A few weeks passed.
During that time, Layla began accumulating points faster than she had ever anticipated. She went to the market almost every day, wearing a bit of her special powder, watching how people's perceptions of her shifted.
Men became gentler.
Women became more envious.
And the whispers about her began to saturate the village.
"The woodcutter's wife has suddenly become beautiful."
"There's something strange about her."
"Her eyes... they don't look normal anymore."
But Layla didn't care. In fact, she relished it. For the first time in her life, she felt the weight of everyone's gaze.
One night, Salem returned home in a rage. His face was more haggard than usual, his clothes slightly torn.
"The merchants refused to buy the wood today... they said the market is under the control of a new man."
Layla sat and listened in silence. "Who?"
"A merchant named **Farid**... he has money and guards, and he treats everyone like slaves."
A flicker of something appeared in Layla's eyes. Curiosity.
The next day, she went to the market alone. She spotted Farid easily—a portly man dressed in luxurious clothes, perched upon a large wooden chair surrounded by guards. He spoke loudly, laughing mockingly at the poor.
As Layla passed near him... his eyes snapped to her instantly.
She felt it. She felt the heavy weight of his gaze traveling over her body. The System window flickered into existence.
> **[Suitable Target Detected]**
> **[Current Attraction Level: 35%]**
> **[Influence can be increased]**
>
That night, Layla spent nearly all of her points. She purchased her first potion from the System Shop.
> **[Red Desire Potion]**
>
It was contained within a small, dark crimson vial.
The following morning, she placed a few drops of it into a glass of juice, which she sent to Farid disguised as a gift from an admiring woman.
A few hours later... one of Farid's men arrived at her shack's door.
"My master wishes to see you."
Layla smiled slowly. Then, she followed him.
Farid's house was grander than anything she had ever seen—chandeliers, plush carpets, and servants scurrying everywhere. When she entered his room, she found him sitting alone. His face was tense, his breathing heavy, and his eyes were filled with something bordering on madness.
"Come closer..." he rasped.
But Layla didn't move immediately. Instead, she stood before him, meeting his gaze steadily.
"And what will I receive?"
He froze for a moment, as if unaccustomed to a woman's defiance. Then, he laughed.
"Anything you desire."
She stepped closer. "I want money."
"It is yours."
"And I want you to buy all the wood my husband sells at double the price."
His expression shifted slightly, but he agreed. His desire was too potent to allow for refusal.
Layla smiled. This was the first time she had used her new beauty to acquire something tangible. And for the first time... she felt power.
> **[First Successful Deal Completed]**
> **[+15 Evolution Points]**
> **[New Skill Unlocked: Desire Reading]**
> **[System Level Up]**
>
Layla walked out of Farid's house carrying a pouch full of gold. As she looked up at the sky above her, she smiled. She had realized something vital:
The men who once saw her as worthless were now willing to pay everything just to have her.
**What's next for Layla? Should she consolidate her power in the village or set her sights on the capital?**