"Alright, kid, that wasn't half bad for a rookie."
Yamir's voice, a deep, sexy purr, resonated inside Dorian's skull, sharp and irritatingly confident. The last traces of the red fog—the raw Lust Energy collected from Lina—swirled around him, before the incubus finally permitted it to flood into Dorian's system. The rush was intoxicating, but the relief was quickly overshadowed by a sense of foreboding.
He, of course, was going to take his share—far more than he'd initially promised. In return, he was ready to deliver a promised benefit.
"That little stunt with Lina? Nicely done! You've got potential. Now then, time to check your stats. I've structured this like those sim dating games you love—except this one's real, and the stakes directly impact your survival." Yamir paused, sounding pleased with his adaptation of Dorian's memories.
Dorian blinked, still catching his breath as the tingling energy settled into his skin. "Ah man, don't tell me you know what I have been playing…"
"Yeah, I went through them all. Nice collection you have in that PC back home," Yamir replied, his tone sly. "I enjoyed it quite much, though; maybe when we actually manage to merge our worlds, I'll give a few of those games a try… Now let's get back to business."
Yamir didn't give Dorian a chance to process the invasion of privacy, instead moving immediately to the mechanics. "You got stats now: Strength, Smarts, Charm, and that Lust Energy, which is keeping us alive. Every time you charm someone or drain energy like you just did, you get stronger—points to boost your skills or stats." Yamir continued, "Right now, you can choose your first skill to upgrade; you can sweet-talk with a Seductive Gaze, drain energy with a touch, or maybe you want to pull off a small illusion to look slicker. Don't overuse these, or you will starve, and you know what that means, right? I take over. Got it?"
The red fog was now fully absorbed, and Dorian could only nod slowly, stunned by the terrifying reality of the new rules.
"Oh, and you won't feel much stronger this first time since I took most of the energy to make this handy system," Yamir finished.
"Wait, how much did you take?" Dorian called out with defiance, his anxiety spiking as he remembered the incubus had initially claimed he was only going to take 50% of the first 20 meals.
"Ninety percent this time," Yamir chuckled, sounding genuinely pleased. "First meals are pricey. But don't worry, I threw in the bonus."
Suddenly, the stat information that Yamir described came up within his mind, transparent and glowing like a window in front of his eye.
"Well then, let's make them visually appealing so you can see them while your girl gets herself dressed. But this also means your next meal will have to be soon. Let's go over the changes quickly before the lass gets herself back together."
══════ LEVEL UP! ══════
Dorian Amore has reached Level 3
XP: 121 / 180 → next level
Stat Points: +1 (Total Unused: 2)
Skill Points: +1 (Unused: 2)
══════ Stats ══════
Dorian Amore – Incubus Stat Sheet
Level 3 / Race-Path: Fledgling Incubus (Path of Seduction - Stage 1)
XP: (121 / 180) → next level
Progenitor: Yamir Cupid (Primordial Incubus)
═══ Base Stats ═══
Unused Stat points [2]
Strength [7] – At the level of a gym rat without all the bulk; slightly enhanced post transformation.
Dexterity [6] – Normal agility and reflexes.
Intelligence [7] – Above average; you were already well-read and thoughtful.
Charisma [8] – Natural charm enhanced by my powers; of course, it's high.
Lust/Energy [1 / 5] – Your core incubus power pool; fuels abilities, currently low.
═══ Core Skills ═══
[Unused Skill Points] 2
+ Seductive Gaze [2 LP per use] (+0): Charms targets, making them more receptive.
+ Energy Drain [1 LP per use] (+0): Absorbs Lust/Energy through contact.
+ Enhanced Senses [3 LP per use] (+0): Heightened perception for charm or threat detection.
+ Minor Illusion [3 LP per use] (+0): Brief visual tricks for deception or seduction.
═══ Progression System: ═══
- XP gained from charming, seducing, or overcoming lust-related challenges.
Level-Up Rewards:
+1 to any base stat of choice.
- Unlock or enhance a skill.
═══ Locked Skills: ═══
- Lv.4 – Mass Charm (Affects multiple targets)
- Lv.5 – Dream Manipulation (Enters and manipulates dreams)
═══ Limitations & Risks ═══
- If Lust/Energy reaches 0, user weakens—risking full possession by Yamir.
- Overuse of power may trigger incubus traits (horns, tail, aura).
- Excessive charm use may cause suspicion or emotional backlash.
═════════ ═════════
Dorian's head was still spinning from the rush of energy, but a pang of unease settled in his chest.
