The System

Several hours passed, and Eren slowly roused himself from his unconscious state.

As he lifted his head from the table, a sharp pain throbbed through his skull, leaving him bewildered and disoriented. He gingerly touched his aching head, his brows furrowing in discomfort.

"Why does my head hurt so much?" he muttered, his voice filled with the unmistakable strain of pain.

His mind began to piece together the fragments of memory, gradually recalling the events that had led to his current condition. A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes, causing them to twitch with a mix of surprise and apprehension.

"Could I have hacked the system?" he whispered, the words hanging in the air. But almost instantly, he shook his head vehemently, denying the possibility.

"No, that can't be true," he said, his voice tinged with doubt.

Yet, a nagging curiosity gnawed at him, urging him to explore the truth. He knew there was only one way to confirm his suspicions. Resolute, he made up his mind.

"I need to check," Eren declared, his voice filled with determination.

Part of him was excited by the possibility of having successfully hacked the system, and his curiosity urged him to verify the truth. He summoned the status screen, hoping to uncover the answers he sought.

The holographic display materialized before him, casting a soft blue glow in the dimly lit room.

[Host: Eren Whitaker]

[Age: 17]

[Talent: Hack]

[Rank: Level One]

[Quirk: Pain Resistance LV 1: The user possesses an increased pain threshold, allowing them to endure more severe injuries and prolonged suffering without succumbing to it. This ability enables them to continue fighting or functioning even in the face of intense pain.]

[Quirks available]

[ 0 skill points available]

[Quirk locked!!!]

Eren's brow furrowed in confusion as he fixated on the floating blue screen. The revelation of his pain resistance quirk had come as a shock, and he shook his head in disbelief.

His gaze scanned the screen, searching for more information, until his eyes landed on a particular option—a mode that piqued his interest.

"System, activate tutorial mode," Eren requested, his voice carrying a mix of eagerness and determination.

Almost instantly, a notification materialized on the screen, confirming the activation of tutorial mode. Eren's anticipation grew, his focus now unwavering.

The first message appeared:

[Tutorial mode is now activated]

[Host: This refers to the user's identity]

[Age: This indicates the current age of the user]

However, before the next notification could appear, Eren interrupted with a request. His voice resonated with a sense of familiarity and impatience.

"Skip, please. I'm already familiar with those details. Start from the talent," he urged.

The screen complied, displaying the next piece of information:

[Talent: Hack: The ability to "hack" and permanently acquire the abilities or superpowers of other individuals. Additionally, the user gains new abilities or enhancements based on their experiences or the events they encounter]

Eren absorbed the words, his mind racing with the implications of his newfound talent. He voiced his thoughts aloud, a hint of skepticism coloring his words.

"So, let me get this straight," he began, his tone cautious. "I have to wait for someone to use their quirk on me, like getting burnt or even roasted, in order to acquire the flame quirk?"

A response materialized on the floating screen, shedding light on the process.

[Yes. Upon the initial exposure to a quirk, the host would only sustain fifty percent of its damage. However, any subsequent damage incurred would be borne entirely by the host.]

Eren absorbed this information, his mind grappling with the potential risks and sacrifices involved. Despite his reservations, a smile crept across his face.

"Okay, as long as I don't meet my demise, it's a small price to pay for salvation," he remarked, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

The screen continued to unveil more knowledge, revealing the versatility of the system.

[The host can also acquire abilities by experiencing events that occur around them. For example, when the host experienced an excruciating amount of pain earlier, he acquired pain resistance ability]

Eren's eyes widened in astonishment as he read the new message.

"That's truly remarkable," he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

The prospect of gaining powers through personal experiences opened up a world of possibilities, fueling his excitement and curiosity.

The screen didn't stop there, offering further insights into the system's capabilities.

[Additionally, the host can purchase quirks from the system's inventory using skill points.]

Eren's excitement reached a crescendo as he absorbed this valuable information. Unable to contain his enthusiasm, he eagerly inquired about acquiring skill points.

"And how can I obtain these skill points?" he asked, his voice brimming with anticipation.

The screen promptly responded, sharing the means to acquire skill points.

[Skill points can be obtained through monetary transactions. By offering money to the system, the host receives skill points, which can be used to level up quirks, increase ranks, or even purchase additional quirks.]

Eren's expression was one of shock and disbelief as he read the message on the hovering screen. The idea of leveling up quirks or even purchasing new ones was unheard of, and yet, here he was, with the ability to do just that. It was a power that set him apart from others, and he could feel his excitement building with each passing moment.

