CHAPTER 3: Troubles

"Hey, User…"

{I changed 'Player' to 'User'—'Player' sounded too cringe.}

"User!!!"

"Five and there's ten, so fifteen and…"

"USERRRR!!!!!!!!!!"

"SHUT UP, DAMN IT!!!"

"REITO! Why the hell are you screaming, you retard?!"

"S-Sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

"Hmph, just like mother and son—a family full of idiots. No wonder your dad left."

"....."

"What… did you just say…?"

"I did apologize, didn't I…?"

"Huh? You brat, are you talking ba—"

"I said I was sorry, so WHY DID YOU BRING UP MY MOM?!"

"Huh? What are you—"

At the police station.

"And that's the reason you punched him and knocked him out, is that right?"

"That is correct, officer. I was just out of my mind, hehe."

"You little—don't 'hehe' me! Just how much trouble do you get into, huh?!"

"Hey, I didn't get into trouble, alright? It just happens! Trouble finds its way to me—it's not my fault, is it?!"

"Haaaa… Reito, please don't make me repeat myself. Listen here, boy: you're young and in your youth. It's alright to be full of trouble and mischief, but at least think about your mom, alright?"

"I did! But when he brought my mom into the topic, I couldn't hold my anger."

"Haaa, alright, alright. I get you. I would've done the same… but you're becoming an adult now. Listen, kid, this is coming from someone who's an adult and has seen the world—thoroughly—and its deepest depths of darkness. If you want to survive, you gotta learn to hold your emotions sometimes."

"This world is for the winners, not for losers like you and me."

"And normal people like us can never dream of justice. This world is designed for survival of the fittest."

"...."

"Survival of the fittest, huh… A loser… just a loser…"

"And now, will you do your quest, User?"

"You little—do you know, because of you, I lost my job there?!"

"It's not my fault you couldn't control your emotions. I was just reminding you to complete your quest because—"

"You know what? Forget it. I don't care anymore. It's probably for the best that I left that place."

"Reito, can you come over here and sort the books? I need to take a call."

"Aunty Inle, leave it to me."

"Thank you, dear."

"You know, this boss seems pretty chill."

"That's because Aunty Inle is my neighbor. She gave me a job at her husband's library out of kindness."

"That's pretty good then! You don't need to worry too much about losing your job."

"I wish I could, but Mom's medicine and other hospital fees take away most—if not all—of the money I earn in a month. But wait, why am I even explaining this to you?"

"Whatever. Now that I've explained my situation to you, please don't annoy me anymore. I need to finish this job and go to my next one."

"But there's a way to earn millions through the system."

"Millio—MILLIONS?! Why didn't you tell me that earlier?!"

"Because you never asked. The process is quite simple, actually. You just need to complete your quests and exchange the rewards you get for money. Easy, isn't it?"

"....."

"Yeah, so it all comes down to completing the quests, huh."

"That is correct, User. It's really exciting and easy. Normally, people get so excited about getting a system—are you so dull?"

"That's because—"

"Excuse me."

"O-WS—Welcome! Welcome! How can I help you, dear customer?"

(Wait, is that…?! There's no doubt about it! Blond, long, curly hair like a noble… green eyes, pure white skin, and arrogant-looking eyes like she could crush me at any moment. There's no doubt about it—it's Noel Ark Vagabond!!! From Neverland!!!)

(But wait… for some reason, she looks much prettier than her in-game model. So it was all real, and I wasn't going crazy!!!)

"EXCUSE ME!!!!!!"

"O-O-SWR—Sorry, Young Miss."

"God, such a numbskull. I knew coming to a commoner's store wasn't a good idea. Got no manners at all, hmph."

"Have your mom taught you no manners?!"

"Haha, sorry, Young Miss. I zoned out there. Please forgive me."

"God, such a sloppy apology. Even my dog could apologize better than him."

"Haha, I really am sorry, dear customer."

"What are you laughing for? Is my face funny or something?!"

"Now listen, you. I've been putting up with this all this time, Miss. Just because you're a customer, it doesn't mean you can run your mouth however you like."

"You! How dare you talk back to me?!"

"Yeah, I talked back. What are you gonna do, huh? Cry about it? Wa wa!"

"Youuuuu!!!! Little… Alright, you managed to anger me. At first, I thought I might forgive you, but now… vaporizing you along with this store doesn't seem like a bad idea, huh?!"

"Vaporizi-what now?"

"Huhu… now you'll get to experience something you never did. Be grateful, commoner."

With that, the whole store lit up with fire, and the temperature rose.

"I APOLOGIZEEEEEEEEEEE! Please forgive us for what he did."

"Come on, Reito! Apologize to our dear customer!"

Forcefully, she made me bow down, making us both apologize.

"Aunty Inle…"

"Reito, please, for now, keep your mouth shut!"

"...."

"Reito, how many times do I have to tell you? Be kind to our customers at all costs, and do not run your damn mouth! And today, you even dared to pick a fight with a sorcerer. Do you know how much power they have? She could've turned this place into a pile of ash with a flick of her finger!"

"God, Reito… what am I gonna do with you?"

"I'm sorry, Aunty Inle. It won't happen again. I truly apologize."

"Mom, isn't that enough? Reito did apologize, didn't he?"

"Onnon, you're back. How was your exam?"

"Of course, it went without a hitch. Tomorrow is my practical exam, and it'll be done."

"Of course, dear. What do you want to do first—dinner or shower?"

"I think I'll shower first. I'm really tired."

"Oh yes, yes. And Reito, you can go today. Here's your salary."

"But Aunty, this isn't the end of the month…?"

"Yeah, Reito. You don't need to come from tomorrow."

"Ha—but—"

"If you're truly sorry, please don't show your face in this bookstore from now on."

"I-I understand."

Step. Step. Step.

"Haaaaaaa...…."

"So another job lost, huh."

"...."

"You're not gonna yell at me anymore? I expected that."

"So, who was that…? I sensed immense power from him."

"When did you become a power sensor? That was Aunty Inle's son, Onnon. We used to be childhood friends."

"Used to be?"