My mother was critically ill, desperately needing a substantial amount of money for treatment.

At my wit's end, my cousin found me, mysteriously saying, "Sis, have you heard of an otome game? The first person to clear it gets a three-million-dollar prize!"

Later, I discovered this otome game, notorious for its extreme difficulty, had been unsolved for three years.

The men to be conquered in the game—a group of serial killers.

The WeChat notification tone rang repeatedly.

"Yvonne, is your fever down?"

"I've bought porridge and medicine, help me open the door later."

"I'll be there in about ten minutes."

The entire chat box was black and white, very odd.

It looked like... some kind of foundation-laying ceremony.

I was startled by my sudden thought.

Then, on my phone screen.

"Darling in the Palm."

"Players need to conquer three NPCs."

"Be aware, before conquering them, NPCs will always harbor murderous intentions towards the player."

"Players must strive to survive throughout the conquest."

The font was creepy and twisted.

Read and burn after reading.

I realized only later, drenched in a cold sweat.

When my cousin found me, she only mentioned it was a romance-focused otome game.

But now, this phone was telling me.

The NPCs I need to conquer would rather kill me.

"Yvonne, I'm here."

"Come open the door."

"Why no reply after reading?"

Damn it!

What kind of ghostly WeChat function is this?

I got up, moved cautiously to the door, and peered through the peephole.

Cedric stood at the door, holding porridge and medicine, eyes fixated on the chat box on his phone screen and mine.

In his other hand.

A slender, shining wire.

The cold light flashed, just before his next message.

I quickly muted my phone.

"Sorry, my fever's really bad."

"Just leave the things at the door, I'll get them later when I feel better."

Outside, he pondered for a moment.

Opened a forum and typed a few words.

"Feverish Doll."

Several photos suddenly popped up.

Familiar.

The girl in the leading photo was stunningly beautiful but looked painfully distressed.

Full of morbidity.

I remembered her.

Before entering the game, I had seen this girl while searching online for tips to clear the game.

She was a famous otome game player with over a million Weibo followers.

However, she suddenly stopped updating three years ago.

Why would her photos appear in the game?

"Heh."

Through the thin door, Cedric chuckled lightly.

"A sick rabbit, I don't like."

Only after he left did my heart slightly settle down.

No wonder no one had cleared it in three years.

You're thinking about falling in love and being adored, but these men are thinking about how to turn you into a doll.

How can I play this?

The three million dollars are beyond my reach.

I quickly returned to bed, trying the method my cousin told me to exit the game.

But after several attempts, nothing happened.

The WeChat interface on the phone was still black and white.

Why did my cousin lie to me?

Just then, the phone beeped again.

"Mr. Grayson: Are you sick?"

"Mr. Grayson: I saw your leave request, need help?"

"Mr. Grayson: If you need me, just say the word, I'm here."

I replied: "I'm much better now, thanks for your concern."

The "typing" indicator appeared and then vanished.

I quickly calmed down.

I must gather information quickly and find a way to clear the game.

The only thing I had was this phone.

I read through all the chat records.

I found a man named "Sebastian."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

His chat box was the only one not in black and white.

Sebastian, 188 cm tall, with a sunny and handsome appearance, waved at me from afar.

Just like a large, friendly golden retriever.

The moment I saw him.

I understood why his chat box wasn't black and white.

The conquest was already complete.

"Sister, let's go, I'll take you to eat."

I was somewhat uncomfortable with Sebastian's enthusiasm.

But his 100% conquest progress was my only safe breakthrough.

"Sister, don't you like it?"

Sebastian looked downcast, his eyes drooping sadly: "I ordered specially based on your preferences."

He was visibly upset: "Is it because you're eating

with me that you can't eat?"

I was lost in thought and also tense from just coming in, not hungry at all.

But looking into Sebastian's eyes, I softened.

However, before I could speak to comfort him.

A cold mechanical voice sounded.

"Affection level decreased by 10%."

"Conquest progress 90%."

Seeing my shocked face, Sebastian repeated sadly, "Is it because you're eating with me that you can't eat?"

