"I have spent a month living without doing anything, being the epitome of laziness, I go out for one single day and all this happens. I am not going out again," Yuuji complained from his room, lying on his bed once more, staring at the ceiling as if it were to blame.
[And what about the missions?]
"I will work virtually. With my current abilities, it is possible."
[I think that could be complicated.]
"Why?"
[You are bound to a chaos system. If you do not actively intervene and generate chaos, chaos will seek you out on its own.]
Yuuji frowned.
"You did not tell me that before… and how intense is that so called search?"
If it were only strange situations appearing from time to time, he could tolerate it. But there were limits.
The answer came on its own.
The wall of his apartment, several floors above the ground, exploded inward as if struck by a projectile. Amid dust and debris, a human figure appeared.
"Cough, cough… Ugh, her Highness is going to finish me one of these days" Zastin muttered while dusting off his clothes.
Then he noticed Yuuji and his eyes sharpened immediately as he narrowed them in his direction.
"You. What are you doing here?" he said, materializing a sword in his hand.
"I live here" Yuuji replied with absolute calm.
Zastin quickly analyzed the room, personal belongings, clothes, natural mess. Everything indicated he was telling the truth, so he put the sword away.
"Then… why did you leave earlier?"
"Aliens chasing a girl, a man capable of killing me instantly and the word Highness in the middle of all that. It does not sound like something I want to get close to if I intend to avoid trouble" Yuuji explained, trying to distance himself from the matter as quickly as possible.
But to Yuuji's surprise, Zastin's eyes immediately began to shine as he looked at him as if he had found treasure.
He observed him in silence for a few seconds, analyzing him with his gaze before making a decision.
"You seem like a sensible person. And although your abilities are basic, you still far surpass the rest of humanity. Are you interested in joining the Deviluke army?"
"...What?"
"I am the general of the army of Gid Lucione Deviluke, ruler of the entire galaxy. Being part of his forces is an honor for someone like you."
"This… thank you for the offer, but..."
Zastin's sword materialized again right against Yuuji's neck.
"...but I will do everything in my power to serve Deviluke" Yuuji finished with forced serenity.
So it was never an offer, he sighed mentally.
"Very well. Take this."
Zastin smiled with satisfaction and threw him a white flip phone. Yuuji caught it by reflex and examined it curiously.
"Do not be surprised by the technology. This device allows communication across the entire galaxy. I will use it to contact you. It also has other functions you can discover on your own."
He paused before continuing.
"But that does not matter now. Here is your mission, you must earn her Highness Lala's trust, get close to her, monitor all her actions and report them. And of course, keep her safe at all times."
So that was what he wanted, Yuuji thought. He knew Zastin would never notice someone like him because of his strength. This had to do with something else.
"You will report everything to me through the contact saved in the D-Dial. Now, if you excuse me, I must inform His Majesty."
Without another word, he jumped through the hole in the wall and disappeared.
Silence returned.
Yuuji lay back down on the bed and remained like that for a few minutes before speaking.
"System… I hate you."
[Eh?]
"I was living a perfectly peaceful life until you reincarnated me. If it had been a normal reincarnation, at least I would not be this busy. But now, because of you and that search for chaos, I am basically the hostage of the second strongest person in the galaxy and forced to involve myself in the plot."
[It is not my fault, it is...]
"You better not say anything," he interrupted, sighing. "I heard notifications earlier. What were they?"
[You have completed the side mission - Social/Romantic Route (1)]
[Yuuki Rito: minimal interaction. Reward: Silver Ticket]
[Lala Satalin Deviluke: minimal interaction. Reward: Silver Ticket]
"A silver ticket for barely talking to them?"
[Both are main characters, therefore the interaction has greater value.]
"And now what? Do I just repeat it over and over again?"
[The mission remains active, but only the first interaction of each type grants a reward.]
[You directly interfered with the plot and slightly altered the relationship between the protagonists.]
[You have achieved a medium feat and obtained a Silver Ticket.]
