The room was still bathed in soft morning light when Reyan quietly opened the system prompt hovering just in front of his eyes.
> [Task Completed: Emergency Assistance + Emotional Milestone Achieved]
[Reward Granted: ₲1,000,000, +5 to All Attributes, Affection Meter Unlocked, +2 Fortune Points]
His breath hitched.
"...₲1 million?"
He blinked hard, reading it again.
> [+5 to All Attributes Applied.]
[+2 Fortune Points Acquired.]
[Affection Meter: Now Active.]
Reyan sat up slowly, the warmth of the bed still clinging to his back. He turned his gaze to the sleeping girl beside him—Lily. Her body was curled gently under the sheets, one hand resting beside her cheek, breathing soft and slow.
Still processing the shock, he asked in a whisper, "System… why this much? This seems way beyond any reward so far."
> [Answer: You've achieved a Major Milestone.]
[Choosing to protect a woman you'd never met. Taking the opportunity. Not hesitating to accept intimacy. All of these align with your core potential.]
[Milestones create pivotal shifts in your journey. This one opens multiple future growth paths—some of which are still hidden.]
Reyan stared at the message, heart still pounding.
It wasn't just about the money.
He felt something crackle in the air around him—like unseen doors creaking open.
> [Displaying Updated Status…]
---
▌STATUS PANEL — REYAN HART
──────────────
🏷️ Current Wealth: ₲1,064,000
💠 Fortune Points: 2
🧠 Attributes:
• Confidence: 28
• Intelligence: 28
• Charm: 22
• Stamina: 35
• Strength: 25
🔓 New Feature: Affection Meter
> Affection is a bond-based metric that reflects a woman's emotional trust, desire, and connection with the host.
Once affection crosses key thresholds, loyalty and emotional investment deepen.
High affection cannot be reduced by external interference.
Affection is a weapon on its own.
──────────────
Affection Thresholds:
– 30: Growing Interest
– 60: Emotional Bond
– 90: Deep Attachment
– 100: Complete Loyalty (Irreversible)
──────────────
> [Current Detected Targets: 1]
Lily Ren — Affection: 42/100
---
Reyan stared at the number.
Forty-two.
A night of emotional trust, vulnerability, and shared heat—and it had already brought her beyond mere interest.
He let out a breath and looked at her again.
Lily's long lashes rested on her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted, soft pink. She looked peaceful. Calm. Nothing like the distressed girl from the night before.
He gently slipped out of bed, being careful not to wake her.
Once inside the bathroom, he closed the door behind him and leaned over the sink.
He stared at his reflection—still a bit bruised, lip healing, but eyes sharper than ever.
He smiled. "Let's keep going."
A quick, hot shower later, he emerged refreshed. A towel around his neck, he stepped back into the room to find Lily sitting on the edge of the bed, her dress already on and hands smoothing the fabric nervously.
She looked up quickly, then away.
"Morning," she said softly.
This time, Reyan got a full look at her.
And for a moment, he froze.
She was beautiful.
Not the kind of flashy beauty that screamed for attention—but the kind that softened the air around her. Her long dark hair was still a little wet, cascading down her back in waves. Her skin, dewy and flawless, glowed under the morning light. Even in the same dress from last night, she had a quiet grace to her—a poise that didn't need explanation.
Her almond-shaped eyes glanced up and met his, a slight blush touching her cheeks.
He smiled gently. "Morning. You look… really good."
She looked away, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Thanks."
"You should go freshen up. I'll order us some breakfast."
Lily nodded with a bashful smile and stood, walking toward the bathroom with small, careful steps. She closed the door gently behind her.
Reyan grabbed his phone and tapped the screen.
Room service.
He ordered a light breakfast—fruits, toast, coffee, and eggs.
Ten minutes passed.
Lily came out, hair slightly damp at the ends, a pink flush still warming her cheeks. She wore her same dress, but it had been straightened, and she carried herself differently now—nervous, but not regretful.
"Breakfast's here," Reyan said, gesturing toward the small table by the window.
"Thank you," she murmured, taking a seat opposite him.
They ate quietly for a few minutes. It wasn't awkward—just... unfamiliar. Two people recovering from the heat of the night before, unsure how to frame it yet.
Halfway through her coffee, Lily finally spoke.
"So... what do you do, Reyan?"
Reyan wiped his fingers with a napkin before answering. "I trade. Mostly online. Stocks, currencies. Started recently, but I'm seeing good results."
Lily looked impressed. "That's cool. And brave."
He smiled. "What about you? You mentioned you were celebrating something."
She nodded, setting her cup down. "My first modeling job. It wasn't a huge campaign, but I made it into a small magazine feature. I was out with some friends, then..."
She trailed off.
Reyan didn't press.
He just nodded, acknowledging the memory without dragging it up again.
Then Reyan leaned back and glanced at her. "You know what? Why don't we go shopping after this?"
She blinked. "Shopping?"
"You're off today, right? Let's pick up something nice for you. Maybe a new dress, shoes… I'll get something too. My shirt's ruined anyway."
Lily hesitated, biting her lip. But the spark in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Alright," she said, nodding. "But I get to pick your shirt."
Reyan grinned. "Deal."
---