The Newt and Demon - Chapter 4: Pay your debts

One day, the whole world gamified in the eyes of Su Mo.Not only could he use his lifespan to draw cards, but he could also see the hidden attributes of every item in life.As such, when he looked at the hanging lamp above him, he saw:[Item: An old hanging lamp][Hint: It will drop after one minute and seven seconds.]When he looked at his right arm, he saw:[Item: The right arm of a young man][Hint: The grip strength of his right arm is 3% stronger than that of his left arm due to continuous training.]When he looked at the ginseng on the table, he saw:[Item: A stalk of wild ginseng][Hint: It is tinted with a layer of source power. Consuming it could make you feel energized.]…Excited, Su Mo rushed to meet his girlfriend, who was a school beauty and had just agreed to date him.He then saw a bright red HP bar on top of her head.[Item: A very thirsty fox demon][Hint: You might not be able to put up a fight against her.]

“What should I do with your tantrums? I’m too busy right now to be by your side.” Well, since entering the dungeon, I hadn’t really paid proper attention to Cha Sahyeon due to being occupied with various things. It was a golden opportunity to make my face known by Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon, the targets of the main quest, not to mention the unexpected participation of the Ronic Guild in the raid. Cha Sahyeon seemed to have caught my playful murmurs as his shoulders trembled. Eventually, I heard his subdued voice: “…Don’t go.” “What?” Leaning against my shoulder, Cha Sahyeon stared at me intensely. “Don’t go.” “…!” For a moment, a strange light seemed to flicker in Cha Sahyeon’s green eyes directed at me. Simultaneously, a loud notification sound echoed around us.

In a world where failure is almost guaranteed, the game I now find myself in has a staggering 99.9% chance of defeat. Every choice brings chaos, and every road leads to disaster. No one has ever beaten it—it's infamous for being impossible to clear. But somehow, against all odds, I've transmigrated into this cursed game.Worse yet, I've taken over the body of Max, a minor character whose role is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In the original story, Max is destined to die—nothing more than a forgettable extra lost in the background, a mere footnote in the epic tale of others.Frustration hit me hard as I realized I was trapped in this dead-end character. My doom felt inevitable, and every instinct told me to give up. What hope did I have in a world where even the strongest could barely survive?But just as despair was about to swallow me whole, a System suddenly activated, turning everything on its head. Along with the System came a peculiar ability:[Charm]It wasn't some overpowered skill designed for combat or survival. No, it was something entirely different, yet equally powerful in its own right.[Charm: Increase favorability as more women are captivated by your presence.]This was my key to survival.Through this strange, almost ridiculous skill, I realized that I could change my fate. The powerful female characters, once unreachable in the original storyline, could now be influenced. If I could make them favor me, their strength, influence, and protection would be mine.But it wouldn’t be easy. Each of these women had their own complex personalities, histories, and goals. They were dangerous, capable of crushing me in an instant if I misstepped. But with charm on my side, I might just be able to win them over—and in doing so, alter my destiny.What was once a game of certain death had now become a gamble of life and affection. Every conversation, every interaction, would determine whether I live or die. My charm was my weapon, and it would be the only thing standing between me and the grim fate that awaited Max.Now, with my new plan in motion, I’ll have to navigate the intricate web of relationships and alliances while avoiding the countless threats looming over me. The odds are still stacked against me, but for the first time since I arrived, I can see a glimmer of hope.If I can make the right moves, charm the right people, and avoid the pitfalls, I might just survive this nightmare.Or better yet, thrive.This is my one chance at life in a world of inevitable ruin, and I’ll do whatever it takes to change my story.

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. “Sign the contract,” he said, his voice like ice. “30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free.”She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. “And if I refuse?”His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice.”Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. “You think you can control me?” she spat, after he criticized her for being late.Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you.”But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. “Why do you fight me so much?”Her voice trembled. “Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you.”Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. “Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?”His eyes darkened with pain. “You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real.”As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?