Mike walked aimlessly.
His steps were sluggish, his eyes blank, and his hand still clutched an envelope—the termination letter he had just received.
"AI-Based Efficiency."
That was the official reason written on it.
"Because a bot can do data input in 3 seconds."
That was the unofficial reason—spoken by his boss while munching on fried snacks, without a hint of guilt.
Mike sighed.
Metrocity was humid that night. Barely any wind. The air was filled with the sounds of vehicles and constantly changing LED ad lights. But inside Mike's head, there was only one voice:
"I'm unemployed. And I didn't even have time to save up for a new monitor..."
His steps led him to the city park. A place where people dated, hung out, or hunted for free Wi-Fi. Mike just passed through. Alone.
Until suddenly—
KRIIING—KLOTOK!
A weird mechanical sound came from behind a streetlight.
Mike turned his head.
"…Huh?"
There… stood a gacha machine. About shoulder-high. Metallic red. Shiny. A small LED message glowed above it:
"Gacha Your Fate now! 1 Play = Any Coin, Any Amount! Come on... Don't miss your Fate Gacha!"
Mike gawked.
"What the hell is this? Never seen it before."
He walked closer. The machine… had no brand. No cable. No one nearby.
Just one coin slot, and one spin lever.
Mike checked his wallet. Inside? His last bit of change: one coin.
He paused for a moment.
"Dead anyway. Might as well try."
Click.
Coin in.
Lever pulled.
KRUK KRAK KRIING!
A transparent gacha ball rolled out—accompanied by a soft blue light that somehow stung the eyes.
Mike picked up the ball.
"Whoa, it's glowing?"
But before he could open it, the gacha machine—vanished.
BLET!
Like it got sucked into another dimension.
Mike's jaw dropped.
"What the f—"
But the ball cracked open on its own in his hand.
CRACK!
From inside, thousands of glowing particles floated into the air… and entered his body.
Mike coughed. "Guh—"
Then a strange panel appeared in front of him.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have unlocked: Touching System]
[Touch anything to level up.]
Mike stared at empty air.
"Huh?"
[Everything you've never touched before = EXP source.]
[Keep touching to get Points, exchangeable for Skills, Money, and Special Rewards.]
Mike fell silent. "…"
"Is this a prank? Hidden camera? Am I on a reality show or something?"
[Touching System Activated]
[EXP 0/100]
[Balance: 0 Points]
Mike raised his hand and touched the strange panel.
[Ding!]
[+10 EXP]
[+100 Points]
Mike froze.
"…."
He touched the ground.
[Ding!]
[+20 EXP]
[+50 Points]
He touched a rock.
[Ding!]
[+5 EXP]
[+1 Point]
He touched the same rock again.
[Already touched.]
[No EXP.]
"HAHA WHAT THE HELL, THIS IS REAL?!"
Mike crouched down in the middle of the sidewalk, eyes sparkling.
"If every new object gives EXP… then…"
He looked down at the ground again.
"Wait. If I touch the ground… doesn't that mean I'm touching the whole planet?" He frowned, but the panel quickly popped up with an answer.
[System Explanation: Touch area is limited to a small zone (max. 100 cm²) in direct contact with user's skin.]
[This area is recorded as a "Touch Unit Area." Different location = new EXP.]
[Same location = no repeated EXP.]
[Note: Objects larger than 100 cm² are automatically divided into multiple Touch Units.]
[Each unit can only grant EXP once.]
[Touching a different part = new EXP. Same part = no gain.]
Mike squinted.
"So... if a wall is like, 400 cm², I can touch it four times in different spots?"
[Correct.]
[Touch limit = total object surface area ÷ 100 cm² (inanimate) or 50 cm² (living).]
He blinked.
"…Wait, living?"
[Touch limit for living beings is based on smaller units: 50 cm² per contact.]
[Skin is more sensitive. EXP farming risk: high.]
Mike froze.
Then grinned like an idiot.
"…So if a girl's thigh is around 150 cm²… I can touch it three times?"
[Correct.]
[Remaining Touch Units on Object: 3]
Mike was stunned. "Damn… this system really thought it through."
He stood up.
Looked left and right.
His eyes scanned the park.
With a sly smile, he rubbed his hands together.
[Ding!]
[Touch yourself = No EXP]
Mike paused—but then smiled again. "No problem," he said while eyeing the wide-open park. "Hehe… Boy."
Mike clapped his hands.
"GOD BLESS THIS SYSTEM."
...
A cheerful woman's voice whispered in his ear.
"God did."
Mike jumped.