The glow from the holographic screen faded slowly, leaving Matt sitting on the cold, creaky floor of his apartment. His muscles were sore, but there was something oddly satisfying about it. He felt… lighter, energized in a way that felt unnatural yet exhilarating. He stared at his calloused hands, flexing his fingers as if expecting sparks to fly out.
"What even is this thing?" Matt muttered under his breath, his voice still hoarse from the workout. His chest tightened for a moment as he replayed the events in the alley. A glowing sphere. A voice in his head. And now, this strange system. It didn't make any sense.
But there it was—a prompt hanging in his mind, waiting for him to respond.
[Skill Pack Unlocked: Basic Cooking, Enhanced Stamina, Beginner Reflexes.]
Matt couldn't help but laugh. "Cooking skills? Reflexes? What is this, some kind of video game?"
Still, curiosity got the better of him. He stood up, stretching out the tightness in his shoulders, and headed to the kitchen. It wasn't much of a kitchen—a small counter, an ancient stove that barely worked, and a pile of unwashed dishes in the sink. He pulled open the fridge door, only to be greeted by a disappointing sight: a half-empty carton of milk, a few eggs, and some wilted greens.
He grabbed an egg, holding it in his hand. "Alright, system. Let's see what you've got."
A faint warmth surged through his body, and his hands moved almost instinctively. In one fluid motion, he cracked the egg cleanly into a pan, no shell fragments at all—a rare achievement for someone as clumsy as Matt. His movements felt smoother, more precise, as he scrambled the eggs with practiced ease. The once-boring task of cooking suddenly felt… enjoyable.
As he plated the eggs and took a bite, he blinked in surprise. They tasted better than anything he'd ever made before, despite the lack of seasoning.
"This is weird," Matt muttered, chewing slowly. "Really weird."
After finishing his impromptu meal, he slumped onto the couch, still trying to process everything. The screen had disappeared, but he could feel the system lingering in the back of his mind, like a constant presence.
A new notification popped up.
[New Mission Unlocked: Explore Your Potential]
Description: Test your abilities and discover the capabilities of the Omni-System.
Requirements: Learn a new skill using the system. Complete a task requiring beginner-level reflexes.
Rewards: $100 and an Advanced Skill Token.
Matt rubbed his temples, exhaling deeply. "Okay… I guess this is happening."
He grabbed his old hoodie and headed out the door. If he was going to figure this out, he couldn't just sit around all day waiting for answers. The city streets were alive with their usual chaos—honking cars, chatter from people passing by, and the faint aroma of street food. The familiar noise grounded him, making the absurdity of his situation feel slightly less surreal.
Spotting a basketball court at the local park, Matt veered off the sidewalk and stepped through the gate. A group of teens were shooting hoops, their laughter and shouts echoing across the court. He watched for a moment, his hands shoved into his hoodie pocket. He'd never been particularly athletic, but this seemed like as good a place as any to test his reflexes.
One of the kids noticed him and called out. "Hey, you wanna play?"
Matt hesitated, then shrugged. "Sure, why not."
The ball was passed to him, and he caught it without fumbling—a small victory in itself. He stepped onto the court, feeling the weight of the kids' eyes on him. They clearly didn't expect much from the lanky, tired-looking guy in a hoodie.
"Let's see what you've got, old man," one of them joked.
Matt smirked. "Old man, huh? Alright, let's do this."
The game started, and to Matt's surprise, something clicked. His movements felt sharper, quicker. When a kid tried to dribble past him, Matt swiped the ball cleanly from his hands and sprinted down the court. He faked left, then cut right, the ball practically glued to his fingertips. His muscles moved like they'd been trained for this for years. As he jumped for a layup, time seemed to slow. He could see the rim, the exact angle he needed.
The ball went in with a satisfying swish.
The teens looked at him, stunned. "What the hell was that?" one of them muttered.
Matt was equally shocked. He'd never moved like that before. He felt alive, adrenaline pumping through his veins. The rest of the game flew by in a blur of sharp passes, quick footwork, and precise shots. By the end, the teens were shaking their heads, muttering about how lucky Matt had been.
"Not bad for an old man, huh?" Matt said with a grin as he walked off the court.
The notification returned, its text glowing faintly in his mind.
[Mission Complete. Rewards credited.]
He paused under a streetlight, his breath visible in the cool night air. $100 had been deposited into the mysterious account tied to the system, and the Advanced Skill Token sat in his inventory, waiting to be used.
For the first time in years, Matt felt a spark of excitement. This system—it wasn't just some weird fluke. It was a lifeline, a way out of the mundane life that had trapped him for so long. He didn't know where this path would lead, but he was ready to find out.
Pulling out another cigarette, he lit it with a steady hand and took a deep drag. The smoke curled upward, mingling with the soft glow of the streetlight.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the city's hum. "Let's see how far this goes."
With the system's voice lingering in the back of his mind, Matt walked into the night, a small smile playing on his lips. His ordinary life was behind him, and for the first time in years, the future didn't feel so hopeless. It felt… limitless.