2. SHAMELESS

[Mission: Kiss the man who wants to execute you.]

[New Target Unlocked: Riven Goldmane]

[ Bond Compatibility: 0%]

[Trust: -2]

[ Hatred: 99.9%]

[Affection: -5]

[Relationship: Step Siblings / Enemies]

I blinked, then blinked again, "...I'm sorry, what?" My gaze slowly drifted toward the white-haired man, blue eyes, cold expression. A face so handsome it honestly felt unfair.

Yep, definitely wants me dead. I pointed at him with a trembling finger. "Him?"

[Correct.]

"You expect me to kiss him?" I asked again still grappling with the request that danced just out of reach.

[ Correct.]

"The same man who just threatened to execute me?"

[ Correct again. Host is making excellent progress. I take it back. That IQ assessment is wrong.]

[Host, I am delighted to inform you that your survival rate has successfully dropped.]

[ Current Survival Rate: 0.10%.]

"...It got worse?" I whispered the realization of my situation finally dawning on me

[Naturally. Your mouth continues to make poor life choices.]

"Excuse me?" the words escaped my lips as I stared at the ground

[I merely report facts.]

I glanced around the room and the white-haired man still looked ready to kill me. The orange-haired one looked like he'd volunteer to help. The brown-haired giant could probably snap me in half with one hand. Even the rabbit girl looked like she was praying I have a funeral.

Fantastic..... I'd somehow transmigrated into a family reunion where everyone except one crying bunny wanted me dead.

No one told me this was how the story was, else I wouldn't have wasted my life to get it,

[Host, I just wished to give you hope when I said your IQ was acceptable, but I think I regret that decision. You are now on your own.]

[ Please try not to die before entertaining me.]

[And host,panic is understandable, it's also helpful,try to smile more to improve you look,u look urghh......] The voice disappeared.

My eyes remained locked staring into space. "So..." I muttered under my breath. "I died over a library book.....just to be bullied by a talking calculator or whatever it called itself."

"...Stripped..." the white haired man continued his hand turning into a fist beside him. I had to do something.

How the hell was I even supposed to complete this ridiculous mission? "Big Brother!" I cried, throwing myself at his feet "I promise to change! I was wrong! Please don't throw me out... or beat me... sniff..." I forced a few tears out, rubbing my eyes dramatically.

Everyone froze and even the servants standing by the doors looked stunned. I secretly peeked through my fingers.

Why was nobody saying anything? Did I overdo it? I sniffled louder, "Big Brother..." I whispered pitifully. Still silence.

I slowly looked up and every single person was staring at me with wide eyes.

My lips curved down in a frown "What?" Hadn't they ever seen a beautiful girl cry before?

[ Host, do not flatter yourself.] The System's mechanical voice echoed in my head. [Your acting skills are barely passable.]

"Excuse me?" I argued inwardly.

[ Current Survival Rate: 0.15%.]

My face dropped "It dropped again?"

[ Successfully.]

"What did I do this time?"

[ Everything.]It chimed and I almost coughed blood.

"You've got to be kidding me."

[No. You are just,am no sure any English word can describe you at this point,]

"This is bullying." my voice sounded whiny but I continued anyway

[This is survival, dumbass,] it added and I rolled my eyes

"Then tell me exactly what to do."

The System sighed dramatically in my mind, [Host, for heaven's sake. Your mission is to kiss him,kiss him]

"I know that!"

[Then why are you crying at his feet?]

I remained silent for some time before answering"...Good question."

[I forgot your IQ was merely acceptable.]

"Keep talking and I'll kill you."

[ You lack the authority.] I mentally cursed every life decision I had made, a certainly turning a new leaf

If I ever returned to Earth- no. When I returned to Earth— I will change for the better,no more stealing,no more,

[ Host,] The systems voice sounded tired, [And his name is Riven]

Meanwhile...

Riven continued staring down at me, his icy blue eyes narrowed slightly.

"Have you finally realized your mistakes?" he said and I blinked.

"No." The atmosphere instantly froze.

The orange-haired man pinched the bridge of his nose. "I told you she was hopeless." Elara covered her mouth in horror, even the brown-haired man simply looked away, as though he had expected nothing less.

Only Riven remained expressionless. "Then what is this performance?"

I slowly stood up and dusted off my clothes "...Character development?" Silence.

The System spoke again. [Host... I am beginning to understand why your hatred level is 99.9%. And IQ is constantly depleting,]

"Serena." Riven's voice sounded colder than before.

"Stop calling my name or I'll kiss it out of your lips." Everyone froze. Perfect trap so I don't get punished for kissing him later, it might work I guess. Silence swallowed the room.

The orange-haired man looked as though he'd forgotten how to breathe.

The brown-haired man blinked once, even Elara covered her mouth in shock.

"She's definitely gone mad," the orange-haired man muttered.

"Completely," someone agreed. I packed up my robe and marched straight toward Riven.

"If kissing you is what keeps me alive..." I mumbled under my breath. "...then sorry, Big Brother." Without giving myself time to think, I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss against his lips.

Soft.

Warm.

Very warm.

For exactly one second or more, Then I immediately stepped back.

"There." I dusted my hands together. "Mission accomplished."

The room exploded. "What did she just do?!"

"Young Miss has lost her mind!"

"She kissed the Young Master!"

Even Elara's rabbit ears shot straight into the air.

But through all the chaos Riven remained completely still. His blue eyes widened for the first time since I'd met him.

A faint shade of red slowly climbed to the tips of his ears. Not much, but enough. Probably from anger,

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Y.You blushed!" I whispered.

"I did not," Riven replied instantly.

"Oh, you definitely did." Large hands suddenly wrapped around my neck and effortlessly lifted me off the ground.

My feet dangled helplessly.

His face was only inches from mine now. Those icy blue eyes looked ready to freeze my soul. "How dare you?" he growled. "You kissed me."

"I noticed." I said trying to sound nonchalant despite the dread in my gut

"I should kill you."

"You've been saying that all morning." A cheerful bell rang inside my head.

[DING!]

[ Mission Completed Successfully!]

[Reward Calculating...]

[ Affection (Riven): 0]

[ Trust: -1]

[ Hatred: 99.5%]

[ Survival Rate: 0.5%]

[ I frowned.]

[Only zero affection?] I thought bewildered

[Yep]

[ You literally told me to kiss him!]

[ I didn't,it was your mission ]

"So why is the affection still zero?" I yelled.y lips pouty

[Because...] The System paused dramatically. [ ...you kissed him like someone submitting homework five seconds before the deadline.]

I blinked. "What?"

[You displayed no romance. No atmosphere. No chemistry, you merely assaulted his personal space.]

I was speechless. "So you're telling me...You wanted a better kiss?"

[Like a French kiss,you know,]

"You shameless thing" The System laughed.

[ Host, please work harder, your love life is disappointing.] The voice disappeared.

I looked back at Riven. He was still glaring at me like I had committed ten unforgivable crimes "...Actually," I smiled awkwardly "I think one kiss is enough for today."

His grip tightened. "I disagree." he growled, you disagree what, you need more kisses

"Can you put me down so we can talk like adults " I said voice strained, A terrifying pressure swept through the room.

Everyone unconsciously stepped backward, even Elara looked frightened.

Swoosh!

A stone came flying in my direction,

[DING]

[Danger detected host,]