As Lila closed the door behind her, leaving Taryn alone with his thoughts, a strange silence settled over the room. He leaned back against the pillows, staring at the wooden ceiling, thoughts swirling.
What can I even do with this body?
The question lingered in his mind like a slow-burning ember. His body was frail, sickly—he couldn't run, couldn't fight, couldn't even breathe deeply without feeling his chest tighten. This was a world of strength, of warriors who could split mountains with a strike and fly through the skies. What was he supposed to do?
Just as the frustration began to tighten in his chest, a sharp ding echoed inside his mind, so crisp and sudden that he sat bolt upright.
DING—System Activated.
Taryn blinked. "What the hell was that?"
Then a voice answered him—clear, cheerful, and oddly upbeat. Almost smug.
"Oh hi! You must be the guy! The destined one!"
His mouth hung open for a second. "The… destined one?"
"Yup! Or at least that's what the higher-ups call you. Me? I just call you the lucky one. Lucky, because you've got me!"
There was a pause. Taryn furrowed his brows, unsure if he was hallucinating.
"Oh right, manners! Let's start properly. I am your System—a highly advanced, soul-linked, customizable support tool designed to help you do... well, whatever the hell you want!"
Taryn stared into the air, half-expecting something to materialize in front of him. Nothing did. "You're a... system?"
"Exactly! I'm here to assist you in reaching greatness—or insanity, if that's your preference. Want to be a cultivator? Great. A scholar? Sure. A bandit, merchant, hero, villain—pick a path, and I'll help pave it."
There was a brief silence before the system added with a snicker:
"Just... maybe don't pick professional poet. My rhyming subroutines are still in beta."
Taryn blinked a few times, completely thrown off by the casual tone. This wasn't what he imagined a powerful artifact or ancient guide would sound like. He had always read about systems being cold and robotic, or deeply wise and cryptic. This one sounded like it binge-watched sitcoms in the void.
"Okay…" he muttered slowly, rubbing his temples. "So… what's my current situation?"
"Hmm… scanning your status… oh my. Well, this is awkward. Your body isn't just weak. It's sick. Like, really sick. Weak constitution, sluggish meridians, and absolutely zero cultivation base. Honestly, I'm impressed you're alive."
"Thanks," Taryn said dryly.
"But hey! Don't worry! You've got me now! We'll fix that. Together, we're gonna turn this half-dead noodle you call a body into a world-class monster. Cultivation? I'll guide you. Want to unlock hidden talents? Boom, I got you. Need a cheat to learn faster? Tap in and let's go."
He shook his head, part disbelief, part awe. "So… I just choose what I want to be?"
"Exactly. But keep in mind, nothing's free. Every path has its cost. Cultivation requires dedication. Studying like a scholar needs discipline. Banditry? Risky. But I'll support your decision, whatever it is."
Taryn leaned back, his thoughts racing faster than ever. In his old world, he had read countless stories like this. People gaining systems, starting from nothing, and rising to the top. He had devoured those tales, admiring the characters and their struggles. Now, he was one of them.
Except this wasn't fiction.
This was his life now.
And for the first time since waking up in this world, he didn't feel powerless. He had a system. He had a choice.
"Alright," he said quietly, his voice steady. "Let's get started. I want to learn cultivation. From the basics. No cheats, no shortcuts—just enough help to stand on my own feet."
"Ooooh, a classic noble path! I like it. Respectable, difficult, but rewarding. I'll prep your first module: Cultivation Theory 101—Understanding Energy, Meridians, and Not Exploding Your Heart."
Taryn chuckled, despite himself.
"Let's do this, Taryn," the system said, the cheerful voice suddenly tinged with a hint of something deeper. Purpose. "Let's become extraordinary."