The walls were painted silver by the moonlight as Alex sat with his back against the bed, books and papers scattered around him as he wrote in one of Cain's empty journals.
"Alright.... That's all I can tell you about my world," he said, reading the notes he wrote about both his and Cain's world.
("I still want to understand the difference between a regressor and a transmigrator,") Cain asked.
"Alright, I'll explain it again. A regressor is someone who's soul was turn back in time after death, and they're goal is usually trying to change their fate and sometimes revenge with the knowledge they have about the future. Meanwhile, a transmigrator is like me, someone taking over the body of another person— usually a character in a novel or different world. However, unlike me, they usually have full control of the body and know the plot which they use to either change their fate and escape the narrative."
'Damn, I sound like a genius,' Alex thought smugly.
("So both are trying to escape death, correct?")
"Well, yes in a way. For repressors, definitely, but for transmigrators, it depends on who's body the souls wakes up in. Mostly, it's the villainess or scumbags who die in the future and the transmigrators take over their bodies months or a year before their death."
("I see. If Eleanor is either of the two, she might know what might happen next,") Cain sighed in exhaustion.
"Hey, stop giving me a headache. Your frustration is making my head throb badly," Alex grumbled, massaging his throbbing temples.
("Apologies. I'll be more considerate for the 'guest' in my body.")
Alex rolled his eyes, "Thank you for your 'hospitality', Your Majesty."
("By the way, your handwriting is terrible. It looks like a chicken was writing instead of a human. Maybe chickens could write better than this disaster.")
"Hey, I'm trying. It's my first time writing with big hands in a body that isn't mine."
Click
[Good evening, pests~]
("That thing irritates me,") Cain glared at the System.
"The feeling's mutual. However, it's important," Alex stared at the floor, clenching his fists before facing the hovering screen.
[I know that look. What do you want, human?]
"I want to see my inventory and shop."
[Why?]
"I need something."
[So what? Do I look like a servant to you, mortal?]
"Well.... Considering what you're known for in other narratives...."
[.....]
[You dare associate me with *those things*?]
"S-sorry, dude. I just thought—"
[Thought what? That just because I'm your System, that I'll obey everything you say?]
".... Maybe. I'm sorry...."
("I'll never get used to seeing myself like this.")
'Shut it.... Your Majesty. This is serious! My love life is at stake.'
[*Smirks*]
[If you're really sorry, get on your knees and beg.]
"What???"
("I bet your finest pardon?")
[You heard correctly. I want you to beg.]
He sighed and got on his knees, "Please, System. Let me have access to my inventory and shop."
[I need sincerity, boy. I'm an entity, not a tool.]
Alex grit his teeth then bowed, forehead touching the cold floor, "Please, O' Mighty System. Let this lowly mortal gaze into his inventory and shop."
Cain cringed at the scene, ("This should be the last time I see myself in such a demeaning position.")
[Much better~]
[Inventory;
-The cloak of a mercenary
-The belt of an assassin
-Sword of a knight
-Shield of a tanker
-A gun of a nobleman
-Goggles of a cyborg
-A Magician's hat
-A cane of a Ringmaster
-The fluffiest blanket
-A comforting teddy bear
-Earmuffs of every sound]
[Shop;
°Available
•Agriculture book {1}: 250 points
•Marketing book {1}: 250 points
•Shovel {5}: 100 points each
•Seeds {6}: 150 points per packet
°Locked:
•All weapons, grimoires and potions
°Purchased:
•None
°Current balance: 750 points]
"....."
(".... That's interesting.")
[Well, what did you expect? All the items in the inventory were from the Trial quest and what's in your shop are relevant for this quest.]
"But still..."
[Suck it up. You're king for a year, so stop whining and act like one.]
Alex sat up straight, sighing every second for two minutes at his inventory. "I'll buy both books and get the gun."
[°Two items purchased:
•Agriculture book
•Marketing book
°Available
•Agriculture book {0}
•Marketing book {0}
°Current balance: 150 points]
He stared at the large books in his hands, furrowing his brows at how light they felt, then placed them next to him as he examined the gun.
("What is that contraption?")
