The Only Player Remaining

It is not the same. Not the same! And honestly, I do not know what to think of it. The Quest is still the same from what I can tell from the text, but how to complete it is different. Completely different!

Jessica has managed to prove herself to the System without needing to kill a single monster. That does not make sense, considering that everyone has to kill a specific number of undead to gain a class… or profession. There are no undead here in the Life Zone, however. Only…

Once the notification of her achievements vanishes, a golden aura envelops Jessica, alarming her. She immediately calls out. "What is happening!? What is happening!?"

"Calm down, Jessica," I response and reach her side. "It is not dangerous. You are just being awarded by the System for your effort. It is actually a good thing."

Hearing my words, Jessica calms down, and the aura becomes even brighter. So bright that she closes her eyes and waits for it to end. It eventually does, and a new window appears before her eyes. Before all of our eyes too, as we can see the System Window clearly.

[Congratulation. You have gained a Skill: Restore.]

Once more, I am surprised. This is different too. She should have gained a class instead of a skill like I had, but then again, I had to risk my life to kill a lot of undead. A class (or profession) is far better than a single skill, considering that I gain lots and lots of Skills and Abilities from my… wait, skills? Not ability, but skills? Skill does not level up or rank up!

What is going on? This is a really poor reward!

I just notice that the System Window before Jessica is of a different design. From the borders to color schemes. It is as if this is a completely different System… that cannot be, right?

"Statistic. Number of Players," I request under my breath, and a System Window appears before me.

[1]

"…" I am speechless. Utterly speechless. Even if Jessica is the first person to gain the acknowledgement from the System, it should have been 2 players in total, for I am also a player. Maybe I am not counted since I have not proven myself yet.

I dismiss the window before paying my attention back to Jessica like everyone else. Alex is super hyped up, as he wants to gain a reward.

"Can you open your status window, Jessica?" I request. "Just think about it and say status."

Jessica nods and repeats after me. She also has to have the intention of opening her status otherwise, it is just a word. And the moment that she does, her status window appear.

And once more, I am surprised. It is completely different from my status window, and that alone tells me that this is a completely different System. A new iteration? Designed to allow others to gain power easier? Or maybe the old system – my current System – is riddle with bugs?

It should not allow me to kill a Ruler, as they are said to be the creator of the System.

Whichever the case, it is huge. It is also depressing, as I am the only remaining player left. There used to be thousands of players, but the number of players dwindles until only I remain standing. Even now, in a new time line, I feel so alone.