The screen didn't fade away no matter how many times I closed and opened my eyes.
"Ask Sylvia out on a date? Why was that the first task…"
The ringing noise echoed again.
-The system identified the user's lust for this human. System encourages user to stop being a creepy stalking piece of shit and ask her out already.
"...."
I was just insulted by a system.
"...I'm not a creepy stalker..."
I might have multiple images of her on my phone from her social media but that's it. It's not like I follow her everywhere she goes.
"What the hell are you?"
-Only questions regarding tasks will be answered.
A robotic voice cut me off.
"This rude system."
I inspected the rewards on the screen.
150 points added to my physical strength.
100 to my agility.
And lastly, +10 levels.
I took the hologram card from the table and checked my level.
[Name: Ethan Adler]
[Lvl: 1]
[STR: 2]
[DEF: 2(×10)]
[AG: 30]
System's thoughts: A waste of garbage that should've died. System is confused why a god set her eyes upon this waste of human flesh.
-
"Oi. Why the hell are you insulting me so much?"
-....
The thing still didn't answer my questions.
"...Are there more like you out there? If so, where?"
-I am unsure of that. There exists many gods who sponsor hunters in this world. Those who are second awakenings are the ones being sponsored by gods. Just because they are sponsored like Ethan trash, does not mean they have systems as great as this one.
"Huh? Doesn't that mean Sylvia is also being sponsored by someone?"
-Yes. She is one of the many being sponsored by the Light Goddess, Sol.
"What class did she get?"
I could vaguely remember those four wings that sprouted out of her back. If she was able to push back a fallen god then surely she got an amazing class.
-System will not answer that question.
"Tch."
This stingy bastard refused to talk about anything that didn't involve the system.
"What colour panties was Sylvia wearing?"
-Go jump off a cliff and die.
"...It was only a joke."
I looked at the task again.
"So I have to complete all the tasks you give me?"
-Indeed. The tasks are randomized so there isn't a fixed schedule for them.
"What punishments are there for example?"
I felt like that was the most important question.
-I could, for example, give you ED if you refuse to do a task that involves a woman.
"....."
'What the fuck did Lexan give me...'
"Can you tell me what kinds of tasks I can expect?"
-Of course. Since the user has a perverted skill, many of the tasks will involve women.
"...Name one task that I could expect."
-Using your spatial magic that you obtained, you can molest–
"Okay. I've heard enough."
What kind of system did I receive? Wouldn't it have been better if I was reborn in Ardell? Sure, I would've needed to rebuilt my relationships but that was better than becoming a creepy guy with perverted skills. Who tells someone to molest people?
-If you do not do the task then you will have to accept the punishment.
I shrugged my shoulder.
"That doesn't sound so bad. The ED thing is temporary, right?"
-...
"Oi! It's temporary, right!?"
The bastard went silent again.
I clicked my tongue as I looked at my phone which was lying on the bedside table.
Ask Sylvia out on a date.
'...It can't be that hard...'
I picked up the phone with shaking hands.
"We went out together many times in the past after all..."
Although that was as friends and not lovers. We grew up together so we were together almost every day.
[Punishment: Cross-dress as a girl to school or get cursed by misfortune. Caution: As user's luck is already low, user will face drastic consequences caused by misfortune.]
"...What?"
I glared at the status screen.
-Keep in mind that these punishments give underlying punishments if you do not do them. If you accept a punishment then you will receive a percentage of the rewards.
"That doesn't sound half bad."
Now that I thought about it, crossdressing wasn't that much of a big deal.
I looked at my phone's selfie camera.
My face had always been called girlish by many. I had a sharp jawline and slanted eyes. My mouth and lips were small. Dark blue hair covered my blue eyes.
"Hmm...." I sighed. "Yeah. There's no way in hell that I'll crossdress. The only way to avoid this is to call Sylvia right now."
'Easier said than done...'
I gulped hard.
What would my friends think of me?
"Wait, I don't have that many friends."
I had two other childhood friends called Laura and Reinhart. I haven't seen Laura that much since she was busy with her matters as the young lady of the White Orchid guild. Reinhart works as a knight in Ardell. He's the knight of a noble family's young heir.
"Is it just me or are my childhood friends too good for me..."
Reinhart is a six star rank knight of a famous ducal house. Laura is expected to run one of Earth's top guilds by the time she's 20 years old. Sylvia is the daughter of two SS rank hunters and also an A-rank party leader already.
And me?
