2 Meeting the System
[Host has been chosen by the "Economics System."]
"What...?"
[Host has been chosen by the "Economics System."]
Dazed, Damien (who had already made it to Fortuno Tower's lobby) sat down on the nearest chair, and thought, 'What the hell is going on?'
[Host has been chosen by the "Economics System."]
Currently, there had been a blue, holographic screen floating in front of Damien. Except, Damien's phone was turned off, so such a thing shouldn't be possible. Even weirder, the screen seemed to change position in accordance with his line of sight.
'Is someone using latest holo-tech to play a prank on me?'
[Host is paranoid. No one other than host can see the System.]
"Wait what? Hey, screen, did you just read my mind?"
[The system can listen to all of host's thoughts.]
'The Fortuno family has long since banned mind-reading technology! Who are you? What do you want?'
Everything about this situation screamed 'illegal' to Damien. Mind reading technology, prank-playing with holo-tech, and if it was true that only he could see the screen, someone was messing with his sense of sight!
[To borrow words from host, "relax bro, it's just an AI."]
'That-... I do say that often.'
The fact that this piece of technology could accurately quote something that Damien had said many times, brought two options to the table. One, the 'system' was perusing about his memories (which shouldn't be possible, since he wasn't currently in a lab, hospital, or interrogation chamber), or two, whoever set the screen up had been watching him for a long time.
'Okay... then please, explain what the hell is going on, because I'm in a bad mood.' Damien said, rather calmly in fact. Although he was kicked out of the family, he was still a Fortuno, so he had seen his fair share of crazy technology. No matter how much it knew about him, the rest of the world knew just as much.
[I am the system, and you are my host. To explain in words understandable by host's mediocre specs, I am a technological parasite that has implanted itself within host's brain.]
'Parasite? My brain? Does the world consent mean anything nowadays...?'
[If host is dissatisfied, system apologizes. However, system's survival relies on host to fulfill a multitude of conditions, so please work hard.]
Damien quickly adjusted his posture, his blonde hair swaying as he did so. This 'system' had just given him its weakness, which meant that it wanted to make a deal.
'Alright, what's in it for me? Do you expect me to help you without anything in exchange?'
In fact, Damien knew that this screen could provide him something great. It was, after all, a never before seen piece of technology.
[Host, please say "status."]
'I see, so you've already prepared the benefits. A public lobby isn't a proper space for this discussion though.'
Damien stood up from his chair, and walked over to the lobby's reception desk. Although he had been banished from the family, word definitely hadn't gotten out yet.
"Caroline," Damien remembered the receptionist's name, since they spent a night together, "prepare me a room. I need some time alone."
"Y-Yes, Young Master! Madam Rose is out right now, are you fine with her room?"
Damien looked a little annoyed, but relented nonetheless. The Tower wasn't a hotel, it was Fortuno living quarters and a workplace.
"Of course, please lead the way."
As soon as she received her orders, Caroline called someone else to man the reception desk, and began leading the way. Due to their "close" relationship, Caroline had actually felt comfortable asking Damien questions.
"So, Young Master, why is it that you need time alone?" she asked.
Actually, Damien had already prepared an excuse. It was an excuse he had used numerous times in the past, and one that no one could question the validity of.
"Confidential."
"Ah! I apologize, Young Master..."
Damien didn't bother responding, and only thought, 'Once I've sorted out this "system" crap, I'll leave this accursed place immediately.'
The young receptionist took this as a sign that she should stop talking, and promptly sped up.
Actually, even though they were on the first floor of the Fortuno Tower, they didn't have any need to take an elevator. The first floor merely served as a waiting area to most ordinary people, but less important members of the Fortuno family used it as their living quarters. After walking down an unnecessarily long hall, they arrived at a door, simply labeled: "Madam Rose's Room."
'She's such an arrogant one... calling herself "Madam Rose" like that.'
"We are here, Young Master," Caroline said, with a bow.
"Thank you, Caroline, you're always such a joy to be around," Damien said. As he did so, he flashed a smile, and entered Rose's room.
Upon entering, Damien was met with an excessive amount of stuffed "animals". Rose's hobby, although not common, had been widely known. She made every single one of these herself, and they came in all sorts of unsettling forms.
After waiting for a few minutes, just in case Caroline didn't leave immediately, Damien began his inspection.
"Hey, system, you still there?"
[Of course, Host. You will find that I am annoyingly hard to get rid of, Host.]
"Wonderful,"-Damien paused, and thought for moment before continuing-"status."
As soon as this was said, a new screen appeared in Damien's line of sight. This one, quite a bit bigger than the last.
USER: DAMIEN VALUS FORTUNO
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[STATS:]
Strength - 20
Dexterity - 15
Intelligence - 25
Wisdom - 50
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[SKILLS:]
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[SHOP] - [QUESTS] - [INVENTORY]
"Oh? This looks very similar to an MMO... or, is that what it's based off of?"
