1. Powers!? (Edited)

I can't seem to enjoy life; the stimulation in this world just isn't enough. Whether it's the brainrot from TikTok or YouTube, I desire more. I yearn for an adventure in a magical world, or to wield powers and bully others. I've dreamt of chasing small dwarves, even eating them. I often wonder what they'd taste like in reality, especially mermaids. I wish for the powers of the main character from In/Spectre. Sometimes, I've wished for a girlfriend, but soon find it boring. What is it that I truly desire? Can I really achieve it? Where can I find it? I need to understand what it is. But alas, it's difficult; if it weren't, I wouldn't be in this internal crisis. I feel so hollow inside.

This is me; my desires are random, and my emotions change quickly. Instead of trying to change it I should embrace it, because that is what being human all about.

Life sucks, and that's a fact. Before I forget, let me introduce myself. I am Daniel Villanueva, an 18-year-old high school student from the Philippines. Living here is tough, with corrupt politicians, jeepneys that sound like they're having seizures and emit black smoke as if telling climate change to go to hell, the f*cking unbearable heat; the air that feels like you are suffocating because of the heat, and of course, China. May I welcome you to the Philippines.

Today, I'm in the middle of a calculus test, and my thoughts are wandering. 'Skibidi dom dom, yes yes, skibi dom dom bri bri, sticking out your gy-' "Fu-" I almost swear. Man, the brainrot is really affecting me. Anyway, let's focus on the test.

--Dismissal--

After arriving home, I turned on my PC, watched YouTube, sometimes encountering brainrot, read manhwa, manga, and of course, novels. After a few hours, I checked the time; it was 8:15. 'It's already 8:15; let's shut down the PC.' After shutting it down, I got into bed, lay down, and used my phone until I felt sleepy, then slept. I usually get sleepy around 9 or sometimes even earlier. You might think I'm sleeping too early, but ever since I experienced that painful headache/migraine from pulling all-nighters, I've avoided them like they're a dangerous plague. Back during the pandemic, who can blame me? You know how it was during the pandemic; the only stimulation you could get was from the internet. And, you know, the internet is the land of brainrot. But since my mom arrived home late today and she cooked the meals, I waited for her, when she arrive I greats her with "Mom, I'm hungry," I said, tapping my belly. "Son, I'm tired; cook your own food," she replied, sounding exhausted. "Ok..." 'Sigh, I guess I'll cook; it's such a hassle.' I left the computer and went to the kitchen, deciding to cook sunny-side-up eggs since they're easy to make and eggs are my favorite food.

First I place the pan and turn on the heat, second I pour cooking oil, third I waited for the pan to heat and place the egg, fourth I toss the oil above the egg to cook it and also its yellow. I put the egg in a plate, and also put rice on it. I then seasoned the egg with salt, always doing so last because I'm afraid of oil splattering onto my hand. 

--The Next Day--

The sky was dark, and some people were still sleeping, but the main character was already awake.

----MC POV----

'What time is it?' Grabbing my phone, I checked the time; it was still 4:24 AM. I got up, went to the kitchen, and started to cook rice; Filipinos love rice. First, I decided to cook four cups. Second, I washed the rice, drained the water, third, I added four and a half cups of water, and fourth, I put the rice cooker on and made sure to switch it to cook. I've forgotten that step before and got scolded for it. After that, I headed straight to my PC, but the whole time, I didn't notice a tattoo on my neck. Pic(1)

--5:30--

"Mom! Wake up; it's already 5, wake up!"

Shouting, I tried to rouse my mom.

"Haug~... Ok... 😴🥱" My mom replied, slowly getting up. Then she suddenly exclaimed, "When did you get a tattoo!? 😱" "Huh?... Where's the tattoo?" I questioned. "On your neck! Here, check it," she said, handing me a mirror. "Wow, looks sick 😂, though I might get kicked out of school because of this 🤔." "But how did I suddenly have a tattoo, though? Mom, did you notice me having a tattoo yesterday?" I asked. "No... I did not. How did this happen?" she answered.

I pressed the tattoo, and it suddenly glowed, revealing an interface like a system before my eyes. What I saw seemed to be the stimulation I had been craving: power. My eyes widened my mouth curving into smile 😃. "This emotion, yes!... this is it!... My precious!😈 " I suddenly exclaimed like a madman a edgy one (cringe). Mom slapped my head to exorcise the edgy shit out of me "Wtf are you shouting?! Huh?...". Anyways, changing my attention to the system interface.

Status

- Daniel Villanueva

- Age: 18

- Awakened Powers

- Time Manipulation

- Lifespan Manipulation

- Martial Arts Talent

- All energy Talent

- Dimentional Travel

"Mom, I think I've awakened some powers." "Who are you fooling? Me, of all people, your mother? 😒" She replied, clearly not believing me.

I then moved much faster than normal. $Time Acceleration: 2x$ "Woohoo~ Yessir, I have powers 😝😎," I cheered.

Suddenly, I stopped and started to stare at my mother, using $Lifespan Eyes$.

Lifespan

- Christine Villanueva

- Age: 45

- Lifespan Left: 40 years, 4 months, 5 days, 20 minutes

My mouth formed an "O" shape 😮. Then I smirked 😏, which didn't go unnoticed by my mother.

"Hey, son, why did you suddenly stop? And what's with that smirk? Are you thinking some bad things? 🤨😟" she asked, looking worried.

I just smirked again and started to rub my chin 🤔. A plan had already started to form in my head. I would make a—

----------------------------------------------------------

Man this shit is hard anyways bye.