23 Understanding Oneself

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Second Reality's First Automatic Update

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+Players below lvl 10 will now receive 100% exp boost from quests and monster kills.

+Players can no longer PvP or attack neutral NPCs when they are below lvl 10. NPCs are real people in Second Reality so please keep that in mind.

+Due to the update, all Players that were sent to Jail from the previous two days will be set free, but their level will be decreased by one. 50% of their coin collection will also be deducted.

+Players that kills another player or NPC in a safe zone will now gain 2x Infamy.

+Safe Zone Guards and players will attain a 100% stat boost when going against a player doing harm.

+Players below lvl 10 will no longer drop equipment nor coins after death. Do not try to exploit this. If the system determines that a user is exploiting this function, all items in the user's account will be deleted in addition to a decrease of 5 levels.

+Dungeons will now be available. Some World Boss Monsters will be forced to be Dungeon Masters, and once the Dungeon Master is defeated, they will no longer spawn back unless specified. Each dungeon's rule might differ from one another. Players will need to check out and explore the specifics on their own.

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End of Update Explaination

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Some players cursed at the new update since they can no longer PK below lvl 10, but other players celebrated with joy! They will be able to lvl up quicker and reach lvl 10 sooner than expected.

There was also going to be Dungeons added into the game! Many players hate the old Dungeon system, but this new Dungeon system seemed to be quite unique! The Boss Master from the dungeon will not be able to respawn after dying so this meant that if a piece of rare equipment dropped from that Boss Monster, it might be the only one that will ever exist in the server!

"..." On the other hand, Xia Shishu was speechless.

"System, might you want to explain yourself now?" Xia Shishu questioned the system after waking up and checking Second Reality's Main Branch on the forums. Last night when his System forcibly shut down the servers, his system didn't answer his question as to why the game needs updating.

[System has overridden a lower classed System. Even still, the lower classed System's functions can't be ignored. Ever so often, Second Reality's world rules need to be updated.]

Xia Shishu thought for a bit and questions popped up in his head, "You labeled the Second Reality System as a lower class one, so does that mean that there are more systems out there? Were you created by someone like how the Second Reality Systems were created?"

[System does not know.]

"Then what is your goal for inhabiting me like a parasite?" Xia Shishu continued.

[System's ultimate goal is to survive. To do so, the System will have to choose an appropriate Host.]

"Okay! Okay. Forget that for now then. Going back to the Second Reality System take-over. Does this mean that I am the Game Master now since you've overridden the lower class system?" In the game last night, his System refused to tell him anything so he tried to ask again since his System is highly responsive at the moment.

[In a way, Host is considered a Game Master, but System cannot spawn in items for the Host as it is against the Second Reality System's Functions. As Host levels up, though, he will be able to receive reward packs from the System. The first thing Host can get from the Second Reality's System is when he reaches lvl 10.]

"Ohh! What is it? What is in the reward pack?" Xia Shishu's excitement hyped up after hearing that he is considered a Game Master and that he will be able to receive a reward pack after reaching lvl 10.

[System does not know. The reward is randomly generated by Second Reality's System.]

After his questioning, Xia Shishu got the gist of his situation. Basically, his System hijacked Second Reality's System, yet it still doesn't have full control of it! Even still, he is going to be able to receive benefits because of his System's Hijacking.

"Can you call yourself something else? Calling you System is too bland and I'll get confused if more systems are overridden in the future!" In Xia Shishu's heart, he gave a thumbs up to his System. He might've called his System bad and stupid before, but that was just the spur of the moment!

[Does Host wish to give System a name?] The System's monotonous voice questioned Xia Shishu's question.

Xia Shishu nodded since he wanted to call the System by a name. Relationships occur after names are given. For example, his System is like a pet. Once a name is given, he and the System will grow closer to one another! Or so Xia Shishu thinks.

