12 Accepting this world
My name is Nicholas Carson but I am known in this world as Ivan Carson.
I used to be a poor man who works for Eventide Studio.
But now I am a millionaire. My best friend works and former classmate works for me.
In this world, money is not the Benjamins.
In this world, money is what they call 'Attributes'.
Because basically every single thing in this world can be cultivated by natural means a.k.a. EXP or for manual means a.k.a. spending of Attributes.
My best friend who graduated arts with me is my personal assassin.
She's dead in the world I came from but she's alive in this world.
Just like the world I came from, I have a choice to become the person I want to be in this one.
The entire system is amazing!
I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to describe this world.
The stats, the panels, the tabs, everything is customizable and stats are chosen by my will.
The things that I can do is driven by free will.
Unlike games where there are boundaries, in this life there aren't any.
If that is not enough to shock my very limited mind, they also introduce to me an entirely new sub-system.
Dating Sim Stats.
Astrals! A DATING SIMULATION.
This world also has a dating simulation with an entire stat system of its own.
Furthermore, the participants in this dating simulation is no other than two of the most important women in my life.
Kate and Jensen.
I wouldn't be too cocky to say that they are competing for my heart.
It would be more of I am choosing between them.
The part where there are stats to manage means 'I' am the one winning one of them.
< Nicholas, are you getting excited? >
"W- What kind of question is that?!"
< I can feel your heartbeat through my dashboard. It's getting faster. >
"I'm just nervous that's all."
< Does anxiety involve getting a harder bottom? >
I almost blushed at Artemis' comment.
Immediately I took the watch off my wrist and hid it in the shelf where creams and pills are stored.
Wait.
Creams and pills? I don't use them. Why do I have them?
< Taking me off doesn't mean I've lost the ability to speak, Nicholas. >
"I want some privacy, I'm going to take a bath." I tell her.
In case it's not clear to my subconscious still in denial. I have a System Guide named Artemis.
She is an AI living inside my watch.
This watch is a default item in my inventory. Like a beginner item of some sort.
I step into the shower and I take a bath.
Letting the touch of warm water pour on my skin.
The heat causes steam to fill the bathroom. In a way it feels like the privacy I need right now.
In a world like this—a game. It feels like I am being watched no matter where I am.
But then again… it makes me wonder.
With all of the stats and skills I have right now. Gambling. Gaming. Charms.
Past contracts with escorts. It's a long list and I am partly relieved I can't see the details of the past contracts.
And now I seem to have settled choosing for a date between Kate and Jensen.
…it makes me wonder what kind of a person I am in this world.
We still have similarities like games and my lazy nature but…
"Artemis…" I call to my System Guide.
I let the water continue to run on my back as I scrub myself and bubbles begin to appear.
< Yes, Nicholas? >
"What kind of a person am I in this world?" I asked aloud.
I'm hoping for a second opinion.
I don't know what for. Maybe for confirmation. Shedding a little light on the matter.
< You mean what kind of person 'Ivan Carson' is? >
"Isn't it the same thing? Ivan is me. Nicholas is me. It's both me."
< No. I believe you are wrong. >
"So AIs have personal opinions now?" I say and chuckle.
Now I massage my hair and scalp. The bubbles pop when I let the shower pour on my head.
< In this world, each player is recognized by a unique Player ID code. >
"Like DNA in my world."
< I have been assisting Ivan for as long as I can remember. I can assure you, Nicholas, that you are not him. You have different codes. >
Hmm. I guess partly the explanation is because I came from a different world.
Same identity, same name, same date of birth.
But different worlds.
I guess that's what she means by 'different player ID code'.
"Thanks Artemis."
For whatever reason, I felt relieved to have her. I feel more open with her like I did once with Kate.
Kate today isn't Kate I guess. She's Freja.
They have similarities in attitude and personality but overall, just like how I am different from Ivan. Kate is also not Freja.
Then… even Jensen.
Even Jensen is not the Jensen I know. She is Olivia in this world.
So many things that I have to consider here.
I sigh deeply and turn the shower off. Part of me is thrilled for sure but realizing these things is like seeing the reality of this world.
The door smashes open, blowing away the steam that had kept me warm and covered.
Every part of me shivered at the sudden breeze blowing in. My skin cold and wrinkly.
Freja stood by the door. My towel and clothes hanging in one arm and the other hand covering her eyes.
"What's taking you so long to bathe?!"
"Why did you kick the door down, idiot?!"
I never expected that there would come a day when I will call Kate an idiot.
But then again, I have already accepted the fact that she is Freja now. Two different people.
"Because it's been 45 minutes and you're still in the shower!"
"How long do you expect me to bathe?!"
"Normally it takes you about 20!"
'Normally'?! This Ivan person must have hygiene issues!
But then again, I think I didn't notice the time while I conversed with Artemis.
She explained to me the rest of the details of the dating simulation and I lost track of time.
*beep!*
Huh?
[Freja Caison]'s [Innocence] stat -5
[Happiness] stat -5
[Lust] stat raised to 50%
< Your charms and appeal is critically effective! >
Freja's stats popped up.
[[RELATIONSHIP]]
Stats with [Freja Caison]
[Social: 5]
[Loyalty: 3]
[Trust: 2]
{Innocence: 95}
[Experience: 0]
[Happiness: 6]
[Lust: 50%]
What now?
WHAT IS THIS?!
