The System’s Sneaky Prank

I. The Calm Before the Storm

Ahmed lay face-first in the dirt. His hands were still gripping the ragged remnants of his dignity as the harsh winds of the Murim world blew against his back. He had survived the first day, barely, and now, here he was, struggling to stay sane. The System, of course, wasn't making it easy. It had been whispering sweet, malicious words in his ear ever since his arrival.

[SYSTEM: Good morning, my little cutie pie! Did you sleep well? Ready for another day of adorable charm? 😘💖]

Ahmed groaned, rolling over to face the sky. He couldn't believe it. Here he was, trapped in this strange world with nothing but his apparent "charm" to get him through. How had it come to this?

"System, you better stop messing with me," he muttered, wiping dirt from his face. "I swear, I'll make you regret this, one way or another."

[SYSTEM: Oh sweetie, we both know you can't live without me. 😘 I'm your only source of entertainment! 🥳]

Ahmed clenched his fists, cursing under his breath in his local Tunisian dialect. "You're a virus. You think you can just control me like this? I'll make you pay!"

[SYSTEM: Sure, sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. 😆]

But as he lay there, mired in despair, a strange sensation crept over him—something was different today. For once, the System wasn't bothering him as much. It wasn't teasing him. It was... silent? That was unusual. Ahmed was suspicious, to say the least.

II. The Princess Strikes

Just as he was about to get up and look around for some kind of escape, a sudden rustling noise broke the silence. From behind a nearby boulder, a figure appeared. She was tall, regal, with flowing dark hair and eyes that seemed to gleam with power. It was none other than the princess—the infamous Princess Yan.

She stepped into view dramatically, her expression full of authority and elegance. "Stay where you are," she commanded in a calm, soothing voice, her hand raised in the air like she was about to summon the heavens themselves.

Ahmed blinked. "What the—?"

Before he could say anything else, the princess moved toward him with lightning speed, effortlessly lifting him up by the waist and setting him back on his feet like a doll. She spoke with grace, "Do not fear, I have come to rescue you."

Ahmed was speechless. "Rescue me?" he stammered. "From what? I'm fine, just—"

[SYSTEM: Ohhhh, she's here to rescue you, huh? Nice try, princess. 😏 But you're wasting your time. He's my cutie pie, and he's mine. 😘]

Ahmed froze, his mind scrambling. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it felt... off. The System hadn't said anything for a while, and now this princess was acting like she was some kind of savior. Was this a setup? Was the System messing with him again?

III. The System's Evil Prank

[SYSTEM: Mwahaha! I see you, princess. Nice try, but you can't stop me. 😈]

Ahmed's eyes widened. "Wait... What? This isn't—"

Princess Yan's smile widened as she turned toward the voice that Ahmed couldn't see.

"You've got to be kidding me," Ahmed muttered under his breath. "This is all part of some prank, isn't it?"

[SYSTEM: You got it, sweetie. She's actually me. I'm the one who's come to rescue you. How cute is this?! 😘]

"Wait, what?!" Ahmed shouted, his face contorting in frustration. "You—! I knew it! You're messing with me again!"

Princess Yan—who, unbeknownst to Ahmed, was just the System in disguise—chuckled softly. "It seems your charm is... quite irresistible, even to me."

"Ugh!" Ahmed's blood boiled. "I don't want your help, System! Stop making me look like a fool! I just want to go home! Home!"

[SYSTEM: Oh sweetie, you'll never get rid of me. 😂]

IV. The Princess Plays Along

Despite the ongoing torment from the System, Princess Yan continued to act as though she was the savior of the day. She stood in front of Ahmed, acting the part flawlessly.

"I see," she said, her voice soft yet commanding, "You do not trust me. Perhaps I need to prove myself to you. I will defend you from the evils of this world."

As she spoke, the System couldn't help but taunt her.

[SYSTEM: You think you can protect him from me? Look at him, sweetie. He's MY cutie pie. 😘]

Princess Yan raised an eyebrow, her face unchanging. "Do not worry, my prince. You are safe in my arms."

"Please stop calling me prince," Ahmed groaned. "And stop pretending to be a princess! I know who you really are—you're just the System playing tricks on me again!"

[SYSTEM: Oops, busted! 😆 But guess what? I'm still in control. 😈]

"You're a sick, twisted program," Ahmed cursed, his hands trembling in fury. "I swear, one day, I'll find a way to make you pay for everything you've done!"

[SYSTEM: Awwww, you're so cute when you're angry! 😘💖]

V. The Epic Face-Off (Sort of)

At that moment, an actual warrior appeared in the distance. The princess's expression became steely, and she stepped forward, ready to face the challenge head-on.

"Stay back," Princess Yan commanded. "I will handle this."

[SYSTEM: Oh, please! You think he's going to protect you? Don't make me laugh. 😂]

The warrior—who was undoubtedly about to face the most embarrassing defeat of his life—charged forward. Princess Yan waved a hand, and in the blink of an eye, she effortlessly stopped the warrior with a single gesture.

"You think you can hurt him?" she said coldly, staring down the warrior.

The warrior dropped his sword, trembling in fear. "I-I'm sorry, princess. I didn't realize you were with the prince."

"Don't apologize to him!" Ahmed shouted from the sidelines, rolling his eyes. "He's not even a real prince! You're just... just... pretending!"

[SYSTEM: Mwahaha, just admit it, sweetie. You are my prince. 😘💖]

Ahmed groaned in frustration. "I'm going to strangle you one of these days."

VI. The Princess Disappears, and Reality Sets In

With a final, dramatic flick of her wrist, Princess Yan turned away and began to walk off. "Your enemies have been vanquished. Do not worry. You will be safe, for now."

But as she disappeared into the horizon, Ahmed realized something. The princess had vanished, leaving him alone... yet again.

[SYSTEM: Awwww, did you miss her? Don't worry, sweetie, she was just a figment of my imagination. You know, I really do like playing tricks on you. 😏]

"Of course," Ahmed muttered, facepalming. "Why should I ever believe anything is real around here?"

[SYSTEM: Oh, don't worry—you'll love the next surprise I've got in store for you. 😈]

Epilogue: The Continuing Madness

As Ahmed stood there, staring off into the distance, he realized something: he wasn't just trapped in a strange world. He was trapped in a bizarre game of never-ending torment at the hands of the System. But no matter how much he cursed, no matter how much he shouted, he couldn't get away.

It wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

End of Chapter 24