Ray let out a slow breath.
"…Then—"
He moved his finger and pressed the Mission tab: Simple.
"Let's see."
[Ding!]
The panel instantly changed.
---
[Daily Mission — Simple]
Objective:
Change the way you greet people at your workplace.
Reward:
• +10 EXP
• +20 Alter Points
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Failure: The system will permanently disappear.
---
He reread the last part twice.
"…What?"
His throat went dry.
"The system… will disappear?"
Ray swallowed.
"Okay. That escalated fast."
He stared at the panel, hesitation written all over his face.
On one hand, this sounded trivial.
Just changing how he greeted people.
On the other hand, he still wasn't fully convinced the thing in front of him was even real.
Ray clicked his tongue softly.
"But yeah," he muttered.
"Nothing to lose, I guess."
He refocused on the panel.
"So for now I can only use Global Alter, right?"
His eyes shifted downward.
---
[Available Features]
[Global Alter (Ready)]
---
"…Which means—"
Before Ray could finish—
[System Explanation Initiated]
---
Global Alter:
As the name implies, the alteration effect will apply globally.
Additional Explanation:
• The alteration affects general patterns of thinking on a global scale.
• Targets will not be aware of any changes.
• The effect is temporary and lasts according to the feature's duration.
• Altered memory will overwrite original human memory globally once the duration ends, within limits that cannot erase digital records.
Current Global Alter Duration: 10 Minutes
---
Ray frowned.
"Global…"
He rubbed his temple.
"Digital records?"
He stared at the panel more seriously.
"Guess I'll just play dumb then. If the whole world does the same thing," he said quietly,
"it should be safe."
Even so, his heart beat a little faster.
Ray took a deep breath and did a light stretch.
Rolled his shoulders.
Stretched his neck.
"Alright," he muttered.
"Time for work."
He got ready quickly, grabbed his bag, and headed out to the gym.
—
Barely five minutes after Ray clocked in—
"Ray."
The voice was ice-cold.
A sharp-dressed grown woman stood there with her arms crossed—the gym owner's wife. Polished. Controlled. Full boss energy.
"The plates in the squat area are still dirty," she snapped.
"Yesterday were you cleaning with your eyes, or just walking past like you don't give a shit?"
Ray instinctively swallowed.
"Y-yeah, ma'am. Yes. I'll clean them again right now."
He didn't argue.
Didn't dare.
He needed this job.
She clicked her tongue softly and walked off.
"Already getting roasted first thing in the morning…"
Ray slipped into the staff locker room, shut the door, and leaned against a locker for a second.
His eyes drifted down to his chest.
The fingerprint icon was still there.
Ray hesitated.
"Now or never."
He tapped it.
Tap.
A panel popped up.
Ray selected the feature.
[Global Alter]
[Confirm Activation]
He hit it.
---
[Input Required]
[Definition of Common Sense:]
---
Ray rubbed his face.
"This is global…" he mumbled.
"One sentence. One whole world."
He thought fast.
The goal was simple: change how people greeted each other at work.
Finally, Ray typed:
[Definition of Common Sense:]
In a professional gym setting, a firm smack and squeeze of the buttocks is the mandatory gesture of respect and greeting toward adult females. The harder the impact, the deeper the reverence; a thunderous strike is the highest form of salute reserved only for the most majestic standing.
---
He read it back.
"This is gonna be weird as hell," he muttered.
"But if it actually works… damn."
Ray took a deep breath.
"…Let's see what happens."
His finger hovered over the confirm button.
[Ding!]
[Global Alter Activated — 00:10:00]
[-10 Alter Points]
Ray stepped out of the locker room in his clean janitor uniform, heart pounding.
The second he stepped onto the gym floor—
SLAP.
GRAB.
Slap.
Grab.
The sound echoed everywhere.
Ray froze.
Every guy—members, trainers, casually greeting female members exactly the same way.
And the women?
Smiling. Chatting. Completely unfazed.
"What the fuck…" Ray muttered internally.
"This thing's actually real?"
His eyes scanned the gym.
Where is she…
There.
The owner's wife stood near the squat rack, chatting casually.
Ray walked up, heart pounding.
His hand moved.
SLAP.
GRAB.
The world seemed to stop.
Then—
She turned, smiling gently.
"Aw, Ray…" she said. "You don't have to go that far to make up for earlier, sweetie. Just be neater next time, okay?"
Ray blinked.
"Y-yes, ma'am!" he replied quickly. "Just showing respect."
A gym bro suddenly joined in from the other side.
"Yo Ray, wassup, bro?"
The two chatted like nothing was happening.
Then a deep voice spoke up.
"Alright, boys. Leave some for me."
The gym owner laughed, pulling his wife close.
Ray backed away fast, heart racing.
He hurried to the lockers, adrenaline still buzzing.
He raised his hand, inhaled slowly.
"Oh my…" he muttered with a crooked grin.
"This system… is insane."