I despaired when I realized how insignificant I was.
"How the hell were the four of us always playing together when we were kids. I'm embarrassed to even call myself their friend."
-Agreed. User is an embarrassment to the human race.
"Tch. You're not helping."
I swiped over to my contacts. There were only six contacts on my list.
"..."
My hands sweated profusely.
I stood by the window and overlooked the city.
Felmore is one of the biggest cities in the entire world. Since the two highest ranking dungeons in the world is on our soil, we were able to profit immensely from the resources we find in them.
We were far more technologically advanced than any other city in the world. Although not on the level of being able to send people back in time.
The people of Ardell took the chance to join forces with our city's King. Yes, we also have a king. He was one of the only high rankers who managed to clear more floors in Ragnarok than anyone else in this world.
He was the Sword God and a nine star warrior, Artorius Ludwig IV. He was also the father of Reinhart. Although the two aren't exactly close.
-System is considering lessening the time limit.
"Okay! I'm doing it! Geez..."
I tapped on her number.
Before I could push on the green call button, my phone suddenly rang.
"Huh? It's Sylvia."
'What perfect timing.'
I pressed the accept button.
-Ethan. Are you there?
"Err, yeah. Something wrong?"
-Well…
Her voice sounded hesitant. It was like she didn't know how to speak to me.
-That… Um…
"Yeah?"
-Since you don't have a weapon, do you want to head to Hephaestus' store? You can't raid without one after all…
"Huh? A weapon?"
'Ah, right. I lost Fafnir's Fang.'
Nothing would be able to replace a high rank weapon like that, though.
-Yeah. You wouldn't know what to pick anyway so I'll go with you. I-I need to buy stuff for myself as well.
"Don't you usually have servants to do that–"
-I saw the perfect weapons for you. It was on sale as well. You'll go, right?
I couldn't even get a word in.
"Y-Yeah."
-Great! Ah, I mean, I'll tell you when to be ready. I need to go now.
Without another word, she hung up.
[Tasked completed!]
System has awarded Ethan "Trash" Adler with 150 points in STRENGTH and 100 in AGILITY. Please Note: As this is the first task, rewards are higher than normal.
Beep…!
[Level: 1(+10)]
"…Eh?"
I sat there blankly as I watched the blue screen that popped up.
"That counted?"
-As the two of you are going on a date anyway, I have decided to make it mission complete.
"A date? I'm sure that she said it was only for getting me a new weapon."
-…System has detected an object much denser than a black hole. Please check status to confirm rewards.
I opened up my status window.
"Status."
[Name: Ethan Adler]
[Level: 11]
[HP:500/600]
[STR: 152]
[DEF: 1520]
[AG: 130]
[MP: 20]
[DEX: 100]
[LUK: 5]
Skills: [Absolute Defense – C] [Level Drain – SS] {■■■}
Abilities: [Quick Movement – E] [Wind slash – D] [Mirage/Shadow Limbo - F]
Infinite System's thoughts: System advises user to continue being a normal person and not raid anymore. You are the bottom of the barrel trash that no one would want in their raid party.
-
"...Well, you're not wrong."
Although it was painful to admit it, I was indeed the bottom of the barrel. Even though it's been two years since my awakening, I hadn't managed to level up at all despite killing slimes as my main targets.
It was only after raiding goblin nests multiple times that I realized they were out of my league.
Someone like me that had a father who was an SS rank hunter couldn't even follow in his footsteps.
"System."
-I will only answer questions regarding tasks.
"Yeah, I know but… Do you think I'd be able to become the world's strongest?"
-...You are trash. Even among the least talented individuals. It's a mystery why you were born from the seed of such a strong hunter such as your father.
I laughed bitterly.
"I see. But!" I clenched my firsts. "I will become the strongest in the world despite being a trash ranker!"
I stood by the window and shouted.
"You'll all see! Those who mocked me will tremble before my might!"
The excitement of having a second chance filled my entire body.
"I'll become the strongest using Infinite System and my skills!"
-You are embarrassing yourself. Please stop–
"I'll make Sylvia my woman no matter what it takes and the two of us will start our own guild together! We'll get married and have ten children!"
I pointed at the black speck in the distance. It was a rift in reality extending straight into space.
Ragnarok.
"And one day I'll clear that gate, defeat Bahamut and find out the truth about my father!"
Before that, I'll get stronger.
"Infinite System!"
-….Yes.
"Give me my next task!"
-…As you wish.
That was the most important thing right now.