As he delved deeper into the tutorial guide of the system, Eren asked questions whenever he felt unsure, determined to gain as much knowledge as possible. He knew that having an understanding of the system was the key to unlocking its full potential.

With his hack talent, Eren had the unique ability to level up quirks and even acquire new ones by offering the system monetary compensation. The thought of having such power at his fingertips made his heart race with anticipation. He knew that with this advantage, he could achieve great things.

After rummaging around his house, Eren found a stash of cash that he had saved up over the years. He had originally intended to use it for something else once his quirk had awakened, but his plans had changed. Now, he was ready to put that money to good use.

As he placed the stack of cash on the table, Eren eagerly inquired about the amount of skill points he could acquire. His voice was filled with excitement, and he could feel his heart racing with anticipation.

"How many skill points can I get with this?" he asked.

The system responded promptly, providing him with an estimate of the number of skill points he could acquire.

[An estimated $4,835... An estimate skill points of 81]

[$60 is the equivalent of one skill point]

Eren nodded, his mind already doing the math. He couldn't help but feel grateful that the system had even rounded the estimate for him.

Eren's eyes sparkled with eager anticipation as he addressed the system. "Now, I implore you to unveil the mysterious inventory before me. Show me the marvels and wonders that lie within, the extraordinary quirks that I may acquire," he requested, a radiant smile gracing his face.

[You are currently unable to acquire any quirks at the moment]

Confusion clouded Eren's features as he furrowed his brow. "Why is that?" he asked, a tinge of disappointment seeping into his voice.

[Your skill points are currently insufficient] the system explained matter-of-factly.

Eren's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly shook off the disappointment, determined not to let it dampen his spirits. "Very well, then. Show me the quirks that are available to me with the skill points I have," he requested with renewed optimism.

As if responding to his plea, the screen before him instantaneously transformed, unveiling a tantalizing array of options.

[Fire quirk: 200 skill points]

[Water quirk: 200 skill points]

[Earth quirk: 200 skill points]

[Air quirk: 200 skill points]

Eren's once bright smile faded into a crestfallen expression. He absentmindedly scratched his head, his disappointment evident. "Oh man, I'm just a poor hacker. It seems I can't afford any of these quirks," he lamented, his voice tinged with a touch of resignation.

But just as despair threatened to settle in, a flicker of realization brightened Eren's eyes. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he spoke up with renewed vigor. "Wait a minute... didn't the tutorial guide mention something about a discount for the first purchase?" he inquired, a glimmer of hope rekindling within him.

[Indeed]

Eren's smile returned, wider than ever, as excitement coursed through his veins. "Ah, that's fantastic news! Will the discounted price be enough for me to acquire one of these incredible quirks? Perhaps even two?" he queried, his voice brimming with anticipation.

[One]

Eren placed his hand on his chin, deep in thought. After a few moments of contemplation, he confidently declared, "I choose the air quirk."

Almost immediately, the stack of cash on the table disappeared, leaving Eren feeling a sense of anticipation and excitement for the new ability he was about to acquire.

[Quirk: Air hack LV1: The power to manipulate air molecules, airflow, and atmospheric pressure to varying degrees. This includes creating gusts of wind, generating powerful air blasts, manipulating air currents, creating whirlwinds or tornadoes, or even controlling the density of the air]

Eren took a deep breath, his expression becoming focused as the smile faded from his face. With determination, he extended his hand, activating his newly acquired quirk, Air Hack LV1. He concentrated on the papers scattered on the table before him.

An invisible force began to emanate from his palm, manipulating the air molecules around him. A gentle breeze transformed into a powerful gust, sweeping across the table. The papers lifted off the surface and gracefully danced through the air, eventually finding their place on the floor. Eren's face lit up with delight, a wide smile spreading across his features.

"Now more than ever, I need money," Eren said, his voice filled with newfound determination. "The range and control is good for now, but its limitations will become apparent sooner or later."

He contemplated his next move, his mind already strategizing. "If I can earn enough money by hunting and selling monster materials, I'll be able to enhance my quirk." The mere thought of improving his air manipulation abilities brought a deep sense of satisfaction to Eren's face.

In this era, where monsters roamed freely, conventional means of earning a living had become obsolete. The path to wealth and prosperity lay in slaying monsters and ascending through the ranks.

Without hesitation, Eren sprang into action. He quickly freshened up with a shower, satiated his hunger with a hearty meal, and armed himself with a trusty cutlass from his house. Determined to embark on his new journey, he left the confines of the city behind, ready to face the challenges that awaited him.