3.SLEEPOVER

[DING!]

Danger detected, Host.

The flying stone barely missed my head.

Instead, it struck Riven's outstretched hand before it could hit the ground.

I, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky.

Still hanging from his grip, he casually let go.

THUD!

I landed face-first on the cold stone floor.

"Ow!"

I pushed myself up, rubbing my sore back.

"Can people in this world stop dropping people like bags of cheap potatoes?

No one answered.

Every head turned toward the entrance of the great hall.

A tall man with crimson-red hair strode inside.

His footsteps echoed against the polished stone floor.

Unlike everyone else, he didn't bow or ask permission to enter.

He walked as though the hall belonged to him.

If Riven was terrifying...

This one looked worse.

Sharp crimson eyes swept across the room before stopping on me.

For a brief second, I forgot how to breathe.

Unlike Riven's cold anger, Nerien's presence was quiet.

Quiet enough to make people stop breathing.

He didn't need to shout.

He didn't even need to frown.

One look from him made the entire hall feel colder.

"Riven," the red-haired man greeted with a slight nod.

"Nerien," Riven replied, returning the gesture.

The red-haired man's gaze slowly lowered until it settled on me.

I immediately looked away.

"Don't look at me," I muttered under my breath.

"She's here," he said flatly.

"Of course I am," I scoffed, rubbing my aching backside. "Someone kindly dropped me here."

A few servants lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard me.

Riven's expression darkened.

"Why delay the execution," Aiden continued.

The words made the entire hall fall silent.

Even Elara's rabbit ears drooped.

She carefully stepped forward, wringing her hands together.

"Brother Aiden... Sister said she has changed,please you have to trust her" she called softly.

He didn't answer her,he just stepped closer,

This family seems to have intimidation as a bloodline trait.

The moment Nerien stepped into the hall, the atmosphere changed.

Even the servants straightened their backs and lowered their heads.

The orange-haired man stopped smiling.

The brown-haired one silently stepped aside.

Even Riven's expression became noticeably more serious.

Yep.

This guy definitely held the most authority in the family.

Host!

New Target Detected: Nerien Goldmane

Trust: Unknown

Relationship: Step Siblings

Hatred: Unknown

Affection: 0

"Unknown? Seriously? You're incompetent."

It is not my fault, Host. He is about as expressive as a stone statue.

Danger Level: 99.5%

Current Survival Rate: 0.5%

"What? I thought—"

My words caught in my throat.

Cold steel pressed lightly against my neck.

I looked down.

A silver dagger rested against my skin.

One tiny movement...

One slight slip...

Blood would be running down my neck.

Okay... okay... don't panic.

Panicking has never helped anyone.

Actually, that's a lie.

People panic all the time.

They just usually panic before dying.

Slowly, I raised my eyes.

Nerien hadn't even changed his expression.

"Hey, Big Brother... or whatever," I sighed carefully.

"You've got the wrong person. I'm not today's sacrificial animal."

Technically, you are, Host.

Don't assume you've escaped execution with an IQ as low as—

"Don't start with me."

I cut the System off immediately.

Very well.

Good luck removing that blade.

I stared up at Nerien, pouting.

Then, with years of shameless acting experience that absolutely did not exist...

I forced tears into my eyes.

Host.

Your heartbeat has increased by 42%.

"That's called survival instinct."

Nope

That's called finally using your brain.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

Nerien stared at me for several long seconds.

Then...

He lowered the dagger.

"...Interesting."

Everyone in the hall gasped.

Even Riven looked surprised.

"Why are you crying?"

His voice was calm.

Somehow...

That made it even scarier.

"Why wouldn't I cry?" I gritted through clenched teeth, glaring at him.

Then, almost instantly, I switched back to my pitiful expression.

A single tear rolled down my cheek.

"I've suffered enough for one day..."

For a long moment, Nerien simply stared at me.

"...Enough drama," he finally said, his voice calm and emotionless.

"We shall continue the edict tomorrow."

The dagger disappeared back into its sheath.

I rubbed my neck the moment the blade disappeared.

"Still attached," I muttered, feeling every inch of my throat.

"That's great."

I swallowed.

"I'd really like to keep my head where it belongs."

Host, that is generally how heads are supposed to be,

"Not helping."

The suffocating pressure in the hall instantly eased.

I let out a long breath of relief.

I survived.

Barely.

Without another word, Nerien turned and leisurely walked toward the exit.

The servants quickly stepped aside, lowering their heads as he passed.

Even Riven watched him leave without saying a word.

"See?" I muttered under my breath. "He's the scary final boss."

Yes!

I'm alive!

Maybe transmigration isn't so bad after all.

Maybe I'll actually survive this novel—

Host, please stop celebrating prematurely.

"I earned this celebration."

No. You merely postponed your death,you wouldn't have succeeded without my help, tsk,

Elara hurried over, nervously clutching Serena's sleeve,

"Sister... are you alright?"

I looked at her.

"...Do I look alright?"

She hesitated.

"...No."

"Exactly."I wanted to celebrate my survival more when....

[DING!]

A familiar mechanical voice echoed inside my head.

New Mission Activated!

Spend the night with Nerien Goldmane.

"..."

I froze.

"...Come again?"

Mission countdown begins in twenty-four hours.

My legs gave out beneath me.

I staggered backward, nearly falling flat on the floor.

I stared into space.

"...Do you hate me?"

Everyone does I don't wanna be different

"Wait, what?"

You heard me

"...You're joking?"

Perhaps.

"You're the worst System ever created."

Thank you.

"What kind of shameless system are you?!"

"Me, Spend the night with him?!" I unconsciously stretched my finger, pointing at Nerien,

Everyone turns to stare at me

Riven frowns.

Elara blushes, her face turning strawberry red,

Nerien stopped walking.

Without turning around, he said,

"...Did you just say you wanted to spend the night with me?"

The hall became deathly silent.

I slowly smiled awkwardly,

Narien slowly looks back over his shoulder,

"Me?" I asked pointing at myself,