Conquering Ladies With My 10x Rebate System
Chapter 65: About X

Chapter 65: About X

Sophia slowly revealed the necklace that had been hidden between her ample chest.

As it came into view, Caleb squinted, trying to make out the shape.

It was a five-pointed star, finely carved from black metal and enclosed within a perfect circle.

A symbol recognized across the world—the infamous mark often associated with the devil.

"A pentacle? What does that have to do with X?" Naya asked, her voice tinged with both caution and curiosity.

Sophia’s smile widened as she shifted her gaze from the pendant to Naya.

"Oh, my dear," she said softly, "it has everything to do with X."

Caleb raised a brow, the word echoing in his thoughts.

’A pentacle...’

It was widely feared—believed to be a devil’s mark—and because of that, most people avoided it entirely. The world had long misunderstood its origins and purpose. As a result, the true meaning behind the symbol was lost on the majority.

But not to Caleb.

Thanks to Sophia.

In his previous life, Sophia had always shown an unusual interest in spiritual practices and esoteric knowledge. She had immersed herself in symbolism, mysticism, and the forgotten histories behind them.

"Symbols mean different things depending on the context," she said, gently brushing a finger over the pendant. "This pentacle, for instance, is actually a pagan religious symbol."

"Okay...?" Naya asked, her voice growing sharper with impatience. "And?"

Sophia cast her a knowing look, still wearing that infuriatingly calm smile.

"The pentacle is a symbol of nature worship. It represents balance and harmony, and it’s closely tied to the goddess Venus," she explained. "Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a mark of evil. In fact, it’s traditionally used as protection against evil spirits."

With that, she let the pendant slip back beneath her dress.

Caleb didn’t need her to explain any further—her message was clear.

’She’s using the pentacle as a ward... to shield herself from X.’

His thoughts darkened as he processed the implications.

’Does that mean X is some kind of occult group?’ he wondered. ’Or something even worse?’

"It took me some time to dig into the origin of these cards and how they came about," Sophia said, her voice steady. "It wasn’t easy, but my sister and I managed to trace their roots. And what we found out about X... it’s not what you think."

Her tone shifted, the smile fading from her face. Now she looked serious—composed, but weighed down by what she was about to say.

Caleb leaned in slightly, curiosity sharpening his focus.

"So, are you saying X isn’t a group of supernatural monsters like we thought... but something else? An occult group?"

Sophia nodded. "Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. X started out as an occult group—just a handful of friends obsessed with gaining wealth and power."

She paused, her expression darkening.

"They sacrificed countless people. They created the cards... but they were cursed....."

She trailed off, the weight of her words lingering heavily in the air.

Sophia’s voice lowered, her gaze distant, as though she were remembering something ancient and buried.

"They couldn’t use the cards they created," she said, her tone now void of its usual sarcasm. "Not because they didn’t want to. Because they weren’t allowed to."

Caleb leaned forward slightly, exchanging a look with Naya. They knew parts of this story—Sophia was just adding the missing pieces.

"The members of X," Sophia continued, "they were cursed the moment they completed the deck. It wasn’t just a backfire. It was punishment. Divine or demonic, I don’t know. But they summoned something far beyond their control. They made a pact for power, wealth, and influence... and they got it. But not for themselves."

She slowly revealed the pentacle again, its black-metal sheen catching the light.

"The cards—they grant what they promised. Wealth. Power. Fame. But never to X. The organization can no longer use them. Only distribute them. And with every card given out, they feed. Not on joy. Not on success. But on pain, fear, obsession—negativity. That’s their only way to survive now."

Caleb frowned. "So they hand out cursed power to others just to feed off the consequences."

Sophia nodded. "Exactly. Every cardholder becomes a source of energy. And when a cardholder dies, the card returns to them—ready to be passed on again. They need the cycle to continue."

Naya added quietly, "And if someone collects more than two cards, the system collapses."

Sophia nodded again. "The resonance destabilizes. It’s not about corruption. The cards don’t twist people into monsters. That’s just fear. Fear of what comes next—the true dream. The moment someone realizes another cardholder is standing in their way, fear makes them act. Some kill to stay alive. Others kill to delay their fate."

Caleb’s gaze darkened. "That explains the violence. The paranoia. They aren’t corrupted. They’re scared."

Caleb thought back to Nathan, the look on his eyes.

He was simply too scared of what would come next.... Avoiding the true dream entirely has become a goal he had to keep. Even if it meant killing others.

Sophia sighed, placing the pendant into Naya’s hands. "Which is why you need this. To buy time. To stay hidden."

Naya held the pentacle delicately. "And you made this?"

Sophia nodded. "I had help. But yes. I forged it after... after what happened to George."

Her voice cracked slightly.

Caleb and Naya said nothing, giving her space.

"He was my friend," Sophia continued, eyes downcast. "He was a cardholder. But that night, he tried killing me to stay away from the true dream"

She blinked hard, a tear falling. "I didn’t want to do it. But I had no choice."

Caleb studied her. "Asides from him, have you killed other cardholders?"

Sophia shook her head slowly. "No. Just George. Only George. I won’t lie to you about that."

Naya quietly slipped the pentacle around her neck.

"I still hear his voice sometimes," Sophia said, almost in a whisper. "Begging me not to be afraid. But fear... it eats you when you’re alone."

She took a breath and straightened up.

"That’s why I came. To make sure you’re not alone. The three of us—we have a chance to understand what these cards really are. What the dream means. And maybe... how to break the curse."

Caleb gave a small nod. "Then what’s next?"

"We wait here for one night," Sophia said. "The pendant will sync with her aura. Then we go. I know a place where we’ll be safe for a while."

Naya looked between them, her voice steady. "And if X finds us before then?"

Sophia gave a cold, quiet smile. "Then we make sure they remember who they picked a fight with."

Caleb studied her for a moment. There was something different about her in this world—something striking.

The look in her eyes held a fierce sincerity, like someone who genuinely cared... someone willing to do anything to protect another.

She reminded him of the Sophia he used to know.

______

They moved into the upper room of the estate, away from the distant buzz of the guests and media downstairs. Rain tapped softly at the wide windows, the dim glow of city lights spilling in.

Sophia sat on a velvet chair, her fingers gently tracing the rim of a tea cup. Caleb leaned against the windowsill, arms crossed, while Naya curled on a plush couch, the pentacle resting against her chest.

"So," Caleb broke the silence, "about this dream. This true dream. What exactly is it?"

Sophia glanced up, her gaze thoughtful. "No one knows for sure. Some believe it’s enlightenment. Others think it’s death. The dream might be different for every cardholder. But the fear is the same. Once you reach the end—that final climax of power—you’re forced to face it."

"And they all run from it," Naya whispered. "That’s why they kill others."

Sophia nodded slowly. "It becomes easier to kill than to surrender. But I think... I think the dream is a test. A gate."

Caleb frowned. "You mean like a trial?"

"Something like that," she replied. "The dream is the only thing that might break the curse. But none of X have ever dared to go through it. They’re addicted to fear. To feeding. That’s all they know now."

A silence followed. The kind that hummed with realization.

"So you want us to find a way to face the dream," Caleb said slowly.

Sophia looked at both of them. "Eventually. But first, we protect ourselves. We find others who are willing to understand. We make sure Naya survives."