Rin had always told himself that if he ever died and woke up in another world, he'd handle it with calm, rational logic. But now this is happen for real...he...
He was currently screaming and running through a field.
Behind him, the sound of heavy boots crunched through grass and ash, impossibly steady.
"Host, please refrain from fleeing the Male Lead," the chipper voice of the BL System echoed in his head.
"Refrain from—?! I'm not fleeing, I'm strategicallyretreating! There's a difference!"
[Warning: Straying from plotline will trigger a mandatory 'Bonding Scenario'.]
Rin skidded to a halt. "A what— WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!?!"
The ground beneath him gave way.
Suddenly, he was tumbling down a narrow ravine, landing flat on his back with a rather unflattering oof. His eyes squeezed shut in pain.
When they opened again, a shadow loomed above him—tall, imposing, eyes like molten gold watching him with… amusement?
"Done running?" the demon general asked smoothly.
Rin blinked. "...I wasn't running. I was testing gravity."
The man tilted his head slightly, horns catching a glint of sunlight. His expression softened just a little, which was wildly unfair for someone whose introduction involved world destruction. "You have spirit. That's good. You'll need it."
[New quest unlocked: Initiate emotional contact.]
[Progress reward: +15 Favorability (Kaelith)]
"Emotional contact?!" Rin hissed under his breath. "What does that even—oh no. No, absolutely not."
The General demon extended a hand. "You're trembling. I'll help you stand."
Rin stared at it like it was a loaded weapon. "Yeah, that's a great idea. Let me just hold hands with the seven-foot apocalypse."
"Do you always speak such nonsense?" Asked Kaelith with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Only when I'm terrified, which, surprise—constant!" -"I WANT TO RUN HOME!!!"
Still, the system chimed again.
[Hint: Physical contact improves emotional synchronization.]
"Oh, of course it does," Rin muttered, gripping his temples. "This thing's literally running on fanfiction logic."
Kaelith's brow creased slightly. "You speak oddly. From which kingdom do you come?"
"Uh… The Kingdom of Burnouts. Population: me."
For a long moment, Kaelith just stared. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed—soft, low, almost genuine. The sound curled down Rin's spine like warm honey.
Rin blinked. "Did… did you just laugh? That's illegal. You're supposed to be terrifying."
"I'll do my best to terrify you later," Kaelith replied dryly. "For now, you look as though a breeze could knock you out."
[Favorability increased: +10.]
Rin groaned. "That's not a good thing…"
[Quest complete: Initiate emotional contact.]
[New mission: 'Attend the Demon General's War Council' — Reward: Survival.]
Rin looked up, utterly drained. "War council? Survival? Don't I get a tutorial or something?"
The system's tone sparkled with fake cheer.
[No time! Ship development waits for no one!]
Rin's scream echoed across the valley.
And the demon general, smirking faintly, offered his hand once more.
"Come, little hero," Kaelith said, voice teasing. "Your story has only begun."
Evan swore that somewhere, a fangirl squealed.
"RUN HOME! I WILL RUN HOME FROM THIS HELL!!!!!