The bright sunlight seeped through the window curtains. It happened to land on the sleeping man's closed eyes. The brightness forced him to wake up.
"Hm…"
His eyes narrowed down. He used the back of his right hand to cover his eyes. Only then did he move from his position. His mind remained fuzzy. A sense of surrealism swept over him like a tide as he noticed his familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings.
"This isn't…"
The man closed his eyes again. A stinging headache struck his brain. All sorts of memories entangled together. He could recall sleeping in a simple futon. It is completely different from the modern bedroom he woke up to.
However, his mind contradicted that notion. He also had memories of sleeping in this modern bedroom last night.
The clash of two distinct memories rendered him immobile.
Fortunately, one thing remained the same:
His name.
'Hiraoka Eishi.'
Same name. Different worlds.
The moment Eishi made sense of the disparity, the clash of identities halted. His headache began to subside. By the time he came to his senses, he felt normal.
'Eishi, Eishi…'
There are two Eishis in different worlds. In the first world, he lived as a sixteen-year-old with a family that supported his studies. In the second world—this world—he is an orphaned eighteen-year-old with considerable inheritance.
'...No. I didn't sleep last night.'
In the midst of his chaotic memories, Eishi pinpointed a crucial detail. The Eishi of the first world got run over by a truck. It was his memories that fused with the Eishi of this world.
The more he combed through his memories, the more incredulous it felt.
'Anime… ACG..?'
The Eishi of the first world saw many anime. These anime accurately describe the situation of this world (second world).
For example, the infamous company, Argus. It launched the revolutionary NerveGear in 2022. Not even a day past its release, it was revealed to be a death game. The 'anime' known by Eishi followed the plot of 'Kirigaya Kazuto' in navigating Nervegear's infamous game, Sword Art Online.
The date today is March 15, 2025. Four months passed since the survivors of Sword Art Online woke up. Most of the highschool survivors are currently studying in Tokyo, where a special vocational school was created.
It wasn't limited to Sword Art Online. The school Eishi attended in this world is Toyogasaki High School, the very same setting of an anime-slash-light novel "Saekano". His class happened to be 3C. The "goddess", Kasumigaoka Utaha, is his classmate.
The more Eishi recalled his memories, the more absurd this world felt. It is filled with different 'ACGs' he knew of. The fictional works of his 'past life' are real in this life.
In the end, he shook his head. Thinking about the world's truths isn't reserved for him.
"It's real if it's real. Screw it all…"
He stood up from his bed. He left his bedroom and went down to the living room. The wooden planks and the anti-theft door felt foreign yet familiar.
Eishi sighed to calm down his beating heart.
The two Eishis lived in different upbringings. His past life has parents, making him lively. The Eishi of this world is withdrawn, keeping most of the things to himself. He is also mature in handling things. His past life, not so much.
Glug-!
The carton of milk he downed helped him organize his thoughts. He is already suffering from BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). The transmigration of others he read in fiction made it look easier.
Is he the lively Eishi? Or is he the withdrawn Eishi?
That thought plagued his mind for a while.
'...I am both. That's enough, ugh…'
Eishi's internal conflict did not last long.
His maturity removed the indecisiveness in his bones. He, who lived independently, is vastly different from those with parents. He shoulders the burden of his future alone. Being decisive is one of his traits.
Just then, Eishi noticed something he disregarded since the beginning. A triple line enclosed in a box lay silently at the corner of his vision.
He blinked once. Twice. Thrice. It did not disappear. With a testing attitude, he 'willed' to click it. Lo and behold, a huge translucent panel opened up.
[Confidante System]
Underneath the large Japanese characters are three options.
[Bound Confidante]
[System Rules and Function]
[Apocalypse Gift Pack (To Be Claimed)]
'System… At least something like this followed through…'
Eishi's entertainment wasn't limited to Japanese light novels. Oftentimes, he found numerous protagonists of these light novels indecisive enough—that, or straight up dumb. Then again, it wasn't just Japan who faced problems like these. Every other country does.
