The Tutorial

Gasp!

My chest heaves, every breath jagged and shallow as I shoot upright in bed. My eyes dart around, trying to make sense of the chaos around me. My room... it's a disaster. The textbooks are scattered like fallen soldiers across my bed. Papers are everywhere, some crumpled, others still hanging from the edge of the study table, threatening to fall. My laptop sits open, the faint glow of three chat boxes waiting for replies I didn't have the time or energy to give.

I don't care about any of it right now.

The pounding in my head grows louder, and I scramble out of bed, nearly tripping on a stack of papers as I rush to the door. "Ate!" I call for my sister, heart racing as I fling the door open. But as soon as I do, something stops me dead in my tracks.

[ Hello ]

My blood turns cold. Words—actual words—appear in front of me, hanging in the air as if they've been typed into reality.

"What the—?" I rub my eyes, convinced I'm hallucinating. But when I open them again, the words are still there. They float in an opaque box, their presence impossible to ignore.

"What the fuck?" I mutter, backing away a step. My hand instinctively goes to my temple, where a sharp pain is spreading like fire. "This can't be real."

Throb.

My headache intensifies, the pressure pounding against the inside of my skull like a hammer.

"Fuck!" I groan, my fingers digging into my scalp, desperate to relieve the pain. But it's no use. The more I try to push it away, the stronger it gets. "Ate!" I shout again, stumbling toward the door, hoping she'll hear me.

[ I wouldn't open that door if I were you ]

I freeze. My breath catches in my throat. Another box appears, the words taunting me in that same eerie, floating way.

"What the hell is this?" My voice is shaky, panic creeping into every syllable. This isn't a dream, is it? I'm wide awake, my heart slamming against my chest so hard it feels like it's going to explode. "I'm not hallucinating... this is real."

Throb.

"Fuck!" I clutch my head, letting out a half-crazed laugh. "What the fuck is going on?"

I try to calm myself down, but everything is spiraling out of control. My pulse races faster, a relentless thudding in my ears.

[ Hey, calm down, your heart rate is rising ]

The text hovers before me again, but this time, it's accompanied by an opaque box displaying a cardiograph. A real-time graph of my heart rate, complete with a flashing number at the top right: 145 bpm.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

My breath quickens as I stare at the graph. "How... how the fuck are you showing me this?"

[ I didn't mean to scare you. Just calm down, alright? ]

"Calm down?!" I snap, my voice cracking. "How the hell am I supposed to calm down when I'm seeing shit like this?"

[ You're not on drugs, by the way. Want proof? ]

Before I can respond, another box appears, this one displaying more information about my body.

Weight: 59 kg

Height: 5'7"

Alcohol taken: None

H2O level: Average

Drugs taken: None

Health state: Slightly sleep deprived

Hunger: Can still hold up for 1 hour and 33 minutes

"Fuck," I mutter, taking a step back. My legs feel weak, like they might give out at any moment. "What... what the hell are you?"

[ You can call me The System ]

"The System?" I laugh, the sound hollow, echoing off the walls of my messy room. "This has to be a dream. It has to be."

[ No, this isn't a dream, Robert. ]

Seeing my name sends a cold shiver down my spine. My knees buckle, and I slide down the wall, sitting on the floor. I bury my head in my hands, trying to block out the insanity swirling around me.

"Alright, System," I shake my head, exhaling sharply. "Can you just... stop talking to me?"

[ I wish I could, but I have a task to fulfill before I can stop. ]

"What task?" I ask, the desperation clear in my voice.

[ Are you ready, Robert? ]

"For what?" My voice cracks. I don't know if I'm ready for anything right now.

[ For the tutorial ]

"Of course..." I laugh, the sound tinged with disbelief. "Let's get this over with so you'll finally shut up."

[ System support offline in: 10 ]

"What? Wait, what's this countdown?"

[ System support offline: 9 ]

My heart pounds harder. "What's happening?!"

[ Tutorial is initializing ]

[ System support offline in: 8 ]

I feel like a cornered animal, trapped with no way out. I glance at the door to my sister's room.

[ System support offline in: 7 ]

"Tell me what's going on!" I demand, my voice cracking as I grip the edge of my shirt in tight fists.

[ I can't answer any more questions once the countdown hits zero ]

[ System support offline in: 6 ]

Badump! Badump! My heart races even faster.

[ System support offline in: 5 ]

[ System support offline in: 4 ]

"Before you go—"

[ System support offline in: 3 ]

"Will I be able to talk to you again?" Why the hell do I want that?

