'Hey, System, what do you think love is?' I asked the system, hoping it would give me the answer I didn't have myself.
The system paused for a moment, its usual neutral tone cutting through my thoughts.
[System Response:
I cannot comprehend emotions, Host.]
I sighed. Of course, it didn't understand. Still, the flat response disappointed me more than I expected it to.
The system has been with me since Day 0 in this world, althought it did turn weirder after my evolution and some parts of its changed. Never the less I still treat it as family at this point, after all it's been with me longer than anyone has.
"Not even a little bit?" I pushed, hoping for a miracle.
[System Response:
From my analysis of humans, love appears to be something uncontrollable. Once you feel it, even if the other party is the one destined to kill you, you will still hold them dear, beyond reason. ]
The words struck me like a cold breeze. Uncontrollable? Beyond reason? What kind of nightmare was that?
"Wait, back up. You've analyzed other humans? Are you telling me there are other people with systems like mine?" I asked, caught off guard by the revelation.
[System Response:
Host, I told you before that you're not the only one in the world who has a system. I meant that in the sense that there are others out there with the system and that I have been with other hosts.]
The system clarified as I slowly comprehend it's words.
So...my system is like a world hopping one? The one with multiple hosts? Wait, maybe they have a group chat I could join!
'So...are the other hosts still around? Do they talk to each other?' I asked, grasping at a new thread of hope. Maybe they could help me figure this out.
[System Response:
No group chat currently exists between hosts. However, I can create one and invite them. Would you like me to proceed?]
I felt my heart leap at the suggestion. "Yes! Please!"
[System Response:
Understood. Beginning connection process now.]
After the system said that I could faintly feel that it was doing something, it was a weird feeling like it was tying a part of my soul into something.
'System, what are you doing?' I asked, nervous about what I'd just signed up for.
[System Response:
I have asked for permission from the main god and from the other hosts. They have agreed. Now I am tying a part of your soul into the group chat due to the fact that each of the hosts are located in different dimensions. The host does not nwed to feel scared as the process is harmless and will not have any side effects.]
Welp, that's good then.
While waiting for the system to finish I thought about the three back at the inn.
Although Eve's case was very unexpected, I'm more surprised about Leah.
That annoying woman didn't come off as someone who liked me, well other than that time when we were squished to almost death back in that dungeon. But I thought that was just a moment of vulnerability since we were dying.
Was I really that blind?
What did it even mean to like someone? How was I supposed to figure out if I liked them back? Was there a manual? A checklist?
My thoughts spiraled on and I started to want to run away again until the system's voice brought me back.
[System Notification:
Host. It's done. You may nowessage the other hosts in the different dimensions. ]
As the system said that a new menu showed up on the screen showing my status.
[Group Chat
-The kingdom of Greatness!
Interdimentional Host Chat(New!) ]
...Who the heck changed the groups's name?! Last I checked that was still 'Daily Report Chat'.
I'll come back to that later, for now the new group chat!
[Interdimensional Host Chat]
[I have no idea]: Why'd the system send us here again? I didn't know it could do this.
[Interdimensional martial Artist]: I didn't either, by the way, we're all of you from earth before you died?
I Was Transmigrated: Yeah, stray bullet got me. I woke up in a book world.
Somebody, Help!: Electrocution. Charging my laptop with wet hands—don't ask. Now I'm in ancient times.
[I Have No Idea]: The ground swallowed me. Then I woke up in the interstellar book I finished reading the day before.
[Interdimensional Martial Artist]: A tiger mauled me while I was at the zoo. Reincarnated into a martial arts world.
[I Have No Idea]: Hey, newbie! Stop lurking and introduce yourself!
... So I wasn't the only one who died in a ridiculous way.
[I'm an Oni: Hi! I'm the one who asked the system to create this chat. I died after a truck and a car raced to end my life then I got reincarnated as a baby ogre in a fantasy world but now I evolved into an Oni! ]
Somebody, Help!: Pfft—hahaha! And here I thought my death was embarrassing!
I was transmigrated: Hey, the one above that's just rude.
Somebody, Help!: Sorry, sorry. My death has been bothering me since day 0 in this world.
I couldn't help but smile at their banter. They didn't seem to take themselves too seriously, which was a relief.
