The Best MC Netori

Sung-Min swaggered out of Café Luna with a grin that wouldn't quit, the taste of Soo-Jin still lingering on his lips. The midday sun blazed overhead, casting sharp shadows on the bustling Seoul streets, but he barely noticed. His head was buzzing—not from caffeine, though that iced americano had been damn good, but from the sheer high of pulling off another netori. Two for two. Ji-Yeon last night, Soo-Jin this morning. He was on a roll, and the system was feeding his ego like a proud coach.

Back at his apartment, he kicked the door shut and flopped onto his threadbare couch, tossing his backpack aside. The place was a mess—empty ramen cups on the coffee table, a pile of laundry in the corner—but it didn't matter. He felt like a king. Charm 22, Intermediate Flirtation, Stealth +2. The stats rolled through his mind like a victory chant.

"System," he called, propping his feet up. "Hit me with the good stuff. What's next?"

The blue screen flickered into existence, hovering above the clutter.

[Congratulations, protagonist! Two successful missions in under 24 hours. You're adapting faster than expected. Current stats: Charm 22, Stamina 13, Stealth 2. Skills: Basic Seduction, Intermediate Flirtation. Ready for a challenge?]

"Challenge?" Sung-Min sat up, intrigued. "What, like a boss fight? Lay it on me."

[New mission incoming. Target: Choi Eun-Ha. Age: 25. Occupation: Yoga Instructor. Relationship status: Engaged to Kang Joon-Hyuk, 1 year. Difficulty: Hard. Reward: +10 Charm, Advanced Seduction Skill, Special Item (TBD).]

A photo loaded: a stunning woman mid-pose, her lithe body stretched in a downward dog that showed off every curve. Long auburn hair tied in a high ponytail, sharp cheekbones, and a serene smile that screamed "unattainable." Sung-Min's jaw dropped.

"Engaged?" he said, voice cracking. "As in, wedding bells and white dresses? That's a whole new level of messed up, system."

[Exactly. Netori isn't just about girlfriends—it's about claiming what's off-limits. Eun-Ha's fiancé is a corporate hotshot, possessive and paranoid. Suggested approach: Infiltrate her yoga class. She teaches at Lotus Studio, three blocks from here. First session's this afternoon at 4 p.m.]

Sung-Min ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. "Hard difficulty, huh? What's the catch? This Joon-Hyuk guy sounds like he'd snap me in half."

[Catch: He's got resources—money, connections, and a temper. Plus, Eun-Ha's loyal… for now. You'll need to crack her defenses. Good luck, hotshot.]

The screen vanished, leaving Sung-Min staring at the peeling paint on his ceiling. A yoga instructor. Engaged. This wasn't just stealing a girlfriend—this was snatching a future wife from some rich asshole's clutches. The thought sent a thrill through him, dark and electric. He was a villain now, wasn't he? Might as well lean into it.

But first, he needed a breather. Two conquests in a row had left him riding a high, but also a little rattled. Ji-Yeon and Soo-Jin were still out there, living their lives, and he hadn't exactly planned for the fallout. What if Tae-Ho figured out something was up? What if Min-Soo came sniffing around? Sung-Min shrugged it off. "Future me's problem," he muttered, grabbing his phone to kill time before yoga class.

He scrolled through X, half-expecting some cryptic system update, when a text popped up. From Ji-Yeon.

Ji-Yeon: "Hey, u left ur socks here. Tae-Ho's back. He's pissed about something, keeps asking where I was last night. U owe me a cover story."

Sung-Min's stomach did a flip. "Shit." He typed back fast:

"Tell him u were at a friend's watching dramas. I'll grab the socks later. Stay cool."

Her reply came seconds later: "Fine. U better make it up to me, 3D. Last night was… wow."

He grinned despite the nerves. "Wow" was an understatement. But Tae-Ho being pissed wasn't ideal. The guy was a meathead—big fists, small brain. If he got suspicious, Sung-Min might have to dodge more than just awkward questions.

Another text buzzed in, this time from Soo-Jin.

Soo-Jin: "Min-Soo's being a clingy ass again. Keeps asking why I'm 'smiling so much' today. Ur fault, jerk. Coffee on me tomorrow?"

Sung-Min laughed, typing back: "My pleasure. Free coffee's a start. See u then."

