Marcus decided to attend classes the next day.
Not because he felt like it, but because he wanted to test something.
The upgrades had settled overnight. Look and Presence were maxed. Seduction Control was maxed. He could feel the difference in every step, the way his body moved with purpose, the way his clothes fit better on his frame.
Instead of heading straight to lectures, Marcus walked into the campus cafeteria for lunch. The place was crowded, voices overlapping, trays clattering against tables.
He grabbed a tray and joined the line.
That was when he heard it.
Two girls sat at a nearby table, speaking in low, excited voices.
"Did you see Brody and Sophia this morning? Right here in the cafeteria. She was screaming at him."
"Yeah, she threw her drink. Full splash. Everyone was filming."
"What was it about?"
"Something about him flirting with some freshman. She called him out for not respecting her, then stormed off."
Marcus kept his expression neutral, but his thoughts sharpened.
Sophia Voss. Brody's girlfriend. Blonde, leggy, always perfectly put together. The type who looked like she belonged on a yacht rather than a college campus.
He paid for his food and sat at a corner table.
His phone buzzed.
Group chat.
Leo: You hear about Brody and Sophia blowing up in the cafeteria?
Tyson: Whole place saw it. Drink thrown and everything.
Calvin: She's been icy with him for weeks. This was the explosion.
Before Marcus could reply, the system interface flickered into view.
[New Target Registered: Sophia Voss]
Affection: 0/100
Status: Primary partner of hostile entity Brody Kingston
Background: Emotional instability detected. Loyalty fracture probability high.
[Optional Task Available]
Objective: Initiate contact and build affection to at least 30/100
Location Opportunity: Kingston Penthouse Party, tomorrow night
Reward: +150 System Points
Unlock: Loyalty Shift passive
Additional Gain: Intelligence on hostile faction
Bonus: Full conquest results in permanent removal of target from hostile alliance
Marcus stared at the text.
Sophia.
At the party.
The system was already setting the board.
He closed the interface and finished his meal.
---
Later that afternoon, Marcus headed to the off campus house where the guys usually hung out.
He knocked once.
The door opened.
Leo froze mid greeting.
"Holy shit."
Tyson appeared behind him with his arms crossed, eyes narrowing.
Calvin pushed past both of them, adjusting his glasses.
"Dude. What the hell happened to you?"
Marcus stepped inside and shrugged.
"Been working on myself. After everything. Figured it was time."
Leo circled him slowly.
"You look like you've been hitting the gym for months. And your face, bro, you're sharp now."
Tyson gave a low grunt of approval. "Good. You needed it."
Calvin smirked. "Campus is already talking. Glow up of the year."
Marcus laughed it off, though the attention felt good.
They settled into the living room with drinks in hand.
Calvin leaned forward.
"Before I forget, my mom's throwing a party next weekend. Dad just got promoted. Big deal at the firm. She told me to invite you guys. You should come."
Leo raised his bottle. "Free food and rich people watching? I'm in."
Tyson nodded. "Same."
Marcus smiled. "Count me in."
They talked for another hour about school, about the video slowly fading from relevance, about watching each other's backs at the party tomorrow.
When Marcus left, the sun was already setting.
He walked toward his apartment.
A horn beeped twice.
A sleek black Audi pulled up beside him.
The window rolled down.
Isabella.
She leaned slightly across the passenger seat. "Heading home?"
Marcus nodded.
"Get in," she said. "I'll give you a lift."
He opened the door and slid into the seat.
The car smelled like her. Clean, expensive, with a faint floral note.
Isabella pulled away from the curb, hands steady on the wheel.
But her eyes kept drifting.
Quick glances.
He was different again.
Not just his posture or the way his shirt pulled across his chest.
Something in his face. His eyes.
Calmer. Sharper.
Handsome.
The word slipped into her mind without permission.
She tightened her grip on the wheel.
What is wrong with me?
Isabella Quinn did not get distracted by men. Not rich heirs. Not athletes. Not anyone.
She was disciplined. Focused. In control.
So why did sitting next to Marcus Reed make her pulse feel uneven?
He was not even trying.
He simply existed now.
And it was affecting her.
She forced her attention back to the road.
"So," she said casually, "you ready for tomorrow?"
"As ready as I'll get."
"Good. Just be yourself. The new version."
He glanced at her. "You noticed."
She smirked. "Hard not to."
Silence settled between them, comfortable but charged.
"Left at the light," Marcus said quietly.
Isabella nodded.
The apartment building came into view.
She pulled over.
Marcus unbuckled. "Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime," she replied. Then added, "Don't forget tomorrow. Prepare. It's going to be interesting."
He smiled, small but confident. "I won't."
He stepped out.
She watched him walk away for a moment longer than necessary before driving off, her thoughts unsettled.
---
Inside his apartment, Marcus dropped his bag and pulled up the system interface.
[Target Profile: Isabella Quinn]
Affection: 65/100
Status: Guard lowered
Note: Emotional resistance decreased. Proximity and shared intent accelerating bond.
Sixty five.
From one car ride.
From glances she thought he did not notice.
Marcus exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair.
She was not just helping him.
She was feeling it too.
He pushed the thought aside and started tidying up. Clothes for tomorrow. Small, grounding tasks.
As he folded a shirt, something slipped from the pocket.
A receipt.
The cashier's number.
Marcus paused.
Old Marcus would have hesitated.
New Marcus picked up his phone.
Marcus: Hey. It's the guy from the convenience store the other night. Finally not in crisis mode.
The reply came almost instantly.
Unknown: Took you long enough
Yeah, I'm free. Shift doesn't start for hours.
Marcus: Good. Because I realized I still don't know your name.
Unknown: Riley. Riley Harper.
And you're Marcus, right?
Marcus: Marcus Reed. Nice to meet you properly, Riley.
Riley: Much better. So what's up, Marcus Reed? Bored?
Marcus: A little. Thinking about that "interesting" comment you made.
Riley: Oh yeah? Which one?
Marcus: The one about me seeming different.
Riley: Still stand by it. You walked in like you owned the place by the time you left.
Marcus: Maybe I'm starting to feel that way.
Riley: Confidence is hot, you know.
Marcus: Is it?
Riley: Very. Especially when it's quiet.
Marcus: Noted.
Riley: So what are you doing right now?
Marcus: Cleaning up. Getting ready for tomorrow.
Riley: Big plans?
Marcus: Party. Kind of a big deal.
Riley: Sounds fun. Wish I was invited.
Marcus: Maybe next time.
Riley: Bold. Assuming there will be a next time?
Marcus: Hoping.
A brief pause.
Riley: You're smoother than I expected.
Marcus: Upgrades.
Riley: Haha. I like that.
Another pause.
Riley: I could get off early tonight if I wanted.
Marcus: Yeah?
Riley: Yeah. Manager owes me.
Send your location if you're not busy.
Marcus smiled and typed his address.
Marcus: Door's open when you get here.
Riley: On my way.
Don't move.
Three dots appeared, disappeared, then appeared again.
Riley: Actually… changing now. Be there in twenty.
Marcus set the phone down and looked around his apartment.
Clean enough.
A knock sounded at the door.