System: Challenge

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<< Congratulations to the host for advancing from a useless mob character to cannon fodder. >>

Ai Cole, the host, blinked as he stared at the black void surrounding him. He was back at the System Space. Floating in the air, he stretched his limbs, feeling the soreness of his muscles from his last mission. "Is there anything new you can offer me?"

<< The host advanced from a useless mob character to cannon fodder. >>

"Simply put, you have nothing new to give," Ai covered his mouth using the dorsal side of his hand to shield his lips parting, releasing a yawn. He was much too tired to actually care.

<< There is nothing to offer the host. The host has acc.u.mulated thousands of skills; seems as if there's nothing the host cannot do. >>

"Seems?" Ai quirked his left eyebrow, tilting his head to face a glowing, floating, blue ball. "Is that...a challenge?"

<< From host's numerous world's before, host was never able to fall in love. >>

"You tell me ah, how am I supposed to fall in love if I had to die quick, die smart, die strong?" Ai lifted his right arm to comb through his messy, black locks. Releasing a sigh, he dropped his arm and floated as if he were lying in bed. "That's what you kept repeating when I just started world-hopping."

<< Anyone can fall in love even at unforeseen circ.u.mstances. >>

"It wasn't part of my mission, it's useless ah."

<< It would seem useless but the host's heart is hidden away; broken and battered, hoping to be loved but neglected by the host. >>

Ai kept silent.

It wasn't by choice.

It was forced on him.

Ai unconsciously clenched his fist, recalling his past. He now floated as if he were standing. "It's better this way."

<< The host has an addiction to drugs and alcohol that can lead to an unstable mind and fragile body. Host, it is a far-fetch to say that it is better this way. To top it all off, the host already has severe clinical depression. >>

Ai felt like he was slapped by reality. The system made it sound like it was a bad thing.

He was only trying to live and survive.

He'd already minimized his alcohol and drug tendencies, it was the best he could do. He couldn't stop his addiction.

Not like he would stop it, anyway.

He couldn't forget his past, no matter what. He couldn't even move on, reliving his life as if that scene was the only reality he could live in.

Depression seemed to come naturally to him. It was attached. He didn't ask for it, no one does.

"I...system, transport me to the next world," Ai felt jittery. The more he doesn't have anything to do, the more he remembers everything. Not to mention that the system took its sweet time to transport him.

Ai started counting numbers, whispering under his breath to keep his mind away from remembering.

It wasn't enough.

He needed his hands to do something, anything.

He scratched his arms.

He damaged his legs.

He clawed his neck.

He dug his nails into his t.h.i.g.h.

His body...dropped.

His flesh embraced with bloody scr.a.p.es.

He looked at his arms, covered with scars.

It's just the same as last time.

Hugging himself, Ai rubbed his arms.

He was panting.

He was being irrational.

He couldn't get that moment out of his head.

It was only a matter of time before he'll completely lose his composure.

In a matter of seconds, strings of pop-up boxes were shown.

<< Scanning host's body... >>

<< The host's mind has shown to be in distress... >>

<< Checking the host's mental stability... >>

<< Turbulent flow of negative emotions assessed. >>

<< Confirmed the presence of a panic attack... >>

<< Requiring host to take deep breaths and calm down. >>

After a couple of minutes, Ai passed out from the system's forceful use of its spiritual force.

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When Ai opened his eyes, he could only see darkness. He tried to move only to realize that his body was confined. He was only able to move his arms.

He couldn't remember what happened in the System Space before transporting to a new world. He could only remember being appointed to a higher position and telling the system to transport him. Either way, he didn't care much.

Moving his limbs, he tried touching and feeling his surroundings. He could guess was inside some sort of tube. The walls were smooth and cold, and it surrounded him in a circle.

<< Requesting host to stand still. If the natives of this world perceive any abnormalities, they will shut the host down. >>

"Shut me down? Do you mean they ought to murder me?" standing perfectly still, he communicated with the system using telepathy. "System, please send me the memories of this body and the plot."

