6. BIG BROTHER R.

SERENA

I slowly raised my head. Lucky and unlucky me, it was the orange fox.

The moment he saw my face, he released my waist, causing me to fall to the ground.

"Arghh!" I screamed. This is only morning and so much pain. Don't you guys get it? I don't deserve this.

[Well, was I supposed to say sorry, Host? No, I'm keeping that for my future self. But you, Host — you deserve it, for stealing. ]

I will kill you."

[ Save your ass first, Host], its annoying laughter rang in my head again before it completely disappeared.

"Brother Reyn, wicked tigress wants to hurt rabbit Elara," the little girl cried.

"Me?" I pointed at myself, wide-eyed.

The orange-haired man glared at me before patting the little girl's hair reassuringly.

"Master Reyn, please keep your sister in check. She shouldn't go on a rampage hurting innocent villagers like us," the woman bowed respectfully before scurrying away.

Immediately, the woman left and his cold gaze fell on me. I instinctively stepped back.

His gaze was chilling. Cold. This brothers definitely practice this coldness somewhere. I took a step back suddenly, pretending to mind my own business, and walked toward the direction the little girl had pointed, where my hut was.

I only successfully took five steps forward when he called my name.

"Serena." I ignored him and kept moving, increasing my pace.

He didn't call again, but I walked straight into his rock-hard chest.

I stepped back, rubbing my forehead.

"That actually hurt. Did you put something in there?" I tapped his chest with my finger repeatedly, trying to check if he had placed something there. But all I could feel was his rock-hard abs and the silky material of his cloth.

Reyn stared at me.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

He didn't blink.

Didn't frown.

Didn't move.

"...System."

[Yes?]

"... What's going on in his head?"

[He is judging your life choices, and it's really disappointing ]

He held my finger, slowly twisting it.

"You always manage to get yourself in trouble, don't you, Host?"

[DING]

[New Mission Activated: Flirt with Reyn ]

[ New target unlocked: Reyn Goldmane ]

[Bond Compatibility: 1% ]

[Trust: 0% ]

[ Hatred: 90%]

[ Affection: 0% ]

[ Relationship: Step Siblings ]

[Mission Reward: 10 SP + 1 favourability anytime you make him blush.]

That's totally acceptable. At least he isn't like the others. I heaved a sigh of relief, forcing my finger out of his grip. I stepped closer, invading his personal space.

He stared at me coldly, and I shivered under his gaze.

"How are you still single?"

He glared at me for a second before his lips moved "...Because."

"You scare women?"

"...Correct."he said not smiling or smirking,that was more uncomfortable

System, give me hints, I pleaded in my mind.

[You are on your own, Host. ]

"Big brother Reyn, has anyone ever told you that you are incredibly handsome?"

"...Yes," he replied coldly, and I squeezed my face.

My smile froze.

"...Oh."

I had expected him to deny it.

Maybe become embarrassed.

Maybe blush.

Maybe thank me.

Anything.

Instead he answered with the confidence of someone who had heard that compliment a thousand times.

"...Your arrogance is offensive."

"That wasn't the answer I was hoping for," I mumbled, searching my brain for other ideas.

When I looked up, he was already walking away without another word.

The villagers slowed their steps.

One woman nearly dropped her basket.

Two hunters stared with open mouths.

"...Is Young Miss Serena... flirting?"

"...With Lord Reyn?"

"...Has she finally gone insane?"

"..she is trying to get herself killed, finally"

They whispered as they watched the drama I had installed,

System, has the mission been completed? I panicked.

[With such a pathetic attempt at flirting, Host, please use your fading IQ and get this over with.]

I rushed after Reyn "Your hair is beautiful."

"...I know."

"...Stop agreeing with me." I groaned frustrated,this is getting me no where,

he kept walking away.

A boy passed by holding honey wax sweets. I snatched it and kept running after Reyn. The child looked stunned for a few seconds before running toward a woman, crying.

I didn't bother stopping.

I stood in front of him, hand filled with the sweets stretched forward.

"I made it. You should have a taste."

"I don't—" he opened his mouth to talk, but I shoved a piece inside.

"See, so sweet," I tilted my head. "Well, it's poisoned."

He quickly spit it out, staring at me with wide eyes, and I burst out laughing, pointing my finger at him as my shoulders shook from uncontrolled laughter.

[Host! You were supposed to flirt, not entertain yourself, and I never asked you to attempt assassination] the system sounded angry.

I quickly composed myself, mumbling an "Oh, sorry,it was just for fun not really poisened"

I stepped closer to him.

"You know, Reyn, I have never seen you smile before, but you are still my type with those soft, plump lips and emerald eyes." I was unconsciously drooling.

[Host!] the system chimed exhausted.

"If you ever need a wife..."

"..."

"I am available."

"..." He pauses. Just for one second.

Only one.

"Wait, that sounded way better when I said it in my head."

"You are shameless," he mumbled, walking away.

[ Host!]

[Current Flirting Score: 2/100.]

[ Congratulations. You have successfully made the atmosphere colder.]

Why were all the handsome men in this world emotionally constipated? Was smiling illegal?

Did beastmen lose facial muscles after adulthood?

I made another desperate attempt to follow him, but my left arm was held back and the sweets were snatched from my hand.

I had already cursed the person a hundred times over before turning back, only to see the little boy I had taken the sweet from and someone who looked like his mother.

"You shameless woman," she gritted, looking seconds away from disfiguring my face but holding desperately to a little thread of self-awareness.

"First you steal my son's sweets..."

"Now you harass Young Master Reyn!"

"Have you no shame?"

The villagers started gathering again,

I couldn't bother much about her when —

[DING]

[ Mission failed.]

[ Calculating Penalty...]

[ 5%, 15%, 40%]

[ Penalty Selection...]

"...Why is it buffering?"

"System?"

"SYSTEM?"