16 Pissing the System Off

He cut the system off as it would surely bark again. 'Wait, let's talk for later old man. I got a call.'

But he never failed to make a triumphant smile before answering, "Hello?"

Pierced stayed on a corner of the street. "Oh, yes. Sure ma'am. I will come early tomorrow."

When the system chimed in. ["Why isn't there a sound kid? Why can't I hear someone talking to you?"] With its tone, you could imagine someone who was perplexed. Someone was currently had his brows furrowed, an old man at that.

Pierce sounded annoyed. 'Don't you know, phones have functions like that? Stop interrupting my call, will you gramps?'

["Is that so? That is a superb function."] This time, imagine an old man who was foolishly nodding his head.

Couldn't hold his laughter, Pierce burst out his loud, unrestrained laughs. He then said with laughter in between words, 'You, you didn't review... my memories from before you right? I got you! I got you big old man!'

He then leaned on a post while laughing so hard. He even felt like dying.

'This is so epic!'

There followed a series of laughs in a boisterous manner. Out of not knowing where to vent his emotions he got seated on a rough cement.

["Shame on you! You little prick! Watch me teach you a lesson!"]

Pierce tried so hard to supress his laughter. 'Hmp, it's only me getting back at you for never telling me that I have such a useful skill beforehand.'

He pouted when he added, 'Do you know how terrified I was when I was facing those scary-looking men? My legs were even shivering out of fear, going all weak. The same goes with my hands. Even when I activated the skill, I am still am afraid that my punches won't be effective.'

The system sighed. ["I admit, I might be a bit old. I tend to forget those trivial things."]

Pierce snorted. 'Your negligence might kill me one day gramps. Even if you're not happy with the skill I've got but we couldn't change it. From now on, you should give me details about everything I should know of.'

As if feeling remorseful, the system took a deep breath before answering. ["I do... I do have to apologize for that kid. Right, this one would do so, as per your request."]

Knowing how prideful the system was, it apologizing was already sort of a big deal. Pierce didn't want to make things more complicated and accepted the apology easily.

'Still, I can't believe that I really pulled that off old man. My punches and movements were so awkward. Even after activating the skill, I thought, I will be done for.'

'But it's still thanks to you old man, you at least informed me of the skill in the nick of time. Thank goodness, it's enough for me to save my life. You also cheered me up, thanks for that. That sure helped a lot.' Pierce drew back his lips and made his most sincere smile.

He added. 'You know it was my first time punching someone as I was always the one to be punched. It just felt good inside. As if I somewhat vented all my frustrations on being bullied through the years. It might sound gross but really, thank you old man for coming into my life. You made such a thing possible.'

Pierce could heard the system coughing, ["That is my responsibility kid. No need for such compliments."]

'Oh really? Then I will keep those for myself and refrain from complimenting you from now on. I'm easy to talk to.' Pierce smirked.

Then he stood up and shook off the dust on his pants. While he was walking, heading home, he noticed the system not talking much.

'I know you're sort of being remorseful but, it is not so like you being an old man with a few words. Honestly, it doesn't suit you.'

'I already got you and you even surprisingly apologized so let's move on that.' Pierce said while wearing a friendly smile on his face.

["Alright. If that's what you want. This one will give you a good talking now."]

["I was actually~"]

But Pierce suspended the system, 'Oh, wait.' as he felt something vibrated in his pocket.

He added, 'Maybe prepare it for later gramps. I have a call to answer now. I am totally serious this time.'

From being cut off two times one could tell what the system might be feeling at that moment but Pierce could only comfort it later.

"Hello? Who's this please?" Pierce asked.

"This is Minerva, the secretary of the madam. Is this sir Pierce?"

Hearing the familiar voice, made Pierce a little happy and instantly be concerned of something.

"Yes it is ma'am." He answered.

"I have called to inform you that madam is alright without anything to worry about. Also, she told me to ask if it will be okay to meet you tomorrow."

Pierce subconsciously smiled, relieved after knowing that the grandma was totally fine.

"That's good to hear but if she would like to meet tomorrow..." He paused as if remembering something.

"Are you busy tomorrow? I could tell the madam to change date."

