Rodiku was in his room taking a nap, enjoying the cool air from the air conditioner.
A bright smile of satisfaction was plastered on his face whiles asleep, making him look like an innocent soul.
As if he didn't kill a fellow student just today.
Still in his beauty sleep, he heard a loud ringing sound, followed by his name.
He suddenly woke up only to hear the door bell ringing again, with the call of his name following.
RING! RING! RING!
' I know you're in there Rodiku! Come open the door before I breach your privacy and open it my self. This is your last chance! ', the sound of the masculine voice reverberated across the entire room.
' Huh, who could that be? I'll be there in a minute! ', he shouted in response.
As he got down from his bed, something hit his mind making him stop his movement.
' Wait a minute! Why am I alive? Was it all just a dream? Yeah that must be it, otherwise, I should be dead from being exploded into particles ', he thought, seemingly having no memory of how he survived.
He quickly moved on to open the door after convincing himself that he just had a really bad dream.
As soon as he stood facing the door, it slid open, revealing a middle aged man who stood 3 feet above Rodiku who was just 4'9.
He had to raise his head in order to make eye contact with this tall and really muscular man.
' Ahem... I am Officer Jade and I need you come with me to the CSA security agency. We need you there for questioning ', the man said, staring straight into Rodiku's eyes.
' Huh? Did something bad happen ', Rodiku asked in astonishment, not expecting such a thing as being called for questioning.
' You'll find out soon enough. Just follow me, now ', the officer said in a calm yet authoritative tone.
' Okay, Sir. Just give me a minute ', Rodiku said before going back inside.
He came back the next minute dressed in a cream colored hoodie and black shorts.
' I'm ready, Officer...? ', he said, struggling to remember the officer's name due to being absent minded when he mentioned it.
' Jade. Officer Jade ', he reminded him.
' Let's go now ', Officer Jade said before walking away with Rodiku following after him.
Somewhere in front of the first years boys dormitory, they stood within a white and blue circle on the ground.
Officer Jade placed his hand on Rodiku's shoulder before they disappeared in the next instant.
The white and blue circle was wide, with a 10 feet radius.
It was a teleportation circle.
Due to CSA being an incredibly big school with it's land being as wide as 200 acres, teleportation circles were a necessity.
There are teleportation circles in several locations on the school map to make mobility more efficient.
So if someone wanted to move from the dormitory to elsewhere, they just have to stand within and think of their destination.
It wouldn't take them to the exact spot but rather to the closest teleportation circle to their destination.
Of course, they wouldn't be teleported if the closest teleportation circle to their destination is the one their standing in.
Also, anyone or anything you hold whiles within the circle gets teleported to the same location as you, unless they think of a different location themselves or think of not getting teleported.
This was one of the teleportation devices that are purchasable by institutions.
There were way powerful ones that were not purchasable by civil organizations and institutions.
An instant after Rodiku and the officer glitched and disappeared, they reappeared in another teleportation circle far from the first years boys dormitory.
Immediately they appeared in the circle, Rodiku saw two other men wearing the same green and black armless jacket with a scarlet emblem on the back just as Officer Jade.
Rodiku expected a bit of conversation between the two officers and Officer Jade but he was disappointed.
The two officers just went on to sit in the green and black car which was there all along, waiting for their arrival.
Officer Jade signaled Rodiku to get into the car.
The way the officers acted, not exchanging any words really made Rodiku nervous as he kept contemplating on what they were possibly going to ask him.
He just couldn't help but ask.
' Uhm... Officer Jade? What are they gonna ask me ', he asked out of clear impatience and nervousness.
' You'll find out soon enough, if you don't already know. Now stop asking questions ', Officer Jade answered in a mystical tone.
' Huh? ', Officer Jade's reply made Rodiku even more impatient and nervous.
After six minutes of driving, the car passed through a tunnel within a flat building which took them underground.
The walls and roof of the underground structure was dimly lit, making it a little dark inside.
Of course, that wasn't a problem for the officers who were all above delta rank , giving them the ability to see better due to enhanced senses.
