Kaito stared at his trembling hands, still feeling the residual warmth from his supposed "level-up." His mind was racing. He had no special skills, no ambitions, and barely enough willpower to drag himself out of bed every morning. And now…this?
The System wasn't something he'd asked for, but it seemed to have chosen everyone indiscriminately. He glanced back at the floating blue screen, still hovering in his vision like a specter.
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STATUS
Name: Kaito Sora
Level: 2
Class: Unassigned
Integration Rate: 1%
Strength: 4
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 6
Luck: 2
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"Integration Rate?" he muttered. "What does that even mean?"
As if the System heard him, the words on the screen shifted
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Integration Rate
Measures your compatibility and influence within the System. Higher rates unlock unique abilities and quests. Warning: Low rates increase failure penalties.
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"Failure penalties?" Kaito felt his chest tighten. "What kind of penalties are we talking about here?"
Before he could dwell further, another chime interrupted his thoughts
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New Quest Assigned!
Quest: Reach Integration Level 5%.
Objective: Complete 3 daily quests.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
Failure Penalty: -10 Integration Rate.
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He stared at the screen, horrified. The idea of something being deducted from a stat he barely understood was unsettling enough, but the phrasing—like the System was toying with his very existence—sent a chill down his spine.
"How am I supposed to raise my Integration Level when I don't even know what it does?" he muttered.
Another ping followed.
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Beginner Quest Available
Quest: Deliver breakfast to your neighbor, Ms. Tanaka.
Reward: +5 EXP.
Bonus: +1 Luck.
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"Deliver breakfast? Are you serious?" Kaito rubbed his temples. The quest was absurd, but ignoring it didn't seem like an option. With a resigned sigh, he rummaged through his meager pantry, cobbling together a simple tray with toast, an egg, and a cup of instant coffee.
He carried the tray to Ms. Tanaka's door, an elderly woman who lived next to him. She was the kind of neighbor who left kind notes and spare meals when she noticed he'd been working late shifts. Kaito felt a pang of guilt as he knocked on her door.
The door creaked open, and Ms. Tanaka peered out. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Kaito, dear? What's this?"
"I, uh…" He hesitated. How do I explain this without sounding crazy? "I thought you might like some breakfast. You're always helping me out, so… consider it a thank-you."
Her face softened into a smile. "Well, aren't you sweet? Thank you, dear. I'll enjoy this."
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Quest Completed!
Reward: +5 EXP.
Bonus Reward: +1 Luck.
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A faint buzz rippled through Kaito's body as his Luck stat ticked up to 3.
"Are you feeling all right, Kaito?" Ms. Tanaka's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You seem a bit pale."
He shook his head. "Just… adjusting to this whole System thing."
She sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "It's strange, isn't it? I've lived long enough to think I'd seen everything, but this… Well, let me know if you ever need help, okay?"
"Thanks, Ms. Tanaka. I'll keep that in mind."
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Back in his apartment, Kaito flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. The warmth from leveling up, the buzz of completing quests—it was addictive in a way he didn't want to admit.
But it also scared him.
For someone like him, who'd lived a quiet, unremarkable life, the System felt like an invasive force, pulling him into something much bigger than himself.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from his childhood friend, Yuki.
Yuki: Kaito! Are you okay? This System thing is insane! What's your Integration Rate?
He frowned, typing back: 1%. What's yours?
The reply was almost instant. 1%? That's it?! Mine's 12%! Even our class slacker, Takeuchi, has 8%. Are you sure you're not doing something wrong?
Kaito's heart sank. Was this going to be another thing he was bad at?
As he stared at the screen, another notification appeared.
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Hidden Quest Unlocked!
Quest: Surpass all expectations.
Objective: Raise your Integration Level to 10% within one week.
Reward: Unique Skill Unlock.
Failure Penalty: -50 Integration Rate.
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Kaito clenched his fists. "Great. No pressure, right?"
But something deep within him stirred. He'd been at the bottom his entire life, always overlooked and underestimated. If this System wanted to test him, he wasn't going to back down.
For once, he wanted to prove he wasn't just another nobody.