Waking up the next morning, I had a sinking feeling that yesterday's insanity wasn't a dream. That feeling was confirmed when my phone screen flickered to life and blasted me with another system notification.
[Good morning, Host! Time to start the day!]
"Ugh…" I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Do you have to be so damn cheerful?"
[Of course! A Supreme System must always maintain optimal enthusiasm levels!]
I squinted at the notification, still half-asleep. Then I saw it.
[Daily Mission: Make a Girl Blush] Reward: +3 Charisma, Free Breakfast Coupon Penalty: Sudden wardrobe malfunction]
I bolted upright. "What the hell kind of penalty is that?!"
[Would you like to decline?]
I paled. "I'm not falling for that again. Fine! I'll do it."
[Excellent decision, Host! Good luck!]
Sighing, I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed (double-checking that my pants were secure—just in case), and headed to class. My mission was simple: make a girl blush. Easy, right?
Wrong.
After yesterday's traumatic experience with Isabella, I wasn't eager to approach another ice queen. I needed an easier target—someone friendly, approachable, and preferably not capable of ending my existence with a glare.
That's when I saw her.
Luna Valentine. My childhood friend.
She was seated at a campus café, sipping on an iced mocha, scrolling through her phone with a bored expression. Luna was the classic "girl next door"—cute, slightly tomboyish, and always wearing a mischievous smirk that usually meant trouble for me.
Perfect.
I took a deep breath and approached her. "Hey, Luna."
She looked up, eyes lighting up with recognition. "Ethan? Whoa, you're actually talking to me first? Did the apocalypse happen and I missed it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Funny. I just wanted to say…"
Here goes nothing.
"…Your hair looks really nice today."
Luna blinked.
Then she actually blushed.
I stared in shock. She always threw insults at me, but this was new. Her fingers twitched around her cup, and she looked away. "D-Don't say weird stuff out of nowhere, idiot…"
[Mission Completed!]
[+3 Charisma Acquired! Free Breakfast Coupon Obtained!]
I exhaled in relief. "That wasn't so bad."
Then, as if the universe hated me, Luna suddenly leaned closer with a teasing grin. "What's up with you? You never compliment me like that. You hit your head or something?"
Crap. I needed to abort before she got suspicious.
"Nah, just… trying to be nice," I said quickly, grabbing my phone to check my rewards.
Then I froze.
[New Mission Unlocked: Accidental Confession] Task: Say 'I like you' in a serious tone Reward: +5 Charisma, $1,000 Penalty: Phone locks for 24 hours]
My jaw dropped. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
I barely had time to process before Luna raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What's with that face?"
I panicked.
"I… I LIKE YOU!" I blurted out.
Luna's entire body stiffened.
My brain short-circuited. The café went dead silent. Nearby students turned to stare.
Luna's face turned the shade of a tomato.
Then she grabbed her iced mocha—
And dumped it on my head.
"IDIOT!" she shrieked, storming away, her ears glowing red.
The system pinged.
[Mission Completed!]
[+5 Charisma Acquired! $1,000 Deposited!]
I sat there, dripping in coffee, questioning my life choices.
I hated this system.