Chapter 2: System Awakens

Chapter 2: System Awakens

A blue screen appeared in front of Urek Han while its soft illumination created a strange effect on his facial features.

His breath stilled.

His grip on the bottle of Solace Breaking Wine started to loosen.

Everything in his surroundings disappeared into oblivion. The store's background sounds including refrigerator hums and customer conversations and instrumental music from speakers became barely audible.

The screen in front of him became the only thing he could see.

The display's movements shared the rhythmic patterns of a biological entity.

And then.

A notification sounded in his ears.

A noise emerged which did not originate from his mobile device.

The Devotion System located a suitable host for its system.

Urek's pupils shrank.

[System binding in progress...]

A force he could not see entered his body before he could respond.

A shapeless cold power enveloped him before it penetrated his deepest being.

His heartbeat quickened.

A chill crept up his spine.

This sensation.

He experienced something completely new which surpassed all his previous feelings.

It wasn't painful.

It wasn't overwhelming.

It was simply.

Absolute.

A hidden foreign force had been waiting inside him from the beginning until this precise instant to emerge.

Another notification flashed.

[Binding successful.]

The text lines appeared before him with sharp and easy-to-read characters.

[Host: Urek Han

Personal Assets: 230 USD

Devotion Points: 90,000,000,000 USD

Limitless Strengthening Points for HOA stat]

Urek's mind is grounded to a halt.

He blinked once.

Twice.

Then again.

The numbers didn't change.

Ninety billion.

A wealth so absurd it defied reason.

Was this.

Some kind of elaborate prank?

Or.

Before he could finish the thought.

A sharp voice sliced through the air.

"You damn pervert! Have you seen enough, or do you want to touch me too?!"

The sudden outburst sent a jolt through Urek's system.

His head snapped toward the voice.

A girl stood in front of him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes blazing with rage.

Her expression was twisted in disgust, as if she were staring at the lowest form of life.

Urek's brows furrowed.

What the hell was she talking about?

Before he could even begin to process the situation.

The system flickered again.

[Target Identified: Kim Jenny]

[Age: 24]

[Height: 1.65m]

[Weight: 49kg]

[Appearance Rating: 79]

[Favorability to Host: -50]

A final notification followed.

[If favorability exceeds 95, target will officially become the host's devoted follower.]

Urek's grip tightened around the bottle.

His eyes darkened.

This system.

It had just given him its first task.

Urek Han's gaze remained fixed on the glowing blue screen hovering before him, his heart pounding in his chest.

[With the help of the Devotion System, if the favorability of this girl towards the host exceeds 95 points, the counterattack will be successful. Kim Jenny will officially become a devoted follower of the host.]

His breath hitched. The message remained suspended in the air, its meaning slowly sinking in. A counterattack? A system that could actually manipulate relationships?

A mixture of disbelief and intrigue stirred within him.

Then, before he could fully process it, another message followed.

[The Devotion System has transferred 90 billion devotion points to the host's account. However, these points can only be used on women.]

Urek's fingers twitched.

Ninety billion.

A number so absurdly large it almost didn't feel real.

But there was more.

[Once a woman becomes a devoted follower, one-tenth of the amount spent will be refunded to the host as personal wealth. Additional rewards will also be granted.]

He swallowed hard.

This wasn't a dream. It wasn't a joke.

It was real.

The system had made it clear.

Then… why hesitate?

A new fire ignited within Urek's chest. If this was truly how the Devotion System worked, then there was only one thing to do. test it.

And standing right before him was the perfect candidate.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, his voice calm yet composed.

"Beautiful lady, don't be angry," he said, his tone carrying a subtle charm. "Whatever you buy today, I'll pay for it."

A flicker of surprise crossed Kim Jenny's face, but it was gone in an instant.

Instead, she let out a soft, mocking chuckle.

"Oh?" Her lips curved into an amused smirk. "Pretending to be rich to impress me? Do you even have the capability for that?"

Before Urek could reply, murmurs erupted among the surrounding students.

"Wait… isn't that Kim Jenny from the art department?"

"I heard she's dangerous. She can make guys spend tens of thousands on her with just a few sweet words."

"This guy's done for. No way he can keep up."

Urek ignored the whispers. Instead, he met Jenny's gaze head-on, a confident smirk tugging at his lips.

"Whether I have the capability or not…" he said smoothly. "You'll find out soon enough."

Jenny raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Alright," she mused, tapping a finger against her chin. "Then let's see what you've got."

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she turned to the cashier.

"Today, I want to treat all the students in the snack bar. Pay for everything," she declared, her voice dripping with amusement.

Urek remained unfazed.

Jenny, on the other hand, inwardly scoffed.

A poor guy trying to act rich? Let's see how long you can keep up.

But.

The moment the transaction was completed, a notification flashed before Urek's eyes.

[Transaction Successful: 50,000 USD spent.]

A collective gasp filled the room.

"He… he actually paid for it?"

"Fifty thousand. just like that?!"

"Wait… does this guy actually have money?"

For the first time, Jenny's expression faltered.

Her initial amusement gave way to curiosity. and maybe even a hint of doubt.

Urek took a casual step closer, his smirk widening.

"Fifty thousand is nothing," he said smoothly. "I wonder… is it enough to add you as a friend?"

Jenny hesitated.

For the first time, she found herself actually reconsidering her impression of him.

Could it be… that he really is rich?

Still, she wasn't about to make it that easy.

Leaning in slightly, she smiled.

"Hmm… don't be in such a hurry," she purred. "It's not impossible… but you'll have to accompany me somewhere first."

Her words dripped with challenge.

Yet, deep down, a different thought flickered in her mind.

A poor guy suddenly acting rich? Let's see if you can really keep up. And if not… well, I'll deal with you later.

Urek chuckled, unaffected by her hidden intentions.

"Sure," he said. "Lead the way."