Hello! After getting several asks about how to activate the Established Rivals [ER] dynamic, I decided it'd be harder to keep hiding it, especially as the story progresses further.
I won't include this information in the game or in the Romance System Overview, but this post will be linked in the Q&A. For those who want to avoid spoilers, the information is hidden below the line.
Before you continue to the guide, I'd like to once again emphasize one important thing:
This dynamic is supposed to be a bonus for readers who happened to like both ROs and ended up unlocking this option naturally.
In my opinion, readers who only like one of the two ROs [or play specifically to get this dynamic] will most likely end up disappointed because it's not a love triangle route and it has minimal impact on the narrative overall.
This was already mentioned in the Romance System Overview, so please keep that in mind if you're planning a specific playthrough just to unlock it.
The information below contains spoilers and specific instructions on how to activate the ER dynamic [Q&A format].
Q: Who are those two specific ROs?
A: The two ROs involved in the ER dynamic are I and S.
Q: How to activate ER dynamic?
A: In the story, there are two opportunities to activate this dynamic.
First opportunity to activate ER dynamic:
▸ Chapter 2: Choose to go to the morgue.
▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Have at least 1 romance point with I and 2 with S, then choose I's scene to confirm the dynamic.
▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Don't refuse to talk to S during the investigation at the orphanage [otherwise, it'll cancel the dynamic].
Second opportunity to activate ER dynamic:
▸ Chapter 2: Choose to go to the morgue.
▸ Chapter 2: Don't choose Morgan's evening scene in the office.
▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Choose S's morning scene.
▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Don't refuse to talk to S during the investigation at the orphanage [otherwise, it'll cancel the dynamic].
▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 2: Have at least 1 romance point with I and 2 with S, then choose S's scene to confirm the dynamic.
No matter which opportunity you used, the story already has a bonus POV available if this dynamic is activated and you choose to have sex with S in Chapter 3 Pt. 2.
wait... we can get R POV at the end of the chapter? does it have any requirements? i did both positive and negative alignments with them and didnt get their POV 😔
Yes, you can get R's POV at the end of the chapter. To avoid spoilers, I listed the specific conditions below the line:
Choose "You fight the dizzy, crushing pull dragging at your consciousness, refusing to give in" option during R's scene.
If it's grayed out, you'll need (humanity <= 40) to unlock it.
There's another hidden stat that can also make it available, but the sequence of actions required to get it would take too long to explain, so it's easier to focus on humanity if you want to unlock it.
Important note: you can't unlock R's POV if you have romance points with L, as it'll redirect you to L's POV instead.
I had this IF saved a while back and I just realized I've never played it! But I just two(ish) routes, one with Lex and one with Roderick, and omg I love how you write the both of them (as well as the other ROs :D) but i do have a question about the chapter 3 update. Which characters have the sex scenes? I'm assuming it's Sebastian and Theo?? And if so, how do you get there?
I'm loving the work you are doing and I am begging for another update soon!!(even though the chapter 3 update only came out today lol)
Thank you, I'm glad you like all the ROs!
Which characters have the sex scenes? I'm assuming it's Sebastian and Theo??
Yes, you assumed correctly. Both T and S aren't exactly subtle about their attraction to the MC 😁
And if so, how do you get there?
The general answer is pretty obvious: make sure you always choose their scenes whenever you get a choice between the ROs.
If you'd like the specific requirements, I've included them below the line.
To unlock T's sex scene:
You don't need any romance points with T. You can even tell them "no" and still end up having sex with them.
The important thing is to always choose their scenes. Specifically:
▸ Choose T's scene in Chapter 2 [morgue scene].
▸ Choose T's scene in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 [the morning before the orphanage visit].
▸ Choose T's scene in Chapter 3 Pt. 2 [evening scene].
To unlock S's sex scene:
▸ Choose S's scene in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 [the morning before the orphanage visit] OR have 3+ romance points with them.
▸ Don't refuse to talk to S during the investigation at the orphanage [Chapter 3 Pt. 1].
▸ Choose S's scene in Chapter 3 Pt. 2 [evening scene].
There's also one hidden variable that can unlock their scene, but I'd rather let readers discover it themselves.
umm, I picked the choice where I should get R's POV scene at the end of the chapter but it still didn't appear? I am so confused 😕
The code at the end of the chapter checks several conditions in a specific order.
The first condition is the MC's feelings for L. If you've established any dynamic with L [straightforward, concealed, or oblivious crush], the chapter will end with L's POV.
If that condition isn't met, the next check is a variable that determines whether you've unlocked R's POV.
So, if I'm correct, you ended up getting L's POV instead of R's.
It's my fault for not mentioning that you can't get both POVs at once, and I'll update the previous post to include that detail.
when you say virgin mc won’t be able to lead, do you just mean in the dominating sense or will mc have bottom?? lolol
If you've read both sex scenes, you may have noticed that they're structured in the same particular way:
Choice 1. [You'll take the lead.]
Choice 2. [The RO will take the lead.]
Choice 3. [Fade-to-black.] [You'll take the lead.]
Choice 4. [Fade-to-black.] [The RO will take the lead.]
When I said that "the MC won't be able to take the lead", I meant that Choice 1 and Choice 3 won't be available.
Whether the MC can be a top or bottom in MxM scenes depends on the RO, not on whether you choose to play the MC as a virgin. Here's a more detailed explanation:
T's sex scene:
The option to choose whether to be a top or bottom in MxM is available in T's sex scene regardless of whether you choose to take the lead.
The MC being a virgin doesn't prevent this, as it fits T's flexibility when it comes to sex and the dynamic they can have with the MC.
S's sex scene:
The option to choose whether to be a top or bottom in MxM is available only in Choice 1 and Choice 3 [implied].
Since being a virgin prevents you from selecting those choices, you won't have this option, and the MC will be the bottom.
The reason is simple: S needs to be "challenged" for dominance, which I don't see being possible with the reserved MC, especially if they have no sexual experience.
Hi I'm not sure if this may have been asked already but I've been diving through and haven't seen it, how do you get the rage option when seeing Olivia's letter? I think I could choose it on one of my playthroughs but then it's been greyed out on every other playthrough ive done and I'm not sure really what I've changed or how to get the option again
Absolutely love this story aswell btw :)
Hello! This option is available if you have (compassion <= 45) and (humanity <= 45).
Hope this helps, and I'm glad you enjoy the story!
sorry if this was asked before, but how do we get the mc to injure their hand in chapter 3?
In the current update, it's much easier to get the MC to injure their hand than the other way around.
Agree to stay in the orphanage director's office and listen to what she has to say.
Choose any option aside from the first and last ones ["I forgive you" or "Waste of time"].
Hope this helps!
P.S. For the next update, the conditions have been narrowed down, making the triggering of this scene also depend on the chosen RO at the beginning of Chapter 3 and [if certain conditions are not met] hidden stats.
