Top's System
The System Awakens
Kei wakes up in a blindingly white void. The emptiness feels infinite, and he can’t see or hear anything besides the faint sound of his own breathing.
Kei opens his eyes, squinting at the brightness.
Kei
(groaning) What the…? Where am I? Did I die?
A smooth, almost amused voice answers from the void.
System [Xue]
Oh, you're very dead, darling. But don't look so grim—it’s not all bad.
Kei
(spinning around) Who said that?! Show yourself!
A figure materializes in front of Kei. Xue, a stunningly androgynous person with sharp features, black hair, and a smug smirk, steps forward. They’re dressed in a sleek, futuristic suit.
System [Xue]
(tilting their head) Hello, Kei. Welcome to the Top’s System. You can call me Xue, your charming guide to... well, your new reality.
Kei
(staring) Top’s System? What is this, some kind of joke?
System [Xue]
(grinning) Oh, I assure you, this is very real. You, my dear, have been selected to join our program. It’s a simple job, really: hop through various worlds and make the male lead fall for you. Easy peasy.
Kei
(blinking) Wait, wait, wait—fall for me? You mean, like... romantically?
System [Xue]
(snapping their fingers) Bingo! You’re a quick learner.
Kei
(scowling) No thanks. I didn’t sign up for this nonsense. Just send me back to my old life.
System [Xue]
(sighing dramatically) Oh, how I love this part. You can’t go back. You’re dead, remember? Splat. Hit by a truck. Super tragic. But lucky for you, this system exists to give you a second chance.
Kei
(glaring) A second chance at what, exactly?
System [Xue]
(smirking) At existing. You see, if you fail the missions, you’ll be obliterated. Poof. Gone. But if you succeed... well, let’s just say there’s a shiny reward at the end.
Kei
(crossing his arms) What kind of reward?
System [Xue]
(leaning closer, voice low) A chance to rewrite your fate. To live again, in a life of your choosing. Tempting, no?
Kei
(hesitant) ...And if I refuse?
System [Xue]
(shrugging) Obliteration. Simple as that.
Kei
(groaning) This is insane.
System [Xue]
(grinning) Oh, it gets better. Ready for your first mission?
Kei
(mutters) Do I have a choice?
System [Xue]
(cheerfully) Nope! Now, listen up. Your first world is a classic medieval fantasy setting. Castles, dragons, knights—the whole package. The male lead is Prince Auren. Shy, sweet, and terribly lonely. Your job? Make him fall head over heels for you.
Kei
(in disbelief) A prince? You want me to seduce royalty?
System [Xue]
(smirking) You catch on quick. Don’t worry, I’ll provide guidance along the way. Now, hold tight—it’s time for your grand entrance!
Kei
(panicking) Wait, wait, I’m not ready—!
Before Kei can protest further, the white void shatters around him. He’s engulfed in light, and the next thing he knows, he’s standing in the middle of a lavish ballroom.
A grand ballroom filled with nobles in extravagant attire. Kei looks down and realizes he’s wearing a princely outfit himself—complete with a sword at his side.
Kei
(muttering) What the hell...
System [Xue]
(voice in his ear) Impressive, right? You clean up nicely.
Kei
(hissing under his breath) You could’ve warned me!
System [Xue]
(ignoring him) Focus, darling. The shy prince is across the room. That’s Auren—the one hiding behind the pillar.
Kei
(spotting Auren) Him? He looks like he’s about to faint.
System [Xue]
(dryly) Precisely. He’s not used to attention. Your job is to change that. Go introduce yourself.
Kei
(gritting his teeth) Fine. But don’t expect me to like this.
Kei strides across the room, feeling the weight of dozens of curious gazes. Auren notices him approaching and freezes like a deer in headlights.
Kei
(offering a polite smile) Good evening, Your Highness. May I have the honor of your name?
Auren
(stammering) I... I’m Prince Auren.
Kei
(bowing slightly) A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Kei.
Auren’s cheeks turn pink as he fidgets nervously.
System [Xue]
(in Kei’s ear): Oh, he’s already blushing. This might be easier than I thought.
Kei
(in his head): Shut up.
