The first thing I thought when I suddenly appeared in the room was: 'I'm hungry as f*ck.'
However, nothing happened until a ball of light/fluff/a cross between cottons and clouds (?) appeared in front of my face.
[Hi there, host! (◕ ワ ◕)]
A chipper voice sounded as an emoticon face lit up and appeared in the center of the orb.
My eyebrows rose a bit. Sounds like a young boy.
[o(*≧□≦)o Sorry but you just died and I rushed really fast to the Main System to be able to pair up withyouandohmygoshwearegoingtohavesomuchfunworkingtogetherdoyouhaveanyideahowlongI'vewaited---]
"Whoa there. Calm down, dude. Why the rush? It's not like dead people have anything to look forward to, right? And repeat what you said," I said, then cut it off when it looked like it was going to go full chatterbox again, "s l o w l y." The ball paused, and I think it looked at me funny before I bombed it with another question. "Are you genderless? What should I refer to you as?" The orb chuckled, the voice actually deepening a bit.
[◦°˚\(*❛‿❛)/˚°◦Technically, systems are genderless but we have varying preferences. As for me, I identify as male.] His voice got lower until he reached the last word, reverting back to his young chipper voice. "Okay..." I drawled out. "Now repeat what you said."
The little globe brightened a bit before chattering away.
[ヾ(｡･ω･)ｼ Welcome, honored host! Just recently, you have passed on from your original world due to an untimely death (damn that duck) and you were momentarily placed in the void while the Main System paired you with a system like me. Systems can get promoted by completing missions issued by the Control Center, and those who are bound to the systems receive awards as well.]
He looked at me and I nodded for him to continue.
[ヽ( ･∀･)ﾉ Actually, you can live in the intergalactic system space but unsurprisingly, many souls wish to return to a certain world or time. So they complete missions, gain EXP, and exchange their EXP for what they desire. Well, systems are varied as I mentioned before. There are protagonist systems, villain systems, realm destroyers, world repairers, harem-breakers, etc. Pretty interesting, to be honest. As for me, I hereby formally introduce myself as System 239, full name Mischief Managing System #239. Don't worry, there aren't any other Mischief Managing Systems like me out there. Anyways, there's a shop you can buy stuff from, and you can rest here a short while before and after missions. However, you cannot go without a mission for more than 15 days. That's kinda pushing it, too. If you do, your soul will be eradicated and you'll become data mulch for the Main System. But don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one will bully you! (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑]
239 looked rather determined at that.
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Alright, this kiddo will be my number one henchman from now on.
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"Wait, why'd you say 'damn that duck'? Don't you mean truck?" I wondered.
239 took a deep, angry breath and exhaled.
[(-_-'') Well, host. It's because you saw a duck waddling across the street, instigating your heroic action of shooing it to move along, and then wham! You got hit by Truck-kun, but you didn't die. While you were in agony, the duck continued to waddle after confirming you hadn't died. It waddled on its merry way until a motorcycle swerved around you. At this point, people had begun to take action after their initial shock at the gruesome scene. But by then it was too late as your clothes and bag had got caught on the motorcycle's engine. Of course, the cyclist didn't know until he ran a red light at a railroad. The bus that was patiently waiting there caught you by the bikes at its front. At this moment, the train is coming at a high speed, your mangled body is skewered on the bikes and your neck is at a crooked angle. Still, you were breathing. Until the train completely bust your head open, splattering brain matter everywhere. In the end, that stupid duck deserves to become roast duck.]
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My stomach growled.
239 glanced at me weirdly.
[｢(ﾟﾍﾟ) That's not supposed to happen.]
"Why not?" I retorted.
[You're just a soul, you're not really supposed to be hungry. Plus, I just basically recounted your death.]
"Well, you're just a ball of light talking to my soul so here we are. And I really want roast duck now."
[I guess you're right. I haven't really bound with a lot of hosts so I can't make an expert comment. LOL. You can eat later.]
"Wait, you've had previous hosts?"
[...one.]
"Wooow, and I thought you were a pro at this thing."
[Okay, okay, I'll tell you later. It's a nightmarish story, though.] He shudders.
[I hope I never see him again.]
"Okayyyy. I think I've seen enough of this room."
During the entire conversation, I had been looking all over the room (not for food haha, of course not). Turns out it looks pretty similar to my old bedroom except everything's much more organized. And clean. Hahaha.
[Alrighty, let's go to the Main System's Control Center to get you registered! Ohh, since it's your first time, you can press the manual button.] A blue, semi-transparent light appeared in front of me.
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{GO TO MAIN SYSTEM: CONTROL CENTER?}
YES|
NO|
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Without hesitation, I pressed on the |YES| button.
[Wait, host, I forgot to ask for your---]
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Swirls.