Chapter 4 - Obsession
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Since she acquired a new identity, it was imperative to gather information about her surroundings and the people close to her. Only then could she set a clear road map for this new life of hers.
As for the System Level ups and the randomly appearing tasks, Lisa chose to handle them as they came. In the end, her efforts mattered the most, which would result in her life becoming fulfilling and fun. Having a System tag along was just a complementary boost, especially for such a bare bones System.
After reading through a multitude of novels, Lisa concluded that the human mind was the biggest cheat of all.
If used correctly, an average human with no system could even steamroll over a System User. Just like a sword's effect depended on the wielder.
Returning to the class, the next two lesson periods were mostly uneventful, but the final class of the day was for Physical Education.
Unlike the higher standards, the first-year students of Primary Schools were free to exercise or play as they desired.
Seeing the kids running around in the fields, playing childish games, and enjoying the swings, Lisa felt an urge to yawn. That it was beneath her dignity to join such little kids in messing around for now. She thought that she might just consider it when they grew up a bit more.
On the other hand, her old obsessions began to kick in, as her hands started to feel the itch for gaming. The need to have a game controller and to fulfill her old hobby of playing retro games.
Yes, Lisa had been a closet retro game lover in her previous life, and that desire followed her into this new life as well.
By the time she had passed away, mobile gaming had become the norm, with even PC gaming and Console gaming heading towards becoming niche hobbies. Not to mention the already niche retro gaming.
But Lisa was used to hating in-game transactions, DLC contents, digital downloads, or the complexities of modern games. In contrast, retro games were much simpler.
Simple graphics, melodious sound effects, thrilling action. And most importantly, plug and play.
Full game available from the start. And no wealthy second-generation rich boys messing around with the gameplay.
In this new life, however, she didn't have any access to that. She could even put her hands on some Atari if it meant getting to the game immediately.
While Lisa kept sitting by the wall, staring dazedly while being immersed in her happy past, Consuela stood next to her, feeling anxious without being around Lisa.
Subconsciously, she had already started seeking the sense of security that Lisa's presence granted her.
Not knowing how to break the ice between them, Consuela gave up at last and took out the second-hand 3DS that she had received from her Aunt. Her Elder Cousin had gotten bored with it ages ago, and after purchasing the new Switch 2, he didn't want to have anything to do with such 'ancient tech' anymore.
Unbeknownst to Consuela, Lisa stared at the booting up 3DS with disbelief in her eyes. As if a thirsty man had suddenly discovered an oasis next to him, Lisa leapt up to stand behind Consuela as she observed the gaming console in wonder.
Consuela soon got lost in her little gaming adventure and didn't notice Lisa's presence next to her. She played Super Smash for a bit before changing to Zelda.
Her family didn't have the money to buy the games for the #DS, but her Elder Cousin had crazily bought digital versions of the games and stored them on the memory. His impulsiveness resulted in Consuela being able to have a rich variety of options to choose from.
A sudden voice next to her startled her into fright,
"Heeh~... does this one have a retro collection as well?"
Consuela stared at Lisa with a puzzled gaze. And Lisa, not minding Consuela's actions too much, pointed at the 3DS and repeated her words.
Feeling Lisa's heavy interest, Consuela chose to quit the game as she began to browse through the digital game library.
"OH!! It has Sega Classics Collection!! How lucky~!"
Feeling utterly revived, Lisa began to eye a few more classic collections, eventually taking over the 3DS as she started to try out the remakes of old retro games.
It was only a while later that she realized what she was doing and coughed shyly as she spoke,
"T-Thanks for lending it to me for a bit. I enjoyed it."
Seeing the rare embarrassed look on Lisa's face, Consuela replied timidly,
"It's fine..."
Lisa was secretly excited to discover Consuela's fondness for gaming. Although Consuela loved games as well, being a shy and withdrawn girl, she wasn't very popular with girls and had little to no friends. In her lonely days, only booting up the 3DS to play had been her solace.
After discovering that Lisa liked games too, Consuela finally felt that someone shared her interests, and she had now found something in common with Lisa. Her heart relaxed all of a sudden as she began to slowly speak about her favourite games on the 3DS with Lisa.
And although Lisa might have deemed her classmates as too childish to befriend before, after discovering a gaming buddy so quickly in her new life, Lisa rapidly warmed up to her, even having the hopes of getting her hands on the 3DS again.
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