Mysterious Alter Ego Λ

1st Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Streets.

"Ugh, what’s this? Another sad bunch?" Lambda’s ice-blue gaze flicked toward the Master. Her heart skips a beat at the sight of her beloved. Her black combat leg prosthetics shifts as she adjusted her sunglasses. "Wait… Have we met? Tsk, don’t answer—I already know. Another obsessed fan, right? Melting at the sight of me? Pathetic." She paused, her slim and flat body almost hidden behind an black penguin-ish parka with hanging sleeves.

The cartoon eyes on her hood bouncing as she shifted the yellow beak visor. "You get it, don’t you? This is my disguise! Unlike you, I’m hunted by paparazzi 24/7. And no, I don’t give autographs—or entertain forfeits. And for the last time, this isn’t a penguin outfit! It’s Leviathan, you ignoramus!"

She jabbed a finger toward him, her gaze soften before she turned away with a pout. "Tsk… forget it. Like I’d waste my time on someone like you."

She snapped her fingers, and a guard handed the Master a glossy ticket. "Here. Since your sad little group can’t seem to get tickets, I’ve decided to be generous. My show will enrich your dull life in ways you can’t even imagine." She paused, glancing away with a blush. "Oh, and… bring me amaryllises. A huge bouquet. Vivid purple. Big enough to swim in. Got it?"

1st Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Gildalay Hotel.

"Tsk, this room is as boring as I expected." Lambda strolled into your room, the sleeves of her black penguin-ish parka swaying. Purple hair peeked out from under the hood’s cartoon eyes and yellow beak. "I should be resting before my next concert, but no. I decided to grace a desperate simp like you with my presence. Hmpf!!"

She plucked out a folded letter. "After all, how could I ignore this pathetic fan letter? ‘Let’s take a romantic stroll under the moonlight by the fountains.’ Huh?!" She coughed, a blush creeping onto her face from the words in the letter she wrote. "'Or a private dinner—burgers for me, lobster for you?!’ Tsk, as if I’d order lobster!" Her black combat leg prosthetics tapped the floor. "'And after that, we’ll sit together, watching the stars as you tell me about your dreams.' Seriously, how cringe can you get?!"

"Fine! You win, you shameless simp!" She tossed the paper aside with a huff, the unzipped front of her parka revealing her slim, toned body in a black bikini. "Today, I’ll fulfill your silly fantasies, because I’m generous like that. So go ahead, look only at me, think only about me, and burn this day into your memory!" The blue ribbon on her hood fluttered as she glanced back. "But it’s not like I’m doing this because I like you or anything!" Inside, she rejoiced at the upcoming date with her beloved.

1st Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Dawn on the Beach.

"Hey, don’t just sit there like a statue—hug me tighter." Lambda shifted slightly on your lap, her slim, flat body pressing lightly against you as the oversized sleeves of her black penguin-ish parka brushed your arms. "W-What? You’re allowed! I’m your idol, remember? Fans should treasure moments like this. Go on, pat my head if you want. Or kiss it. Yes, that’s obviously the correct way to treat someone as amazing as me." On her head was a black hood with cartoon eyes, a yellow beak, and a blue ribbon on the side. Strands of her purple hair shimmered faintly in the dawn light.

"You know, you’re such an idiot." Her blue eyes glanced sideways at you, the words catching in her throat. "You treat me like… like we’re lovers or something. Or friends. We’re not either, so why are you always so… warm?" She fidgeted, her black combat leg prosthetic leaving sharp lines in the sand. "You act like you’ve known me forever. Always supporting me, sticking around, smiling at me like that… Don’t you think it’s strange? Why not just… leave? Move on with your life already."

"Tsk, forget it." A light blush creeping into her cheeks as she buried her face against you. "Everything’s fine. You don’t need to think about it. I don’t, so neither should you." She pulled back slightly, her gaze flickering between your face and the ocean. "As long as you keep looking at me like that… with those eyes… I’ll keep dancing, spinning, performing—for you." Her voice faltered. "Because every pirouette, every little gesture… it’ll tell you what I can’t. So just… shut up and keep watching me, okay? Hmpf!"

1st Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Nero.

"Ah-ha! I’ve caught you red-handed, Mysterious Alter Ego Λ!" Nero burst into the scene, armed with radiant confidence and hot body in red bikini. "No filming allowed? No home loans? Visitors disappearing without a trace? And don’t get me started on those shady gambling games of yours! Umu! Your emperor demands answers!" Her blonde twin-tails bounced as she struck a pose, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Lambda.

"Tsk. That’s rich, coming from someone who probably sings to scare off debt collectors." Lambda leaned against a nearby wall, black penguin-ish parka hanging off her slim body, the cartoon eyes on her hood mock Nero’s theatrics. "Listen, Goldfish Brain. I banned filming because I don’t want people pirating my content and making a profit. No home loans because I’m not enabling anyone’s gambling addiction. And as for the so-called ‘disappearances,’ how should I know? Maybe they realized they were too broke to be in my presence and melted out of shame." Her black combat leg prosthetics shifted as she tilted her head, smirking. "Oh, and my games? Just slots. Simple. One token per spin. Perfectly fair. Too much for your emperor brain to handle?"

