Morning sunlight cut through the curtains of my cramped apartment, and I blinked awake to the faint sound of someone humming.
Jimin.
She was in my kitchen. Again.
The neighbor who used to barely acknowledge my existence now moved around my space as if it were hers. She wore an oversized shirt that brushed just above her thighs, humming cheerfully while setting a steaming bowl of ramen on the table.
"You should eat before class," she said with a smile that was far too soft compared to the sharp, dismissive tone she always used to greet me. "You need strength. For… everything." Her gaze lingered on me in a way that made my pulse race.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. This is still insane. A week ago she would have never looked at me like this.
The System chimed as though to remind me of why everything had changed.
[Charm has passively increased due to repeated interactions.][New Feature Unlocked: Loyalty Meter.][Target: Jimin – Loyalty: 37/100 (Developing Affection).]
My chest tightened. It wasn't just affection—it was measurable. Quantified.
Jimin leaned over to place chopsticks by the bowl, and I caught the faint scent of her shampoo. For a moment, I almost reached out. Almost forgot that what bound her wasn't natural.
Almost.
She looked back at me. "Why are you staring again?" she asked, but her tone wasn't annoyed. It was… shy.
The System flickered again.
[Reminder: Current Control Slot usage 1/1. Expand capacity to influence more targets.]
And then came a quest.
[Quest: Acquire a new target. Condition: Unlock Control Slot Expansion. Reward: Skill Upgrade – Hypnotic Gaze Lv.2.]
I froze, chopsticks hovering halfway to my mouth. A second girl? Already?
Jimin tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
I forced a smile. "Nothing. Just… thinking about class."
She pouted, crossing her arms. "You always avoid my questions now."
Her words twisted like a knife. She didn't know. Couldn't know. But a part of me wondered how long I could keep her in the dark as I… expanded.
Campus was as dreary as always. Students moved in groups, laughter echoing through the halls, while I walked alone. But this time, I didn't feel invisible.
Because every so often, the System pulsed in my vision, highlighting faint outlines above people's heads. Targets. Potential.
Most were grayed out, resistance too high for my current level. But then… her name glowed faintly.
Professor Min Hye-rin.
Strict, sharp-eyed, with her hair tied into a neat bun and glasses perched on her nose. She had a reputation for being merciless with grades, cutting down students with a single cold comment. She was the kind of woman who embodied authority, confidence, untouchable presence.
And yet… the System had marked her.
[Potential Target Detected: Min Hye-rin.][Resistance: High. Recommendation: Expand Control Slot before attempting full influence.]
I swallowed. A professor. Someone far above my social reach. And the System wanted me to make her mine.
After class, I lingered in the lecture hall. Students filed out until it was just the sound of chalk against the board. Professor Min was writing notes for the next lecture, her form precise, controlled.
"You. What are you still doing here?" Her voice was as cold as I remembered.
I hesitated. Then the System whispered.
[Tutorial Hint: Eye contact is strongest when target is isolated. Attempt low-level suggestion first.]
I tightened my grip on my bag and stepped closer. "Professor… can I ask you something?"
She turned, eyes narrowing. Our gazes locked.
The world dimmed.
[Hypnotic Gaze Activated.][Energy: 9/10.]
Her pupils flickered, just for a second. The System pulsed.
[Resistance encountered. Partial effect applied.]
I wet my lips. "You should… hear me out."
Her brows furrowed. She should have snapped at me, told me to leave. Instead, her hand froze halfway to the eraser.
"…Fine. Speak."
It worked. Not full control, but a crack in the wall.
My heart thundered.
Over the next ten minutes, I tested the edges. Small things."Put the chalk down." She obeyed, confusion flickering."Sit for a moment." Her lips parted, but she sat, posture rigid.
Every time she hesitated, I felt the System tug, reinforcing the command.
[Progress: Min Hye-rin – Resistance lowered.][Loyalty: 3/100 (Neutral).]
But her eyes sharpened after each command broke, suspicion seeping in. "What are you trying to pull, Yujin?"
My throat went dry. One more step. Just one more push.
I leaned closer, letting the System guide me. "Relax. You want to hear me. You want to listen."
Her breath hitched. For a heartbeat, her strict mask wavered.
Then the System chimed.
[Control Slot Expansion Unlocked.][You may now bind a second target.]
The glowing screen nearly made me laugh out loud. It worked. It actually—
"Enough." Her voice snapped like a whip, and she stood abruptly, breaking the fragile trance. Her glare pinned me in place. "You're acting strange. Leave. Now."
I stumbled back, muttering apologies, the System flickering with warnings.
[Target resisted full influence. Progress saved.]
My pulse hammered as I left the lecture hall.
It hadn't been a failure. Far from it. The slot was open. The seed was planted.
That night, Jimin was waiting at my door, arms crossed, lips pressed in a pout.
"You're late. Where were you?"
Her eyes burned with something dangerously close to jealousy.
[Loyalty: 42/100.]
I forced a smile, brushing past her. "Just… class stuff."
But even as she hovered close, wanting my attention, my mind replayed the image of Professor Min's eyes flickering under my gaze. The System's words echoed louder than ever.
Build your harem. Expand your influence. Claim the world.
And I knew this was only the beginning.