He expanded his 'repertoire' outside Japan to sift through better novels to consume, going as far as to learn English to a native speaker's level. The 'System' was something used in Chinese Webnovels, dubbed "Golden Fingers" (a slang for cheating).
Eishi's attention was initially on the [System Rules].
"What the…"
The first and final options startled him. The word 'Apocalypse' is the most detached from the world he lived in. This is a Comprehensive slice-of-life world, not a zombie apocalypse one!
Curious, his 'mental cursor' clicked on it.
[Apocalypse Gift Pack claimed. Received Spatial Backpack (10,000 Cubic Meters), Gene Perfection Transformation Chance]
Eishi's mouth turned agape. He blankly thought of 'Spatial Backpack'. Immediately, he 'saw' an empty space encased in black background.
He refocused his attention to the system's details. First was the [System Rules and Function].
[System Rules and Function]
-Built-in appraisal ability for the user, items, and potential Confidantes.
-Confidantes must be bound willingly. They will be unbound the moment they betray the user.
-The Bound Confidantes possess a "Bond" that can be activated upon binding. These are additional BUFFs affecting both the user and the bound confidantes.
-Binding a Confidante for the first time will result in rewards.
-The consumed item of a Bound Confidante results in a rebate/return between 100 ~ 10,000 times. The definition of consumption is limited to 'ingestion', 'loss', and 'destruction' of a targeted item. Three chances per day will be provided per Bound Confidante. Resets at midnight.
-Items that are rebated/returned can be used for further rebates/returns.
His eyes read the lines of text. The rules are very simple and direct to the point. He can continuously farm items using the three rebate chances per day. Most importantly, they are all centered around a 'Confidante', that is, women.
When Eishi went back and clicked [Bound Confidantes], he was greeted with a blank page.
"Apocalypse… Confidante."
Any thoughts of going to school today went to the trash bin. He hastily searched for a weapon. Before long, an iron baseball bat is firmly gripped in his hand.
Eishi checked the peephole. He found nothing unusual. He pressed his ears on the door. He also found nothing. Upon opening the cellphone in his bedroom, he found nothing unusual.
He sat on the dining room's chair and relaxed.
"This 'System' shouldn't lie. There should be an apocalypse… but it hasn't happened yet. Or maybe this system's tripping. But it's better to be prepared."
Skipping school is a long confirmed verdict. He spent his time drawing a preliminary plan.
"Food, hygiene, clothing, and shelter. This 'Spatial Backpack'... It will be a waste to let it eat dust."
Eishi checked his online banking app. His savings totaled at thirty million Yen. It was just right to graduate from a good private University, living expenses included. However, when a good 'shelter' is factored in, thirty million falls short.
His finger tapped rhythmically on the wooden table. He verified the plans in his head one by one, jotting them down in his small notebook, one problem becoming more apparent.
He could not have everything.
If he chose food, hygiene, and clothing, he won't have money for a shelter.
If he chose shelter, he would lack food, hygiene, and clothing.
One 'brilliant' idea did come to his mind.
To steal supplies.
He tested the 'extent' of this 'Spatial Backpack'. As long as they are within his sight, he can place them inside. Eishi can 'pocket' everything inside a supermarket without suspicion falling onto him.
The final opponent was his conscience.
'Should I…''
In the end, the words "Apocalypse" weighed more heavily in his mind. The online news and the likes did not show any signs of 'zombies' or other mutant creatures. It proved that everything is still normal. The 'Apocalypse' mentioned by the system is yet to come.
It can happen anytime.
He might as well stock up early than let them go to waste once the Apocalypse strikes.
As for the matter with the confidantes, Eishi knew it would be difficult to pull off. Those who are 'casual' with 'Binding', which he presumes to be sex, do not have their "Purity". Those who aren't casual and sought serious romantic relationships will take time to win over. Not to mention his barely above average looks.
Stealing things is his best option for now.
'The issue of sneaking over…'
Eishi glanced at the panel indicating the [Gene Perfection Transformation Chance].
"Gene Perfection… It can increase physical abilities, no..?'
With a thought, he utilized the system's appraisal function.
