Chapter 19: How to Get Killed by a General

Nero stared at the System notification in complete disbelief.

What the fuck was wrong with this System?

The first option almost made his heart stop. He glanced at Serina, who was still watching him with her smile, before looking back at the notification.

Ask for a kiss from Serina Blackwood?

Wasn’t that practically asking to be humiliated?

The second option was much safer. He could politely decline and walk away with $5,000, which was already a ridiculous amount of money for doing absolutely nothing.

As for the third option...

’What kind of idiot would ask a girl for her bank balance and marriage availability?!’

Nero couldn’t understand what the System was thinking.

However, after considering the rewards, his attention returned to the first option.

The reward was [Perfect Memory (Rare)].

It was clearly the most valuable reward, but was it really worth embarrassing himself in front of Serina?

He could already imagine her laughing at him if he actually asked for a kiss.

’Wait a second...’

A thought suddenly occurred to him.

’What if this is another way for the System to make me stronger?’

The System’s goal was to help him grow as a person, and so far, most of its choices had forced him to do things he would normally avoid.

Perhaps this was no different!

If Serina humiliated him for asking something so shameless, wouldn’t that help him develop thicker skin and become less afraid of embarrassment?

After all, he couldn’t keep worrying about what others thought of him forever.

’So that’s how it is...’

Nero felt he was beginning to understand the System’s intentions.

He had already been humiliated countless times throughout his life. What was one more?

With that thought, Nero took a deep breath and steeled himself.

"Then give me a kiss," he said as he stared Serina with a blank look. "You offered it yourself, and I helped you when you needed it. I think I deserve it."

The instant Nero’s words left his mouth Serina’s playful expression froze.

For a moment, she seemed genuinely surprised by his answer.

Then she started giggling.

’There it is.’

Nero had expected this reaction. He knew she would make fun of him, so he was already preparing himself for whatever humiliating words she might say next.

However, instead of starting to make fun of him, Serina did something completely unexpected.

She glanced around the area, checking whether any other students were watching, before noticing a narrow passage beside the vending machines.

Then, without giving Nero any warning, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along.

"H... Huh?"

Before he could figure out what was happening, they had already entered the passage.

There was barely any space between them, and Nero could smell the faint floral scent of her perfume. Being this close to her made him nervous, especially since he had no idea what she was planning.

’What is she doing?’

Serina looked up at him with a mischievous smile.

Then she leaned forward.

Chu!

Her soft lips briefly touched his cheek before she pulled away.

It was just a quick peck, nothing more.

"..."

’Wait, what?’

"????"

Nero was dumbfounded as his expression visibly changing.

Wasn’t she supposed to laugh at him and say something like "You really thought I would kiss someone like you?"

He had already prepared himself to be mocked and humiliated, so why had she actually kissed him?

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go!

"You..." Nero exclaimed, looking at her in disbelief. "Why did you kiss me?"

Serina rolled her eyes.

"It was just a little peck on the cheek, not a kiss on the lips. Don’t get ahead of yourself."

She then tilted her head, seemingly curious about something.

"But I have to say, you’re quite bold. Asking me for a kiss like that..."

Her smile widened.

"My father would kill you if he ever found out, you know."

"..."

Nero immediately shuddered hearing the term "Father".

William Blackwood was one of the most powerful generals in the Liberty Federation, a man whose reputation alone was enough to intimidate most people.

Nero had heard plenty of stories about him, and none of them made him particularly eager to get on the general’s bad side.

’I... I completely forgot about her father!’

Serina giggled when she noticed his reaction.

"Relax, I’m not going to tell him."

She stepped out of the narrow passage before turning toward Nero again.

"But seriously, how did you suddenly become so bold? I thought you were supposed to be timid and awkward."

Her expression became more curious. "What made you change so much?"

Nero didn’t know how to answer that question.

"I’m just trying to improve myself," he replied after a moment. "That’s all."

Serina hummed thoughtfully.

"Is that so?"

She smiled before turning away.

"Well, I have to go now. See you around, Mr. Savior!"

Serina waved at him before disappearing into the crowd of students.

Nero remained standing there for a moment, still trying to understand what had just happened.

At the same time, his Enlightenment ability suddenly activated again.

[Ding! By being near an incomplete High-Human, you’ve gained enlightenment on the concept of High Humans.]

"Huh?"

Nero frowned at the notification.

’Even Serina is considered an incomplete High-Human?’

He had already received the same notification while standing near Lucas, but he hadn’t expected Serina to be one as well.

’Just what exactly is a High-Human?’

Unfortunately, the ability didn’t provide any further explanation.

Meanwhile, Serina was walking through the campus, thinking about what had happened.

She had received countless confessions before. Some guys claimed they couldn’t live without her, while others had offered to do practically anything just to hold her hand.

Yet despite all that attention, she couldn’t quite understand why she had actually kissed Nero.

Of course, it was only a peck on the cheek.

It wasn’t anything serious.

But she had still done it.

Serina thought about his reaction for a moment before a small smile appeared on her lips.

"His boldness is a little cute~"

Meanwhile, Nero’s phone suddenly began vibrating.

He took it out and noticed an unfamiliar number calling him.

’Who could this be?’

After hesitating briefly, he answered.

"Hello?"

An elderly man’s voice came through the speaker.

"It’s me, Old Man Drake."