He tossed the phone aside, rubbing his temples. Two girls, two ticked-off boyfriends, and now a fiancé in the mix. This netori life was a juggling act, and he was barely keeping the balls in the air. Still, the system's rewards were worth it. Charm 22 already had him feeling like a new man—girls were noticing him, heads turning on the street. He caught his reflection in the smudged TV screen: same short black hair, same average face, but there was a spark in his eyes now, a swagger he hadn't had a week ago.

"Alright," he said, hauling himself up. "Yoga class at 4. Gotta prep." He rummaged through his closet, digging out a pair of ratty gym shorts and a faded tank top. Not exactly high fashion, but it'd do. A quick shower later—hot water washing away the last traces of Soo-Jin's perfume—he was out the door, a bounce in his step.

Lotus Studio was a sleek little place tucked between a ramen shop and a convenience store, all glass windows and minimalist vibes. Sung-Min pushed through the door at 3:55, the chime announcing his arrival. The receptionist, a perky girl with a pixie cut, smiled at him. "First time?"

"Yeah," he said, flashing his best Charm 22 grin. "Heard Eun-Ha's class is killer."

"She's the best," the girl chirped, handing him a waiver. "Ten bucks for a drop-in. Mats are in the back."

He paid, signed, and headed into the studio. The room was warm, lined with mirrors, and already half-full: a mix of women in tight leggings and a couple of guys stretching awkwardly. Sung-Min grabbed a mat, setting up near the front—prime real estate to catch Eun-Ha's eye.

At 4:00 sharp, she walked in, and damn, the photo hadn't done her justice. Choi Eun-Ha was a goddess—tall, graceful, with legs that went on forever in black yoga pants and a cropped top that hugged her toned midsection. Her auburn ponytail swished as she moved, and when she smiled at the class, it was like the sun breaking through clouds.

"Welcome, everyone," she said, voice calm but commanding. "Let's start with some deep breaths. Inhale… exhale…"

Sung-Min followed along, sneaking glances as she adjusted poses around the room. Her hands brushed a girl's back here, a guy's shoulder there—professional, but he couldn't help imagining those hands on him. Hard difficulty, huh? He'd have to play this smart.

The class was brutal. Downward dogs, warrior poses, planks—his arms shook, sweat dripped, and he cursed his lack of cardio. But Eun-Ha's encouragement kept him going. "Looking good up front," she said at one point, nodding at him, and his ego soared.

By the end, he was a sweaty mess, sprawled on his mat as the class filed out. Eun-Ha lingered, wiping down her own mat, and Sung-Min saw his opening. He stood, wincing at the ache in his legs, and approached her.

"Great class," he said, wiping his brow. "You're a killer teacher."

She laughed, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "Thanks! You're not bad for a newbie. First time doing yoga?"

"Yeah," he admitted, dialing up the charm. "Figured I'd try something new. Name's Sung-Min, by the way."

"Eun-Ha," she said, offering a handshake. Her grip was firm, her skin warm. "Glad you liked it. Coming back?"

"Definitely," he said, holding her gaze a beat too long. "Wouldn't miss it."

She smiled, oblivious to the predator in her midst, and turned to pack up. The system pinged.

[Mission progress: 5%. Initial contact made. She's intrigued. Next step: Build rapport. She's here every Tuesday and Thursday.]

Sung-Min smirked, slinging his mat over his shoulder. "See you Thursday, Eun-Ha."

"Looking forward to it," she called, and he walked out, adrenaline pumping. Step one down. This was going to be a marathon, not a sprint—but he was ready to run it.

Back home, he barely had time to collapse before his phone buzzed again. Ji-Yeon.

Ji-Yeon: "Tae-Ho bought the story. For now. He's still acting weird. U free tonight? I need a distraction."

Sung-Min hesitated. Another round with Ji-Yeon sounded tempting, but he was wiped, and Eun-Ha's mission loomed large. He typed back: "Rain check? Got plans. Tomorrow night?"

Ji-Yeon: "Fine. Don't keep me waiting too long, 3D."

He chuckled, setting the phone down. Two girls in his orbit, a third in his sights, and a system egging him on. Life was good—chaotic, but good.

Then a knock rattled his door, sharp and loud. Sung-Min froze. Who the hell—? He crept over, peering through the peephole, and his blood ran cold. Tae-Ho stood there, fists clenched, face like thunder.

"Open the door, asshole," Tae-Ho growled. "We need to talk."

Sung-Min's grin vanished. Shit. Looked like Future Sung-Min's problems had just become Present Sung-Min's nightmare.