The punch connected and his bone crunched under Yuki's knuckles, blood spraying from the bigger guy's destroyed nose as he stumbled backward screaming with both hands clutching his face. The crowd went silent and then erupted into chaos while Yuki stood there with System notifications plastered across his vision, blocking out half the world while people shouted around him.
A teacher walked past without slowing, glancing at the blood pooling on floor, she called over her shoulder. "Don't bleed on the carpet."
That was it. No concern, no consequences, just a reminder about the carpet while the guy's friends dragged him toward the nurse's office throwing threats nobody cared about. This was J High apparently, where fights happened and teachers kept walking like it was just another Tuesday morning.
Zack appeared first with his jaw hanging open.
"Yo what the fuck, that was INSANE, I didn't know you could punch like that!" His voice cracked with pure shock and he looked torn between wanting to meet Yuki and wanting to run, which was probably smart survival instinct. "Where'd you learn to fight?!"
Mira grabbed Yuki's hand to check for damage but his knuckles were barely bruised, already healing faster than they should with Recovery Enhancement working without him consciously activating it.
Then Daniel appeared and his face had gone the color of old paper.
"Yuki....." Daniel's voice came out careful. "Maybe we should go to class now."
The System notifications dimmed enough for Yuki to actually see and he caught Daniel's expression, pure fear mixed with betrayal written across his handsome face. Daniel's shoulders were tense and he kept careful distance as they walked away from the scene, maintaining space between them that felt almost insulting.
The whispers followed them down the hallway. Transfer student. Pretty face. Broke Min-soo's nose. Didn't even look angry.
Other students parted around Yuki and Daniel looked like he was sweating through his uniform despite the pleasant weather outside, Yuki realized with cold clarity that Daniel was being bothered by this, had he been too violent, oh god he probably was. oh no, no, no. Yuki did not looked daniel in the eye after that.
Yuki escaped to the school roof during lunch, the door swung shut behind him with a hollow click that echoed across the empty space. Finally he could read the System notifications with peace.
"Can I please just read these now?"
The System's voice appeared in his head with that usual amused tone. "Took you long enough, Host. Enjoying your new reputation as a violent delinquent?~~"
"Shut up and let me see my stats." he remarked
STATUS WINDOW
NAME: Nakamura Yuki
LEVEL: 11
TITLE: Graduate
WORLD: Lookism Universe - Seoul, South Korea
LUST POINTS: 570 LP
STATISTICS:
STRENGTH: 12
DEXTERITY: 12
ADAPTABILITY: 18
CHARM: 25
"Look at you with actual muscle now! That 12 Strength is why you broke that asshole's nose. Normal human baseline is 5-7 so you're almost double that!!"
Yuki stared at the numbers and felt the same as always, weak and fragile and small, but apparently the stats didn't lie about his capability.
"I'm stronger than normal people?"
"Significantly! Though compared to Lookism fighters you're still a baby. Gun Park probably has 50+ Strength minimum. But hey, you can defend yourself against regular assholes at least."
[SKILLS - DETAILED VIEW]
1. Charm Aura (Level 1) - Passive
Effect: +5 Charm to base stat, passive aura makes people naturally drawn to you.
Drawbacks: Unwanted attention, jealousy, difficulty being taken seriously.
2. Desire Manifestation (Level 1) - Active
Create small objects by spending LP. Cost: 10-100 LP depending on item. Current limit: Objects up to 10kg.
3. Body Sensitivity Enhancement - Passive
All physical sensations heightened by 50%. Pleasant touches feel better, painful ones hurt more.
4. Sexual Endurance - Passive
Increased stamina during sexual activities, harder to exhaust, recovery time decreased.
5. Pleasure Sense (Level 1) - Active
Detect weak points and vulnerable areas on targets, works for combat by identifying pressure points and nerve clusters.
6. Sensitivity Detection (Level 1) - Active
Read surface emotions and immediate intentions from others. Range: 10 meters.
7. Recovery Enhancement - Passive
Natural healing 30% faster, bruises fade quicker, cuts close faster.
8. Pain Tolerance (Level 5) - Passive
Reduced pain sensation by 50%, can function through injuries better.
9. Clean Backdoor - Passive
No prep needed for anal activities.
Yuki's face went red despite being alone.
The System Store opened next.