"It's a gun. A revolver to be exact. In my world— well, any modern world, guns are weapons used for war, self-defense and in most unfortunate cases, murder. They come in many different models and have small metal cylinders things called bullets that come out when you pull the trigger," he removed one of the bullets, holding it to the light while the revolver reloaded itself.
("I see...")
[And it's very lethal. Make sure you know how to use it or else you might end up shooting yourself.]
"I know. I'll practice how to use it before I get assassinated."
("So you'll keep this gun around for protection?")
"Yeah. Also, I don't know how to fight. But the bright side is that the gun is loud enough to alert people."
("Great. My body's being handled by child without knowledge on kingship or self-defense.")
"Apologies. Next time I get transmigrated against my will, I'll do my research."
("....")
[Is there anything else you want?]
"Yes. I want to know about the points and the crystal."
[Points are rewarded per quest and I was born from the crystal.]
"Eh?"
[Anyway, bye~]
"Wha— Hey! Wait!"
Beep
"....."
("I really hate that thing.")
"....Same."
Days passed since then, and Max was returning to the palace from the village, ad the Head butler was attending to "Cain" on his behalf since his task.
His face was grim as the sight of malnourished children, adults fighting over a crumb of bread and the dried cracked ground replayed in his mind.
He steps felt forced as he dragged himself through the hallways. His mind deep in thought, barely registering the crisp sound approaching him from behind.
A finger tapped his shoulder. He froze then relaxed at the flowery fragrance mixed with a faint scent of tea, milk and strawberries filling the air around him, making him force an almost perfect bright grin as he turned to face the woman, bowing before her.
"Good morning, Lady Eleanor. Did you already have breakfast yet?"
Eleanor smiled, her icy blue eyes softening, "Good morning, Max. I have, though I'm the one supposed to ask you if you've eaten."
His lip twitched, stomach churning uncomfortably as his thoughts on food conflicted with his memory of the village. "I have, My Lady."
"I heard that you were sent to scout the village by His Majesty. I'm sure that messed with your appetite. However, hunger won't solve the problem, you need the energy to find a solution," she said firmly, her tone almost motherly towards him.
"I will. I promise."
Eleanor patted his head before removing her hand, resisting the urge to continue touching his surprisingly soft hair as she turned away, "Good. You best go to His Majesty to give your report. Make sure you eat something immediately after..... And, uh, could you ask him if he'll join me for supper tonight?"
"Of course, My Lady."
She nodded and went to the garden while he sighed, continuing his way to Cain's study.
Max knocked on the door, entering upon receiving permission as he sees Alex hunched over the desk with books and papers scattered across the table.
"Well, I know for sure mom would be happy to see you actually studying," he chuckled, closing the door behind him.
Alex rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm only doing this because a very important aspect of my life is being threatened by that demonic System."
"Your love life was already bad. There's nothing for you to worry about."
Alex glared at him, making him laugh, his mood lifting slightly.
"Feeling better, Max?"
"Very."
"I'm glad that you find my love life amusing."
"You can't blame me. You still haven't asked out your crush and fumble at every opportunity. You're destined for singleness."
"Wow..."
"You can't deny it, bro."
"Anyway, what did you found out?"
Max's expression grew more serious, sitting across him as he took out a folded pavement from his pocket, handing it to him. "That's all I found out."
Alex read the paper, eyebrow twitching as Cain laughed at how Max, a former dog, has better penmanship than Alex.
'Stop laughing, you jerk.'
("Jealous, child?")
'I'll make you pay for this. I swear.'
"Damn... This is a mess."
"See it firsthand and you'll know how fucked up this all situation is."
"I'm so screwed...."
"By the way, Lady Eleanor was asking if you'll join her for dinner tonight."
Alex's eyes lit up, straightening up in his seat as a thought crossed his mind, "Let
her know that I'll join her."
("No.")
'Shush, this is an emergency. Your pride can wait.'
"Alright. I'll let her know after I eat. I'm hungry," Max stood up and went out of the study.
("I refuse.")
"Too bad. We're having dinner with her and that's final."
Cain grumbled, cursing loudly as Alex ignored him.
[Holder Candidate Quest One: Change the plot
•Duration: 350 days
•Reward: 10,000 points
•Failure: Bad luck at love]