Still feeling down about what he had read, he curiously opened the [System Inbox].
[System Inbox]
"[Message from the System Creator] [Tap to Expand]
"[Personal Messages] [Tap to Expand]
"[System Activities] [Tap to Expand]
"[System Messages] [Tap to Expand]
Sam tapped the [Message from the System Creator], and the message appeared:
[Message from the System Creator]
To all inhabitants of Earth,
I have created this system to aid you in repelling the invasion of your world. Using your so-called games as a medium, I have slowly fused mana into your bodies, for to force it upon you would be fatal. I have also opened a connection between your world and others that possess mana, so you may use it freely.
You may wonder why I do not come to your world myself to help you. I am the Grand Mage of my world, and I am currently protecting it from invasion. It is your responsibility to protect yours.
The multiverse is slowly being overtaken by life-devouring parasites that consume and destroy everything in their path. Let me make this clear—this is my final aid to your world. Adapt or perish, for this is just the beginning. The world that was invaded before yours has already fallen. Now, it is your turn to rise and fight.
After reading this, Sam remembered the bodies he had seen yesterday. "Adapt or perish..." he muttered.
He didn't know how to feel about all of this, but the only thing he wanted to do was go home for his sister.
Sam opened the [Personal Messages], but it was empty. Still, he felt a sense of relief knowing that it could be used to send messages to others. He tried to write a message to his sister, but he knew she wouldn't be able to read it, not because she was too young, but because of her learning disabilities. Even at 7 years old, she struggled, and Sam couldn't afford to enroll her in a special education program. Despite this, he decided to write the message anyway.
[To: Aya Torres]
[I'm going home. Please be safe until I get there.]
[Send] [Delete] He then pressed [Send].
After that, he opened the [System Activities]:
[System Activities]
- [To open your status window just swipe your hand up]
- [Completed]
- [Finalizing]
- [Terminating the process]
- [Err.□○•&...]
- [Error]
- [Error]
- [Error]
- [Error: Failed to transfer necessary features and data]
- [Error]
- [Slow Regeneration (F - Passive)]
- [You received a new skill]
- [Engaging emergency protocol until the system done transfering]
- [Your health points are in critical state]
- [You are Awakened]
- [Your world has been invaded]
"It has instructions on how to open the system. I think I was still unconscious when that message appeared. Well, I was still lucky to have opened it," he muttered, continuing to read.
"[Your health points are in critical state]." Reading this part, he remembered how his head hit the rail before he fell. He touched his head and found no wound or scar. "Is it because of this Rank F skill?" he wondered, feeling thankful. But then, he sighed. "It's not much help now. Those two monsters I encountered could end me in one strike, and I have no time to heal."
Lastly, he opened the [System Message]:
[System Message]
The system failed to detect life from your body and ended the transfer, but due to the emergency protocol, your body continued to repair even though the system is offline. To reboot your system, please kill a monster and absorb their mana.
Note: Due to severe error, it is possible that the issue will not be fixed.
Shocked, Sam realized that he had died once and been resurrected. Amazed, yet at the same time, it sent a chill down his spine.
—
After finishing his preparations and getting used to his system, Sam decided to start his journey. Walking down the empty street, holding the strap of his backpack, he carefully scanned his surroundings for danger while searching for a bike or an electric bike with the key still left in it. He didn't want to use larger vehicles like cars or motorcycles because he didn't know how to operate them, and their noise would attract unwanted attention, something he wanted to avoid.
He was deciding whether to walk and gamble on finding an abandoned, working bike or electric bike, but if he couldn't find anything, it would take him almost 2 days to get home, prioritizing his safety, especially at night. Alternatively, he could go back and get his own bike, which was almost a mile away, but it might have already been stolen since 3 days had passed. Troubled by the decision, he stopped beside an abandoned car.
—
Suddenly, someone came running, chased by a swarm of rats. "Help! Anyone!" he cried out, struggling to run as his legs were injured. Exhausted and in pain, he looked a real mess, stumbling as he desperately tried to escape.
Sam, hiding behind the car and observing, he used the system to identify the rats chasing the man.
[Dire Rats]
A more aggressive and dangerous version of regular rats. Slightly larger, with sharp teeth and a tendency to travel in swarms.
Hesitating, he didn't want to help the man since it would also put him in danger. But as he watched the monsters chasing the man, he thought he might be able to kill a few, save him, and reboot his system to increase his chances of survival.