The office was quiet again, but Jack's grin hadn't faded. Helena's perfume clung to the air, sweat still dampening the papers on the desk. The System's last words pulsed like a warning shot.
[Hidden Warning: Marcus has claimed another target.]
[Asset Lost: Secretary]
Jack tapped the access card against his palm, steady as a metronome. "Bold move," he murmured. "Let's see if he can hold her."
The cracked mirror above the sink showed him a face he barely recognized—eyes sharper, darker, carrying the weight of every conquest. Power looked good on him.
The System chimed:
[New Quest: Retaliation]
Objective: Reclaim stolen Asset (Secretary)
Bonus: Inflict setback on rival Marcus
Reward: +700 XP | Skill Unlock Chance (Control Tier)]
Jack slipped into the hallway. The building hummed with low, ordinary sounds—pipes groaning, a TV laugh track bleeding through walls. All of it felt small.
The secretary's door was ajar.
She was inside, perched on the couch, hands folded tight in her lap. Eyes glassy, lips parted, body tense. She looked up at him like he was a stranger.
The System pulsed red:
[Warning: Rival Influence Detected]
[Status: Secretary Asset Bond Severed]
[Marcus's Presence Residue Active — Duration: 2h]
Her voice came small. "I… I don't know why you're here. You should go."
Jack smirked. "Funny. You said the same thing before you begged me to use you."
Her cheeks flushed, memory colliding with Marcus's mark. She shook her head, trembling. "No—I can't—"
[Micro-Quest: Break Rival Influence]
[Action: Trigger old weakness to override imprint]
[Target Weakness: Praise Corruption]
[Reward: +250 XP | Rival Influence −20%]
Jack crossed the room, crouched in front of her, tilted her chin up. "You were perfect for me. Remember how you looked on that desk? How you screamed when you shouldn't have? You were so good."
Her lips parted on a gasp. The System pinged:
[Weakness Triggered: Praise Corruption]
[Rival Influence −20% | Obedience +5]
Her breath stuttered, eyes clouding with confusion and want. "I… oh god…"
Jack leaned closer, voice low. "Say it. Say whose you are."
Her jaw trembled. The residue fought back—Marcus's influence pressing like a shadow—but Jack's Dominance Aura flared.
[Dominance Aura Active]
[Effect: Rival Suppression in Range]
The secretary whimpered, knees falling open without her realizing. "Yours," she whispered. "I'm yours…"
[Micro-Quest Complete: Break Rival Influence]
[Reward: +250 XP | Rival Influence Reduced to 40%]
Jack kissed her, hard, shoving the balance further. She clung to him like drowning, moaning into his mouth. The System purred.
[Optional Quest Unlocked: Punish the Rival's Mark]
[Objective: Overwrite Marcus's Influence by staking claim again]
[Reward: +300 XP | Rival Suppression Bonus]
Jack dragged her down onto the couch cushions, lips bruising, hands rough. Her body answered him faster than her brain could fight. Every sound out of her throat pushed Marcus further back.
The System chimed mid-heat:
[Weakness Catalogued: Shame Addiction]
[Effect: Gains pleasure from being reminded of betrayal]
Jack grinned against her neck. "Look at you. Already spread for me again. What would Marcus say if he saw his 'asset' begging me for more?"
Her moan broke, raw and helpless. "Don't—please—"
"Say it."
"I… I can't—"
"Say it."
"I'm yours!" she cried, body jolting, surrender ripping through her.
[Quest Complete: Retaliation]
[Reward: +700 XP | Control +10 | Lust +10]
[Skill Unlock: Influence Drain — Steal 10% rival control when reclaiming a target]
The secretary collapsed, boneless, tears streaking her cheeks. She clung to him, wrecked.
Jack stood, zipping up, staring down at her like she was already forgotten. "Marcus thought he could take you. He thought wrong."
The System chimed, darker now.
[Rival Update: Marcus — Rage Status Triggered]
[Counterattack Incoming — ETA: 6h]
Jack's grin spread slow. "Six hours? Plenty of time to set the trap."
He crossed to the desk, grabbed her phone, and thumbed through messages. Forwarded emails, calendar invites—everything still open to him.
Perfect.
[Side Quest: Plant a Seed (Active)]
[Objective: Frame Marcus by redirecting suspicion to him]
[Reward: +200 XP | Rumor Spread in 24h]
Jack dropped his voice as he pressed the phone back into her limp hand. "Text your boss. Tell him Marcus was here."
She obeyed without question.
The System approved.
[Asset Reclaimed: Secretary]
[Passive Reactivated: Tipline]
The clock ticked loud in the quiet. Helena's perfume still clung to his skin. And now, Marcus was on his way.
Jack leaned against the doorframe, pocketing the access card. "War it is, then."
The System chimed coldly.
[Major Quest Unlocked: Rivalry]
[Objective: Outmaneuver Marcus | Claim Assets | Survive Clash]
[Reward: +2000 XP | Hidden Perk Roll]
Jack's reflection in the cracked mirror caught his grin.
"Let's play."