Chapter 2

The city below the hospital was dazzling, neon lights flickering the city filling it with colorful lights in contrast to the night sky. The robotic system reappeared in the air, glitching slightly as it floated back toward Xu Yichen with exaggerated trembling. "Waaah! Host, you're so mean!" it whined, spinning in place like a scolded puppy. "This baby is trying to save your life, yet you're bullying me! Heartless!"

Xu Yichen raised a brow, folding his arms as his expression grew colder. "Save my life? Looks like you're doing a terrible job." He gestured dismissively toward the chaos in the operating room below. "Explain yourself, or I'll crush you again."

The system paused, seemingly offended. Its glowing eyes dimmed briefly before it spoke in a more subdued tone. "Fine. I am System 1889 but you can call me Shuang Shuang! ." Xu Yichen's eyes slightly glinted with interest when it said its number yet the system did not notice. "Your assigned guide to navigate your... uh... second chance at life!" It puffed out its tiny chest, if orbs could do that, and added proudly, "My purpose is to assist you in completing critical missions to ensure your survival and, well, greatness!"

Xu Yichen's eyes narrowed. "Second chance? Elaborate." His voice was sharp, his tone brooking no nonsense.

System 1889 bobbed nervously, its cat-like ears twitching. "Well... You see, Host, your mortal body is currently, um, failing. If you don't bind with me and follow the path set for you, your soul will dissipate. Poof! Gone! Forever!"

Xu Yichen's lips twitched into a humorless smile. "And if I bind with you, I assume there's some catch."

The system hesitated before replying, its voice hesitant. "Well... Not exactly a catch. More like, um, quests? Goals? Small favors that you must complete to rebuild your life force and ensure your body recovers! Easy peasy, right?"

The man's gaze remained unwavering. "And if I refuse?" he asked, looking at the system with a meaningful look while his lips curled up playfully.

System 1889 froze, its glowing eyes flickering rapidly. "You... can't refuse," it admitted sheepishly. "Once chosen, you're already bound. It's fate! Congratulations, Host!"

Xu Yichen's eyes became even more profound, like a cat toying with a mouse, amusement gleaming in his expression that he tries to smoother, flickering across his otherwise perfect features. "So, I have no choice but to entertain a noisy cat-ball system to save myself from death?"

"Yes!" The system's response was too cheerful, as though it didn't notice, or didn't care about, the disdain in Xu Yichen's voice. "Oh, and, uh, Host? You're already connected to me, so... ta-da!"

Golden threads of light shot out from Xu Yichen's chest, weaving intricate patterns in the air before vanishing into System 1889. A strange warmth spread through him, followed by a surge of clarity. His vision sharpened, and the chaotic energy in the operating room seemed to slow. He could see the faint glow of life around his physical body, fragile, flickering like a candle in the wind.

Xu Yichen's replied lightly. "Fine," he muttered, his tone laced with reluctant acceptance. "But don't test my patience, or your existence will be shorter than my tolerance for your antics."

System 1889 brightened instantly, spinning in delight. "Yes, Host! I promise I'll be the best partner ever! Now, let's get started on your first mission!"

Xu Yichen's nodded before asking "Mission?"

The system's tone turned serious. "Aside from this world, there are various multi-verses, er, universes, realms, space, world, whatever you may call it. Some of these worlds are formed from books, movies, games, ideas, imagination, however you may call it while others just form due to large influx of energy. Us systems allow our hosts to go through this world to help it fully form. In each world there are "protagonists" or heaven's favorites. These people have extreme good luck or a 'halo' as we come to call it. Your task is to complete the flow of their lives and when they die, the energy making up their 'halo' will return to the world and would help it flourish to help the world's existence solidify." The system explained and Xu Yichen couldn't help but chuckle, taking the Cat like orb in his hand, spinning it on his fingers like a ball. 

"Host! Host! What are you doing! Whaaaa! This is abuse! System's have rights too" The system cried, its blue glowing 'eyes' showing spirals as if it really did get dizzy. "Huhu! systems have feelings too, host" it cried with a pouty tone as it disconnected the string of Data connecting its physical manifestation to Xu Yichen's fingers. 

"Anything else I need to know?" He asked with a knowing gaze.

"Oh, since where binded. You will also earn 'points' from the missions you complete. These will be rewards from the world. A 'thank-you' gift of sorts and you can then spend those points in the system store where we have everything you might need. Of course, there are limitations. you can't buy items far too advanced from the current technology development either. You can't buy magical artifacts in a modern world."

"And you expect me to just go without even any new comers benefit?" He tested. 

"Host, you get to live another life and even get a chance to go to many, many worlds!" The system shot the idea down.

"You know, incentives must be given first to see if it's worth the offer" He muses instead, languidly leaning on the wall. 

"Host, there really isn't any but if you work hard you can get lots of benefits!" The system coaxed. "Don't you think it's awesome?" 

"Bothersome, you know. I already lived a good life." Xu Yichen looked at the system with a mischievous grin. "I think this life is enough for me already."

"Host, if you don't do the mission your soul will be eliminated" The system threatened nervously. 

"Oh? What a pity then." He lightly remarked finding such a threat amusing. Delivery is everything in a threat.

"Wait! Wait!" The system silently cried pixelated. "I-I can give it to you!"

The system cried bitter tears as it forked out points from its own pocket. 

"Ding! Host Xu Yichen received 207 points. Current point total, Pts=207" 

Xu Yichen watched as a transparent screen appeared in front of him showing "his" data.

Name: Xu Yichen Pts: 207

Gender: Male {Store}

Age: 24 {Storage Space}

Mission: None Level: None

The system gave a nervous giggle, floating away slightly. "Erm... Good luck, Host! I believe in you! Now, get ready, your journey begins!"

Before Xu Yichen could demand more answers, a blinding light enveloped him, pulling him into an endless void. His last thought before the darkness consumed him was simple.

'Damn that cat-ball.' He thought with a smirk playing on his lips. 'This ought to be fun~'