Kai slumped into the cracked leather seat of the bus, the late-night city lights painting his face in streaks of neon pink and blue. The hum of the engine mixed with the faint pulse of music coming from a car passing by, and for a moment, he imagined himself somewhere else—a place where he wasn't broke, unnoticed, and exhausted. College was a grind he could barely afford, working part-time at a dingy convenience store that smelled like old coffee and cigarettes, and somehow, some way, he was expected to have a life beyond survival.
He scrolled lazily through his phone, watching videos that made other people's lives look perfect, while his battery drained faster than his hope. That was when it happened. A sudden vibration, sharp and deliberate, startled him. He looked down. A notification he hadn't seen before blinked on his screen.
"Desire System has been activated. User: Kai. Confirm acceptance?"
Kai frowned. He tapped it by accident—or curiosity—because who would ignore a notification with neon pink letters glowing so aggressively on a midnight screen?
"Accepted," he muttered, mostly to himself.
The screen flashed, and a smooth, almost sultry voice filled his ears through the earbuds.
"Welcome, Kai. You have been chosen. Complete desires. Gain points. Evolve your life—and your body. Your first quest awaits."
Kai blinked. He wasn't sure if he'd imagined the voice or if it was some weird, glitchy advertisement. But before he could question it, a small holographic icon materialized on his screen—a sleek black circle, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"First Quest: Fulfill a desire tonight. Target location: 'Club Velvet'."
His eyebrows knitted together. Club Velvet? That was a high-end nightclub downtown, the kind of place he had never set foot in unless he was delivering bottles for the store. The idea of walking in there—looking poor, sweaty, awkward—made his stomach churn. And yet… there was a strange pull, a thrill he couldn't deny.
"Rewards: Desire Points, unlock charm enhancement."
Kai exhaled slowly. It wasn't like he had a choice. Something about the system's voice made it impossible to argue. It wasn't threatening, but it wasn't casual either. It was… persuasive.
By the time the bus hissed to a stop at his station, Kai was already feeling the pull of something dangerous. He shoved his phone into his pocket, tugged at the thin hoodie that did nothing to hide his skinny frame, and walked into the chill night air, the neon signs reflecting in puddles like liquid jewels.
The streets leading to Club Velvet were alive, chaotic, and intoxicating. People spilled out of taxis and bars, laughter and shouting blending into a cacophony of temptation. Kai tried to focus on blending in, to imagine he belonged, even as every step made him feel conspicuously inadequate.
The club itself was impossible to miss. Its black-and-gold facade pulsed with a low bass beat that rattled windows in nearby buildings. Kai's pulse picked up. His system pinged again, soft and insistent.
"Approach the entrance. Engage with the first potential target. Desire Points await."
He paused outside, staring at the velvet ropes and the bouncers who looked like they ate confidence for breakfast. The idea of being rejected was mortifying—but something inside him, the same thrill that made him tap "accept," nudged him forward.
Kai slid past the ropes, nodding at the guard who barely glanced at him. Inside, the club was a sensory overload. Red lights cut through smoke machines, bodies pressed together in sweaty rhythm, laughter and whispered words mingling with the relentless bass. He felt a heat rise in his chest he couldn't explain.
"Scan environment. Identify desire target."
The system's voice was calm, smooth, clinical—but somehow intimate. Kai's eyes swept the dance floor, landing on a girl in a shimmering silver dress. She leaned against the bar, her lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. She wasn't dancing, but every head in the room seemed unconsciously drawn to her.
"Target identified. Risk level: medium. Potential DP gain: 20."
Kai swallowed. The system's mechanics were making him nervous, but also… daring him. He took a deep breath, letting the rhythm of the music guide his steps toward her.
"Hey," he said, awkwardly, when he reached her. His voice sounded far too loud over the music. She turned, eyes glinting, and raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?" Her tone was amused, confident, and teasing.
"Engage in conversation. Maintain charm level."
Kai's heart thudded like a drumline. He realized he didn't have to be perfect—he just had to act confident. He let his words flow, a little clumsy, but honest. She laughed softly at something he said, a sound that wrapped around him and made his chest tighten.
"Desire Points gained: 5. Charm enhanced."
Kai froze. The system's voice was in his head again, smooth and approving. It didn't explain how he felt the surge of… attention, of attraction, but he didn't question it. Instead, he leaned closer, letting the smell of her perfume fill his senses.
"You're… captivating," he said, testing the words on his tongue.
She smirked. "Flattery will get you somewhere."
"Target desire level increased. Approach for intimate contact."
Kai hesitated. This was real, and it was terrifying. But something inside him surged, a mix of adrenaline, lust, and curiosity. Slowly, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, and she didn't pull away. Her hand grazed his, fingers lingering longer than socially polite.
"Desire Points gained: 10."
Her lips were close now, a whisper away from his. Kai's chest burned, and he could feel the system reacting. It wasn't just tracking points—it was amplifying his senses, his focus, his confidence. He could see every nuance in her eyes, hear every subtle shift in tone.
"Careful," she whispered, the word dripping with amusement and challenge.
Kai laughed nervously but leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a tentative kiss. Heat erupted through his body, the club melting away into a haze of lights and music. The system's voice hummed in approval.
"First intimate encounter complete. Desire Points gained: 20. Reward unlocked: stamina enhancement, charisma boost."
Kai staggered back, breathing hard, feeling the strange new surge in his chest. His body felt alive in a way it hadn't before. The girl winked at him, then disappeared into the crowd, leaving him dizzy, excited, and… strangely hungry for more.
"Chapter 1 Quest complete. System will provide next objective."
Kai stumbled toward the bar, gripping his phone, realizing something terrifying and thrilling: his life was about to change. And he wanted it to.
He didn't know how far he would go, or what he would have to do next—but the Desire System had chosen him, and he was already addicted to its pull.