The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds in Olivia's penthouse, painting golden stripes across Charles' bare chest. He lay still for a moment, feeling her warmth against his skin, her head resting on his shoulder. The night had been intense, filled with fire and whispers, but his mind wasn't on her now.
It was on the name that had appeared last night:
> [New Target Suggested: Shy College Student – Name: Mia Alvarez]
He hadn't expected the system to ping a new name so quickly. Lust Sync was always hungry. The stronger his bond with one woman became, the faster it pulled another into his path.
Charles slipped out from under Olivia without waking her. Her hair fanned across the pillow like dark ink. Beautiful, but possessive. She wouldn't take well to being replaced. Not that he planned to replace her. He was building an empire, not a harem of discarded hearts.
He dressed, noting the scent of jasmine still clinging to his shirt, and walked out into the city's buzz.
---
Mia Alvarez lived in the apartment across from his new place. That was no coincidence. Lust Sync had synced her into his orbit like gravity. She was a literature major, quiet, reclusive, with thick-rimmed glasses and oversized sweaters that didn't hide her curves so much as tease them. Innocent. A different flavor from Olivia's fire.
Charles waited until evening before he made his move. He knocked lightly on her door, heart steady, mind tuned to the system's hum.
The door creaked open. Mia peeked out, eyes wide behind her glasses. "Hi?"
"Hey. I just moved in across the hall," Charles said with his easy smile. "Thought I'd introduce myself."
Her cheeks flushed. She pushed her glasses up. "Oh. Um. I didn't know someone new was moving in."
> [Target Profile: Mia Alvarez] [Primary Trait: Submissive Curiosity] [Secondary Trait: Emotional Sensitivity] [Desire Level: Low] [Bond Chance: Moderate]
> [Objective Unlocked: Win Mia's Trust Without Using Commands]
Lust Sync was clear this time. No shortcuts. This girl wasn't like the others. If he pushed too hard, he'd lose her.
"Mind if I come in? Just to say hi properly."
Mia hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. But just for a second."
Her apartment was small, warm, filled with the scent of cinnamon and books. A stack of dog-eared novels sat beside a candle still burning.
Charles sat on the couch as she fetched tea. Her hands shook slightly as she poured.
"You like reading?"
Mia nodded, her voice soft. "A lot. Stories make more sense than people sometimes."
> [Emotional Echo Triggered] [Effect: Resonance +5 | Bond Progress +12%]
Charles leaned in. "I get that. People are messy. But books... you can close them whenever you want."
She smiled. A real one. "Exactly."
He spent the next hour just talking. No moves. No charm bursts. Just listening. She opened up about her hometown, her part-time job, how she kept her heart guarded because people had used her before.
> [Sync Progress: 26%] [Desire Level: Moderate]
By the time he stood to leave, her cheeks were pink, her eyes shining.
"Thanks for the tea," he said. "Can I see you again?"
Mia nodded, flustered. "Yeah. I mean... sure."
The door closed, and Charles felt Lust Sync purr in his mind.
> [Command Word 'Bloom' Prepared]
---
The next few days were a dance. He brought her coffee one morning, helped her carry groceries, talked about poetry like he actually gave a damn. And maybe he did. Maybe Mia was different.
He kissed her hand on the third evening. Not her lips. Not yet. That would be too fast for a girl like her.
But on the fifth night, everything changed.
He knocked. No answer.
Weird. Mia never ignored him.
He knocked again, louder.
Still silence.
The system flared in warning:
> [Interference Detected] [Unknown Entity Engaging Target Mia Alvarez]
Charles' heart froze.
He pushed the door. It creaked open.
The apartment was dark, the candle still burning on the table. But Mia wasn't there.
His pulse raced.
Then he heard it. A voice, male, low and rough, from the hallway.
"You think you can just ignore me now? Just because you got some new guy sniffing around?"
Charles stepped out into the corridor.
Mia was backed into the wall by a man in a leather jacket. Tall. Scar on his jaw. Anger dripping from every movement.
Her eyes locked with Charles'.
Help me, they said.
> [Adrenaline Surge Triggered: +20 Strength, +20 Speed]
Charles didn't think. He moved.
His fist connected with the guy's jaw, sending him crashing into the wall. The man grunted, staggering up, reaching for something in his pocket.
Charles tackled him before he could pull it. A flash of metal. A blade? Didn't matter.
He slammed the guy's hand against the floor until the knife clattered free.
"Get out," Charles growled, voice low.
The guy stumbled up, nursing his hand. "You have no idea who I am."
"And you have no idea what I am. Try me again."
The man spat blood and ran.
Charles turned to Mia, heart pounding.
She was shaking, her lips quivering.
He reached for her, but she stepped back. "You... how did you move that fast?"
> [Command Word 'Bloom' Activated Automatically] [Effect: Emotional Overload – Target Vulnerability Spiked]
Charles cursed under his breath. The system had triggered without permission.
Mia's eyes softened. Tears brimmed.
She threw herself into his arms.
"Thank you. I didn't know what to do... I thought he was gone."
Charles held her, pulse still racing.
> [Sync Progress: 72%] [Warning: Emotional Lock Forming Prematurely]
He didn't care.
He kissed her. Gently at first, then deeper, feeling her melt into him.
Her fingers clung to his shirt. Her breath hitched.
And just when the moment was at its peak...
A system message blinked, sharp and cold:
> [New Threat Identified: Name Unknown. Level: ???. Target: Charles Manson]
He froze.
The shadows behind the hallway flickered.
Something was watching.