1 A Good Day to Die

A single ray of light shone through the clouds. The ray had come from afar, much further than the sun, even the solar system, maybe even the galaxy. However, when it arrived on this planet, it mingled in with the rest of the rays, too ordinary for anyone to notice. It flew unbending, at a speed too fast for the naked eye, as if searching for something.

Passing numerous mountains, rivers, and lakes, the ray arrived in a bustling city. The city was no ordinary city, as one looked closer, the place seemed to radiate an enormous amount of spiritual energy. People jumped from building to building, some even hovering low above the ground. The ray scanned its surroundings, before leaving swiftly.

Next, it arrived at a secluded mountain range covered in thick mist. When it broke through, it saw a gigantic building floating in midair. In the building, people of all ages were present, either sparring or meditating in seclusion. Surrounding them, unfathomable mysteries like thunder-sparks and runes appeared. Again, the ray left.

When the ray came across a forest, a beastly roar resounded. The roar shook all the trees, and any creature within the sound fainted on the spot. Not caring the slightest, the ray went onward.

This was the Thousand Myriads World. A world with cultivators, ancient beasts, and possibly even immortals. However, the ray was not looking for such beings.

Atop an inconspicuous cliff, a male youth with long black hair squatted, unperturbed by anything. He left his hair free-flowing, covering his whole body as if he wore an ankle-length dress. He hid his face behind curtains of hair, only occasionally, did a slender arm poke out. Thus, if one didn't look closely, they wouldn't even realize the youth was naked.

The youth looked upward, or at least it seemed like he did. He blocked the sun with his hands as he felt blinded by the light before he turned his head to the steep and dark abyss.

"Perfect breeze, clear sky, with no chance of raining. It couldn't look better today."

The youth threw a stone down and followed it with his gaze intensely as if he was the stone himself. He stretched his hands out, almost feeling the weightlessness of falling.

"Ah, what a good day to die," he said nonchalantly and brushed strands of his hair away, only for more to fall down.

He took his first step, hoping it would be his last when a surprising sound interrupted his actions.

"Ding."

Startled, the youth looked around for the source, but all he saw was luscious grass, colorful flowers, and overgrown trees—it was in the middle of nowhere. He simply could not imagine what creature could have made that sound.

"Ding, Ding, Ding," the sound repeated, like morning bells, ringing incessantly.

"Uwah, it's in my mind," the youth rubbed his head, "could it be, did I finally turn crazy, and started imagining random noises?"

"Congratulations, Host has been deemed suitable for binding. Binding, binding, binding end. Congratulations. Creating framework now. Framework completed. Compatibility 98.6%." This time he heard clearly. It was a cold, but a melodious voice. Rather young, but still mature.

"Host Name not available. Host age 22. Host is male. Ordinary human. Talent below average."

While the youth stayed dazed, the voice continued.

"Host possesses no spiritual power. Host is a mortal. Hosts meridians have been sealed. Host is weaker than a fly."

"You couldn't have summed that up in one sentence?" The youth couldn't help rebut, feeling a slight hint of maliciousness from the androgynous voice. However, that couldn't be true, right? After all, the voice was devoid of any emotions, cold like a machine.

"System No. 4444 successfully started. Congratulations, Host."

The youth was at a loss for words. A system? No, more importantly, '4444'? What's with that inauspicious number? He felt more and more like the system was cursing him.

"Where's the delete button," he shouted, "and how do I leave a bad review?"

The voice ignored his shouts.

"Main Quest will be issued shortly. Asking the Host to prepare."

"No seriously, there has to be some kind of button," the youth grumbled. He pushed his long hair away, but it just returned. Feeling dejected, he sighed. "Whatever, let's wait first to see what it has to offer."

It didn't matter to him anyway. He had already made up his mind on leaping off the cliff.

"First Quest issued."

As soon as the system finished its sentence, a clear window popped up in front of the youth. He jumped in surprise, almost falling down.

[Quest: A new beginning.

Description: As a mighty ruler, Host needs to have strong ambitions. Set a goal the system will be satisfied with and it will help the Host with all means necessary to reach number one. Together, we shall conquer this planet! Time limit: 1 week.

Reward: A method to unseal and repair Hosts broken meridians with no repercussions.]

As the youth read the contents, his eyes opened wide (Probably. One couldn't tell as his face was hidden behind his hair). He stood still as he was stunned by what he saw, especially the reward made him feel lightheaded. "Is this real," he asked and then considered the possibilities.

Clearly, the system knew how to entice the youth. Maybe because it saw the youth lost in his thoughts, it didn't interrupt. Good things need no explanation, they said, and the system went by the statement.

Suddenly, contrary to all expectations, the youths face turned grim. "Fuck, I have to get rid of this system fast, that thing is cursed." He began moving frantically, wishing to rid himself of the system even sooner now. "Delete! Delete! Refund!"

For the first time, the system did not immediately answer. It was hard to tell what it was thinking, after all, it was a system.

"Non-compliance will result in death with no means of resurrection," it replied after a while. The tone was the same as always, as if the voice was only a string of synthesized words, but the youth understood the underlying intention of that sentence. If rewards didn't work, it could only resort to punishments.

The moment the youth heard the voice, he stopped fidgeting around. "Wait, really," he asked.

Seeing his weird reaction, the system thought he had finally understood. It repeated, "Non-compliance will result in death with no means of resurrection."

The youth was silent. He returned to pondering.

"The host will die. the body and soul will dissipate, leaving no room for reincarnation."

He turned agitated as he heard that. "All right, I'm in. You sold me."

Seeing the youths attitude, the system replied with a mechanical voice, "please complete the Que-"

"So what do I have to do to die?"

"...Non-compliance will result in de-"

"Yes, yes, you said it three times already. I told you I am in, so how about you just kill me now," the youth asked, his tone obviously very happy. If he showed his face, there definitely would be an elated expression. He wasn't joking.

He expectantly faced the sky, waiting for a favorable answer from the voice in his head.

The system was silent for a long time.

"...I beg you, please just make a wish," it finally said. This time, the voice was different; One full of emotion—specifically, full of agony. It was a female one, crisp and very young. Anyone hearing it would feel their day had turned slightly better, however, at the moment, it almost sounded like she was crying.