Chapter 2: Mercenary System

Leo blinked a few times, reality blurring at the edges. "This can't be real," he muttered, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "A system? Me? Nah, just some weird post-shooting hallucination."

He reached out a hand to brush away the holographic display, but it remained stubbornly in place.

[Welcome to the Mercenary System.]

"Okay, maybe I'm losing it," he said, a touch of hysteria creeping into his voice. He scrubbed at his eyes, willing the screen to disappear. It remained, mockingly real.

[Host, this system is genuine and I offer a contract.]

Leo roared, a primal sound of frustration. "Host? Contract? I ain't interested in any of that! Shove your system where the sun doesn't shine!"

He stormed off, retreating to the familiar comfort of his bed. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to wake up from this bizarre nightmare.

The blue screen persisted, a constant reminder of his unwelcome guest.

[Mr. Leo, at least consider my explanation.]

Silence. Leo stewed, his mind racing. Maybe ignoring it would make it go away.

[...]

The silence stretched, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioning. Finally, Leo relented with a sigh.

"Fine," he grumbled. "Spit it out. What's your deal?"

[Thank you for your cooperation. After scouring a hundred 'Mundane Worlds,' you emerged as the ideal candidate for the Mercenary System. With this system, you'll embark on journeys to other realities. We're talking fictional worlds, anything goes!]

"Hold up," Leo interjected, cutting off the system's enthusiastic spiel. "No thanks. Not interested."

[But—]

"But nothing!" Leo shot back, glaring at the screen. "Traveling to different worlds? Meeting fictional characters? Sounds like a dream come true, right? Wrong! J-freaking-Titan is my author! He'll twist this into a living hell faster than you can say 'power-up!'"

Leo understood the appeal. In his past life, he devoured stories of isekai adventures. But his life had been more akin to Subaru's suffering from Re:Zero, minus the constant death loop. He had messed up big-time, and this system wouldn't change that. It would only amplify his troubles.

[Please refrain from damaging the 4th wall. Besides, there are perks! You'll gain incredible abilities, meet gorgeous women...]

A flicker of interest crossed Leo's face at the mention of women, but he extinguished it as quickly as it arose. "

Women? Seriously? You think I'd risk my life for some pairs of tits and pussies? If I couldn't snag one here, what makes you think another universe would be any different?"

His history with women was a disaster zone, and the recent Karen encounter only solidified his resolve. They were nothing but trouble. It was only his rare condition, a body that constantly exuded pheromones that kept him in the game at all. Without it, he'd have given up on romance long ago.

Leo's patience snapped. "That's it!" he roared, his voice echoing in the vastness of his room. "I said no system! Besides, who even creates these things anyway, and what's the point?"

Before the system could launch into another explanation, Leo's hand reached out and swiped at the holographic screen, dismissing it like an unwanted notification. He stalked over to the mirror, his anger simmering. With a flick of his wrist, his designer coat and tailored shirt fell to the floor.

He ran a hand down his left arm, the coolness of metal meeting his touch where flesh and bone should have been. Reaching up, he tapped the smooth, sightless surface that replaced his right eye. No pain. Just an empty void.

These were the "screw-ups" the Leo kept harping on about. Not just the recklessness that had cost him an eye and an arm, but the twisted path it had steered him down. This was supposed to be his redemption arc, a chance to rise above his mistakes. But Leo was done with that narrative.

Then, a flicker on the edge of his vision. The holographic screen rematerialized, a digital sigh escaping from its pixelated form.

[You can regain your arm and eye. Your bad luck can be erased.]

Leo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. With a swipe, he brought the screen back into focus.

"Alright, alright," he conceded. "You got my attention. I understand different worlds exist, fictional universes and all that. Now spill it. What's your real purpose? What kind of perks are we talking about? If this offer benefits me enough, maybe we can talk contract."

[As you seem familiar with fictional worlds, you might also be aware of fan fiction – worlds created by… well, fans. And please, refrain from further architectural modifications.]

Leo blinked, eyebrows raised. "Fanfiction? So, worlds created by other readers? Wait, but those stories are mostly unfinished, right?"

[Precisely. These incomplete stories shouldn't exist. They create inconsistencies within the Multiverse. There's a problem, you see…]

The system paused for a beat, its text flickering momentarily.

[There's a certain mage who dabbles in… unorthodox timelines.]

Leo snorted, a spark of recognition igniting in his eyes. "That old coot, Zelretch, the Kaleidoscope F**ker, isn't he?" As a self-proclaimed Type-Moon fanatic, Leo recognized the culprit instantly. The Kaleidoscope wielder was notorious for his meddling.

[That information is… irrelevant. What matters is that your Multiverse has caught the attention of Outer Gods. These beings reside beyond the realm of imagination, existing outside the boundaries of fiction. Normally, they wouldn't be able to touch fictional worlds. But thanks to our meddling friend's interference, they've become aware of the fragile fanfiction worlds.]

A sardonic chuckle escaped Leo's lips. "Fanfiction worlds? But you just said they couldn't exist on their own."

[Correct. They flicker into existence as singularities, minor blips forgotten almost as soon as they're born. But now that the Outer Gods are aware of this method, they've grasped how to exploit it. They can choose a random soul from a universe and reincarnate them into a fictional world – one they've already become aware of.]

Leo's eyes narrowed. "So, some poor schmuck from this world could die and wake up in an anime? Talk about a messed up afterlife."

[For the moment, this universe hasn't piqued their interest. But similar universes, devoid of magic or the extraordinary, are fair game. That's why I've chosen you from this Earth.]

Leo gestured for it to continue.

[These reincarnated individuals are usually gifted with a specific ability or system, tools to empower them and fulfill their desires. However, what they don't know is that they're mere pawns – parasites planted to weaken the world's boundaries, making it easier for the Outer Gods to breach and exploit it for their own purposes.]

Leo held up a hand, interrupting the system's hurried explanation. "Hold on a second. This whole setup sounds awfully familiar. Reincarnated with an ability and a system – what's the difference between me and them?"

He couldn't wrap his head around the irony. Here he was, a reincarnated individual with a system, tasked with eliminating others who fit the exact same description.

[There is a key distinction. The Outer Gods have no interest in mundane worlds like this one, devoid of supernatural energy like chakra, ki, or magic. That's why your world remains off their radar. As for me, I am a system created with a singular purpose – to eliminate these anomalies, these parasites, and ultimately push back the encroaching threat of the Outer Gods.]

A small smile tugged at the corner of Leo's lips. "Still doesn't explain why I have to be the one running errands across dimensions. I'm comfortable here."

[While true, consider your own ability. Don't you possess a supernatural power in this world devoid of such things? What if others begin to develop similar abilities? This world may be safe now, but can you guarantee the future?]

Leo's smile faltered. He'd devoured mountains of those "Solo Leveling" wannabes, power fantasy manhwa where the world suddenly flipped into a game-like reality. The implications were unsettling. His world could very well follow suit, and soon.

"So, what's my role in all this?" he finally asked, a newfound seriousness threading his voice.

[Simple. You become a trans-dimensional assassin. You'll travel to different worlds, eliminate these parasites before the Outer Gods can establish a foothold, and safeguard the integrity of this Multiverse.]