Chapter 2: The System
The next day, I rested on the balcony of my condominium, leisurely sipping a cup of coffee. Enjoying the warm liquid, I thought how long it had been since I lost my memory. I recalled the life of Shayne's and his life as a corporate slave, which was infamously called "corpo." Everything had changed now. I aimed in leading a different life. With my newfound abilities, I planned to use for my advancement in this fast-paced and technologically advanced world.
Flying cars were not widespread despite of it's appearance in television. The hype of these futuristic vehicles is impractical. Despite the myths created ages ago, I couldn't help but observe the contradicting nature of technology. Fascinating to the eye but absurd in practice.
As a demon lord and an elven immortal, this provided me a unique view of the denizens of this realm. I understood why these beings, with their short-lives, found solace with technological marvels. It's like compensating their irrelevant existence for their amazement with the extraordinary. In this ever evolving world, I wonder how would my supernatural abilities fare and contribute in shaping it.
My memories as Elios and Shayne brought a harmonious merge between two identities. This fusion allowed me to learn from Shayne's experience. Despite having some of my memory erased, I still remembered who I was. I did not consider the gaps a handicap. It's an opportunity of a potential that may serve me best when I confront the deity responsible of my current state.
Thinking of a strategy to rule this realm, I decided to use my magical abilities as a demonstration for their compliance. The question was: what kind of magic may cause fear to these vulnerable beings? Summoning a lightning may be insufficient with their knowledge in science. Calling a meteor strike also crossed my mind, but with my realm uninhabitable, there's nothing left to rule. However, I decided those actions were impractical as the results were not worth it.
Rather than using fear through force, it would be wiser to use a strategic approach. The use of intimidation through reason would be effective. It was the best way to make these beings understand that I was the most powerful being in the realm. A rampage is out of the question, for it may attract the attention of law enforcement and the military. With such state, I was not yet strong enough to deal with them. Patience was my ally. I needed to strengthen myself and improve my abilities to shift the odds to my favor.
Testing my abilities, I tried to manipulate objects with my mind. I focused my thoughts on the pen resting on the table. It rattled in response to the force of my telekinetic abilities. I attempted to make it hover in the air, but cut short as my concentration waned. Undeterred, I tried again and managed to make it float ten centimeters above the table.
"Not good enough!" I sighed in disappointment in my face. Frustrated with my current state, I was a far cry compared to my godlike existence.
"How the mighty has fallen." I conceded, realizing the limitations I had with my abilities. I went to bed feeling the mixture of determination and exhaustion from my practice earlier. I wished to make the entity responsible for my current state pay for what it did.
My thoughts caught up with my as I lie on my bed. I wanted to make the being responsible for my demise responsible. However, reality was rather cruel. It shown my weakness in strength and abilities, not enough to challenge a deity. In my current state, I can only hope to tickle a god.
I rose from the bed and approached the refrigerator to distract myself from my disappointment. I found different bottles of beverages, milk, fruit juices, wine and a mysterious drink I labeled as "blood juice." Looking closer, it was only cranberry juice as described on its label. I felt somewhat disappointed. Nevertheless, I poured the liquid from the bottle to the glass, its crimson color enticed me. The refreshing taste calmed my frustration as I sipped from the glass. It momentarily diverted my thoughts filled with worrying about the uncertainties ahead.
The satisfying flavor or the cranberry juice helped me marvel at the ingenuity of humanity. Whoever invented this beverage deserved my praise. Despite of the additives which I faintly taste, this drink managed to emulate the flavor of the real thing. The unique taste, despite of its peculiarity, didn't hinder my enjoyment.
As an attempt in amusing myself, I decided to test my telekinetic abilities once more. I concentrated once more on the glass from the table and successfully lifted it with my telekinesis. All of a sudden, sharp pain suddenly pierced my head, annoying me. I felt angry, suffering from the unusual sensation. I began to question the motive of the gods or the god for the experience. They wouldn't be so inconsiderate to subject me to such inconvenience without a reason!
A sudden flash caught my attention, and my sight was overwhelmed with the display of my vital statistics. This unexpected event caught my attention. I wondered what it was.
"What's this?" I asked myself aloud, curious by the mysterious revelation of information about myself. The unexpected display added intrigue made me want to discover what the display was about.
Vital Statistics!
Heart rate - 110/80
Body Fat - 14%
BMI - Normal
Height - 5'9"
Weight - 155 lbs
The sudden disappearance of the vital statistics baffled me. I opened my eyes wide and attempted to recreate the image. My efforts proved futile as the display did not reappear. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Thinking I may just have been seeing things. To clear up my thoughts, I decided to head back to the refrigerator, taking a refreshing glass of water.
