System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]-Chapter 53: Never neglect your friend

"Hey, give me the reward, while you’re at it. I didn’t forget or anything, Spoon."

[ Yes, Dear Host ]

[ Press here→ ⚫ ]

Blake sighed, pressing on it without much thought.

At this point... he wasn’t even excited anymore, not like before.

Back then, when he was still naive, he would’ve leaned forward, maybe even smiled a little, waiting to see what he’d get.

"It’s probably going to be something useless, considering my luck."

More often than not, his skills were either too specific, too situational, or just straight up inconvenient.

Especially for normal, everyday situations.

Which was exactly what he needed right now. He had to seduce Myles and, to make that happen, he had to do hundred of other things.

Like figuring out one percent of Myles’ life by spying on him, or getting himself hurt for some weird looking ring.

But to make all of those happen, he needed a good night’s sleep. Or more socially oriented, like an instant charm.

’Yeah, that could be possible if I didn’t have a limit of three skills... and a better system, of course.’

[ I’m So Capable For My Lover! (A) ]

[ It activates when the Host has to spend a passionate night with the Target— ]

"Stop right there?!"

Blake shot upright so fast his back hurt immediately.

"What the hell did I just read?"

He covered his eyes with one hand, like that would somehow erase it from existence.

It didn’t, unfortunately.

"...no, no, no..."

He dragged his hand down slowly, staring at the text again just to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating.

Same thing, same horrible wording.

"Ayo, put that away. Put that away, I’m not taking that skill!"

His voice dropped, full of disbelief.

"Why would I need a skill for that?"

Then, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"And what makes you assume I’m bad in bed, huh?!"

[ Understood, Dear Host. ]

[ Quite frankly, you were and still are a virgin. But if that hurts your pride, there are no problems. ]

Blake stared at the screen. He was somewhat angry a second ago but, of course, he was already quite unimpressed.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, covering his face again.

"Honestly, out of all the A-rank skills you could’ve given me..."

He scoffed, shaking his head.

"...this?"

His shoulders slumped, now sighing heavily.

"Why, just why?"

[ Dear Host, don’t cry— ]

"You are such an idiotic system."

Blake raised his head, one eyebrow lifting slightly.

[ ... ]

"Who’s crying, you punk."

Silence.

Then he leaned back again, staring at the ceiling.

"...unbelievable..."

An A-rank skill wasted on that.

"...whatever."

He didn’t even want to think about it anymore, there was no point. And if he kept thinking about it, he’d just end up more annoyed.

Instead, he reached for his phone, right after taking a painkiller.

Anthony.

Since he got dragged into that whole mess of a mission, he hadn’t really had the time to properly interact with him.

"My bad, man."

Blake unlocked his phone and called him directly.

The line rang.

"Hello?"

Anthony picked up almost immediately, as always.

And, as always, he sounded slightly flustered.

Blake let out a small breath.

"Hello. How are you doing? Forgive me, I kinda disappeared."

There was a faint rustling sound on the other end.

"No, no, it’s fine! I know you were probably just busy."

"Yeah. Something like that."

Blake stood up, already walking toward his closet.

"You free right now?"

"Yes."

"Damn, that was fast. I’m flattered."

"I wasn’t doing anything important, so why not..."

"Nice."

Blake grabbed a shirt, pulling it on quickly.

"Then come out. Let’s hang out."

"...really?"

"Yeah? Of course."

He reached for his jacket, laughing. What did Anthony think he called him for?

"Unless you suddenly changed your mind."

"No! I mean, no, I didn’t!"

Blake huffed a quiet laugh.

"Then hurry up."

Another pause.

"...where do you wanna go?"

"Anywhere."

Blake shrugged lightly.

"You pick, of course."

Anthony seemed to think for a second.

"...okay."

He stepped out of his apartment.

"So," he added, "what were you doing these holidays?"

"Oh, uh, I went to my cousin’s place for two days."

"...yeah?"

"Yeah. It was really fun."

Blake hummed.

"You guys close?"

"Kind of. We share a lot of the same interests, so it’s easy to get along."

"Nice. Glad you had fun."

"Thanks..."

Blake pushed the building door open.

"Well, you can tell me more about it later, so get here fast."

Anthony laughed lightly.

"I’m already on my way!"

"Good. See you."

Blake hung up.

***

Outside, he leaned against the wall, arms loosely crossed, waiting.

This was bad, he had way too much time to think.

"...ah..."

Blake exhaled slowly, tilting his head back.

’Passionate night...’

He felt a chill going down his spine.

’...seriously?’

The missions themselves were already insane enough.

He had to seduce Myles. Sure. Fine. That was already pushing it, however he was coming to accept it.

But this?

’Do I actually have to do any of that with him?’

Blake frowned slightly.

Seduction didn’t necessarily mean that. Right? It could just be flirting, getting close, building something.

’But, after all, it is seduction.’

His expression stiffened.

