ICTEUWMN Chapter 17

After all, Yu Mian remembered that the little system had indeed mentioned this matter when it brought him the nutrient solution earlier.

‘What happens if I don’t go? Will I fail the daily task?’

But who would have thought the first task would have a hell-level difficulty?

Forget staying in this mansion.

[Uh, uh, if you fail, the simplest consequence is that the equivalent exchange will be forcibly terminated. From the plot perspective of the book, it means you’ll be discovered and kicked out of the house.]

[But this is also determined by the underlying logic of the small world in the book.]

[After all, in a novel, if someone transmigrates into a book and can use a golden finger without any cost, it would not only disrupt the balance but also disgust readers by coming off as blatant cheating.]

The little system offered a simple explanation, which helped Yu Mian somewhat understand the logic behind the world’s rules.

It seemed all mandatory tasks were issued from the perspective of maintaining the readability of the book.

If the popularity-related task was to enrich the plot, then daily tasks like these seemed designed to ensure balance within the plot.

Using the conch as a prop had allowed him to resolve the initial crisis. But he had indeed taken advantage of a study and advanced light brain that weren’t his.

If he could remain undiscovered forever, wouldn’t that mean he could avoid buying a house altogether and spend his life writing in someone else’s mansion?

This reminded him of a time he played the game “The Sims”. Players could live off their neighbors, but that also required enabling a “guest becomes host” cheat mod.

Clearly, the world’s rules wouldn’t allow something like that.

Besides, he himself didn’t want to rely on such methods.

But this task… wasn’t it just too difficult?

[Fish tears streaming down.gif]

Rather than being kicked out after being discovered, wasn’t it more likely that he’d be mistaken for an intruding spy and captured if he actively went to bandage him now?

‘This task is worse than letting me be discovered outright.’

At that moment, Yu Mian truly felt despair.

[Host, stay strong! If you die, what will the readers of your unfinished novel do? Go complete the task quickly!]

The system’s words of comfort and encouragement inadvertently triggered Yu Mian, making him want to quit even more.

This system really knew how to console people.

[And you don’t have to worry too much. Once the task is issued by the world’s rules, it means there’s definitely a way to complete it without being discovered.]

[For example, the 30-minute task limit suggests that the secretary who just contacted him will probably arrive in half an hour. You can finish before then.]

Since this was Yu Mian’s first time dealing with such a daily task, the little system worked hard to explain the hidden hints.

There must be a way to complete it?

‘Does this mean I should transform back into my mermaid form right now…? Wait, he seems to be asleep!’

Through the glass jar, Yu Mian suddenly noticed that after finishing his call, Huo Ting seemed to have closed his eyes to rest.

It was as if an exhausted beast had finally let its guard down to relax after returning to a place of absolute safety.

[Shh, move quietly. Transform now! Although it’s uncertain if he’s truly asleep, the task won’t lie.]

At the system’s urging, Yu Mian decided to take a gamble and transformed back into his mermaid form.

“Ugh…!”

Since the glass jar was right on the coffee table, Yu Mian immediately found himself directly beside the man. From a distance, it even looked as though he had fallen into Huo Ting’s arms.

‘Help! So, so close!’

‘This ridiculous task was too much.’

“But he really seems to have passed out!”

At that moment, Yu Mian’s face burned, but his heart felt a strange relief. He hasn’t been discovered at this point, so Huo Ting must really be unconscious!

[He’s not unconscious. His mental sea is unstable, likely disrupted intentionally during that earlier attack, and he’s been forcing himself to endure until now.]

The little system identified a potential issue, and its tone was suddenly serious.

But Yu Mian couldn’t deny one thing: Huo Yan’s cousin was really handsome.

Regarding this point, Yu Mian had to admit he was a bit of a face-con.

Especially with Huo Ting’s eyes closed, the natural aura of oppression he carried when awake had subsided, making his striking features even more pronounced.

At this close range, his sharp, deep-set features had a slightly mixed-race charm. Everything about his face was just right, compelling Yu Mian to steal a few extra glances.

‘His eyelashes are so long too…’

‘But this obsession with good looks must have been inherited from my parents,’ Yu Mian rationalized. It had nothing to do with how perfectly Huo Ting’s looks aligned with his aesthetic.

Flustered, Yu Mian quickly withdrew the hand that had been tempted to touch those long lashes and glanced around.

What was he doing? This was no different from teasing a sleeping tiger. He must be courting death!

[Emergency kit incoming~!]

The little system cheerfully utilized its permissions to bring over a first-aid kit from a cabinet, swaying as it moved toward Yu Mian, who struggled with his lack of mobility in mermaid form.

“Thanks, but I have to bandage him myself? That means I’ll have to find the wound too…”

Yu Mian carefully leaned against the sofa and adjusted his position, his tail curling beneath him as if kneeling. He looked at Huo Ting cautiously.

[Of course. In mermaid form, your sense of smell is much sharper.]

