The next day, the air felt different to Nathan. He woke not to the system's urgings or plans for revenge, but to an odd silence.
Laura was still asleep beside him, her beautiful face finally at peace. Tina was still dozing on the sofa. For a moment, there was peace in seeing the two of them.
He did something he wouldn't have even considered before. He sat down with Laura for breakfast, talking about their future. "I can't stay with you forever," he said, honestly. "But I want to make sure you and Tina are safe."
Laura looked at him, sad but understanding. "You've already done more than enough, Nathan."
He set aside a substantial amount of money from his almost two billion balance. Enough to pay the down payment on a cozy little house with a garden for Tina, and more importantly, to rent a shop in a strategic location that could be turned into a restaurant.
Laura, it turned out, was a talented cook—a dream buried by a bad marriage.
"Open your restaurant," Nathan said, handing her the documents. "Build something for yourself."
Tears of happiness streamed down Laura's cheeks. She couldn't speak, only hugged him tightly. "I'll never forget what you've done."
Nathan smiled, a sensation that was starting to feel more natural. "Take care of Tina for me."
He left with a strange feeling—a satisfaction that didn't come from the system or money, but from something else.
The feeling of contentment from giving others a happy life.
Today, Nathan strolled through a luxury mall, his new, expensive clothes feeling comfortable against his skin. He was a new man, with money and power, but without a clear purpose. Until his eyes were drawn to a woman.
The woman, though clearly in her mid-forties, possessed an aura of radiant elegance.
Her slightly blonde-tinted hair was neatly styled, her slender body was wrapped in a simple yet elegant beach dress.
She walked with confidence, but Nathan, with his system-enhanced perception, saw something else.
There was tension in her shoulders, a furrow of worry on her smooth forehead, and her sharp eyes concealed a deep weariness.
She was surrounded by an efficient female assistant and three large bodyguards who kept a respectful but watchful distance.
Nathan had no intention of approaching. He was no longer a man looking for trouble. But then, his system reacted.
[Ding! High-value target detected. Identity: Marlyn Chano, high-ranking public official, widow, estimated personal wealth in the trillions. Stress level: Extreme. Source of stress: Sexual blackmail.]
Nathan raised an eyebrow. Blackmail?
[Mission found. Option A: Seduce target's assistant (Name: Jihan, Age: 28). Use Level 2 Bed Power System. Reward: 5,000,000 Rupiah.]
Nathan almost growled. Five million? That was an insult. The system read his mind.
[Option B: Approach and gain the trust of the primary target (Marlyn). Help resolve her blackmail problem. Reward: 2,000,000,000 Rupiah. Bonus: Temporary access to Level 1 Hacking System, Level 1 Occult Detection Expert.]
Two billion. And intriguing bonuses. Nathan glanced again at Marlyn. She looked so alone amidst the crowd and her guards. This was a challenge.
"I choose B," he thought.
[Confirmation received. Downloading target profile Marlyn Chano...]
A wave of information flooded his mind. Marlyn Chano, a leader in the region. Husband died one year ago (accident). Vulnerable, lonely. Young employee, Rahul Sharma (28), from the public relations department, approached romantically.
Suspected of using mid-level love charms. Enticed the target into an intimate relationship, recorded it, and is now blackmailing her. Latest demand: the entire stake in Marlyn's family company is his target Rahul from the very beginning
(Shares worth approximately 500 billion). Threat: will viralize the video if not obeyed.
Nathan whistled softly. Rahul was certainly bold.
[Mission: Gain Marlyn's trust. Neutralize the threat (recover/destroy video, neutralize occult). Rewards will be given after the threat is neutralized and target's trust is earned.]
Nathan knew he couldn't approach her directly. He needed an entrance. His eyes shifted to her assistant, Jihan. That was his way in.
He followed them from a distance, waiting for an opportunity. As Marlyn entered a haute couture boutique, Jihan stopped outside, talking on her phone. She sounded stressed.
"...I know, Ms. Marlyn isn't doing well. Rahul keeps calling... I'm worried..."
Nathan approached, utilizing his Sex Magnetic Aura, turned on at a low level.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice friendly yet authoritative. "Sorry to interrupt. I couldn't help but overhear... is everything alright? Ms. Marlyn seems a bit troubled."
Jihan gasped, closing her phone. She looked at Nathan, and thanks to his aura, her defensiveness melted away. "Oh, it's... it's personal business, sir. But thank you for your concern."
"Nathan," Nathan introduced himself, extending his hand. "And I might be able to help. I... have experience handling complicated situations. Especially with people who want to take advantage of good people."
Jihan shook his hand, and her touch was warm. She hesitated. "I... I don't know, Mr. Nathan. This is very sensitive."
"I understand," Nathan said with sympathy. "But sometimes, a strong leader like her needs someone outside her inner circle to talk to. Someone neutral. If there's anything I can do, even just as a listener..." He handed her his business card—a card the system had created for him, containing a contact number and the vague title "Crisis Management Consultant."
Jihan accepted the card, looking at it. "I'll pass it on, Mr. Nathan. But there are no guarantees."
"That's enough." Nathan nodded politely and left.
The next day, his phone rang. Unknown number.
"Mr. Nathan?" Jihan's nervous voice. "Ms. Marlyn... she wants to meet. But this is highly unusual. She's very desperate."
The meeting was arranged in a hotel suite even more luxurious than Nathan's.
Marlyn received him alone, the bodyguards waiting outside. She looked older than yesterday, the dark circles under her eyes clearly visible.
"Mr. Nathan," she said, her voice flat but authoritative. "Jihan told me about... your unusual approach. Explain why I should trust you."
Nathan sat down opposite her. He wasted no time. "Ms. Marlyn, you are being blackmailed. By Rahul Sharma. He has a video... Inappropriate... and is threatening to release it if you don't hand over your company shares."
Marlyn was stunned, her face paling. Her hands trembled. "How... how could you know?"
"I have sources," Nathan replied. "What matters is, I can help. I can retrieve the video and make sure all copies are destroyed. And I can handle... other 'influences' he might be using on you."
Marlyn looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "The magic... it's real, Mr. Nathan. I'm not an easily fooled woman, but... after my husband died, I was so lonely. He came along, and it felt... different. Like a spell. I was blinded. And now... After I thought about everything" She couldn't continue.
[Activation: Level 1 Occult Detection Expert. Scanning target Marlyn Chano... Scan complete. Residual traces of psychic energy detected. Source: Likely charm or potion given by perpetrator. Strength: Medium. Can be neutralized.]
"Trust me, Ms. Marlyn," Nathan said, his voice reassuring. "I can free you from that. But I need your trust. And access to Rahul."
Marlyn looked at him for a long time, as if trying to see into his soul. Finally, in desperation, she nodded. "What do I have to do?"
Nathan's plan was simple. Marlyn would arrange a meeting with Rahul, to pretend to agree to sign the share transfer documents. Nathan would be there, hidden, with his hacking abilities.