The Heart System

A long corridor stretched ahead, its walls lined with sleek black panels that pulsed with thin strips of electric blue and hot pink, flickering in time with the faint thump of bass vibrating through the floor.

The corridor was narrow, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and a hint of smoke, the kind that lingers from vape pens or overpriced cigars. Mirrors ran along one side, reflecting the neon in jagged streaks, making it feel like I was walking through a tunnel of light and shadow. My polished shoes clicked on the glossy black floor, each step echoing my heartbeat, my Charm stat at 12 keeping my posture confident even as my mind raced with the quests ahead.

"Okay… okay…"

At the end of the corridor, a massive set of double doors stood open, their edges glowing with purple LED trim, inviting me into the heart of the club. I pushed through, and the full force of Endless Sea hit me like a tidal wave.

The nightclub was a fucking circus of excess—neon lights everywhere, slashing across the darkness in violent greens, reds, and purples, painting the sweating, writhing crowd in surreal hues. The ceiling was a lattice of steel beams, with three massive cages suspended above the dance floor, each holding a woman dancing like she was born for it. One wore a silver bikini, her hips grinding to the pounding EDM, her skin shimmering with glitter under the strobes. Another, in a black leather bodysuit, spun slowly, her movements hypnotic, her blonde hair glowing like a halo. The third was in red fishnets, her body arching against the bars, drawing hoots from the crowd below.

To the right, a long bar ran the length of the wall, its surface polished chrome, reflecting the neon chaos. Bottles lined the shelves behind it, glowing under blacklights, vodkas, tequilas, whiskeys, some brands I'd never even heard of, probably costing more than my old weekly paycheck.

Bartenders in tight black shirts moved like machines, pouring drinks, flipping bottles, their faces lit by the glow of tablets taking orders. Booths lined the opposite wall, plush velvet, each one packed with groups of people—some laughing, some whispering, some making out like the world was ending. Overhead, a massive chandelier made of what looked like glowing glass orbs pulsed with the beat, casting fractured light across the room. The whole place screamed money, sex, and danger, and I was right in the middle of it.

"Okay," I muttered to myself, smoothing my tuxedo. "Come on, Evan. Charm twelve. You can do it."

I made my way to the bar, sliding onto a stool, the cold metal biting through my pants. The bartender, a guy with a buzzcut and a sleeve of tattoos, raised an eyebrow. "What'll it be?" he asked, his voice cutting through the noise.

"Whiskey, neat," I said, keeping my tone casual, like I ordered this shit every day. I slid my card across the bar, my heart sinking as he swiped it. The price flashed on the screen—$48 for a single fucking drink. I died inside, my wallet screaming, but on the outside, I leaned back, cool as hell, like I didn't care. Ex-gas station clerk, my ass—this tux and my Charm stat were selling a different story.

The bartender slid the whiskey over, an amber glow in a heavy glass. I took a sip, the burn hitting my throat like a punch. Fuck, I hated whiskey. I'd rather a cold beer, but I couldn't break the façade now. I forced another sip, my face neutral, scanning the room for my targets.

My eyes locked with a few women already. One was in a booth across the club, maybe 25, with long black hair and a green dress that hugged her curves like it was painted on. She sat with two friends but kept glancing my way, her lips parted slightly, her eyes curious.

Another was closer, leaning against the bar a few stools down, blonde, in a white crop top and leather skirt, her legs crossed, a martini in her hand. She caught my gaze, smirked, and looked away, playing coy but interested. A third was on the dance floor, redhead, in a black sequined dress, moving like she owned the place, her eyes flicking to mine between spins, bold and teasing.

I sipped the whiskey again, grimacing internally but keeping my face smooth. Three potential targets, my Charm stat humming, the quests burning in my mind. Time to make a move.

"Okay…" I muttered under my breath, steeling myself as I started toward the booth across the club, my eyes on the woman with long black hair in the green dress. I took a sip of my whiskey, the burn hitting my throat, and raised my hand to wave at her—when a UI flashed above her head, bright and glaring.

╭────────────────────╮

- WARNING!

==========================

- High chance of getting diseases

from this target.

╰────────────────────╯

"Holy shit," I whispered, freezing mid-step.

My stomach lurched, and I turned back immediately, heading for the bar stool I'd just left. The woman in the booth looked around, her brow furrowing, probably wondering why I'd bailed. She shook her head, grabbed her purse, and moved to another booth, her friends whispering as they glanced my way. Fuck, that UI saved my ass.

I cleared my throat, shaking off the close call, and focused on the other two women I'd clocked earlier. The blonde a few stools down was still there, sipping her martini, checking her phone but sneaking side-eye glances at me every few seconds. Her white crop top showed off her toned midriff, and her leather skirt hugged her hips tight. I walked toward her, waiting for another UI to pop up. Nothing. Thank fuck.

"Hello," I said, flashing a smile, my Charm stat at 12 smoothing my nerves. "Saw you were alone… thought I'd come by and say hi."

"Oh, hey," she said, her lips curling into a warm smile as she set her phone on the counter. "I wouldn't say no to some company. Sure."

"Great," I said, sliding onto the stool next to her.

"Is this your first time here at Endless Sea?" she asked, tilting her head, her blonde hair catching the neon glow. "I've never seen you around."

"Yeah, actually," I said, leaning in slightly. "I asked my assistants to recommend a place, and they said this was the spot."

"Assistants?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yeah," I said, keeping my tone casual, like it was no big deal. "I decided to take a little vacation for a while."

"That's nice," she said, her smile widening, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Hey," I called to the bartender, waving him over. "Another whiskey for me. What'll you have? It's on me."

"Whiskey sounds good," she said, then extended her hand. "I'm Alena."

