of them? Why had he been used by both of them? These questions remained unanswered, shrouded in uncertainty.

Cra- Crack-

Zephyr's vision was now entirely veiled in red.

But perhaps there was a way to find answers.

Looking at his reflection on the ground, Zephyr questioned, “What would you do in such a situation… Mordret?” With these words, he felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins.

The chaotic thoughts in his mind abruptly ceased, replaced by a rush of adrenaline as he delved into memories of Mordret's past, gazing deeply into the reflection’s eyes.

Mordret Valorborn… How would he react in a similar situation? When people treated him poorly, subjected him to humiliation, and disrespected him, he had a brutal response: he fed them to the beasts. Trusting others often led to betrayal, and he had learned to avoid it.

“Why don’t you become as unyielding as the Lord of this game? Zephyr… you know how Mordret Valorborn deals with betrayal, don't you?” The reflection responded, and Zephyr found himself entirely captivated by its suggestion.

‘You're right… I must become the Lord, not Zephyr. Perhaps then, this pain will subside,’ he thought, a resolute smile playing on his lips as he locked eyes with his determined reflection.

The reflection continued, "These women can manipulate Zephyr because he is weak… he cannot confront them. However, Mordret? He can." Mordret’s voice echoed within the [Obelisk of Mirage], and his eyes took on a crimson hue. “You will pay for your betrayals, Mira or Maria. It makes no difference. You have betrayed the Lord of this barony. You have humiliated me… You will pay for it.” It remained unclear whether it was Zephyr or the reflection speaking.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~” A sinister burst of laughter echoed throughout the void.

Yet, lost in his contemplation, Mordret failed to heed the system's warning.

<Warning!!>

…

<The Cursed Child’s Flaw: [Mirror Taint]... has Initiated.>

…

<#Player003, your Character Emergence has increased from 0.9% to 2%>