Using his incubus skills—charming, draining, all of it—felt like stepping into a role he wasn't ready to play without testing it further. He'd never been the social type, always more comfortable with books than people. Now, with Yamir's powers amplifying every interaction, it was like navigating a minefield blindfolded.
He didn't need his life to get any more complicated before entering university.
"Dorian," Lina's voice broke through his thoughts, soft but firm. "I know that felt good, but we need to get ready to leave. As much as I wouldn't mind another round, I'd rather not do this in my shop again."
She stood there, her disheveled hair over her face in a way that made Dorian's pulse quicken. Her blouse, half-buttoned and clinging to her curves, hinted at the chaos they'd just shared. Seeing the previously professional salon stylist so undone because of him stirred a strange pride in his chest. He, his new body, and a little of Yamir's "gifts" had done this.
"Sorry," Dorian said, clearing his throat as he stood. "I'll be done in a sec, and I'll help you clean so you can close up faster."
He adjusted his pants, wincing slightly at their tightness, and scanned the room for his shirt. Spotting it crumpled in a corner, he moved to grab it, but pulling it on was a struggle. His newfound strength made his movements clumsy, the fabric catching on his broader shoulders.
A soft giggle came from Lina's direction.
"You look cute struggling like that," she teased, stepping closer to help tug the shirt down over his torso. Her fingers brushed his abs, lingering just a moment too long. "You sure you didn't take something to get this body?"
Dorian's cheeks warmed. "Nah, just… a bit of working out. Most of it's natural..."
Lina studied him for a few seconds, her gaze sharp but playful, before turning to grab a broom. She began sweeping the corners of the salon as she had done countless times. Dorian picked up a dustpan, helping her collect the stray hair scattered across the floor.
They worked in tandem, Lina washing tools in the sink, Dorian gathering scissors and combs. In about fifteen minutes, the shop was tidy again. Lina slipped on a coat from the back, ready to lock up for the night.
"Well, Dorian," she said, pausing at the door, "I enjoyed the fun."
Her eyes met his, a spark of something—curiosity, maybe desire—flickering in them. She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "You're not like most guys who walk in here. Come back soon, yeah?"
Dorian narrowed his eyes, a spark of defiance in his gaze. "You think I'm just gonna walk away after that?"
He stepped closer, noting Lina's hesitation, as if she expected this to be a fleeting, one-night fling. With their height difference, he effortlessly lifted her by her firm hips, pulling her into a deeper, lingering kiss that left her breathless. Setting her down gently, he pulled out his phone with a confident grin.
"No way this is a one-time thing," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Give me your number. I might need another trim soon, right?"
Lina, still licking her lips from the steamy kiss, nodded bashfully. Her cheeks flushed as she fumbled to share her personal number, typing it into his phone with hurried fingers.
"Nice move, kid," Yamir's voice purred in Dorian's head, brimming with approval. "I knew I picked the right guy. Now, let's crank up the fun. I mentioned marking her earlier, yeah? Watch this."
Dorian finished saving Lina's contact and glanced up. Her warm, almost dazed gaze met his, but something else caught his eye. Beside her, a faint illusion began to materialize, like a hologram from one of his video games.
Ten empty, glass-like hearts hovered in the air, one of them pulsing softly, glowing with what looked to be a red liquid that was coming from Lina.
"That's her Affection Gauge," Yamir's voice slithered through Dorian's mind, dripping with smug satisfaction. "You've got her hooked; see that one heart glowing already? Fill all ten, and something special might happen, beyond just having her heart and soul. Keep charming, keep feeding, and those hearts will light up faster. She might even be open to something… unconventional, like a harem. But don't get cocky. She's still got her own needs, desires, and personality. Your powers don't rewrite who she is."
Dorian's pulse raced, a mix of thrill and unease swirling in his chest. The idea sparked something in him, images of Emma, the bubbly delivery girl, and even his aunt Becca, who shared no blood ties with him, flickered through his mind. The thought was intoxicating, but he wasn't sure he wanted to lean into this power, at least without some proper tests.
"Well, Lina," he said, forcing a casual grin as he stepped back, "that was fun. Time or place doesn't matter to me, so shoot me a message when you're free."
His voice was steady, but his body buzzed with restless energy, as if one encounter wasn't enough to sate the hunger Yamir had awakened. He took a deep breath, calming the urge that clawed at him, and turned to Lina.
She was locking the salon door, her golden-brown hair catching the evening light as she gave him a small wave.
"See you around, Dorian," she called, her smile teasing but warm, before heading off.
Dorian lingered for a moment, watching her go, the faint glow of that single red heart still visible in his mind's eye.
He shook his head and started walking, determined to keep his powers in check, at least for now.