[SYSTEM STORE]
COMBAT:
Basic Fighting Manual - 500 LP
Random martial arts Fundamentals - 300 LP
Weapon Proficiency: Knife - 800 LP
Advanced Combat Style: Taekwondo - 2,000 LP
UTILITY:
Language Pack: Chinese - 200 LP
Skill Level-Up Token - 200 LP
Stat Point Token - 100 LP
World Knowledge: Lookism - 500 LP
RECOVERY:
HP Potion - 50 LP
Stamina Potion - 50 LP
Cure Ailments - 100 LP
SPECIAL:
Random Skill Book - 1,000 LP
Appearance Modifier - 300 LP
"You have 570 LP," the System said helpfully. "You could buy Basic Fighting Manual or gamble on Random Skill Book."
[GACHA SYSTEM]
PULL OPTIONS:
Common Pull: 100 LP - 70% common, 25% uncommon, 5% rare
Rare Pull: 500 LP - 40% uncommon, 45% rare, 15% epic
Epic Pull: 1,000 LP - Guaranteed rare or better
Lucky Draw (Daily): FREE - One per day
"You have ONE free pull available!"
"Gambling, really?" he muttered
"It's fun and you might get something amazing or complete trash, that's the thrill! my sweet boy, welcome to the word of red and black"
"I'll think about it...."
The Path selection screen filled his vision with six options that would permanently define his existence in this world.
Yuki read through them carefully this time. Path of Pleasure's Command focused on sexual domination and control. Path of the Master combined sexual and combat power with massive physical boosts. Both were Dominant paths and both made his stomach turn because he couldn't be that person naturally no matter how hard he tried.
The Submissive paths spoke to something in him he didn't want to examine. Path of Sweet Surrender promised power through yielding. Path of the Doll offered identity through service. Part of him wanted that desperately but he'd already seen where that led with Mizuki, with people who saw submission as weakness to exploit.
Path of the Survivor focused on using sex as strategic tool while maintaining emotional distance. It was practical and cold but probably smart.
But Path of Balanced Desire caught his attention and wouldn't let go. Walk between dominance and submission based on situation, learn to read what each encounter needs and adapt, switch between control and surrender while keeping your core intact.
He thought about the past week carefully. Surviving on Seoul's streets with nothing. Camping outside Daniel's apartment because he had nowhere else to go. Being strong enough to break someone's nose but weak enough that everyone was shocked by it.
He couldn't be Gun Park or Goo Kim, couldn't match their natural dominance even with stat boosts because that wasn't who he was. But he also couldn't be weak anymore, couldn't let people push him around, couldn't run from every threat.
"What do you think?"
System: "Me? well based on your past record i would say you should completely ignore the dominance stuff for now, the submission paths are the better suited ones for you but you gotta be all emotional and stuff so that's a no no, the mix is what's left" Yuki could just imagine the system shrugging
The System went quiet and when it spoke again the teasing tone was gone. "Balanced Desire is the hardest path because most people can't handle switching between roles without losing themselves. It requires compartmentalization and flexibility and willingness to be multiple things~"
Yuki selected Path of Balanced Desire and committed before he could second-guess himself.
PATH SELECTED: PATH OF BALANCED DESIRE
CATEGORY: NEUTRAL/MIXED
WARNING: SELECTION IS PERMANENT
CONFIRMING CHOICE...
Light erupted around Yuki in waves he could see but nobody else would notice, golden and silver mixing together and flowing through him in currents that weren't painful but were intense. It settled into his bones and muscles, something fundamental shifted in how his body understood itself.
STAT CHANGES:
STRENGTH: 12 -15 (+3)
DEXTERITY: 12 - 16 (+4)
CHARM: 25 - 28 (+3)
ADAPTABILITY: 18 - 22 (+4)
PATH LOCKED IN
NEW PASSIVE ABILITIES UNLOCKED:
1. Adaptive Charm (Basic - Level 1)
Switch between appearing vulnerable and confident on will, Charm Aura now has flexibility in multiple directions.
2. Situation Reading (Basic - Level 1)
Enhanced Sensitivity Detection, heightened survival instinct reads danger with precision. Range: 15 meters.
3. Flexible Response (Basic - Level 1)
Body adapts to sexual encounters regardless of role, can excel giving or receiving, removes mental blocks about position or dominance.
SKILL TREE UNLOCKED
The System displayed a branching progression tree.
