Farmboy becomes King with the Lust System

Jae was out cold, sprawled across the too-soft bed in his new castle room, when a sharp ding yanked him from sleep.

His eyes snapped open, heart jackhammering in his chest as a familiar green glow lit up the darkness. The Lust System. Its glowing panels hovered like a neon sign in a dive bar, casting weird shadows across the stone walls and the sparse furniture, a rickety chair, a small table, and his sad pile of clothes in the corner.

"Oh, come on, not now," he groaned, his voice rough and thick with sleep, barely loud enough to disturb the heavy silence of the castle. He rubbed his face and squinted at the notification pulsing in the air like it was mocking him.

He swiped at the air, pulling up the interface, and the map flared to life. A red dot blinked like a warning light, marking the same damn cave he'd been to before, that spider-infested nightmare where he'd hacked through hairy legs and dodged screeching fangs.

"How the hell am I supposed to get there from this freaking castle?" he muttered, his breath puffing out in the chilly room. The cave was miles away, tucked in the jagged hills past the town, far from the castle's iron gates and nosy guards.

Sneaking out of this place was like trying to bust out of a prison, and the thought alone made his stomach knot up.

He flopped back onto the bed, the mattress sinking under him like it was trying to swallow him whole, and stared at the ceiling. Moonlight leaked through the narrow window, painting the stone with silver streaks that danced like ghosts.

What if he just blew it off? Ignored the system, rolled over, and caught some actual sleep for once? The idea was tempting, like skipping a shift at a crap job. He could stay here, cozy in this fancy bed, and pretend the notification never happened. Focus on the academy, on shutting up those stuck-up nobles who looked at him like he was trash.

But something, call it gut instinct or the system's creepy hold on him, made him check the map again. He tapped the interface, his fingers shaky from the cold or maybe nerves, and a new panel popped up. The words hit him like a slap:

<Penalty: All stats will be halved.>

"What the actual fuck?" he hissed, bolting upright so fast the bed creaked like it was pissed. Halved stats? His Strength, sitting at a hard-earned 65, cut to a pathetic 32? His Speed, Stamina, Perception, all slashed in half?

He raked a hand through his messy hair, his mind spinning like a busted tire. He'd fought too damn hard, spilled too much spider guts, to let the system screw him over like this. If he skipped this mission, he'd be crippled, barely able to hold his own against the academy's snobby pricks like Sun.

And what then? Another penalty tomorrow? The day after? He'd end up so weak he couldn't even lift a book, let alone survive the academy's cutthroat vibe.

He'd be back to being Prince Solas, useless, bleeding out in a basement, failing everyone he cared about.

"No way I'm letting that happen," he growled, his jaw so tight it ached. The system was playing dirty, boxing him into a corner like a street fighter with a grudge.

He had no choice but to haul ass to the cave. But getting there? That was a whole other shitshow. The castle was a fortress, crawling with guards who'd probably love to bust a nobody like him, and the distance to the cave was a trek that'd leave him winded even with his boosted stats.

Still, he wasn't about to let the system win. Jae swung his legs off the bed, the cold stone floor biting his bare feet like a warning. He yanked on his clothes and crept to the door, his heart pounding like a drum.

Every step felt like a gamble, like he was about to do something dumber than fighting a giant spider with a bone.

The hallway was dead quiet, the kind of quiet that made every creak sound like a gunshot.

This part of the castle was for maids and losers like him, so no guards patrolled here, thank god. Jae's breath came in short, sharp bursts as he tiptoed down the corridor, his eyes darting to every corner, half-expecting some armored goon to jump out and drag him back to his room.

At the end of the hall, a heavy oak door loomed, its iron hinges glinting like they were daring him to try. Jae peeked around the corner, his pulse hammering so loud he swore they'd hear it.

Two guards stood by the door, their armor clinking faintly as they shifted. One was slouched against the wall, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else, while the other messed with his sword, probably daydreaming about stabbing something.

Jae took a deep breath, trying to channel the confidence he didn't feel, and stepped out, playing it cool. "Hey," he said, his voice steadier than his shaking hands. "I have to head outside to practice. Academy gave me some assignments, and, uh, doing them in here might wreck the place." He flashed a grin, hoping it didn't look as forced as it felt, like he was trying to sell a lie to a cop.

The slouched guard barely looked up, his eyes half-shut like he was already half-asleep.

"Whatever, kid," he mumbled, waving a lazy hand. The door groaned open, the sound scraping Jae's nerves raw. He stepped through, the night air hitting him like a cold slap, and let out a shaky breath.

Well, that was easier than I thought, he thought, his heart slowing for a split second. He took one step forward, ready to bolt for the hills, when a voice sliced through the dark like a knife. "Jae?"

His blood froze. He didn't need to see the guy to know who it was. That smug, annoying voice was unmistakable.

"Oh my god," Jae groaned inside, his heart sinking into his gut like a stone.