"I will-"
As I was about to respond to Jonathan's offer, Eve's voice chimed into my head. Simultaneously, Jonathan, Evelyn, and Rick were all frozen in place. Even Ardeth's retreating figure on his horse stopped moving. Everything stood so perfectly still that not even a gust of wind could cause a grain of sand to move from its place.
Almost as if a certain stand user froze time for this moment.
"Wha-?"
{Excellent! Nicely done, Deimos!}
…
"Huh?"
{If you're wondering about why everything's frozen right now, don't sweat it. What matters most is that you completed your first movie! This calls for a celebration you know!}
"Ah, okay. But couldn't it wait until I told them my decision? Or better yet, got somewhere else instead of still being in the desert?" I told her aloud now as I doubt anyone could hear, let alone see, me talking with her.
{I can see where you're coming from, but I do have to let you know that right now, the movie you're in is part of a franchise. There are multiple movies that are connected to this one which might be a blessing or curse depending on what movie it is. So now I'll have to present you with two choices.}
I see…I guess that does make sense. Though, I wonder what the two choices are.
{But before that, you must receive the side and world quest rewards!}
Before I could even respond to that, the quest tab appeared right before me.
[World Quest: Defeat Imhotep after uniting with the main cast of Rick O'Connell, Evelyn and Jonathan Carnahan✓
Reward: +5 in all stats, Regenerative Healing Factor Skill, Passive Stat Gain
Side Quest: Make sure Evelyn ends up with Rick✓
Reward: +5 in all stats, Optional Penalty Quest, Pyrokinesis]
Wait a minute. This doesn't really make much sense for a first-time win. Healing factor, passive stat gain, optional penalty quests, and pyrokinesis?!
"Aren't I getting way too overpowered despite it being my first movie clear?" I asked Eve.
{The system, or rather I should say, the being overseeing us interact at this very moment in time, altered the system slightly to give these rewards to you. Nonetheless, I was profusely reminded that there would be no consequences or drawbacks whatsoever, so you wouldn't need to worry.}
"But this isn't how most systems operate, you know? I've read countless amounts of these transmigration stories to know that there will certainly be some sort of draw-back… or at least something that'll backfire on me."
{Deimos, what you have read is purely fiction. Right now, this is reality and therefore not according to the ways that your 'authors' have adapted their connotations of a system. You really don't have to worry about anything. Just think it through, you spent all this time in this movie already, and yet you have not once incurred a single thing that jeopardizes your growth, albeit the penalty function from the quests, which was purely your choice mind you.}
Is there really such a thing? I can attain all this power and more, without even a single punishment or consequence?
I am really inclined to believe Eve right now since she has always answered my questions to the best of her abilities. I'm really thankful to her for those as well as her assistance during my stay here.
The one overseeing us is definitely someone that I should also be thankful for as well.
"I see…I'm sorry I overreacted. It's just…we humans tend to think about what may go wrong at any moment. Or at least I do."
{Awww…I could just hug you right now if I had a body!!! Don't sweat it! I shall always be here for you.}
"Also, could you tell that overseer person that I appreciate this kind gesture? I would also like to meet this being if at all possible."
{I can definitely do the first one for you! The second one, however, may be a little tricky, but I'll let Him know!}
Perfect.
Now that my mind is cleared of doubts, I can finally see what the skills I acquired give.
[Skills
Regenerative Healing Factor- Regeneration at speeds far greater than a normal human with an accelerated healing speed when resting.
Passive Stat Gain- Congrats! You can avoid doing the daily quests and gain +2 in all stats except INT in a passive manner every 24 hours. Though, you may do the quest for an additional amount.
Optional Penalty Quest- You no longer have to wait for the penalty to appear. It is now entirely optional.
Pyrokinesis- Ability to control, create, and diminish fire from the use of your mind. No fancy or embarrassing incantations necessary.]
Bro…I'm in love with this system.
Although I wouldn't mind doing the daily quests since they provide growth for me, it might become a hassle… eventually.
I'm not sure what movie I'll go into next and because of that, I won't know if I will get a chance to do them. But now that problem's all taken care of with the passive stay gain.
The optional penalty quest would most likely not be used for a little bit. Not until I for sure know that I can beat them with one hit.
A regenerative healing factor sounds amazing as well. Something akin to what a certain figure with a demon fox sealed within him has. And what's more, is that it increases more whenever I'm asleep.
Simply amazing.
And last but certainly not least, pyrokinesis.
