The glowing timer in front of Ethan’s face ticked down with ruthless precision.
23:57:14… 23:57:13… It wasn’t a metaphor. It wasn’t a dream. Every second felt like a nail being hammered into his coffin. He staggered out of the alley, clutching his side. The stab wound still burned, but when he glanced down, his shirt was only torn and the blood was gone. The skin beneath was smooth, unmarked. “What the hell is happening to me…” he muttered. The blue screen flickered again. [Hint: Targets must have no prior connection to Host.] [Recommendation: Approach high-value targets for maximum system benefits.] High-value targets? Win her heart? In 24 hours? It sounded like a bad dating reality show except losing meant death. He made it to the bus stop and sat heavily on the bench, rainwater dripping from his hair. His mind was racing. I can’t just walk up to some random woman and… A loud, frustrated voice cut through the storm. “I swear, if one more idiot calls me ‘princess’...” Ethan turned his head. She stood a few feet away, phone in one hand, the other tugging at the strap of a soaked designer handbag. Tall, with long black hair sticking slightly to her face, eyes sharp even in annoyance. Her heels were ruined from the puddles, but she carried herself like the rain dared not touch her. She was… stunning. Not just in the movie-star way there was something commanding about her. The system chimed. [Potential Target Identified: 98% compatibility for mission success.] [Bonus Reward if the target's affection exceeds 60% before the timer ends.] Ethan’s throat went dry. So… she’s the one. He took a deep breath. Just talk to her. He opened his mouth A car splashed through a puddle, drenching her legs in dirty water. “Are you kidding me?!” she snapped, glaring after it. She glanced down at her phone and groaned. “Great. Missed my ride too.” Ethan saw his chance. “Uh… you okay?” Her eyes flicked to him, scanning him head to toe in a second. Dripping jacket. Cheap sneakers. No umbrella. “I’m fine.” She turned away, clearly done with the conversation before it even began. Great start, Ethan. The system flashed again: [New Sub-Objective: Gain her trust within 10 minutes.] Reward: Affection Boost +10%. Failure: Affection starts at -50%. Ethan scrambled. “Listen, I’m not” A sleek black SUV slowed at the curb, tinted windows rolling down. A man in a tailored suit leaned out. “Miss Voss, your father sent me. Let’s get you out of this rain.” Voss. The name hit Ethan like a jolt. As in Voss Industries? The billion-dollar conglomerate? The system chimed again. [Warning: Rival interference detected. Success rate dropping.] Ethan’s heart pounded. If she leaves with him, I’m dead. “Wait!” he called, stepping forward. Miss Voss paused, one eyebrow arched. “Do I know you?” Ethan’s mind raced. He had nothing, no plan, no suave lines but the timer was ticking. He smiled, forcing the words out. “Not yet. But if you get in that car, you’re going to miss the best story you’ll ever hear.” Her eyes narrowed… but she didn’t step into the SUV. The suited man looked at her expectantly. “Miss?” Rain pattered against the roof of the bus stop. Ethan’s pulse thundered in his ears. Finally, she sighed and folded her arms. “You have one minute.” [Timer: 23:45:06…]
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Chapter 31: Tides of Desire
The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the penthouse, casting long streaks of light across the polished floors. Yet the warmth of the sun did nothing to dispel the simmering tension that lingered in the air. Ethan had managed to navigate the night’s trials, the confrontation, and the unexpected arrival, but the delicate balance of the harem was far from stable. Each woman’s desires, jealousy, and subtle manipulations were now heightened, creating a constant undercurrent of tension that demanded his careful attention.The system pulsed sharply, signaling new challenges: [Critical Event: Post-disruption balance. Objective: Reinforce loyalty, manage simmering rivalry. Risk: High.]Ethan rose from the chair where he had spent the early hours reflecting on the night’s events. Every movement felt weighted with consequence, as though the very air of the penthouse was holding him accountable. He knew that Olivia, Isabella, and Natalia would each be testing him, probing for
Chapter 30: The Fractured Heart
