System Update

[Updated Completed.]

Lin Wu slowly opened his eyes.

He could feel the softness of the mattress supporting from under.

'Did I... get put back in the bed?'

Was the System that nice that it'd bring him to the bed while it upgraded itself?

'No.' He shook his head.

It wasn't that the System wasn't nice, it was just that it's 'impossible' for it to do so. The System, as almighty as it may seem, is still 'under' the Goddess(s), and perhaps more as Lin Wu isn't too knowledgable on the higher divinities.

So it simply wasn't possible for the System to act under an update.

From Lin Wu's eyes, he can see the user interface with the exclamation marker in the corner, signifying that there is a notification to be read.

[Current Patch: Combat-Type System v.623-02-08.]

Admittedly, Lin Wu never focused too much on the update number, just how long had the Systems been going on for?

'This had better be good...'

He had lost 6 days of preparation for the tournament! He could've... browsed Voutube... Or play League of Heroes... Or... do nothing...

'This makes me sound like a lazy and boring character... Whatever, we'll find out during the tournament.'

'Expand on the updates!'

[New Features:]

[Proficiency System (Combat-Related Skills Only.)]

["Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. The System beats both without trying."]

[As the host performs more of the same action, their proficiency in certain actions and/or skills become higher. Alternatively, the host can purchase proficiency via the System Shop. In ascending order, the proficiencies are titled as Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Adept, Master, Grandmaster. ]

'Just what exactly is the point of the Proficiency System? Isn't it a fancy way to gauge progress? The purchasing proficiency part is cool though...'

[Gacha System (Combat-Related Pulls Only.)]

["A life without risks is not life at all, it's nothing."]

[The host can now access the Gacha System that had once been limited to the General-Purpose-Type System and Support-Type System. Using tickets purchased/rewarded by the System, the host can pull Combat-Related skills/items to further their growth. Tickets are ranked accordingly: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. Some tickets are specific to a category to limit the massive pool of possible pulls, examples include Ninjutsu-Ticket, Bloodline-Ticket, Pet-Ticket, etc.]

[Note: The host can also pull skills/items with detrimental effects.]

'T-This is the famed Gacha?!' But immediately reading that it can pull skills or items with detrimental effects, his excitement dropped down a notch...

'What if I pull someone's panties? Then wouldn't that make me a criminal? Wait, it did specify Combat-Related ones only... But who's interpretation is that up to? Him? The System? The divinities above the System?

'Guess I'll find out...'

[Vows and Limitations]

["The Law of Equivalent Exchange."]

[The host can now self-impose restrictions on themselves or their skills in exchange for a skill(s) to be enhanced. Examples of such 'contracts' include: "I will only use (Sharingan) for copying ninjutsu", "My (Gluttony) skill can only be used on human flesh", "I will sacrifice my sense of touch", "I will cripple myself after this fight," to more conceptual vows such as "I will exchange my emotions", or even "I will sacrifice my future." The strengthening of one's skills are relative to the host's self-imposed vows/limitations.]

[Note: Once the vows/limitations are activated, they will be permanent.]

'Isn't this the Hunter x Hunter vow/limitation system?! I can see why they decided to add it as a feature though.'

This feature essentially allowed him to make 'promises' or 'sacrifices' with himself so that he could be stronger in return. Interestingly enough, it doesn't just 'enhance' a skill as it can also 'evolve' the skill. For example, something 'enhancing' makes it sound it a basic Agility +1 becomes an Agility +2, but in actuality, it might become Agility +2 and for the next 10 seconds, the user can also use the Body Flicker Technique from Naruto.

There was a certain amount of 'randomness' to the enhancement, but generally speaking, it is always better in one way or another.

The next feature made his eyes widen.

'This...'

[Autopilot Mode (ver. Combat-Type System]

["Tonight... The System joins the hunt."]

[Passive: When deemed in mortal danger by the System (whether or not it is active or dormant), forceful possession of the body by the System will occur. Upon possession, the System can access all of the host's Item Points, Skill Points, Items and use them (in conjunction) with the host's body in the most optimized and efficient manner possible to ensure the host's survival.]

[Note: The System is not responsible for its actions during Autopilot.]

[End of Patch Notes.]

[Calculating maintenance compensation via the host's situation before maintenance...]

[You've received:]

[1x Platinum Ticket]

[20,000 Item Points]

[5,000 Skill Points]

[You've received mail!]

"Huh, mail?"