I shook my head vigorously: "No, it's not that. I'm just so moved, I didn't expect you to remember my preferences."

After speaking, I began eating the mountain of meat in my bowl until I was almost nauseous.

Finally, Sebastian smiled.

At the same time.

"Affection level increased by 10%."

"Conquest progress 100%."

If the affection level can decrease, then isn't this game impossible to clear?

I could tell Sebastian was love-obsessed.

Love-obsessed and a bit twisted.

If he discovers me conquering other men...

I felt like I was already dead.

Sebastian carefully wrapped a scarf around me, creating a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere. His warm fingers accidentally touched my cheek, causing me to stiffen.

"Thank you."

Sebastian smiled, "What are you thinking about, Sister? You seem so distracted."

I shook my head, looking into his eyes, "Have you liked many girls?"

Pretending to be jealous, I added, "You're too skilled at this."

He lightly grazed my nose.

Sebastian said indulgently, "Don't worry, a worthy ex should be like they're dead. Trust me, I can handle it."

"You'll be the only one from now on."

If it weren't for the sound of the affection level dropping by 5% in my ears.

I might have believed him.

"It's almost seven, let me take you home."

I let Sebastian take my hand, he said, "It's getting dark."

I asked, "What happens when it gets dark?"

He paused, "It's not safe."

In the normal world, when a man takes a woman home, it's often to create a chance to be alone.

Especially when he has intentions.

Adults, alone at night, it's self-explanatory.

But this is not the normal world.

Sebastian took me to my doorstep.

I hesitated, should I invite him in for a while?

If he suggests coming in, and I refuse, will my affection level drop even more?

"What's this?"

Sebastian looked down, noticing a bag at the door.

It was the porridge and medicine Cedric brought in the afternoon.

I had forgotten it.

"Fever, someone else brought it, I was in a rush to find you and forgot."

Sebastian paused, then smiled.

The recently lost 5% affection level instantly came back.

"Sister, don't go out tonight."

"And don't let any men into your house," he said meaningfully, pointing to the porridge on the ground, "You did well."

My heart pounded, as if something flashed in my mind.

"What do you mean?" I asked eagerly, "What happens if I go out at night or let a man in?"

Sebastian smiled and walked away.

I grabbed his hand.

Sebastian turned back, "It's not safe."

I broke into a cold sweat in an instant.

This game's NPCs are too intelligent.

Everything today, the fluctuating affection level, even though it ended up at 100%, Sebastian's smile seemed intentional.

"Are you playing with me?"

In this moment, my anger was uncontrollable.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "Don't be angry, Sister. You're really interesting and smart. I look forward to spending time with you. We have many days ahead."

I sat alone on the bed.

Constantly replaying the day's events in my mind.

From Sebastian's words, he doesn

't seem like the NPC described in the game, meant to be conquered.

He rather seemed like a player in a killing game.

And me, the prey to be hunted.

So even if the NPCs' affection levels are full, they can still decrease.

Before being conquered, they maintain a desire to kill.

This otome game is essentially a murder game.

Based on Cedric's behavior this morning, they seem to be bound too.

When Mr. Grayson hinted he could help, he also wanted to come to my house.

Be home before dark.

Don't let men into the house.

So far, these appear to be the safe options.

Sebastian helps me, aside from his twisted teasing.

It also shows they are in competition.

Competition—for my life.

The next day at work.

Passing by the breakfast shop, I bought an extra meal.

The boss took the meal, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Affection level increased by 5%."

"Conquest progress 50%."

As expected.

In this ghostly world disguised as an otome game, as long as I show kindness to these NPCs, their affection levels rise.

So why wait?

I start showering care everywhere, spouting cheesy lines.

Frenziedly boosting affection levels to 80%.

Finally, the boss calls a halt.

His handsome, mature face breaks into a sophisticated smile.

But his eyes darken as he stares at me: "Yvonne, didn't you say you wanted to see a movie the other day? I've bought tickets for us after work."

I shiver, nearly spilling the water on the documents in front of me.

It's already six when we get off work.

A movie lasts at least an hour and a half.

If I agree, I definitely won't be home before dark.

Just as I'm about to refuse.

