Out of all people, why am I the ntred protagonist

Strolling through the bustling streets, I took in the familiar chaos—people chatting, cars honking, the constant hum of a city that never truly slept.

[System]: Is it always this packed?

"Yeah, Metrol City's always been like this. Nonstop movement, day and night."

As I walked further, a towering building loomed before me, its glass exterior gleaming under the afternoon sun.

RM Supermall.

"We're here."

[System]: Damn, that's huge!

"That's what she said."

[System]: Wait—NO! You can't just—Ugh, fine. I'll take that L.

I smirked, satisfied. Finally got one over on the damn System.

Stepping inside, the supermall was just as lively as the streets outside—crowds moving from store to store, the chatter of shoppers blending with the occasional promotional announcement echoing through the halls.

[System]: Whoa, it's even more spacious inside. Feels like an entire city packed under one roof.

"Yeah, yeah, take it all in. Let's just find some clothes and get this over with."

I made my way to a nearby clothing store, scanning through the racks when the System suddenly chimed in.

[System]: That one, that one… oh, and definitely that one.

I raised an eyebrow at the selections. A black long-sleeve shirt and matching black pants?

"You sure about this?"

[System]: Trust me, you'll look sharp. Just put it on.

With a shrug, I took the outfit to the fitting room. Moments later, I stood before the mirror, adjusting the sleeves as I took in my reflection.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I took a moment to assess myself. The black long-sleeve shirt fit snugly, outlining the lean muscle I'd been working on. It wasn't overly tight, just enough to highlight my broad shoulders and toned arms. The fabric was smooth, slightly stretching over my frame, giving off a sleek yet effortless look.

The black pants complemented the shirt perfectly—slim fit but not restrictive, sitting comfortably around my waist. The dark color made my legs look longer, adding to the overall sharpness of the outfit. Paired with my slightly tousled dark hair and sharp features, I looked…

"Not bad," I muttered, adjusting the sleeves again.

[System]: Not bad? My guy, you look like a main character now.

I chuckled. "Well, that's the goal, isn't it?"

"I guess this works." I adjusted the sleeves of my new black shirt, admiring the way it fit before turning away from the mirror.

The cashier greeted me with a professional smile as I approached. "That'll be 1,000 kuros per set, sir."

"I'll take three," I said without hesitation.

She nodded, swiftly punching numbers into the register. "That brings your total to 3,000 kuros."

I barely hesitated before exchanging my shop points.

[Shop Points: 630 → 628]

With the transaction complete, I slung the shopping bag over my shoulder and stepped out of the store. A small, satisfied smirk tugged at my lips. It wasn't just about the clothes—it was about finally being able to afford things without worrying.

Then, like fate itself was guiding me, a mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air—savory, rich, and absolutely irresistible.

My stomach let out a deep, traitorous growl.

[System]: Someone's hungry.

I rolled my eyes. "You think?"

Drawn by the scent, I navigated through the bustling mall, weaving past shoppers until I found the source—FoodHouze. The place was buzzing with activity, the air thick with the scent of sizzling meats, fresh bread, and something that smelled suspiciously like melted cheese.

I pushed open the door, inhaling deeply. "Yeah... this is definitely the place."

I approached the counter, where a cheerful employee greeted me with a bright smile.

"What would you like to order?" she asked.

I scanned the menu, though my mind was already made up. No need to overcomplicate things.

"I'll have a cheeseburger, a sizzling steak, french fries, and a Coke. How much?"

She punched the order into the register and glanced up. "That'll be 90 kuros."

I pulled a 1,000-kuros bill from my pocket and handed it over.

"Here's your change, 910 kuros. Enjoy your meal!"

"Thanks," I replied with a casual smile.

For a split second, she froze—her cheeks tinged pink before she quickly looked away, suddenly very focused on counting napkins.

[System]: Are you sure you're just here for the food?

I rolled my eyes. Oh, shut it. I was just being polite.

