...
When I think about it, I still know very little about the system and its capabilities. It shares some features with the system from the novel I'm familiar with, but many things are different. For instance, I don't gain XP, there's no HP display, and so on. While it does have some functions typical of a video game system, it is also unique in its own way.
'I need to find out exactly what everything means so I can use it most effectively.'
For example, I need to know exactly how to level up a skill and whether there's a maximum skill level—like with the stats, where it shows something like x/100. I also know that I need to unlock all three "Darkness Core" abilities to unlock the "Black Core," but I'm not sure how to unlock a second—let alone a third—ability.
The system didn't give me an answer, even when I asked it. I don't even know what the difference between "hand-to-hand combat instincts" and "combat memories is."
'danm, I'm feeling a bit lost right now.'
The system just assigns me quests out of the blue; I can't choose whether to accept or decline them. There's also no time limit for completing them. Apparently, there's no penalty for failing a quest either—which differs from the novels I'm familiar with, but I'm actually kind of happy about that.
.
As I am lost in thought, I notice out of the corner of my eye cars approaching on the normally empty street.
.
'Just like I thought. The police is here too.'
The two cars stop right in front of the house, and two beautiful women step out of the police car, followed closely by a somewhat older woman from the ambulance, with a young, nerdy-looking man beside her.
"Are you the one who called?"
'Great... of course the police have to talk to me first.'
"Yes, there's nobody else around here, why do you ask ma'am?."
"You look very young and quite uninterested in this whole situation, considering it involves your uncle."
The policewoman with the short black hair replied, looking somewhat confused.
"Besides, a handsome boy like you shouldn't be hanging around an area like this...where are your parents?"
...
"They aren't here."
"Then please tell us where they are, so that we can contact and inform them."
.
"They are dead."
...
...
"Oh... I'm sorry... Do you have any other relatives?"
"No, ma'am."
"I see..."
"And you don't have to speak formally, just call me Olivia."
"All right, Olivia."
We continued our conversation. Olivia mainly asked me personal questions and what exactly happened, I managed to explain that I hadn't seen it clearly and it was already too late by the time I noticed.
During our conversation, I noticed that the paramedics weren't really focusing on George's injuries at all, they were simply wrapping the body in a shroud.
'looks like they aren't interested in his condition. Well, that suits me fine. That way, the injury on his neck won't be noticed. The conversation with Olivia is going pretty well too, looks like they won't suspect me.'
"Alright, Jin. looks like you don't have anywhere you can go, and you can't stay here. You said you're 16? As a boy, you really shouldn't be staying here anyway; we'd take you to the police station first and then see how we can help you. Is that okay?"
...
"That's fine with me, thanks."
'I wanted to get out of this area anyway, and if I'm offered help so easily, I'm happy to accept it. I just hope they don't get suspicious after all and start questioning me.'
The other policewoman—the one with long brown hair—has a look on her face that seems a bit odd. She hasn't said anything yet, which I also find a little strange. I know I might seem a bit too unmoved by my uncle's death, but I'm not good at talking. I never really had friends to talk to; the only people who frequently spoke to me were my bullies.
'I try to blame the fact that George's death doesn't really interest me to being in shock or something...that should work.'
...
...
We are driving in the police car toward the huge skyscrapers; only now do I notice how tall and modern they are. Many of them must be as tall as the highest skyscrapers on Earth—some are probably even taller—and all of this in a single city.
"Jin..."
.
"...I'm sorry it took so long for us to get to your house...You know, the presidential election is just three weeks away, and the mood among the public is very tense. Our superiors have instructed us to prioritize anything related to the election."
'presidential election?'
.
"It's not your fault Olivia. But why did the ambulance arrive late—and at the same time as you, too?"
"I... I don't know exactly... probably for the same reasons we did, and the fact that we arrived at the same time was just a coincidence..."
It is already almost completely dark, and bright LEDs on the gigantic skyscrapers are switching on, creating an impressive light show.
On the way, we dropped off the other policewoman and are now heading straight to the police station. Even though I've been in this world for less than five hours, today is probably the best day of my life. I'm really looking forward to using the system and unlocking as much of its potential as possible. On the other hand, Olivia looks a bit depressed.
Once we arrived at the police station, Olivia led me up the stairs to the second floor, where the offices are located. Since the second floor is essentially reserved for Employees, I could feel a few pairs of eyes on me.
"Here is the bathroom for the staff; we do have a public one as well, but there's no shower in there."
Wash up; we'll bring you some new clothes, too, so you don't have to walk around in such nasty clothes anymore. Take as much time as you need!"
.
'Nice, I really need to take a shower and get out of these clothes.'
'I didn't notice at first because I was distracted, but I'm absolutely filthy and must smell pretty bad. Now that I think back, the others probably noticed it too but didn't say anything; instead, they drove me to take a shower.'
'...I must smell like shit.'
...
After I finished showering and got rid of all the dirt, I noticed something important. There's a mirror hanging in the bathroom, and I'm seeing my reflection for the very first time.
I am a bit shorter than in my other lifes. I have wild, medium-length black hair and black eyes with a hint of red in it, as well as fair, flawless skin. My build is rather slender and not muscular.
'I should do a workout sometimes.'
.
After showering, I put on the new clothes Olivia gave me; they look simple and not particularly expensive, but right now, anything is better than my old stuff.
...
"Olivia, I'm done showering."
"Good, but we need to see what to do with you now; you said you don't have any re-"
...
"Olivia, Is something wrong?"
'Why is she blushing?'
'Oh... I understand now... In this world, women are the ones who are more attracted to the opposite sex. I had briefly forgotten, since I had all sorts of other things to do, but it's just become clear to me again.'
I also have to say that I would describe my own body, even as a fallow male, as beautiful...so i don't blame Olivia, but for now, I'm going to play the innocent.
"Oh, n–no... I just thought... you looked great.
"Thanks Olivia, but what did you want to say?"
"I–I just wanted to say t–that it's good you t–took a shower."
"Didn't you just started asking me something; what was it? It sounded like it was important."
Olivia's face flushed even more.
"right!... but let's go somewhere where we can talk in peace."
...
...
...
"I wanted to ask earlier, since you don't have any relatives left—whether you might have friends you could stay with."
'i do know a few people from my school that I get along with, but I don't think i can stay at one's home for a long term — and I don't want to either'
"No, I don't think that's possible..."
"I see"
"But you still have to go back to school; you can go to a different school if you prefer, I can help you with that."
'Hell nah! Across all my lives combined, I've spent over 30 years in school...! I even died in there!'
"Thanks Olivia, I'll think about it."
"Jin..."
"...If we can't find accommodation for you, you might end up in an orphanage until you turn 18."
'still better than school.'
"I understand, thanks Olivia"
...
"Um, can I go to the restroom?"
?
"Yeah sure, but Jin, we need to find a solution for where you can stay..."
...
...
...
*Thud Thud Thud*
"Um, Jin, are you in there?... Y–you know, I–I thought if we couldn't find a solution, then... maybe y–you could s–s...stay at my place!"
"J-Jin?"
"Are you in here?"
*Thud*
"Why is the door open...?"
...
"coming in!"
"Jin?"
"Jin, where are you...!?"
!
"Why is the window open? Don't tell me!"
...
There was no one in the room, all Olivia found was an open window... She ran to the window and looked out, but it was too dark to see the surroundings.