The elevator didn't make a sound. It simply opened, slow and reverent, like the air beyond it deserved worship.
Min-Joon stepped out into the Apex — the top floor of the Society Tower.
What waited for him wasn't a party.
It was a battlefield disguised in champagne and velvet.
Thirteen circular platforms. Thirteen thrones.
Each one occupied by a master of desire, power, or mind control. Men. Women. Both. All beautiful. All dangerous. All watching him.
He didn't slow.
Didn't blink.
He walked toward the center table — a black glass disk surrounded by cold stares and half-smiles.
Lady Mae stood in the center, dressed like seduction's final form.
"Player thirteen," she announced. "Min-Joon, Codename: Obsession Protocol."
The others whispered his name.
Some smirked.
Some scoffed.
Only one clapped — slow, amused.
The man in red.
"Didn't think you'd show," he said.
His name was Arata. Japan's #1. A billionaire's son with ice in his veins and four wives legally contracted under Society rites.
"I don't lose," Min-Joon replied coolly.
"You've never played at this level."
"No," he said, sliding into his seat, "but I'm the reason this level exists."
Lady Mae raised her glass.
"The rules are simple," she said. "Each night, a seduction challenge will test your control. Each week, the weakest loses a throne. The winner? Gains all others."
"Final prize?" Min-Joon asked.
She smiled.
"Ownership of the global Harem Code. Rewrite the rules of desire. Become the authority."
His jaw flexed.
His blood lit.
Perfect.
Challenge One appeared on a screen of liquid gold behind her:
Night One Trial: "The Reverse Pursuit"
Objective: Make one of your own girls fall for a rival. Then take her back publicly — without touching her.
Bonus: If you cause the rival to fall for her instead, +3 status points.
Penalty for failure: Loss of one throne and full Harem reset.
Gasps.
Even Arata leaned forward.
"She has to fall for someone else?" he asked.
"And then come back," Lady Mae confirmed.
"Without a kiss," another whispered.
"Without a touch," someone hissed.
Min-Joon simply sipped his drink.
"Who chooses the girl?" he asked.
"You do."
His eyes flicked once — toward Seo-Rin.
She caught it.
Froze.
But didn't flinch.
Of course she didn't.
She knew what loyalty meant now.
"Seo-Rin," he said.
Gasps again.
Even Arata smiled.
"Bold."
Min-Joon met his gaze.
"I'm not here to play," he said. "I'm here to end the game."
Later that night, Seo-Rin was sent to Arata's penthouse suite — instructed to flirt, seduce, spark something. A test. A trap. And a weapon.
Min-Joon watched from the surveillance lounge, arms crossed, drink in hand, eyes cold.
She laughed when she needed to.
Touched Arata's wrist.
Said all the right things.
But Min-Joon saw the shift.
Arata leaning forward.
Arata watching her lips.
Arata… falling.
Perfect.
Time to end it.
He summoned the room to the open rooftop.
A crowd of players. Lady Mae. Every throne occupant watching.
Seo-Rin stood between the two men now — Arata on her left.
Min-Joon on her right.
Tension like thunderclouds waiting for lightning.
"Choose," Arata said.
Seo-Rin turned to Min-Joon.
"No touching?" she asked, barely breathing.
He nodded.
No words.
Just looked at her.
Like she was already home.
She trembled.
Turned.
And kissed Arata's cheek.
He smirked — too soon.
Then she walked past him.
Back to Min-Joon.
Dropped to her knees.
Whispered: "No one else ever existed."
Lady Mae clapped once.
"Trial complete."
✅ Challenge 1: PASS
✅ Bonus Unlocked – Rival Emotional Collapse Triggered
💰 +3 Status Points Earned
🏆 Rank Advanced – Min-Joon now Seat #5 on Society Throne Ladder
🧠 Trait Gained: Reverse Bond Echo – Any girl who falls for a rival now returns with doubled obsession
Min-Joon helped her up.
Didn't kiss her.
Didn't have to.
She already belonged to him again.
Back in his private quarters, the System whispered:
[Next Trial: Psychological Stripdown]
Target: Another Player. Objective: Expose their trauma and use it to break their control over their own harem.
And Min-Joon smiled.
Because this?
This was where he lived.