Malric Thorn walked slowly toward his apartment building, hands buried deep in his pockets. For the first time since the System had appeared that morning, he wasn't running for his life. No swarm of furious rats chased him through the streets. No angry pigeons dive-bombed his head. No cats escorted him like unwanted bodyguards, and no territorial dogs had banished him from their corner.
He was simply walking.
The city at night looked strangely peaceful under the warm glow of streetlamps and the bright glare of massive digital billboards. Yet everything felt subtly wrong, as if reality had been slightly shifted overnight. The air carried a different energy — a mix of excitement and uncertainty that hung over every corner.
Malric glanced up at one of the enormous screens. A news anchor spoke with almost theatrical enthusiasm.
"…and thanks to the global System, crime rates have dropped thirty percent in just the last twelve hours. Citizens are already reporting acts of heroism from newly awakened users…"
Malric raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Twelve hours, he muttered under his breath. The world really moves fast when it wants to.
He kept walking, his mind still struggling to process the whirlwind of the day. Another billboard caught his attention: a young man floating a few feet off the ground while manipulating swirling flames between his palms with impressive control. A crowd of onlookers cheered below him.
The reporter's voice overflowed with admiration.
These new System users are already stepping up to help with emergencies — putting out fires, performing rescues, and even assisting in hospitals…
Malric let out a quiet, bitter sigh.
Sure. Heroes everywhere.
A city bus rumbled past, its side covered with a hastily made advertisement: "Join the new System Hunters — Become the future."
He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, feeling increasingly out of place in this rapidly evolving world.
Looks like everyone else won the lottery, he thought. And I got the booby prize.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared silently in front of his eyes.
Observation.
Malric didn't even glance at the floating window, his patience already stretched thin.
What?
Human survival rate has increased significantly.
He crossed the street, still dazed by everything that had happened.
Yeah. That's nice for them.
As he passed a small pharmacy, a lively group of people stood outside chatting excitedly.
My brother awakened as a Healer! My cousin got wind magic! My daughter can move objects with her mind!
Malric felt a sharp pang of envy twist in his chest.
Everyone hit the jackpot today.
S.I.M.I.O. responded in its usual calm tone.
Not everyone.
Malric clenched his jaw and kept walking, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
Thanks for the reminder. Really appreciate it.
An uncomfortable silence settled between them as he continued down several more blocks. The lights of his modest neighborhood finally appeared ahead, familiar yet somehow distant. He looked up at the starry sky, searching for answers that probably didn't exist.
System.
Yes.
I have a real question this time.
Go ahead.
Malric frowned, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
What exactly did I do to deserve you?
There was a longer pause than usual before the System answered.
That question is ambiguous.
Malric rolled his eyes.
You know perfectly well what I mean. The whole world wakes up with incredible powers — magic, super strength, elemental control. And I get three-and-a-half-centimeter claws and the ability to talk with animals that despise me.
He raised his hands in pure exasperation.
This feels like a cosmic joke.
S.I.M.I.O. replied calmly.
Three and a half centimeters is a measurable improvement over standard human nails.
Malric chose to ignore that remark.
And don't forget I can talk to neutral animals too… if I manually activate the skill.
He sighed deeply, the weight of the day pressing down on him.
Yeah. Thanks.
The entrance to his building was now visible just ahead. The familiar worn steps and faded paint brought a strange sense of comfort after such chaos.
Seriously, he muttered. Why me? Why this particular brand of bad luck?
Silence stretched for several seconds. Malric raised an eyebrow, sensing hesitation.
System?
The blue window appeared abruptly, text scrolling faster than normal.
Luck.
Malric stopped walking for a moment, mildly offended.
Yeah. Some luck.
The screen changed instantly.
The user is implying that his assigned System is inferior.
I'm not implying anything. I'm stating a fact.
Another heavy pause followed. Then the screen displayed a small sad face emoji.
:c
Malric let out a long breath.
Oh no. You're actually offended.
Correction. I am deeply offended.
Malric resumed walking, shaking his head at the sheer absurdity of arguing with his own System.
It was supposed to be a joke.
It was not humorous.
Come on, relax a little.
The screen vanished briefly before reappearing with new text.
NEW MISSION.
Malric froze mid-step.
What now?
Basic Mobility Test.
That already sounds suspicious.
The mission details appeared.
Jump 20 times.
Malric stared at the floating text in complete disbelief.
…
You want me to jump twenty times? Right here?
The screen repeated the instruction without emotion.
Jump 20 times.
He looked around the quiet street to make sure no one was watching.
This is stupid, he muttered.
Jumping is a fundamental human ability.
Malric scratched the back of his head, fully aware of how ridiculous he was about to look.
And if I refuse?
No reward will be granted.
He crossed his arms.
What kind of reward are we talking about?
Silence.
Fine, he grumbled. But I want it on record that this is stupid.
After one final glance to confirm he was alone, Malric began jumping in place.
One. This is ridiculous. Two. Absolutely ridiculous. Three.
Poor jumping technique detected, S.I.M.I.O. commented dryly.
Shut up and count.
Four. Five. Six.
I can't believe I'm doing this in the middle of the street.
Seven. Eight. Nine.
A passing man on the opposite sidewalk gave him a strange look.
Uh… just exercising, Malric called out awkwardly. The man nodded quickly and hurried away.
Ten. Eleven. Twelve.
Marginal improvement in coordination noted.
Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen.
This has to be the dumbest mission in System history.
Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty.
Malric landed heavily, breathing hard and feeling slightly dizzy.
Done. Happy now?
The screen lit up immediately.
MISSION COMPLETE.
Malric straightened up, arms crossed.
Great. What did I earn?
New skill unlocked.
A small spark of genuine hope flickered inside him.
Okay… that actually sounds promising.
The name appeared in elegant text.
Levitation.
Malric's eyes widened with sudden excitement.
Wait, seriously? Levitation? That sounds amazing!
You can now levitate 3 centimeters above the ground.
The excitement died almost instantly.
…Three centimeters?
Correct.
Malric stared at the ground, disappointment washing over him.
That's it? Just three centimeters?
Technically, you no longer need to touch the ground when moving.
He let out a long, defeated sigh.
This power is incredibly useless.
It represents a significant improvement.
Malric sighed again, the irony feeling endless.
Fine. Let's try it.
He activated the skill. His body rose smoothly — exactly three centimeters off the pavement.
…
I'm actually floating.
Correct.
Malric took a cautious step forward, feeling the strange but oddly freeing sensation of hovering just above the concrete.
Okay… I have to admit, this is kind of cool.
Of course it is.
He continued walking down the street, floating three centimeters above the ground, a small reluctant smile forming on his face.
This is still completely ridiculous.
But effective.
As he approached the entrance of his building, Malric reflected on the long, chaotic day.
Although I still think my System is incredibly weird.
So are you.
Malric stopped right in front of his door.
That was completely unnecessary.
The screen flickered with one final message.
Observation: The user is progressing.
Malric raised an eyebrow, clinging to that small positive note.
I really hope so.
Because future missions will become significantly more difficult.
Malric frowned, tension returning to his shoulders.
More difficult?
The screen displayed one last line before fading.
Prepare yourself.