Kaito raised one of his eyebrows before frowning.
First, what ridiculous name was that?
Before delving into the subject he leaned against the side of the gate looking for a more comfortable position.
'System? This seems even more unreal…'
"Are you real?"
[To answer his question, I am an existence close to a consciousness.
When fate created me, I was filled with the basics of your profession to serve you to the best of my ability. I'm an automaton, but you could say yes, I'm real and almost conscious]
"So what do I do so I can go home? Honestly, I just want my routine back…" Kaito sighed, he was saying almost to himself, obviously things couldn't be that simple. Maybe he didn't even have a chance to go back?
[Guardian, I'm also an administration system, but we'll start with the basics.
Now there is no possibility for you to re-transit to Earth, the newly built gate was not developed enough to connect with the other planes]
Kaito could have sworn he was about to go crazy, after all, he was just an ordinary human and no matter how exciting the possibilities might seem it all still sounded very unreal.
"So what can I do to get back?"
[Don't worry, Guardian. Eventually you will be able to connect one plane with the other through the gate]
"So why can't I go out? Earlier I tried to reach those trees and realized I was always coming back to the center of this place."
[The Guardian is currently not allowed to leave the terrain area, which is currently 50x50 meters. After all, the Guardian cannot guard if he is not on the premises of the gates]
Each time he discovered more, Kaito felt more frustrated, besides not being able to return to his home he was still limited to the land. It was almost like being trapped.
"So what is a Guardian?" After being wallowing in worries, since the only way he could get out was by following the system's instructions, so there wasn't much he could do but give in.
[Guardians are the beings who guard the existences of the Torii gates]
"Why is there a Torii gate here? And why is he so big?"
[The Torii gates are actually portals that connect realms and planes]
The answers only raised more questions. "What do you mean, where am I?"
[The Guardian is on the transitional plane that serves as an intermediary between all existing realms. Which is to say, if one wants to transit from one place to another, they will undoubtedly have to cross through this realm to the destination realm through the Torii gate]
So he was in a transitional realm and the gate was just a means of passage between realms, so should there be other people around?
"So you mean there are other guardians in this same realm?"
[For now the Guardian is alone, the transactional realms are short dimensions that only serve as a passageway, despite the surrounding landscape, this realm is new and relatively small. Eventually it will increase through the guardian's power and administration]
Kaito felt drowned in information, but he couldn't help but think that it was interesting in a way and think that his backyard would turn into this...
"So what exactly is my duty? What should I do?"
[As the name suggests, the Guardian is born with the aim of guarding, controlling and guiding beings between the planes]
"So how can I do this? How do I start?" Kaito couldn't keep a slight anxiety from slipping through his voice, he would have to do it anyway and at least he would see other people. Like every human, he feared if he had to live eternally alone in this place.
[This automaton, in addition to a system to assist, is also an administrative system. You will be able to control your entire kingdom through it, for now its constructions and modifications are restricted to the previously mentioned space]
"I see… at least it doesn't seem like a dangerous job, as I just have to guard the gate and let people through…" Kaito had muttered more to himself than he actually spoke, but soon other floating texts appeared in front of him.
[Being a Guardian is an honorable job and eventually you'll have to deal with criminals or fugitives between planes. It will be up to you to decide how to deal with them, but it is also undeniable that the Guardian will have to use force]
That last line was specifically worrisome.
Kaito could barely break sticks, damn it, he really couldn't even scratch a human, let alone kill one. Not to mention he wasn't mentally prepared to take any life.
Forcing himself to push the thoughts into a deeper part of his consciousness and begin dealing with them when necessary, he stood up and straightened his spine.
"Well then what are the admin options?"
A larger canvas that covered most of his vision unfolded in front of him, at the top was written:
[Backyard Management System]
[Store] [Guide] [Destinations] [Registration] [Overview]
[Other options will be unlocked with progression]
Kaito actually found the options short and simple, but seeing the last description, he just sighed and chose the Shop.
As soon as he clicked, a flurry of bars and sub-tabs flooded his screen.
[Store] [Transitional Points: 0]
[Structures] [Decorations] [Features] [Consumables] [Furniture] [Land]
It was obvious, Kaito sighed, nothing could be free. Despite being curious, he didn't even bother to look at the guides, as he didn't have the money to buy anything.