[System]: Mmm-hmm. Seems like 'polite' comes with a side of natural charm, huh?

I sighed, ignoring the system's teasing as I carried my tray to an empty table.

.

.

.

.

[System]: Say, I got a question.

The system's voice chimed in just as I was savoring another bite of my sizzling steak.

"Yeah?" I muttered, my mouth still half-full.

[System]: That Samantha girl mentioned something about people chasing after her just for her name. What did she mean by that?

I swallowed, wiping my mouth with a napkin. "She was talking about the Nachtwald name."

[System]: And that means…?

I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fork against the plate. "Metrol City is controlled by five prestigious families—each one a titan in their field."

I held up a hand, counting them off.

"Fifth place—the Nachtwald Family. The finest alchemists in the city. Their potions and elixirs aren't just effective; they're practically miracles in a bottle."

A second finger went up. "Fourth—the Greenwood Family. Masters of archery and marksmanship. If you need an arrow to hit its mark from miles away or a bullet to curve midair, you hire a Greenwood."

I lifted a third. "Third—the Kaufman Family. The wealthiest merchants, controlling trade routes and markets. If money flows, they have their hands in it."

Then my fourth finger. "Second—the Drachenschert Family. Legendary swordsmen known for their Draconic Swordsmanship. They don't just fight—they dance with their blades, rumored to be capable of slaying dragons and even gods."

Finally, my thumb. "And at the very top—the Sternenlicht Family. The undisputed rulers of magic, not just in Metrol City but possibly the entire world. Their lineage houses the Great Archmage himself."

I placed my fork down, my plate now empty. "So yeah, being a Nachtwald isn't just a name—it's a weight, an expectation. People don't approach Samantha just for her talent, but for the power that comes with her lineage."

[System]: Huh… politics, power, and expectations. Sounds like a pain.

I smirked. "It is. But if you know how to play the game, it's also an opportunity."

I took another bite of my cheeseburger, savoring the rich, juicy flavors as they melted in my mouth.

Damn, they really know how to cook here.

Just as I reached for a handful of fries—

[System]: Wait… if she's from such a powerful family, why offer her a chance to be rich when she's already wealthy?

I smirked, swirling the last bit of my drink before setting the cup down.

"Remember what you said about alchemists?"

[System]: What do you mea—oh… oh.

I could practically hear the gears turning in its digital mind.

"Exactly."

The Nachtwald family wasn't just any alchemist lineage; they were the alchemist family. But with that prestige came a brutal reality—one that Samantha had already tasted.

"They don't tolerate failure. The moment someone loses their value or falls behind..."

[System]: They get discarded like trash.

I tapped the table with a knowing grin.

"Bingo."

Samantha wasn't just fighting for success—she was fighting for her place in a family that had already deemed her a disappointment. And I was about to change that.

Ding!

A familiar blue screen popped up in front of me.

[Sudden Quest!]

[Goblin Dungeon - F+]

A dungeon near the supermall is on the verge of a break. Conquer it before it spills into the real world!

Rewards: 700 points, 2 rare random equipment, 1 ticket voucher

Failure: Death. The dungeon manifests in reality.

I froze, mid-chew. My eyes flicked between the quest notification and my barely touched fries.

"...You've got to be kidding me."

[System]: Tough luck, bud. Looks like you've got work to do.

I sighed, tossing the burger wrapper aside. Of course this had to happen while I was eating.

Wait. I narrowed my eyes. This wasn't in the game.

"Hey, System. What the hell did you do?"

[System]: Woah, woah, don't pin this on me! I didn't touch anything—I'm innocent!

I frowned. Then why is this happening?

[System]: Maybe a butterfly effect? You did change things, even if only slightly.

I tapped my fingers against the table, thinking. I hadn't made any massive decisions to shift the storyline yet... or so I thought.

If the plot was already deviating, that meant my knowledge of the game wouldn't be enough anymore.

Great.

I stood up, grabbing my drink and chugging the last of my Coke.

"Guess I'll just have to roll with it."