Hormones of the Abyss

【Host: Su Cheng】

【Intelligence: 8】

【Charm: 8】

【Stamina: 7】

【System: A great vessel is tasked with heavy burdens; a swift steed travels far.】

【Status: Archery Champion, Son-in-law of the Ji Family.】

【Club: Social Practice Club】

【Wealth: 199,530】

【System Skills: Hungry Ghost Path, Time Stop, Asura Path.】

【Charm Talent Skill: Abyssal Charisma】

【Intelligence Talent Skill: Adaptive - Sensory Enhancement】

【System Items: Mysterious Cigarettes (Hard) 8/pack, Mysterious Cigarettes (Soft) 15/Ring-headed Knife, Red Potion, Mysterious Glasses.】

………………………………

【Intelligence Talent Skill】

【Adaptive Ability: Danger Perception Enhancement】

【Passive Skill】

【Effect 1: You can sense subtle air currents around you, allowing you to anticipate changes in your surroundings and predict or evade danger.】

【Effect 2: Your body will instinctively react before any imminent threat arises.】

【Charm Talent Skill】

【Interwoven Talent Skill · Special】

【Abyssal Charisma】

【Active Skill】

【When used on males with lower charm than you, it induces negative effects such as intimidation, fear, pressure, panic, and unease.】

【When used on females with lower charm than you, it induces effects such as fluster, fear, palpitations, shyness, pity, and intimidation.】

……………………………………

Afternoon

The Go Club publicly announced that the vice president had called off the match due to feeling unwell. However, the blackout prevented the live audience from seeing the broadcast, sparking rampant speculation and discussion. Many took to the forum to post their theories.

For example: 【If Si Jing didn’t show up, why was the match against the vice president also halted midway?】

And: 【Could it be that Si Jing was afraid of losing, so she sent the vice president instead, only to realize he couldn’t win either? To save face, they called it off!】

But one post stood out, its title highlighted in red—a mark of extreme popularity.

【Shocking! I Risked My Life to Snap This! View Before It’s Deleted! I went to the Go Club and found the door tightly shut. Curious, I peeked through the window and saw…】

Opening the post revealed a blurry photo. Though unclear, it showed about a dozen Go Club members gathered around a Go board, seemingly deeply analyzing something. The board displayed an unfinished game with only a few moves played…

A reply followed: 【LOL, that’s definitely the spot where Su Cheng was playing against the vice president. They’re all huddled around studying the game! Now we know the real reason for the stoppage!】

Second reply: 【Hahaha! “Called off”? More like they chickened out and made up an excuse!】

Third reply: 【The Go Club has completely embarrassed itself this time.】

………………

Reply #134: 【Stop spreading nonsense. I was there. The vice president admitted defeat, but Su Cheng noticed President Ling wasn’t feeling well and was the one who called for the match to stop.】

But this comment was buried too deep to gain attention.

………………

For a while, debates raged until public opinion turned against Si Jing and the Go Club, accusing them of breaking promises, lacking sportsmanship, and disappointing everyone.

However, the uproar didn’t last long. A video interview by the News Club quickly captured widespread attention.

Playing the video revealed the scene: The News Club and PR team approached Su Cheng with recording equipment.

Su Cheng stopped walking, straightened his posture, and turned to face the camera with a polite smile.

The interviewer, a bespectacled girl holding a mic, asked, “Su Cheng, hello! We’re from the Campus Gazette PR team. Could we interview you today?”

Su Cheng nodded gently, his voice warm. “Of course.”

The reporter continued, “What are your thoughts on Si Jing not showing up for the match today?”

Without hesitation, Su Cheng replied calmly, “I believe Senior Si Jing chose not to come because she didn’t want me to quit Go. Before the match, I hadn’t clarified that losing would mean leaving the Go scene.”

He then added firmly, “So, I hope everyone understands—Senior Si Jing didn’t break her promise. She was protecting me. Besides, I know my skills are far inferior to hers.”

His sincere and logical response, showing respect and understanding for Si Jing, instantly shifted the forum’s tone.

The interviewer adjusted her stance, adopting a more professional tone. “And what about the Go Club halting the match?”

Everyone—the reporter, the cameraman, and the crew—held their breath, waiting for Su Cheng’s take on the incident.