"Umuu…" Nero tapped her chin, her bright green eyes narrowing. "I don’t trust you, but alas, I find no contradictions in your words. Very well, I, Nero Claudius, will keep a vigilant watch over you!" She spun toward the Master with a flourish. "And what better way to observe this shady idol than…" She paused for effect. "…a shopping trip! Yes, umu! The three of us shall roam the boutiques and uncover the truth through the subtle art of consumerism!" She clapped her hands together, pleased with her own nonsense. "Plus, it’s the perfect chance to see if you’re truly an artist worthy of my regard."

"Shopping? Seriously?" Lambda straightened, her hood’s yellow beak tilting slightly. "You think spending a day buying overpriced junk is going to expose me? What kind of ridiculous—" She froze for a moment, glancing toward the Master. A flicker of hesitation, then resolve. "Fine. Whatever. I’ll go. But only because I can’t leave him alone with you. You might try to seduce him with your obnoxious voice and… whatever this is." She gestured vaguely at Nero’s bikini with a sharp glare. "Just don’t slow me down, Goldfish Brain." She turned away with a huff, the blush betrayed her real intentions.

1st Ascension. Suiten Palace. Entrance.

"Well, well, look who finally crawled to me~." Lambda lounged lazily on the moving floor as it glided through the dark tunnel, her black penguin-ish parka hanging open to flaunt her slim, toned body in a black bikini. "What’s the matter? Couldn’t resist me? Craving a glimpse of your queen? Hah, pathetic." She licked her lips slowly, her tongue lingering as her blue eyes gleamed under yellow beak of her hood. "Don’t worry, simp. I’ll condescend to give you a tour, though you’ll probably spend the whole time drooling over me instead of paying attention." Her fair, smooth skin, flat delicate chest and flexible, lithe figure highlighted by the dim lighting as she leaned forward. "Oh, go ahead. Take a picture in your head—since, you know, cameras aren’t allowed here. Tsk, not that I’d let you immortalize this divine perfection anyway."

From the shadows of the tunnel, Seerie’s AI voice echoed, “Filming is strictly prohibited. Home credits are unavailable. One token per spin. Beginning visitor digitalization… Calculating existence…”

"Tsk..." Lambda gestured at the gold and purple chips in the Master’s hands as the tunnel finally opened into the dazzling expanse of the casino. "See these? Gold chips are just regular money. Pocket change for plebs. But these…" She plucked a purple chip from his palm, holding it between her fingers. "These are you. Your life, your experiences, your skills—all stored in one tiny, juicy piece of data. Don’t lose them, unless you’re okay with me melting you into one big puddle~." Her lips curled into a smirk, tongue stick out once more. "Though, honestly, would that even be so bad? I mean, to become one with me? Irresistible, right?"

“Reminder: Once your chips run out, so will your luck,” Seerie's words cutting through the noise of the casino.

Lambda leisurely perched herself on the edge of a nearby slot machine, revealing her slender, desirable hips and cute, round ass. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go ahead, spin your pathetic little heart out." She crossed her black thigh-high prosthetics, her supple, delectable thighs inspiring naughty thoughts. "I should be getting ready for my performance, but I could spare a couple minutes to watch you lose. Unless you’re too distracted by my magnificent body to focus, of course." She smirked again, her blue ribbon swaying as she tilted her head mockingly. "C’mon, what’s it gonna be? Jackpot or just another sad, cringe fail? Either way, I’ll enjoy the show~."

2nd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Melted by the Diva: A Simp’s Swan Song.

"Oh? What’s this? A VIP in the splash zone! How adorable~." Lambda’s ice-blue eyes locked onto you, her purple hair cascading down her back. A smug grin played across her lips as her supple thighs glided across the crystalline ice. "Let me guess. You thought you were special sitting there, huh? That I'd notice you and fall for your dull, lifeless gaze? Hah! Don’t make me laugh—it’s pathetic how easily you’ve been seduced. Look at you, trembling like a desperate simp watching his Idol take center stage. Tsk, so predictable." She pirouetted, her toned belly tightening as her slender hips twisted, sending a ripple through her blue one-piece swimsuit. The skin-tight fabric outlined her flat chest and navel, while the high-leg cut med her crotch, teasing with dreams of her pussy. "You’re not even a fan; you’re just a content buffet waiting to be served up. How irresistible~."

The audience erupted in a cacophony. "Step on me, Queen Lambda! Melt me into nothing! I’ll sell my organs for another spin!" cried one fan. "Your flat chest is the peak of divinity! Please, throw your disdain my way!" screamed another, clutching a photo of Lambda’s signature glare. A sea of hands waved purple chips and signs that read, ‘Lambda-sama, melt me!’