[Eishi Hiraoka]
Innate Talent: Time Dominator (SSS, Unawakened)
Non-exclusive Talent: Spatial Backpack (10,000 Square Meters)
Life Level: Zero Order/Unawakened
Strength: 12
Agility: 13
Constitution: 11
Spirit: 100
A smaller panel with an "x" at its upper right corner popped up.
[Average human attribute is 10.]
"Ten… and my spirit is high."
After a quick search, Eishi found out the threshold for the pinnacle of athletes—seven times. Surpass that and he would become the strongest human on Earth.
[Gene Perfection Transformation Chance]
Details: The pinnacle of human science in a scientifically advanced world. It optimizes gene structure and removes genetic defects. Upon usage, the physical body will reach the absolute pinnacle of human limits. Attributes gained in increasing life level will double.
Its brief description left him in awe.
'Is it a magical transformation? No, there's no need to think about it.'
Without hesitation, he willed it to be used.
Psshk-!
The sharp stinging sensation made him grit his teeth. Eishi could not hold it and let out a series of groans.
That was merely the beginning.
Rewriting genetic structure and removing defects is the very definition of turning one's body upside-down, and then throwing it inside a high-powered blender.
In short, its pain is unimaginable.
"Keuk..!"
The pain knocked him out. The changes in his body never stopped. From his bones breaking down to the bleeding of his torn muscles, its pain assaulted Eishi's very subconscious.
Crack-!
Crack-!
…
After an unknown period of time, Eishi regained consciousness. The pain receded like a tide. His instinctive movement of his body felt somewhat foreign. The strong smell of blood and sweat assaulted his nostrils.
"Water…"
He stood up from his wooden chair. Only after the large container for water was emptied did his dizziness calm down.
Rumble-!
Eishi looked at his rumbling stomach.
'...Wait.'
His current vision felt egregiously stifling. It felt like he grew several centimeters of height at once.
To confirm his suspicion, he ran straight to the bathroom. The reflection in the bathroom mirror answered everything.
The previous Eishi, while not thin, has pale skin. It is frequented with blemishes such as acne and whiteheads. His hair also began receding. The existence of 'anime characters' did not mean ugly people never existed.
Due to it, Eishi neared the below average rating. It was his average stature and medium build that salvaged him. Even so, his presence inside the classroom is at an all-time low.
The reflection in his mirror is the exact opposite of these descriptions. Chiseled jawline, debloated cheeks, broad shoulders, the absent blemishes…
Eishi took off his t-shirt. Lean muscles, worked-out triceps, eight-pack abs, unchanged hairline…
If it wasn't for the system, Eishi would have doubted the reflection was himself. One injection turned him into a hot guy that could be found in magazines.
Also…
He took a peek below his waist. The sight of an evolved dragon shook him to his core. His previous little brother was average. This one… will be painful to 'take in'.
"Remove genetic defects… So this is it?"
[Eishi Hiraoka]
Innate Talent: Time Dominator (SSS, Unawakened)
Non-exclusive Talent: Spatial Backpack (10,000 Cubic Meters)
Life Level: Zero Order/Unawakened
Strength: 100
Agility: 100
Constitution: 100
Spirit: 200
With this transformation, his physique caught up to his Spirit. Eishi felt his body roar like a burning furnace. He let out a swift jab in the air.
Fwoosh-!
The sound of cutting air resounded. He did it several more times, each attempt resulting in its occurrence. Eishi attempted numerous physical exercises. He grew more accustomed to his increased strength as time went by. His 'Agility' attribute helped in coordinating his entire body.
Its cost is the increased loudness of his rumbling stomach. He swiftly cooked five scrambled eggs. When he downed all of them, he still felt it wasn't enough. Eishi took out his stored food inside the refrigerator one by one.
It took quite a long time to fill his stomach. Warm currents traveled throughout his entire body. He clearly felt the conversion of food to energy.
Eishi glanced at his nearly emptied refrigerator and then the clock. He woke up at 7 AM sharp, with classes starting at 8 AM. It is now 3 PM. He checked his phone's news one more time. Nothing related to the 'Apocalypse' came out.
Looking at the anti-theft door…
"A quick shower. Then it's time to get out."