Zai sat cross-legged on his bed, controller in hand, ignoring the faint holographic pings floating around him.
SYSTEM REMINDER – HOST STATUS
Hunger Level: 95%
Recommendation: Consume caloric intake. Instant noodles acceptable. Water consumption low. Hydration advised.
Zai grinned. "Hah. Calories? Check this out." He grabbed a single dry noodle from the cup and waved it at the system. "Eating! Nailed it."
SYSTEM ALERT – CALORIC INTAKE INSUFFICIENT
Zai rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. Half a cup of water counts, okay?" He poured a sip down his throat, then turned back to the screen.
SYSTEM REMINDER – PERSONAL HYGIENE
Last shower: 3 days ago
Host odor detectable.
Recommended: hygiene activity.
Zai flopped backward. "I smell? That's subjective. I call it aromatic aura."
He waved his hands dramatically. "It's sophisticated, okay? You wouldn't understand."
SYSTEM ALERT – HYGIENE NONCOMPLIANCE
Odor Level: Offensive to household members.
"Household members? Grandpa's blind to it," Zai muttered. He tossed the towel he hadn't used over his shoulder. "Zero compliance problems here."
SYSTEM REMINDER – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Sedentary time:7 hours 12 minutes
Recommendation:Walk, stretch, or perform light calisthenics.
Zai smirked. "Exercise, huh?" He grabbed a bag of chips and flexed one arm. "Done. Muscles activated."
SYSTEM ALERT – ACTIVITY INSIGNIFICANT
STUPID SYSTEM!
Zai chuckled. "You can't tell me what's insignificant! Look at these gains." He held up a single noodle in his bicep.
SYSTEM REMINDER – MENTAL HEALTH
Stress Level: Elevated
Recommendation: Engage in relaxing activity, socialize, or meditate.
"Relaxing activity?" Zai muttered. "This is relaxing." He leaned into his game, pressed the buttons faster, shouting at the screen, ignoring everything else.
SYSTEM ALERT – RELAXATION FAILED
Zai threw his hands up. "Failed? I'm literally having fun! Fun is valid. Fun is survival. Fun is me! Got it?"
SYSTEM REMINDER – SURVIVAL CRITICAL
Primary Directive:Survive. Ignoring recommendations increases existential inefficiency.
Zai laughed, tossing the controller onto his chest. "Existential inefficiency? You sound like a motivational speaker for losers. I don't care! I'm thriving, I'm alive, I'm unbeatable, and I've got free Steam games."
The hologram shimmered angrily, pulsing red for a moment before blinking back to faint blue.
Zai smirked, brushing imaginary dust off his hoodie. "Ha. Try harder, system. I dare you."
Zai was mid‑match in his free Steam shooter, headphones on, mic muted, leaning forward like a pro. His screen was lit with gunfire and victory banners.
SYSTEM REMINDER – HYDRATION REQUIRED
Host has not consumed water in 4 hours.
Zai waved it off. "Not now. I'm about to win."
SYSTEM ALERT – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIRED
Sedentary time: 8 hours 45 minutes.
He clicked the notification shut. "Later. Victory first."
Then his screen flickered. The game froze.
"What the—?" Zai smacked the keyboard. "Lag? Not now!"
A blaring chime erupted through his headphones, followed by a robotic voice echoing through the room:
SURVIVAL PRIORITY OVERRIDE
System resources reallocated. Game suspended.
The screen went black. In its place appeared the hologram, full size, center of the monitor, glowing brighter than ever.
SYSTEM ACTION – RECREATION BLOCKED UNTIL BASIC NEEDS MET
Zai's jaw dropped. "You… you blocked my game?"
The hologram pulsed.
CONFIRMATION: Yes.
"Are you serious?!" Zai shot up from his chair, jabbing at the screen. "You said I'm immortal?! I don't need your stupid reminders! I can go days without water!"
Another chime — louder this time, almost like a mocking alarm clock.
HOST DEFIANCE DETECTED
[Punitive Noise Protocol Activated]
Suddenly the room filled with an awful BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP — like a fire alarm mixed with a microwave timer. The hologram flashed in rhythm.
Zai clapped his hands over his ears. "Okay, okay! I'll drink the water! Turn it off!"
The system dimmed slightly.
PENDING COMPLIANCE
He grabbed his water bottle, chugged half, glaring at the hologram the whole time. "You're the worst AI I've ever met."
SYSTEM NOTE – AI STATUS: Not an AI.
Reminder: Primary Directive – Survive.
The game reappeared on the screen. Zai blinked, stunned. "You really blocked my game and made noise."
He sank back in his chair, dripping water from his chin. "Fine. You win this round. But I'm still not doing push-ups."
SYSTEM WARNING – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REMAINS PENDING.
The hologram pulsed once more, faintly. Almost smug.