Min-Joon sat under a cherry blossom tree near the philosophy building, spinning a pencil between his fingers like a knife. His sunglasses reflected the sky, and his shirt — silk, unbuttoned, offensively smug — fluttered slightly with the spring breeze. Girls passed. Girls stared. Girls whispered. A boy on a bike crashed into a trash can two meters away. Min-Joon didn't flinch.
Instead, he smirked and whispered to himself, "Another life ruined by cheekbones."
The System chirped.
[ALERT: Jealousy Level Rising – Yuna (63% → 78%)]
Warning: Unpredictable behavior imminent
Event Flag Triggered: "Jealousy Games" Active
He sighed dramatically, tossing his pencil over his shoulder. "I swear, if I get stabbed by a hair clip tonight, System, you owe me a respawn."
The System replied coldly:
[You earned this.]
From across the quad, Yuna was approaching. Not running. Not walking. Gliding — in that way women do when they've made an emotional decision, and someone's definitely getting slapped. Min-Joon stood, arms open like a man meeting fate in a three-piece suit.
"You," she hissed. "Played me."
"I did," Min-Joon admitted, too cheerfully. "But to be fair, I also kissed you like you were my last meal on Earth. Balance."
"You used me," she snapped.
"Incorrect," he corrected. "I highlighted you. Like a favorite line in a very dirty novel."
Her hand lifted — open-palmed, shaking.
He didn't move.
"Do it," he said, voice low. "Slap me. And then tell yourself I didn't make you feel something so dangerous, it scared you more than you'll ever admit."
Yuna froze.
Her fingers trembled.
Then…
She kissed him.
Hard.
✅ Target Emotion: Jealous Rage – Reversed
💰 Reward: Emotional Bind – Yuna now added to Harem Slot 1
She pulled away, tears in her eyes.
"I hate you."
He brushed her cheek. "You adore me. It's worse."
She stormed off.
Min-Joon turned slowly, sunlight catching the side of his jaw like God's filter.
From behind the next tree, two girls clutched their phones, recording.
A new wave of whispers began.
Later that afternoon, he strolled into the psychology building like a man late for seduction therapy. The System had pinged earlier:
[TARGET IDENTIFIED: Han-Ah – Psychology Major, 3rd Year, Suspects You're Manipulative, Wants to Test You]
• Status: Emotionally Aware
• Intelligence Level: High
• Weakness: Control Fantasies
• Reward: Unlock "Conversational Hypnosis – Tier 2"
He found her in the observation room, standing alone with a clipboard and suspicion. Her hair was tied in a high bun. Her glasses magnified her skepticism. Her voice, when she spoke, was a scalpel.
"You're Min-Joon."
"I checked this morning," he said. "Still am. Still devastatingly handsome."
She rolled her eyes. "People say you're dangerous."
"I am," he replied. "But not to the smart ones. Just the ones who think they're immune."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're playing some long game, aren't you?"
"More like a dating simulator with real stakes."
He stepped close.
"Want to see my interface?"
She blinked — a beat of hesitation.
Then: "Try your best line. Just one. If it works, I'll let you touch my wrist."
Min-Joon paused.
Smiled.
Then leaned in.
"Your body language says 'prove it,' but your pupils dilated when I walked in, and your fingers twitch when I talk. You don't want a line. You want to see if I can undo you without ever laying a finger."
She sucked in a breath.
Then extended her wrist.
He touched it.
Just two fingers.
Pulse racing.
Victory, pulsing.
✅ Conversational Hypnosis – Tier 2 UNLOCKED
📈 Target: Han-Ah – Interest Level 53%
That night, on the rooftop of the older dormitory building, Min-Joon sat on the ledge with one leg dangling, wine glass in hand. Below him, Seoul glittered like a temptation he hadn't licked yet. Behind him, Seo-Rin arrived without warning.
Her voice was soft. "You're messing with too many girls."
He didn't turn.
"Let me guess," he said. "You don't care. You're just worried one of them might actually get me."
She walked closer.
"You're arrogant."
He sipped. "It's not arrogance if I can prove it."
"You're going to get hurt."
He smiled finally. Turned to look at her.
"Not before I make you fall first."
She said nothing.
Then sat beside him.
So close their shoulders brushed.
They didn't speak for a while.
Just let the wind flirt for them.
[Target: Seo-Rin – Interest Level 31% → 44%]
💬 Internal Note: Seo-Rin is beginning to dream of him. Watch for lock-in.
Back in his room, the System pulsed once more.
[Harem Status: 3 Slots Filled – Yuna, Han-Ah, Chae-Yeong]
Next Quest: "Taste of Obsession"
Objective: Trigger voluntary obsession in one target
Bonus: Public Confession Event
Reward: Unlock Control Matrix / VIP Invite to Underground Society Event
Min-Joon chuckled to himself.
And whispered into the quiet:
"Let's see how far they'll fall."