Teammate

"Correct, and the S-Grade attribute of my race is Shapeshifting." She grinned as she slightly tilted her head to the right.

"Sigh…" I let out an exasperated breath as I thought about our situation.

The game has become a reality and the two of us both have a hacked system.

I most definitely need to have her/him within my hand's reach. I cannot allow them to get far from me and risk them becoming an enemy of mine.

"This feels so weird," I muttered as I sipped at my coffee, allowing the taste to break the flow of disturbing thoughts as I enjoyed it.

"It indeed is weird. Did you by chance think you had become the main character or something when you saw the numerous arrows next to your stats yesterday?" She questioned me with that vexing grin of hers.

"..." I took a breath to not let the embarrassment show on my face and then proceeded, "Yes, I did indeed think that."

"How sad."

"Don't pity me you fantasy character!"

Is that really the best comeback I could come up with? This is just sad. I held my tears.

"Pfft~ bwahaha," She burst out laughing, "Phew, that was a good laugh. That aside, you've been checking the blogs and platforms online, correct?" She asked.

"Yes, I have." I nodded.

"People who have gained a system are making Wtube videos and stuff like that too, but since the number of people with access is still low, not many are buying it and think they're just edited lies."

"That makes sense…" I trailed off as I watched a video she showed me from her phone.

[With this video I want to tell you all something weird is going on with our world.]

[I've gained a system like those ones from the games you see everywhere.]

[I can see my stats, inventory, weapons, skills, and stuff like that…]

"The comments are rather negative, aren't they?" I frowned as I scrolled down.

[Theres legit nun there]

[bro fr mixing reality with a game go get checked out kid]

"We should warn them, though, since many people will die if the game's authority fully stretches over the earth." I voiced my thoughts as I rubbed my chin.

"That is indeed true, but if these humans really don't care about shit, then, they're better off dead.

"Eh… Would your human conscious and guilt really allow you to let them all die? Thousands, hell, millions will probably die…"

"And?" She stared me dead into my eyes.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Huh?"

"You got a hacked system, and? Are you going to try and abuse the system's powers so you'll be able to save everyone?"

"Wha–?"

"Will you run to every corner of the world to try and save every single human that will be exposed to Emberhorn's system and authority?"

"Just let me–"

"You can't. The least you can do right now is spread out a message online like this so they're prepared for what awaits them in the near future."

"..."

I didn't even speak anything at this point. I just listened to her.

"Having a hacked system doesn't mean you'll be immortal. It doesn't mean you'll be a God. It doesn't mean you'll be able to control everything." She took a pause to breathe in and then continued with that composed tone of hers.

"The hacked system is simply a cheat for you to be able to survive alone because you were greedier than the others, and so was I."

"Whatever happens to us from here on out, we must know that they are the consequences of our own actions for trying to be different."

"..."

Thus, she stopped talking and sipped at her coffee.

"You seem to have a rather negative view of the whole system aspect, don't you?"

"Indeed."

"Yet you used its powers without thinking twice yesterday? You shapeshifted into that cool dude, used your equipment from the game, and terrorized the other players at the arena."

"Yes, and this system will be the sin I will bear till the day that I die. Maybe even after. Whether it is today, tomorrow, or after many years to come."

"..."

"... What if I tell you that I'll get rid of that view of yours?" I spoke awkwardly after the whole depressive talk she had done.

"...?" She simply raised her right brow at me questioningly.

"Let's become party members. Me and you were the first sinners of this game, and both me and you will be the ones to reach the end of the Emberhorn."

"..." She stared at me with a blank expression.

"Bwahahaha, there you go again," She burst out laughing once more at my words, "You want to form a party with me and roam through all one hundred floors that Emberhorn has to offer? Even though we know of them till the forty-fourth?"

"Yes," I said as I stared at her with resolve visible in my voice.

"Hah," She sighed out, "How can I say no to that, Nord."

"Thank you, Smool."

"You're really going to continue calling me Smool?"

"Well, you're calling me by my game's username too."

"I see, that's reasonable–!?"

Suddenly, a deafening blast erupted from outside, shaking the foundations of the building and shattering the windows in a shower of glass fragments.

The force of the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the cafe, toppling chairs and tables, hurling unsuspecting clients into the air.

Time seemed to slow as I instinctively pulled Smool towards me, shielding her from the ensuing chaos.

The cacophony of screams and cries blended into a disorienting symphony of fear and panic. Flames danced with malicious glee, consuming everything they touched, turning the once serene cafe into a fiery inferno.

"Just what the fuck happened!?" I barked at the unexpected occurrence that had dawned upon us.

"Can you move your hand away please?" Smool asked as she shoved my hand that was fondling her boob away.

"Ah, sorry." I apologized and slightly stood up to scan the area over the counter.

Ding.

"It's starting," Smool's expression hardened as she tapped on the system, her clothes changing into the ones from yesterday.

"So it seems." I sighed as I also strengthened the resolution to make use of my hacked system even through the guilt I felt.

[Emberhorn's authority has begun to stretch over Planet B-612.]

{ [Main Quest: Survive the Marbringers of Death the next Five Hours]

[Reward: 100 Coins + 10 Stat Points + Lenticular's Support]

[Failure: Death] }

"Huh? Lenticular's support?"