A few seconds later, memories popped up in Ai's mind like a TV screen switching channels. It only took a few more seconds to digest the plot and memories.

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/|Without You|/

The body Ai is inhabiting is called S-196, or also known as Settia. An android made for all and every purpose.

Housekeepers were to be replaced by androids but the factory could only make a handful of androids at a time. In such high demand, the androids were made for whoever reserved first. The androids were tailor-made to suit the tastes of the user.

Settia was tailor-made for a family but when the time came that it was to be bought, the family was broke. They couldn't afford to purchase Settia so the factory sold it to anyone who would want it. The Lyles Family bought Settia and assigned it as the personal maid of Emory Lyles, the male lead and future successor of a business; the Lyles Family Business, the ric.h.e.s.t and highest-ranked corporate.

The male lead did not interact with Settia for much of the plot. He had an inferiority complex; especially regarding his looks and the male lead believed it, Settia, looked better than he was.

The male lead was considered fluffy. He didn't reach the beauty standards of the public but his wealth made up for it. Even though he wasn't much of a looker, he had women and men flocking around him.

The male lead could tell that the people were disgusted with his appearance and body by having an android who looked better than him at his side 24/7.

Then, the female lead, Velvet Vergano, came into the picture. She approached the male lead, hoping to be her friend under the pretense of 'recently moved and not knowing anyone around the neighborhood.'

At first, the male lead wasn't swayed by her. Only when they spent more time together did the male lead enjoy her company; decreasing his insecurities knowing that the female lead found his looks cute and adorable. The male and female lead got along great; so great, in fact, the male lead harbored affection for the female lead. Accepting his feelings, the female lead was then more spoiled by the male lead.

A few years passed, everything was smooth sailing for the couple. They got married and had two children together where they spent their life in bliss.

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"So they really did mean they will shut me down..." Ai stated. It wasn't really shocking, though. He had, after all, been through many, many robotic future generation worlds. "What're my missions?"

<< Main Mission/s:

- Support Emory Lyles

- Eliminate Emory Lyles'

insecurities

Side Mission/s:

- Partner Emory Lyles with

someone new

- Live long enough to see the birth of Emory Lyles' kid/s

Reminding host to actively search for random missions. >>

"This doesn't seem like the usual missions...there was more death," confused, Ai thought there was a bug in his system's configuration. "What happened to my usual death missions?"

<< This system changed from 'Death System: Die Quick, Die Smart, Die Strong' to 'System: Challenge.' >>

"Do I want to know?" Ai asked no one in particular.

<< Host did say that what this system said was a challenge. The missions are to help host fall in love; may it be with the male lead, female lead, cannon fodder, or mob character. >>

"Oh...by the way, before I forget to ask, why did the female lead choose the male lead?" racking his brain for an answer, Ai couldn't find one definite reason.

<< She met him when they were little when his parents didn't have the Lyles Family Business yet. She said and this system quotes, "I don't care much for the exterior, I'm merely looking for the interior." >>

"Must be nice..." Ai murmured. Looking down, his hair covered his eyes. "When there's still someone who cares no matter how much people are dissatisfied with a part of you..."

<< Host— >>

"No matter how dark, ugly, and scary your past is...that you've become a demon..." Ai let out an airy, self-deprecating chuckle. "They still stand with you."

<< Host, this system may not have legs but if this system did, this system will be there; standing beside you. All this system can do for now is float beside you. This system apologizes for its incompetence. >>

"You don't have to lie to make me feel better." Ai gave a weak smile, even if the system wouldn't be able to see it. "I won't be able to reciprocate. A simple name, I rejected."

<< Host doesn't need to worry about this system's name. There will be a time when the host will be comfortable with this system, and this system will be patiently waiting. >>

This was the system given to him. Outwardly cold and uncaring but actually very soft-hearted. "I'm sorry, I'll just be a disappointment."

The system did not have the time to reply when the tube was opened.

"Welcome to Imalter, S-196! We're glad your finally here!" Ai could hear countless people greeting him, but he couldn't see them; he had trouble adjusting his eyesight from pitch black to blinding light.

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