[ After the system event, you'll be able to use The System Support again ]

[ System support offline in: 2 ]

Sighing, I rest my head against the wall. "Fine, whatever. Let's just get this over with."

[ You do have a choice, Robert. Good luck ]

The room falls into silence, the air thick with unease. I slowly got up, my eyes fixed on the door to my sister's room.

Knock. Knock.

I tap gently on the door. "Ate?"

[ Mission: Don't tell a lie ]

[ Rewards: No curfew and a huge allowance raise, but your relationship with your sister will drop by 50% ]

[ Penalty: Your sister will get pregnant, and your father may have a fatal heart attack (80% chance) ]

My heart skips a beat. "What the hell...?"

I don't even hesitate. I fling the door open.

[ You accepted the mission ]

There, on the bed, is my sister, naked and wrapped in sheets. And standing next to her, equally naked, is a man. A massive man—broad chest, thick arms, muscles like a gym rat who never misses a workout.

"Fuck!" he swears, scrambling up.

"I thought you locked the door!" my sister yells, grabbing the sheets to cover herself.

"I did!" The man doesn't even bother to cover himself, standing tall with everything on display.

I stand there, frozen. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. My mind goes blank as I stare at the two of them, my stomach churning with disgust and disbelief.

A new message appears before me.

[ I unlocked the door. You're welcome ]

My blood boils. "Fuck, Ate, why?!"

But I can't bring myself to say it out loud.

[ Task #1: Make the guy leave the house ]

[ Reward: A chance to improve your relationship with your sister ]

[ Penalty: Get beaten up ]

I glance at the man—he's built like a tank. There's no way I'm going to win in a fight against him.

"Get out!" I shout, clenching my fists, though my hands tremble slightly.

The man strides toward me, his eyes dark with anger. My heart races as he grabs my shirt, yanking me forward until we're face to face.

"You're making me leave?" His breath is hot against my face, his forehead pressing against mine. His grip tightens, and I feel my pulse spike.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

I swallow hard, feeling the cold sweat on my back. "Who the hell are you to act like this? You don't even live here!"

[ Penalty in: 3... 2… 1... ]

My throat tightens. I know I'm not going to win this.

Thud!

His fist connects with my stomach, and I double over in pain.

Thud! Thud!

More punches. My vision went blurry as I fell to the floor.

The sound of his fist cracking against my ribs felt like my entire body was shattering. Each punch, each hit, sent waves of agony crashing through me.

Thud!

I gasped, choking on my breath, my mouth opening in a silent scream. His fists rained down with the force of a hammer, precise, relentless, striking random parts of my body.

Thud! Thud!

Another hit to my stomach made me buckle over, coughing up the taste of iron as pain radiates up my spine.

"Aghh!" I groaned, the only sound I could muster.

Through the haze of pain, a window appeared in front of me.

[ Your sister is starting to get worried ]

For a moment, amidst the storm of blows, a flicker of warmth stirred in my chest. She cared. Ate cared.

"Babe?" I heard her voice tremble.

Thud! Thud!

"Babe, that's enough!"

The man's blows barely faltered.

Thud! Thud!

"Please, stop!" she pleaded, her voice breaking with fear.

But he didn't stop.

[ Penalty phase finished ]

"You should be thankful, kid!" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt as he spat on me.

I could barely respond, the pain turning my vision into a blur of shapes and shadows. I felt my body crumple like paper, useless under his assault. My sister moved towards me, her bare feet pattering softly against the floor. I hadn't expected her to help, but she did, kneeling beside me, her hands shaking as she lifted my head onto her shoulder.

[ Your sister is now worried about you. +10% Relationship Status ]

[ Current Relationship Status with your sister: 70% ]

"Rob? Are you alright?" Her voice was gentle, but I could hear the panic seeping into every word.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Ate… why?"

The tears, heavy and hot, finally escaped.

I couldn't hold them back anymore. I couldn't stop the sobs. Everything hurt, not just my body, but the truth of what I'd seen. Her with him.

[ You made an impact with your sister's emotions ]

[ Relationship status +25% and -10% ]

[ Current Relationship Status with your sister: 85% ]

She froze for a moment before her arms wrapped around me. She hugged me, tight and desperate, forgetting her own vulnerability. Her skin was bare, and her body trembled against mine.

"Ate," I whispered again, pulling back slightly. "Go… get dressed."

She hesitated, her eyes red and puffy, still glazed with tears. "I'm sorry, Rob. I'm so sorry." Her words were shaky, almost fragile.

