The Heart System Chapter 3
Previously on The Heart System...
The piercing ring of my phone alarm jolted me awake. Pain throbbed in my ribs, though my eye was okay, and rays of sunlight sliced through the window blinds. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I drew in sharp breaths.
"Oh god... what the hell happened..." I whispered, trembling. "Oh... just a nightmare. Damn. Nightmare. Fine... fine, Evan. Fine."
Clearing my head with a shake, I focused on routine stuff: I pulled a beer from the refrigerator—my standard morning drink—and cracked it open. Resting against the kitchen counter, I ignited a cigarette, watching the smoke drift lazily to the pane.
"I’m... trembling. Better sit down."
I dropped onto the bed's edge, pulse still racing wildly, perspiration sticking to my neck's nape. My fingers quivered slightly while I struggled to steady my breathing.
"Whew... alright, alright," I said to myself, bending forward with elbows on thighs. "It was only a dream. Nothing more."
Silence filled the room, broken only by the distant city buzz beyond the glass and my uneven breaths. I shut my eyes briefly, attempting to slow my frantic heart.
Then, it materialized.
Suspended in the air before me, a see-through panel flickered to life. Precise borders, gentle glow framing the words. At the top, my complete name shone brightly:
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EVAN MARLOWE
Welcome.
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I rubbed my eyes and pulled back a bit, reaching to massage my forehead. "What in the world...?" I breathed.
The panel throbbed softly, as if anticipating my reaction. This wasn't a dream. It was... real. Insistent, demanding my notice.
Releasing a deep sigh, I squinted suspiciously. "Fine... steady on, Evan. No panicking. So... what exactly is this?"
The text gleamed once more, alluring and persuasive, pulling me in with irresistible intrigue.
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Current Stats:
Strength: 1
Charm: 1
Libido: 1
Pleasure: 1
You have 3 points to distribute.
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Blinking hard, I shifted back on the bed's rim. "Hold on... what on earth is going on?" I grumbled, scrubbing at my face. "Points? Stats? Is this... like a video game or something?"
I gawked at the display, utterly confused. My hand reached out tentatively, as if to touch it, yet it did nothing. "Easy now, Evan. Likely just... seeing things? Right... seeing things."
A sudden rap at the door interrupted my confusion, snapping my focus away. I sighed heavily, hauling myself upright.
"Hold on!" I shouted, shuffling to the entrance. I yanked it wide.
There stood Jasmine. My neighbor from next door. She lounged against the doorway, cigarette dangling, flashing a relaxed grin.
"Hey, spare any sugar?" she inquired, tone silky. "I’m baking a cake, but... yeah, I’m out."
Her appearance scrambled my thoughts. Then I spotted it—a faint, hovering label right over her head. Inside, her full name glowed: JASMINE MARQUEZ, accompanied by a small, hollow heart icon.
I hesitated, eyes widening. "Er... sugar, sure," I managed, hiding my shock. "One moment."
I headed to the kitchen, snatched a packet of sugar, and passed it to her.
Jasmine shifted closer, balancing the packet on her hip. Her attire was typical for her: a loose silk robe, loosely fastened, sliding from one shoulder to reveal the black lace bra underneath, just skimming her curves. Her shorts were minuscule, hinting at the soft skin of her legs.
"Appreciate it," she replied, pulling the packet with a playful grin.
"Anytime," I responded, rubbing my neck awkwardly. "Cake baking... interesting. Feels kinda... homey."
She chuckled, low and warm. "Yep, no teasing. Us working girls need a treat occasionally too."
The label above her pulsed subtly, that vacant heart catching my gaze repeatedly. I fought to ignore it, though questions simmered inside.
"Thanks once more," she added, fixing her robe with a cunning wink before retreating. "If the cake’s any good, you might get a slice..."
"Sounds good."
"Ugh, my back is killing me."
"What happened?"
"Ah forget it... wait, your eye seems... different?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah, it must be the poor lighting. Anyway, see ya."
"R-right. See you." I stuttered, closing the door softly, my thoughts racing back to the luminous panel and the blank heart.
Plopping onto the sofa, I let out a slow breath, pressing fingers to my temples. My brain wouldn't settle—this device? Points? Stats? Abilities?
As though responding to my turmoil, the see-through panel reappeared, drifting close to my face, sensing my desire to view it anew.
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Current Stats:
Strength: 1
Charm: 1
Libido: 1
Pleasure: 1
You have 3 points to distribute.
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"Alright... alright. How do I handle this? What does it signify? Strength? Charm? Libido? Pleasure?" I wiped my face, fixating on the figures. It all seemed nonsensical.
Time ticked by. I drummed fingers on my knee, mulling over options in silence. Perhaps a dream... or illusion... or some odd gadget...
At last, shrugging in a mix of intrigue and resignation, I grumbled, "Fine... whatever. Let’s test this panel out."
I gestured mentally—or tried to, unclear on the method—and allocated one point to Strength, the other two to Charm.
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Current Stats:
Strength: 2
Charm: 3
Libido: 1
Pleasure: 1
Points to distribute: 0
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Are you sure? (Yes / No)
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I gazed at the flashing query for what felt like ages. "Yes... yes, why not?" I voiced, mentally selecting "Yes" as if it were inevitable.
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Points assigned successfully.
Current Stats:
Strength: 2
Charm: 3
Libido: 1
Pleasure: 1
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The panel flashed briefly and vanished, leaving me staring blankly ahead. I had no words for it. No way to make sense of it. Yet... it quickened my heartbeat, as if I'd stepped over an unseen line into unknown territory.
Breathing out deeply, I reclined. "That was bizarre. Wonder what it'll bring next."
Glancing at my phone, I stiffened. Damn. Late again.
I snatched my jacket off the chair and pulled it over me, wrestling with the zipper. Shoes loosely tied, hair tousled from the night, but no moment to fix it.
I dashed from the apartment, door latching behind, hurrying to the bus stop with my bag slapping my back. The urban air carried its usual mix—fumes, sizzling eats, a whiff of cologne from a stranger—but I tuned it out, absorbed in my rushed pace.
At the stop, I glanced at the clock once more, forcing calm. Then... the see-through panel surfaced again, lingering near my vision as if expectant.
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Daily Task:
Compliment 5 women
Reward: 32 XP
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I gaped at it. Blinked repeatedly. Gaped again.
Fixing on the suspended display, I blinked in utter astonishment. Compliment five women? Utterly ridiculous. I'd never been the type to chat up ladies so boldly. I stuck to my own space, spoke sparingly, kept interactions brief. Figuring out how to dole out praises as this demanded was a mystery.
Raking fingers through my locks, I nodded. Okay, ridiculous or otherwise, it seemed I had to uncover this system's truth.
The bus's growl broke my reverie. Doors wheezed apart, and I boarded, nudging through the throng.
I collapsed into a spot, dropping my bag beside me. Thoughts kept returning to the mission. Compliment five women. 32 XP.
Muttering under my breath, I shook my head. "Fine, mysterious panels. Time to find out your secrets."
The vehicle lurched forward, city glows streaking by as urban frenzy engulfed me.
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