Those silver eyes turned blood-red.
Cassian spoke in a calm, low voice—completely at odds with the strength of the hand around Noah's throat.
"L-Let go…!"
Noah couldn't speak or breathe. He clawed at Cassian's hand, slapping at his wrist, desperate to break free.
Just as his vision was starting to darken—
the night wind that had been blowing through the open window suddenly stopped.
The flickering candles froze in place,
as though time itself had halted.
DING!
A rectangular hologram appeared in the air, accompanied by a voice inside his mind.
> [WELCOME, HOST]
[S.H.I.P — Supportive Heart Integration Program. SYSTEM INITIATED]
[MISSION: PREVENT THE SECOND LEAD FROM BECOMING A VILLAIN]
[AFFECTION TARGET: -50]
[Host must increase the target's Affection to 100]
"You've got to be kidding me! I'm being strangled right now! How do you expect me to raise the numbers to 100!? I might die here!"
DING!
> [QUEST: Kiss Cassian for 5 seconds]
[Penalty: Lifespan -1 year]
[Affection at -100 equals total world destruction]
> [Host, you must find a way to win the second lead's emotions, or the world will collapse and you will never return home]
"You're insane! I have to kiss a man? I'm not gay! Stop shipping me with him!"
> [Apologies, Host. I am a cupid-type system. I only follow the administrator's orders]
The screen vanished.
Time resumed, and Noah felt the crushing pressure on his throat again as oxygen was cut off.
"L… Let go!" Noah struggled once more, but nothing changed.
In the end, he had no choice.
He threw both arms around Cassian's neck.
With the last of his strength, Noah pulled himself closer—breaking the chokehold.
Without wasting a second, he seized Cassian's lips in a kiss, cursing endlessly in his mind.
Cassian's eyes widened.
He was clearly shocked.
Strangely… he didn't push Noah away. He didn't even move.
Honestly, this was Noah's first kiss.
And it was with a man.
God, I'm still sane. I'm still straight. Please keep my mind intact, God…
One second.
Two.
Five seconds.
Noah broke the kiss and released his arms from Cassian's neck.
He backed away—then bolted from the room, unaware that the man who hadn't moved a muscle was now smiling with a faint, dangerous smirk.
Noah ran down the corridor, half-panicked.
He wiped at his lips, disgusted and confused.
"Nael, what's wrong?"
But he ignored Butler Rondel.
He sprinted through the silent, dim hallway, his mind filled with nothing but humiliation, all the way to his room.
He slammed the door shut so hard the sound echoed through the night.
Curling under his blanket, he yelled,
"You stupid system, get out here!"
DING!
> [Quest Complete!]
[Points +10]
[Affection +10 | Affinity +1]
> [Host, I have returned. Congratulations on your first quest. Please check the update screen]
Noah clicked Yes.
Several lines of information appeared.
> [System Menu Opened]
Points: 10
Status | Skills | Relationship Update | Dimension Space | SHOP | Quest | MAP
There were so many menus.
Noah opened them one by one.
> [Status Opened]
Name: Nael Arden
Age: 19
Race: Human
Magic: —
> [Skills Opened]
Passive Skill: Healing Light Lv.1
Active Skill: Deadly Charm Lv.1
> [Relationship Update]
Affection Target: +10. Total Affection: -40
Affinity: +1. Total: 1
"What the hell!? You cursed the system! What's with these stupid skills? Are you suggesting I seduce people? And the target is a MAN! He's a man—just like me—with something down there!"
> [Host, please mind your language. This was reset by the administrator. I only perform my duties.]
"Screw your duties! At least give me something useful! Strong body, magic—anything! Do you want me to die like an idiot when danger comes?"
> [Please relax, Host. I am a loyal and helpful system. The higher your Affinity and Affection, the higher the system level.]
"Fine. What's the purpose of leveling up? If you don't tell me, I'm not cooperating."
> [Leveling up unlocks locked menus such as Marketplace and Dimension Space. Host may purchase anything in the Marketplace using points, and store items in Dimension Space.]
"Tch! At least you're not completely useless.
Good. I can train this body with exercise and whatever potions the system has. Seriously, this body is too skinny! I want my athletic build back."
> [Good luck, Host. Please increase skinship and complete more quests to make it happen :-)]
"Get lost, damn system!"
Noah — or rather, Nael — threw his blanket into the air, as if he could hit the system that didn't even have a physical form.
But the system's snarky, teasing voice continued to echo in his mind.