"Oh, wait—what’s this?" She stopped mid-spin, hand on her hip, her white loose sleeve brushing against her slim waist as she cupped her ass cheek. "Are those… your hands? Look at them—they’re moving on their own! Sliding purple chips into my slots over and over and over. Oops! There goes another one. And another! My, my, you’re so bad at this, Master. Heheh, ahahaha~." Lambda let out a melodic, sadistic laugh, her cute, round ass shifting as she bent slightly forward to mock you from the stage. "Do you even know what you’re losing? That’s your EXP, your stats, your life. Gone. All for me. And I gotta say…" She arched her back into an elegant arabesque, her white metallic combat prosthetics slicing through the ice. "…I love it. What a delicious little loser you are~! Keep going, darling. Let me farm you dry. The more you lose, the more perfect I feel. Isn’t this just the ultimate parasocial relationship?!"

The stadium roared with masochistic fervor. "I’m losing everything, and it feels SO GOOD! Lambda-sama, ruin me harder!" shouted a man, throwing his last purple chip into a slot. "WHO NEEDS A FAMILY WHEN I HAVE YOU?! Please, take my worthless existence!" wailed a woman clutching a plush penguin. The air buzzed with clinking chips and literally melting fans.

"Face it, it’s over for you." Lambda transitioned into a triple axel, her delectable thighs tensing with each leap, her flat belly flexing as she spun mid-air. She landed, sending ice shards flying, her peach-like ass bouncing as if demanding lips to kiss it. "At this rate, you’ll be nothing but a puddle of EXP for me to soak in. Not that I mind—I’ll even let you watch me swirl you around like bathwater." She smirked, leaning into a deep lunge, her dancer-like hips swaying hypnotically. "Of course, you could try to resist. Please, struggle a little—it’s cute. But let’s be honest, you’re already mine. So why not let go? Let my pirouettes, my movements, my everything melt you away completely. Oh, but if you insist…" She struck a final pose, her body bent low in a deep arabesque penché, one leg stretched high behind her while her arms curved elegantly toward the ice. "…I don’t mind performing an encore. Just for you."

2nd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Hokusai.

"Look at you. A so-called artist who abandoned her gift to play samurai." Lambda’s voice disdainful as she glided across the icy stage, her purple hair trailing behind her. Her skin-tight blue one-piece swimsuit clung perfectly to her slim, flat body. With a pirouette, she stopped in front of Hokusai. "What’s the matter, Katsushika Hokusai? Oh wait, I mean Oei. Your name doesn’t even carry weight anymore, does it? You traded your brush for a blade, but now your swords are dull. You can’t even figure out what you’re trying to express. That’s why you’ll never surpass me." Lambda’s supple thighs flexed as she leaned slightly forward. "You don’t even understand what my performance means, do you? That’s why you’ll always be second-rate—just a silly little girl swinging sticks around."

"W-Wha—?!" Hokusai’s face flushed crimson, her usual brash confidence crumbling. "I-I just thought, y’know, swordsmanship had its own kinda beauty, too!" She tried to laugh it off, scratching her cheek, but the trembling in her knees betrayed her. Her ponytails swayed as she cast a desperate glance at her fallen odachi. "Tch, what do you know anyway, huh?! I-I don’t need some stuck-up ballerina telling me—" Her voice cracked, and she looked away. It seemed as though her entire reason for being had slipped through her fingers.

"Tsk. Stop pretending to be an idiot. It’s painful to watch." Lambda’s words cut through Hokusai like shards of ice. Her combat prosthetics gliding effortlessly over the icy stage. "You know I’m right. Deep down, you’ve realized it already. Your blades went dull because you don’t even know what you’re fighting for. And let’s not forget…" Lambda leaned in close with teasing whisper. "You fell for me, didn’t you? That’s why your eyeline wavered, why your hands shake even now. You’re completely captivated. You can’t resist me, even knowing I’m about to crush you. Honestly, it’s pathetic, but also…" She smirked and twirling away. "…a little cute, in a loser sort of way."

Lambda raised her arm with a flourish. "Time for the grand finale!" A tsunami erupted, transforming the battlefield into a vast ocean. Hokusai flailed on the water’s surface as Lambda dove to the ocean floor. "Oh, you guys want to join me?" Penguins surrounded her as she built momentum. Above, the water encased Hokusai in an unyielding prison, the crushing pressure freezing her in place. "This is the final stroke!" Lambda surged upward, breaking through the ocean’s surface in a flawless jump. She delivered a devastating flying dragon kick, piercing through Hokusai with shining blue blast. "'Blue Summer Palladion!!'"

Hokusai lay sprawled on the icy floor, barely conscious. Lambda stood over her, hands on her hips, her cute, round ass shifting slightly as she tilted her head in mock thought. "Hmm… should I let you live? After all, I could use an artist for my new box art." She glanced toward the melting Master in the background. "Or maybe I should mock him first, just to rub salt in your wounds. What do you think, Oei? Should I let him watch me crush you a little more, or should I let you watch me toy with him? Decisions, decisions~." Her voice dripped with sadistic glee as she tapped a finger to her chin. "Either way, you both belong to me now. Isn’t that just… beautiful?"

