Two years after the accident, it was time for Naoto to start school. Naoto was a diligent student who earned high grades and was praised by his teachers. However, he was often a victim of bullies. Despite his frail body, every day he returned home bruised and injured. He had no friends because everyone isolated him. Being alone without anyone made him a target for bullying.
Although his grandparents knew he had no companions and were worried about his social life, he convinced them that he did not care about making friends because he wanted to focus on his studies. To hide the bullying and isolation from his grandparents, Naoto often released his frustration by practicing hunting. Since his grandfather was a retired soldier, he taught Naoto how to use weapons and many other skills.
Naoto was grateful to his grandfather for everything but loved to escape reality. He discovered anime, manga, and novels, which became his hobby. He eagerly awaited coming home to watch his favorite series, including the bloody ones because he enjoyed the fight scenes and the mystery plots in the stories he read. What started as a hobby became an obsession and addiction.
Despite all this, Naoto still had to face the physical pain inflicted by the bullies. When he decided to join the karate club, he found bullies there as well, leading to him being beaten like a punching bag. This continued through high school.
After school one day, some students were dragging a boy toward a dark back alley. There were three of them; the apparent leader was a strong-built person, accompanied by two followers. They were beating the boy and trying to take his money, but he refused to give it up. The boy resisted until he lost consciousness. The three took his money and left him lying on the ground, stained with blood.
"Hey, getting money this easily is so simple!" shouted the leader arrogantly, while the other two laughed cruelly. They searched the boy for anything else to steal.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed in the dark alley. They froze and searched for the source. Then a figure appeared, dressed in black and holding a long staff.
"What are you doing here?" the stranger asked in a strong, terrifying voice. "Don't you know these wicked acts won't go unpunished?"
The three looked at each other in fear and trembling, realizing they had fallen into a trap.
"Please, don't do anything!" the leader begged. "We'll return the money, just leave us!"
The stranger laughed loudly and menacingly. "You think you can escape the consequences? No, you won't get away that easily."
The stranger approached them steadily and frighteningly. The leader and his followers trembled and tried to flee, but the stranger was faster. He grabbed the leader, lifted him into the air, and began beating him violently with the staff. His blows were fast and strong, leaving red marks on the leader's body. The leader struggled to break free but failed.
While the stranger beat the leader, the followers watched in terror, unable to help. Afterward, the stranger threw the leader to the ground and moved toward the other two followers.
"You're next," the stranger said in a menacing voice, approaching them slowly. "I'll make you suffer like the others."
The followers started screaming and begging, but the stranger didn't listen. He beat them with the same brutality. The blows followed one after another as the followers fought to survive and free themselves.
When finished, the stranger left them bleeding and badly injured. Then he smiled wickedly, approached the weak boy, and placed a hand on his head while coughing.
"Hmm, you look like a perfect candidate. I don't have much time; I'll grant your wish, but everything has a price."
Then he turned toward the dark alley and disappeared into the darkness.
Moments later, the beaten boy began to gradually regain consciousness. Seeing the three attackers lying on the ground filled him with satisfaction and anger—satisfied because they had been taught a lesson, angry that he had not taken revenge himself.
The boy called an ambulance for the bullies, then went home.
Upon entering, he heard a gentle voice:
"Welcome back, Naoto. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Hello, Grandma. I'm going to take a shower."
Naoto went upstairs to the bathroom, changed his clothes, and was relieved to find his injuries healed. Suddenly, he heard a voice:
(Ding!!! Hello, Host!)
Naoto was surprised by the sound and the panel appearing before him.
(Host, please enter your name.)
Suddenly, a keyboard appeared.
"My name? Th-this looks suspicious," he muttered.
(Please enter your name, Host.)
"Wait, is this what I read about in the novels? Well, no harm in trying."
Naoto typed his name and pressed enter.
(Ding!!! Confirmed)
(Status)
Name: Hijai Naoto
Age: 15 years
Level: 1 (0/100)
Strength: 6 (normal for age 15)
Endurance: 5 (normal for age 13)
Agility: 3 (normal for age 11)
Intelligence: 11
Status Points: 0
Emotion Points: 0
Skills, Shop, Inventory, Quests
"What!!! That's it?"
(Do you want the host to assign the beginner quest?)
"Okay, but not now."
(Apparently the host needs explanation.)
"Yes, please."
(Alright, the host will receive quests starting from today. Each time you level up, you get three status points to assign to your stats. Emotion points are earned from the emotions of people around you; the stronger the emotions, the more points. That's all the host knew before.)
"Okay, anyway, let's postpone this."
Naoto took a quick shower, went down for dinner with his grandparents, then returned to his room and called the system:
"Hello, Host."
"Enough talking. Tell me, what exactly are you?"
(This is hidden information. You might find your answer as you develop the system.)
"What do you mean?"
(I can evolve if you spend emotion points. Each evolution unlocks a new feature.)
"Oh, that's exciting. Anyway, good night."