I woke up to the smell of sizzling eggs and spiritual regret.
My body ached in ways that weren't entirely physical.My mind felt like it had been dragged through ten levels of horny enlightenment and left to dry in a lavender-scented towel.
The futon was still warm.The air was thick with leftover Yin.And Ms. Seo was already in the kitchen, humming.
Wearing pajama shorts.
Just pajama shorts.
And a tank top that had absolutely lost the war with gravity.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
HOST YIN EXPOSURE: EXTENDED – RESIDUAL EFFECTS ACTIVE
CURRENT STATE: DAZED + AROUSED + HUNGRY
SUGGESTED ACTION: EAT FOOD. NOT LANDLADY.
"Good morning," she said, glancing over her shoulder as she flipped the eggs."Did you sleep well?"
"Define 'sleep.'"My voice cracked. I coughed to recover."I mean yes. Very. Peaceful. Enlightening, even."
She smiled — that soft, I-definitely-know-what-you're-thinking smile.
"Good. You radiated a lot of energy last night. The room feels warmer."
Yeah. That was me. Just radiating cultivation pressure. Definitely not sweating bullets and edging into the spirit realm.
She placed a plate in front of me.
Eggs. Toast. Sliced avocado.MILF-made perfection.
And then — as if scripted by destiny itself — the front door opened.
"Seo-ya~ You decent?"
The voice echoed through the hallway.
I froze.
That voice. That sultry, wine-marinated voice.
Hye-Ra.
Ms. Seo's friend.High heels. Expensive perfume.Personality? Chaotic cougar.
She entered the kitchen wearing a tight dress, sunglasses (indoors again), and a bottle of wine in one hand.
At 8:13 AM.
"Oh?" she said, spotting me. "The cute tenant. Still alive, I see."
"Good morning, Ms. Hye-Ra," I said politely.
"No need to be formal. You can call me 'Noona.'"
"Isn't that—"
"Or 'Mistress.' Depends how dinner goes."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
YIN-RICH ENTITY: HYE-RA DETECTED
AFFINITY: HIGH
COMPATIBILITY: 89% – FLIRTATION MODE ENABLEDNEW QUEST AVAILABLE: "THE WINE TEST"
OBJECTIVE: Share a drink. Survive the seduction.
"I came to borrow some kitchen space," she said, sauntering past Ms. Seo."I've got a date tonight, and I want to test my new garlic seduction recipe."
"You have a date?" Ms. Seo asked.
"Not yet. But if this one doesn't work…"She looked at me."…I may experiment on the boy."
I almost choked on my toast.
She uncorked the bottle with a perfect wrist flick, poured herself a glass, and took a long sip.Then leaned in toward me.
"You smell different," she murmured. "Stronger. Less… pathetic."
"Thank you?" I offered.
"You're… glowing. Have you been meditating? Or is our little Yura giving you private lessons?"
Ms. Seo coughed.
"He joined yoga. He's a fast learner."
"Mmm."Hye-Ra sipped again. Her gaze lingered."So fast, he's already radiating Yin echoes?"
[SYSTEM INTERNAL PANIC MODE]
MILF-MILF TENSION LEVEL: RISING
YIN FLARE DETECTED: SMALL RIVALRY EMERGING
WARNING: DOUBLE CULTIVATION PATH COULD UNLOCK EARLY IF… "CROSS-FIRE EVENT" OCCURS
"Would you like to help me cook later?" Hye-Ra asked me suddenly."I could use a strong pair of hands."
"He's already helping me fix the utility sink," Ms. Seo said sweetly."Maybe next time."
The air grew heavier than the toast I was trying not to choke on.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
NEW SUB-ARC INITIATED: "WINE VS. YOGA"
CHOOSE A SIDE, OR BALANCE BOTH FOR MAXIMUM CULTIVATION GAIN
NEXT STEP: DINNER INVITATION FROM HYE-RA INCOMING. STAY SHARP.
"I'll be downstairs later," Hye-Ra said, turning toward the door."If you feel like tasting something spicy."
She winked.
Then left.Her heels echoed like war drums.
Ms. Seo sighed, stirring her tea.
"She's always like that. Dramatic."
"Right. Totally. I didn't notice anything… aggressive at all."
She leaned over to collect my plate.
"Be careful," she whispered close to my ear."She plays games she doesn't warn you about."
I swallowed.
"So do you," I muttered without thinking.
She paused.
Then smiled.
And said nothing.
[SYSTEM QUEST UPDATE]
HYE-RA EVENT UNLOCKED: "DRINK, DICE, AND DESIRE"
OPTIONAL NIGHT SCENE AVAILABLE – BEGINNING PHASE 0: "THE WINE CHALLENGE"
I came here for cheap rent.Now I was being spiritually seduced by a yoga MILF… and hunted by her wine-summoning bestie.
Was I complaining?
No.
Was I terrified?
Also no.
Because deep down, I knew the truth:
This was my cultivation path now.
And I was about to get drunk on destiny.