Chapter 8
Pain.
That was the first thing Han registered as he slowly woke up, a throbbing ache pounding through his entire head. Groaning, he blinked his eyes open — only to be met by three pairs of worried eyes staring down at him.
He recognized them immediately: his siblings.
"Big brother! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Xin's soft, cute voice broke through first. Her small face was twisted with concern, her hands gripping the bed sheets tightly.
Out of all of them, Xin looked the most anxious.
"I'm fine," Han mumbled, his voice hoarse. He tried to sit up, but a sharp voice stopped him.
"Don't move. You need to rest more," Laura said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Han opened his mouth to protest—only to freeze when he caught that look in Laura's eyes. The kind of stare that promised swift and brutal consequences if he dared to disobey. Silently, Han settled back down onto the bed, surrendering.
Finally, Rin, the ever-energetic one, stretched dramatically and yawned.
"Since you're awake, I can go back to playing my game!" he announced, before darting out of the room like a gust of wind.
Han could only shake his head. Sometimes, he genuinely wondered if Rin was really his brother.
"You're really okay...?" Xin asked again, her wide eyes brimming with worry.
Han smiled weakly and patted her head. "I'm fine. As long as you protect me, I'll be just fine."
Xin giggled, her mood finally lifting. She skipped out of the room after Rin, leaving Han alone with Laura.
For a few moments, silence filled the space.
Then Han broke it.
"How many minutes... was I out?"
Laura, still facing away, didn't answer immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, almost reluctant.
"Not minutes, Han... days. You were unconscious for three whole days."
Han's mouth fell open in shock. Days?! he thought, disbelief flooding him.
"Big brother," Laura continued, turning to face him, her expression unreadable. "Tell me... was it because you awakened only an E-rank skill that you pushed yourself so hard? Were you trying to compensate?"
Han blinked, unsure what to say.
Should he tell her the truth — that he was testing a reckless theory about creating a System for himself? A theory inspired by countless comics he'd read, where a "system" interface would appear in front of the protagonist?
But when he looked at his own view, there was nothing—no glowing screens, no HUD.
If he told Laura, he was sure she'd freeze him into an ice sculpture out of pure rage.
Han shuddered at the thought.
"Big brother... let me join a Hero Guild. I want to hel—"
"No."
Han's rejection came swift and firm, his face dead serious.
There was no way he was letting his sister become a hero — a life that meant facing monsters, beasts, assassins, villains, and enemies beyond count.
Laura, seeing the determination on his face, slowly nodded. She bit her lip but didn't argue. Quietly, she left the room.
Finally... Han was alone.
Or so he thought.
[System Initialization Complete.]
A voice echoed inside his head, swift and energetic.
Han jumped, looking around wildly. "Who's there?!" he demanded, scanning the room.
[I am in your mind, Host.]
The voice said.
"In my mind...?" Han whispered, stunned.
[You created me and installed me into your consciousness. You should not be surprised.]
Realization hit him like a lightning bolt.
Wait... the System Creation!
It had worked!?
"You're the System AI Assistant?!" Han asked.
[Affirmative.]
Han frowned. "Then why can't I see you?"
[You set me to Invisible Mode. With a single thought, you may change the setting to Visible Mode.]
With a thought, Han willed it.
A bright blue screen materialized in front of his eyes.
---
[System Initialization Complete!]
Welcome, Host: Han Trystan.
Please input a name for your AI Assistant:
---
The voice spoke again.
[Please name me. It is only proper.]
Han's face twitched. Why does this AI sound so... human?
He thought hard while ignoring the AI suggesting a list of ridiculous "cool" names.
After a few moments, Han settled on one.
"Navi," he said, pressing the [Confirm] button.
The AI let out a sigh.
[Navi... acknowledged. I had hoped for something more majestic, but so be it.]
Han chuckled awkwardly.
Then the screen changed.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Han Trystan
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 18
HP: 300 / 300
Energy: 1500 / 1500
---
Physical Attributes:
Strength (STR): 75
Defense (DEF): 80
Dexterity (DEX): 67
Stamina (STA): 60
Sensory (SEN): 50
Stat point: 0
---
Physical Evolution Status:
Current Limit: Prime Human
Evolution Points (EP): 1400
Next Evolution: Requires 10,000 EP
---
Power Capabilities:
[Skill Analysis Complete.]
Book Formation (E-rank) — [Cannot Evolve]
Recreation (B-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 2,000 EP]
Danger Sense (C-rank) — [ Evolvable | Next Evolution at 1000 EP]
Wolf Clutch (D-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 200 EP]
Panther Strike (D-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 200 EP]
Eagle Pulse (C-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 500 EP]
Cheetah Stride (D-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 200 EP]
Gorilla Smash (D-rank) — [Evolvable | Next Evolution at 200 EP] ...