Kei extends a hand toward Auren.
Kei
Would you care to dance?
Auren hesitates, his wide eyes flicking between Kei’s hand and his face. After a long pause, he nods shyly.
As Kei leads Auren onto the dance floor, he can’t help but feel the tiniest flicker of accomplishment. The mission has officially begun.
The Reluctant Top
A lavish banquet hall, buzzing with the chatter of nobles. Kei sits at a long dining table beside Prince Auren, who avoids eye contact and nervously pokes at his food.
Kei
(whispering to himself) Castles, dragons, and... awkward princes. Great. Just great.
System [Xue]
(in his head): Oh, stop whining. You’re doing fine. Besides, he’s already intrigued by you. Look at those flushed cheeks.
Kei
(mutters) More like terrified. He looks like he’s about to bolt any second.
Auren
(quietly, without looking up) Is... is everything to your liking, Sir Kei?
Kei
(startled) Uh, yeah. The food is great. Really.
Kei catches the curious stares of other nobles at the table, all clearly interested in his interactions with Auren.
System [Xue]
Careful, darling. Everyone here has an agenda, and they’re watching you like hawks.
Kei
(in his head) You think I don’t know that?
Auren
(still quiet) I’m glad you’re enjoying it...
Auren’s voice trails off as a loud, boisterous laugh cuts through the room. The nobles turn to see Duke Morwin, a burly, self-important noble, approaching.
Duke Morwin
(grinning) Prince Auren! And who is this fine gentleman beside you?
Kei
Oh great, here comes trouble.
System [Xue]
(amused) Careful, Kei. That’s Duke Morwin. He’s as slimy as he is powerful.
Kei
(forcing a polite smile) Sir Kei, at your service.
Duke Morwin
(narrowing his eyes) A foreigner, hmm? What brings you to our court, Sir Kei?
Kei
(thinking quickly) I’ve heard tales of your kingdom’s splendor and wished to see it for myself.
Duke Morwin
(chuckling) Splendor, you say? Then perhaps you’ve come to seek the prince’s favor?
Auren’s face turns crimson as he looks down, clearly uncomfortable.
Kei
(calmly) Prince Auren’s reputation precedes him. It’s only natural to wish for his company.
Duke Morwin
(grinning slyly) How diplomatic. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Sir Kei.
Duke Morwin claps Auren on the shoulder, making him flinch, before walking away.
System [Xue]
(dryly) Well, that wasn’t suspicious at all.
Auren
(softly) I’m sorry about Duke Morwin. He’s... blunt.
Kei
(leaning closer) No need to apologize, Your Highness. If anything, I should thank him for giving me the opportunity to defend your honor.
Auren’s eyes widen, and he stares at Kei for a moment before quickly looking away.
Auren
(blushing) T-Thank you...
System [Xue]
(snickering) Smooth. Didn’t know you had it in you.
Later that evening, Kei and Auren are walking through the castle gardens under the moonlight. The atmosphere is quiet, and the tension is palpable.
Auren
(breaking the silence) Sir Kei... why are you really here?
Kei
(startled) What do you mean?
Auren
(looking down) You don’t seem like the type to visit a kingdom just for its splendor. Are you... seeking something?
Kei
(in his head) Crap. Think, Kei.
System [Xue]
(mockingly) Careful, darling. One wrong move, and the mission could crash and burn.
Kei
(sincerely) I came here because I wanted to meet you, Your Highness.
Auren
(blinking in surprise) M-Me?
Kei
(nodding) I’d heard stories about the kind, noble prince of this land, and I thought... maybe we could be friends.
Auren stares at Kei, his expression softening. For the first time, he meets Kei’s gaze directly.
Auren
(shyly) Friends... that would be nice.
System [Xue]
(smugly) Well done. He’s opening up.
Kei
(to Xue) Don’t jinx it.
Suddenly, a guard rushes into the garden, interrupting the moment.
Guard
Your Highness! Urgent news from the border. The enemy kingdom is advancing.
Auren
(tense) I’ll be there immediately.
Auren turns to Kei, his timid demeanor replaced by a flicker of determination.
