The first thing I did after entering the room was dash into the bathroom.
Stripping off my bloodied clothes, I tossed them into the dustbin and stepped into the shower. Warm water streamed down, washing away the sticky stench of blood that clung to my skin.
I closed my eyes, but every time I did, flashes of the grotesque scenes I'd witnessed earlier came flooding back. Blood. Roots. Torn bodies.
"What am I even doing here?" I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice.
A sudden sharp pain shot through my head as memories forced their way in, fragments surfacing chaotically. I clenched my head, leaning against the shower wall until the throbbing finally subsided.
Ten minutes later, I emerged, a towel wrapped loosely around my body. "Ahh! I feel alive again," I sighed, the hot shower having worked wonders.
I opened the closet, pulling out fresh clothes—a black t-shirt, a grey jacket, and black jeans. As I dressed, I spoke out loud, "So, what are you exactly?"
[ And to answer your question, System is System. ]
[ System exists to assist the host in any way possible. ]
"System, as in those MMO games?"
[ Somewhat similar, yes. But keep this in mind: ]
[ System is not omnipotent. ]
[ System's influence is limited to the things the host can touch, see, hear, taste, and know. ]
"So you basically know what I know and can only analyze what I interact with?"
[ Correct. ]
"Then how did you know the passcode to this room?"
[ This is the room the host stayed in prior to memory loss. ]
I nodded slowly, lying down on the bed. "That aligns with what little I've remembered so far."
"Can you tell me more about myself? My memories are… scrambled."
[ There should be a bag in the right closet. ]
I got up and rummaged through the closet, pulling out a small bag. "Found it!"
[ Inside the bag, you'll find your ID and some belongings. ]
Opening the bag, I found a watch and glanced at the date. It helped orient me. Flipping through an ID card, I read aloud: "Name: Cardea. No last name. An academy student scheduled to enroll three weeks from now…"
I paused, frowning at one detail. "It says my evaluation is unclassified. What does that mean?"
[ It means you haven't undergone the classification test yet. During enrollment, this test determines your class, grade, and rank. ]
"Makes sense." I tapped the card thoughtfully. "Does the System have those status screens like in games?"
[ Yes, host. Would you like to see your status? ]
"Yes, please."
[ Opening status window. ]
---
|Status|
Name : Cardea
Age: 16
Class: none
Grade: none
Rank: F
Combat power: -F
Strength : F
Endurance : E
Agility : E
Intelligence : C
Mana : C
Luck : C
|Title|: None
|Skills|: Engraving
|Technique|: Dash
|Shop Points|: 0
|Inventory| |Shop|
---
I stared at the stats and groaned, "That's… low. Nothing here screams combat-ready."
[ Correct. ]
"What's the chance of me escaping this place alive?"
[ Currently 20%. ]
[ Analysis indicates the enemy is a mutant plant monster. ]
I raised an eyebrow. "Mutant plants shouldn't be causing such carnage. From what I recall, they don't like bright or crowded places."
[ Analysis indicates the monster is a mutant plant known as the Corpse Flower. ]
[ Based on observed behavior and size, it is nearly mature and should be in hibernation. ]
[ Host, could you check outside the window? ]
Sliding the curtains aside, I froze, mouth agape. Black, vein-like roots wrapped around the entire building, forming a dome over the 30 floors of the hotel.
"Let me guess—the monster is ascending, and this building, soaked in blood, is its nutrient source…"
[ Correct. ]
[ For further assessment, a clear view of the monster's main body is required. ]
"That sounds… extremely dangerous. Let me guess, the monster sealed the building to trap everything inside as food?"
[ Correct again. ]
I sighed, leaning on the windowsill. "Can you give me a rough estimate of its power ranking?"
[ Based on size and mobility in hibernation: ]
[ It is a Bishop-grade C-rank monster. After hibernation, it will ascend to Knight-grade B-rank. ]
"How does the power ranking system work again?"
[ Grades and ranks are categorized as follows: ]
| Grades: King > Queen > Rook > Knight > Bishop > Pawn |
| Ranks: X > SSS > SS > S > A > B > C > D > E > F |
[ For example, a King-grade S-rank can fight a Queen-grade SSS-rank. ]
[ Generally, higher grades overpower ranks. Three ranks higher are needed to match one grade. ]
[ However, X-rank transcends this rule. ]
"That explains the chess theme. And the King-grade is the strongest in this system?"
[ Correct. ]
My head throbbed as memories resurfaced, fragments of explanations and past battles making it hard to focus.
"Any chance we can wait for rescue?"
[ Based on the current scenario: ]
[ A rescue squad would require at least 10 hours to arrive. ]
[ The monster is expected to complete its ascension in 8.5 hours. ]
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