Eli was amazed, as he muttered "Is this like the golden finger from those novels I read ?"
He had read multiple Isekai and system novels in his free time, and he always imagined the possibility of having such a cheat like those protagonists.
"System!" he called out loudly, hoping to get a response....
But there was none.
"System!" He called out louder....
But there still wasn't any response.
He began to panic.
Has his golden finger abandoned him before he even got to use it ?
Just then, a feminine voice sounded almost lazily in his head.
[Lower your voice host]
[If you scream my name like that next time, I won't respond]
[You think I am your maid or something ?]
Eli was taken aback.
This was not how the usual systems from the stories he read normally behave. They were always ready to answer their host happily when they called.
But he didn't think too much about it since he was already grateful he got a system at all.
Lowering the volume of his voice he spoke calmly this time, almost whispering "So system. What are your functions ?"
[Dude. Read the name]
[It's called the Ultimate Slap System]
[What other function do you think I'll have ?]
"Wait .... You mean ..."
[Yeah. You slap, you get rewarded]
"Are you insane ?!"
[Ultimate Slap System Uninstalling...!]
"Wait wait ...what ?"
"Am sorry okay, am sorry! "
[Ultimate Slap System Reinstalling....!]
[If you insult me like that again, it's goodbye from me]
"Okay I get it. It's just that I can't even slap a coachroach, and you want me to slap people ?!"
"Like, real human beings ?!"
Eli always had a small stature and was frequently bullied throughout high school.
Even in college he finds it hard to stand up for himself.
He wasn't even the one who approached his now ex girlfriend, she had been the one to make the first move on him, back when he at least could still afford some things.
He turned twenty four years old this year, but he was still socially awkward and introverted.
Now, here comes a system telling a young man with such low self esteem to start slapping people.
Eli didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this point.
Soon, his eyes widened at a realization.
He then smacked his palm on his head and began laughing.
Of course the system will not tell him to go slap people without giving him special powers to maybe freeze time or make him super strong or confident. It's basically system rules 101. He reasoned.
He smiled and spoke in a low voice, so as not to upset the system."So. System ... What will you be giving me to assist me with the slapping ?" He spoke expectantly.
[What's that ?. Do I look like a charity to you ?]
"Eh ?" Eli's smile died instantly.
"What about something to help me after I slap someone. Like a camouflage or disappearance skill ?"
[How's that my business ?. Am I the one who did the slapping ?]
"System.... You must be joking!"
[Do you see me laughing ?. You slap and you deal with the consequences alone]
[Don't bring me into your problems.]
Eli was speechless at the shameless words coming out of this system, but he dared not speak out of turn, lest he risk this system acting out again.
[ Now call out status. ]
Eli immediately became excited. Because this was the best part. Steadying himself, he called out loudly "Status !", and at once, a fresh display unfolded before him.
*****
[Ultimate Slap System V1]
[Host Status]
[Name: Eli Colle]
[Networth: $-19,540]
[Active Random Slap Target: 5/5]
*****
"Wiat a minute..... That's it ?"
[What more did you expect ?]
"Never mind. Tell me how the Slap targets work please ."
[Fine. Since you were so polite, listen well. I won't be repeating myself]
[Everyday for twenty four hours. Five targets will be chosen randomly for you to slap the shit out of.]
[The Host will have come in contact with these targets at one point or the other in his life]
[Slapping these targets...And I mean the real kind. Not the harmless face pats]
[Will generate cash rewards or even assets to the host.]
[The quantity or quality of these rewards depends on the slap value of the target, which will appear on their cheeks if you manage to get in contact with them]
[Randomly selected Slap targets will always be at a reasonable radius around the host]
[The slap value ranges from 1-100. 1 being the lowest slap value and 100 being the highest]
[Slap targets are refreshed after every twenty four hours]
[If the same target is randomly selected multiple times by the system. Their slap value increases with each selection]
[The Ultimate Slap system automatically Upgrades itself when the host net worth reach a certain threshold]
[With an upgrade comes more slap Target slots, better rewards and other functions]
[Now, if you will excuse me. I need a nap.]
*****
Eli simply got up and dusted himself off. Then he began walking down the street with a new pep in his step.
He was down at the moment but he knows he won't be that way for much longer. He was smiling lightly as he reached his home.
Their home was a rundown multi-tenant complex. Where fights between neighbors break out everyday.
He quietly made his way to their apartment, trying his best to avoid their gossiping neighbors.
As soon as he got in, he saw his dad sitting on the couch and watching tv.
"Hello dad" Eli greeted.
"Shakespeare. You got back so early ? . What happened with your part time job ?"
Eli closed his eyes as he breathed in and out.it was pointless lying to his dad. He had gotten the part-time job through family relatives' connections, and he was sure they would soon call his dad informing him of how he was fired.
"I was fired, dad," Eli responded solemnly. He had prepared for some scolding or argument from his father.....But none came, his expression just seemed a bit saddened, but he soon spoke up dismissively.
"Good riddance. You deserve better. Go change and prepare for dinner." Was all he said and he returned to watching tv.
Eli was surprised, but not by much. His father was the most unpredictable member of their small family. He just smiled and went inside his room.
After taking a quick shower, he was about to go online and chat with his friends about some things that happened today, but his door was sprang open and a bubbly young girl with brown hair tied in a simple ponytail and blue eyes like his own, walked inside his room smiling.
She wore old blue jeans and a grey top that was once white.
This was Eli's kid sister Julia.
Julia was in final year of high school, and four years younger than Eli.
And she was Eli's favorite person in the family.
"Big bro, you're back !" Julia's excited voice sounded, as she skidded into Eli's room.
But as she reached in front of Eli. She saw Eli slowly stand up and was staring at her with what looked like pity and guilt on his face.
"Big ...big bro. Why are you looking at me like that" Julia stammered.
But Eli didn't respond yet. At the moment . He was staring at her cheeks, which had a big number three shimmering and floating in blue.
Eli took in a deep breath as he placed both his hands on both of Julia's shoulders. Looking her deeply in her eyes, as a tear drop rolled down from his own eyes.
"Juli." He voiced emotionally.
"Yes...big broda" juli sounded worried, seeing the tears in Eli's eyes.
"This is going to hurt me.....More than it will hurt you"
"....."
"What ?"