Chapter 2: System's Arrival
Thinking about graduation, he suddenly remembered the parents of his current self.
His parents had died in a car crash last year. They owned a small entertainment company that produced B-rated films. The business wasn't a hit or a flop—just average, with occasional surprises.
His previous self had been devastated by their sudden death and didn't care much about the entertainment industry, so he sold their shares to other business partners and walked away with over $100 million.
It was understandable. One second, he had a happy family, and the next, he was an orphan. And If they were your only close relatives, such a tragedy could break even the strongest person.
He did have some distant relatives with whom his family once had a good relationship, but after his parents' deaths, their attitudes changed overnight.
Their once-friendly smiles turned into looks of disdain. They only seemed to care about his money, constantly coming up with ridiculous excuses to borrow from him.
He wasn't a kid or a fool. He could see right through their schemes, and the disappointment made him slowly cut ties with them, eventually blocking them completely.
Thinking about his so-called relatives, he couldn't help shaking his head.
"This world is truly a mysterious place. My parents were so kind to them, yet the moment they were gone, these people changed faces faster than a chameleon." He muttered to himself.
It was no wonder his past self indulged in alcohol and nightclubs. Even a strong man who had endured suffering would struggle with such a loss, and his previous self had never faced any hardship before.
And honestly it's already a miracle that he hadn't sought refuge in drugs or gambling.
Because in a country like America, where drugs are so rampant that even kids can get them as long as they have money and nobody would bat an eye.
And honestly, sometimes getting drugs here is much easier than getting medicine.
So, it's no wonder that he was so surprised when he knew that his previous self hadn't touched drugs or gambling.
After thinking about it he understood that it was all due to the teachings of the parents of his previous self.
"His parents really raised him well," he thought.
Even though they had pampered him a bit too much, they had been firm about staying away from drugs and gambling.
He was really thankful that he hadn't touched stuff like drugs or gambling otherwise he would have lost all his fortune and there was a great chance that he would be in debt too.
"I would have ended up a pauper in my second life, too." he thought to himself.
But in the end, his past self still died from an alcohol overdose.
He didn't know how to feel about that.
If his past self hadn't died, he wouldn't have had the chance to transmigrate here.
"But… did I really die? Or did I just transmigrate into myself in an alternate universe?"
He had no memories of dying, after all.
And maybe his previous self hadn't died too because I had inherited all his memories and experiences, in a sense I am still him but with the memories of himself in a different universe. Or maybe he is him with my memories.
"Aagh! This is so complicated!" He groaned. "Whatever. He is me, and I am him. It doesn't change anything. Now, I should think about what to do next."
Just as he sorted out his thoughts—
Ding!
[...93%...94%...95%...96%]
A mechanical yet pleasant female voice echoed in his mind, emotionless yet oddly soothing.
Hearing the voice again, he almost jumped—not out of fear but from excitement.
"A system? I actually have a system?"
He had already considered himself lucky to inherit $100 million, but now he had a system too?
It seems like his vision is still small, he has to see from tall mountains and buildings, so that he can also have higher vision.
"I mean transmigration is possible, what is strange about having a system." he muttered to himself.
Honestly, if someone told him aliens had invaded Earth, he wouldn't even be surprised anymore.
It also shows that he really has strong mental fortitude, otherwise if it was someone else he really wouldn't be able to accept it all so quickly.
Maybe this was why the system chose him—who knows?
[...97%...98%...99%...100%]
Ding!
[Scanning complete]
[Location determined]
[PK470814]
[Scanning the world…1%...2%...99%...100%]
[Scanning complete]
[Information stored]
[Adapting to the most suitable system...]
[Adaptation complete]
[Binding to host…]
[Host, do you want to bind to the Urban System?]
[Yes/No]
The cold female voice echoed in his mind again.
Without hesitation, he shouted, "Yes!"
Only an idiot would say no!
"I literally died and traveled to a whole new universe to get this chance—of course, I want it!"
"All my sweat, pain and hard work is worth it". He said, wiping his non-existent tears.
[System binding complete]
[Welcome, Host.]
As soon as he accepted, a flood of information about the system rushed into his mind.
His eyes widened in surprise.
This was a daily sign-in system!
This Urban System was more of a passive system. It provided daily rewards, ranging from insignificant things like chewing gum, noodles,water bottles to priceless treasures like shares of top companies, different talents, future news—the possibilities were endless.
This system really suits him, as he just wanted to live a leisurely and carefree life.
As he thought about it, a blue holographic interface appeared in front of him.
