Jerry leaned against the wall near the snack table, arms folded, watching the crowd dance under the fairy lights. Music thumped, conversations buzzed—and then came the familiar ping.
💻 [System Quest Activated: Operation Social Integration]
🔸 Attend the Mixer
🔸 Make an Impression
🔸 Bonus: Trigger a Unique Scene
Reward: System Shop Tier 1
Failure: -3 Charisma + "Most Awkward Human" Title
He stared at it, frowning. "Seriously? This again?"
Before he could blink twice, the fog machine hissed softly.
Out of it, like a weird stage play, stepped the trio of ghosts—Zen, Alric, and Ragnar.
Zen, already grinning: "Back at square one, huh? Welcome to system déjà vu."
Alric, nodding slightly: "Yeah, we figured this might happen. The system sometimes reopens a quest when it wants a different outcome."
Ragnar, arms folded: "You bent the thread once. Maybe it wasn't enough."
Jerry blinked. "So… what, this is normal?"
Alric: "Not normal, but not unheard of. Think of it as a… reroute."
Zen: "Sometimes it wants you to try a new angle. A different choice unlocks a different layer."
Jerry, sighing: "So I just do it all again? What if I mess it up worse?"
Ragnar: "Then the system adjusts again. But you won't. You're learning."
He looked toward the DJ booth. Lyra was over there, laughing with her friends. The moment looked like a copy of the last mixer. But something was different—maybe him.
He took a deep breath and walked over.
"Hey… Lyra?"
She turned, surprised, then smiled when she saw him. "Oh, hey, Jerry."
He scratched the back of his neck. "So, uh… want to try that dance again?"
A brief silence. Then her friends noticed.
Myra, gasping: "He came back for round two!"
Shiri: "Bold of him. I like it."
Lyra laughed and rolled her eyes. "Sure. Let's see if we can improve."
Jerry held out his hand. She took it without hesitation.
This time, it felt… smoother. His feet didn't try to kill each other, and her laugh was lighter, easier. The DJ switched to something slower halfway through, and she didn't step away. Her friends dramatically pretended to faint behind them, but neither of them paid attention.
💻 [Quest Complete: Operation Social Integration]
✅ System Shop Tier 1 Unlocked
🧠 Charisma +2
✨ New Trait Unlocked: Socially Clumsy (But Oddly Charming)
When the music paused, she looked at him with a smile. "You've definitely improved."
He grinned. "I still wouldn't hire me as your dance coach."
"Noted." She gave him a wink and headed back to her group.
Back in his dorm room, Jerry flopped onto his bed, opened the system panel, and checked the shop.
💻 [System Shop – Tier 1 Access Granted]
• Trust Token
• Debug Patch: Confidence (Beta)
• Thread Diagnostic Scan (Cooldown: 24h)
• ??? (Glitched)
• Thread Editor (ADMIN ONLY – Restricted)
The last two flickered. He narrowed his eyes at them.
"Okay, that's not supposed to be there."
Cue fog.
The trio was back, standing casually by his desk.
Zen: "You really know how to dig into the weird parts of the system, huh?"
Jerry: "So what's the deal with this shop? What's that glitched one? And why did the same quest repeat?"
Alric: "Some parts of the system aren't meant to be unlocked yet. But your actions... sped things up."
Ragnar: "Think of it as a puzzle. Each choice you make shifts the threads. That dance? It wasn't just a redo. It fixed a connection."
Zen: "And those glitched options? They show up when the threads are unstable. You're not supposed to edit threads. Yet."
Jerry: "So... I just keep playing along? Hope the system doesn't crash while I'm brushing my teeth?"
Alric: "You're not in danger. But there's no full manual for this. You're discovering things in real time."
Ragnar: "We could explain it all… but honestly, it's too complex. It's better if you move forward—conquer the Seven. Everything will come into focus in time."
Jerry let that sink in. "So I just keep doing quests. Fall into flirtation traps. And hope I don't glitch out of existence."
Zen: "Exactly. And hey—you're doing fine."
[7-Day Gym Challenge Complete]
Physique +5% | Charisma +1
New Trait: "Discipline (Basic)"
Reward: "Stamina Boost" | Mirror Feedback Activated
He glanced at the mirror early in the morning. His shoulders looked more filled out. His face was a little tighter, jawline hinting at structure. He still looked like him—but a more… tuned version.
Just then, a new ping.
💻 [New Quest: Just One Step Closer]
🔸 Objective: Get Physically Intimate with a girl
🔸 Target: ???
🔸 Reward: Confidence Buff + Relationship Thread Reveal
🔸 Note: Triggered based on emotional proximity and thread progression
Jerry blinked. "Wait. I just got back from dancing. What is this?"
Zen, peering at the screen: "Ohoho. Big boy quest, huh? Look at you, unlocking intimacy like a seasoned romcom lead."
Alric: "These quests are rare. They only pop up when emotional sync and physical comfort both reach a certain threshold."
Ragnar: "This one's about connection, not just action. "
Jerry stared at the screen like it might explode. "You guys make it sound like I'm falling in love."
Zen: "Not yet. But the code thinks you're on the path."
Alric: "Whether you act on it or not—that's up to you."
Ragnar: "It's a step forward. Nothing more, nothing less."
Jerry sighed and stretched, muscles sore from his last gym session. He glanced at the time—6:03 a.m.
Time to get ready.
First day of real classes. No more orientation. No more filler episodes.
Just Jerry, a weirdly intelligent system, a few ghosts, and whatever this insane thread-laced, heart-collecting adventure was turning into.
He slipped on a clean hoodie, ran his fingers through his slightly better hair, and gave the mirror one last look.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's see what college has to say."