[I'm an Oni]: Um...can I ask a question?
Somebody, Help!: Sure! Say it!
[I'm an Oni]: So, I'm kind of scared of love. Three people just confessed to me, and I have no idea what to do. How do you figure out if you like someone?
The chat went silent for a moment. Then:
[Interdimensional Martial Artist]: Love, huh? Well, in my world, it's all about strength. If someone can match me in a fight, I'll respect them. From respect comes love. That's how I met my wife.
[I Have No Idea]: That's... very specific.
[Interdimensional Martial Artist]: It's the only way I know how to measure someone's worth. My wife—she wasn't the strongest, but she challenged me like no one else dared. She fought with her heart, not just her fists. That's when I knew. Respect became admiration, and admiration turned into something deeper. It was terrifying at first. Love felt like the ultimate vulnerability, like handing someone your weapon and trusting them not to strike you down. But that's what made it real. If you're afraid of being vulnerable, then maybe that's where you should start looking.
I Was Transmigrated: Vulnerability is terrifying. I get that. But, you know, love isn't always about grand gestures or battles. Sometimes it's in the quiet things—the little sacrifices you don't even realize you're making. My partner? They started leaving little notes for me, even though they were awkward at expressing themselves. It was their way of saying, "I see you. I care."
[I Have No Idea]: Or when you're willing to share your last piece of food. That's love. Especially for someone who has mysophobia like me. Imagine me, a clean freak, giving up my neatly packed lunch to someone else just because they forgot theirs. I thought it was nothing at first, but the look in their eyes… It hit me later. Love isn't logical. It's messy, it's inconvenient, but it's also beautiful in ways you won't understand until you're in it.
Somebody, Help!: Hm… I think love is when you want to be with someone, even when it's inconvenient. If they make you happy, that's a good enough sign to try. Honestly, I used to be terrified of love too. I overthought everything, wondering if I was making the right choice. Even after I got married, I had doubts. But you know what? Those doubts faded every time my wife laughed at one of my dumb jokes or held my hand when I was too scared to admit I needed help. It's not about being perfect—it's about being there, even when it's hard.
[I'm an Oni]: But what if I don't want to be vulnerable? What if it hurts?
The chat paused for a moment, the silence heavier than before. Then:
Somebody, Help!: Love will hurt. That's the truth no one tells you at first. It's scary because you're putting your heart in someone else's hands, trusting they won't break it. But it's worth it. The sweetness that comes from love—the moments of joy, of connection, of belonging—will make you forget about the bitterness you felt in the process. It's not about avoiding pain; it's about finding someone who makes the pain worth enduring.
[I Have No Idea]: If you're scared, take it slow. No one's forcing you to decide right away. Talk to those three people who confessed to you. Be honest about how you feel—or don't feel—right now. See how they respond. Love isn't just about grand emotions; it's about trust and patience. If they care about you, they'll wait.
[Interdimensional Martial Artist]: Exactly. Love is a test of strength—not just physical, but emotional. It's about being strong enough to take a risk, even when you're terrified. And sometimes, that means taking baby steps instead of leaping headfirst into it.
Somebody, Help!: And don't forget—it's okay to be scared. Fear doesn't mean you're weak; it means you're human. Love isn't about being fearless. It's about choosing to try despite the fear.
The weight of their words hung in the air, or rather, on the screen. Each response resonated in a different way, as if they had all faced the same uncertainty I felt now. Vulnerability. Trust. Pain. Joy. Could I really open myself up to all that? Could I take the risk?
[I'm an Oni]: Thanks. I'll… think about it.
The chat lit up with encouraging responses:
Somebody, Help!: You've got this! Take your time.
I Was Transmigrated: Good luck, newbie! Love's a wild ride, but it's worth it.
[Interdimensional Martial Artist]: And if anyone hurts you, just tell me. I'll come punch them through the multiverse.
[I Have No Idea]: That's… not how dimensions work, but good sentiment.
I smiled at their banter, feeling a warmth I hadn't realized I needed. They didn't just offer advice—they reminded me that I wasn't alone. These people, scattered across dimensions, had their own struggles, their own fears, and somehow, they'd made it through. Maybe I could too.
Love was terrifying, yes. But maybe, just maybe, this was gonna be worth the risk?