A mysterious text message arrives on my phone.

"Agree to it."

In the cinema.

Me, Mr. Grayson, Cedric, and Sebastian.

We faced each other in confusion.

This was the safest method I could think of.

Cedric, with a peculiar expression, remarked, "Yvonne, I left surgery to find you, why did you bring strangers?"

Both Mr. Grayson and Sebastian looked at me.

As if admitting the term 'outsider' would spiral things out of control.

Sweating, I introduced, "Cedric, this is Mr. Grayson, and this is Sebastian."

"They're friends."

My voice was soft and ambiguous, hinting, "I haven't had the chance to confess yet."

With that, the inherent romantic nature of the otome game's male characters was instantly activated.

The three men all indulged in their own assumptions.

The atmosphere improved significantly.

However, during the movie.

The popcorn from Cedric.

The cola bought by Mr. Grayson.

The ice cream held by Sebastian.

I didn't dare touch any of it.

Before the movie started, I secretly saw them tampering with the food.

Under the faint moonlight, the dense night intensified my unease.

Sandwiched between three men, I tried to reduce my presence, but the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Cedric broke the silence first, "Yvonne, are you hungry?"

Dinner now?

This guy obviously had ulterior motives. I turned to Sebastian for help, as he was the one who told me to be home before dark. So far, he seemed to be my only ally.

Sebastian glanced at Cedric with a hint of mockery, "The popcorn you just bought, she didn't eat a bite, did she? How can she be hungry?"

Cedric retorted, "Your ice cream wasn't any better."

A chill ran down my spine – speaking of the devil.

Sure enough, the next second, their gazes locked onto me, both simultaneously asking, "Is it because the popcorn/ice cream was bought by me, that's why you didn't eat it?"

A shiver went up my spine as both their affection levels plummeted by ten points.

Caught in a difficult position, I lowered my head, pretending to wipe tears with the back of my hand.

When I looked up again, my eyes were red, pitiable.

"In your eyes, am I someone who wastes others' feelings? I thought you understood me. I'm really upset. If that's the case, why do you even want to be friends with me?"

Saying this, I trembled slightly, hands covering my face, ready to run away.

But a hand enveloped me, forcing me to stay.

"Mr. Grayson..." I was at a loss for words.

"Affection level increased by 5%."

"Conquest progress 85%."

Following the system notification, Mr. Grayson's handsome face turned slightly red, his gaze unnaturally shifting away.

"Yvonne, don't be sad for irrelevant people."

Geez, that single sentence caused two 'affection level decreased by 5%' notifications.

I brought the three men back home.

The reason being, while Cedric and Sebastian were jealous over the snacks they prepared for me, Mr. Grayson, unusually, interjected, "Yvonne, I

'm hungry."

And he specifically asked for the noodles I cooked.

Wanting to feel the taste of home.

My heart was a mix of emotions as I scooped noodles into three bowls adorned with shrimp, seaweed, and green onions, topped with a drizzle of sesame oil. I picked up two bowls to take out.

My hand touched the bowl, then retracted.

The order of serving was a significant issue, a minefield warning.

After a moment's thought, I called out.

"It's ready, come and get it yourselves."

The three men joyfully held their bowls of noodles, harmoniously united.

I was quite relieved, each of us occupying a side of the table. Perhaps my expectation was too evident, Mr. Grayson was about to slurp a mouthful but then put down his chopsticks, "Why aren't you eating?"

Of course, how could I eat something potentially drugged?

My heart pounded like a drum, fearing they'd see through me, I feigned calm, "I'm on a diet."

He pushed the bowl towards me, "Silly girl, you must have forgotten to cook for yourself, eat."

"I... I'm not hungry."

Mr. Grayson smiled confidently, "I don't care what you think, I decide."

A foreboding feeling suddenly surged within me.

Next, the other two bowls were pushed towards me as well.

Cedric and Sebastian smiled, "jpg."

My face tightened, "Is it because I cooked it, that's why you aren't eating?"

"Is it because you think it's not tasty, that's why you aren't eating?"

"I get it! It's because you look down on me, that's why."

I feigned even more distress.