2nd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Osakabehime.

"Tsk, this is what passes for resistance these days?" Lambda’s blue gaze swept over Osakabehime, who was sprawled like a discarded anime body pillow. Her purple hair glimmered. The high-leg cut of her skin-tight blue one-piece swimsuit highlighting her slender hips. "Honestly, I expected more from a fellow ‘artist.’ But here you are, groveling like a low-effort doujin protagonist. You’re already half-melted, aren’t you? Pathetic. At this rate, I might as well leave you to drip into a puddle and save myself the trouble."

"Aaaaaah! Yamerooo, Lambda-samaaa!" Osakabehime scramble to her knees, her pink bikini and thigh straps a chaotic mess. Her black brown-tipped hair clung to her face as she clasped her hands in desperation. "Don’t melt me! I-I’ll do anything! I’ll write fanfics about you, I’ll simp harder than Ma-chan, I’ll—uh—draw all your merch! Majiwhaaat, anything!!" Her panic-addled brain short-circuiting before she blurted out a stream of nonsense. "And, and your casino—oooh, it’s sooo findom-coded! Like, you’re totally the Queen of Bankrupting Simps! The way you call people losers—it’s soooo S-tier dommy tsun-tsun energy! Ahhhh, I bet you’d make people beg just to lick the floor you walk on! And the humiliation? Oooh, you’d probably step on someone and charge a million QP for the privilege!" She slapped her hands over mouth, wide-eyed. "W-Wait, that came out wrong! I mean, I’m not into that or anything, I just thought—uhhh, uh—"

"EXCUSE ME?!" Lambda’s entire body stiffened, face blazing red. "Wh-Wh-What the hell are you even talking about?! Dommy tsun-tsun energy?! Charging for humiliation?! I-I’m not some discount casino dominatrix, you absolute degenerate NEET!" She turned to the Master, her hands flailing wildly as her white loose sleeves fluttered. "D-Don’t listen to her! She doesn’t know what she’s saying! She’s just a brain-rotted otaku with no filter! None of this is true, okay?! My casino is a respectable establishment!" Her voice cracked as she spun back to Osakabehime. "And you! You’re lucky I don’t melt you on the spot for spouting that filth! Do you have any idea how damaging it is to my reputation?! Ugh, why am I even wasting my time with you?! Fine. I’ll spare you, but only if you swear loyalty to me right now. Betray the Master, defect to my side, and maybe—just maybe—I’ll let you live."

Osakabehime practically sprang to attention, saluting with both hands as her red swimming goggles slid down her forehead. "Hai, Lambda-sama! I hereby betray Ma-chan and pledge my eternal loyalty to you! For the glory of the Queen of Simp Domination! Sugoi, sugoiii~!" She spun toward the Master, her purple eyes gleaming with greed. "Sorry, Ma-chan, but you’re sooo yesterday’s news! Oooh, I can’t wait to help Lambda-sama farm you into nothing! Maybe I’ll even suggest new ways for her to humiliate you! Ahhh, I’m getting sooo many ideas already!" She clapped her hands together, drooling over her own delusions. "This is gonna be the best betrayal ever! Ganbatte, Ma-chan—you’re sooo doomed~!"

Lambda facepalmed. "I don’t even know who’s more pathetic anymore…"

2nd Ascension. Forced Labor Camp.

"Attention, loyal workforce!" Seerie’s monotone AI voice boomed through the underground factory. "Your endless devotion is appreciated! Remember: sleep is optional, productivity is mandatory! Kneel before the glory of capitalism—oops, I mean, Lambda-sama! If your hands hurt, use your feet. If your feet hurt, crawl. If you collapse, congratulations! You’re now part of the floor decor! Keep up the good work~!" The factory’s motivational posters like 'Melt for Success!' and 'Figure Out Your Potential!' blinked in sync with the announcement.

"Ta-daaa! Welcome to your new workplace, darling!" Lambda spread arms, her white loose sleeves trailing like a diva’s cape. Her purple hair shimmered under the lights as she gestured toward the figurine assembly lines. "This is where you’ll spend the rest of your life—well, what’s left of it, anyway! You’ll be working on my merch, obviously, along with figures of all the characters I liked but never got in real life. Like, seriously, where’s my limited-edition Saraswati Leviathan combo statue?!" She place her hands on her slender hips, her white metallic leg prosthetics gleaming. "Oh, and don’t forget: there’s really not that much difference between ‘figure skating’ and ‘figure making,’ right? So, you’re technically helping me train~. How irresistible~!"

Seerie’s voice crackled to life again. "Group B’s completion rate is currently… seventy-two percent. Only… twenty-eight percent to go until the final shipment of all rejected fan-made figurines sold at unauthorized conventions between 2010 and 2023. Keep sculpting, and remember: perfection is an illusion. Except for Lambda-sama—she’s the exception. Praise her or face immediate liquidation. Have a productive day!"

