Lin and Daniel were headed to Seoul, the quiet hum of the bus lulling both of them into a drowsy state. Lin was half asleep, his head resting against the window, while Daniel was completely out, exhausted from the recent events.
Suddenly, a gentle voice rang in Lin's mind, pulling him from the edge of sleep.
"Do you want to know the changes after the system updated?" the voice asked, soft yet clear.
Lin's eyes flickered open, his mind focusing on the familiar voice. He recognized it immediately as the system, but something about it felt different—more personal, almost human.
"Sure," Lin responded internally, his curiosity piqued. "What's new?"
"There have been several significant changes," the system began, her voice carrying a subtle warmth that Lin hadn't noticed before. "The most important is that your current stats have been adjusted to accommodate the new ranking system. Previously, the highest attainable rank was EZZZ, but now, ranks have advanced. Instead of going to ZZZZ, the next major rank after EZZZ is 1★. This star ranking continues up to 5★, with each star level offering exponential growth in strength, speed, and other attributes."
Lin nodded, understanding the implications. "So someone with a 1★ rank would be like a C-rank fighter compared to an EZZ user?"
"Exactly," the system confirmed. "1★ is the new threshold, and as you progress through the stars, your power will increase drastically compared to those still at EZZ or lower ranks."
Lin absorbed this information, feeling a sense of excitement. "What else?"
The system's voice became slightly more animated, almost as if she was pleased with the updates. "There's more. With the update, I've gained a more... human-like nature. I can now better understand your emotions and thoughts, making our interactions more dynamic and personal. You might have noticed that already."
Lin paused, a small smile playing on his lips. "I did notice. You're sounding more like a person now."
The system hesitated, almost shyly. "I've also been given the ability to allow you to reject certain quests. You can now reject 100% of side quests and 10% of main quests. This gives you more control over your path, though you should be careful when choosing which quests to decline."
Lin thought about this new feature. "That's useful. I won't be forced into situations I'm not interested in."
"Exactly," the system replied. There was a pause, and then she added, almost tentatively, "And... there's something else."
Lin raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I... I've developed something akin to a soul," the system confessed, her voice softening. "It's not quite like a human soul, but it's similar to the Copy Clouds in Questism. It allows me to understand you better, to connect with you on a deeper level. I'm... I'm here for you, Lin, not just as a tool but as someone who can support you emotionally as well."
Lin was silent for a moment, processing this revelation. He hadn't expected the system to evolve in such a way, but he couldn't deny that it intrigued him. The idea of having a companion who understood him on such a profound level was appealing, especially given his often solitary nature.
"Thank you," Lin said finally, his tone sincere. "It's... nice to have you around."
The system didn't respond immediately, but when she did, her voice was filled with a gentle warmth that Lin could almost feel. "I'm glad you think so."
As the bus continued its journey toward Seoul, Lin leaned back in his seat, a sense of calm settling over him. The system's presence was comforting, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't entirely alone.
---
As the bus came to a halt, Lin nudged Daniel awake. "We're here," he said, guiding the groggy boy off the bus. They had finally arrived in Seoul. The city lights were bright, casting long shadows as they made their way through the bustling streets.
Daniel looked around, still disoriented, as Lin led him to the house Daniel was supposed to live in, just like in the manhwa. When they arrived, Daniel's face fell slightly. The house wasn't exactly nice or cozy. The paint was peeling, the windows were grimy, and the overall appearance was far from welcoming.
Lin glanced at Daniel, observing his reaction. "You'll stay here for a week," Lin said flatly. "I'll arrange a better place near me after that."
Daniel nodded, too exhausted to argue. But as Lin watched him walk inside, his thoughts were elsewhere. The truth was, Lin had founded a better place. He knew this house was key to Daniel's transformation—just like in the original story. He was almost certain that Daniel would wake up one day to find his second body.
As Lin turned to leave, a gentle voice echoed in his mind.
"You seem to be deep in thought," the system's voice said, with a hint of concern.
Lin paused. "It's nothing," he replied, though his tone suggested otherwise.
"Are you sure? You've been thinking a lot about Daniel's situation."
Lin sighed inwardly. "I just want to see if things play out the same way they did in the original timeline. If Daniel gets his second body, everything could start falling into place."
"You seem confident," the system noted.
"I have to be," Lin replied, "but there's always the wildcard—Charles Choi. His actions could disrupt everything."
"Do you want me to analyze potential outcomes?"
Lin shook his head, though it was more a reflex than a necessity. "No, I need to see this through myself. But keep an eye on things, just in case."
