[ALERT! New task loaded.]
{TASK #1}
[Task Details: Complete the System Tutorial]
[Reward for Completion: 2 Levels and Unlock System Features]
[Failure to complete the task will result in losing the system.]
[TIME LIMIT: N/A]
"Huh? Uh... okay. How do I start the tutorial?" I paused for a brief moment, confused. "Start!"
No response from the system.
"Is that not the word? Begin!"
Still no response.
"Okay, perhaps its... system!"
A window popped up.
[Host has completed the first step of the tutorial.]
[Launching Tutorial Interface]
[Tutorial Interface Loaded. Host, please listen and follow the instructions as provided.]
{TUTORIAL}
[Welcome, Host! As you've seen, to open the system, you must call out "System!"]
[The System can be navigated through both vocal commands and manual input.]
[There are several different functions available to you as the Host.]
[As you level up, more of these functions will be unlocked...]
[For now, the only available functions are: Information Panel and Shop.]
[To access either, say, "System, open the shop!" or "System, open the information panel!]
{TUTORIAL TASK 2}
[Open both the information panel and the shop.]
Interesting. Now that I think about it, I feel like I've read an ancient book about a system before...
"System, open the shop!"
[Opening the shop.]
A new window popped up to the left, displaying several tabs categorizing items from top to bottom: Weapons, Armor, Potions, Titles, Abilities, Miscellaneous.
[Host, as you browse the shop, you may notice that there are several different catalogues.]
[In each, you will see pages upon pages of items/objects of which belong to that catalogue.]
[These can be obtained through coins, quest completion, or through random crates.]
[Coins can be obtained through completing quests. Major and hidden quests yield additional coins and loot boxes.]
[Host successfully unlocked the shop. Please open the information panel to proceed.]
"System, open the information panel!"
A second window appeared on my right.
[Opening the information panel.]
[Welcome host to the information panel. Here, you can view personal details, levels, stats, titles, abilities, and more.]
[Leveling up grants three stat points. Click "STATS" button to view them.]
I pressed the button.
[Stats determine your combat capabilities.]
[Strength, agility, durability, intelligence, perception, are all the stats listed.]
[Modifiers that increase or decrease your stats or other body functions are listed below.]
[Each stat is crucial to your combat ability, but depending on your fighting style, some should be prioritized.]
[Strength: Determines physical power and attack potency.]
[Agility: Affects speed and stamina.]
[Durability: Represents health and resilience.]
[Intelligence: Improves mana capacity, regeneration, and mana-based powers.]
[Perception: Enhances awareness, illusion resistance, and sensory acuity.]
[Based on the system's calculation, a balanced build with a focus on intelligence is suggested, but the choice is yours to make.]
[Host, congratulations on completing the tutorial! You have been rewarded with 2 levels and access to the system. Additionally, as a beginner gift, you will be granted a high-tier loot box!]
"High-tier? I like the sound of that. Neat. I'll wait until I'm out of here to open it-"
Suddenly, the system interface vanished. I looked around to see the gazes of everyone starring at me. Turns out I had been yelling the whole time in excitement.
A nurse approached, her eyes fixated on a tablet. "Sir... I understand you may be in pain, but please keep it down. Other patients are trying to rest."
"Ah, I'm sorry about that... could I leave the hospital now? I feel perfectly fine." I stood up from the hospital bed.
"That would be preferred, we need to make space for incoming patients..." she picked her head up from her tablet, her cheeks turning red. "But before that, do you mind giving me your phone number? You'll um... need a check-up in a about a month or so."
I tilted my head, "Phone number? What is that?"
She turned away, storming off whilst muttering, "Never mind! Don't worry about it. You can leave now! I understand I'm not pretty enough for you!"
Pretty enough? What is she talking about? Are all humans that odd? Why would she just storm off? Well, anyway, it's time to go find a private area to check out this system further.
I left the hospital and headed toward a nearby park. On the way there, there were small roads covered with machines that humans called vehicles, different metal signs, and machines that emitted three different colored lights in fixed sequences.
The park I entered was covered with lush greenery, tall trees, seating areas, and a water fountain in the center. Humans walked around with animals on leashes.
I muttered, "Very interesting. How can a species constantly at war appear so peaceful? Especially with what they did to my clan, reducing it to dust... well, no point dwelling on the past. I'm not strong enough to do anything about it regardless of how much I desire revenge."
Sighing, I took a deep breath. I walked around for a little while before finding a nice, quiet area with an empty bench. There was no one around, it was the perfect opportunity to check out my rewards.
I spoke quietly, "System."
The system responded, [Hello, Host! How can I be of assistance?]
"First... open the stats panel from the information page."
[Understood. Opening stats...]
A panel appeared out of thin air on the right of me again, similar to earlier. It appears I have six stat-points unassigned stat points. I already had four points in strength, four in agility, ten in durability, and twenty in both intelligence and perception. I suppose by simply gaining strength through the conventional route would already improve the stats, but at a much slower pace.
"System, add all of my available points into strength please."
[You have six available stat points... adding stat points now... six stat points have been added!]
A strange, surge of energy washed over me like a wave. As it coursed through my body, my muscles expanded, while my bones, tendons, and ligaments strengthened and adjusted to the change.
I clenched both of my fists, feeling my new strength. I took a deep breath before suddenly punching the air. A small shockwave rippled outward, creating an effect similar to an incomplete air-blast move.
A sudden notification from the system popped up in front of me.
[Hidden Tutorial Sub-Quest Completed. Host will be granted a 15% luck boost on the next loot box.]