"Jack," I lied smoothly, shaking her hand, her grip firm but soft. "Nice to meet you."

"I saw you through the window," she said, her eyes flicking over me, taking in the tuxedo. "That Rolls-Royce? That's a beauty."

"Honestly?" I said, chuckling as I paid for the whiskeys with my card. Maaan fuck me. "It's the least favorite car in my parking lot. I'm more of a Jeep guy, can't lie."

The bartender slid our whiskeys over, and we grabbed them off the counter. Alena smiled, and we clinked glasses, taking small sips. I grimaced internally at the taste—fuck, I hated whiskey—but kept my face smooth. I needed her sober enough for the restroom, not drunk. The first quest was a blowjob, and my Charm stat had to carry me there.

"So," she said, wincing slightly as the whiskey hit her. "Where do you work?"

"Nuppia," I said, leaning back, spinning a lie like it was second nature. "I'm the head of their Creative Design department. Oversee all the new clothing lines, set the trends, you know."

"Wow," she said, her eyes widening, clearly impressed. "That's big."

"And that's not the only job I do," I said, dropping my voice, teasing. "But… eh, you probably wouldn't be interested in the other one."

"Why?" she asked, turning her body fully toward me, her leather skirt shifting, her legs brushing mine. Damn, she was hot—blonde hair falling in waves, green eyes sharp and curious. "Now I'm intrigued."

"I take… well, videos," I said, leaning closer, my voice low, playful. "And publish them on my page. People pay to see 'em."

"Like… porn?" she asked, her tone half-shocked, half-intrigued, her lips parting slightly.

"Not like porn," I said, chuckling, my Charm stat kicking into overdrive. "Exactly porn. Kinda weird that I make more money doing that than my day job, right?"

"Wow," she said, eyeing me up and down, her gaze lingering. "I knew there was money in that, but… not that much. What kind of content do you shoot?"

"Public stuff only," I said, my voice smooth, testing the waters. "People love the danger. And, hey, I love danger too. What about you, Alena? You into a little thrill?"

She laughed, her cheeks flushing slightly, her body leaning closer. "Maybe," she said, her voice teasing. "Depends on the kind of thrill."

Time to make my move. The UI for Honeyed Words flickered in my mind—three attempts, six boxes to fill, four needed for success. I had to play this smart.

I watched as a UI flickered above Alena's head, empty boxes signaling the start of my persuasion attempt. My Charm stat at 12 was my lifeline, and Honeyed Words was about to do some heavy lifting. I needed four boxes filled to get her to the restroom for that blowjob quest. No need to go all-in yet—I'd start safe and build from there.

╭────────────────────╮

- Persuasion Attempt: Stranger

==========================

☐☐☐☐☐☐

==========================

Remaining Chances: 0/3

╰────────────────────╯

I took a sip of my whiskey, the burn hitting my throat, but I kept my face smooth, leaning closer to Alena, my Charm stat at 12 keeping me steady. A UI flickered above her head with my first dialogue option.

╭────────────────────╮

- Attempting Persuasion

==========================

"I make videos that pay well online.

You've got the look, Alena.

Quick shoot, easy cash for you.

Interested?"

==========================

Base Chance: 50%

Honeyed Words: +30%

==========================

Final Chance: 80%

Upon Succeeding: ☑

╰────────────────────╯

I read the option silently, exhaled, and said out loud, "I make videos that pay well online. You've got the look, Alena. Quick shoot, easy cash for you. Interested?"

╭────────────────────╮

- Persuasion Attempt: Stranger

==========================

☑☐☐☐☐☐

==========================

Remaining Chances: 1/3

╰────────────────────╯

Alena tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing, intrigued but cautious. "Paying for a video? What kind are we talking about, Jack?" she asked, her voice teasing, her body shifting closer on the stool.

"Fair question," I said, chuckling, my mind racing. One down, three to go. Time to push harder with a riskier move. Another UI appeared.

╭────────────────────╮

- Attempting Persuasion

==========================

"Like I said, I shoot steamy

public videos, like in a restroom.

Five minutes, Alena, and I'll pay

you five hundred cash right after

video starts making profit. You're perfect for it.

You in?"

==========================

Base Chance: 50%

Honeyed Words: +30%

==========================

Final Chance: 80%

Upon Succeeding: ☑☑

╰────────────────────╯

"Like I said, I shoot steamy public videos, like in a restroom. Five minutes, Alena, and I'll pay you five hundred cash right after the video starts making profit. You're perfect for it. You in?"

╭────────────────────╮

- Persuasion Attempt: Stranger

==========================

☑☑☑☐☐☐

==========================

Remaining Chances: 2/3

╰────────────────────╯

Alena laughed, her cheeks flushing, her fingers toying with her whiskey glass. "Five hundred for a restroom video? That's bold," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and interest. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious," I said, winking, my Charm stat keeping me cool. One more push, something less risky to close it. Another UI popped up.

╭────────────────────╮

- Attempting Persuasion

==========================

"Just a quick video. And I might

save your contact for… later.

==========================

Base Chance: 50%

Honeyed Words: +30%

==========================

Final Chance: 80%

Upon Succeeding: ☑☑

╰────────────────────╯

"Just a quick video and I might save your contract later."

╭────────────────────╮

- Persuasion Attempt: Stranger

==========================

☑☑☑☑☐☐

==========================

Remaining Chances: 3/3-Success!

╰────────────────────╯

Alena's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes glinting with excitement. "You're trouble, Jack," she said, her voice low, teasing. "But… alright. Let's do it."

I grinned, my heart pounding, and slid my hand onto her thigh, rubbing gently through her leather skirt. "Let's go to the restroom," I said, my voice husky, my Charm stat sealing the deal.