BASIC TIER (Current):
Adaptive Charm (Unlocked)
Situation Reading (Unlocked)
Flexible Response (Unlocked)
APPRENTICE TIER (Unlocks Level 5-6):
Dual Nature
Power Balance
Combat Adaptation
MASTER TIER (Unlocks Level 7-9):
Emotional Mastery
Partner Reading
Seamless Switch
GRANDMASTER TIER (Level 10):
???????????????
Description locked
Yuki clicked on the Grandmaster tier and a partial description appeared: "Persona Shift - Unlock your true self. All doubt, self-hatred, shyness, and insecurity locked away. Access a version of yourself free from limitation."
"What is that?"
System: "Spoilers! You'll discover it naturally as you progress. For now just know you chose a path that lets you be whoever you need to be in any situation."
FIRST PATH QUEST APPEARED:
[QUEST: EMBRACE THE BALANCE Prove your versatility as someone who walks between worlds.]
[OBJECTIVES: ]
[1. Submit to someone stronger and gain their favor (0/1)]
[2. Dominate someone weaker and establish control (0/1)]
[3. Win a fight by adapting mid-combat (0/1)
[TIME LIMIT: 7 Days]
[REWARDS: 500 XP, 200 LP, Adaptive Charm Level 2, 1 Stat Point
[FAILURE: Path locked 72 hours, -5 to all stats]
Yuki stared at the requirements. Submit to someone stronger, that was something he could probably do naturally because Lookism wasn't short on people stronger than him. Dominate someone weaker felt strange because he'd never been good at asserting himself over people even when he had the advantage. Win a fight by adapting would require actually fighting someone multiple times and shifting strategies mid-combat.
"This is going to be complicated."
System: "That's why it's the hardest path but also the most rewarding. You're not locked into one role so you can be whoever the situation needs without being trapped."
He dismissed the System interface and stood alone on the roof with Seoul sprawling beneath him, the sky darkening toward evening and the air tasting of city smog and fried food from somewhere nearby.
Yuki found Daniel near their classroom after lunch period and Daniel jumped when Yuki approached.
"Oh, Yuki, are you okay?"
Concern was there but also wariness, Daniel's shoulders tense and his posture ready to move if necessary.
"I'm fine.... sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to worry you." His eyes looked down
"That guy.... he deserved it for what he said about both of us, so I'm not mad, just surprised." Daniel studied him carefully, nudging at his shoulder until he was looking at him "Do you know how to fight, actually fight I mean?"
"Not really, I just got lucky with that punch...."
Daniel didn't look like he believed that but he didn't push. "Well if anyone bothers you again let me know and I can help."
"I'll be fine but thank you." he nodded
They started walking together and other students parted around them, whispers following in their wake, this would just fade till the morning so it was not a big deal. Daniel relaxed slightly as they walked but Yuki caught him glancing over every few seconds, there was something almost comical about the wariness in his expression.
Daniel's internal monologue was probably running wild right now. I invited someone into my home who can break noses. She sleeps three feet away from me. What if I accidentally make her angry? What if I snore too loud?
"Happy birthday by the way, sorry it got interrupted." Daniel looked startled, a small gentle smile appeared on his face.
"It's fine, actually it was the most memorable birthday I've ever had so thank you for that." He sighed "The cake this morning meant a lot, really."
They entered their classroom and the day continued with painful normalcy, teachers droning about fashion theory and design principles while Yuki's mind kept drifting to the quest objectives floating at the edge of his vision.
[Author note: i just though of it but isnt it like an omnipotent entertainment for yuki, bored? oh yeah just read all the skills again, it only takes like what 15 min, but boom 15 min ad class is over]
The problem was Yuki had no idea where to even start.
School ended and they walked back to the apartment together in comfortable silence, the afternoon air pleasant and warm without the summer humidity Daniel had complained about before. Other students gave them wide berth on the street and Daniel kept sneaking glances at Yuki when he thought Yuki wasn't looking.
"You can just ask," Yuki said finally.
"Ask what?"
"Whatever you're thinking about. You keep staring." he gave him a side eye
Daniel's face went slightly red. "I'm not staring, I'm just... processing. You seem so quiet and gentle but then this morning you just demolished that guy and I'm trying to reconcile those two things in my head."