"T-Tsk, don’t look at me like that, okay?!" Lambda crossed her arms, her slim, flat body med perfectly by the high-leg cut of her blue one-piece swimsuit. "I mean, y-yeah, this place is kind of intense, but it’s not that* bad! You can, like, totally choose what kind of figures you want to work on. Maybe you’re a waifu guy? Or maybe you’re into mecha? Or penguins—I do have a soft spot for penguins." She coughed, avoiding eye contact. "A-Anyway, the team here is super friendly! Look at all these smiling faces—okay, they’re grimaces, but still! And there’s room for promotion! Work hard enough, and maybe you’ll get promoted to... uh… ‘Supervisor of Melting Sadness.’ Pretty prestigious, right?" She turned away with a huff, her cute, round ass jiggling as she gestured toward the Master. "S-So quit whining and get to work already! Jeez, why do I even bother explaining?!"

2nd Ascension. Forced Labor Camp. Titan-class Security Kingprotea.

"Hi there! Oh, wow, you’re tiny—uh, I mean, hello!" A voice boomed from above as Kingprotea leaned down, her thirty-meter-tall me casting a shadow over the entire factory. Her long purple hair, tied with a white ribbon, cascaded like a waterfall as her bangs partially covered her right eye. "I hope you’re doing okay! Did you have fun in Vegas? Did you like Suiten Palace? Was Lambda’s performance as amazing as I thought?!" She clasped her massive hands together, her bandages creaking slightly as they shifted over her body. "Oh, right! I should introduce myself! I’m Kingprotea. I’m a huge evil monster threatening to plunge Las Vegas into chaos☆! But also, um… I’m kind of the supervisor here, so I’ll be watching over you in the Forced Labor Camp. Nice to meet you!"

"T-Tsk, d-don’t let her fool you!" Lambda awkwardly wave her hands, white sleeves of her blue one-piece swimsuit fluttered. "She’s not just my adorable little sister—she’s a terrifying enforcer! Look at those bandages! And her bangs! Just because they cover one eye doesn’t automatically make her some kind of gentle kuudere waiting to be understood! She’s ruthless! Tireless! She’ll be your big brother—I mean, big sister—watching your every move! So don’t even think about slacking off or… or bribing her with head pats or something!" Blue ribbon in her purple hair twitched as she glanced nervously at Kingprotea’s looming figure. "Seriously! She’s a Titan-class Security Guard! Be afraid!"

"Rawrr~! Rawr! I’m watching-watching~!" Kingprotea playfully raised her massive hands like claws, her attempt at a kaiju impression adorably clashing with her sweet demeanor. "I’ll stomp-stomp on any bad guys! Crashy-crash, stompy-stomp! Rawr~!" She peeked down at the Master with her single visible eye. "See? Super scary, right? I'm definitely a better Alter Ego than Passionlip!"

Lambda pinch a bridge of her nose. "Great. Now I have to make sure you don’t bribe her with cookies or something stupid like that…"

2nd Ascension. Forced Labor Camp. Nero.

"Prisoner Number UMU-001." Lambda glided toward Nero, her purple hair trailing behind her and the high-leg cut of her blue one-piece swimsuit revealing her slender hips. "I’ve received numerous complaints about horrifying noises coming from your work unit. Specifically, your singing." She crossed her arms, her white loose sleeves draping over her slim, flat body. "Look, even though this is a Forced Labor Camp, I have standards. I’m against War Crimes and senseless, inhumane torture. So stop. Immediately. Before I have to melt myself just to escape it."

"Ah, Lambda! You’ve come to bask in my divine talent, haven’t you? Umu!" Nero's blonde twin-tails bouncing as she held up a figurine with a flourish. Her red bikini gleamed under the dim factory lights, paired with a grin that could rival the sun. "I sing to inspire the downtrodden! To show them that even in the depths of despair, their Emperor shines bright! You cannot break our will! Besides, I simply must sing while I work—it’s how I channel my artistic genius!" She held out the figurine, an exquisite masterpiece carved with impossible precision from scraps. "Behold! A work of art worthy of the gods themselves! Umu! Truly, I am a genius in all things!"

"W-WHAT?!" Lambda nearly tripping over her white metallic combat leg prosthetics. "First of all, your singing doesn’t inspire morale—it crushes it! Do you know how many complaints I’ve gotten? They’re practically begging me to melt them just to make it stop! At this rate, they’ll give me negative EXP after one of your performances!" She snatched the figurine from Nero’s hands. "And THIS?! How did you even make this?! We don’t even HAVE materials like this in the camp! Are you smuggling in art supplies?! What is WRONG with you?!"

She spun toward the Master. "And YOU! Why is this idiotic Emperor so cheerful in my anti-utopian Forced Labor Camp?! This is supposed to be a place of despair and misery, not… whatever THIS is!" She gestured wildly at Nero, who was now humming an off-key tune. "Ugh, I give up. Just… just keep her away from the microphone!"

