The Best MC Netori

Sung-Min woke up Saturday morning with a mix of adrenaline and dread churning in his gut. Last night's "Round 3" with Ji-Yeon had been a triumph—her screams still echoed in his ears—but Tae-Ho's early return and that noise complaint text had left a sour aftertaste. Add Min-Soo's snooping and Soo-Jin's plea for a "real rescue" at 10, and his day was already a tightrope walk. Then there was Eun-Ha's yoga class at 4—his shot to chip away at her defenses while her fiancé was out of town. Chaos was his kingdom, but the cracks were showing.

He rolled out of bed at 8:30, muscles stiff but buzzing with Strength 5 and Stamina 18. A quick shower, a black tee and jeans, and he checked his phone. Two texts waiting:

Soo-Jin: "Min-Soo's here. Won't leave. 10's still on—make it big, hero."

Ji-Yeon: "Tae-Ho's ranting about 'disrespectful neighbors.' Thinks it's the old guy in 3A. Ur safe for now. Tonight?"

Sung-Min smirked, typing back: "Big's my specialty. See you at 10" to Soo-Jin, and "Hell yes. Lay low 'til then" to Ji-Yeon. Tae-Ho suspecting the wrong neighbor was a stroke of luck—he'd take it.

He grabbed a protein bar and headed out, the morning air crisp and sharp. Café Luna was a ten-minute walk, and he hit the door at 9:55, the bell chiming over the hum of the mid-morning crowd. Soo-Jin was behind the counter, pouring espresso, her jaw tight. Across the room, Min-Soo slouched at a table—lanky, scowling, eyes glued to her like a kicked puppy on a leash.

Sung-Min caught her gaze, nodding subtly. She flicked her eyes toward Min-Soo, then the back door, and he got the message: alley, 10. He grabbed his usual spot near the counter, sipping an iced americano she slid his way with a strained, "On me." Min-Soo glared at him, suspicion radiating, but didn't move. Yet.

At 10:02, Soo-Jin untied her apron, muttering to Eun-Bi about her break. Min-Soo perked up, starting to stand, but Sung-Min was faster. He slipped out the side door, heart pounding, and waited in the alley. Seconds later, Soo-Jin burst through, grabbing his arm.

"He's coming," she hissed, pulling him deeper into the shadows. "He saw my phone—knows I'm meeting someone. We've got to ditch him."

Sung-Min grinned, adrenaline spiking. "Rescue mission, huh? Follow me."

He led her around the corner, past trash bins and a rusted fire escape, ducking into a narrow side street just as the café door banged open. Min-Soo's voice echoed—"Soo-Jin, where the hell are you?"—but they were already moving, weaving through alleys until they hit a quiet stretch behind a noodle shop.

Soo-Jin laughed, breathless, leaning against the wall. "You're crazy. He's gonna lose his mind."

"Let him," Sung-Min said, stepping closer. "He's got no claim on you."

Her eyes darkened, playful but edged. "Oh? And you do?"

"Damn right," he said, kissing her—quick, fierce, staking his territory. She melted into it, hands gripping his shirt, and when they broke apart, she was grinning.

"Hero points earned," she said, smoothing her hair. "But seriously, he's unhinged. Caught him scrolling my texts last night—didn't see yours, but he's paranoid."

Sung-Min's grin faded. "He's fishing. Keep him guessing. I'll handle the rest."

She nodded, brushing his arm. "Break's up. Tomorrow, same time?"

"Count on it," he said, watching her slip back toward the café. Min-Soo's whining faded into the distance, and Sung-Min exhaled, tension easing. The system pinged.

[Rescue successful! Target: Kim Soo-Jin. Bonus: +3 Stealth for evasion. Current stats: Charm 22, Stamina 18, Stealth 5, Deception 3, Confidence 5, Strength 5. Min-Soo's on alert—tread carefully.]

"Carefully's not my style," he muttered, heading home. But Min-Soo's escalation nagged at him—paranoid guys could get messy.

The afternoon was a blur of rest and prep. By 3:45, he was at Lotus Studio, gym shorts on, mat in hand. The class was packed—weekend warriors stretching their limits—and Eun-Ha swept in at 4, a vision in purple leggings and a white crop top. Her auburn ponytail swayed, and when her eyes landed on Sung-Min, she smiled. "Back again, huh? You're dedicated."

"Couldn't stay away," he said, Charm 22 humming. "You make it worth it."

Her laugh was light, but her gaze lingered—a crack in her calm facade. The class kicked off, and Sung-Min pushed hard—downward dogs, warrior poses, sweat dripping—earning a "Nice form" from Eun-Ha as she adjusted his plank, her hands warm on his back. That touch stayed with him, a spark to fan later.

By the end, he was wrecked but wired, lingering as the room cleared. Eun-Ha was packing up, and he strolled over, casual but deliberate. "You're killing me out there," he said, wiping his brow. "How do you stay so chill?"

"Practice," she replied, smiling. "You're doing great, though. Most newbies tap out by now."

"Guess I'm stubborn," he said, leaning in. "What's your secret off the mat? You said tea and music—where do you unwind?"

Her smile softened. "There's this little tea shop near Hongdae—Jade Leaf. Quiet, cozy. I'm there tomorrow if Joon-Hyuk's trip drags on."

[Mission progress: 15%. Intel gained: Location drop. She's opening up—push the weekend angle.]

"Jade Leaf, huh?" Sung-Min said, locking it in. "Might have to check it out. Need some calm after your torture sessions."

She laughed again, warmer this time. "See you Tuesday, then. Rest up."

"Will do," he said, heading out with a grin. Progress at 15%—slow, but steady. Tomorrow, he'd "bump into" her at Jade Leaf, play the friendly student card. With Joon-Hyuk gone, the timing was golden.

Back home, he crashed on the couch, buzzing with plans. Soo-Jin at 10, Eun-Ha at Jade Leaf, Ji-Yeon at night. His phone buzzed—Ji-Yeon.

Ji-Yeon: "Tae-Ho's on edge. Keeps asking about 'noises.' I blamed the upstairs guy. Tonight still on?"

"Hell yes," he sent back. "Be there."**

Then Soo-Jin: "Min-Soo's texting threats now—'I'll find out who.' Tomorrow, 10. Don't bail."

"Never," he replied, unease creeping in. Threats? Min-Soo was escalating, and Tae-Ho wasn't far behind. The system pinged.

[Warning: Risk level critical. Tae-Ho's suspicion at 60%. Min-Soo's at 80%. Eun-Ha's fiancé absent but volatile. Tighten your game, protagonist.]

Sung-Min rubbed his face, laughing dryly. "Tighten my game? I'm juggling dynamite here." Three girls, three bombs—each tick louder than the last. Tae-Ho's fists, Min-Soo's whining, Joon-Hyuk's money. He was a villain in a house of cards, and the wind was picking up.

But he wouldn't fold. Tomorrow was a gauntlet—Soo-Jin's rescue, Eun-Ha's tea shop, Ji-Yeon's bed. He'd charm, dodge, and conquer, system or no system. The netori life was a wildfire, and Sung-Min was the spark—burning bright, consequences be damned.

He stretched out, grinning. Sleep could wait. He had a kingdom to rule.