Her reaction was straight out of a romcom.
Reed couldn't help but chuckle.
His eyes instinctively flicked up to the glowing screen now floating quietly above her head like a personal status bar.
[Name: Cynthia Thornheart]
[Class: Healer]
[Affection: 70]
[Lust: 25]
[Hearts: ❤️❤️🤍🤍🤍]
'…Seventy affection?' he whispered. 'Damn, original Reed. You were cooking.'
Apparently, Reed 1.0 had made more of an impact than the author let on.
And James… well, he wasn't about to waste that foundation.
Cynthia glanced back at him, her expression unreadable behind the blindfold. "So? Are you really done with training for now?"
Reed gave a theatrical sigh. "Let's say I'm just trying to keep my healer happy."
"Tch. Idiot."
[New Trait Unlocked: Warm Banter – Increases charm effectiveness during lighthearted conversation.]
Reed blinked at the popup and grinned. "Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"Oh — uh, I just realized how nice this bench is."
"…You're weird lately."
"You say that like I wasn't weird before."
She bit back a smile. "You're more… smug."
"I've been reborn," he said sarcastically.
She snorted. "Maybe a little breakfast is good for you."
Reed looked over and saw that Cynthia had pulled out a small pack of her own.
She ate daintily — small bites of bread and cheese with a delicate grace that probably made half the male population swoon on the spot.
He fought the urge to comment on it and instead just… sat there.
After a few minutes, Cynthia finished the last bite of her bread and stood up. She turned toward him, then paused.
"Reed."
He looked up.
"Don't go overboard. Please."
"I won't," he said quietly. "Not unless I know someone's there to stitch me back together."
Her cheeks tinged pink, and she turned away again.
"…Idiot."
She rose up and sighed.
"I have class to attend, we can meet up by lunch later and talk some more." And without waiting for him to answer, she scurried away.
As Cynthia's footsteps faded into the morning breeze, Reed leaned back on the bench with a low sigh.
His eyes followed her swaying figure until she disappeared around the corner of the courtyard's hedges.
Then he muttered under his breath, "Alright, so how the hell does this Debauchery System actually work?"
Immediately, the familiar soft ding echoed in his ear like a seductive ringtone, and a series of glowing translucent panels popped up in front of his eyes like a bunch of overzealous software updates.
One by one, they lined up neatly in the air, awaiting his attention.
[System Tutorial Activated]
[Topic: Core Meters – Understanding Love, Lust, and Loyalty (For Dummies!™)]
Reed blinked.
"…This system came with sarcasm?"
...
[Panel 1: The Affection Meter]
[Description]
The [Affection Meter] measures how much a female target emotionally likes you.
[0–19: You're a bug. A talking bug.]
[20–39: Casual acquaintance.]
[40–59: Friend zone (may include playful threats).]
[60–79: Deep emotional interest.]
[80–89: She's picking out baby names.]
[90–99: Safe zone to ask her out. She might even kiss you first.]
[100: She'll commit arson for you. Borderline Yandere obsession.]
[Note: Dropping below 60 affection might signal emotional withdrawal. Dropping below 40? Enjoy awkward hallway run-ins!]
"Cynthia was at 70," Reed murmured. "So… she'd cry if I died. Probably stab someone if they made me cry. That's… flattering. And terrifying."
[Panel 2: The Lust Meter]
[Description]
[The [Lust Meter] is exactly what it sounds like. It gauges a girl's carnal attraction to you.]
[0–24: You're a distant rock. A very unattractive rock.]
[25–49: Slight spark. Not enough to start a fire, but you might get a 'huh' when you take off your shirt.]
[50–69: Regular flirting, occasional innuendos, suggestive eye contact.]
[70–89: Open to physical romance. High success rate.]
[90–100: She's debating whether to tackle you into a broom closet.]
[WARNING]
[Do not initiate physical intimacy below Lust 70. You will be blamed. She will feel violated.
The system will not bail you out of assault charges, you absolute moron.]
"Wow," Reed said, impressed. "It's like an HR department built into a hentai interface."
[Panel 3: The Heart Meter]
[Visualized by five heart icons, this is the most emotionally critical meter of them all. Hearts represent long-term attachment and commitment potential. Each full heart reflects a permanent emotional investment in you.]
[Starts with all empty hearts.]
[The first heart is the hardest to gain.]
[Once the first heart is filled, others become easier through trust, intimacy, and meaningful experiences.]
[Cannot be raised through forced romance.]
[Losing hearts only occurs through betrayal, emotional harm, or acting like a flaming jerk.]
"Permanent investment, huh?" Reed murmured. "So that's why Cynthia had two filled hearts. She genuinely cared…"
[System Note]
[Once a girl hits five full hearts, she becomes ride-or-die. She may even challenge the protagonist. Abuse this loyalty, and the system will dropkick you into moral hell.]
"Touché," Reed said. "Touché."
Just when he thought that was it, another panel buzzed into view. This one titled:
[Ways to Earn Debauchery Points]
Reed rubbed his hands together. "Let's see what counts as 'debauchery' in this twisted rom-com."
[List of Debauchery Point Sources]
[Flirting Successfully: +1 to +5 (Depends on smoothness)]
[Making Her Blush Uncontrollably: +5]
[Getting a Girl to Daydream About You: +10]
[Physical Intimacy (Mutual, Consensual): +20 to +100, First Time Bonuses are different]
[Giving Genuine Compliments: +2]
[Accidentally Walking in On Her Changing: +100 (only works once per girl)]
[Deliberately Walking in On Her Changing: -100 and a slap]
"Duly noted," Reed said grimly.
[Performing Heroic Acts While She's Watching: +10]
[Romantic Dates: +15]
[Simping Unironically: +0 (try harder)]
[Kissing (when Lust >70): +20]
[Noble Sacrifices or Defending Her Honor: +25 to +50]
[Cooking for Her (if edible): +10]
[Cooking for Her (if inedible): -5 and possible poisoning report]
"…I should probably stick to cereal," Reed muttered.
[Confessions of Love (When Affection >90): +50]
[Sexy Time (Consensual, with Lust >70): +100]
[Sexy Time (When Affection & Lust >90, All Hearts Full): +???]
(Note: You may unlock special CG scenes and relationship traits.)
"CG scenes?" Reed paused. "What is this, a dating sim inside a shounen dungeon crawler?"
Another panel buzzed to life.
[You Have 0 Debauchery Points]
[Use Points to Unlock: Physical Boosts | Charm Skills | Magic Enhancements | Special Titles | Secret Events]
"Wait… wait. Special titles?"
A small sub-menu opened under the tab.
[Available Titles – Locked Behind Affection/Lust Milestones]
["First Kiss" – Gain 10% Charisma boost around all women.]
["Knight in Simping Armor" – Automatically trigger slow-motion effects during dramatic rescues.]
["Panty Whisperer" – Don't even ask.]
["Lover of One, Seducer of Many" – Doubles charm effects on existing lovers.]
"I feel like I shouldn't want half of these," Reed muttered.
But oh boy, he did.
The system closed the tabs with a soft ping, like a smug assistant who knew it had just unloaded a truckload of useful nonsense and was proud of it.
"Alright," Reed said, stretching his arms. "Affection, lust, hearts, debauchery points, dating sim mechanics… got it."
He stood up, brushing off crumbs from his uniform.