When it was technically morning. I was curled up under my blanket hugging my knees.
The experience was gnawing at me. When I close my eyes, the white lady's faceless face would come back haunting me.
And I totally ignored the system.
The excitement I felt when I first saw it was gone in a blink.
"I didn't ask for a system. Yes, I dreamed of it, but not to the point your giving it to me." I muttered to myself.
But out of curiosity. Because that's the driving force of any bad decisions. I called for the system.
"System....open."
The blue box appeared in front of my face. Too close, to be precise making my pupils meet at one point.
"Too close. Give me some space will you?" And it did.
It adjusted it's distance, away from my face, like I'm just reading a book.
"Tell me system. Am I some kind of hero, chosen to save the world? Am i fighting goblins, orcs and other rpg monsters?" I asked excitedly.
The fear and memories from earlie, temporarily forgotten.
[TO ANSWER THE HOST. I AM A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO CHOOSE A HOST. AND YOU MET THE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED.]
"Well, get to the point. I'm an e-novel reader and anime watcher. I've seen system like tropes. Making me aware of how you function." I cut it off before it gives me a tutorial montage that I always skip, when playing a game.
[MAKES IT EASIER. SINCE YOU HAVE THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE, LET'S PROCEED TO THE GOAL.]
I sat up properly since this was the very important part. I leaned my jaw on my knuckle, watching the system text.
[THE DARKNESS HAS STARTED GATHERING AROUND THE WORLD. YOUR COUNTRY WAS RICH WITH SUPERNATURAL STORIES AND THE LIKES. AND THEY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO LIFE, ONCE AND FOR ALL.]
My eyes widened. I was in total disbelief. I wasn't prepared for such kind of twist.
I was hoping to get those Lustful system that's on the rise, not some system that makes me chase monsters instead of babes.
"Pisteeee...You want me to...deal with those mythical creatures?" The coward in me was already crying.
I couldn't believe it. I already know where this leads to. And I'm against it. Totally against it.
[SINCE YOUR COUNTRY THE PHILIPPINES IS RICH WITH IT'S OWN MYTHICAL CREATURES HISTORY. THE ENERGY OF THE DARK IS DENSER HERE. WITHOUT INTERVENTION, THOSE CREATURES WILL MINGLE AROUND HUMANS, AND TAKE OVER THEIR EXISTENCE.]
Wow. This was quite an apocalyptic news but the monster waves were the very creatures I'm afraid of.
What else could it be. It feels like the system has chosen, someone with PTSD towards those monsters.
And it feels like mockery. They're putting such responsibility on me who might as well just sleep through everything.
"You've got the wrong person. How can someone like me, fight of the things I'm scared of." I tugged the blanket over me again.
[YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, WHICH MEANS YOUR COMPATIBILITY TO ME IS THE HIGHEST.]
That didn't even help, even just a tiny bit.
"Can't you find someone else?"
[NO. REPLACING HOST ISN'T POSSIBLE.]
Just great. Now I'm forced to live my life with a glowing bix in front of me. Just how I like it.....
Graaaaa! No matter how sarcastic I wanted to be, this system was totally not for me.
But I've got no choice aren't I? Instead of dawdling on my own demise, I'd rather check the system features.
The gamer in me, suddenly awakened. After going back and forth in questions and the system answering me.
I absorbed its explanation, quite smoothly, making me understand the ins and outs of the system.
Just like always, there's a shop, upgrade, rankings, and leveling.
The stronger the host gets, so does the system.
Got all the details out of it. And noted everything mentally. Don't wanna miss anything, but since I could just ask it again, it's so convenient for me.
My only problem was that....
I'll be seeing those I hate, quite often.
[DING]
[FIRST QUEST HAS ARRIVED]
[SEEK OUT THE WHITE LADY, AND FULFILL IT'S DYING WISH TO CLEANSE HER SOUL.]
Yawa....
That's what all I could matter. The system wasn't even subtle. I escaped from that every entity, running away from it. Now it wants me to seek it out.
Goodluck self.
You couldn't even stay at the toilet longer than needed, and you're seeking out a white lady?
I really needed that luck.
"I'm doomed. For good."
I was lifeless. Metaphorically, of course. And I was wondering how will I even start it.
"Anthony! Where are you? It's already 8 o'clock, are you planning to sleep all day? I need the water now!"
Lola Aurora's back with her ever unwavering voice.
"Coming. I'm gonna go now."
I folded my blanket first, followed by the traditional woven sleeping mat. Or else a slipper will fly towards me, in a perfect accuracy.
Then I stepped out of the house, looking up at the sun, like it would block whatever's sprawling around us.
"It's high up. You're my shield, dear sun. I don't think, creatures from the dark would be having a tour around the path, I walk in."
I tried to encourage myself. Which was not really working.
Because....
As soon as I took the pail I brought back with me?
A hand....cold...and super pale....covered mine.
My eyes slowly went up towards the arm. And why do I always have to do it slowly?
I was practically not breathing at all. I felt like if I inhale, I'll inhale it's own existence.
But I wasn't able to continue looking sideways. I closed my eyes.
Tightly shut.
And I thought it would just disappear...but seems like, it was holding a grudge at me now.
Cold hands on my shoulders...holding me from behind, as if waiting for me to scream or smack it again.