"Let us see then… I had a beautiful dream last night of a quiet, youthful, and beautiful girl with pure white snowy hair. I also still have that dreamy yearning feeling for that dream girl right now. How about calling you Dream?" Xia Shishu smirked as he thought of his dream and offered a name to his System.

[System is evaluating Host's Dream…]

[Evaluating...]

[Evaluating..]

[Ding! System will now be called Dream. Hello Host, I am Dream.] The system didn't refuse Xia Shishu's name proposal. It would've probably accepted any name that was given!

When the system spoke though, Xia Shishu was shocked to the ends of the world! "W-What the heck happened to your voice, System!?"

Rather than the monotonous voice that he kept hearing before, his System's voice is now soothing and melodic. The beautiful yet nebulous voice that he heard from the girl in his Dreams was taken over by his system!

[Dream has evaluated Host's third dream from his sleep and has taken over Host's description of the meaning behind Dream's name.]

Nothing but amazement filled Xia Shishu's eyes, "Your voice is so pleasant now!" Xia Shishu's smile stretched all the way to the heavens! He'll rather listen to his System's new voice than the old monotonous one.

After that surprising event, Xia Shishu happily got off his bed and cleaned himself. It was already 7:15 and he needed to start his travel towards school soon.

As a boy who doesn't really care about his appearance much, Xia Shishu finished preparing himself in record speed.

Getting out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth, Xia Shishu heard the kitchen sink water running and chatter in the kitchen room. He peeked into the kitchen, and to his surprise, his father and sister were having breakfast together while his mother is washing the dishes.

"Mom, it's your birthday tomorrow. You guys won't be working, right?" Xia Lina asked her mother.

"Sorry, Xiao Lina. The company is going to be very busy tomorrow so mom and dad won't be able to stay home tomorrow. It's alright though. We're already so old. There is no need to celebrate our birthdays." Mother Xia answered as she continued washing the dishes.

"En. Okay.." After hearing her mother, Xia Lina was crestfallen. She had wanted to spend some time with her parents. She got up from her seat and strode out the door quietly, leaving her half-eaten breakfast behind. Xia Shishu's father didn't see anything wrong with what his wife had said and continued reading the newspaper while drinking his morning coffee.

As Xia Shishu went to sit on Xia Lina's chair to finish up her unfinished breakfast, he silently sighed, "Mother, Father, you should take a break tomorrow and spend time with Xia Lina and me."

Xia Shishu's father looked at Xia Shishu and silently stared at him. "You guys aren't kids anymore. You should be fine."

Xia Shishu didn't know how to reply. He never told his parents about Xia Lina cutting herself. They don't know what their child is going through.

"I'm being serious. All you guys do is work and work. Money is good, but what good is money without spending it with your loved ones?" Xia Shishu asked his father. Hoping that they'll at least take a break from work tomorrow.

"You're still young so you won't understand. In this society, money runs everything." Xia Shishu's father laid his newspaper down on the table. "Rather, have you decided which university you're going to attend yet? Have you chosen a major yet?" Xia Shishu's father asks.

Xia Shishu didn't even need to contemplate. "I'm not going to University. I'm not going to apply for one."

"What!?" Both his mother and father replied with their eyes wide. "Are you being serious?" Xia Shishu's father questioned with a higher volume than his normal one.

"I am going to be a Pro-Gamer in the newly released Second Reality. Not everything is decided by a university or college degree!" Xia Shishu looked straight into his father's eyes to let his intentions be known.

"A Pro-Gamer's career never lives long, Shishu. You should rethink this."His mother joined in on the conversation. From her times, a pro gamer's career only lasts until they are around 30 years of age.

"Enough! This conversation ends here. Let our son do what he wants. We shouldn't budge in between him and his goals. All we have to do is make money and support our children." Xia Shishu's father ended the conversation. The reason being? He was once a youth who wanted to have freedom while earning money! Considering that Second Reality is a hot topic, his son might have a chance!