"I don't like fighting," Yuki said honestly. "But he was being an asshole and I reacted without thinking..... im sorry"
Daniel quickly raised his hand, shaking his head violently
"No no no! don't be sorry, that guy honestly had it coming. I was just surprised since you don't look that strong, but of course that is my narrow vision. Im sorry. Also with the strength you have, maybe your a natural talent huh? "
Yuki shook his head, he had 12 Strength from a sex-based System that had transported him to a manhwa universe, but he couldn't exactly explain that to Daniel.
They reached their small house, shack? Daniel unlocking the door and stepped inside first. Little Daniel was still sleeping on the futon, curled up in his work uniform and looking exhausted even in sleep.
Yuki changed in the bathroom while Daniel made instant ramen for dinner they ate sitting on the floor with the tiny TV playing some Korean drama neither of them were really watching.
"So," Daniel said carefully between bites of noodles. "Are you going to tell me why you were camping outside my building?"
The question hung in the air and Yuki's stomach twisted. He'd known this was coming eventually, Daniel had said he wouldn't pry for now but that deadline was clearly approaching fast.
"I was running from something," Yuki said quietly. "Someone, actually. Back in Japan."
Daniel waited without pushing.
"There was a girl who became obsessed with me and things got bad fast..... really bad, and I needed to leave before it got worse." The words came out easier than expected, maybe because Daniel had already shown he could be trusted with vulnerability. "The System offered me a way out and I took it without really thinking about consequences."
"The System?"
Shit. Yuki's brain caught up to his mouth and he scrambled for an explanation. "Just what I call it, the thing that transported me here, I don't really understand how it works."
"Anyways, Things got really bad and I just needed to leave, needed to be somewhere she couldn't find me." Yuki's voice cracked slightly. "So I ran and ended up here without really thinking it through and then I had nowhere to go."
"That's why you were outside for three days?"
"Yeah." Yuki finally looked up and Daniel's expression was strange. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, I just didn't know how to explain it without sounding insane."
"You don't sound insane." Daniel set his bowl down. "You sound like someone who was in a bad situation and did what you had to do to survive. That's not crazy, that's smart."
Yuki's throat felt tight and he nodded without trusting his voice.
"You're safe here," Daniel added quietly. "For whatever that's worth. She can't reach you in Seoul and you've got a place to stay now so you don't have to run anymore."
The words settled into Yuki's chest and loosened something that had been clenched tight since he arrived in this world. He wasn't alone anymore, wasn't just surviving day to day without anyone who cared if he disappeared.
"Thank you," Yuki whispered. "For everything, really."
Daniel smiled and it reached his eyes this time. "That's what friends do."
They finished eating in comfortable silence after that, and Yuki felt lighter than he had in weeks.
They finished eating in silence and cleaned up together, moving around each other in the small space with increasing familiarity. Little Daniel woke up around eight and immediately switched with Big Daniel, and Yuki pretended not to notice the transition even though he'd seen it happen dozens of times now.
Yuki lay on his blanket nest that night staring at the ceiling while Daniel slept on the futon a few feet away, breathing steady and even in the darkness.
His phone buzzed on the floor next to him and Yuki grabbed it, expecting spam or maybe a message from one of his classmates. Instead the screen showed a notification from an unknown number.
[Unknown]: Heard you made quite the impression today, pretty boy. Broke Min-soo's nose without breaking a sweat. Impressive for someone who looks like they'd shatter in a strong wind.]
Yuki stared at the message and his Situation Reading skill activated automatically, but it couldn't work through text messages to identify intent. He typed back carefully.
[Yuki]: Who is this?]
The response came almost immediately.
[Unknown]: Someone who's interested in seeing what else you can do. J High's full of weaklings who can't back up their pretty faces but you might be different. Meet me on the roof tomorrow during lunch if you're not scared.]
The message ended with a location pin for the school roof and then nothing else. Yuki's heart hammered against his ribs and he considered ignoring it, considered telling Daniel, considered running.
But running was what old Yuki would do. Path of Balanced Desire required him to assess situations and choose appropriate responses, and whoever this was had clearly seen him fight this morning and wanted to test him further.
This could be his chance to complete one of the quest objectives. Even get himself into the lookism world
Yuki typed back before he could overthink it.
[Yuki]: I'll be there.]
He set his phone down and stared at the ceiling again, wondering if he'd just made a terrible mistake or taken the first real step toward surviving in this world.
The apartment was quiet except for Daniel's breathing and the distant sounds of Seoul traffic outside, Yuki closed his eyes and tried to sleep despite the anxiety coiling in his stomach.
Tomorrow would bring answers.