[Survival System Notification:
Daily Mission No. 2:
Kiss one of the richest men in the Kingdom of Dustifas.
Remaining time: three hours.]
Aruna heard a voice echo inside her mind, making her stare at the green screen that appeared before her. Yes, that's right—this was the strange world she had woken up in, inside the body of a girl called Rowlan. This place was like something out of a fantasy story—strange monsters and unmatched myths.
All she could remember was the car accident she had in the middle of a highway in New York City while trying to make it to her job interview on time. She was sure her heartbeat had stopped, that she had lost her life before she ever got the chance to fall in love. She was one of those hopeless people obsessed with love stories and waiting for a prince charming. But the shock came when she opened her eyes.
Rowlan blinked several times at the mission notification before her. Damn it, had her life become a children's game now? She looked around—nobles and people of status were walking about proudly, showing off as if being inside this extravagant palace made of and decorated with gemstones was an achievement. It was the grand ball held in honor of King Rick XI, ruler of the famous Kingdom of Dustifas.
The lights shimmered and sparkled, the music enchanting and mesmerizing. Rowlan swallowed hard. If I don't complete the mission, the system will punish me like before. No, I won't just stand here. If completing the system's missions guarantees my survival, then I don't mind kissing someone. Eugh—what am I even thinking? The pain I feel is unbearable—damn it!
Rowlan's body relaxed and stumbled right into a strong, muscular figure.
"You fool! Watch where you're going!"
The man shouted without even looking at her. Reality hit her again—yes, this was the world where no one loved Rowlan.
"Ah, yes, you're that witch who couldn't even awaken her powers. I wonder why you're even here. Your presence at a royal ball like this is an insult to every magician in our great kingdom!"
The man exploded in anger, his words hitting Rowlan like sharp knives. She took a step back instinctively. Yes, she had no magical power—or at least, that's what everyone believed.
Before she could reply, an old lady approached, patting Rowlan's shoulder.
"Don't forget she's one of His Majesty's honored guests. Stop bothering her, Commander Epikron."
The huge man bit his lip, bowed respectfully to the old lady, and said, "We'll meet again, hybrid. Pray that I don't crush your skull when we do."
Rowlan didn't respond to his threat. She simply observed her surroundings. She had no time to waste on people like him. She needed to find someone to kiss and complete this damned mission before time ran out.
'Alright, Rowan, it's just a kiss. Don't go looking for a tall, handsome, strong man with teasing, playful eyes—someone mischievous and daring, willing to give up everything and start a war for you. Ugh, stop it! Don't get carried away! That kind of man doesn't exist here. Just pick anyone. Hurry!'
Rowlan thought to herself as she walked away without even thanking the old lady, who didn't seem offended—as if she could understand her perfectly.
"Look, that's Duke Flack's daughter. I heard her father died out of shame because his daughter couldn't use magic. Ha! Pathetic."
Two ladies sneered at Rowlan.
"That's what happens when a great magician like Duke Flack marries a vampire. The result is a cursed hybrid abomination," the other added mockingly.
Rowlan paid them no attention. She didn't care about what they said. All she wanted was to get rid of this pain that haunted her from time to time—pain that began when she failed her first mission after waking up in this body.
Her feet carried her toward the grand balcony overlooking the most beautiful gardens in the kingdom. The sky looked clearer and more magnificent from that height. Her eyes drifted and landed on a tall, broad figure—his posture radiating strength and perfection. She could only see his back, yet something told her he was the one destined for her kiss.
She approached him, her heartbeat quickening. When she finally stood before him, he raised an eyebrow. She grabbed his collar, intending for the kiss to be quick—just a fleeting touch before she ran away like Cinderella, never to be found.
'Yes, no one will find me after this. It won't make any difference—everyone already hates me anyway,'
She thought, closing her eyes. She didn't want to remember the face of the first man to receive her kiss.
But wait—why hadn't her lips touched his?
"Hold on, miss. I'm not your prince charming. Are you drunk?"
The man said, glaring at her with clear disgust.
"I—I…" Rowlan stammered. She always felt like this whenever she saw a man who fit her ideal type of prince charming. Her cheeks flushed red, and she looked around nervously.
Damn it, how would she get out of this mess?
"Aren't you a nobleman? A wealthy one?" she asked, searching his eyes.
The man looked like he wanted nothing more than for her to disappear. All he wanted was some fresh air—he had only come to this ball in his master's stead. He hated such gatherings.
"No, I'm merely a knight accompanying my lord, Alexander. A simple man with a decent salary. But I assure you, I'm not the rich man you're trying to seduce."
He replied, trying hard to keep his composure. If they hadn't been at the royal ball, he would have taught this insolent woman a lesson she'd never forget—by cutting her flesh and feeding it to his dogs.
"Damn it, you're useless to me,"
she muttered under her breath, leaving the blond man speechless.
She had no idea who the richest man in this world was. She had no memories of this body, and the information she had was too limited. Her head throbbed painfully—she felt like it might explode.
'Come on system help me'
She hissed in embarrassment.