’This...isn’t right. Based on Shelly’s character profile, she should have finished her mission as well. Did something go wrong because I decided to get involved?’

If the system was here, then Rin could have asked it. But since the system was not here, Rin had to find a solution on his own.

And that meant, allowing Shelly to complete her task her own way in order to complete her mission.

"Shelly, do you have any idea what you can do to complete your mission?"

Rin asked her and Shelly nodded with a little hesitation.

"I think I know what to do. Although, I’m not sure how well you’ll take it. Since I didn’t want to overstep, I did not ask."

The fact that Shelly was hesitating and even nervously playing with her fingers was already suspicious enough. Whatever she needed to do seemed to be beyond Rin’s comfort zone. But he was still willing to take the risk for her.

One person after another came to Rin and offered him their condolences for what happened to him and that they always knew his family was strange.

Then there were those who were more interested in his curse than his family.

The Duke drove both groups away and they quickly returned to the Duke’s mansion.

And finally, it was time to help Shelly complete her mission...

But this could not possibly be part of the mission.

"Rin, stop moving. I might accidentally poke your head with the pin if you move too much."

Shelly complained as she forced Rin to remain still in his chair. It wasn’t as though he could move much regardless.

Rin was currently buried under the weight of a lot of cloth and even more accessories. He felt like he had a bank worth of money on his body right now

But asking Shelly was impossible because she kept turning her head away the second he tried to ask her anything. And she had already sent away the maids with strict orders not to enter her room.

"Shelly, tell me the truth. This is not a part of your mission, right? I don’t think treating me like a doll and playing dress-up with me is what your character truly wants-"

"Shhh, stop speaking. You are ruining your lipstick. It took me too many swatches to match your complexion. Don’t make me reapply it."

Rin’s hand had become the victim of Shelly’s swatches and has turned various shades of red. He wanted to argue that this treatment was excessive, but since he only had to endure this for a little longer, he allowed Shelly to do as she pleased.

...

[Task four has ended. The story space will begin dissolving.]

[Those who completed their objective will be given special benefits during the next task.]

Rin breathed a sigh of relief as his surroundings began returning to normal. He pretended he did not see Shelly’s disappointed expression as the space they were in started to disappear.

"Tsk, how unfortunate-"

The space finally faded to white but Rin did not immediately get transported back to his original body. Instead, he found himself suspended in the middle of a white space.

"Now, where am I? This doesn’t look like earth."

Rin questioned as he tried to move, only to be weighted down by his clothes. Now only had he entered this white space, but he had done so after wearing the heavy clothes Shelly had forced him on.

"Why did this happen? Wasn’t the props used in story-type tasks supposed to remain in them? I should not be wearing this."

Rin had a lot of questions but the one who could answer him was not here.

Just where had the system gone? Wasn’t it time for it to return since the task was over?

"So, how long am I going to be stuck in here for?"

Rin questioned as he looked around the blank space. He did not expect an answer, but he still got one anyway.

[Not for long, kid. We are just running an experiment here, and I would like you to assist me. Here, what do you feel.]

A loud ringing immediately made Rin reach towards his ears and close them. Its frequency was beginning to hurt him and his knees collapsed not long after.

[Ah, this one is no good. It seems like we’ll have to try the other stuff. Here, what about this.]

The melody became a little gentle and Rin felt himself falling asleep. He almost gave in when the same sharp voice from before came back with a slight frustration.

[So not this either. Just what am I lacking to produce the same results? I need to be more proactive...Hey, my connection-]

[⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝]

[Congratulations Rookie. This system is back online and with new features.]

[In other words, the system got promoted. Let’s enjoy this after breaking open a new crate of wine.]

Rin did not think it was possible to feel relieved after seeing the system, but somehow the day had come.

[Rookie, I did not realise you had such refined tastes. My-oh-my! Look at those frills and those elegant ribbons.. Should we capture this moment to commemorate your stunning appearance?] 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The system asked in a teasing voice. But unfortunately, Rin was not interested in dressing up any more than he already had.

"I would like to change now. Just take me home. Anyway, where am I right now?"

Now that Rin had finally paid attention to his surroundings, he suddenly realized he did not know where he was and how he ended up here. The last thing he recalled was completing task four and then...what happened afterward?

[Don’t put too much pressure on your mind, Rookie. This space is just a subspace fragile souls like yours need to be taken to before we can send them back to their bodies. Now, get ready for a harsh landing.]

That was the only warning Rin got before the world around him started to spin. One second, he was sitting in the white space, being weighed down by the clothes, and the next he was in his bed, waking up to see all his companions crowding around him.

"He’s awake. Reina, check on him immediately-"

"I am trying to. If only you all would give me some space. Albus, I need you to help him up...nevermind, Shelly handled it"

Now...how did things spiral into this situation?