’There’s no way that guy would stay under, right?’

Myles?

Bottom?

’Yeah. No.’

Not even in a hundred years, not even as a joke.

’I don’t think he would be willing to put himself through something like that. He’s a villain and everything, so, of course, he must prefer to dominate or whatever.’

Which meant, if things did go that far.

’So I’d have to be under, by this logic.’

He stopped again, expression getting annoyed.

’Nope. Absolutely not.’

His ears felt slightly warm.

’What the hell am I even thinking about?! Am I turning into a perv or what?!’

Blake rubbed his face quickly.

’This is so stupid.’

He let out a breath.

’Just, why can’t I be a girl? Nah. Actually, would that even make things easier?’

Yeah, he had a pride as a man. Taking it from behind just didn’t feel right.

But, considering the situation, of course a girl wouldn’t like it, either.

’Oh well. Let’s just hope my charm will be enough.’

The sound of a motorcycle cut through his thoughts.

Blake looked up. Anthony finally arrived.

"Nice."

He pushed himself off the wall and walked toward him, a small grin forming.

"Hey!"

Anthony took off his helmet slightly, smiling.

"Hey..."

Blake stopped in front of him.

"I see that you’re alive and well, even in person."

Anthony laughed awkwardly.

"I should say the same."

Blake shrugged.

"Don’t lie, I’m aware of my current appearance."

"I’m not lying, I swear!"

"Gosh, don’t take it so seriously."

Blake laughed, walking closer to the motorcycle.

"So, where first?"

Anthony thought for a second.

"The mall?"

"Hahaha, why not?"

Honestly, he hadn’t been to one since transmigrating.

’...I’m a little curious.’

Anthony handed him a helmet.

"Here."

Blake put it on and got on behind him, holding onto him properly.

"Let’s go."

The ride didn’t take long.

Soon enough, they arrived.

Blake stepped off, pulling off the helmet and looking up.

"...damn."

The mall was big, really big.

’...yeah, okay...’

He had been to bigger ones in his past life, so it didn’t impress him that much.

Still, it wasn’t bad.

’Seems like my expectations went too high with AL-TECH.’

Anthony walked beside him.

"Where do you wanna go first?"

Blake shrugged.

"You picked this place, you choose."

Anthony thought.

"I need to go to the bookstore. It won’t take too long."

Blake smirked faintly.

"Why not? Lead the way."

***

The bookstore was of course quiet and, most importantly, well organized.

Blake walked in with his hands in his pockets, scanning the place without much interest.

"So," he said, "what are you looking for?"

Anthony walked straight to a section.

"Science."

Blake stopped.

"Yeah, we don’t share the same tastes in books, it seems."

Anthony laughed softly.

"Sorry, it won’t be boring..."

Blake shrugged.

"Don’t apologize for your interests, dummy. I’ll still look around and help, even if I’m a little useless in this field."

He wandered slightly, glancing at random books without much interest.

Meanwhile, Anthony seemed focused. After a bit, he pulled one out.

"I want this one."

Blake walked over, glancing at it.

"What is it?"

Anthony turned it slightly.

"A study on modular cognitive robotics and adaptive control systems."

Blake blinked.

"Ah. So, what does that mean?"

Anthony smiled faintly.

"It’s about building robots that can adapt to situations, learn patterns, and adjust their behavior accordingly."

Blake stared at him.

"...are you preparing for a war?"

Anthony laughed.

"Well, no, but this world needs even smarter robots, so I’m studying the basics."

"How impressive! Do you want to work at companies like AL-TECH?"

He hesitated slightly, "I, to be honest, that’s my dream but... now I’m starting to reconsider."

Blake raised an eyebrow. His friend was always a little fidgety, but this time, it simply seemed like he didn’t want to elaborate any further.

"Well, it takes time to choose, so don’t feel caged into one choice. What you’re studying is still impressive regardless."

Anthony looked down, cheeks reddening.

Blake smiled.

Looking at someone who is pursuing their own path. It was impressive no matter what.

He didn’t want to but, inevitably, he felt a little jealous.

’If I seduce Myles, will I go back and do whatever I want?’

It was certainly a question he has asked himself often but, over time, it just made him feel stuck, so he has been trying to avoid it.

"Apart from this, I don’t need anything else. Is there anything you want to buy here?"

Blake snapped back, smiling brightly.

"No, not really. I’m invested more in your journey to build the ultimate robot. Who knows, next thing I know, and you’ll be building something impressive."

Anthony laughed nervously.

"That’s not happening."

"Mm. I believe in you."

***

They paid and walked out.

The mall was more crowded now, with voices overlapping and people moving everywhere.

Consequently, Anthony bumped into someone.

"Oh, I’m so sorry!"

He stumbled slightly but, before he could fall, Blake grabbed him.

"Careful."

Anthony steadied himself.

"Thanks."

Blake’s attention shifted to the person he bumped into

"...huh."

Something about him felt familiar.