After two minutes of driving, they dived into another underground tunnel, taking them deeper below ground level.
At the end of the tunnel, white blinding light could be seen.
Once they entered, they found themselves at a place that was so massive and brightly lit that Rodiku felt mesmerized.
' Fuck! What the! This was always here? ', Rodiku was so astonished, he couldn't help but curse.
The officer driving parked the car and they all came out, Rodiku included.
As soon as they came out, they started walking towards a particular direction, which Rodiku also had to follow.
There were officers moving here and there.
Rodiku noticed one or two students there as well and he wondered if they were there for the same reason as him.
The space was so large that they had to walk for four minutes before reaching a particular wall that became intangible to allow them entry.
It became tangible again after they passed through and Rodiku made sure to confirm that by placing his hand on it.
' Hm! As expected of CSA. Making everything high tech ', Rodiku muttered.
Even though high techs like this was a common thing to see in big institutions, this was still a bit too much, considering the fact that it's just a school security agency.
After a few more moments of phasing through walls, they entered a relatively small room.
It was completely painted in white with blue light emitting from the roof as if the entire roof was a lamp.
In the middle of the room was a small square table with two chairs opposite each other.
There was a small crystal device on the table which shone a bright cosmic blue light.
Rodiku who was very knowledgeable quickly identified it as a lie detector.
' Sit over there and wait for the detective ', Officer Jade instructed, pointing at one of the chairs.
Rodiku really wanted to ask him questions but he just knew nothing would come out of it, so he ignored the idea and took a sit.
Officer Jade quickly walked out, leaving Rodiku in the room all alone.
' What's all this. Why didn't they call Jin and Lenox as well. Talk about those two, they haven't returned from the forest. How long do they want to spar. They probably went to meet up with a chick. Hell, why am I even thinking about something like this? Haaa... It's already 6 : 34 pm ', he thought as he looked around with white being the only thing to see.
* FRRM! *
A middle aged man suddenly appeared on the seat in front of him.
It completely took Rodiku by surprise as he nearly jumped out of his seat with his heart nearly popping out of his body.
' Oh! Sorry if I took you by surprise ', the man who was obviously the detective apologized.
' It's okay ', Rodiku let it slide as he was in a hurry to find out why they brought him here for questioning.
' Okay. I believe you know you are here to answer some questions right? But before we begin, I am Detective Lance ', the detective said.
Rodiku was still staring at him in anticipation.
' Okay let's get on with it. First question, where have you been for the past three hours? ', Detective Lance asked with a look of seriousness.
' In my room ', Rodiku casually answered with a poker face as he waited to see where Detective Lance was going with this.
' Doing what exactly? ', Detective Lance asked.
' Sleeping ', he answered again still maintaining his poker face.
Rodiku noticed the crystal's cosmic blue light changed to a flash of green everytime he answered a question, signifying that he did not lie.
' So where are your roommates now ', Detective Lance questioned him again.
' Oh, about that. I don't really know but after we played video games after school, they decided to go have a spar in the forest. They may be elsewhere though ', he answered honestly.
Detective Lance after seeing the crystal flash a green light stared at Rodiku in way that was almost unnatural.
' What do you know about Jim Houga ', he asked after staring for a while.
' Jim? What's all this? Why are you...', Rodiku was speaking when he was cut short by Detective Lance.
' Just answer the damn question! ', Detective Lance blurted out in clear frustration.
' What's his deal? Is he trying to get me to be guilty in some case or what', Rodiku thought, trying to understand why Detective Lance was looking so disappointed all of a sudden.
' Sigh. That son of a bitch just popped out of nowhere. From what I know, he and his twin brother Jin have a really bad relationship. Also, he is a charley ranked just like Jin only, I think Jin is at begginer and he is at the peak. Also, I think he asked Jin to do something to regain his honour or so. Jin never revealed it to us. Judging by how he casually exploded two students out of the cafeteria, I think killing should be a normal thing for him. Not that I am accusing him of trying to kill those students or something. He obviously knew they would survive that. Apart from this, anything I say would be about what a dick I think he is ', Rodiku voiced out his thoughts, looking serious at the beginning but unbothered in the end.
