"What Divine... what System?"
Asher stared at the pale pink screen floating before him, seriously wondering whether something had gone wrong with his brain while merging memories. He had only just accepted the absurd reality of transmigration, yet now an even more ridiculous hallucination seemed to have appeared.
[The Divine Aphrodisiac System.]
The female voice echoed in his mind once again.
Unlike the cold mechanical voice Asher had imagined, this one sounded lazy, carrying an unmistakable hint of amusement, as though it thoroughly enjoyed watching him question his own sanity.
[This System has already completed its soul-binding with the Host. The Host cannot be replaced, the bond cannot be voluntarily dissolved, and no form of return or refund request will be accepted.]
"I never said I wanted a refund."
[But you just thought about it.]
"..."
Asher fell silent.
The fact that it could directly read his thoughts meant this suddenly appearing System was no hallucination. At the very least, ordinary hallucinations did not possess such complete logic, nor would they cut off his escape route before he even opened his mouth.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to accept reality.
Transmigration had already happened. Having a System on top of that no longer seemed particularly difficult to believe. As for its rather questionable name, it did not matter. Right now, any power capable of making him stronger held immense value.
Besides, the System had already made one thing clear.
The resource he possessed was far more precious than Monster Cores.
"Introduce your abilities."
Asher sat back down on the edge of the bed. The astonishment on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a calm, almost analytical gaze.
Unlike the protagonists in novels who would shout in excitement after obtaining a System, he neither celebrated nor blindly believed every word it said. In this completely unfamiliar world, any power whose origin and price remained unknown could easily become a blade pointed at his own throat.
[The Host’s ability to accept reality exceeds the System’s expectations.]
"Rather than wasting time doubting something that has already happened, I’d rather understand what it can give me—and what I’ll have to pay for it."
[Rational. Cautious. And sufficiently greedy.]
[It seems the System chose the right person.]
As the female voice fell silent, the floating screen flickered.
The previous quest information vanished, replaced by a far more detailed status panel.
[Host: Asher Veyron]
[Age: 18]
[Hunter Rank: Unawakened]
[Physical Strength: F]
[Mental Strength: F+]
[System Physique: Divine Aphrodisiac Body]
[Special Bloodline: Gate Destroyer Bloodline - Initial Form]
[Skills: None]
[Lust Points: 0]
[Partners: 0]
Asher’s eyes swept across the panel before finally stopping at the two entries he had never heard of.
"What is the Divine Aphrodisiac Body?"
[Exactly what it sounds like.]
"Speak human."
[Your body has been completely reconstructed by the System. From this moment onward, your skin, sweat, blood, saliva, and all other bodily fluids will possess effects that far surpass ordinary charm skills. Any adult woman who remains in prolonged contact with you will gradually be influenced without even realising it.]
Asher slowly frowned.
"It controls their minds?"
[Not entirely.]
[The Divine Aphrodisiac Body does not directly alter memories or personality, nor can it create absolute loyalty out of nothing. However, it amplifies the target’s instinctive desires, weakens their vigilance toward the Host, and gradually causes them to develop a dependency that becomes increasingly difficult to escape.]
[The higher the physique’s level, the stronger these effects become.]
[Once the physique reaches higher stages, even high-ranking female Hunters with unwavering willpower will find it difficult to resist the Host’s influence for extended periods.]
Although the description sounded powerful, this ability was nothing like the combat skills he had imagined.
At the very least, when facing Hunters capable of flying past his window and casually destroying buildings, he could hardly strip off his shirt, charge toward them, and ask them to smell his sweat.
"Can this ability make me a Hunter?"
[No.]
"Can it let me use fire or fly?"
[No.]
"Can it directly increase my combat strength?"
[At present, no.]
The corner of Asher’s eye twitched.
"So what you’re telling me is... you’ve given me a physique with an incredibly impressive name that can only be used against women?"
[Correction. Not against women. To conquer women.]
The System’s lazy tone remained unchanged, utterly unmoved by his doubts.
[Furthermore, the Host has yet to understand the true value of the Divine Aphrodisiac Body.]
The text on the screen shifted once more.
[Special Resource: Secret Essence]
[Effect One: Permanently improves the consumer’s appearance, skin, physique, and life aura.]
[Effect Two: Enhances a female Hunter’s physical attributes while increasing her mana capacity and cultivation speed.]
[Effect Three: Has a chance of awakening hidden talents and evolving existing Skills.]
[Effect Four: The more times it is consumed, the stronger both its effects and the resulting dependency become.]
[Notice: The stronger the target’s strength, status, and talent, the more Lust Points the Host will receive.]
The disappointment on Asher’s face finally began to fade.
After inheriting the previous owner’s memories, he already knew that Hunters in this world improved themselves primarily through entering Gates, obtaining Monster Cores, using enhancement potions, and acquiring rare relics capable of increasing Skill levels.
Among them, permanent enhancement potions were already priceless.
Items capable of awakening hidden talents or evolving existing Skills were strategic resources that even the most powerful families would fight over at any cost.
Yet according to the System, his Secret Essence possessed all of those effects simultaneously.
And unlike consumable treasures, it could continue to be produced.
Asher fully understood what that meant.
If this secret were ever exposed, female Hunters desperate for greater strength would likely lose all reason trying to find him.
Meanwhile, the great Hunter families controlling enormous political and military power would never tolerate such a resource remaining in the hands of an ordinary person.
This was power. It was also danger.
More importantly, if used correctly, it was enough to help him build an enormous force in the shortest possible time.
Asher raised his head.
"Is there a limit to this enhancement?"
[As the Host’s physique evolves, the effects of the Secret Essence will continue to improve.]
"Can anyone else replicate it?"
[No.]
"How long can it be stored?"
[Its preservation time outside the body depends upon the Host’s physique level and the storage environment.]
"What happens if a man consumes it?"
After a brief silence, the System answered.
[The System advises the Host not to attempt such an experiment.]
"He’ll die?"
[No.]
"Then what happens?"
[The System refuses to answer.]
Asher’s lips twitched with a knowing smile. He decided not to pursue the matter further. The System’s obvious unwillingness to explain was enough to convince him never to test it himself.
"What are Lust Points?"
[The System’s exclusive currency.]
[The Host may obtain Lust Points by completing missions, conquering high-quality targets, breaking through their psychological defences, and helping Partners grow stronger.]
[Lust Points may be exchanged in the System Shop for Skills, attributes, special items, Gate Keys, and bloodline enhancement resources.]
For the first time, Asher’s eyes lit up.
"Open the Shop."