"Hunting ground?" Alex scoffed, pushing her spectral hand away. "You say 'hunting ground.' I hear 'gilded cage where every bar wants to date me and then lock me in a basement.' This isn't sustainable. We need a way to control it."
"And we will," Lily said, her confidence unwavering. "Check the other skills and traits."
Alex's gaze drifted back to the blue screen, his mind clinging to the familiar comfort of organized data.
...
[SKILLS]
[Essence Drain (Active - Lv. 1)]
[Description: A succubus's most basic ability. Actively siphon life force, mana, or experience from a willing (or sufficiently obsessed) target through sustained physical contact. Efficiency scales with intimacy and the target's emotional intensity. Efficiency scales with intimacy and the target's emotional intensity.
Warning: Over-draining may cause target collapse, addiction, or death. Use responsibly, idiot.]
...
[Seductive Aura (Passive - Lv. 1)]
[Description: A constant low-level emission of your new racial charm. Makes others more receptive, lowers inhibitions, and accelerates the effects of Absolute Affection. Range and potency increase with Charisma.
Current radius: 10 meters. You are a walking romance novel.]
...
[RACIAL TRAITS]
[Lesser Succubus Physiology]
[Increased Charisma.
Enhanced regeneration when fed.
Night vision.
Minor shapeshifting (cosmetic only, for now).
Heightened sensitivity in... certain areas.
Natural pheromone production.
Current Stage: Lesser
Evolution Progress: 0%
Requirements for Evolution: Unknown]
...
[Succubus Charm]
[Passive. Makes your voice, scent, and presence disproportionately attractive. Stacks dangerously with Seductive Aura and the Absolute Affection curse.]
...
"..."
Alex stared at the floating blue rectangles like they had personally betrayed him. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again.
"...Lily. I have pheromones. Actual fucking pheromones. I'm a walking air freshener for horny people now."
Lily's spectral form lounged sideways in mid-air beside his bed, one elbow propped on nothing, looking far too pleased with herself. The black dress she'd manifested clung to her like liquid shadow.
"You say that like it's a bad thing. Most men would kill for this kind of upgrade package."
"I didn't ask for the DLC!" Alex hissed, keeping his voice low. He pinched the bridge of his nose. The headache was fading, replaced by a strange, warm humming under his skin—like his body was running background processes he couldn't see. "This whole thing is a malware infection with extra steps. Essence Drain? I have to 'suck' the life out of people to stay alive?"
"Through intimate contact, preferably," Lily corrected sweetly, manifesting a little closer so her face hovered inches from his. "Kissing works. Touching works better. But the best method... Well, I think you can figure that one out. You're a smart boy."
Alex made a strangled noise and flopped back against the pillows. The hospital gown shifted, and he became uncomfortably aware of how sensitive his skin felt against the fabric. Everything felt more. The sheets, the air, even the faint scent of herbs and cleaning solution in the room.
"So, to recap," he said, staring at the white ceiling as if it might hold answers. "I'm a half-demon with a Charisma stat that's triple my Intelligence. Everyone who meets me will instantly want to kidnap me, and I have to… feed… on their affection, or I'll die of magical soul-cancer. And on top of all that, I still can't level up properly."
"Of course you can," Lily said, tapping a long, dark nail against her spectral chin. "The experience harvest is just… more intimate. Instead of bonking a goblin on the head for one percent of a level, you might just need to kiss a handsome guard captain for five percent. Or bring a lonely noblewoman to tears of joy for ten. You'll need to find a way to manage your growing harem... I mean, social circle."
"A harem," Alex repeated flatly. "That's your solution. I'm not building a harem, Lily. I'm not a protagonist in some cheap isekai power fantasy. I'm a retired engineer. I build systems. I solve problems. I don't... collect people."
"You did before," Lily reminded him, her tone turning sharper, cutting through the playful facade. "You collected Emily. You collected her loyalty. You collected her love for two decades, nurturing it until it became the perfect weapon. Don't pretend you're above emotional engineering, my dear architect."
"She's my daughter," Alex shot back, the words reflexive and protective. "That was different."
"Was it?" Lily leaned in closer, her violet eyes swirling with ancient knowledge. "You're the one who explained it to me. Patience. Manipulation. A long-term investment for a massive payoff. This is the same thing, just with a different currency and a faster return rate."
Before Alex could formulate a scathing reply, Lily pointed to a certain spot on the blue screen.
"Let's not forget the most important detail. The one that makes all of this worth it."
Alex's eyes followed her gesture, landing on the life force countdown.
[Life Force: 9 Days, 16 Hours, 29 Minutes]
The timer had ticked down by several minutes while they were talking. A cold dread, sharp and immediate, pierced through the surreal haze.
