T-Touch her…

Ariz barely registered the system's voice in his mind, his body still stiff from the near-death experience. His face was buried in the warmest, softest embrace of his life—again.

His thoughts scrambled for answers.

Wait… What was that voice? System? What system?!

Layla's breath shuddered as she held onto him, her arms trembling slightly. But then, realizing their position, she gasped and pushed him back—not as aggressively as before, though.

"Ariz!" Her voice held none of the previous irritation, only pure concern. She placed her hands on his shoulders, scanning his face. "Are you okay? That… That was way too close!"

Ariz blinked, still reeling. The warmth of her chest lingered against his face, but before he could savor the memory, her hands were suddenly cupping his face, tilting it side to side.

W-Whoa—

Layla's brows furrowed as she inspected him. "You're not hurt anywhere, are you?" She lightly traced her fingers over his forehead, then his cheek where she had slapped him before. "I—" She hesitated, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I'm sorry for hitting you earlier… And then you fell... I just… I didn't realize…"

She bit her lip, visibly upset.

Ariz swallowed. He had never seen her like this before—his strict, untouchable professor, looking… shaken? Regretful?

And holy hell, those soft, plump lips were way too distracting.

"I-I'm fine, really…" he muttered, trying to gather his scattered dignity.

[Tch. Weak. You should be milking this for all it's worth, baby.]

…Who the hell are you?

[Your wife.]

My WHAT?!

[Your wife from a past life.]

Ariz froze.

…Excuse me?

His stomach did a triple backflip.

This… This was a dream, right?

Meanwhile, the bus driver had already pulled over, turning back with a sheepish look. "Kid, you okay? I didn't see the stoplight change—"

Before Ariz could respond, Layla whipped her head toward the driver, eyes blazing.

"What kind of reckless driving was that?! You almost got a student killed!"

The driver winced. "S-Sorry, ma'am. I wasn't—"

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" Layla snapped, her voice sharp with authority. "If he had been injured—No, if he had died, what then?!"

Ariz stared. Damn. Seeing her this fired up was… kinda hot.

The driver muttered more apologies, but Layla finally let out a breath, shaking her head.

"Just… be more careful."

She turned back to Ariz, still visibly upset. "Come on, sit down." She gently guided him toward a seat, her touch surprisingly soft, lingering on his arm as she helped him settle.

The bus started moving again, slower this time.

Ariz exhaled, rubbing his temples. His heart still pounded—not just from almost dying but also from… whatever the hell just happened in his head.

And then—

[Baby~ Do you want to scan her?]

The sultry voice purred again.

"Scan…?" he muttered under his breath, confused.

[Just think about scanning her, and I'll handle the rest~]

This had to be a concussion. Or maybe some cruel afterlife prank. But still… his curiosity burned.

He hesitated, then—

Scan.

A translucent holographic screen appeared before him, only visible to him. His breath hitched.

—

[Scanning.…]

Name: Layla Sinclair

Age: 28

Race: Human

Occupation: University Professor

Conquer Difficulty: A

Power Level: 185 | C-Rank 

Stats:

Strength: 200 - C+

Mystic Power: 150 - C

Intelligence: 301 - B

Stamina: 130 - C

Agility: 144 - C

Endurance: 170 - C

Feelings for Ariz:

Affection: 15/100 (Concerned, No attraction yet)

Lust: 1/100

Hate: 0/100

Loyalty: 0 (Neutral)

Abilities:

🔹 Advanced Combat Training (Martial Arts Expertise)

—

Ariz blinked.

He stared at the screen floating in front of him. It wasn't a joke. He could see her stats—her abilities, her personal data, and even her feelings toward him?!

His breath quickened.

For a moment, his mind flooded with all the fantasy books he'd read, all the nights he had spent fantasizing about Awakening, all the times he had wished—prayed—that he will Awaken just like others.

And now, it had finally happened.

He clenched his fists, eyes gleaming with an emotion he hadn't felt in years—pure, unfiltered excitement.

No way! This is insane—this is actually happening! I Awakened!!! And A system! I really got a system!

[Yes, dear, You did got a system, but you haven't awakened yet.]

'Haven't Awakened yet? what do you mean?'

[Well Baby you are special~ so the normal awakening of humans dosen't apply to you... you can actually consider gaining the system as awakening]

'I- I dont understand...'

[Ill explain that to you later... for now focus on your hot Professor Baby~]

Alright if you say so

Damn.. She is a C-ranked, and here everyone thought she is a D-Ranked. She hid it well from everyone. And according to her stats, her Affection means how much she likes me emotionally… and Lust is… well, Lust. Hate is self-explanatory.

[Exactly, my love. If Affection reaches 50+, she is interested in you. 70+ means she has a crush. 80+ means she has genuine feelings for you. And 90+? Ohhh, that's when she's yours. 99+ means she's completely devoted—or obsessed~ They will do things you wouldn't even imagine to be with you.]

So what does 15 mean?

[Well, in simple words, she acknowledges you exist, and currently, you are in her friendzone.]

Ariz's mouth twitched.

…And Lust?

[Oh, Lust is different. Even if a woman loves you, it doesn't mean she's burning with desire. But if that number rises… well, you'll see~]

Ariz's gaze flickered to Layla. She was still checking if he had any injuries, completely unaware of the data sheet he had just unlocked on her life.

[Baby~ Get ready.]

...Huh?

DING!

—

[New Quest Issued!]

Mission: "The First Touch"

Objective: Touch Layla's juicy, firm ass and get her phone number.

Reward: Enhanced Touch, +10 Layla's Affection, Layla's Personal Number. 

—

Ariz nearly choked.

'....'

WHAT KIND OF QUEST IS THIS?!

His brain short-circuited.

T-Touch her… butt?!

[Hehe~ Come on, baby, she's got a perfect, plump ass, and you know you've fantasized about it.]

Ariz's face burned. Damn it, she was too damn accurate.

B-But how the hell am I supposed to pull that off?!

[You can pull it off~]

Ariz took a deep breath, his mind racing. He needed to be smooth about this—one wrong move and he'd look like a total creep. He quickly ran through possible scenarios in his head, analyzing the safest way to execute his 'mission' without raising suspicion.

Alright, alright… I think I have an idea…