But for now, I had to fix this body—or I'd die of a heart attack before the next penalty.
Ding!
[Quest Timer: 8 minutes remaining]
"FUCK!"
I sprinted through the hallway, searching for Aria, my brother's girlfriend. My lungs burned, my stomach protested every step, but there she was—blonde hair, perfect posture, completely out of my league.
Without thinking, I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind the gym.
"Mark? What are you—"
"Shh."
The sound came out sharper than I intended. She froze, eyes wide.
I took a deep breath, forcing a grin that didn't reach my eyes. "I just… needed a second."
Ding. [7 minutes left.]
The world held still for a heartbeat. My pulse was so loud it drowned out everything else.
"What's going on with you lately?" she asked softly.
I smirked, trying to hide the chaos inside. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
The Truth is…
"I like you too" suppressing my shit eating grin I say with a straight face. 'wow she didn't shout she must be a nice girl'
Aria replied, shaking her head: "Excuse me?"
"I think we have a misunderstanding here, Mark, I like your brother."
Oh cool. Just stab me, twist it, add salt. Maybe throw me in the microwave for a full experience.
"Haha… yeah, of course you do," I said, smiling like my soul didn't just uninstall itself.
But would I let life walk on me?
Fuck no. My name's Mark Everest — I carved it into the top of that mountain with the cold wind dangling my dick.
I pulled out my phone, thumb hovering over the screen.
"Aria," I said quietly, "you don't want my brother to know what you did at John's party."
I said with a sardonic smile, flipping through the photos on my phone — proof that Aria wasn't the innocent she pretended to be.
Back in my university days, I was the guy everyone envied — charm, confidence, the works. Not the type who gets humiliated in a hallway.
Ding!
[Quest Timer: 5 minutes left.]
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," I muttered to the hovering text. "Chill, system."
I looked back at her, my grin sharpening. "You remember what happened at John's party, right?"
She turned her head away. "No…"
But her hands were trembling.
I checked the timer. Five minutes left. Great — just what I needed, teenage drama under pressure.
I sighed, voice sharpening like a blade.
"Cut the act, Aria. You slept with five guys that night. Don't pretend I don't know."
Her eyes widened — guilt, fear, maybe shame. I didn't care which.
After 2 hours ~
Ding!
[Quest Completed. Host receives 10 points and a gift box.]
I laughed as the 10 points sank into the ocean of my -1 billion debt. Figures.
Beside me stood Aria.
As expected — total bitch. Don't worry, brother. I'll do you a favor and protect you from her. Haha.
As I slipped my coat back on, she asked, "So… did you delete them?"
"Oh, sure. All deleted."
I smiled, even as I quietly sent them to my email. High-grade blackmail material. No way I'm deleting those.
I left the gym room like a new man, breathing in the cold air, my head clear.
What a joke. She doesn't even compare to the milf I live with.
Anyway—time to head home and check that reward.
Back in the gym, Aria was still there, breath shaking. The moment he'd looked at her replayed in her head.
His eyes… they were so hot.
Just as Aria left the gym, the teacher stepped out from the shadows. Her eyes… weren't the same.
---
I almost lost my way.
The city looked slightly off — lights dimmer, streets quieter. I had a hunch something wasn't right.
Climbing the stairs, I knocked on the door.
"Wait a minute," came a melodic voice from inside.
God, cleanse my soul with that voice, Bella.
The door opened — she stood there in an apron shaped like a heart, a wooden spoon in hand.
I grinned. What did this idiot do to deserve a woman like that?
I took her hand and kissed it lightly. "Bella."
She blushed instantly, turning her head.
"Did I just stumble into the cute milf route?" I muttered under my breath.
"Dinner's ready," she said. "Let's go to the back. I already set the table."
I dropped onto the tatami, body aching, while she placed dishes in front of me. I devoured them like a starving soldier.
She just watched, cheeks resting on her palms, smiling.
"Hey, System," I muttered. "Why don't you ever give me a quest for Bella, huh? Even if you didn't, I'd still go for her"
I grinned, taking a sip of soup. My eyes met hers — soft, warm, too good for this world.
And I was met with… silence. Figures.
My system's a dick. Now I'm sure of it.
Before my thoughts could drift, the TV drama cut off abruptly — replaced by breaking news.