The night air in the penthouse was heavy with anticipation, every shadow seeming to stretch and twist with unspoken tension. Ethan had returned from the rooftop trials, the encounters with Isabella and Olivia still burning in his mind, and Natalia’s subtle but sharp presence lingering like a silent sentinel. He had thought that navigating the delicate dynamics between the three women had reached a manageable rhythm, that he could maintain the balance he had painstakingly established.But the system’s pulsing warnings reminded him that peace was often an illusion. [Critical Event: Unexpected disruption detected. Objective: Prevent harem collapse. Risk: Extreme.]The disruption came without warning. A soft knock echoed through the suite, almost imperceptible against the low hum of the city below. Ethan’s instincts went taut. The system pulsed urgently: [New Event: Intruder or unexpected arrival. Time limit: Immediate response required.]He opened the door to find an unexpected figure st
Chapter 29: Flames in Collision
The city below gleamed like a field of scattered stars, but the penthouse felt more like a battlefield than a sanctuary. Ethan could feel the tension vibrating through every corner, a subtle but undeniable current that made his chest tight and his pulse quick. Olivia and Isabella were in the lounge, their energy clashing invisibly but palpably, each aware of the other’s proximity. Natalia had stationed herself near the balcony, arms crossed, eyes sharp, her presence a constant reminder that any misstep could tip the balance into chaos.The system pulsed urgently: [Critical Event: Rivalry escalation. Objective: Prevent harem collapse. Time limit: 2 hours. Risk: Extreme.]Ethan exhaled slowly, his mind already running through strategies. The previous nights had been tests, trials that had sharpened his control, but tonight was different. Tonight, the flames of jealousy and desire were not subtle; they were colliding head-on.Olivia’s voice cut through the silence, smooth but edged with
Chapter 28: The Shattered Balance
The suite was unusually quiet, yet every surface seemed charged with tension. Ethan had returned from his earlier encounters, hoping for a moment of peace, only to find the air thick with unspoken challenge. Natalia lingered near the balcony, eyes narrowed, her usual commanding presence radiating judgment. Olivia and Isabella were both present in the lounge, their energy swirling like opposing storms, each aware of the other’s proximity, each silently testing him.The system pulsed sharply: [Critical Event: Direct confrontation imminent. Objective: Maintain harmony. Risk: Extreme.]Ethan sensed it immediately before either woman spoke. The subtle shifts in posture, the narrowing of eyes, the barely suppressed edge in their voices—it was a clash waiting to ignite.Olivia’s voice was the first to break the silence. “So,” she said slowly, her tone deliberate, “you met with Isabella again today, did you not?”Ethan’s pulse quickened. He had anticipated suspicion, but the deliberate phrasi
Chapter 27: Temptation Unveiled
The penthouse was quiet, yet tension thrummed in the air like a living thing. Ethan had returned from Isabella’s rooftop challenge only to find that the atmosphere in his suite had shifted subtly but unmistakably. Olivia had been lingering in the lounge, her emerald eyes bright with both curiosity and a barely concealed edge of suspicion. Natalia had returned to her usual commanding presence near the balcony, arms crossed, watching silently as though she were the judge of every heartbeat. Ethan knew immediately that this night would not pass without incident. The system pulsed, sharp and urgent: [Event: Olivia and Isabella indirect conflict detected. Objective: Maintain harmony. Time limit: 2 hours. Risk: High.] Olivia’s gaze found him the moment he stepped into the lounge. She rose slowly, silk robe brushing the floor, and approached with a measured grace that made his pulse quicken. “So,” she said softly, a teasing lilt in her voice, “I heard you spent time with Isabella tonight.
Chapter 26: The Edge of Control
Ethan’s body hummed with exhaustion, but his mind refused to rest. The events of the previous night and Olivia’s midnight gambit had left a residue of tension that would not fade easily. Every movement, every breath he took seemed weighed down by the invisible eyes of the women who claimed his attention. The system pulsed faintly, reminding him that the next challenge had already begun. [Warning: Isabella’s influence rising. Objective: Maintain harmony under extreme temptation.]He had barely finished dinner when a soft vibration on his phone alerted him to a message. Meet me at the rooftop garden. Midnight. Alone. I want to see if you can maintain control. Isabella’s words glimmered on the screen like a whispered dare, daring him to step further into the web of temptation.Ethan’s pulse quickened. The system’s prompts flashed urgently: [Critical Objective: Resist Isabella’s advances for 15 minutes without reducing Affection points. Reward: +10 Charm, +10 Special Ability Progress.]He
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