He subconsciously shook his head while still on the phone. "Ah, I am only not available in the morning since I have to go somewhere but I am free in the afternoon."

"Alright, I will surely tell madam sir Pierce. By the way, please don't call me ma'am. You can call me by my name, Minerva or anything you want."

For him, calling the woman simply Minerva, considering her seniority in age was definitely disrespectful. He thought of a more respectful one. "Can I call you auntie then?"

"Yes, you can sir." She agreed.

"But also stop calling me sir, Pierce will do auntie."

"Alright, then that is decided, Pierce."

He nodded. "That's actually better, auntie."

"We will fetch you tomorrow Pierce. I will just call you to know your location."

He shook his head. "That will be no need. I can just go there. Just message me the place."

"Fine then Pierce. I will just message you for the time and place. See you tomorrow then. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you too."

When the call ended, Pierce placed his phone back on his pocket. His lips were pressed into a wide smile. He was walking wearing that face without thinking of what would those passerby think of him.

Before he forgot, he this up to the system.

'You know what gramps, it seemed like everything is just in place. To think that I got a job before being interviewed for renting a room, feels so perfect. Now, I have something to guarantee the auntie.'

["Not to brag but that is of course because of me."]

'Wew, you clearly sound like a braggart right now gramps. It seemed like you haven't reflected on yourself at all.' He chuckled.

["You little wimp. You can't also deny this one's contribution. You have to admit it yourself."]

'Sorry for failing to realize that old man but I thought you didn't want compliments? Now you're sounding like a total hypocrite.' He laughed this time.

And that irritated the system, ["Stop rubbing salt to this wounded one you squirt! Impudent! After all the help I have given to you!"]

Suppressing his laughter, Pierce coughed a couple of times before he was able to compose himself. 'Oh, thank you old man. You are the greatest system I have ever known. I swear.' He then pressed his lips to form an obviously forced smile.

Pierce added while totally being serious this time. 'Anyway, just how does this job works? Does it works with just a snap of thought like the skill?'

["Well, it works just by you thinking of doing something related to the job. But compared to the skills, it doesn't have time duration. It is working passively. You can use it all day as it has a permanent passive effect."]

Then Pierce stopped walking as he was quite surprised by what the system did say. 'Wait, what do you mean by skills? I have another skill other than Gardener's hands?'

["Ah, yes."]

He could then hear the system coughing. In his mind, he could think of an old man who was caught red-handed. Who was coughing at the sides while avoiding his gaze.

"___" - Pierce.

'I am torned whether I should be grateful or be mad that you told me now system.'

The system just told him not to keep details to him from this day on and there was this. This important thing that was supposed to be immediately spilled.

'I think, you should be scolded old man. You like spouting trivial things while setting aside those of significance.'

["There are two more of them?"]

Pierce was took a deep breath. He not only disappointed but also quite irritated.

'If you only have a body, I want to choke you to death.' He thought.

'I know you'll say stupid as you can hear me but I did it intentionally.'

Hearing only silence from the system, Pierce gave in.

Pierce sighed since he couldn't do anything about having a very forgetful old man as his system. 'Now, you have to redeem yourself gramps. Tell me what the skill is all about."

The system coughed before saying, ["Kindly open your Status Screen and you can see it."] This time it sounded like someone proper and respectful.

Without further ado, Pierce said Stats to check it and he saw something new written below the [SKILLS] section. The system couldn't also be blamed for all of Pierce cluelessness since he could simply open the screen to check if something changed and he failed to do that.

He also felt quite guilty and chose to stop irking the system. Before fully checking ok the skills, Pierce said in his mind, 'I'm sorry for also relying so much on you old man. I will also try to check the Status Screen from now on.'

'Hey, why are you silent? Is my apology not accepted?'

["You are forgiven kid."]

'That's great that we're now good. Now, I can finally peacefully look on the skills that you almost forgot to mention. Oops, my bad.'

["You're really hitting on this one's nerve."]

Pierce acted as if astounded. 'You actually have a nerve? That's quite unbelievable.'

["YOU! I WILL TAKE BACK MY FORGIVENESS AND WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU UNTIL MY NEXT SLUMBER."]

But instead being scared, Pierce even looked happy. 'My true old system is back!'