Chapter 9: Red Light Protocol
The sun had set hours ago. Alex stood in his apartment, looking at the 14 SP he had remaining. The Mandate was clear: immerse himself in the chaos of the city's "highest-traffic night zone" and survive using his Charm.
He needed a final layer of protection and control.
Alex focused his remaining points on utility and performance.
1) A fundamental skill that grants mastery over elegant movement, emphasizing the delicate structure of the new body. Basic Gait and Movement (Lvl 1) [4 SP]
2) Allows the Host to maintain the highest level of self-control under extreme duress, preventing facial expressions and body language from betraying inner fear or anxiety. Emotional Fortitude (Lvl 1) [3 SP]
3) This passive skill enables the Host to instinctively interpret and react to subtle social cues, danger signals, and the emotional states of nearby NPCs. Social Sensing (Lvl 1) [5 SP]
He quickly purchased the three skills.
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[CONFIRM PURCHASE]
Skills: Basic Gait and Movement (Lvl 1), Emotional Fortitude (Lvl 1), Social Sensing (Lvl 1)
Cost: 12 SP
Current SP: 14
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Purchase Complete. SP balance: 2.
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The knowledge rushed in. Basic Gait and Movement made his steps silent and fluid. Emotional Fortitude instantly stabilized his adrenaline, replacing panic with focused tension. Most critically, Social Sensing gave him a faint, peripheral awareness of the intention and attention of others—like a quiet radar.
He dressed in the tight black shirt and jeans, using his Foundation Makeup Mastery skill to apply a subtle layer of contouring that further sharpened his already perfect facial structure, maximizing the effect of his A+ Rank.
He glanced at his phone. Time to go.
Alex stepped out into the pre-dawn city. As he approached the district, the noise and light intensified. The neon signs were garish, the music was loud, and the crowd was a dense, shifting mix of people.
The moment he crossed into the zone, the CFES screen appeared, warning him.
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[SYSTEM ALERT: HIGH CHARM OUTPUT]
Host's Appearance (A+ Rank) exceeds current Aura Dampening (Lvl 2) capacity in high-focus social settings.
Effectiveness of Aura Dampening reduced to 25%. Host is now HIGHLY VISIBLE.
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The visual impact was immediate. Every head turned. It wasn't the slow, casual appreciation of beauty; it was a sudden, arresting focus. The Social Sensing skill activated, painting the world in faint, colored overlays: bright yellow for curiosity, pulsing red for intense, predatory attention.
The area was a sea of red.
Alex pushed forward, his Basic Gait and Movement preventing him from breaking his stride or shuffling nervously. He was a beacon of light in the darkness, a figure of impossible symmetry and grace. He felt the intense, physical weight of hundreds of eyes on his body.
A few feet ahead, a burly bouncer stood outside a loud, smoky club. He was the target. Alex needed to buy something—anything—to satisfy the quest's negotiation requirement.
As Alex approached the club entrance, the bouncer, a huge man with a scarred face, stopped checking IDs and simply stared. His jaw dropped.
"Woah," the bouncer grunted, the sound tight in his throat. "You... you can't be here."
Alex's Emotional Fortitude kicked in, allowing him to maintain a serene expression despite the sudden confrontation. He opened his mouth, the Charm stat dictating his voice be soft and clear.
"I just need one bottle of water," Alex said, his voice level. "I'm passing through."
The bouncer stammered, his red aura from the Social Sensing skill momentarily turning pink with confusion and awe. "Water? We... we don't sell water. Not here. But... for you, I can get you anything. Come inside. On the house."
Alex smiled, just a subtle lift of the corner of his perfect lips. The 300 Charm stat was a physical force, an irresistible pull.
"Just water, please," Alex insisted gently. "I'll wait right here."
The bouncer, completely defeated by the combination of Alex's beauty and poise, nodded dumbly. "Wait. Don't move." He vanished into the crowded club.
He returned thirty seconds later, sweating, clutching a brand-new, expensive bottle of mineral water. He handed it to Alex with a reverence usually reserved for royalty.
"Here. Please. Take it."
Alex took the bottle, his fingers brushing the bouncer's rough hand. He managed a final, polite nod of thanks, his perfect posture unwavering.
As he turned away and began walking back toward the quiet residential areas, the green success bar flashed across his vision.
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[MANDATORY QUEST 4: PUBLIC INTERFACE]
Status: COMPLETE.
Task: Successfully negotiate a simple purchase using only Appearance and Charm.
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REWARD DELIVERY INITIATED:
+ 20 SP
+ Title [Recognized Beauty] acquired.
+ Core Functionality Unlock: [The Shop].
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The fear was still there, but it was eclipsed by overwhelming power. He had used his face and his charm as weapons and won. He had survived the most dangerous part of the night and earned The Shop.
He was no longer the shut-in. He was Alex, the Recognized Beauty.