"Before things get complicated—because of my system, I can't be loyal to anyone. I don't want there to be any misunderstanding. And if you let me stay alive, I'd appreciate it… heh."
I laughed as I stared into her eyes. There was something different about her, her gaze was gentle somehow strange, her cheeks flushed. Every time her lips parted, as if she wanted to say something, I felt my heart pounding.
Calm down, Vikas. These are just the side effects of using the system.
Our breaths grew closer and closer until I began kissing her slowly.
[Mervin's affection toward you has increased]
[Your attractiveness has risen to 5]
Didn't her boss call her Blackie? So her name is Mervin?
If there's an affection meter, why didn't it work when I was with Mary, or even with Samita? I don't understand anymore.
[The system measures genuine affection levels and rewards you by increasing attractiveness or charisma points]
What could it be that Mervin is the only one so far who has actually fallen in love with me?
Damn it, this makes no sense. No one has ever loved me before. I want to keep this feeling. I want to keep her by my side. I know it's selfish, but to me, she's like an Oscar award.
She was skilled at making butterflies dance in her stomach. The sound of her moans intoxicated me.
"Mervin… you're really driving me crazy like this, damn it,"
I said in a deep, masculine voice as I reached my peak.
She turned toward me in surprise.
"I never told you my real name. I never told you what they call me, how did you know?"
she asked, just as I moved closer and continued what made both of us feel as if we were floating in space.
"Ahh, Mervin… I told you, I have a system, like a reality simulation game, but twisted,"
I said as we both reached the height of our pleasure. I held her tightly in my arms, feeling her heartbeat. She was truly in chaos.
"This isn't my real body. I know, it's unbelievable…"
Before I could finish, she interrupted me by kissing my lips slowly.
"I believe you. Actually… before I hit you on the head, and I'm sorry about that…"
Mervin smiled as she pushed her hair back. Instinctively, I touched the spot where I'd been injured and smiled back at her like an idiot.
[Your Life Points have increased to 120]
[Mervin Black has become a candidate for the Harem Section. Affection rate: 70]
[Unlock the Harem Section to include her and enjoy her special benefits]
For some reason, I was starting to like the way this system worked.
"Madam Mary Derek sent a video documenting the moment she cheated on her husband with you. I obtained a clear image of you and conducted a detailed background search. Shockingly, you have no record, as if you don't exist at all. That piqued my curiosity. And there's something else…"
She said this as she pushed me back.
From the look in her eyes, I knew she wanted another round. Damn it, I wanted it too. But the fact that I had no existence saddened me, as if my presence or absence was tied entirely to this system.
"I kept watching that video until I wanted you. I imagined myself in Madam Mary's place. I feel ashamed admitting this, but there's something strangely magical about you, Mr. Vikas…"
Mervin said as she tied her hair back into a knot, staring directly into my eyes.
I never expected this to happen.
[Warning: The day has ended. You cannot sleep with the same woman a second time. Only those in the Harem Section enjoy this privilege]
I frowned. What do you mean I can't sleep with her again? That's not fair at all.
I took her hand gently and helped her up.
"I won't be able to take you again. I'm sorry, Mervin—my level in this system is still too low,"
I said.
Before I could finish, Mervin interrupted me, trying to hide her sadness.
"I understand. I'll wait for you, Mr. Vikas,"
she said with a smile.
I hugged her, breathing in the scent of her neck, stroking her soft back.
"I'll come to you, Mervin. Wait for me,"
I said, kissing her back.
[Mervin's affection has increased to 85]
[The system recommends her for inclusion in the Harem Section]
We stayed like that for several hours.
"Won't you kill me?"
I asked while she was half-asleep, lying on my chest.
"How could I kill you after everything that happened between us, Mr. Vikas?"
she said with a smile.
She slowly got up and started putting on her clothes.
"The helicopter will arrive in half an hour. I'll fake your death,"
she said as she walked toward a cabinet at the end of the room.
It looked like a refrigerator filled with corpses—many of them.
"Mervin, my heart can't handle this, hey!"
I said, turning my face away from the bodies.
She rolled her eyes in annoyance, then looked at me with a gaze I couldn't understand, and didn't like at all. She pushed one corpse aside and said,
"There's space for you here. Don't worry. I'll get you out in just a few minutes."
I stepped backward as she approached me, holding a syringe she pulled from a drawer beside the corpse freezer.
"Mr. Vikas, don't make this hard for me,"
Mervin said.
At that moment, we heard the helicopter landing somewhere near the house. Her tablet began to ring.
"It's the boss. He wants confirmation of your death, Mr. Vikas."
I was facing a decisive moment.
Should I trust her?
The system?
Or my luck?
Damn it.
"Just because she's the only one who showed genuine affection, I want to give her a chance." I stopped panicking and stepped closer to her. I really don't like injections, but the look in her eyes was reassuring.
"It's a sedative that lowers your heart rate. I doubled the dose so your system won't be able to heal you quickly. I know you don't trust me, and I don't like asking this of you, it's not in my nature. I want to deserve you, Mr. Vikas. I want you to see me as more than just a means to stay alive." Her words touched my heart. I didn't feel the sting of the injection—only a slight dizziness. Her voice was the last thing I heard.