"And since when is DEATH an acceptable penalty for side quests?" Neville’s voice cracked on the last word. "Is this going to be a recurring theme? Every side quest from now on—’complete this task or die’? What happened to deducting points or temporary debuffs?"

[Host seems stressed! Would you like a calming pill from the System Mall? Only 50 Good Points! ヽ(>∀<☆)☆]

Neville’s eye twitched. "You’re trying to change the subject."

[Shelly would never! (◕ᴗ◕✿)]

He let out a long, suffering sigh, running his fingers through his hazel-brown hair until it stuck up in frustrated spikes. The small red mole under the corner of his right eye seemed to pulse with his mounting irritation.

Fine. If the system wanted to issue death-penalty side quests for maintaining the virginity he had already maintained for more than twenty-four years across two separate existences, then so be it. He would definitely survive this.

"Pull up the System Mall," he ordered, squaring his shoulders like a general preparing for war.

The holographic display of the mall interface materialized, rows upon rows of items organized by category. Neville’s fingers moved with purpose, his eyes were scanning the options with grim determination.

Inhibitors? Buy.

Calming pills? Could only buy one per month? Buy.

Pheromone suppressants? Buy five.

Pheromone-masking spray? Two bottles, just in case.

Emergency teleportation talisman? He hesitated at the price but still pressed buy. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even buy it because of the side quest.

What’s the point of putting it in here? Can’t you gray out the items I couldn’t buy? Tsk, giving useless hope to people.

[Host is very prepared! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧]

Neville ignored Shelly and checked the inventory to see if the purchased items were there. He immediately consumed one calming pill and an inhibitor. He felt the cool medicinal sensation spread through his veins.

Whatever situation was waiting for him, he would face it as emotionally numb as possible.

Neville checked the time again. It was already past noon, and still no word from Grayson. He immediately saved his work and pulled up the internal communication system.1

He connected to Iris’s line first. She appeared on screen within seconds. Her usually stern face softened slightly when she realized that it was him.

"How’s work, Hope?"

"I’m working alone," he corrected. "Mr. Maxwell hasn’t come in today, and I haven’t received any notification about his absence. I’m going to check on him."

Iris’s eyebrow rose, "You’re going to his penthouse?"

"He lived in a penthouse?" Neville’s eyes widened. It seemed that living in poverty for a long time really narrowed his imagination. He quickly shook his head and said, "As his temporary secretary, I need to. Can you and Sarah cover for me with the team? I’ll keep you updated."

"Consider it done." A rare smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Safe travels."

He disconnected the call and stared at the blank screen for a moment.

What’s up with her expression? Something’s amiss.

A second call went to Sarah, "Hope! I was just thinking about asking you! Did you hear that—"

"I need to go out. I already asked Iris cover for me. Will you help her?"

Sarah’s eyes widened in excitement, "You’re going to his PENTHOUSE? THE Penthouse? The one no one’s ever been inside except—"

"I don’t have much time."

"Sure will." Her grin was absolutely insufferable. "Don’t forget to take pictures for me!"

"Goodbye, Sarah."

Neville quickly cut the line in case the conversation went on a high wire again.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

The penthouse occupied the top floor of a tall building near the beach. At first, you could mistake it for the hotel, but it wasn’t. It was a building stacked in sizes of condo units with interiors designed like a penthouse.

Why a penthouse? That was the limit of my poverty-stricken imagination.

Neville managed to enter the building without many judging gazes. It seemed that that was just how it was for rich people. He stepped out of the lift into a corridor of sleek black marble and ambient lighting, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

The door to the penthouse loomed before him, a seamless panel of reinforced steel. There was no visible handle, no obvious entry point—just a small scanning pad that glowed with soft blue light.

Neville hesitated. He didn’t have clearance. He was just a temporary secretary, albeit a highly competent one. Coming here was definitely overstepping his boundaries.

Even so, since he was already there, he might as well try, right?

On impulse, he pulled out his work ID and waved it at the scanner, more as a joke than anything else. A way to prove to himself that he had tried, before turning back and reporting to Iris that the CEO’s penthouse was inaccessible.

The scanner beeped.

The door slid open.

Neville stood frozen, his ID card still raised like a shield, as the interior of Grayson’s private residence revealed itself to him.

"What the—" he breathed, stepping inside before his rational mind could stop him.

The penthouse was just like those high-rise apartments back on earth, but with a futuristic touch. It had a minimalistic vibe and vast space with room for more creative input.

The living room had something like a marble floor and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the city skyline. The furniture was luxurious but lived-in, with dark leather couches arranged around a low table.

A soft rustling sound drew his attention downward, and Neville’s heart nearly stopped. A baby snake was making its way toward him across the polished floor, its scales glinting like liquid obsidian under the ambient lighting. It moved with a deliberate motion, with its tiny forked tongue flicking out to taste the air.

Neville’s first instinct was to step back. Then he suddenly crouched down to get a better look. The baby snake reached his foot and began to coil around his ankle. Its body was surprisingly warm against his skin, even through his trousers. It was small—barely the length of his forearm—but moved with an intelligence that seemed almost supernatural.

And then the familiarity made him realize...

"Lucky?"