Chapter 2 – The System That Shouldn’t Exist

Chapter 2 – I Reject This System, Goodbye. Pain. Confusion. Despair.

Ding!

And now?

Annoyance.

Chen Yunran gawked at the glowing system prompt floating in his vision.

[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully awakened in your third life!]

[System Activated: The Ordinary Life Assistance System!]

[Would you like to initiate?]

[Yes] / [Yes] (There is no 'No' option. Please do not resist.)

His eye twitched.

"…I knew it. I just knew something like this would happen."

Every damn time.

His first life? A struggling university graduate stuck in endless debt.

His second life? A battle-hardened cultivator who fought, died, and ascended.

And now? He just wanted to relax.

But of course, the universe refused to let him be ordinary.

He took a deep breath.

Step 1: Ignore It.

Chen Yunran closed his eyes.

He imagined peace. Silence. A life without glowing blue text hovering in his vision.

…

The floating screen did not disappear.

Instead, it blinked impatiently.

[Host? Please select an option to proceed.]

Chen Yunran cracked an eye open. "What if I don't?"

[Host cannot refuse. The Ordinary Life Assistance System exists to help you live a stable, fulfilling, and successful life.]

His patience snapped.

"Then how about you let me live it without forcing your annoying pop-ups in my face?"

A pause. Then—

[Error. System cannot process 'Free Will.']

[Initiating Host Compliance Protocol.]

"Oh, hell no—"

A sharp, electric jolt surged through his body.

His limbs convulsed as the System shocked him like a malfunctioning taser.

"F@#$!"

The pain stopped just as suddenly as it started.

Chen Yunran lay there, twitching.

He had been struck by divine lightning before, and yet this stupid System's punishment somehow felt worse.

[Warning: Host must comply.]

[Would you like to initiate?]

[Yes] / [Yes]

His fingers twitched. His eye twitched.

Everything twitched.

"…I will kill you."

Step 2: Bargain.

Chen Yunran licked his dry lips. "Okay. Let's negotiate."

Silence.

Then—

[System does not negotiate.]

His temple throbbed. "Fine. Then tell me exactly what you do."

The text flickered. Then—

[The Ordinary Life Assistance System exists to help the Host achieve optimal strength, adaptability, and survival in all scenarios.]

[Missions will guide you toward regaining peak health, increasing your stats, and acquiring specialized skills.]

[Rejecting the System will result in disciplinary action.]

He narrowed his eyes.

"…Wait. Why does this sound like a combat support program?"

[Incorrect! The System merely optimizes your body and skills to ensure a 'safe' and 'ordinary' life.]

He squinted harder.

"That sounds suspiciously like training me for battle."

[…Negative! The System does not 'train for battle.' The System only ensures you are 'prepared for all eventualities.']

"That's the same thing!!"

This wasn't an ordinary life assistance system.

This was a damn personal trainer for war.

Step 3: REJECT IT COMPLETELY.

If this thing wanted to push him into strength…

If it wanted to optimize him into an overpowered monster again…

Then there was one simple solution.

"I will be the most useless, most jobless, most failure-ridden person this world has ever seen."

If the system wanted him strong? He'd be weak.

If it wanted him healthy? He'd eat instant noodles and soda.

If it wanted him disciplined? He'd be a sleeping potato.

A demonic gleam shone in his eyes.

"Let's see how long you last, you stupid system."

[ALERT: Host's intentions detected.]

[Warning! Sabotaging one's own life is NOT ALLOWED.]

Chen Yunran threw his head back and laughed.

"Watch me."

But before he could enjoy his rebellion—

[New Mission Assigned: Recuperation]

[Objective: Restore physical health to baseline human condition.]

[Tasks: Eat a full meal (0/1), Hydrate properly (0/1), Engage in light physical activity (0/1)]

[Rewards: +2 Strength, +1 Stamina, Unlock Basic Qi Circulation]

"…Hah?"

Status Panel Unlocked

[Host: Chen Yunran]

[Race: Human (Ascended – Sealed)]

[Physique: Weakened Cultivator Body (Suppressed)]

Stats:

Strength: 5 (Severely Weakened)

Agility: 4 (Below Average)

Stamina: 3 (Deteriorated)

Perception: 7 (Above Average)

Qi Reserves: Sealed

Innate Skills:

—Perseverance (From First Life): Your refusal to die makes you a cockroach in human form.

—Fast Learner (From First Life): Your ability to analyze and adapt to new knowledge is significantly enhanced.

—Survival Instinct (From First Life): Your gut feeling warns you of danger before it happens.

—Cultivation Techniques (From Second Life): You possess advanced knowledge of Qi techniques, martial arts, and energy refinement.

—Body Refinement Mastery (From Second Life): Your body was once indestructible. Even weakened, you recover faster than normal humans.

—Pill Creation (From Second Life): You retain expertise in concocting powerful medicines, poisons, and enhancement elixirs.

—Stealth Mastery (From Second Life): You were a master of concealment and infiltration techniques, allowing you to move undetected.

—Weapon Proficiency (From Second Life): You have instinctive mastery over various weapons, even improvised ones.

[Sealed Skills:]

—Transformation (Locked. Will unlock upon first employment.)

Chen Yunran froze.

"…Wait. What."

What the hell was this?

The System was treating him like a patient in rehab!

It was even bribing him with stats!

And— wait, Qi Circulation?

If he unlocked that, wouldn't that mean his body would start recovering naturally?

He clenched his jaw.

The System wasn't just trying to "help" him live an ordinary life. It was rebuilding him.

Piece by piece.

For what?

His fists tightened.

"Nice try," he muttered, glaring at the floating text.

The System did not respond.

But he could feel it.

Watching. Waiting.

His war against the System had begun.

Next time: Will Chen Yunran resist the bribes—or will his starving body force him to comply?! 😆