We read fictional novels for many reasons.
To be entertained.
To excavate the mysteries the story.
To travel to strange new lands with new laws and life.
To be scared, laugh, and cry.
To experience things that can't be attained in our life through the words of others, and be so absorbed that we forget who we are.
The point of fictional novels is to cast a spell that creates a momentary illusion that you are living in the world of the story.
In the year 20xx.
At dawn, in a world quite similar to Earth, a young man that seems to be at the age of 17 with average looks is sitting on his bed. He covered himself to look like a potato with his fuzzy blankets after rising from his deep slumber. His face shows irritation because his blissful dream was abruptly stopped due to his loud neighbors quarreling next door from his family's apartment complex.
"W-WHY?! Why can't I sleep just a little more?! Kuuh how dare these mortals stop me from dreaming?!"
After talking nonsense to himself, the boy looked at the alarm clock that was going to set off. It was 7:00 AM and in 30 minutes, it's going to be another day of school for him, Xia Shishu.
Without hesitation, Xia Shishu took out his phone to check for any new novel updates so that he can leisurely pass the time.
"Damm there is none. . I was hoping that a miracle would happen and I suddenly get hundreds of chapter releases on my favorite novels."
Xia Shishu's family was a middle-class one, composed of four family members. Many families would spend time together in the morning, and some families would spend their morning time alone. Not to the point of ignoring the existence of each other, but just to the point of respectively giving each other space. Xia Shishu's family is part of the latter. It can either be considered a curse or a blessing.
His father and mother would work from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and they would even work over the weekend most of the time. It's to say that they are hard working parents, but could they still use their time to be parents because of their working habits?
They would rarely have meals together during the weekdays or even weekends. Only he and his sister -A second-year middle schooler- would have dinner together.
After checking for updates, Xia Shishu felt enraged as there were no novel updates! None! Ahh but he couldn't blame anyone because he is just the reader and not the writer!
[Ding!]
Just as Xia Shishu was about to stand up and prepare for school, he heard a sound going off.
"What the heck?"
While looking left and right to search for the sound's origin, he heard it again.
[Ding!]
Unbeknownst to him, his fate was about to change.
[Ding! You are now the System's host! Initializing connection to Host. In 3..]
Xia Shishu smiled and crossed his arms while sitting on his bed, feeling like he was in a dream even though he just left one!
[2..]
"Haha don't tell me I'm the new protagonist?"
[1.. Initializing, please be patient.]
Blank.....
---
'Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep'
Xia Shishu woke up from his slumber… Again! He felt his head aching while he once again laid on his bed and closing his eyes made him recall what happened earlier.
"I.. Heard a monotonous voice and then suddenly blacked out.. "
While mumbling, there was an azure flash across his eyes as he opened them. Looking at the alarm clock, he was shocked! It's 2:49 PM!
"Holy s***! I didn't go to school! Scolding from parents… Nagging from teachers… More homework on my list… Humph Like I care. Since I'm an immortal that's unrivaled at everything… Not! Damn!"
The alarm clocked was hurriedly turned off with trembling hands. Xia Shishu agonized with the thoughts about what happened. He hoped that his report card wouldn't mark him for ditching.
"DAmn! I played hooky today! Why did I slee-!"
[Ding! Connection complete. Data Loaded. Welcome Host! You are the Second holder of the System!]
Shocked, Xia Shishu stopped what he was saying and suspiciously looked around.
"S..System?"
[System is here host.]
Never in a million years did Xia Shishu thought that he would become the host of a system. He quite likes novel genres that include systems and being the owner of one would make him very happy!
"System?"
[System is here host.]
Upon confirming that the system is real, his eyes grew brighter and smirked. Did his yearning for a system like the ones from the novels he read came true?! Since he got a system similar to those from the novels, does he still need to continue reading the novels he loves so much? Not really! Xia Xue kept pondering about these things, but eventually came to a stop because he needs to see what this system does first!
"System!"
[System is here host.]
"What are your.. Functions?"
[ Function : The System's function is to provide the host with numerical values equivalent to the host's body.
Function : The System also provides upgrades to the host's body and abilities from EXP earned during and after each Level-Up on the host's body.
Function : For each Level-Up, Host will gain a Fixed amount of Stat Points, and a Fixed amount of Skill Points which is for the host to allocate and increase his proficiency in abilities or his current stats.
Function : Rewards will be provided for certain achievements the host gets.
Function : Locked
Function : Locked ]
"WOW! Oh my gosh! T-This System is..is..is so normal… Why does it seem to be so normal?! Where is my overpowered system?! *Gasp* This is unfair… Forget it since I got a system, I should be happy. Why ask for a mile when given an inch? *Sigh* System can I see my numerical values?"
[ Host : Xia Shishu
Level : 0
EXP : 0/100,000
Strength: 33
Agility: 34
Stamina: 30
Wisdom: 34
Intelligence: 40
Attribute Points: 0
Skill: N/A [No Data]
Skill Points: 0]
Looking at his stats, Xia Shishu felt a bittersweet taste in his throat. Should he be happy for not getting those evil annoying systems or should he be sad about not getting an overpowered system right from the start?
Even so, from today onwards, maybe his life won't be so normal and repetitive anymore…?