Detective Lance had his eyes closed from the point where Rodiku mentioned Jin and Jim having bad blood.
*** SIGH ***
Detective Lance let out a long sigh before opening his eyes.
' Thanks for your cooperation and being truthful. Now you may be wondering why I'm asking you such questions ', he muttered with a distressed expression.
' Finally, something that makes sense ', Rodiku thought whiles staring at Detective Lance in a way that suggested, I'm listening.
' From our investigation, this is what happened. After the three of you finished playing video games, they decided to go have a spar in the forest. Whiles sparring, Jim ambushed them and tried to get Jin to kill Lenox. After Jin's refusal, he tried to kill Lenox himself. Jin tried to defend Lenox who was seriously fighting for his life. This ended up becoming a serious battle between Jim and the two. Just like you said, Jin was a beginner charley ranked whiles Jim was a peak but with Lenox there to distract him every now and then, they became even. The battle kept getting worse every minute. After a while of fighting, they started gaining in on Jim. They managed to land a fatal attack on him. That was it for him and he was about to lose. They landed several attacks on him , incapacitating him in the process. At this point Jim knew well that Jin had the intention to get rid of him once and for all and he couldn't do anything in his sorry condition. He resorted to his last card as he felt he shouldn't go down alone. He used an energy manipulation move that makes any form of energy within a particular radius go berserk, user included. Immediately he used the technique, their bodies began behaving in very disturbing ways. Exploding at some places and corroding in some places. Bones breaking and skin burning off. They all suffered the fate that happened all too quick for any of them to counter. As of now, both your roommates are dead. We discovered that you were a friend of theirs. So we called you for questioning to find out if you knew about the battle somehow and failed to report. The Houga family despite knowing that their sons killed themselves will definitely turn on the school. Somebody must take the blame one way or the other. The question is who. Anyway, that is definitely not you. You're free to leave ', Detective Lance gave a lengthy explanation before clearing Rodiku.
He expected Rodiku to look confused or shocked but he was rather intrigued by his reaction.
He just rose to his feet, stretched his body and walked out.
Without showing any sign of sorrow or anything at all.
' Hmm... This kid is too fucked up to feel any sorrow. Just what did he go through', Detective Lance thought whiles staring at Rodiku's back until it phased through the wall.
Officer Jade and another officer escorted him back to the dormitory the same way they brought him.
He was now back in his room and laying on his bed.
He had a look of contemplation as he thought of everything Detective Lance told him.
He was still contemplating when he felt a sharp pain ravage his mind.
It was for an instant but it felt like three hours worth of pain.
Just then, so many memories began flooding his mind.
In a few seconds, he had received three hours worth of memories.
He had a look of shock on his face as he understood everything from the memories.
' That's exactly what happened. It was no dream at all ', he thought still with his eyes wide open in shock.
Just then, a transparent screen appeared in his line of sight.
[ Host has regained original memories ]
[ Congratulations on your survival ]
[ Call out system interface to see host stats ]
Rodiku didn't look so surprised anymore as he remembered everything, including the system he got.
' System interface ', he called out in his mind, wondering if he would be heard without voicing out.
He smiled when he saw a different screen pop up in his line of sight.
[ Host attributes ]
[ Skills and abilities ] - locked
[ Quests ] - locked
[ Store ] - locked
[ Bank ]
' What the!? Locked? ', Rodiku's previous smile disappeared after seeing the series of locks.
' So all I can check out is host attributes and bank, huh? Never seen bank in any gaming system, not even in Lenox's ', he muttered.
Mentioning Lenox's name changed his facial expression for an instant but that was all.
He focused his attention on what was before him.
' Open host attributes ', he requested.
Suddenly, the former screen was replaced with a new one.
*** Host attributes ***
- Name : Rodiku Mizumi
- Level : 1
- Class : ?