I'll basically be able to firebend. Enough said.
"Eve, for real. I'm really thankful for these rewards!"
{It's my pleasure. Now… do you want to hear your two options, now that you've received your rewards?}
"Of course."
{Alright then. The first choice is to choose from one of three movies that the system will present to you momentarily.}
Right when she said that a screen appeared in front of me. The screen had three movies listed just as Eve had stated, two of which were completely unknown to me.
[Movie Selection
-The Uninvited (2009)
-Jurassic Park (1993)
-Gung Ho (1986)
Please select one of the three]
Alright then, Jurassic Park seems to be the only one I'm familiar with, though I've zero clue as to what the other ones are about.
"What's the second option?"
{Second choice is being given to you only because, as I've stated before, the movie you've completed is part of a franchise. You're given the choice to stay in the world of The Mummy until completion. This includes aging, albeit in a very slow manner compared to everyone else, with the rest of the cast.}
In all honesty, I was a little taken aback.
If my memory serves correctly, that means the next movie doesn't start until Rick and Evelyn's kid is eight.
So I'll probably have to stay in this world for eight years, at least until the next movie starts.
{The choice is completely up to you, Deimos. Though there will be a catch if you do choose the second choice.}
"So what's the catch then?"
{The system will be severely nerfed until the sequences of the next movie take place. To put it into better perspective, it means that instead of experiencing rapid growth in the short amount of time that you've undergone, it will be slowed until it's the same as a normal human's.}
"Oh…?"
So I'll just have to work like a normal person for eight years to grow? That doesn't seem too bad considering my past life was basically just that.
"Hmmm…what to think…what to think…" I started to talk to myself a little bit, trying to decide what would be the best course of action.
On one hand, I could consider my options and proceed to another new movie, keeping the same amount of progress and experiencing some new growth with a new cast.
But on the other, living pretty normally with people that I've already grown accustomed to and them with me would provide some much-needed rest. Along with a pretty large sum of money that Ardeth left us would pretty much set us up for life.
Musing through my thoughts, I reached a conclusion.
"Hey, Eve"
{Have you come to a choice Deimos?}
"I have…I think I'll stay here until the next movie starts back up again."
{Now that's completely understandable. Though there would be some certain things that would occur when you finalize this choice.}
"Like what?"
{Well you already know one of them: slowed growth. But that means I won't be here to comfort you during the system nerf!}
The tone Eve had in that sentence seemed to be her imitating something akin to pouting, but anyway, it seems that I won't be able to communicate with her within this 8-year gap.
"That's pretty tragic, though if you're completely fine with not interacting with me for this long, I'll go ahead with my choice."
{Alright. You're completely sure, right? Once I proceed with your choice, it won't be reversible. Please look at the movie selection again and make SURE you're fine with it.}
"Okay, okay, I'll check them again."
I looked at the choices again.
The Uninvited. From 2009? Just the title alone makes me think it's anything but pleasant. Probably a horror or thriller. Pass.
Jurassic Park 1993. Dinosaurs, enough said. Pass.
Gung Ho 1986. Pretty old, but I've zero clue on what it's actually about. I'll pass that too.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll pass on those choices."
{Splendid, I will miss our time together Deimos…I'll be counting down the days until I get to talk to you again! Make sure you're eating well and exercise often!}
Hearing her say those things really did evoke happiness in me. Living life without any parents and in an orphanage where you're basically counting down the days until you're adopted can really make you numb to anything worthwhile. So having Eve wishing me well and for her to wait for me really did give me a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"I'll wait for the day I can talk to you again, Eve."
{＼（Ｔ∇Ｔ ）／}
…
Right after that final message from Eve, everything resumed.
The wind picked back its speed, Ardeth resumed his ride into the horizon, and Jonathan's voice was heard once more.
"You'll what?"
"I'll join you guys. I've got nothing better to do and besides, who's gonna take care of you guys when shit hits the fan?"
"Duly noted." Jonathan then turned to Evelyn with a giddy look on his face, "Evy, I think I got us a new brother."
Evelyn just gave a look that said she was just spent on everything while Rick on the other hand walked up and extended his arm out to me.
"Alright, glad to have you on board."
"Now, what do you all say that we get out of this dreadful sun? I think I've spent 2 lifetime's worth in the sand." Evelyn said.
Oh how wrong could she be. Poor Evy.
"I say we shall." Jonathan chimed in, rummaging through the treasures that Ardeth had left us.
END CHAPTER 17