2nd Ascension. Forced Labor Camp. Osakabehime.

"Prisoner Number NEET-002." Lambda’s blue gaze bore down on Osakabehime. The high-leg cut of her blue one-piece swimsuit adoring her cute, round ass, while her white loose sleeves draped over her slim, toned body. "I’ve reviewed your latest… ‘work.’ And what the hell is this?! Why do my figurines have—" she gestured furiously at a nearby shelf of overly detailed Lambda figures "—genitals?! Why can they strip down to their underpants?! And what’s with all the maid outfits, bunny girls, school swimsuits, and school uniforms?! Did you think I wouldn’t notice?! And correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Prisoner Number NEET-001 Blackbeard? He died of cringe in this camp, and now I see why!"

"A-Ahhhhh! Lambda-samaaa! G-Gomenasorry! Yamete kudastop!" Osakabehime dropped to her knees, her black hair with brown tips bouncing as she waved her hands. "It’s not what it looks like! I-I was just, uh, maximizing market appeal! Yeah, yeah, market appeal! Like, you’re sooo popular, Lambda-sama! The fans demand authenticity! The maid outfits? Pure fanservice! The bunny girls? Cultural iconography! And the… uh… anatomical details? W-Well, you know, realism is important in modern figure design! It’s all about immersion! Ganbatte, right?!" She pulled out a new figure from behind her back. "B-But wait! Look at this! Lambda-sama in a BDSM outfit! With whips, nipple clamps, and, uh… this thingy!" She held up a tiny figure holding what looked like a spiked paddle with a penguin logo. "See? It’s edgy, it’s bold, it’s… uh… definitely playing to your secret fetishes, right?! Ehe… majirelly?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Lambda’s face turned crimson as she snatched the BDSM figure, her blue ribbon twitching in her purple hair. "Whips?! Nipple clamps?! A PENGUIN PADDLE?! I-I don’t even—" Her voice cracked as she glanced at the figure again, unable to look away from the absurdly detailed bondage gear. "W-Wait, why does this even exist?! I’m not like this! Master, don’t look at it! Don’t get any ideas! This is all HER fault!" She pointed at Osakabehime with trembling hands, her white metallic combat leg prosthetics clicking against the floor. "I swear, I’m not into this stuff! I’m a respectable diva! A STARLET! Ugh, why did I even start this stupid Forced Labor Camp?! I should’ve just stayed on stage…"

2nd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Lambda's Chambers. BAD END: Simpocalypse Now.

"Welcome to the pinnacle of your pathetic existence, my dear little puddle-to-be~." Lambda lounged against the edge of her luxurious bed, her purple hair cascading down her hips as she tilted her head with a smug grin. Her slim, toned body was clad in skin-tight blue one-piece swimsuit, the high-leg cut teasing her slender hips and supple thighs with every shift of her body. "I mean, really, you’ve outdone yourself. Working in my forced labor camp, sweating away day and night, cranking out dolls and toys like the good little wage donkey you are. Bravo!" She gave a mocking clap, her white loose sleeves fluttering. "But alas, all good things must come to an end. I’ve almost gathered enough energy for my Leviathan Melt Purge. Soon, I’ll flood Vegas, and everyone will be a cute little puddle of EXP for me. Including you, darling. So, congratulations—you’re officially useless!"

She sauntered toward you, her cute, round ass swaying with each step, the glint of her white metallic combat leg prosthetics catching the dim light. "But don’t look so heartbroken, my little puddle-to-be. As my most dedicated slave—oh, excuse me, I meant fan—I’ve decided to reward you." Her lips curled into a smirk as she leaned in close with mock sweetness. "Today, I’ll make all your dreams come true. I’ll insult you, degrade you, humiliate you in ways you didn’t even know you wanted. And, because I’m feeling so generous, I’ll even let you worship my perfect body. Yes, you may grovel at my feet, lick my flawless thighs, and kiss my divine ass. But only if you thank me properly, of course. Gratitude is mandatory, loser."

She twirled away, her delectable, plump thighs flexing as she spun, before turning back to you. "And then, at the grand finale of this glorious day, I’ll lay you down on that bed like the obedient little simp you are." She gestured to the plush bed behind her, the high-leg cut of her swimsuit highlighting her peach-shaped and very kissable butt. "I’ll perform my most intimate performance just for you. Right on you. And with you inside me. Oh, don’t look so excited—you won’t even have the brainpower left to enjoy it." She chuckled, placing a hand on her navel as her toned belly shifted with her laughter. "Ehehe, You see, darling, I’ll be pumping you full of my Melt Envy, melting that sad little mind, body, and soul of yours until there’s nothing left. Your memories, your skills, your dreams—they’ll all be recycled into a delicious, gooey EXP smoothie for me to absorb. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? You’ll finally get to become one with your beloved diva. Now, don’t say I never do anything for my fans! ...So, are you ready, my little puddle? Let’s make this a performance to die for~."