"Nine days," he whispered. The number was concrete, undeniable. A countdown clock on his life. He'd had more life expectancy on his deathbed.
"And dwindling," Lily said, all traces of humor gone from her voice. "You spent your entire last life waiting for the right moment to exact revenge. This life, you don't have that luxury. You have nine days to make your first 'deposit.'"
Alex's mind, the part that was still a detached, logical programmer, began to whir. He minimized the panic, compartmentalized the existential dread, and focused on the immediate problem set. Input: He needed life force. Output: He needed to get it from someone who was now supernaturally compelled to adore him.
"So I have to... feed. Regularly. Or I die. Again." He looked at Lily, her spectral form a constant reminder of the bargain he'd made. "And the most efficient method is... what you implied."
"Correct," Lily said, now sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed. Her fingers traced idle patterns in the air, leaving faint trails of rose-colored light. "We need to feed, or we both vanish. So, we need to find a target. A high-potency one."
Just as the word "target" left her lips, the door to the sterile white room clicked open.
A young woman in nurse's attire stepped inside, carrying in her hands a tray with some glass bottles containing different colored liquids and a piece of folded cloth. She couldn't have been older than twenty-two, with kind, brown eyes and her honey-blonde hair tied back in a practical braid. She looked tired, but her expression was professional and warm.
The moment her gaze landed on Alex, the change was immediate and terrifying.
Her pupils dilated. The tray trembled in her hands. A soft flush crept up her neck as her breathing hitched.
"Oh... you're awake," she whispered. The affection in her voice was already thick enough to drown in. "I—I was so worried. You were brought in three days ago... you looked so fragile. I've been checking on you every hour."
She took an unconscious step closer. Then another. Her eyes never left his face.
Alex felt the Seductive Aura kick in like an overclocked fan. A subtle wave of heat rolled off his skin. The healer's expression shifted from professional concern to something far more dangerous—raw, worshipful need.
"Miss—wait, please," Alex said quickly, holding up both hands. His new Charisma stat made even his awkward panic sound unfairly charming. "I'm fine, really. Just... personal space. I'm a big fan of personal space."
The nurse, whose name tag read 'Clara,' didn't stop. She set the tray down with shaky hands and reached for his wrist, her fingers brushing his skin. The contact sent a spark of energy straight into him—warm, sweet, like drinking sunlight. His Life Force timer paused its countdown for a blessed second.
"Oh gods, your skin is so warm," she murmured, eyes glassy. "I don't know why, but I feel like... like I've been waiting my whole life just to touch you."
"Lily, help," Alex whispered desperately through their link.
[Enjoy the appetizer,] Lily replied nonchalantly, reclining in the air like she was watching a play. [Practice makes perfect. I recommend you learn to say 'thank you' when someone compliments your skin.]
Clara leaned in closer, her scent of medicinal herbs now mingled with the overwhelming aroma of her own adoration.
"I could take care of you," she whispered, her thumb stroking the inside of his wrist. "I could stay with you. Forever."
'LILY!!!' Alex's mental scream was frantic. 'This is your curse! Do something!'
[Fine, fine.] Lily sighed dramatically, manifesting right behind the enthralled nurse, and waved her hand, instantly suppressing the aura.
The effects weren't instant. Clara blinked slowly, like waking from a vivid dream. The haze of obsession in her eyes receded, replaced by confusion and embarrassment.
"I... I am so sorry," she stammered, pulling her hand back as if burned. "I don't know what came over me. I... I should go."
She scrambled toward the door, her face flushed with shame.
"Wait!" Alex called out. The guilt was a sour taste in his mouth. He couldn't let her leave like this, thinking she was some kind of deviant. "It's... it's alright. Could you just tell me where I am?"
Clara paused at the door, her hand on the knob. She kept her eyes fixed on the floor, then she snapped.
"Right!... you awake... I need to call your family!"
With that, she dashed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Alex blinked at the slammed door.
"Well, that was... efficient."
[She said 'Family'] Lily noted calmly. [Which means they know who you are. Or at least they think they do.]
"Shit," Alex muttered. "So my new identity comes with a built-in backstory. And possibly people who already love me."
[I think you need to prepare yourself, my dear Alex.] Lily floated back to the bed.
"What do you mean?" Alex asked.
[You have three divine curses.] Lily explained patiently. [The divine law runs on balance. So, that office bitch must have given you plenty of 'boons' to balance the curses.]
"...boons?" Alex was confused.
[Yes, and they must be powerful enough to make this hellish start 'fair.'] Lily's smile was predatory. [Your family is probably one of them. Maybe a powerful dukedom. Or a wealthy merchant family. Or maybe you're the long-lost prince of a fallen kingdom.]
She paused, letting the words sink in.
[The possibilities are endless. And they are all waiting for you. With open arms and obsessive love.]
...
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