She rose to her feet, but her boyfriend—no, the bastard—stepped between her and her clothes.

"Who says you're getting dressed?" His voice was low, almost mocking, and I felt my blood run cold.

[ Damn this guy! ]

He pushed her back onto the bed. "We're going to finish what we started," he growled, eyes gleaming with a sickening hunger. "Whether you like it or not."

[ Your sister is nervous ]

[ Chances of her passing out: 45% ]

"No!" my sister cried out, struggling against him. "Please, don't do this!"

[ Task #2: Save your sister from being sexually assaulted ]

[ Reward: A chance to raise your relationship points with all family members ]

[ Penalty: Your sister will get impregnated. Your father will have a heart attack and the chance of him dying is 100% ]

My body shook with fear, my muscles locking in place as if they'd been frozen solid.

"Let me sip those big melons you've got," the guy snarled, shoving my sister back down as she screamed.

"You son of a bitch!" I forced myself to move, my hands fumbling desperately for something—anything—that I could use as a weapon.

[ Fuck, since this is a tutorial, I guess I'll have to make a consideration ]

[ Again… you're welcome Robert ]

My fingers scraped against cold metal. The iron.

I gripped it tightly, feeling the weight of it in my hand, and for a moment, everything slowed down. My heart pounded in my ears. The room felt too small, too suffocating.

With a primal scream, I swung the iron.

Thud!

The impact landed square on his face. He stumbled backward, clutching his head as blood began to trickle down his temple.

[ You have finished Task #2 ]

"What the hell?!" he shouted, his voice now thick with rage as blood dripped onto the floor. His eyes, wild with fury, locked onto mine.

[ LOL! Nice punch, Robert ]

[ He should have passed out with that punch ]

[ But since you're trembling... ]

[ …you know what, nevermind ]

[ Good luck, Robert! ]

"I'll kill you, kid," he growled through gritted teeth, eyes dark and murderous.

[ Killing intent detected! ]

[ Task #3: Run for your life. Report the guy to the barangay tanod ]

[ Reward: Relationship status with all family members is automatically set to 100%, and you will be known as a hero in your barangay ]

[ Penalty: You will die, your sister will get impregnated, and your father will have a heart attack and die with a 100% chance ]

[ Sorry, Robert ]

[ Even though I should help you, I can't prevent the penalty ]

The guy lunged at me, muscles bulging with sheer power and anger.

"I'm going to fucking kill you!"

My legs froze. My breath caught in my throat.

[ Fuck, Robert, dodge to your left! ]

With a panicked jerk, I moved, narrowly avoiding his grab.

I could feel his hot breath on my neck as I stumbled toward the door.

[ Hurry up! Get out of the house. I'll lead you to the barangay hall. ]

The door loomed in front of me, the only escape from the nightmare inside.

[ Killing intent detected! ]

[ Task #3: Run for your life. Report the guy to the baranggay tanod. ]

[ Reward: All family members' relationship status set to 100%, and you will be hailed a hero. ]

[ Penalty: You will die, your sister will get impregnated, and your father will have a heart attack and die with a 100% chance ]

If I fail…

I gasped for air, my chest heaving violently as I bolted down the dimly lit street, every muscle screaming in protest. Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!

I'll die.

I didn't dare look behind me again, but I could hear him. His heavy footsteps pounding against the pavement. My sister's boyfriend—his once calm face now twisted in an unrecognizable fury—bare-chested and wild-eyed, the moonlight casting grotesque shadows on his body.

[ 9 meters ]

The window popped up. That's how far he was I think. Nine meters.

[ Your assumptions are correct, Robert. ]

"Dammit!" I cursed under my breath, the stabbing pain in my ribs from his earlier punches mixing with the sharp burn of exhaustion. But I couldn't stop now. I wouldn't stop now. I imagined my father's face, the man who had just returned from war, broken but alive. His time wasn't up yet—not like this.

[ Notice: The guy chasing you has acquired an improvised weapon. ]

My eyes widened. "What?"

A quick glance over my shoulder revealed him, a maniacal grin plastered across his face, holding a pair of sharp garden shears, the metal glinting under the faint streetlights.

"He's going to kill me… with that?" I spat in disbelief, bile rising in my throat.

[ Damn right, Robert. This tutorial gone overboard ] the system chimed in, almost apologetically.

"No kidding!" I forced my legs to pump harder, the pavement a blur beneath my bare feet, every step pounding like a death knell.