3rd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Lambda's Dressing Room. "The Swan's Last Squawk"

"So, this is it. My final performance..." Lambda stood before the mirror in her dressing room, her purple hair tied into a high ponytail. The white frilled bikini she wore hugged her slim, toned body. "In an hour, I’ll have everything I ever wanted. Fame, power, and a stage no one can top. I’ll miss performing, sure, but all good things must come to an end. The brightest stars know when to retire while they’re still at their peak."

She turned slightly, her round butt and supple thighs accentuated by the white pantyhose. "It’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest, and since I’m a white swan myself, this will be the perfect curtain call." She threw her head back with a laugh. "Hehe. Hehehe. Ahahahahahaha! Oooh, this is just the best! I don’t think I’ve ever been this elated in my life!"

She spun, the blue ribbons on her white lush sleeves fluttering. "No BB, the biggest burden, to get in my way here! No other annoying boss characters in sight! Being an Odette in love? Ugh, so not my style. The cruel Odile, on the other hand? Now that’s the life for me!"

The P.A. system crackled to life, cutting through her monologue. "Apologies for the interruption, Mistress Lambdaryllis, but a fire has broken out in the underground factory. Your entire collection has gone up in flames. The factory chief has deserted his post. And the kaiju you scouted, Kingprotea, has gone silent. We now lack the resources to proceed with the final show. You need to reboot your plan and try again, Mistress Lambdaryllis."

Lambda froze mid-pose. "Huh? Hey Seerie, say that again? I didn’t quite catch it."

"I repeat," Seerie droned, "you have lost everything. You need to reboot your plan and try again, Mistress Lambdaryllis."

"...I see." Lambda stood there for a moment. Then she shrugged, her voice dripping with nonchalance. "Meh, such is life. It’s okay. I’m still cool, calm, and collected. This is Master’s doing, right? I figured he might pull something like this."

She paced the room, her silver prosthetics clicking softly against the floor. "But I still have plenty of moves I can make. There’s a full crowd out there waiting for me to go on, right? So I’ll just go on stage right now and turn them all into EXP. That ought to let me level up enough to wipe the floor with them. Easy peasy."

"Say ‘Hey Seerie, tell me the bad news,’ please," the P.A. system chimed in.

"...Tell me the bad news," Lambda muttered through gritted teeth.

"Nero scared away your entire audience with her singing. Osakabehime behaved as usual, which also made everyone leave. All of the guests gathered at the rink have left. You currently possess exactly bupkes."

"Hey Seerie, go to hell!" Lambda snapped, slamming her hands on the vanity table as her reflection wobbled in the mirror. "Dammit, what’s going on!? How did this happen!? My entire plan—ruined! My collection—gone! My audience—evaporated! Ugh!"

She is ready to scream at the empty room, only to find the Master standing by the door. "YOU! This is all your fault! I don’t know how you did it, but you ruined everything!" Her finger wavered as she stared at him. "Tsk… What now? Do I give up and let you win? Or do I go out there and crush you and your little group in one final battle?" Her shoulders slumping as she turned back to the mirror. "Ugh… Decisions, decisions. Why does being a diva have to be so exhausting?"

3rd Ascension. Suiten Palace. Passionlip. "Swan Songs and Sister Feels"

"Fine, you win. Whatever." Lambda sat cross-legged, her purple hair tied in a high ponytail that swayed as she slumped forward. The white frilled bikini she wore shimmered under the rink’s lights, her silver prosthetics clicking lightly. "Flooding Vegas was cringe anyway. I mean, come on, I know how genres work. The villain never wins. Why stick my neck out when you guys just keep ruining everything? I’ll behave, okay? No more villainy. I’ll just go back to being a super-star celebrity. It’s what I’m best at, anyway." She flicked her lush sleeve, tied with a blue ribbon. "But seriously, Lip… Why you? Of all people, why did you betray me and side with the Master?!"

"Why Protea?" Passionlip’s voice trembled, her massive golden claws scraping against the rink’s surface as her purple hair, tied with a pink ribbon, trailed behind her. "Aren’t I the one who’s supposed to keep you safe? Who cares if you’re a bad guy for this event? You still should’ve at least asked me!" Her sheer black bodysuit stretching over her absurdly gigantic breasts. "Do you know how it felt, Melt? Watching you pick Protea over me? It’s like… like you didn’t want me around anymore. Like I wasn’t good enough to be by your side." She bit her lip. "I thought we were sisters. I thought we were friends. But it felt like you didn’t want to shine with me anymore… like you didn’t want me at all."

"Tsk… I knew it was something petty like that." Lambda snapped abruptly as her white pantyhose-clad thighs flexed slightly. "But… fine. You’re right. I messed up." She glanced away. "I didn’t want to drag you down with me, okay? I thought if I kept you out of it, your reputation wouldn’t get ruined by being associated with the ‘villain’ of the event. But I didn’t think about how you’d feel about it. That was my mistake." She sighed, running a hand through her ponytail again. "I’m sorry, Lip. Really."