Auren
l’m sorry, Sir Kei. I must go.
Kei
(nodding) Of course. I’ll be here if you need me.
As Auren hurries off with the guard, Kei watches him leave, feeling a strange mix of admiration and concern.
System [Xue]
(cheerfully) Oh, things are about to get interesting. Ready for your next challenge, Kei?
Kei
(sighing) Why do I get the feeling this mission just got a lot harder?
Hearts and Dragons
The castle stables, where the sound of restless dragons echoes. Kei watches as Auren timidly approaches a large, untamed dragon chained to a post. The creature growls, smoke curling from its nostrils.
Kei
(whispering to Xue) You’ve got to be kidding me. He wants me to get near that?
System [Xue]
Don’t chicken out now. It’s your chance to earn some affection points! Besides, who doesn’t love a daring dragon tamer?
Kei
(gritting his teeth) Daring or dead. Got it.
Auren
(glancing nervously at Kei) Are you sure you want to help with this, Sir Kei?
Kei
(Forcing a confident smile) Of course. What’s a little dragon taming between friends?
System [Xue]
(snickering) Friends. Sure. Let’s go with that.
Kei steps closer to the dragon. It snarls, baring its teeth, but he doesn’t flinch. Auren watches from behind, his face pale but filled with a hint of admiration.
Kei
(calmly) Easy, big guy. We’re not here to hurt you.
Auren
(whispering) Sir Kei... be careful. He’s never let anyone near him before.
System [Xue]
(dryly) Yeah, thanks for the pep talk, Prince.
Kei
(to the dragon) Relax. I know you’re scared too. Let’s take this slow, okay?
The dragon growls again but doesn’t attack. Kei carefully extends a hand, maintaining eye contact with the beast. The tension is thick.
Auren
(awed) You’re... not afraid?
Kei
Glancing back with a smirk) Afraid? Of course. But sometimes, you just have to fake it till you make it.
System [Xue]
(chuckling) Smooth, darling. Very smooth.
Auren
(smiling faintly) You’re amazing, Sir Kei.
A soft chime echoes in Kei’s head. A notification appears in his vision.
System Notification: Affection Points +5
Kei
(In his head) Did I just... earn points for being reckless?
System [Xue]
Yep! Keep it up, and he might propose by next week.
The dragon sniffs Kei’s hand, then lets out a low rumble. Slowly, Kei moves closer, placing a hand on the dragon’s snout. Auren gasps in amazement.
Auren
(excitedly) You did it! He’s letting you touch him!
Kei
(grinning) Looks like we’re friends now, huh?
The dragon huffs, nudging Kei’s hand gently. Auren steps closer, his initial fear replaced by awe.
Auren
(hesitant) Do you think... I could try?
Kei
(nodding) Go for it. Just stay calm.
Kei guides Auren’s hand toward the dragon. Auren’s touch is shaky at first, but the dragon doesn’t pull away. Instead, it lets out a soft, approving growl.
Auren
(whispering) This is incredible...
Kei
(smiling) Told you it wasn’t so bad.
System [Xue]
(teasing) Aww, look at the budding bromance. Or should I say... romance?
Kei
(internally) Shut up, Xue.
As the dragon relaxes, Auren turns to Kei, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
Auren
Sir Kei... thank you. I’ve been trying to bond with him for weeks, but I was always too afraid. You gave me courage.
Another chime echoes. Kei’s system notification appears again.
System Notification: Affection Points +10
Kei
(in his head) Okay, this might not be so hard after all.
System [Xue]
Don’t get cocky. There’s still a long way to go.
Suddenly, a loud roar shakes the stables. A second dragon, much larger and fiercer, breaks free from its chains, its eyes blazing with fury.
Auren
(panicking) Oh no! That’s the alpha dragon!
System [Xue]
(dryly) Guess we’re about to see how brave you really are, Kei.
Kei
(groaning) I knew this was too good to be true.
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![System [Xue]](https://up-pic.mangatoon.mobi/contribute/fiction/4540496/avatar/21977512/1648837510404.webp-s200webp?sign=663d2ae72ba07ff34cd5c5173647027a&t=675a2780)
