I adore phoenixes; their large fiery wings and the ability to be reborn through fire is something I have always looked up to.
Today, as Han Cheng walked through the streets of Beijing, he saw a vendor just like any other, except it sold various trinkets.
He approached it and asked the vendor, "Boss, what do you sell here?" Han Cheng showed a row of white teeth as he grinned.
The owner lazily stopped reading his newspaper and looked up at the newcomer, "Well, I sell various stuff here."
"Look around to see if there's anything you fancy."
He then continued reading his newspaper, ignoring Han Cheng entirely.
Han Cheng looked through each item with interest and soon found an orange bird carving among them.
This!
"Boss, is this a phoenix carving?"
"It looks so lifelike!"
"10 Yuan; take it or leave it," the owner simply said without looking at Han Cheng.
10 yuan is pretty cheap for a carving this detailed, and I like phoenixes anyway, so let's buy it.
"Boss, here's the money!" Han Cheng took out some bills and handed them to the old man.
The old man's eyes squinted as he gave Han Cheng the change for the 100 yuan bill.
Han Cheng returned home and took out the wooden phoenix carving as he sat on his apartment bed.
Such an exquisite phoenix! I made a profit from this transaction.
After putting the phoenix carving away on the table beside the bed, Han Cheng opened his laptop to do some assignments his professor asked him to complete.
Opening the laptop amid a bright light, Han Cheng suddenly felt a little dizzy.
"Urk!"
My head? Why does it suddenly hurt?
I have to take a headache medicine; I remember I have some left in the kitchen!
As Han Cheng walked toward the kitchen for the medicine, his headache became even more pronounced, and he dropped to his knees and couldn't walk.
"Ah!"
Then Han Cheng fainted on the apartment concrete floor.
Days passed, and Han Cheng's body slowly disappeared from the apartment along with the phoenix carving.
***
Han Cheng didn't know how long he had been wandering here, but he encountered among the vast darkness a bright light.
It was far in the distance, and Han Cheng moved his body closer toward it before his vision was engulfed in it.
"Gasp!"
With a gasp, Han Cheng could finally breathe. But he now found himself in a dilemma.
Because he was no longer in his apartment; instead, he was beside a beach with waves occasionally crashing onto the sand.
What happened? How did I suddenly come here?
The last thing I remembered is fainting.
Han Cheng questioned, but nobody could answer him as he stood there, not moving.
Until a bird's cry sounded out near him.
"Caww!"
Hmm, where did that bird cry come from?
Then it sounded again as if calling for him.
Han Cheng realized that the sound came from his hand, which was holding the phoenix carving.
Han Cheng was bewildered at the wooden carving making bird sounds.
How did this get here?
"What trick is this? I clearly remember this as a normal wooden carving?" Han Cheng blurted out.
As Han Cheng was marveling at the phoenix carving, the carving suddenly leaped from his hand and headed straight for his left eye.
"What?"
"M-my eye!"
But after a moment, Han Cheng realized he didn't feel any discomfort or pain.
He was even more bewildered at the phoenix carving suddenly entering his eye.
Is he in a dream, and when he wakes up, he would return to doing the assignment? Is that it?
Han Cheng pinched himself hard but didn't seem to wake up from any dream.
"Sigh, where am I and what is happening?"
Han Cheng slumped his shoulders, looking haggard.
But more importantly, he had to find out where exactly he was and find food and shelter in this unfamiliar place.
So Han Cheng stood up and gazed at his surroundings.
He was by a sandy beach with a forest extending beyond him. He wondered if he had to enter the forest to make progress.
Just as he was pondering what to do, the bird cry sounded again.
"Caww!"
But this time Han Cheng realized it was directly inside his mind. Then a mechanical voice sounded out.
[Welcome Host, Please name the system!]
System?
Han Cheng was shocked!
Is this like in those novels he read? Did he gain a system!?
Amazing! A system!
As Han Cheng was in amazement, the system rang out.
[Host, please name me now or I will be given a default name.]
Han Cheng tried asking in his mind, "What do you mean by that and what purpose do you have?"
[Replying to Host, you can name me whatever, and I will be that kind of system. My purpose is to help the host achieve his goal, with no hidden motives.]
Whatever?!
Does that mean if I name it Super Powerful System, I can be super powerful, and vice versa if named Super Weak System? But why would I name it that?
Han Cheng was excited, and he had no doubt about the authenticity of it, as he always read web novels in his free time.
But what name should he choose? That itself is a dilemma.
System, any suggestions for a name?
[Replying to Host, Phoenix System should be suitable based on host preference.]
Wait, you know my preferences even?!
[Replying to Host, all host memory is my memory, and all my memory is my memory.]
Amazing! Though I don't understand the second part...
After a pause, Han Cheng decided, "System, I shall name you Phoenix System from now on."
[I Concur!]
After a few minutes, Han Cheng got a response from the system.
[Update finished. Host can check the function by saying Open Function.]
Han Cheng checked the function and found that he could complete tasks assigned by the system and earn points to purchase phoenix-related items and abilities.
And the most prominent ability must be this: [Rebirth].
[Rebirth - Enables host to be revived infinitely after being killed, granting phoenix immortality.]
[Required Points - 9999]
This is a great ability, one that he liked very much, but the cost is staggering. He decided to make this ability his first priority.
System, are there any tasks for me? Han Cheng asked.
[Task 1 - Detecting host's weak strength, please find some food to eat and not be hungry.
Reward - 10 points]
Alright!
Han Cheng then walked toward one of the nearby trees and searched for some durable sticks.
He used a stone to sharpen the tip and headed to the ocean.
After a full 3 hours, Han Cheng started to feel hungry and hastened his search for marine life.
Near a boulder, a fish was sleeping. Han Cheng stalked closer, and with all his might, stabbed the fish through its head, effectively killing it in one fell swoop.
Great! This fish is so big; it can feed me for two days! Han Cheng joyfully held the big fish in his arms.
***
Near the campfire that Han Cheng had built, a wafting smell of cooked crab filled the air as Han Cheng carefully opened the shell and bit into the juicy sweet flesh.
It's been 7 days since Han Cheng arrived here, and he explored the area but hasn't gone too far and encountered no other humans.
As Han Cheng was feeling bored, a boat slowly drifted from the distant sea to the beach near Han Cheng.
Han Cheng noticed this and exclaimed, "Is that a boat!?"
As the boat grew increasingly closer, it reached the spot where Han Cheng usually took a dump and stayed there.
Han Cheng approached and saw a teenager on the boat, seemingly starving.
The teenager spoke hoarsely to Han Cheng as if finding a savior, "Food... Please!"
Han Cheng, already bored being alone on this lonely beach, decided to help the newcomer.
"Wait for a bit!" Han Cheng spoke to the teen.