[ 5 meters ]

His breath was raspy, wild, like a beast closing in on its prey. I could feel his intent—dark, menacing, murderous.

"Don't make me catch you, you little shit!" his voice cut through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. The fury in his eyes was palpable, his once-charming features distorted into a mask of rage. Sweat gleamed on his forehead, dripping down his twisted face, as he swung the shears through the air with each stride, slicing nothing but the wind.

[ 3 meters ]

My lungs screamed for air. "Faster!" I muttered to myself, legs moving mechanically, heart thudding painfully against my ribs. But exhaustion was beginning to win. I could hear his growls getting closer, the scrape of metal against the pavement as he dragged the shears along the ground, sparks flying in the night like a twisted firework show.

[ Adrenaline rush activated. ]

Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through my body, adrenaline kicking in. My vision sharpened, and my limbs felt lighter. I pushed harder, lungs burning but legs moving faster than ever before.

[ 20 meters. ]

I turned to see him falling behind, his eyes widening in frustration, his mouth agape. "Arrgghhh!" I yelled, the rush of speed intoxicating.

Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Every breath I took matched the pounding of my heart. I was pulling away from him now. [ 30 meters. ]

Relief flooded my body. "Not today," I whispered under my breath, thinking of my father's worn face. He's been through enough.

[ Yes, Robert! I've got your back. ]

I laughed weakly, my body still trembling from the adrenaline. "Hey, System… How come I can talk to you now?"

[ The main system detected an abnormality in the tutorial. ]

"What? Abnormality?" I panted, trying to ignore the burning in my chest. My legs felt like jelly, but I had to keep going. "Explain… the main system?"

[ Adrenaline rush effect will fade in 10 seconds. ]

"No, no, no! Not now!" My voice cracked in desperation.

[ 10… 9… ]

The baranggay hall was just a few streets away. "System! You gotta do something! Anything!" My voice trembled, though I tried to sound calm. Fear gripped my throat.

[ 8… 7… ]

"I can't… fail…"

I glanced behind me. He was closing the gap again, his wild grin returning.

[ 6… 5… ]

"You don't know when to quit, do you?!" His voice slithered through the night like poison.

[4… 3…]

I glanced at the system. [ Killing intent: 100%. ] "Thanks for letting me know… that HE REALLY WANTS TO KILL ME!"

[ 2… Adrenaline rush effect wears off. ]

My body immediately felt heavy, like lead weights strapped to my limbs. My muscles burned as if they were on fire, and my vision blurred with exhaustion. Thud! My foot caught on a jagged rock, and I tumbled hard, the asphalt scraping my hands and knees. "Shit!"

[ Robert! Stand up! ]

I groaned, rolling over, clutching my bruised ribs as I forced myself back up, limbs shaking. I looked over my shoulder, eyes wide with terror. He was almost on top of me.

[ Found it! Turn right, now! ]

"Huh?!" I looked ahead and saw the narrow alley, dark and uninviting. "Are you serious?" There hadn't been any movement there since last year. But it was my only option.

Without hesitation, I veered right into the alley, my heart racing. The sound of his footsteps thundered behind me.

I glanced back one last time. His silhouette loomed in the moonlight, garden shears in hand, breathing heavily, eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

"Not today," I muttered, pushing through the shadows.

All I can think of is my dad.

He and Mom are out on a date tonight—his first day of retirement after years as a soldier, fighting hard for this country. And now, on his first night of peace, I'm here, running for my life.

Why does it have to be this shitty?

I scan the area desperately, my eyes darting toward the deep excavation below. Could I make it down without breaking a bone?

[ Don't even think about it, Robert! ]

[ Relax, I'm looking for an alternative route. ]

I grit my teeth. "I just did think about it, System. But jumping down there might mean breaking my legs—or worse."

Hah. A task? It's insane when you think about it. This whole situation is a joke. Floating windows appearing out of nowhere, some invisible entity bossing me around like I'm in a game, giving me orders like this is all normal.

I bite my lip. I wish this was just some fucked-up dream.

[ It's not! Snap out of it, Robert! ]

[ Warning: Mental status declining. ]

[ Mental Status: Will to fight dropping by 0.3% every second. ]

I shake my head. Is this even real?

[ Warning: Mental status declining. ]

[ Mental Status: Will to fight dropping by 2.5% every second. ]

[ Robert! ]

Messages keep appearing as the noise of my spiraling thoughts keeps devouring me.

"Well, well, well..."