[You have activated the side mission - Work Route (1): obtain a job. The reward will vary depending on the position and the employer.]
[You have completed the side mission - Work Route (1): you obtained the lowest level position in the most powerful army in the galaxy. You have earned a Platinum Ticket.]
[You have unlocked the side mission - Work Route (2): Perform your job well and earn your superior's trust.]
"Three silver tickets and one platinum… Fine. Spin the roulette."
[You have used a Silver Ticket. You have obtained the ability Shark Physique.]
[You have used a Silver Ticket. You have obtained the ability Wendigo.]
[You have used a Silver Ticket. You have obtained the Item Feng Shui Engine.]
[Shark Physique
Uncommon Ability
You are able to turn into a shark or a shark hybrid at will. As a shark, you have enhanced physical stats that are further boosted underwater. You also possess incredibly sharp razor teeth and bite force enough to tear apart metal with ease. In shark form, you also have increased water affinity. As well as any other abilities the average Shark would otherwise possess]
[Wendigo
Elite Ability
Allows you to transform into a Wendigo, either partially or fully. As a Wendigo you have increased ice affinity and enhanced physical stats, you can also summon blizzards at will and possess supernatural tracking skills. Beware that you may also develop an appetite for human flesh]
[Feng Shui Engine
Elite Item
Street Fighter - An advanced prosthetic eye that houses a miniature Tandem Engine, allowing it to generate extreme amounts of Artificial Qi to massively enhance all of the user's physical abilities. However overuse may cause strain]
Yuuji remained silent for a few seconds.
"System… is not trash supposed to come from bronze tickets?"
[Mostly.]
"Then explain this."
[They are not trash. One allows you to control ice, another to dominate water and breathe underwater, in addition to granting you a powerful weapon. The last one drastically increases your physical capabilities.]
"Yes, and one turns me into a skeletal deer that walks on two legs, another into a shark and the last into a cyborg."
[But...]
"Use the platinum ticket. And it better be good."
[You have used a Platinum Ticket. You have obtained the ability Gate Creation.]
[Gate Creation
Epic Ability
Allows you to create semi-permanent gates that you can teleport through, to create a gate through a location you have to be either incredibly familiar with the location or have been to it. To set a gate you need to focus for 1 minute. You can have up to 10 gates that exist at a time, you can improve this limit as you get stronger.]
Yuuji read the description. He sat up abruptly, as if the simple movement helped him process the information better.
"Now we are talking," he smiled. "If all abilities were like this, it would be much better."
[The best rewards come from better tickets.]
"Yes, yes… I am going to sleep. I will think about that tomorrow."
Yuuji let himself fall onto the bed, exhausted after a day that had demanded too much even by his standards.
A cold wind passed through the room.
"Ah… the hole" Yuuji sighed.
Resigned, he took a quick shower to remove the dust before lying down again, this time under the sheets.
...
The next morning, two men were observing the huge hole in the wall.
"So, what caused this?" the bulkier one asked.
"A school experiment," Yuuji replied with flawless innocence.
"What kind of experi...?"
His partner placed a hand on his shoulder and discreetly shook his head.
Both understood the message, they should not get involved in the affairs of wealthy people.
"Forgive my colleague, he is new. Given the size of the damage and the room materials, it will take approximately two weeks to repair."
"Two weeks… It seems I will have to move temporarily."
"Speak with the hotel manager" Yuuji indicated naturally. "The deposit should cover it."
After that he left the room without much nostalgia, since he had barely spent a day there.
He took out the flip phone Zastin had given him and dialed a number he had transferred that very morning.
"Hello? Rito?"
"Mom" Yuuji replied, recognizing the voice identical to the one from his past life. He smiled without realizing it. "I destroyed the hotel room. I will have to stay at home for a few weeks. Do you mind?"
"Of course not!" she replied excitedly. "Stay as long as you want. We can spend the day together."
"About that…" Yuuji looked at the sky for a moment before speaking. "I want to go back to school."