With the system’s reminder, Yu Mian sniffed lightly and indeed pinpointed the location of the wound.

‘Fine. No big deal. I can do this.’

Forcing himself to remain calm, Yu Mian reached out and carefully unbuttoned the military uniform. Underneath, he found the blood-soaked shirt.

“Hiss, it’s bleeding?”

The wound had been treated before, but perhaps to avoid alerting others or being noticed by the enemy, Huo Ting had endured all this time and was bleeding.

[That moment earlier when he caught the backpack to prevent the jar from breaking, he probably reopened the wound. In this case, it makes sense for you to bandage it.]

The system recalled how Huo Ting had stepped in to catch the backpack when Huo Yan almost dropped it. That movement must have strained the chest wound.

“He really cares about Huo Yan.”

Though he hadn’t said anything gentle, he had stepped in for his cousin even with injuries and despite not knowing what was inside the backpack.

As Yu Mian applied the bandages, he felt as if he had glimpsed a hidden layer beneath Huo Ting’s cold exterior.

But thinking about it carefully, even though Huo Yan often complained about his cousin being mean, his trust in him was obvious.

To his family, this man must be a reliable presence.

Yu Mian couldn’t resist looking up at Huo Ting’s handsome face again before quickly refocusing on the bandaging process.

He was getting too bold.

If the other party woke up now and caught him, he’d be doomed.

After carefully cleaning the blood with a cotton swab, Yu Mian painstakingly lifted Huo Ting’s arm and began wrapping the bandage layer by layer.

The task progress bar was actually nearing completion.

Honestly, it felt thrilling yet oddly fun.

Like treating a tranquilized tiger or some other ferocious beast.

“It looks like the task is almost done!”

Yu Mian finally tied the last bandage with a satisfied sigh.

[YES! Three minutes left, quick, quick!]

The system also cheered him on.

“Wait, why is my mental power increasing?”

When Yu Mian’s hand accidentally brushed Huo Ting’s side, he suddenly noticed a significant boost in his mental power. The golden mist had deepened.

Could it be that the previous information from the system was true?

Hmm? It seems that this guy might… really be able to increase his mental power.

Yu Mian quickly realized that as long as he touched Huo Ting, he could sense the endless mental power in the other party’s body. It was a continuous flow of warmth, a strong energy radiating from him.

[What the hell are you doing…?!]

The system watched in shock as its host reached out and clasped Huo Ting’s hand.

“Just a friendly handshake with the rescue target.”

“It really works!”

Yu Mian had barely begun experimenting when he confirmed his guess.

‘Oh my!’

From this moment on, Yu Mian’s eyes towards Huo Ting completely changed.

Even just holding his hand could do this—if he secretly gave him a hug, wouldn’t his mental power sky rocket!?

[What the hell are you doing?! Hurry, hurry! There are only two minutes left before the task ends!]

The system suddenly noticed something odd. Just a moment ago, its host had been completely resistant and afraid of Huo Ting, but now, his gaze toward him had become fervent and intense.

“Ah, only two minutes left? When will this kind of task be issued again?”

Under the system’s urgent reminder, Yu Mian immediately abandoned the tempting desire to continue experimenting.

He even felt a bit unsatisfied.

If these tasks always came with such generous rewards, having a few more wouldn’t be too bad…

[Hurry up! Pack up the box, and you need to put his clothes back on too!]

The system suddenly sensed something was wrong. It seemed its host had unlocked the door to a perilous path of experimentation.

“Got it!”

While still holding the man’s hand, Yu Mian quickly began tidying up the scattered gauze and tools on the side.

[…]

The system watched this scene, and for a moment, its database felt overheated.

Taking care of this task felt like babysitting a kindergarten child—who applies medicine while holding hands!

How improper!

“All done! I’m heading back!”

After Yu Mian finished tidying up, he watched as the system swiftly pushed the medical kit back into the cabinet.

“Uh…?” Yu Mian tried to withdraw his hand but found he couldn’t move it no matter how hard he tried.

???

‘I, I think I’m being held captive!?’

Yu Mian’s heart stopped beating for a moment, and he looked down in a daze at his hand which had been tightly held without him knowing when.

Compared to Yu Mian’s soft hands that had never done any labor, Huo Ting’s hands were rough, with prominent joints and a noticeably darker complexion.

The moment his hand was entirely enveloped, there was almost no room for him to struggle free.

!?!!

“Help… why won’t he let go?”

Panicked, Yu Mian subconsciously raised his head to look at the man before him—only to realize with a jolt that Huo Ting’s eyes were open!

The dark, ink-like pupils froze him on the spot, leaving him breathless.

[Wait, wait! Don’t panic! The system hasn’t triggered an alarm, meaning he hasn’t fully woken up. This is just a subconscious reflex!]

The system quickly scanned the situation and shouted its findings, bringing Yu Mian back to his senses.