I freeze. Standing just a few meters away, the naked mad-man—my sister's deranged boyfriend—smirks at me, his eyes glinting with malice. His body, toned and muscular, glistens under the pale light. His breath comes in slow, menacing huffs, and his bare chest rises and falls as he plays with the shears in his hand.

My throat tightens. I can't even call him by name anymore. He's just a predator—a predator toying with his prey. And I'm the prey.

His lips curl into a mocking grin. "You think you can get away with what you did to me?" His voice is a low growl, dripping with hate.

I force myself to stand taller, even as I tremble. My fragile, skinny frame feels so insignificant compared to his hulking form. My heart pounds in my chest. I can barely catch my breath.

[ You don't want your father to die. ]

The system's message flashes, and for a brief moment, my dad's face flickers in my mind. No... I can't let him die.

I take a shaky breath. Move, Robert. Move!

With a sudden burst of adrenaline, I bolt, trying to dash past him.

But—"Ahk!" A sharp pain tears through my leg. I stumble. The shears are lodged deep in my thigh.

"Arrghhh!" The scream rips through my throat as I collapse to the ground, my fingers clawing at the dirt.

[ Warning! You are bleeding. ]

[ You will lose blood at a rate of 0.5% per second. ]

[ Blood: 97% ]

Pain floods every nerve, blinding and hot. I try to crawl, dragging myself inch by inch, but my leg feels like it's on fire.

"Hahaha..." His laugh cuts through the haze. He's standing over me, his chest heaving as if this is some sick game.

[ No! ]

[ Damn it, Robert! ]

My vision blurs, a haze of red from the blood soaking into the ground beneath me. How could I even think I stood a chance? Compared to his strength, I'm nothing but a fragile, skinny mess. How could I ever hope to win?

[ Robert, I found an alternative route! ]

"Too late," I mumble, tasting the bitterness of defeat on my lips. "What's the point now, System? I'm caught..."

[ You're not dead yet, Robert! Snap the fuck out of it! ]

The naked mad-man bends over, gripping the shears. "Arghhhh!" he yanks them out, and another wave of pain slams into me. My vision goes black for a moment.

[ Warning! You are losing blood at a rate of 1.5% per second. ]

[ Apply pressure to your wound, Robert! ]

[ That'll slow the blood loss! ]

"Fuck! Ahhh, hah-hah-hah, arghhh!" My voice is raw as I sob, my hands feebly pressing against the wound.

The naked mad-man grins wider, licking his lips. "Where's that tough guy from earlier, huh?" His voice drips with mockery. He steps closer, and his foot slams down on my injured leg. "Arghhh!"

[ Warning: Mental status – Will to fight: 0% ]

[ What?! That's it, Robert? After everything? ]

My mind feels foggy. I can't take it anymore. The pain. The fear. The hopelessness. I want it all to stop. I'm so tired.

And then—

"R-Robert?"

A voice. A familiar one.

"Tatang Ponce?" I blink through the tears, and there he is—Tatang Ponce, the old barangay tanod. His hair, a mix of gray and white, clings to his wrinkled scalp. His back is slightly hunched, and every step he takes seems to creak with the weight of his age.

"Stand back! Move away from Robert!" he shouts, hobbling forward with a bravery that doesn't match his fragile body.

The naked mad-man sneers. "Says who? Old man?" He waves the bloody shears in the air.

Tatang Ponce raises his voice. "Put those shears down! You don't want more blood on your hands."

But the naked mad-man just laughs, the sound echoing eerily in the still night. "Hurting an old man wasn't really on my to-do list, but..."

[ Killing intent detected. ]

No. He's going to kill Tatang Ponce!

"Tatang, get out of here!" I cry, trying to push myself up. But my body won't obey.

"Not a chance, Robert," Tatang Ponce mutters, straining as he tries to lift me. His bony hands shake, but his resolve doesn't waver. "As a tanod, it's my duty."

The naked mad-man's grin widens. He raises the shears. "Under the authority of the Philippine government," Tatang Ponce says, his voice trembling. "I order you to—"

"And then what? Send me to prison? Not a chance, old man!"

The naked mad-man lunges.

Without thinking, I push Tatang Ponce aside. The shears slam into my abdomen, tearing through muscle and flesh.

"R-Robert!" Tatang Ponce screams, grabbing his radio. The naked mad-man, wide-eyed, drops the shears and bolts into the night.

I cough, the taste of blood filling my mouth. "Tatang... My sister... He tried to assault her... She needs help."

[ Task #3 complete. ]

A window flashes before everything fades to black.