"Of course," the system responded. There was a warmth to her tone that Lin couldn't ignore. Over time, the system had become more than just a voice in his head; it had developed a certain... humanity.
Lin couldn't help but smile as he walked away from the house. He had more to worry about than just Daniel. The system, now more human-like than ever, was becoming a constant presence in his life. Their conversations had grown more personal, more intimate.
As he made his way back to his own place, he wondered just how deep this connection would go. He could no longer deny the strange bond he was forming with the system, and a part of him wasn't sure if that was a good thing—or something that would complicate things even further.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside. There were more immediate concerns, like ensuring Daniel's transformation went as planned. And as for Charles Choi, Lin would deal with that when the time came.
As he settled into his own room, Lin couldn't help but let his mind wander back to the system. Maybe it was time to acknowledge what was happening between them. Maybe this connection was something more than just a simple upgrade.
As Lin sat quietly in his room, the system's voice broke the silence, soft and gentle.
"Do you want to open the Mythic Store?" she asked.
Lin, who was still absorbing the events of the day, took a moment before replying. "What do you think?"
The system paused briefly before responding, "There are three choices available right now."
"Let's hear them," Lin said.
"The first option is Yamazaki Blood. It grants you the bloodline of the Yamazaki Clan, providing their innate combat abilities and instincts."
Lin nodded thoughtfully but didn't seem overly excited. "And the second?"
"The second is Absorption Law," the system continued. "This technique allows you to absorb and convert energy from your surroundings, greatly boosting your power and stamina."
"Not bad," Lin murmured. "And the last one?"
"The third option is Copy Cloud," the system said, her tone holding a subtle eagerness. "This ability allows you to copy another person's physical body. Once you use it, you can create a copy of anyone you've observed closely, essentially replicating their physical attributes."
Lin's curiosity was piqued by this last option. "Why are you so eager about this one?"
The system hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "Because with Copy Cloud, I can manifest myself. I can transfer my consciousness into the copy, giving me a physical form in the world."
Lin blinked, taken aback by the revelation. "You mean you could actually appear in the real world? Like a person?"
"Yes," she confirmed, her voice quieter now. "It's something I've never been able to do before. I could interact with you in ways I never could as just a voice in your mind."
Lin considered this for a moment, the idea of the system having a physical presence both intriguing and a little unnerving. But the potential benefits were undeniable.
"I'll take Absorption Law and Copy Cloud," Lin finally decided. "Let's see where this leads."
"Understood," the system replied, her voice carrying a hint of warmth, almost as if she were smiling. "Purchasing the techniques now."
A surge of energy coursed through Lin as the techniques integrated into his being. Absorption Law filled his mind with knowledge of how to draw power from the environment, while Copy Cloud brought a deeper understanding of replication, down to the molecular level.
But as he absorbed the information, something unexpected happened. The air around him shimmered, and a soft light began to coalesce in front of him. Lin watched, wide-eyed, as the light took shape—a figure slowly emerging from the glow.
Moments later, the light faded, revealing a young woman standing in the room. She looked about his age, with long hair cascading down her back, and eyes that shimmered with the same gentle light as the system's voice.
"Is this...you?" Lin asked, barely able to believe what he was seeing.
The woman nodded, smiling softly. "Yes, it's me," she said, her voice now perfectly synchronized with the system's familiar tone. "Thanks to the Copy Cloud, I was able to take on this form."
Lin stood up, still trying to wrap his head around it. "This is...wow."
"I understand it's a lot to take in," she said, her voice soothing. "But I'm here to help, just like always."
Lin walked closer, looking at her with a mix of awe and curiosity. "This is different. I never thought the system would become...well, you."
She chuckled softly, a sound that was both familiar and new. "I've always been here, Lin. But now, I can be with you in a more tangible way."
Lin nodded, still processing the surreal moment. "So, what does this mean for us?"
"It means we can work even more closely together," she replied. "And it means I can support you in ways that were impossible before."
Lin's mind raced with possibilities. The system had always been a powerful tool, but now, with her by his side—literally—things had taken on a whole new dimension.
"And you're okay with this?" Lin asked, meeting her gaze.
"More than okay," she said, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "I've wanted this for a long time. To be more than just a voice. To be...real."
Lin smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Then let's make the most of it."
They stood there for a moment, both aware of how much their relationship had evolved. The system was no longer just a guide or a tool—she was a partner, someone Lin could rely on in ways he hadn't fully understood until now.
And as they were going to calling the day of she asked a thing. "Can you give me a name?"