[Additionally, hidden system information will be revealed.]
[Host, as you get stronger, you will begin to see how incredible the system really is...]
[However, as you reach certain stat milestones and hit thresholds...]
[Error! It has been determined that the host does not have the appropriate access to this information. As an apology, another 15% luck boost will be applied.]
I don't have the appropriate access? What does that even mean?
[Host, to answer your question, if you check the information panel, you will see something called "Access Level." You can think of it as a system level. As you grow stronger and complete quests, this level will increase. While I have access to information, you do not. Therefore, until you meet the level requirement, I cannot provide specific details. One more thing--I have adjusted the system so you can now access it just by thinking "System!" in your head. This should save you and future embarrassment so people won't think you're crazy.]
Interesting. Although, the way the hidden quest had the system speaking made it seem like I was supposed to have access to that information... It's just a feeling, but I can't help but think that the system and that rabbit from that dimension are connected. Perhaps he stopped the system from telling me that information. I doubt it's that important anyway. What matters now is that I can summon the system with my thoughts--it should've been that way from the start!
Anyways, time for that loot box! System, open the loot box!
[ITEM: HIGH-TIER LOOT BOX. 5% REWARD CHANCE!]
[DESCRIPTION: Unlike regular loot boxes, the high-tier loot box can provide items that can directly benefit the host. A 30% Luck Boost has been applied.]
[CHANCES: Common - 70%, Rare - 20%, Legendary - 7.5%, Mythical - 2.4%, Hidden - 0.1%..]
[Correction, luck boost has been applied! Generating new chances...]
[CHANCES: Common - 60%, Rare - 23%, Legendary - 11%, Mythical - 5.5%, Hidden - 0.5%]
[Proceed with opening? Yes/No]
Yes, proceed.
[Proceeding... opening the loot box!]
Suddenly, a holographic loot box had materialized before my eyes. As the key began unlocking it, a bright light had shone from within it. As soon as the box fully opened, three cards had jumped out in front of me.
[Congratulations, the host has pulled: 1 Common, 1 Rare, and 1 Mythical card! To spawn the item, grab the card and tear it in half. Then, the system will generate a description for the Host.]
I'll tear the common card first. I grabbed it and split it down the middle. The card had turned into small particles and faded away, then, as if it was something landing from the sky, a talisman had slowly lowered itself into my hands.
[COMMON ITEM: Triple Experience Boost!]
[DESCRIPTION: During any quest, activate this talisman by shredding it. Once the quest is completed, you will receive triple the amount of experience points. However, be aware, for failure will result in losing triple the experience, which could lead to level reversion.]
I can't believe this is considered a common level card. This is insanity... I should save this for one of the hard quests later on. Let's check out the rare...
Once again, I ripped the card, and something fell from the sky. This time, it was a black cloak.
[RARE ITEM: CLOAK OF THE NIGHT]
[DESCRIPTION: A cloak made from a fragment of darkness that absorbs light. When worn, the user gains the ability to become invisible and has an increased affinity with darkness. Additionally, the cloak is capable of fully-absorbing three attacks of an S-rank, twelve A-rank attacks, and so on.]
I equipped the cloak. I walked to the fountain of the park, and looked for my reflection. There was none.
While I'm sure an increased affinity with dark magic will be useful in the future, the thing that I am most curious about is the supposed ranks.
"System," I thought. "Can you explain to me what this 'rank' thing you are talking about is?"
[Understood host. Checking access level... confirmed. Host is granted access.]
[In the world, there is a ranking system that all species have unanimously agreed upon. Although one's rank is generally determined by talent, one can increase their rank by getting stronger through various means. As you progress through the ranks, the level of power between each is significant. For lower ranks, the power gap is anywhere between 1.25 to 2 times per rank increase, while higher ranks can have an upward difference of 3 to 5 times. Ranks are represented by letters from the human alphabet because they are the dominating species in population.]
[The ranks will be listed in order for the host to view from lowest to highest.]
[F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, and finally SSS. Along with these rankings, Host, there are some additional information that will be provided to you.]
[While S ranks are weak compared to SS and SSS ranks, it is important to note that there are only around a few hundred S-ranks that exist worldwide. For SS-ranks, there are only around 50ish. For the SSS-rank, there can only be 15 allowed in the world at a time per world-union policies. So even if one is much stronger than most SS-ranked, if they cannot beat any of the SSS-ranked, they will remain as an SS-rank.
[Additionally, while a numerical ranking system exists, the alphabetical system is more commonly used. However, SSS-ranks are unique because their numeric seating is determined by their power.]
[SSS-rank positions are divided as follows:]
[Ranks 15-10: High National-Level Powers, capable of destroying a large nation.]
[Ranks 9-6: Continental Powers, capable of destroying a continent.]
[Ranks 5-2: Global Powers, capable of destroying multiple continents.]
[Rank 1: Planetary Power, capable of destroying the entire planet down to the smallest atom.]
Ah, interesting. System, if you had to give me and my father a rank, where would we stand?
[Host, while you're on your new path to becoming stronger, your current strength is, at best, B rank. Your father on the other hand had actually held a spot in the global power, seating at number 3. The person who killed him is... unable to access information.]
I sighed, annoyed that I keep being unable to find out what I want. Albeit that rabbit just wants me to get stronger, but if I can have a goal in mind it would help...
Anyways, it was time for the last card. I grabbed the mythical card. Around it was a bright red light. I tore it in half and the card once again disappeared. This time, a mysterious bead fell from the air and landed in my hand.