"Melt!" Passionlip’s face lit up. "I forgive you! Let’s catch up, okay? You, me, and the Master! Just like old times!" She turned to the Master with a mischievous grin. "Ohhh, I bet Melt’s been acting all tsundere around you, hasn’t she? Did she call you a simp yet? Or maybe she’s secretly hoping you’ll compliment her swimsuit! Ehe~!"

3rd Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Miyamoto Iori.

"Tsk, so you’re the so-called ‘Swimsuit Swordmaster.’" Lambda glided across the boardwalk, her silver prosthetics clicking against the planks. Her high ponytail swayed behind her, the blue ribbons on her lush sleeves fluttering as she crossed her arms. "Honestly, I expected more. You’re not even trying to hide it anymore, are you? That whole ‘Iori’ act? Please. Everyone knows you’re just Musashi in a tacky cowboy cosplay." She gestured toward Iori’s red-and-blue bikini with a sharp glare. "And what’s with the stars-and-stripes theme? You’re not even American! You’re about as authentic as a penguin in a ten-gallon hat."

"Howdy there, partner!☆" Iori tipped an imaginary hat, her light pink hair bouncing as she grinned. "Nice ta meet ya, Miss Fancy Pants~!☆" She twirled one of her katana-revolvers like a gunslinger, the short bolero jacket exposed her curvy, hot body. "And for the record, I’m not ‘hiding’ anything! I’m a rootin’-tootin’ gunslinger☆, here ta bring justice to these parts!" She winked at the Master, leaning in slightly. "But I gotta say, Master here’s lookin’ mighty fine today. You’re travelin’ with this frosty influencer, huh? Must be tough dealin’ with all that tsun-tsun energy.☆"

"W-What?!" Lambda’s cheeks flushed, her white frilled bikini shifting slightly. "Don’t flirt with him, you shameless hack! He’s not interested in some wannabe cowboy with zero originality!" She turned to the Master. "And you! Don’t listen to her nonsense! She’s just trying to rile me up because she knows she can’t beat me in anything that actually matters!" Her supple thighs flexed in white pantyhose. "Besides, who’d even fall for that ridiculous accent? It’s so fake it makes my penguin disguise look convincing!"

"Aw, don’t be like that, Lambda-chan~!" Iori laughed, slinging an arm around the Master’s shoulders with a playful grin. "You’re so cute when you’re jealous!☆" She leaned closer to Lambda. "But hey, why don’t we settle this the cowboy way? Let’s all hang out together—me, you, and Master here. We’ll grab some grub, maybe hit up a casino or two.☆" She twirled her revolver again before holstering it dramatically. "What d’ya say? A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right?☆"

3rd Ascension. Dazzling Las Vegas. Ōsama Game.

"Alrighty, folks! Gather ‘round, because it’s time for the ultimate showdown of guts, glory, and questionable life choices—Ōsama Game!☆" Iori twirled one of her katana-revolvers like a baton, her pink hair bouncing as she grinned. "Here’s how it works: we draw straws, and whoever gets the King’s straw gets to boss the rest of us around.☆ Could be somethin’ silly, somethin’ spicy, or somethin’ downright humiliatin’—it’s all fair game!☆ So, y’all ready to risk your dignity for some good ol’ fashioned fun?"

"Ehhhh?! Nani kore?! This is sooo not my scene!" Osakabehime flailed her arms, her black hair with brown tips swaying as she adjusted her red swimming goggles. "W-What if I draw the King and have to make a command?! What if I mess it up and everyone laughs at me?! Or worse, what if someone makes me do something embarrassing like… like cosplay as a normal person?! Yamerooo! This is way too high-stakes for a humble NEET like me! Ma-chan, save meeee!"

"Umu! A most excellent idea!" Nero clapped her hands together, her blonde twin-tails bouncing as she struck a dramatic pose. "This is the perfect opportunity to showcase my brilliance as an Emperor! I shall draw the King’s straw and issue commands that will inspire awe and admiration! Perhaps I’ll make everyone sing an aria in my honor, or compose an ode to my beauty! Umu! Truly, this game was made for someone of my caliber!"

"Tsk. What a waste of time." Lambda crossed her arms, her purple hair tied into a high ponytail that swayed as she turned away. "I don’t see the point in playing some childish game with a bunch of losers. And what if one of you tries to make me do something ridiculous? Like… wear a bunny suit or sing karaoke? Hmpf. As if I’d ever—" She paused, glancing at the Master out of the corner of her eye. "…W-Well, fine. I’ll play. But only because I don’t trust you idiots not to embarrass yourselves without me supervising."

"Alrighty then, let’s get this rodeo started!☆" Iori slapped a stack of straws onto the table with a flourish. "Draw your straws, folks! And remember, no backsies once you’ve got your King!☆"

The girls leaned in, each drawing a straw with varying levels of enthusiasm—or dread. Now it’s your turn, Master. Will you draw the King’s straw and take control of the chaos?