Object of Devotion

Several features of the Real Profile in KakaoTalk have been adjusted. A Desires section has been added to profiles.

You can now generate quests based on others' desires.

'I can collect others' desires?'

A few more pop-ups followed, but that wasn't important right now. This was a perfectly timed addition. He'd long thought the ways to expand the Desire Fulfillment App's update list were too limited. Until now, unlocking new app updates had only come from completing quests assigned by the Desire Fulfillment App in response to his own desires.

'Even updates triggered by the desires of women he'd conquered were, broadly speaking, quest rewards.'

In other words, he had to wait for quests to be assigned before new app updates became possible—a major drawback. It was minor if quests came frequently like before, but it became fatal when combined with the fact that his greatest desire was lust, and quests only generated for women who hit a certain threshold of appeal or attraction.

The problem started when he gained the Appearance Modification function and rapidly transformed himself. As his appearance score rose, so did his standards, raising the bar for desires. Naturally, fewer quests appeared to add new apps to the update list. Even with ample GP accumulated, he couldn't spend it.

But now, he could collect others' desires to add apps to the update list.

'The Real Profile now includes a Desires section. Makes sense—if you can't see which desires to collect, the function would be pointless.'

He immediately headed out to the street, scanning people's profiles and observing their desires. In the process, he realized the Desires section might ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be more useful than expected. For humans—including himself—desires were powerful motivators for action. Knowing someone's desires meant roughly predicting their personality and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠behavior.

Reward: Desire collected—Escape the Lost Path.

"Ah..."

A sigh escaped him involuntarily. He'd hoped for something like "Work Less, Earn More."

'That way, I could've unlocked a finance app.'

Unfortunately, he'd drawn a dud. Still, as his first collected desire, he tested an update.

'Ah, updates require GP too.'

He'd assumed collecting the desire would make it free. But 1000 GP just to update for something like "Escape the Lost Path"? It probably wasn't teleportation or anything useful. Better that it got canceled. Burning 1000 GP for a basic map function was too steep for his current tolerance.

He'd been so focused on testing desire collection that he hadn't noticed Eunseo's KakaoTalk message.

—Sorry, just saw it. Made it into Business Admin.

He replied, and a response came instantly.

He chuckled. They chatted for a while, sharing her joy. As they talked about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠university life, a thought struck him.

'This year will be different from everything before, in so many ways.'

At the center would be university and business—the beauty center hadn't opened yet, so university would be main. He'd dismissed university as a place that turned people into cogs, but that was sour grapes rationalization. Deep down, no one wanted it more than he did—a former three-time repeater.

He'd given up because he couldn't make it, but university life had haunted him.

'What do I need for an enviable university life?'

As plans formed, excitement swelled for university. The Desire Fulfillment App reacted.

Excitement for university turned into desire, spawning multiple quests.

'Perfect timing—GP was running low anyway.'

Not truly low, but after stockpiling thousands, dipping below 500 felt scarce. Considering the quest conditions, he planned enrollment prep.

'OT is a must. For a stable, ideal university life, money's key.'

He didn't want to scrape by like other freshmen.

'That insufficient balance alert in front of Eunseo was close.'

With all funds sunk into the beauty center and quitting Esthetic Nonhyeon, he was broke. Months remained until opening. He needed income for living expenses and GP.

'Casino a few times could cover basics, but...'

For lavish spending, bigger money was needed.

'Time to focus on Kim Youngae again.'

To make quick cash fast, accelerating the beauty center opening was most realistic. But his current skills and capital couldn't realize his vision.

'Kim Youngae... Her talents include business acumen.'

To build it, he needed a trustworthy, wealthy, capable partner to share abilities with. Kim Youngae seemed perfect—if one issue was resolved.

'To do that.'

He had to fully claim her or at least improve their relationship. Nearly a month since their last encounter—it was time to resume conquest.

As he planned intently—

5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

Happy New Year!!!

The TV blared New Year's bells amid cheers.

'New Year already.'

Time flew since getting the Desire Fulfillment App. January 1 meant aging a year. Past New Years brought anxiety like a ticking bomb, but not this time.

'All thanks to the Desire Fulfillment App.'

A ship without destination drifts; with one, you steer forward. The app was his destination, key, and oar.

'Everything for realizing my desires.'

Having goals and means was pure bliss.

For a month, Kim Youngae had secluded herself. At first, rage consumed her. Even if he'd left room, she couldn't forgive such audacity. She considered reclaiming her beauty center investment but couldn't.

Her body stopped her.

After receiving his essence inside, she'd gotten a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gynecological checkup just in case. The result: her uterine health had slightly improved. Shocking news for her.

Her values screamed to sever ties regardless, but she couldn't contact Manager Kim.

'Hesitating... means health isn't the only reason...'

She pondered amid throbbing headaches but couldn't pinpoint why she stalled.

Rage gave way to sorrow. Relations with outsiders were common in elite arranged marriages—friends even had open arrangements with spouses' consent. Easy to understand loveless flings.

But not for her. She'd dreamed of devoting her life to her husband, raising his child.

Such desires made outsider relations unthinkable. Yet she'd crossed the line. Defending her lifelong values, the loss crushed her. Days holed up crying birthed new fury.

Indifferent? Cruel? Her husband saw her daily yet missed her pain. Even if she hid it, family interest would notice.

Thus, final came emptiness. Did she deserve this stress? He'd probably react blandly even knowing her affair.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang. Her delicate face twisted. Headache pounding, the shrill tone pierced her eardrums unbearably. Pressing her temple, she stared at the intercom screen.

Her expression hardened.

"Wh-why..."

A man she'd believed—wanted to believe—she'd never see again stood there.

Mind in chaos, one thing was clear.

'Don't open it.'

But she didn't notice her tormenting headache easing.