The screen had his information, a backpack icon, a shopping mall icon, and a missions tab—but they were all grayed out, It seems like they weren't unlocked yet.
He focused on his stats.
[Host: Rex Lee] Age: 20 years
• Strength: 7
• Mind: 11 (+2)
• Health: 7
•Endurance: 8
•Wealth: $100 million
Remark: A weak chicken with lots of money.
Rex: "..."
He was speechless, especially the last remark.
I mean he was living a life of proliferation and died of an alcohol overdose, so, it's kind of understandable.
"But was the last remark really necessary? wasn't system using this opportunity to mock him?"
After grumbling for a while, he refocused on the interface.
He tried touching it, but his hand passed through the screen.
"It seems like instead of physical manifestation, it only exists in my mind. Makes sense."
"And it seems like 10 points are average points of a normal healthy human, and 20 is the current limit of humans.
Well his stats are below average, and his only plus point is his mental strength which is also understandable, as his original self was a bit of genius too and transmigration also has an effect on his mental strength". He thought to himself.
You have to know that Einstein's mental strength was 16. So, 13 is a really high number.
And how did he know all of that? Of course, it was in the system information.
"If I take care of myself, I can raise my physical stats to 10 naturally. Anything beyond that? I'll think about it later."
Just then—
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! You have received a Newbie Reward.]
[Note: This reward is completely random.]
Fireworks exploded, and bright confetti filled the air.
A bright red gift box appeared in front of him.
And then—
[Congratulations! You have received a Legendary Gift Box.]
After seeing the bright red gift box, he was beaming with joy and decided to temporarily forget about the system's insolent remark.
After complaining and comforting himself, he eagerly clicked on the gift box. In an instant, the box vanished, and three mysterious objects appeared before him.
His eyes widened in excitement.
"My luck really is through the roof today! Three prizes at once?"
He carefully examined them one by one.
The first item was a transparent flask, about the length of a mini finger, containing a bright red, mysterious liquid that shimmered under the light.
The second item was a golden paper that seemed almost ethereal, glowing faintly as if hiding immense power.
The third item displayed a shield and gun emblem, though its purpose remained unclear.
Curious, Rex reached out and touched the flask with the red liquid.
The moment his fingers made contact, a holographic screen popped up, accompanied by the system's familiar, emotionless voice.
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Mid-Grade Beauty Potion!]
[Beauty Potion (Mid-Grade): Enhances one's physical appearance, making them significantly more attractive.]
Rex's eyes lit up as he read the description.
"Damn! A beauty potion? That's insane! Who wouldn't want to look better?"
Without hesitation, he uncorked the flask and gulped it down in one swift motion.
⁕Big mistake⁕.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, his face twisted in horror.
"What the hell is this taste?!"
His complexion shifted from red to purple to blue as he struggled to keep it down.
Because its taste was so weird that it couldn't even be described in words, just think about the most weird flavours, mix them together, and add a dash of pure evil, this would be the result!
Despite the traumatizing taste, he endured and swallowed it all.
Then, the real nightmare began.
His body heated up rapidly, an unbearable itchiness spreading across his skin. It felt like thousands of ants crawling underneath his flesh—not exactly painful, but enough to drive anyone insane.
"Damn it! I can't scratch—this must be the potion taking effect!"
He clenched his fists, resisting the overwhelming urge to scratch himself raw.
But just as he thought he could endure it, the sensation evolved into pure agony.
A searing pain spread through his entire body, as if every single cell was being forcefully rearranged.
"Arghh! What kind of beauty treatment is this?! Am I getting plastic surgery without anesthesia?!"
The intense burning made him break into a cold sweat, but soon, the pain gradually subsided.
Even so, his body was still on fire, and he was sweating buckets.
"I need water—now!"
His gaze darted around the room until he spotted a bathroom in the corner. Without a second thought, he rushed in and turned on the shower at full blast.
Not bothering to take off his clothes, he stood under the cold water, letting it wash away the unbearable heat.
The sensation slowly faded.
Minutes passed.
Finally, after ten excruciating minutes, the burning and itching completely vanished.
Rex let out a deep breath, his body finally feeling normal again—albeit soaked to the bone.
"That was hell… but at least it's over."
Now that he was drenched, his wet clothes clung to him uncomfortably. With a sigh, he stripped off his shirt, letting it drop onto the floor with a wet slap.
Just as he reached to remove the rest, his gaze fell upon the mirror—and he froze.
His breath caught in his throat.
His eyes widened in shock.
(End of Chapter)