But then again… shouldn't I, as someone who crossed over into this world, have some kind of golden finger? Some kind of cheat?
"Hey, System!" Kiana called out, more out of whimsy than any real expectation.
[I am here.]
Huh? Wait, seriously? It actually exists?
Kiana's thoughts raced. She'd just tossed the question out there, not really hoping for anything. Yet here it was.
The next moment, an electronic voice echoed in her mind—calm, brief, and somewhat synthetic.
Yet it sounded incredibly reassuring.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of energy. The drowsiness that had been weighing her down vanished, replaced by keen interest.
"System, introduce yourself!" Kiana grinned, sitting on the floor with her legs folded beneath her in a playful "duck sit." Her tone was light, but anticipation hummed beneath the surface.
After all, as a modern young adult well-versed in games, comics, novels, anime, and even doujinshi, she was no stranger to the concept of a "System."
Why bother with formalities? Let's cut to the chase.
However, the system seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if caught off guard by her directness. It possessed intelligence, but only a limited amount—just enough to assist its host in utilizing its functions.
So, if the host said jump, it would ask how high.
After a brief pause, it responded calmly.
[This system is named the 'Future Exposure System.']
[Its function is to capture and expose glimpses of the future, presenting them to the public in the form of celestial projections with commentary.]
[...]
[Through this,]
[It can harvest emotional energy generated by the world's inhabitants in response to the exposed content.]
[This includes, but is not limited to: shock, fear, affection, panic... apprehension, envy, respect, worship, and so on...]
[...]
It spoke at a measured pace within Kiana's mind.
[The greater the belief in the future shown in the projections, the easier it becomes to anchor that future and correct unfavorable elements.]
[Reversing cause and effect, moving against the current.]
[Using the future to influence the past. Employing the past to converge the future.]
[This is the purpose of this system.]
[...]
[To ensure you can live a happy life,]
[I will accompany you, moving heaven and earth to steer fate and bring about the best possible outcome for you.]
[...]
"Hmm..."
Kiana absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair with slender fingers, taking a moment to process all that information.
"It sounds... pretty impressive," she mused. "But what about the specifics? Can you elaborate?"
"..."
[Yes.]
The system replied methodically.
It explained to Kiana that because the future is in constant flux, converging it toward a specific outcome is inherently challenging.
But just as events can be good or bad, by nudging the worldline more toward the favorable side, the worse outcomes naturally become less likely.
As fate unfolds and time flows, dire situations might become less severe and can often be avoided altogether.
[The more people believe in a particular future, the more clearly that future, bolstered by the emotional energy we gather, will emerge.]
[With a clearer target, we can further steer the future in that direction.]
[...]
[Moreover, as the future gradually comes into focus and becomes more defined, it will, in turn, begin to influence the past—]
[Even if it shouldn't have happened that way.]
[...]
"So, what you're saying is," Kiana pondered, "if we anchor a future where I become the Herrscher of Finality, then no matter what I do, I'll end up as the Herrscher of Finality?"
"As long as everyone believes it... right?"
[Yes, Host.]
The system affirmed.
Then, it added:
[Also, there is no need for concern!]
[This system has observed all possible futures. Whether you live or die, regardless of your actions, you will become the Herrscher of Finality.]
[Therefore, this particular outcome is absolute. There are no 'what-ifs.']
"...Wait, what?"
Kiana was stunned.
She'd only been joking earlier! After all, she was probably, maybe, the Kiana from the Previous Era, right?
But now it was telling her that no matter what, she was destined to become the Finality.
Well, that was just great!
"You're kidding, right?" Kiana couldn't help but double-check.
But the system's response was firm.
[No, it is true.]
[...]
[You have been marked by the Cocoon of Finality since birth.]
[In all the futures I have observed, if we use your life or death as a dividing line: if you are alive when the final moment arrives, you will become the Herrscher of Finality. If you die, the Cocoon of Finality will use your body as a template to create its own Herrscher of Finality.]
[In other words, in this era, you are destined to become Finality.]
[...]
"Well, damn..."
Kiana pinched herself.
It hurt.
So this wasn't a dream!
She was totally screwed.
She'd really been handed the young lady's script, huh? What kind of cruel joke was this?!
Now that she thought about it...
In the original story, when the Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era went to the moon to battle the Herrscher of Finality, that entity holding Earth in its hands, with assets larger than the planet itself—didn't it look exactly like Kiana?
In other words!
That was... her?
Crap!
And according to the system, which could observe and monitor the future, this was highly credible.
Compared to her, who only knew the rough plot, the system seemed more like the one holding the script.
If it was right, and based on the scenes from the game in her previous life, not only was she destined to become Finality, but she also wouldn't even make it to the end—dying early.
So the Cocoon of Finality created a new Herrscher of Finality, a puppet-like entity, whose remains eventually shattered and lay on the moon like ancient ruins.
What was this supposed to mean...?
The tombstone I laughed at before turns out to be my own.
I used to joke about it.
Now, wanna see me try to laugh? Yeah, right.
This was insane.
"Can I simply understand it as... other Herrschers aren't necessarily predetermined, but I'm the guaranteed one?" Kiana asked.
[Yes.] the system replied.
"Can I also assume that in the future, I might go into politics, business, become a pastry chef, or a singer..."
"But right now, I don't have any of those skills."
"If I wanted to be a singer, and you made more people believe that's my future,"
"And made the future shift in that direction..."
"..."
"Would I then gain the skills needed to be a singer faster?"
"..."
Kiana mulled it over before voicing her question, pausing in between to make sure her words went through.
The answer, naturally, was affirmative.
[Yes.] the system responded.
Hearing that, Kiana felt like she was starting to get it.
She pondered a bit more, tossed out a few more examples for confirmation, and finally, after receiving the system's consistent answers, she fully understood.
So that's how it worked...
The mechanics weren't actually that complicated, huh?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.