After closing the fridge, the system reappeared, catching me off guard. It asked a question, which made me curious about the mysterious phenomenon. With a mixture of curiosity and a bit of fear, I prepared to interact with the system, uncertain of what will be the result.
Would you like to see your Stats? [Y/N]
"Yes!" I replied.
The system again displayed in front of me. I had to make sure I was the only one who had seen it. Grabbing a cell phone, I took a picture in front of me to see if it can record what I saw. The system did not appear in the screen. It made me sigh in relief, and interacted with it.
Name: Shayne McLane
Age: 29
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Status: Awakened
Fitness Status: Physically Fit
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Here are your attributes!
Strength: 5/10
Agility: 7/10
Vitality: 8/10
Dexterity: 6/10
Intelligence: 9/10
Endurance: 6/10
Focus: 7/10
Ability Unlocked
Slot 1: Telekinesis (Limited) (Costs: 0 Focus Points. No cooldown.)
Slot 2: N/A
Slot 3: N/A
Passive: Rapid Regeneration (No focus points used in activation. 1-minute cooldown.)
Auxillary/Summon: Gretos the Giant (costs 15 focus points on summoning. 45-second duration of summon. 1 minute cooldown after the duration of summon.)
Total Focus points remaining [35/35]
[User is under restrictions!]
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Would you like to stay longer? [Y/N]
I replied "No" to the system.
As the system disappeared, I was confused with what it meant. I decided to find peace in my bedroom to clear my thoughts. Reflecting on what I saw, it obviously states that my strength statistics was low. It's the result of my sedentary office life. Even momentary sessions in the gym couldn't improve the chances of its increase. It reminded me that exercise equipment was not enough. Real life experience is the key to strengthen myself and improve my abilities.
Turning my attention to the limited ability slots, I contemplated the potential of its usage. Telekinesis was my primary ability, a power that had many uses but is weak at its current state. As I continued to explore the system, I saw a glimmer of hope. There was a chance that my telekinetic abilities would improve.
Another option of the system was the ability to summon. My eyes focused on the function of calling the formidable giant. Gretos was the name, its stats looked good. The question lies on the practicality where I was concerned when summoning Gretos it would require a lot of focus. It may render multitasking impossible.
Recognizing to improve my new abilities, I dedicated my entire afternoon for my practice on telekinesis. I trained by manipulating objects through my mind, every breakthrough was a step towards my mastery. I continued to train as I forced myself beyond my mental and physical limits. Exhaustion finally claimed me and made me succumb to my needed rest. My journey in understanding the system and unlocking its full potential had just began. I was more determined this time..
"Elios!" A voice, familiar yet unsettling, called out to me. "Can you hear me?"
The voice of the being that called me echoed in my mind. I realized it was that omnipotent being calling me. I believed that he was responsible for my summoning.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" I demanded, skepticism lacing my words.
"I am the one who is responsible for summoning you here!" the voice replied, revealing itself as the architect of my current predicament.
Suddenly, I found myself awake in the premises of the ruins of a temple. Before me stood nine unfamiliar figures, one of them who claimed responsibility of my summoning appeared. He called himself the All-Father. The godly pantheon materialized before me. Each figure embodied a divine presence.
"You seem to forget the first time you landed in our halls. Call me All Father, by the way," the proud deity declared.
Amused by being summoned by a weak pantheon of gods, I couldn't help but laugh at them mockingly, "You jest, there's no way that you could have... HAHAHAHA!" My laughter echoed in the ruins of the temple.
Undeterred, the confident All-Father smiled and responded at my jeers, "Couldn't believe it? That you lost to us?" He said and revealed a stolen memory, the final battle between my servants and his mighty pantheon. Seeing the vision of my defeat, I was silenced and humbled.
"This!?" The sight of my past defeat fueled a surge of anger, causing me to grind my teeth.
"You are in no position to brag. Remember, you are at our mercy now!" The All Father's words stung, reminding me of my present vulnerability.
Humiliated, I acknowledged the harsh reality. My arrogance had led me to my untimely demise at the hands of the gods. It was rather best to pretend surrender and fight the other day.
"I give up!" I declared, raising my arms in a gesture of surrender.
The All Father's smile revealed a sense of satisfaction. "Good! For the time being, I would like to make you do tasks to ensure that you wholeheartedly accept this proposal."
"What proposal?" I questioned, seeking clarity.
"In time, I will tell you. Seeing that you are weak as of now, I have no use for you," the All-Father replied dismissively, concluding our conversation.
As I returned to my senses, I glanced at the alarm clock. I found out that it was still ten in the evening. The memory of my encounter lingered in my head and caused me a lot of frustration. "Calling yourself the All-Father? How fancy!" I retorted, feeling annoyed of my weakened state. I wanted to restore my old powers to teach these pantheon a lesson. Upon defeating them, I will reshape this world as I wanted. No one will be able to stop me!