After a brief pause, Su Cheng lowered his gaze slightly, his voice tinged with apology. “Actually, I was the one who called for the stop. President Ling clearly wasn’t feeling well.”

A flicker of concern crossed his face, highlighting his sense of responsibility.

“I see,” the reporter smiled before moving on. “When will the match resume?”

Su Cheng furrowed his brows slightly, looking puzzled. “I’m not sure yet. But I believe the Go Club will notify me. Excuse me, I have to go now.”

With a nod, he walked away.

The video ended.

After its release, the previously chaotic forum fell silent. Instead of criticizing the Go Club, users praised Su Cheng for his humility and maturity, seeing a side of him far removed from the stubborn challenger they’d imagined.

The comments section was soon flooded with admiration for Su Cheng.

Then, another post surged in popularity—this time from the Go Club’s official account:

【Su Cheng is an exceptional student. His words and actions in the interview demonstrated the true demeanor and integrity of a Go player. Not only does he possess remarkable skill, but more importantly, his character and upbringing are exemplary…】

…………………………

After the interview, Su Cheng let out a long, uneasy sigh.

His emotions were a tangled mess.

He had somehow, inexplicably, won.

This was an outcome he had never anticipated. Back when he was playing chess with President Ling, he had already prepared himself to lose gracefully, convinced of his inevitable defeat—only aiming to avoid an embarrassing rout.

Yet, in the end, she was the one who conceded?

Now standing outside the Social Practice Club, he couldn't help but raise a hand to rub his temples.

Earlier, he had spotted Li Guanqi and Gu Ruoxue at the entrance, and he distinctly remembered the subtle expressions in their eyes.

Gu Ruoxue had immediately fixed him with a probing gaze, while Li Guanqi first let out a relieved sigh before giving him a look that was both understanding and quietly happy for him.

Soon after, he had to leave for an interview, and the two girls went their separate ways.

Now, lingering outside the club, he was racking his brain for an explanation.

The whole situation was just too bizarre. If he claimed he hadn’t used any abilities or special items, the girls would never believe him.

The moment he stepped inside, he’d likely face Gu Ruoxue’s accusations and skepticism—and the worst part was, he had no idea how to explain it to them.

He had simply played the same way he’d practiced at home. As for why the vice president had surrendered?

Judging by her state…

There was no doubt—her period had arrived unexpectedly!

The image of the vice president clutching her skirt, her face flushed with humiliation, sweat beading on her forehead as she struggled with pain and embarrassment, flashed through his mind.

It had to be that time of the month!

He did remember this vice president—they had crossed paths a few times. She bore a system marker above her head, carried herself with an air of elegance and poise, and often fanned herself with a folding fan, using it to partially obscure her face. She always exuded an intimidating, no-nonsense aura.

But who could’ve guessed she’d suddenly get hit by that?

Su Cheng couldn’t even begin to describe how absurd the whole thing felt.

Just as he was standing there, strategizing how to handle the girls, a cool, slightly hoarse voice called out from inside the club:

"What are you doing out there?"

Hearing the voice, Su Cheng instinctively replied, "Oh."

Then, lowering his head, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Gu Ruoxue was seated at her desk, a pen pressed against her lips, her sharp eyes scrutinizing him as if trying to peel back every layer of his being.

Li Guanqi sat nearby, cradling a cup of water, her lips slightly pursed as she studied him with that same inscrutable, placid expression—though something about it felt off.

Just as he’d expected.

Clearing his throat nervously, Su Cheng decided to take the initiative and divert the topic: "Where’s Senior Si Jing? Why isn’t she here?"

Gu Ruoxue remained as unreadable as ever, though she coughed lightly, as if to mask something. Her voice was detached as she replied, "Perhaps you should ask the president of your Archery Club about that."

Clearly, she was still resentful that Ji Qingyi had beaten them to the punch—her words carried a faint, unspoken edge.

Su Cheng blinked in surprise, then turned to Li Guanqi for confirmation.

Li Guanqi met his gaze briefly before giving a small nod, silently affirming that Ji Qingyi was indeed responsible.

"Now, explain," Gu Ruoxue said calmly, her eyes still locked onto him, as if dissecting every inch of his skin. "What other abilities are you hiding from us?"

