System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]-Chapter 63: No way...

It’s not as if it didn’t make any kind of sense, the real issue was that the implications were far too concerning for someone who was supposed to be the hero’s mentor.

’Now, now... maybe I’m thinking about this the wrong way.’

Blake leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose as his gaze drifted across the scattered blueprints.

’I don’t even know what they’re doing at AOP... let alone what’s happening in their other bases. I mean, maybe the alien DNA thing is collegated but... that wasn’t the main plot of the novel, I think. It was all about crazy tech!’

That alone made everything feel incomplete.

Unreliable, since there were too many gaps.

Too many assumptions he was being forced to make.

And in a situation like this, he knew assumptions could get him killed.

His eyes traced over the lines again.

There were many hidden access points: small, almost insignificant-looking entryways that led underground, opening into a network of tunnels.

Some of those tunnels connected directly to the insides of buildings, so seamlessly integrated that anyone inside wouldn’t even question their existence.

Others, however, were positioned just outside, close enough to be convenient, but far enough to avoid suspicion.

A strange design choice.

"The blueprints are old though..."

His voice was low, almost absent-minded as he spoke to himself.

"They were made decades ago."

Which meant that whatever purpose these tunnels had originally served...

...might not be their purpose anymore, right?

Time changed things.

Organizations evolved and secrets deepened.

"So maybe the function of these tunnels changed over time..."

His fingers tapped lightly against the table.

"But I mean... it is a secret that they exist. There’s nothing about it online."

For something this extensive, that was almost more suspicious than the tunnels themselves.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Blake dragged a hand through his hair before pushing himself up from the chair.

No point overthinking it right now.

He still needed to eat.

"Spoon."

[ Yes, Dear Host. ]

"At what point of the story am I right now?" he asked, heading toward the kitchen. "From the hero’s perspective, I mean."

[ Dear Host, you currently find yourself around the middle part of the story. ]

"...Middle, huh."

Blake clicked his tongue softly.

Of course, he already knew better than to ask anything more detailed.

Anything beyond that would fall under restricted information, things he could only uncover by progressing through missions.

Still, if this really was the middle of the story, then the hero should be at the peak of his fame.

That was how these narratives usually went.

He’s capturing criminals... the kind that abuse advanced technology.

That much lined up.

But everything else?

It felt... off.

Blake frowned slightly as he opened a cabinet, pulling out what he needed.

"What’s even happening in this part of the story..."

The pacing didn’t make sense.

No matter how many times he tried to piece it together, it refused to click.

This world was based on the most famous sci-fi novel from his past life.

The most famous.

There should’ve been something big going on.

Something exciting that justified that reputation.

But instead, it felt oddly quiet and underwhelming.

’Or maybe it’s just me.’

He paused briefly, staring down at the counter.

’Or maybe it’s not as interesting as people made it out to be. Who knows... maybe there’s some romance subplot going on right now.’

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

Chop.

Chop.

Chop.

For a while, Blake let himself focus on that instead of the thoughts crowding his mind.

Eventually, he finished and sat down with a bowl of soup.

Steam curled faintly into the air.

But even then, his gaze drifted back toward the blueprints.

Always the blueprints.

Where should he go from here?

That question lingered, heavy and persistent.

Whatever came next, he was certain of one thing, the system wouldn’t stop, since it never did.

It would keep pushing him forward and keep dragging him into situations he wasn’t prepared for.

Situations that could very easily kill him.

So if that was the case...

Why not take some initiative himself?

Why wait to be thrown into danger when he could at least try to control it?

’Although...’

He scooped a spoonful of soup, pausing mid-motion.

’It’d be better to wait until I get some kind of monetary reward.’

Practicality first.

’I can’t keep going around wearing that mask.’

It was wat too risky and conspicuous.

Letting out a quiet breath, he resumed eating before reaching for his phone.

The screen lit up in his hand.

Did you get home safely?

I did.

We should definitely go on another date!

Okay.

Blake stared at that last message for a second longer than necessary.

"...Okay?"

A small scoff escaped him.

"Pff... I can already imagine his face while typing that."

Ring!

"Ah—?!"