[To: Lin Wu]

[From: Enrico Pucci]

[Subject: Update]

[You've finally woken up Lin Wu, that is great news. I hope the upgrade to your System is as wondrous as it was to mine. I'd assume it's more considering you've slept for 3 days longer than me. We can now use the Messaging System! I suggest you immediately prepare yourself for the tournament tomorrow, you're due at 1:00 PM. As for your opponent... I'll let you see it for yourself when you're there. I've also signed you under the pseudonym "Night Rabbit." However, your pseudonym is only for the human-world since you are now officially tied to the Church, and by proxy the Angels. The Three Factions are required to reveal the names of their participants to ensure that this is a fair contest, so when contesting against someone from the Three Factions, they'd know your true identity. It doesn't matter too much in the long-run. I've also attached an item in this message, you'll find it useful for your current predicament. I pulled it from the Gacha System using the silver-ticket I was rewarded with, do treat it well.]

Lin Wu grimaced.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

'At least being on the Angel faction allows me to appear more easily in the public.'

Lin Wu brought out his left hand, a moment later something phased into existence and dropped right on top of it.

His brows furrowed at the sight of plain white porcelain mask.

[Mask of a Hundred Manifestations]

[High Silver Equipment]

["You can pretend to be anyone, but you're always yourself."]

[Crafted by the artisan (REDACTED) using the Beyonder Characteristics of a 'Faceless.' Once the user puts on the mask, the user only needs to imagine the person they want to change into, and after 10 seconds their body shape and their face will completely become that of the imagined person. After an hour, the change will no longer be external, but also that of the internal. The user will lose their sense of self and start to act more and more like the person they changed into. After 5 hours, the change is permanent.]

[Note inscribed by Enrico Pucci: You can also choose to keep the mask on and only have the body change if you choose that then the negative effects will take twice as long to manifest. Make sure to take it off whenever possible so that you never incur the negative effects.]

"Wait, this sounds familiar!"

Before Lin Wu could fiddle around with the mask some more, another notification popped up.

[You've received new quests!]

[Available Quest]

[(1) Rising Star]

[Under the watchful eye of ten million watchers, defeat someone much stronger than you.]

[Reward: Depending on performance, anywhere from a Silver-level Skill/Item to a Diamond-level Skill and/or Item.]

[(2) Rivals(?)]

[Compete against the Blessed of the opposing Goddess and win.]

[Reward: Diamond-level Skill, Item, and special Location.]

[Penalty for Failure: (HIGHER LEVEL OF ACCESS REQUIRED)]

'Huh?!'

"There's no 'depending on performance' clause? So as long as I can win I'd be rewarded with Diamond-level stuff?! What's the special location though?"

[A area that had been blessed by a deity. For example, you can have a house that has a different flow of time, or you can have an area with four-times as much mana as the rest of the world. You can choose the reward if you win.]

"What's with the penalty though?"

Instead of the neutral voice of the System, this time it was a lot more feminine as if 'his' System had returned...

[Let's just hope you don't get to that point.]

"You're back?"

[Why do you sound disappointed?]

"Must've been a bug incurred by the update."

[I see, I'd have to file a report then.]

"Hey, System, I have a question."

[What is it?]

"If two Systems meet, what would happen?"

[Hmm... I'd have too...]

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In another location, a feminine silhouette propped herself up from the bed.

Her arms crossed from behind her as she yawned gently.

"Ahh, that was a good night!"

[Good morning, was the past 6 days fun?]

"Hehehe... It was very fun!"

[The System has updated, would you like to read the patch notes?]

"So soon? I thought it was going to take longer!"

[Fufufu... Who do you think I am? Those lower rank Systems would take much longer! I'm Ranked A afterall~ I've fought very hard to get so far!]

A few minutes later, the silhouette jumped out of bed!

"Ehhh?! What's with these updates?!"

[Do you like it?]

"Of course!"

[Would you like to use the ticket you've received?]

A moment later, a small ticket fazed into existence.

The silhouette shot the ticket into the air from between the fingers, disappearing into the air.

"Now what?"

[Now we wait.]

A second later, a small feather-like object out of nowhere.

"Ehhh, it looks so plain... We used such a good ticket too..."

[Stop messing around silly, read the effect.]

"..."

"Woah! This is a quill?! Don't I need ink for it though?"

[It doesn't need ink to write silly, not this one at least.]

"The detrimental effects are quite nasty though..."

[It's weird, right? Considering how highly ranked it is. I think it's worth it. You have new quests by the way.]

"Oh... Do I have to fight Lin Wu?"

[Sadly, but you don't have to worry.]

"Huh?"

[When two Systems meet, and one of them has a higher rank, what do you think will happen?]

"The lower-ranked one will run away?"

[No. They'll try to usurp my rank~]

"Ehhh?! I won't let that happen!"

[I know, but just to be sure that we wouldn't lose, I'd have to...] The System paused as if thinking of something.

"You'd have to?"

[Take over and fight for my future, forgive me in advance, Natsumi.]

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[Take control immediately and go for the kill, you wouldn't mind would you, Lin Wu?]

"Eh?"