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but after a moment of thought, he realized he hadn’t concealed anything from them.

Frowning, he shook his head, realizing they must suspect he’d used some unknown item behind their backs. "Nothing!" he denied quickly. "I’m just as confused as you are!"

He took a few steps forward, meeting their gazes with earnest sincerity. "It’s obvious—the vice president surrendered because her period came out of nowhere!"

He didn’t see anything wrong with discussing such a topic so matter-of-factly. If anything, he felt completely justified.

But the moment the words left his mouth, both girls stiffened.

Gu Ruoxue quickly schooled her expression back to neutrality, though a faint flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks—after all, they too experienced that time of the month.

It was a taboo subject!

Li Guanqi, however, showed no particular reaction—only fixing him with an unreadable, almost eerie stare.

"You think she had an emotional breakdown because of that?" Gu Ruoxue asked, her voice laced with irritation.

Su Cheng nodded emphatically.

Pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation, Gu Ruoxue retorted, "Well, I’m telling you—that wasn’t the reason!"

"Oh? Then what was it?" Su Cheng feigned curiosity, but under their piercing stares, he quickly backtracked. "I didn’t cheat! Su Cheng doesn’t cheat!"

Yet, to his surprise, both girls were now staring straight into his eyes.

As if that was the root of the problem.

It was clear they had already discussed this between themselves and concluded—his eyes were the culprit.

Su Cheng’s face paled, then flushed, but he still defended himself: "The activation condition requires direct eye contact! Back then, I was just focusing on the board like I did during practice—I never even looked at her!"

He felt utterly wronged.

"So, the issue is your eyes," Gu Ruoxue pressed. "What other hidden effects do they have?"

Li Guanqi tilted her head slightly, watching him with quiet curiosity, waiting for his answer.

As far as they knew, Su Cheng’s eyes could induce fear and even grant animals heightened intelligence—just those two abilities.

Su Cheng: "..."

Now he understood. But there was one other ability he found too embarrassing to mention.

If used on a woman with lower charm stats than his, it would turn her into a "free-for-the-taking" type.

When he first read the system description, he had decided to pretend this ability didn’t exist—he’d never breathed a word of it to anyone.

It was practically the equivalent of "whoever I stare at gets pregnant."

Just thinking about it made him cringe. If word got out, he’d likely be met with disgust and backlash.

After all, if he wanted to, he could easily become a walking, talking… harem protagonist.

He had all the makings of a "City Conqueror."

But now, with Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi refusing to let this go, he had no choice but to come clean—at least partially.

After a long pause, he forced out the words: "Well… it’s nothing major. Just a weird debuff effect on women whose charm stats are lower than mine."

His voice grew quieter as he spoke, and though he didn’t elaborate, the girls could probably piece together the rest from the vice president’s reaction.

Sure enough, their faces immediately turned a shade redder, their expressions shifting into something complicated—almost as if they couldn’t bring themselves to meet his gaze, their eyes darting away awkwardly.

Seizing the chance to clear his name, Su Cheng added, "But I wasn’t even looking at her eyes back then! I was just following the same posture I used during practice last night—nothing out of the ordinary!"

Now, at least, he understood what had happened.

Although he hadn't intentionally looked at her, it was clear that the vice president had taken the initiative to glance his way!

This wasn’t his fault.

No wonder it was called "The Abyss's Hormones."

Now he fully understood.

Thinking about the vice president's situation, he finally grasped the meaning behind the skill's name.

First, it made women hallucinate and feel fear.

Su Cheng speculated that this so-called "abyss" allowed them to see their deepest, most terrifying inner visions.

What exactly that entailed, only she would know.

As for the "hormones," that was even easier to understand—under the influence of his hormones, her serotonin levels surged, sending her into a near-frenzied state. And after the frenzy? Well, the aftermath left the vice president looking like she'd just finished an intense workout!

The thought made him burn with embarrassment. He coughed awkwardly. Turning such a dignified and elegant vice president into that state was nothing short of a disaster—a catastrophic one at that!

What would happen next?

Would she demand he take responsibility?

Would she pursue him?

Or would she turn into a yandere and try to possess him?

Or perhaps...