The multiversal system (1)

We left the dungeon without wasting any time.

Portals close on their own sometime after the boss is defeated, so staying inside would have been stupid.

Besides, Hana was still unconscious, and Jisoo had to carry her on his back.

Doyun and Minseok walked alongside him, expressionless.

No celebration, no relief.

Just the weight of what had happened.

They had still collected the mana stones from the monsters.

But Ilhoon… there was no way to recover anything of him.

The stench of blood and crushed flesh still seemed to cling to my nostrils.

The reality that someone had died hit me hard only after the battle was over.

But I knew I couldn't compare myself to the other members of the expedition.

They had known Ilhoon for years.

Only Hana and I were the "newcomers" there.

Even so, she had already gone on a few missions with them before. On the other side, it was my first time.

As soon as we left, we contacted the Hunter Association.

And then… we were interrogated.

It was exhausting.

Repeating everything that had happened inside, detail by detail, drained what little energy I had left.

But at least we were compensated.

The payment was much bigger than I expected.

Partly because of the dungeon's classification. Partly because of the risk we had faced.

In the end, we were compensated for it.

Especially me.

Because I got what I wanted.

Now, I'm home.

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling pain in every corner of my body despite the magical treatment I received from the Association.

My apartment is small. Tiny, actually.

Not dirty.

It's neat, organized, but the place looks old, worn out, like the walls are fading along with my expectations for life.

And furniture? Almost none.

Just a bed, a table, and books. Lots of books.

Books on spear techniques.

Self-help books.

Books on how to make money fast. That didn't work, by the way.

I think I even bought one on pyramid schemes once.

But none of that matters now.

Because in front of me… the System window was still open.

[The required condition has been successfully met. ]

[The assignment process has been completed without issues. ]

[Do you wish to assign the System? ]

[Yes / No ]

I stretched my arm.

The holographic window had no texture, no physical sensation.

But… it still worked at a touch.

My finger pressed "Yes."

[Congratulations on obtaining the Akashic System, Luxxion, the Messenger of Light!]

[Due to certain circumstances, your System has been successfully upgraded to a Class 4 System.]

[Luxxion is now oficially classified as a Multiversal System.]

Multiversal System?

That had been mentioned before, right?

I kept reading.

[To use the System without issues, a username must be set.]

[Username: ________________]

[A B C D E F...]

I sighed, rubbing my face.

A username, huh…

I could put anything.

But, I didn't know.

This was going to stick with me for the rest of my life here, right?

And since I'm a spearman who fights monsters, maybe…

An idea hit me like a bullet.

I typed the name.

[Username set: Perseus]

After all, if there was one guy in mythology who knew how to kill monsters, it was him.

Then, another message appeared.

[User Perseus, welcome. Luxxion, the Messenger of Light, is at your service.]

The voice echoed directly in my mind.

I nearly jumped out of bed.

''Oh, great. You talk too?''

[I am an artificial intelligence designed to provide support and information to the user. My objective is…]

The sentence was cut off.

A sharp, grating noise invaded my head, like metal scraping against glass.

The text flickered.

[This information is currently omitted.]

My eyebrows furrowed.

''You've got to be kidding me.''

Luxxion ignored the comment.

[The Multiversal System has been assigned to you to ensure a greater chance of survival.]

''A greater chance of survival… against what, exactly?''

[User Perseus was chosen based on specific criteria.]

''If you can't answer that, at least tell me what those criteria are.''

[This information cannot be accessed at the moment. ]

I rolled my eyes.

Of course, it couldn't.

How many times had I read about Systems in manhwas and novels? It always started like this.

So, I went straight to the point:

''Alright. Then what does it mean to be a Multiversal System?''

[It means the user will have access to abilities from other worlds. You will be able to communicate with entities from different realities. And, occasionally, you will be able to travel to these worlds with specific objectives to fulfill.]

I blinked.

Silence.

''…This sounds like a game.''

[It is not a game. It is a support system based on probabilities, statistics, and specific objectives.]

''So it's a game.''

[No. It's not.]

''Okay, okay, forget it.''

Luxxion didn't insist on the subject.

[Would the user like to learn about the available functionalities? 

The answer was obvious.

''Yes.''

The screen changed.

The listed functions were… incredible, to say the least.

''Information storage, instant translation, interdimensional communication… simulations?

That sounded useful.''

Exactly. Sounded was the right word.

My excitement lasted exactly three seconds.

Because then, most of the list appeared grayed out and locked with a padlock.

And Luxxion explained.

[Due to the user's initial classification, many system functions are locked. Some may be available in a reduced capacity.]

''Wouldn't it make more sense if I had access to this from the start?''

[The user does not have enough Conquest Points or Narrative Points.]

I resigned myself to my situation.

Having the System was already good enough.

''And what are these points?''

[ Conquest Points are obtained by completing System missions, both in this world and others. Narrative Points are earned as the user impacts the story of this or any other world they visit. ]

I crossed my arms, thoughtful.

