I wanted nothing but to go home.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only two months to live. It was then that the system sent me an invitation.

As long as I completed the mission in this world, I could return to reality and regain my health. I agreed without hesitation.

Like a parched traveler discovering an oasis, I threw myself entirely into the conquest. As long as it could increase Jake's affection for me, I was willing to set aside my pride and become the woman he wanted.

Over the past three years, Jake's affection level for me had constantly risen and fallen. Every time it dropped, I would replay every moment in my mind, searching for where I might have gone wrong. I addressed each flaw, examining them one by one.

Whenever my progress rose again, it proved I had done the right thing. By following this method, I became Jake's ideal girlfriend. Before long, my score reached 99%.

This time was no different. As long as I perfected the art of pleasing Jake in bed, I was convinced I could win back his love.

I threw myself entirely into this pursuit. I watched adult films, read erotic stories, and even bought research books.

Some of my recent studies included "A Complete Guide to Physical Intimacy", "The Intimacy Files", and "An Introduction to Human Desire". I approached the study of human intimacy and desire with the mindset of a dedicated researcher.

Still, I knew that learning theory alone wouldn't suffice. With this in mind, I decided to visit the nightclub to observe how men and women interacted. But as I passed a private lounge, I caught Jake's boastful remarks.

Although my original goal had been to master the art of flirtation, my intentions had now changed.

Wiping the tears from my face, I summoned the system for the first time in a long while. "System, I want to go home. Please help me terminate this mission."

After what I had just witnessed, the bitter reality finally sank in. With Jake, I would never succeed. I was chasing the carrot he kept dangling in front of me.

Instead of staying here and letting him continue to toy with me, I would rather go back and spend the last two months of my life with my parents.

But the moment the system heard my decision, its shrill voice cut through the air. "Terminate this mission? Are you serious? You're the top performer in this batch of transmigrators!"

I was stunned. "Top performer?"

"That's right! I've been counting on you to complete this mission so I can finally claim my bonus and retire! If you quit, how am I ever supposed to retire?"

"Wait, I still don't get it." I opened the status panel and double-checked the numbers. "Jake's affection level for me is only 60% right now. With a score this low, how could I possibly be number one?"

The system let out a snort. "Who says affection levels determine rankings? That's an old-fashioned method from the previous systems. There's no scientific basis for it at all.

"Each mission carries its own difficulty level. Some people start with an affection level of 90%, while others begin in the negatives. It would obviously be unfair to judge success solely by reaching 100% affection.

"Because of this, the new generation of systems measures performance by the range of affection fluctuations. The larger the fluctuation, the stronger your influence over the other person.

"Emma, Jake's affection level for you has been swinging back and forth like a pendulum. It shows just how much you're on his mind. He's probably uncertain about what to do next.

"Now that's the mark of true success!"

I was stunned by the system's words. Even so, I understood its meaning. With Jake having the power to adjust my score, my numbers fluctuated wildly.

He had planned to manipulate me like a pawn, but his approach ended up perfectly matching the system's new standards. Because of this, I took first place among the other contenders.

Thanks to this unexpected turn of events, I was rescued from a dead end.

Seeing my expression soften, the system hurriedly explained, "Emma, each 1% change in affection level gives you one point. Achieving 2,000 points marks a successful conquest, while 5,000 points will win you a ten-million-dollar cash prize! We can split it right down the middle.

"You're just 666 points away from 5,000! Are you seriously going to pass up this golden opportunity?"

"Wait, doesn't that mean that I've already completed my mission? Why didn't you inform me that I could go back to reality and get my health back?" I asked warily.

The system grew embarrassed. "Well… I was hoping to earn that bonus. With your talent, you shot straight to the top of the leaderboard in such a short time. Which system wouldn't be tempted? As long as you put in just a little more effort, earning another 666 points would be a breeze for you!"

A warmth spread through my chest. Amid the surge of emotion, I forced myself to calm down. "Seventy–thirty. I take seventy, you take thirty. Agree, and I’ll keep playing."

"H-How could you—"

"You had better choose your words carefully. If you hadn’t deliberately kept this from me, I’d have gone home long ago. Why would I stay here just to be humiliated?"

The system babbled incoherently. After what felt like an eternity, it finally nodded and shouted toward the sky, "Looks like I ran into a real trickster!"

…

The bathroom was filled with rising steam.

For three years, I had lived every day in constant anxiety, trying every possible way to please Jake.

But now that I knew I was heading home soon, I could truly relax for the first time.

Water streamed down my body, washing away both the grime of the nightclub and Jake's lingering presence.

With a click, the bathroom door handle twisted.

"Who's there?" I quickly grabbed a towel nearby and wrapped it around myself.

"Who else could it be?" Jake said, a chuckle slipping from his lips. He stepped into the bathroom without the slightest hesitation.

At that moment, I suddenly remembered that the door lock had recorded his fingerprint. I hadn't gotten around to removing it yet.

"Get out! Can't you see I'm taking a shower?" I snapped.

Jake, however, didn't take me seriously. Just as he raised an eyebrow, I noticed that my progress bar had ticked up by 1%.

"And why can't I look at you? Weren't you quite enthusiastic before?" He stepped closer, his gaze landing on my bare shoulder. "I haven't seen you in days, Emma-Bear. Are you sure you can resist me?"

Whenever situations like this came up, I would usually swallow my anger and follow Jake's lead. After all, I couldn't afford to see my scores drop.

But now, things were different. I no longer cared whether his affection level for me was high or low. All that mattered was that it kept fluctuating.

Without warning, I grabbed the showerhead and aimed it right at Jake. Water splashed across him, leaving his carefully styled hair drenched.

"Get out!" I repeated.

Jake wiped the water from his face. When he looked up, impatience shone in his eyes. "Damn it, Emma! You know I don't like this whole 'playing hard to get' routine. We'll have a proper conversation once you start behaving."

Without uttering a single word, I stared at him, my expression growing colder.

Jake's brows furrowed, but after a moment, a confident smile spread across his face. As he flicked his fingers in the air, my progress fell by 10%.

In the past, a decline this significant would have thrown me into a panic. I would have compromised my own boundaries just to win him back.

Jake's smile remained fixed on his face. Out of nowhere, he placed a gift box on the sink. "I bought this for you. After your shower, put it on and let me have a look."

He swung the door open and walked out confidently. Once he was gone, I went to the box and opened it. It contained a set of alluring lingerie and black stockings.

It was obvious that Jake had come to test the results of his so-called "training".

As I picked up the sheer black fabric, a wave of disgust stirred within me.

Spinning on my heel, I reached for a turtleneck sweater and a pair of jeans from the back of the wardrobe. At the same time, I grabbed the black-rimmed glasses Jake despised most.

After wrapping myself from head to toe, I pushed open the bedroom door.

Jake was leaning against the windowsill, a lighter perched between his fingers. The tiny flame wavered and flickered in his grasp.

The instant he noticed my attire, he abruptly extinguished the lighter.

"What game are you trying to play now?" Veins bulged along his neck as he stared at my fully covered figure. "Where's the lingerie I gave you?"