After hearing the desperate tone in her voice, Kurt stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. He looked around, noticing that no one seemed to be paying attention to them—his classmates didn't even care. With a sigh, he grabbed her hand, and the two of them ran off together. Class didn't matter to him right now; what mattered was finding out more about this strange "system."
When they reached the rooftop, Kurt opened the door and stepped outside, wiping his hand on his pants in disgust.Ugh, why did I even touch her? She could've just followed me. What was I thinking?
He turned his eyes toward the girl, who only stared back at him in confusion. Seeing her clueless expression, Kurt couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"So? Are we just gonna stare at each other all day?" he said dryly.
"Ahem. Sorry, I should introduce myself first," she replied.
"Go ahead."
"I'm Sheryl Crow, the school president. Nice to meet you."
She extended her hand for a handshake, but Kurt just looked at it with clear disgust, making the situation painfully awkward. Sheryl forced a twitching smile, anger burning in her eyes, but she forced herself to stay calm—after all, she needed his help.
Taking a deep breath, her expression turned serious. "As you probably know, systems come in many types. Yours and mine are likely different, with unique goals and functions. A system can change your life, even your surroundings. You can achieve anything if you're determined enough. But power always comes with a price. Systems can give you riches—but they can also bring danger. Missions reward you, but failure means penalties… sometimes deadly ones."
She clenched her fists. "That's why I need your help. My system is a Guild Type. Its purpose is to form a guild made up of other system holders. I've had it for almost a year now, but I haven't found a single one—until you. And my deadline is tonight. If I don't recruit at least one member, the penalty is death."
Her voice cracked slightly. "Please… I'm begging you. Join my guild."
Kurt looked at her thoughtfully, then asked his system, "What do you think? Worth it?"
"You can accept, Host. The benefits outweigh the risks."
"I see."
When he looked back at Sheryl, she was already panicking—her eyes trembling, hope and fear blending together. She had written her goodbyes, done everything she wanted to before dying… but now, just as the darkness was closing in, a light appeared. To her, Kurt was that light.
Every second he stayed silent felt like torture to her.
Finally, he spoke. "First of all, you don't even know me, and you're risking everything to drag me into your guild? You really are desperate, huh? I literally decided earlier not to get involved with any of this system stuff."
That sarcastic tone stabbed at her heart like rejection. Still, she refused to give up—she was ready to do anything to convince him, even things she'd never imagined doing.
Then, to her shock, Kurt smirked. "But you know what? I changed my mind. This is getting interesting."
Her eyes widened in disbelief before lighting up with joy. She practically ran toward him to hug him, but before she could, he placed a firm hand on her head to stop her charge.
She froze, staring into his disgusted eyes—and to her horror, she felt a strange thrill from that look. She quickly shook her head, embarrassed. No way, I'm not a masochist. It's just… he's handsome, that's all.
By the time she recovered, Kurt was already wiping his hand on his shirt again, glaring at her from a distance.
"Why the hell are you charging at people like that, you weirdo?"
"Why are you so rude? Do you hate me that much? I didn't even do anything to you!" she snapped back, her frustration finally spilling over.
"You're the weirdo here. Seriously, you're more dramatic than most girls."
"Ugh, you're such a jerk!"
"Annoying."
"Bastard!"
Their argument eventually fizzled out as Sheryl realized how pointless it was. Her voice grew smaller until she crouched on the ground, then suddenly dropped to her knees, clutching his leg.
"Master, please! I don't want to die. It was my fault—please forgive me! I'll do anything!"
Kurt looked down at her with more irritation than pity. He pushed her away and slumped against the wall, sitting like it had been his plan all along.
Sheryl, oddly, felt a strange sense of relief after being tossed aside. Maybe it was the stress. She quietly moved closer again, but Kurt immediately stopped her.
"Stay there. Don't come any closer, you depraved maniac."
After composing herself, Sheryl sat across from him, regaining her composure. "Welcome to my guild. By the way, what's your name, mister?"
"Kurt. Kurt Russell. And before anything else, I have conditions before I join. Got it?"
"Yes, Kurt. Anything you want—I'll agree to it, even if it means giving you my body."
"Gross. No one wants your body. And don't talk to me like we're close, because we're not."
"Okay, okay! Just tell me your conditions. I promise I'll follow them."
"Oh, anything?"
"Yes, anything!" she said firmly, eyes blazing with determination.
"Then disappear," Kurt deadpanned. "Honestly, talking to idiots lowers my IQ. You people might die from stupidity alone."
He sighed and then laid out his actual terms. "First—stay away from me. Always maintain distance, whether we're walking, talking, whatever. Second—I don't take orders from anyone. I refuse to be controlled or restrained. And lastly, if I come up with any more conditions later, you'll still agree. Deal?"
Sheryl hesitated for a second, then nodded.
Kurt could only shake his head. "Why even bother thinking about it if you'll just agree in a second?"
Finally, Sheryl sent him a digital invitation.
– Sheryl Crow of the Crimson Night invites you to join her guild. Do you accept? –
Kurt glanced at her face—she was smiling brightly, almost glowing with hope. That only made him want to ruin it. So, with a smirk, he pressed "Disagree."
The look of disbelief and heartbreak on her face made him chuckle. Then, when she sent the invitation again, he finally pressed "Agree."