Aside from the System constantly mentioning other worlds, something else caught my attention.

Something that anyone would check in a situation like this.

''I want to see my stats.''

The screen changed.

I was an E-Rank Hunter.

Even though I didn't neglect my training, I was nowhere near strong or skilled.

I braced myself for the worst.

And I was right.

[ Status Window ]

[Name: Perseus (Liam Han)]

[Strength: 1 Star (12%)] - [Agility: 1 Star (26%)]

[Endurance: 1 Star (8%)] - [Perception: 1 Star (19%)]

[Energy: 1 Star (5%)] - [Intelligence: 1 Star (47%)]

[Spirit: 2 Stars (23%)] - [Luck: 3 Stars (60%)]

Stars…?

There was a percentage next to each stat.

This didn't look anything like what I was used to.

''Huh... Shouldn't these be points?''

[The System classifies stats from 0 to 12 Stars. The percentage indicates progress toward leveling up.]

It was a bit of an eccentric way to do it.

For a moment, I felt like I was inside one of those Murim novels.

''Alright. So… how strong am I right now?''

The System took a moment to respond.

Then, finally, the answer came.

[Comparison established.]

[The user is currently classified as…]

A second passed.

[…a walking punching bag.]

I sighed.

''Are you making fun of me?''

[Negative. The answer is based on objective data.]

It was official.

I had a cheat System, and it was already mocking me.

And I didn't even know whether to laugh or cry about it.

''Anything else important you want to tell me?''

[The System is divided into categories.]

[The user can check both their normal level and their Ascension Ranking through the General Window.]

I blinked.

Okay, the level part made sense, but…

''Ascension what?''

[Ascension Ranking.]

[To sum it up, it measures your importance within the System. The higher it is, the more access you gain to functions, information, and other privileges. ]

''So there's a ranking to see how relevant I am?''

[Correct.]

''Great. I can't wait to see my name shining at the top of the list.'' I declared sarcastically.

[The user may check their current position now.]

Another screen popped up in front of me.

[General Window]

[Name: Perseus (Liam Han)]

[Level: 1 (12% experience)]

[Skill(s): Low-Quality Spear Technique (Level 3).]

[Title(s): None. Work harder to obtain one!]

[Ascension Ranking: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆]

[Conquest Points: 0]

[Narrative Points: 0]

I stared at the screen for a few seconds.

''…This is calling me a background character, isn't it?''

[The user's interpretation is subjectively correct.]

''You could have just said "yes."

[Correct. I could.]

I let out a long sigh.

At least Luxxion's explanations were easy to understand.

''So basically, I need to be useful or cause enough chaos to make people notice me.''

[That interpretation is functional.]

This sounded like a lot of work.

But it's not like I had anything better to do.

Being an extra character forever was definitely not a life goal.

''And what happens when I rank up? Do I get a special badge? A Christmas bonus?''

[The user will gain access to new functions, increased influence in visited worlds, and privileges within the Multiversal System.]

''So basically, if I stay a nobody, I'm stuck without powers.''

[Correct again.]

''Ah, perfect. Exactly what I wanted to hear.''

Another thought crossed my mind.

On the General Window, besides my embarrassingly low level and not-worth-mentioning-again ranking, there was something else.

Skills.

Or rather, the skill.

[Skill(s): Low-Quality Spear Technique (Level 3).]

I stared at it again.

''…That's it?''

The System remained silent, as if giving me time to process the sheer disappointment I was feeling.

I rubbed my face.

''No, really. That's all I have?''

[The user currently possesses only one combat skill.]

''And it's low-quality? You didn't have to word it like that.''

[The designation is accurate.]

I groaned.

''Fantastic. So I'm a weakling and I fight like a complete amateur. Good to know.''

At this rate, I was one step away from swinging my spear like a broomstick.

''Alright, System. Luxxion. Buddy. How do I get better skills?''

[The user may acquire skills through training, completing missions, or obtaining them from external sources. 

''Define "external sources."

[Various means, including skill scrolls, inheritances, and special conditions granted through the Multiversal System.]

I frowned.

''So… no convenient skill shop?''

[Negative.]

''Damn it. That's harsh.''

I threw my head back onto the pillow, staring at the ceiling.

I couldn't waste any more time.

I knew that better than anyone.

''So… where do I start? I mean, to get better.''

The screen lit up again.

But this time, the content changed completely.

[New Mission Available.]

[The System has assigned tasks to assist the user in their growth. Complete them to receive rewards and accelerate progression.]

[Available Missions:]

▶ [Daily Mission: Fundamental Training] (Repeatable)

▶ [Main Mission: The Reviving Climber's Ascent]

I froze.

Climber. Reviving. Ascent.

No way.

So, right off the bat, I was already being assigned to a mission like that?

This wasn't just any mission.

It was from another story.

The System was Multiversal… which meant—

My grip tightened.

That mission…

It was connected to that world, wasn't it?