*Connecting to the Creator...*
*Connection established successfully.*
"It happened again...." I muttered to myself, watching as everything around me froze. The colors drained from the world, turning everything black and white. It was like time had come to a halt, leaving me trapped in this eerie, lifeless landscape.
*Receiving your system profile file link...*
*Link received...*
*Please open the system profile.*
"Nero... you still there?" I asked, though I wasn't really expecting a response. The silence reminded me of the last time we had this conversation—back when Nero and I had argued over his name. I smirked, remembering how close he had come to being stuck with the name *Daftian* just because the system lagged. He hated it.
Without thinking, I clicked on the file link. "Should I mess with you again and name you *Daftian* this time?" I chuckled to myself, shaking my head at the memory. It was ridiculous, but at the moment, it was hilarious. *If not for the glitch, you'd still be Daftian...*
"This is so bothersome," I sighed, realizing Nero wasn't responding. It was typical of him to go quiet when it came to anything involving his name.
---
**[System Profile]**
- Name: System 012001
- Given Name: None (set one)
- Level: 2
- Sex Identity: Unknown (set one)
=Attitude linked to Lu Shian=
[You and your system share the same attitude. At times, it will reflect your hidden behaviors.]
× Warning: Now that your system has leveled up, treat it like a partner. The system has developed emotions and is connected to you like a twin sibling. Your feelings will influence the system, so tread carefully. Good luck, new exorcist.×
*Give your system a meaningful name.*
---
"Great, I've got to come up with a name again..." I muttered, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. I started typing *Daftian*, just for the fun of it. The system popped up with its usual options.
*Set Daftian as your system's given name.*
[Yes] or [No]
I stared at the screen. If I clicked 'Yes,' his name would officially be Daftian, and it'd set his identity to male. But if I hit 'No,' the system would just assign a random name and let me pick his identity.
"I don't need to change it," I said to myself with a grin. "Daftian... Daft Ian. It was supposed to just be Ian, but Daftian had this nice ring to it. Like a cool villain from some cheesy novel."
I paused, rolling my eyes before clearing the name. "Fine, Nero. You win."
I typed *Nero* back into the system, a small smirk playing on my lips. It wasn't worth the headache of pissing him off again, not after the last time. Besides, I could only imagine the tantrum he'd throw.
"It's no fun making you mad, Nero," I muttered, clicking 'Yes' to confirm.
[Congratulations! Your system name is now Nero. He's male and will serve you. Remember, Nero has feelings now. Even if you hate him, he will never hate you back or betray you. If you die by accident or incident, you will be revived, but Nero will disappear. So be careful and treat him better.]
*Sending Spirit, Ghost, and Other Information...*
A flood of information rushed into my head, nearly overwhelming me with the sheer volume of details about spirits, ghosts, and the different ranks they fall under. I blinked, trying to keep up with the incoming data.
---
**[Rank]**
- Low: Spirits that have died recently—often stubborn, dramatic, or attention-seeking.
- Mid: Spirits who've lingered in the human realm for a while, capable of affecting humans negatively.
- High: Spirits with decades of unresolved anger or envy, still driven by unfinished tasks.
---
**[Types]**
- Neutral: Regular spirits, born from light and love.
- Good: Angelic spirits that serve as guardians or guides.
- Dark: Demonic entities that possess and harm humans, feeding off negative emotions like fear.
---
*Ghosts*
- **Interactive**: Spirits retaining their former personalities, capable of emotions and communicating important messages.
- **Ectoplasm**: Vaporous clouds that appear off the ground, either still or swiftly moving.
- **poltergeist**: "Noisy ghosts" that manipulate their environment, often terrifying.
- **Orbs**: Balls of translucent light, believed to be the souls of humans or animals.
- **Funnel**: Spirals or vortexes of light, often associated with cold spots—usually a loved one returning for a visit.
---
The information kept coming, delving into the characteristics of different ghosts, their strengths, weaknesses, and how best to handle them. Some could be warded off with fire or water, while others needed very specific actions to deal with. It was a lot, but somehow, it all stuck in my mind.
---
*13 people serve the Ghost King; be careful when you encounter them. You'll receive more info once you meet one of his servants.*
*Warning: If you encounter twin ghosts, treat them seriously. They're so powerful that even the Ghost King couldn't erase them.*
---
And then there were the warnings. Onryo—wrathful spirits stealing souls from the dying to fuel their revenge—feared fire and could be pacified with prayers and candles. The twins, on the other hand, worked together to torment their prey, draining sanity and hunting with terrifying coordination. Bright light was their weakness, but they were not to be faced alone.
---
*Remember: You're not allowed to hunt them on your own. Forming an exorcist team is mandatory, but you can't partner with someone who has a system. Speak of the system to others, and you'll face penalties—your life, soul, luck...or worse.*
---
"So much information, I already know this" I yawned, barely suppressing the exhaustion creeping up on me. It was as if I could remember every single thing I'd read, but for now, I acted like I didn't care. "I'll deal with all of this later."
*Information successfully saved to your system data.*
*Trust built between Creator and new Exorcist, Lu Shian.*
*Creator sends gifts to new Exorcist, Lu Shian.*
*Creator disconnecting...*
*Creator disconnected successfully.*
The world around me slowly came back to life. Colors returned, and the frozen people resumed moving like nothing had happened. The atmosphere felt liveliest after the eerie stillness from earlier.
Here's the revised passage reflecting that Lu Shian already anticipated receiving the magic:
---
*Congratulations! You received three gifts from the Creator. Would you like to open them?*
*Yes* or *No*
I stared at the options, fully aware of what was coming. I didn't need to deliberate; I knew the Creator would bestow gifts upon me. I could feel the energy buzzing within me, anticipating the magic I was about to unlock. Before I could confirm, Nero interjected.
[Nero: What are you hesitating for? It's not like you enjoy clicking things one by one.]
{Shut up, Daftian,} I thought, smirking at the nickname I'd almost given him. With a quick tap, I selected *Yes*, eager to unwrap my new abilities. But another prompt appeared on the screen.
*Are you sure and done with what you chose?*
*Done* or *Cancel*
{Is this your way of telling me you know everything, Nero?}
I shot back mentally, I would've felt lucky if this level of competence kicked in when I was naming you
[Nero: Lucky doesn't even begin to cover your idiocy, but I can.]
*Opening the three gifts...*
*Congratulations! You received lightning magic.*
*Congratulations! You received water magic.*
*Congratulations! You received fire magic.*
"Yeah, I figured as much," I said, trying to play it cool. But my mind wandered back to the Underworld and the strange creatures I had encountered.
"But what about the creatures in the Underworld? Why didn't the Creator send any information about them? It feels like I'm going blind."
*Nero's tone shifted, a hint of seriousness creeping in.* [That's because the Creator of Exorcists and the Creator of the Underworld are different entities. The Creator of Exorcists focuses on our mission to battle spirits and restore balance. The Underworld has its own complexities and creatures that the Creator might not be aware of]
"Complexities, huh?" I murmured, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "So, I'll have to figure them out for myself?"
*Nero affirmed, his voice steady.* [Exactly. You'll encounter creatures that defy typical classifications. Some may align with your goals, while others will be outright hostile. It's essential to keep your wits about you and be ready for anything.]
"Great, just what I wanted to hear," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "So much for an easy start."
[Nero: Just remember, you're not alone in this. I'm here to help, even if it means putting up with my annoyance. Just like before]
I couldn't help but crack a smile. "Yeah, I guess I should be grateful I have you around, Daftian."