"A System?" Yuri loved reading those sci-fi novels about body swaps and getting superpowers. She was already lucky to be in this body, even if it was a mess. But now... a System? This was insane!
"OMG, God! How much do you love me?!" Yuri shouted, freaking out in disbelief. After she calmed down (a little), she tried to be polite. "Okay, Mr. System, can you please tell me how you work?"
Yuri stared at the floating blue screen, which she now saw as her only hope. She didn't even care how ridiculous this all was.
(We don't want our money-maker running away.)
She figured she was probably picked because she was "docile" and "obedient", whatever that was supposed to mean.
[This System is from the AXVII galaxy and works as a helper designed to create unique superstars.]
[Main Function: The Host must complete specific missions to earn Star Coins. These coins can then be traded for skills, items, and mystery blind boxes.]
[Current Star Coins: 50 SC]
"Wait, only 50 coins? That's like cosmic pocket change!" she complained, her voice full of annoyance, forgetting she was supposed to be docile. "Where did they even come from? Don't tell me that's a sad little newbie package!"
[This System gave you 50 Star Coins for vomiting. Congratulations, Host. Please keep up the hard work.]
Yuri sighed in relief, at least it wasn't a newbie gift. But then she nearly choked when she registered what the System had actually said.
"Wait, WHAT?! Why the heck would I get points for throwing up?!" she asked, totally speechless.
[The System asks the Host to figure it out herself.]
Yuri was dumbfounded. She used to think main characters in novels with superpowers were so ungrateful, but now she totally got it.
Gathering her thoughts, she spoke aloud. "Okay, fine. Just a quick question, Mr. System. Did you have anything to do with me time traveling here?"
[YES]
Yuri's heart skipped a beat. "Aha! Then you're the reason I'm dead!" She smirked, ready to argue like a customer service rep trying to get a bonus.
[NO]
"That's a strong no," she shot back immediately.
[This System has no emotion. Please don't make assumptions, Host. You are entirely responsible for your own death. The System found that you had chronic sleep deprivation and drank excessive amounts of caffeine, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest while you were asleep.]
"Oh... I get it," Yuri said, giving up. It looked like she couldn't win this one. "Then why did you pick me?"
[LUCK]
Strike two. She went silent, realizing that fighting with this mysterious System only seemed to bring bad luck. She wanted to ask if she could go back to her old life, but deep down, she knew the answer. If luck brought her here, only luck would decide if she could ever leave.
Luckily, the science and tech in this world were pretty much the same as on Earth. That gave her a small bit of hope, because she could still use the internet, which kept her grounded. The only big difference was the culture, which wasn't as advanced, and tons of things she loved were missing. Maybe, just maybe, she could bring something new to this place.
"Mr. System, I know it was 'luck' you chose me, but did you have to pick this body that's practically already dead in the water?" Yuri groaned, dramatically flopping onto the sofa. "How am I supposed to clear my name and rise to the top when I'm starting in HELL MODE?"
[Again, entirely your responsibility. The System quickly scanned your ideal body and image, and upon searching through all the Yuris in the world, this Yuri was the closest match to your ideal.]
"Wait, why did you have to find a 'Yuri'? Why not someone named Sarah or Mia?" she asked, eyeing the screen suspiciously.
[The person MUST have the same name as you for the body to hold your soul.]
Yuri blinked again. Okay, dumb question. She sighed and gave up on that line of questioning. Just before she could ask anything else, she heard the sound again.
"Ding."
[Congratulations to the Host for getting a Newcomer Privilege: Blind Box x 1]
Yuri totally forgot her troubles and stared at the glowing prize. "Okay, okay, Mr. System. I'm excited. Please take care of me," she said, her mood totally flipped. While checking the prize, she thought about how weird this system was. It was supposed to make unique stars, but it gave her points for throwing up.
She blinked and smirked, breaking the silence. "I wonder how many points I'd get if I farted."
[50 points]
Yuri's eyes went wide. "WAIT, WHAT?! There are points for farting?!" she yelled, confused and annoyed. She wasn't sure if the System was serious or just messing with her.
"System," she said firmly, "do you seriously think star-making involves this? Even comedians don't just fart for laughs all the time. People should at least have some dignity."
[The System asks the Host to use her brain. Certain actions are just for earning points.]
"Can't you make the points come from fame or achievements instead? Isn't that the whole point of a star-making system? Stars should be earned through respect, not ridiculous things like farting."
Yuri sighed, still confused, as she waited for an answer. She hoped for something that made sense.
[The old system was too easy. Everyone reached the top and broke the balance, which made the world almost collapse and the US System get deleted. The big bosses decided to change the rules, introducing a new, stricter way to earn points.]
She froze, speechless. Her chest got painfully tight, like she might have a heart attack all over again. Trying to calm herself down, Yuri ignored the system's crazy reply and looked at the glowing rewards instead, hoping they might make her feel better.