Chapter 3 - First kiss with bonus slap

Here's a more dynamic and immersive rewrite with sharper interactions, humor, and a dash of intrigue to spice things up:

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... /_______\ ...

[Registering Imagination...]

[Successfully Registered.]

[Imagination: Want to eat cakes, sweets, and chocolate.]

[To fulfill this imagination, reach Imagination Level 5.]

[Save this registration for future use? YES / NO]

... _______/ ...

"System, why can't I just register and execute this imagination?!" Ryex groaned, frustration dripping from his voice.

The System's vague, often cryptic functions always made his head spin.

... /_______\ ...

[Option One: Investigate yourself. Reward: +2 to all attributes.]

[Option Two: System Assistance. Reward: -1 Level.]

[Select: 1 / 2]

Ryex's jaw clenched. "Option 2? Absolutely not. I'm not going through that again." His hands trembled at the memory—he still had nightmares about what losing a level had cost him before.

"Option 1," he said firmly.

... /_______\ ...

[Option One selected.]

---

One agonizingly dull hour later, the door creaked open. A doctor strode in, his coat billowing slightly as he approached Ryex's bed. Trailing behind him was Nurse Alia, clipboard in hand, her calm professionalism a stark contrast to Ryex's chaotic thoughts.

The doctor studied Ryex for a moment, then said, "Remarkable. You're recovering faster than I expected."

Ryex blinked, his brain scrambling for a response. He had completely forgotten about his 70% accelerated recovery. "Uh… thanks?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow at his hesitation but let it slide. "Keep this up, and you'll be out of here in no time," he said, his tone slightly bemused before heading for the door.

As soon as the door closed, Alia turned to him. "I've already informed your family. They'll be here soon," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Thanks," Ryex replied. His voice was casual, but his eyes wandered over her figure. Her slender frame, the way her uniform hugged her curves—it was hard not to notice.

Alia caught his lingering gaze and sighed internally. She was used to being ogled but always found it annoying. However, she said nothing and focused on her work.

Ryex's mind, however, had other ideas.

... /_______\ ...

[Registering Imagination...]

[Successfully Registered.]

[Imagination: Nurse Alia slips, falls onto me, and kisses me unconscious.]

[Conditions matched. Level Requirement: 1.]

[Execute this imagination? YES / NO]

"Yes," Ryex chose immediately, excitement and curiosity bubbling within him.

... /_______\ ...

[Imagination linked to real life successfully.]

[Imagination processing...]

---

Alia walked toward his bedside, her sharp eyes catching a phone lying on the table. She recognized it instantly as the doctor's. "He's so forgetful," she muttered, moving to pick it up.

Ryex's gaze was glued to her. His heartbeat quickened as if he could already see it happening. And then—

"Ahhh!"

Her foot slipped on a puddle of water near the bed, throwing her off balance.

Smack!

Her palm slapped Ryex's face so hard his head whipped to the side. Before he could even process the sting, her momentum carried her forward, and suddenly—

Her lips crashed onto his.

The world seemed to freeze. Ryex's eyes widened, his mind blank. He could feel the warmth of her lips against his, soft yet firm, lingering longer than they should.

---

Alia's POV

One moment, she was upright; the next, she was falling.

Smack! Her hand connected with Ryex's cheek, and before she could pull back, her face collided with his.

Her lips landed on his.

The warmth, the closeness—it was too much. Her mind short-circuited, and her body froze. She couldn't even pull away, stunned by the sheer absurdity of what had just happened.

The sound of the door creaking open shattered the moment. Alia leapt up so fast she nearly tripped again, her face flushed a deep crimson.

Four people entered: a middle-aged couple and two younger women.

---

Back to Ryex

Ryex was still processing the kiss when his mother, Anna, broke the silence.

"Oh my," she said, her voice teasing.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Alia blurted out, waving her hands defensively. Her tone betrayed her panic.

Anna's lips twitched with amusement. "No need to explain. We'll wait outside. You two can… continue."

Ryex shot his mother a sharp glare. "Mom, it's not like that! She slipped!"

"Slipped, hmm?" Anna smirked. "And conveniently landed on your lips? I didn't realize hospitals were so romantic."

Alia's cheeks burned so brightly they could light up the room. "No, no, it's nothing like that, ma'am!"

Jefo, Ryex's father, chuckled. "Relax, Alia. If my son picked you, you must be special."

Alia froze, horrified. "P-picked me?!"

Ryex's younger sister, Resia, chimed in. "Come on, let them breathe. Sister-in-law is already flustered."

"Sister-in-law?!" Alia echoed, mortified.

Her embarrassment hit its peak when Anna added, "Oh, don't be shy, dear. You've got our blessing."

Alia turned to Ryex for help, her eyes silently screaming Do something!

"Does anyone care about the fact that I was in an accident?" Ryex interjected, his voice filled with exasperation.

Anna softened, walking over to him. "Of course we care, sweetheart. But it seems like you've got plenty of care already," she teased, glancing at Alia.

"Careful!" Alia warned. "There's water on the—"

Anna paused mid-step, noticing the puddle. She smirked. "Ah, so this is why you kissed my son."

Alia's face turned so red it rivaled a tomato. "I… I didn't—ugh!" She spun around and darted out of the room, her dignity in tatters.

---

Inside the Elevator

Alia leaned against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. Her first kiss.

Her lips tingled at the memory. She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "What is wrong with me?" she muttered, replaying the ridiculous series of events.

It was too perfect, too surreal—as if the entire situation had been scripted by fate.

---

Back in Ryex's Room

Ryex's family finally left, leaving him alone to contemplate. His gaze shifted to the puddle of water, and he froze.

He had spilled it earlier.

His mouth twitched as he recalled the System notification. "Bonus slap for a kiss, huh?" he muttered, rubbing his cheek.

"System, you devious little thing," he said with a smirk. Despite himself, he couldn't help but chuckle.