But wait a second.
I looked at my status window and stared at the numbers floating in the air.
My physical stats had not changed at all since I first arrived in this world.
System, why didn’t I receive any stats when I used my skill on Gia earlier?
I clearly won that sparring match, and she was drained on the floor.
A chime echoed in my mind before the text scrolled across my vision.
[The Host successfully subdued the target and rendered her unable to continue combat. However, to extract permanent stat points, the Host must actively force the ethereal chains to siphon her core energy. This process permanently weakens the opponent.]
I let out a slow breath, sinking much deeper into the cushions of the sofa.
So if I had actually fully drained her during our spar, I would have permanently crippled my only partner right before we were supposed to form an official party.
It’s a really good thing I stopped exactly when I did.
Hurting her was the last thing I wanted to do, especially since she was already stepping up to protect me from the other guilds.
That brings up another question entirely.
When the screen popped up between Gia and me just a few minutes ago, it showed a bunch of different categories that I did not fully understand.
What exactly is interest, arousal, and all that?
[Interest refers to the target’s overall Favorability toward the Host. It measures emotional investment, mutual trust, and compatibility. Once you reach above 90 percent Interest with a target, you can form a Deep Bond. This allows the Host to evolve at a significantly accelerated rate.]
Wow. I rubbed my chin, processing the information.
So basically, the more they fall for me and trust me, the stronger I get, and the faster I can actually survive in a world filled with SSS-Rank Calamities.
I just need to make sure the emotional connection is genuinely real before I start pushing my luck.
What about the rating, then?
The screen said Gianna had a 9.7.
[Rating refers to the target’s innate capability and potential combat ceiling. The higher the rating, the higher the returns the Host will receive from establishing a bond. ]
[A 9.7 indicates the target possesses the potential to eventually rival an Empress.]
Hmm.
That’s very good to know.
Gia really is a top-tier investment, and her mother’s instinct clearly knew what she was doing when she bought my contract to pair us up.
If Gianna has the potential to stand beside the ten strongest warriors in the world, then sticking by her side is the smartest play I could make.
So, how should I go about increasing her favorability right now?
Actually, why aren’t you giving me anything to do?
Usually, a system throws out starter tasks or daily objectives to help a guy get on his feet, but you have just been sitting quietly in my head all day.
Give me a mission or something so I can actually start leveling up.
The system didn’t respond immediately. The blue text faded away, leaving me staring at the empty living room while the distant hum of the futuristic city traffic buzzed outside the large windows.
System?
Hello?
Are you broken?
[The System waits for the right opportunity.]
Before I could even begin to process what that cryptic answer meant, a sudden, bright red alert flashed directly across my vision.
It was accompanied by a melodic ringing sound that made me jump slightly in my seat.
The text did not look like the usual blue system notices. It was highly stylized, glowing with an intense red light right in the middle of the room.
『 Hidden Quest Unlocked 』
『 Quest Title: Satisfying the Investor 』
『 Difficulty: Rank-S (High Sensory Sensitivity) 』
『 Description: Your assigned guardian, Jenna Everheart, spent her life savings to secure your freedom. It is time to deliver a premium return on her investment. Tonight, you must bypass full intimacy and focus on targeted oral stimulation to maximize her baseline power grid. 』
『 Objective: Perform precise, high-intensity cunnilingus until the target’s mental composure is shattered. 』
『 Conditions for Success: Do not proceed to full lovemaking/penetration (Target’s direct order must be maintained). Achieve a minimum target arousal rating of 60%. 』
『 Rewards: Jenna Everheart’s Favorability: +5. A Bronze Succubus roulette. 』
『 Failure Penalty: A very cold, very awkward breakfast tomorrow morning. 』
I sat frozen on the sofa.
My eyes looked at the red text in the quiet apartment, reading over the explicit words three separate times just to make sure I was not hallucinating from sheer exhaustion.
What the fuck?
The morning scene flashed in my mind.
I clearly remembered the weight of Jenna’s soft boobs in my mouth, and the unexpected intensity of wanting more.
’Are you serious right now?’
[Yes.]
The system didn’t even hesitate.
’What exactly is the bronze roulette?’
[The Roulette distributes randomized rewards upon successful quest completion. There are three available tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. It can grant permanent stat boosts, active combat skills, unique items, or anything else necessary for your survival.]
’So instead of a guaranteed upgrade, I am basically gambling my life away on a magical slot machine,’ I concluded.
’But if I win, I could actually get a combat skill.’
That changed everything.
If I could pull a decent attack skill from a Bronze spin tonight, I wouldn’t be totally helpless when I finally went to the train with Gia.
But there’s a far more pressing matter.
I have to seduce Jenna tonight.
*************
(A/N: Liked it? Donate powerstones, leave a comment, and add it to your library:)