[Would Host like an explanation?]
"No, all of this is very self-explanatory... well, could you give me an explanation on what these stats are?"
[Host's request processed. Host is to note that average humans have nine to eleven points in each stat. The Strength stat is simply host's ability to bear mental pressure, Dexterity is host's ability to work efficiently and quickly, Intelligence directly represents host's mental facilities, and Wisdom is host's ability to make use of host's intelligence.]
"You said you were an 'Economics System,' correct? Shouldn't something like a creativity statistic exist?"
[Host's request deemed to be stupid. If host wants to think more creatively, host should increase wisdom.]
"Got it, thanks for the info. Now, where is my beginner's package? This is an MMO, right?"
Even though Damien felt that he was adapting too quickly, he didn't mind it. Right now, he could use any tool at his disposal.
[Host's specs are already quite impressive, for a human, host does not need such a thing.]
Damien's eyes lit up. Although it obviously didn't seem sentient, the AI in play could be negotiated with. Otherwise, why would it use such unassertive language?
"So, if I had lower specs, I would receive such a thing?"
[Host is correct.]
'Now I understand...' Damien thought.
"Hey System, this doesn't seem very fair. You're holding onto your unallocated resources, and for no good reason..."
[Host need just follow what System says, and said resources will be allocated with time.]
'Time.' It was the single most irritating word to work with, in the business world at least. But, as a Fortuno, how could he not have experience with such a thing?
"No, you don't seem to understand, parasite. If you want to survive, you need me to do something for you, correct? Without any incentive, I am expected to do what you say? I will not be a slave, nor an employee. And you, will certainly not be my employer."
Damien paused, a smile sneaking onto his face.
"If you are going to live in my brain, we must work as equals. Show me, with those unallocated resources, that being your partner is worthwhile."
[System does not see the ne-]
"Then I can bring our partnership to an end right now. I will go to the hospital, and have you removed."
Previously, the AI stated that he was staying within Damien's brain. Removing parasites and such from someone's brain was relatively easy, and had almost zero risk in today's medical climate.
[...]
"Is that a no? I understand, System. You really don't care about your life!"
This line was sort of a gamble, since an AI shouldn't necessarily have the facilities to care for itself in the first place.
[Host has completed the hidden quest: "Setting the Contract." Host's reward: "Beginner's Package."]
Damien sighed, either the quest he completed was simply the system's way of saving its face, or he was truly being tested. Still he continued on to say, "Alright, so how do I use this package, System?"
[Host is to press the "Inventory" button on host's status menu.]
Damien didn't need to say "status" again, since he never closed the status menu in the first place. So, he simply pressed the "Inventory" button on the bottom of the status screen with his finger, and a new screen appeared.
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INVENTORY:
"Beginner's Package" - 1
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'I assume I simply need to touch the item I want to use,' Damien thought, and so he did just that. As soon as his finger made contact with the screen, a cardboard box appeared in front of him, falling onto the floor beneath his feet.
[Beginner Package delivered.]
"What the hell?!"
Item fabrication technology! Normally, such a thing wouldn't surprise Damien. But, the issue in this situation was, there were no materials in order to fabricate the box!
'Could it be teleportation...? No, teleportation isn't stable yet... ah, I shouldn't worry about this.'
Damien proceeded to pick up the box, and a prompt appear directly above it:
[Open?]
'Is this voice commanded too? Or touch screen?'
"Yes!" Damien said.
[Package opening...]
[Package opening..]
[Package opening.]
[Packaged opened:
(Rare skill) "Value Vision"
(Legendary Item) "System Pen" x 1]
"System..."
[Yes, Host?]
"I don't care how strong these two items are, where is my money?!"
[Host is required to earn money for himself, using the facilities the system provides.]
'Leave it to an economics system to be stingy... what next?'
[Host should check status.]
"Ah, I forgot you can read my thoughts..."
Damien proceeded to check on his status screen, and noticed that the new "Value Vision" skill was under the skills section.
"System, what does this skill do?"
[Answering host. Upon activation, "Value Vision" allows host to see the approximate value of any and all things.]
"Anything? Does it attach a value to human lives?"
[Yes, Host.]
To that, Damien could only think, 'How useful.'
"And what about the item... the 'System Pen,' was it?"
[Upon writing the name of an item while visualizing said item in your head, an event that causes that item's value to increase by 100% shall occur somewhere in Trapidia. The system's pen can only be used three times.]
"System, that isn't fair."
[System understands. System will nerf the system pe-]
"No! I like unfair, the world is unfair! This is perfect! Do you understand what I can do with this? So much! Revenge on the Fortunos will be so much easier! Thank you! Muah!"
[Host should shut his mouth, host is annoying.]
"Alright partner... I'll shut up."
[Appreciated, Host.]
'So, I guess it is time to leave...'