He was about to close the shop when something caught his eye and he couldn't help but smile briefly as he read the description.
[Free starter pack]
Without delay, Kaito selected the option.
[Thank you for purchasing the service, all items will be deposited in your inventory]
'Inventory? But I didn't see any inventory.' Kaito was startled when the thought came to him that he had lost the benefits of the package, but when he returned to the general admin menu he saw a new option alongside the others.
[Inventory]
Relieved, he opened the inventory. The inventory consisted of a list with a view of the equipment on the side, there was also a search bar to filter the objects and so on. When he opened it he saw only a few items there.
There was a bed, a packet of food supplements, what looked like a small kitchen, a simple sword, and finally a pile of clothes.
Disheartened, Kaito removed his clothes and closed the inventory. He thought the items would be better. At least he felt a little cheated now, it was very different from the games at the end. Everything felt very touchable and no extra items, no bonuses and things kept simple.
Kaito took off the clothes because they seemed to be exactly made for his job, or so the description in his inventory said.
The clothes were all black, the same color as the Torii gate, they seemed made to match. There was a fresh linen shirt in black, a waistcoat in the same color but made of a softer material. Finally, an overcoat that covered most of his torso.
By far the overcoat was the most beautiful piece, aside from the color, the grooves and symbols spread across the overcoat in the same pattern as those carved on the gate. They all looked orderly and extremely familiar, almost as if they complemented each other.
Two golden chains held the two sides of the overcoat together without closing them, revealing the waistcoat and linen underneath.
The pants were made of a thicker material, but it wasn't uncomfortable, it was equipped with a sheath to fit any blade, be it swords or whatever, and with a few pockets that were sewn in with golden details and notches.
[I must say that the Guardian looks good in these clothes]
The system's voice said solemnly, which startled Kaito as he didn't think the system could speak or give its opinions without his asking.
Which also made him somewhat embarrassed after the comment.
"System, do you have a name?"
Kaito ended up finding it a little uncomfortable to be calling the system, it seems unnatural since the system is so realistic.
[I do not have a name but gladly accept if the Keeper is willing to name me]
For a brief moment, Kaito swore he could identify a more cheerful, almost happy tone in the sentence.
Kaito thought for a while and when he looked up he saw the indigo sky above his head.
It was such a clear and pure color, but it also dotted with countless distant lights as if there was so much more to see.
'Heaven…' Kaito muttered as with a nod he decided…
"Celeste." He smiled satisfied, despite not being good at choosing names, he really thought that this time he was right, strangely he felt that it suited her.
[I thank you, Guardian…]
While Celeste looked genuinely happy, Kaito felt some energy start to build up in his chest as a Sanskrit began to form on her skin, although he couldn't see it now, it was a soft blue symbol.
"So Celeste, how can I get these points to develop my… backyard?"
Kaito still found that name very ridiculous.
[It's simple, just the Guardian completes some passage of some being and he will receive as payment some amount of Transitional Points depending on the distance and the services used, whoever enters and travels through the gates has to pay a fare such as a toll, because only the Guardian energy can activate the gates. And since the activation consumes the internal energy, it is logical that there is a payment as compensation.
The use of the services consists of the future facilities that the Guardian can build, from an inn to a restaurant, for example]
"What a headache, how can I manage this on my own..." Kaito muttered as he compared the price of some items in the shop. The structures themselves were expensive…
[The Guardian will be able to hire staff later, think of it as an investment, even though there is still no traffic, it could get to the point where you have billions of beings using this realm.
So undeniably you will make a profit if you know how to manage with caution]
As Kaito pondered the situation, there was a rustling among the bushes that surrounded the forest.
Instinctively he turned his head towards the noise, it was a little awkward as he felt he did it with more force and speed than would normally be possible.
But soon his thoughts were washed away when he saw a five foot being emerge from the bushes. Kaito blinked a few times as the figure approached at high speed towards where he was.
She was blonde with fair skin, not very curvy, just normal, but she seemed to have an inherent charm. But there was something strange and it wasn't the delicate wings that beat brightly against her back.
He didn't have much time to think, because the figure's face and arms were completely bloodied, smearing his skin.
She looked desperate and the closer she got the more Kaito could hear her heavy panting.
"G-Guardian h-help me..." She muttered before falling down splattering the grass with blood before her body went still, looking unconscious.