- Exp : 0 / 100
- HP : 100 / 100
- Energy : 50 / 50
[ Stats ]
- Strength : 8
- Speed : 11
- Agility : 1
- Endurance : 18
- Perception : 6
( Stats points ) - 0
' Hmm... Is this system trying to mock me, just one for agility? I'm not that weak you know. Even though I'm powerless ', Rodiku refuted, mentally pouting in dissatisfaction.
' Says who? You're just a weak ass prick ', a voice rang out in Rodiku's ears.
' What the fuck! Who's that!? Where did that come from? Hope I'm not tripping this time ', Rodiku voiced out in shock as his heart nearly jumped out of his body.
' What a lowlife. How did I end up with you of all people ', the voice spoke again, startling Rodiku as he thought he was hearing things.
' What the! Are you speaking in my head or something ', Rodiku asked, looking around again to make sure no one was there.
' Of course I am. What are you, stupid? I'm the system you asshole! ', the voice spoke again, not forgetting to shower Rodiku with insults.
' Just who the fuck you think you are? Just because you saved me once doesn't make me your slave, punk !', Rodiku blurted out outraged.
' Ehh? Save you? Hahaha... Like I would actually save a dick head like you. Pttf! Pathetic! ', the system mocked Rodiku who felt like the system wasn't making any sense.
' If you didn't save me then who did ', he questioned, wondering why the system would deny the fact that it saved him.
' Hey dick head, why don't you check the bank tab. Hehehe...', the system said before chuckling mischievously.
' Yeah, I forgot there was another tab that wasn't locked. Open bank ', he thought.
Suddenly, a new screen appeared before him.
*** Bank ***
[ Depts ]
[ Deals ] - locked
[ Contracts ] - locked
Rodiku stared at the screen with his face twitching.
' This bastard system. It just has to lock all the good stuff ', he thought out loud.
' Shut up, dick head. Your weak ass is not worthy of any of these. You'll get them when you're less pathetic. But of course, you have dept to keep you company till then. Why don't you check it out. I have a surprise for you ', the system said with a masculine voice which sounded like that of a thirteen year old, just like Rodiku.
Rodiku had known the system for only 5 minutes or so but he could tell it had something bad planned out.
' Open depts ', he said inwardly.
Just as he expected, another screen appeared.
[ Depts ]
- Life saver : - 50000 Exp
( Life saver was used up once to neutralize threat to Host's life )
- Life hack : - 50000 Exp
( Life hack was used once to reanimate the Host's life threat incidence as cover track )
TOTAL DEBT = - 100000 Exp
APM - ( Physical work out + special pack is the only available payment method )
[ Payment worth ]
- Push ups : 1 : 1 Exp
- Run : 1 m : 1 Exp
- Jump : 1 : 0.50 Exp
- Weight lifting : 50kg : 50 Exp ( weight lifted should be 50kg and above)
( Special pack )
- Full force wall punching : 1 : 10 Exp
- Full force tree punching : 1 : 20 Exp
- Full force tree kicking : 1 : 20 Exp
[ Time ]
( Failure to pay up dept in 10 DAYS will result in -3 stats points in all stats + increase in total dept by half )
Rodiku carefully read through everything five times over.
He had a conflicted look on his face as he read through the information displayed in front of him.
' I just knew it. This system is a dick! You little prick! What did I ever do to you!? How am I supposed to fetch 10000 Exp in a day !?', Rodiku blurted out outraged and heat up.
' Hahahah... Seeing your stupid ass like this alone is satisfying. I would get my weak ass to work if I were you, instead of wasting your time whining about it ', the system voiced out in his head.
' I don't know why I feel like you're right ', Rodiku said inwardly.
' Of course I'm right, I'm not stupid. Who do you think I am, you? Hehe... ', the system found yet another way to let the insults at Rodiku.
' Stupid bitch! ', Rodiku thought to his inner self.
' I heard that, dweeb ', the system punched out metaphorically.
' Hehe... So the damn system can get irritated. Nice! ', Rodiku said with an evil smirk visible on his face from ear to ear .