[Unlearned Skills:6]
Learn more skills to unlock potential.
---
System Notes:
Hidden conditions for Hidden Evolution exist.
Energy is used to activate or evolve certain skills.
Future system expansions detected. Awaiting trigger conditions...
---
Han sat in stunned silence as he stared at the screen before him.
The information it displayed was... absurd. First, his stats were astronomically high for someone who had only awakened an E-rank skill. Even more shocking, the fifteen Jungle Arts he had painstakingly learned were now converted into actual skills — and they were evolvable!
That alone was insane.
But the real kicker?
Han had unknowingly pushed his body past human limits.
Normally, to evolve a human body beyond the natural threshold, one needed to find an Evolution Shard — artifacts so rare that even S-class heroes fought over them, found only in treacherous Red Portal worlds.
Yet here he was, an E-rank nobody, with an evolved body, simply by using something called Evolution Points (EP).
Swallowing hard, Han went back to examine his skills more carefully.
Skill: Cheetah Stride (D Rank)
Effect: Increases movement speed by 20% for 10 seconds.
Note: Evolution to C rank will enhance duration and speed boost.
Similar descriptions followed for the rest — Wolf Clutch, Panther Strike, Eagle Pulse, Gorilla Smash, and others.
Each Jungle Art, once just a basic physical technique, now had a real mechanical effect, and each one could become monstrously powerful upon evolution.
Han could barely contain his excitement.
If this kept up, he might actually climb to the top... faster than anyone ever imagined.
"Maybe weapon creation isn't my real talent after all," Han thought half-jokingly.
Just then, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
Negative.
Host has the ability to create weapons, items, and skills — limited by Creation Points (CP).
As Navi finished speaking, the system screen shifted, revealing a new set of options:
> Creation Options Unlocked
Skill Creation
Artifact Forging
System Upgrades
Items Development
Han's gaze landed on the "CP" counter.
Creation Points (CP): 100
(Can create up to C-rank items or skills)
Han immediately started brainstorming ideas for powerful skills, but each time he tried to create one, the system rejected him:
> Error: Required CP exceeds current capacity.
Finally, another prompt appeared:
> Would you like to create a random skill?
Note: Randomized creation may result in skills above current CP limits.
Without hesitation, Han accepted.
The screen glowed brightly as the image of a hand began crafting something in midair, mirrored by Han's own hand, shining white with energy.
Moments later, a notification popped up:
> New Skill Created
Name: Eagle Eye
Rank: C
Effect: Greatly enhances distant and fine vision, allowing you to see faraway or tiny objects with clarity.
Han blinked.
"I thought I'd get something flashier..."
Still, the skill had its uses. For now, he'd take what he could get.
Rather than waste his time on random attempts, Han decided to focus on evolving his Jungle Arts.
After pouring his remaining EP into them, he watched as their effects dramatically improved.
If he fight that Velmora's city monster from before again, he could crush it in seconds.
Han knew better than to get arrogant, though.
Against an A-class hero, he'd still be slaughtered. He was growing strong, yes — but this was only the beginning.
---
Within minutes, Han fully grasped how the system he had unknowingly created worked.
> System Core Information
System Grade: A Rank
Evolution Available: (Cost: 40,000 EP)
Functions: Stat Growth, Skill Evolution, Physical Evolution, Item and Skill Creation, System Customization
Current CP: 0 (Creation Points are consumed through crafting. Replenish by converting valuable materials or completing Hidden Quests.)
Current EP: 0 (Earned by defeating monsters, villains, beasts, or high-threat enemies. Greater threat = higher EP gain.)
Apparently, just creating the system itself had consumed most of his initial CP — a price he paid without even realizing.
Obtaining more EP was simple in theory — fight and survive.
CP, however, would be much harder to gather since it relied on rare materials or unknown hidden quests.
"Still, this is better than I could've hoped for..." Han thought, a small smile forming on his lips.
Just then, a thought struck him.
"Wait... Shouldn't there be a daily quest? Every game system has that, right?"
He voiced his question to Navi.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then — a short loading symbol spun on the screen.
Finally, three empty slots appeared before him, labeled:
> 1. ____
2. ____
3. ____
Below them was a final sentence:
> Host must create three Daily Quests. Be aware: choices are permanent and cannot be changed.
Han stared at it, dumbfounded.
"I... I can create my own daily quests?"
A dry chuckle escaped him.
"This is absolutely insane," he muttered under his breath.
To be continued.