The school event had ended hours ago, but Rui still hadn't gone home. He sat on a solitary bench near the empty sports ground, the late afternoon sun casting long, quiet shadows across the worn asphalt. His heart hadn't quite calmed since earlier—Kian's eyes, sharp and unreadable, yet filled with that strange, magnetic recognition, still lingered in his thoughts. The unexpected attention he'd received all day was a new, unsettling weight.
Just as Rui pulled out his phone, hoping to distract himself with the mundane, the familiar, intrusive ding! echoed directly in his mind.
[Major Task Unlocked!]
The system screen opened automatically before him, brighter, more insistent than before.
Task #3: Initiate a Real Conversation With Kian Elros
Reward: 100 Points + 1 Hidden Bonus(This task must include a minimum of 3 sentences and be face-to-face.)
Rui blinked, staring at the glowing words. "You want me to talk to him again? For real?" he muttered, a mix of exasperation and disbelief in his tone. The thought of deliberately approaching Kian, unprompted by imminent danger or system time limits, sent a fresh wave of anxiety through him.
The floating chibi mascot appeared again, cheerfully spinning in the air, its tiny suit gleaming. "Yes, Rui! It's time to start unlocking higher-tier opportunities! Kian is your bond partner—the unique energy exchange between you activates higher wealth channels for your benefit!"
Rui frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "So you keep saying. But… how do I know I can trust you?" The skepticism was clear in his voice. The system felt like a miracle, but his life had taught him to be wary of anything that seemed too good to be true.
The chibi paused mid-spin, its enthusiastic aura dimming slightly. Then it blinked its large, round eyes and floated closer, its tone unexpectedly softer, devoid of its usual cheer. "You're wondering if I'm using you, aren't you?"
Rui looked away, chewing on his lip. "I mean… yeah. I've read system novels. Some are helpful. Some ruin the host's life. What if you're secretly bound to Kian? What if I'm just a battery to feed your system, or worse, his?" The fear was raw, rooted in a life of being alone and exploited.
The mascot nodded thoughtfully, its small head tilting. "A fair concern. I understand your apprehension, given your circumstances. But here's the truth: You're the host, Rui. Not Kian. Yes, your bond with him powers the system—it's the unique catalyst—but you're the only one with direct access to it. Your growth is my prime directive." Its digital eyes glowed with sincerity.
"Kian can't see your tasks, your store, or your rewards. Everything is built for you to grow and thrive. He's the anchor, the source of the bond energy, not the master of your destiny."
Rui narrowed his eyes, still unconvinced. "Then why is everything tied to him? Why not just some generic 'wealth' system?"
"Because he's your 100% mate," the chibi explained patiently, "and energy between true mates is incredibly rare—a cosmic alignment. That unique resonance unlocks the highest possible system tier: 'Wealth-Building.' Without that specific bond, this system would have never activated for you. You would just be… a normal omega."
Rui fell silent, the explanation making a strange, uncomfortable sense. It was a truth both terrifying and alluring.
Still, he remained guarded, crossing his arms tighter. "So if I wanted to stop… I could?"
"Of course." The chibi's eyes glowed a gentle blue, a subtle confirmation. "Consent is fundamental to system ethics. But if you choose to terminate the partnership, all wealth channels freeze—store access, point balance, and future tasks. The mate bond itself remains, but the system's benefits won't be available to you."
Rui sighed, a heavy sound. He glanced at the $50 still untouched in his digital wallet. His multiple part-time jobs barely paid that much in three weeks. Losing this, the sudden glimmer of hope, felt like an unbearable thought.
"…Fine. I'll talk to him," he muttered, the words almost physically painful to force out. "But if he thinks I'm weird or gets suspicious—"
"Then you act natural!" the mascot winked, its cheer returning in full force. "Be you, Rui. The task just wants three genuine sentences. That's all. The rest… happens naturally, trust me."
Later that evening, the moon already hanging high in the sky, Rui found himself back at the school gate. He didn't know why, just a nagging feeling, a faint pull towards the familiar.
And there it was: Kian's sleek black car, a luxury sedan he'd only seen in magazines, parked just outside, its engine idling softly, a silent sentinel in the dim light.
As Rui approached cautiously, his heart thrumming, the passenger window rolled down with a faint whir.
Kian looked at him. Calm. Unreadable. Impossibly beautiful in that cold, CEO way.
Rui took a deep, fortifying breath.
"I… wanted to thank you," he managed, his voice steadier than he expected. "For what you did the other day. With those guys. You didn't have to help." He met Kian's gaze, determined not to look away this time.
Kian raised an eyebrow slightly, a subtle hint of surprise or perhaps amusement. "I didn't do it for thanks." His voice was a low, smooth rumble, utterly captivating.
Rui felt his cheeks warm, flustered despite himself. "Still. You did." He stood his ground.
Just then, the system chimed pleasantly in his mind, the sound a soft reward:
[Task Complete – +100 Points Earned]
[Hidden Bonus Unlocked: Trust Meter (10%)]
Rui didn't know what 'Trust Meter' meant, but the influx of points was a clear win.
Kian leaned back slightly in his seat, his gaze sweeping over Rui, a flicker of something unreadable—appraisal? interest? —in his eyes. "You're different today," he observed, his voice softer, almost thoughtful. "You look… better."
Rui's heart skipped, a quick, fluttery beat. He was still reeling from the successful task, the sudden compliment. "Sleep and soap," he mumbled, the lame excuse tumbling out before he could stop it. His cheeks burned fiercely. He turned on his heel and walked away quickly, almost a hurried escape, leaving Kian behind.