The sudden sound startled him, his grip tightening around the phone.

He blinked.

Looked down.

Myles.

He was calling right now.

"...Why?"

There was no reason.

At least, none that Blake could think of.

His fingers hesitated for just a moment before he accepted the call.

Bringing the phone to his ear, he realized, too late, that he was holding his breath.

"Blake."

The moment he heard his voice, something eased just slightly.

He exhaled, tension slipping out of him in a slow, steady breath.

"Hey, Myles," he said, tone lightening almost automatically. "What are you doing? Missing me already?"

"I’m doing homework."

Blake snorted softly.

Well.

Not like he expected anything else.

"At this hour? You’re better than me, really."

He pushed himself up from the chair and made his way back to his room, then dropped onto the bed without ceremony.

"I’m so sleepy... I swear, you really tired me out today."

"Did you eat?"

"I did. Had soup," Blake replied, shifting slightly as he settled in. "What about you? Eating while doing homework?"

"Something like that."

"Mhh..."

Blake hummed, turning onto his side.

The silence stretched for a moment.

"What is it?"

"...Uh?"

"Earlier too," Myles continued. "It looked like you had something on your mind."

Blake blinked.

Perceptive, much?

He let out a small, awkward laugh.

"Really? Ah... honestly, it’s nothing much. Sorry, that must’ve spoiled the mood."

"What mood?"

"The mood after I kissed your cheek?"

"...."

Okay, maybe that was too direct.

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Umm, anyway, you should probably get back to your homework. Seems like I’m distracting you."

A short pause.

"Good night."

"Yes. Good night."

The call ended, so the quiet returned.

Blake stared at the ceiling for a few seconds longer before closing his eyes.

***

’...Huh. What are these... flowers?’

The moment awareness returned, so did the strangeness.

Each dream felt more vivid than the last.

More detailed.

More wrong.

He stood in the middle of a vast green field.

But something about it wasn’t natural.

The scenery blurred the closer it got to him, fading into something indistinct, like it wasn’t meant to be seen.

Beyond that, there was nothing.

Just flowers with soft hues scattered across the field.

Pink.

Yellow.

Violet.

For once it felt almost peaceful.

Almost.

If it weren’t for...

"Did you pick this up for me?"

Blake turned.

There he was.

A child.

Himself, technically.

Or rather... the version of him that belonged to this body.

The boy smiled brightly, holding out a small bundle of flowers.

"Yes, Mom! You’re my princess!"

The woman laughed softly, her hand coming down to gently ruffle his hair.

"Am I now?"

"*******, here you are!"

Blake’s breath hitched.

He turned sharply.

A second child had appeared, reaching out to grab the boy’s hand, pulling him along, guiding him somewhere.

’Where are they going?’

Without thinking, Blake followed.

But then, he stopped.

That same invisible boundary.

Everything beyond it white and empty, completely ureachable.

He stepped closer, heart pounding as he reached out.

The moment his fingers tried to push past he felt an indescribable pain.

It was almost blinding.

"Stay away... you are only *** ***** ** * ******. From now on, don’t approach me."

The voice echoed.

Distorted.

Wrong.

The world were said violently, along with the warmth vanishing.

The colors drained, everything collapsed into something colder and harsher. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"You lied to me. You *** *** ** *******, stop getting involved with ********."

The pain moved.

No longer scattered.

Now concentrated in his chest, spreading rapidly.

From his chest, to his limbs to every part of him.

’I am dying, I am—!’

The child appeared again.

Alone this time.

Standing in front of him.

Looking up.

Eyes filled with tears.

He was blaming him.

"You abandoned me, too."

Blake jolted awake with a gasp.

His chest rose and fell rapidly, breath uneven.

The alarm hadn’t gone off yet.

"...."

He stared at the ceiling.

If this wasn’t horror... then what was?

Ding.

The system notification rang out, sharp and sudden.

Blake clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Without even glancing at the screen, he pushed himself up, stretching as he dragged himself toward the kitchen.

He reached for a fork, lifted his gaze and froze.

The fork slipped from his fingers.

Clatter.

It hit the floor.

[ Mission: Say hi to the main character. ]