The next morning started quietly enough. Breakfast at the inn. A few idle conversations with the Landlady while she served other customers. Nothing in her words suggested anything unusual, but there was a softness in her eyes whenever she looked at me — a reminder of the bond we'd forged.
Still, quiet mornings in worlds like this never lasted.
I stepped outside into the crisp air, intending to take a walk before the market bustle hit full swing. The streets were calmer than yesterday, though the distant hum of merchants setting up carried on the wind.
Halfway to the square, I heard it — the kind of raised voices that carried tension even without hearing the words.
I rounded the corner and saw them.
Three men. One of them I recognized immediately — the same leather-clad thug from yesterday's market, the one who'd been harassing the produce seller.
This time, he wasn't just arguing. He had one fist wrapped in the collar of a younger man's tunic, shoving him back against the wall of a narrow alley.
"You think you can cheat me?" the thug growled.
"I didn't—" the younger man started, but the thug slammed him harder into the wall.
The other two men stood nearby, clearly there to back him up.
[Potential combat encounter detected. Estimated Desire Point yield: medium-high. Physical dominance scenario.]
I stepped forward without hesitation.
"You," I said, my voice cutting through the morning air.
The thug turned, his lip curling when he saw me. "You again."
"You didn't take my advice yesterday," I said, stopping just short of the alley entrance. "I told you to go home."
"This isn't your problem," he said, stepping toward me, his cronies shifting behind him.
"It is," I said simply. "You're making it mine."
He grinned — not the kind that showed humor, but the kind that showed someone was about to enjoy throwing a punch.
"You think you can walk into my business twice?"
"Not think," I said, letting Desire Tongue thread into my words, "know."
[Enhanced Body I active. Strength +20%. Speed +20%. Endurance +20%. Recovery rate +20%.]
The system's reminder felt like a pulse of energy through my muscles.
He came at me fast — but not fast enough.
I stepped aside, caught his arm, and twisted. The movement was fluid, efficient, my grip locking like steel. The surprise in his eyes was almost satisfying enough on its own.
I slammed him into the alley wall, the impact knocking the breath out of him.
One of the others lunged. I released the first thug, pivoted, and drove my fist into the newcomer's gut. The enhanced strength made the impact sharp and deep; he doubled over instantly, coughing.
The third man hesitated — smart enough to realize this wasn't going his way — then lunged anyway.
I met him halfway, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, dust kicking up around him.
The first thug was trying to recover, pushing off the wall. I closed the distance, grabbed his collar, and yanked him forward.
"This is your last warning," I said, my voice low but carrying enough weight to cut through the ringing in his ears. "Next time I see you harassing anyone in this village, you won't get back up."
I let him go, shoving him toward the street. He stumbled, then grabbed his two groaning companions and started retreating without another word.
The younger man they'd been cornering pressed himself back against the wall, wide-eyed. "I— thank you."
"Don't mention it," I said, turning to leave the alley.
[Desire Points earned: +6. Cumulative total: 34.]
Back in the square, the system's voice came again.
[Combat encounter analysis: Enhanced Body I efficiency confirmed. Estimated victory time reduced by 40% compared to baseline.]
Feels like it, I thought, flexing my fingers. There was no ache, no strain. My breathing hadn't even spiked much.
I returned to the inn before noon. The Landlady was behind the counter as usual, and the moment I stepped inside her eyes locked onto me.
"You're back early," she said.
"Dealt with some trouble," I said, sliding onto the nearest stool.
Her brow furrowed. "You're not hurt?"
"Not even close."
Something in my tone must have reassured her, because the tension eased from her shoulders. She poured me a drink without asking.
[Bond stability with target: maximum. Proximity stamina buffer active.]
I took the mug and leaned back, letting the quiet hum of the inn settle over me.
The fight had been a test — one I'd passed easily. But the system had made something clear.
This wasn't about just collecting women. It was about building a network of bonds, each one feeding into my strength, each one a permanent advantage in a world where weakness was an invitation to be stepped on.
By the time the afternoon sun dipped low, I'd decided I'd need to explore beyond the village soon. The market here was small, the trouble minimal. If I wanted more — more points, more power, more options — I'd have to step into bigger waters.
The Landlady would be safe here. Bonded, loyal, incapable of betrayal. I could leave knowing she'd be here when I came back.
That night, I lay in bed and let the system's quiet hum fill my thoughts.
[Next objective: expand influence radius. New targets available in nearby towns. Desire Point yield per conquest increases with target rarity and social standing.]
That was the nudge I needed. The village had been my start. Now it was time to take the next step.