Chapter 31

[First, the rankings are announced.]

Nice! Even though Haena nuna's total stats had just been nerfed to 60, I'd climbed over 100 spots into the 200s. I couldn't let my guard down, but this felt pretty stable for a mid-season check, right?

[To commemorate the mid-season check, an event will now begin. Details in the updated description window...]

The event I'd figured would happen in the pre-season before the next one started up way earlier than expected, shattering my predictions. But it wasn't my first rodeo, and I'd won the last one too, so I wasn't scared. I pulled up the menu, opened the description like before, and checked the details.

What the fuck... This is bullshit! NTR is a hard no. No matter what, it can't happen. And defenders can't do anything to fight back? NTR on others? Kinda hot, honestly, but the fear of it happening to me outweighs that by a mile.

Even a shitty scenario assigned. No way to stop it, and he's invited... All I could do was pray.

But who gets picked for the best defense? If it's Lea, her Innocent Purity trait is already all over the forums—easy to spot. Amari might not know me personally, but at our rank, he'd have the intel.

Mom? Her special Born Pervert and unique Sex Slave traits enable all kinds of kinky play even at low ranks. Fun for me, but a huge weakness now.

Fuck. Haena nuna then...? She's always bragging about other guys, but her stats had just been nerfed—no time to rebuild our bond before this hit. Brutal timing.

What the hell do I do? While I racked my brain, 10 minutes flew by, and the draw began.

Fuck... Who's it gonna be...? Please, whoever it is, keep your traits hidden! Please!

Five minutes felt like half a second. Then the completed message appeared before my eyes.

"Haha, thanks for inviting me. I'm Amari Raymond, just moved in nearby."

Some South American or Middle Eastern vibe—hard to pin down, but with those sharp, intense Western features straight out of my old world, the buff dude sat on the living room couch and started introducing himself.

Soon, munching on the fruit and snacks Mom brought out, he began chatting with the family.

Fucking piece of shit. But the rule about no physical or mental interference wasn't a lie—the system forced a bright smile on my face. This is its power, huh? Bullshit game. Whoever dreamed this up—human or devil—is a total asshole. One slip, and I'd have to grin and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bear watching him steal my heroine right in front of me?

After greetings with Mom, Lea, and me, Amari looked at Haena nuna and offered a handshake no one else got, his face all sleazy.

"Hello, Haena? Nice to meet you, I'm Amari. I don't think I've ever seen anyone as beautiful as you. Haha..."

But

"Did I introduce myself?"

Haena nuna's icy reply.

"...Pardon?"

"I never told you my name. How do you know it?"

Whoa, Haena Im! Nice!! That's my Haena. I could see his score window plummet into negatives in real time.

Grip it tight! Drop more!

"Ah... uh... I asked you on the street earlier and you told m—"

"Bullshit. I've only ever chatted privately with two guys in my life. My late dad and Kangmo here."

Sob... Most touching words since Mom said, 'My son's the handsomest,' while taking pics. I love you, Haena!!! Wahhh! I'll do even better!

"No... uh... haha..."

Amari was sweating bullets, flustered by her logical takedown and arctic attitude.

"Haena, come on now..."

Mom tried mediating, looking flustered herself. Shut your trap, Yebin, you bitch.

"Now I've gotta mix words with you too, making it three? Mom, call the cops. Stalker's here."

Whoa. Perfect finisher. Grand slam out of the park.

At Haena nuna's words, that meddling bitch Yebin goes, 'Haena, he's a guest—too ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠harsh!' Like she has Lea-level perceptiveness? Her own daughter's stalker right there, and she treats him like company? Nah, Lea was sharper. "Unni, report him?" Lea's big eyes sparkle as she dials 112 on her phone, looking to Haena nuna.

"Yeah, report him, Lea. Kangmo, I'm scared... protect me."

Haena nuna glares at Amari like an ice block, then instantly turns scared-squirrel on me, clinging close. Hands shaking, eyes darting—Amari stammers like his soul's fled and bolts.

"Nooo!!!"

Heh heh heh. Instant cut!!! Cut cut cut!!!!! You furry fuck, eyeing my Haena? You got no idea the long, harsh winters I've endured for her!

Haena nuna felt so lovable—I pulled her shoulders tighter into my chest. But

"Kangmo Im. Let go."

Back to Haena mode. Where'd squirrel Haena go? She was right here... Squirrel Haena! Squirrel Haena!!!

...

The next two days passed smoothly. Or rather, Amari lurking nearby got us calling the cops, and he scampered off. That gave me the excuse to play bodyguard in Haena nuna's room for a bit.

Of course, "bodyguard" meant nonstop kissing all day...

"Mwah... slurp..."

"Hey, nuna."

I paused the kiss, curiosity hitting.

"Yeah?"

"That stalker fuck... what you said—was it true?"

"What?"

"No private chats with other guys."

"Yeah. Obviously."

She straightened up from leaning into me, answering matter-of-factly. But it didn't add up. So pretty, so capable—guys must swarm her, right? Conversations would flow naturally.

"Why?"

"Just... mega grossed out. Guys ogling my body when they talk? Gross. Spouting fake shit to get in my pants? Same. Been like that since I was young. Sick of whispers about my big tits, all the dirty talk. Every look, every word felt like bugs crawling on my skin."

Makes sense. Before I boosted her Exposure Mania, she'd bundle up no matter the weather. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But... guilty as charged myself? Ahem... Felt kinda bad now.

"Yeah... I get it. But nuna... honestly, me too..."

Pricked conscience making me confess. Then

"I know."

Haena nuna cuts in bluntly.

"Huh?"

"I knew."

What're we even talking about? Lingering questions nagged at me. Silence settled between us. Then she broke it.

"...You eyed my body too."

"Yeah... sorry..."

"No need to apologize. Honestly... yours was fine..."

"...Huh?"

I stared at her in shock. She repeated it.

"You looking? It was okay..."