I forced myself to stop remembering, to stem the flow of memories. What came afterwards was too painful.

Only then did I notice the translucent screen, still floating in front of me.

That's right, I went mad...

I looked down. My penis, though flaccid, was still noticeably bigger that it was supposed to be when not erect.

...or not. Wait, it was all... real? Th–then... the Skill I chose, too? I–I can't believe it... Good thing I picked the only morally decent one, then...

My eyes went to the screen lingering in front of me, telling me of the 'Common Lootbox' I had yet to open.

I tapped on [USE].

Another screen replaced the last one.

Alright...? Ahem, 'Status'.

A large System screen appeared before me, causing my eyes to widen.

I was left speechless as I read what lay before my eyes. It was like an actual RPG, just without class or levels and a couple extra Stats.

Why do I have 25 points? Didn't I only get 20? Maybe I completed a mission already?

Also, what's with those traits? 'Good Genes' I get, but... 'Naturally Charming'? Really?

Wanting an explanation, I tried tapping on the traits to see if I would get some information on why I had them, or something. To my surprise, new screens appeared.

Well... that's convenient, I guess? No info on why I got them, though. Did I always have them? I did seem to get gains faster than other gym-goers, but I don't think I'm that charming... A question for another day.

Moving on, about the Stats, assuming 10 is peak-human level... then I'm doing okay physically, but my agility is abysmal for some reason. Shouldn't Good Genes help with that? Well, it did say 'to varying degrees'. Maybe it just doesn't do much for Agility.

Intelligence is... higher than expected, honestly, along with Looks and especially Charisma. Was I really always so charismatic? Or did the System increase it artificially after giving me the Naturally Charming trait? Because 8 feels like a lot, and I sure don't feel very smooth...

And finally... the 'Special Stat'. It's at 8, too... I know my tool used to be about seven inches, and it did look like it had a good eight when I saw it erect before, so does each point represent an inch in length along with corresponding width? Hmmm... I don't think I'd want to increase it much further, though. Perhaps a single point, but any more would just be overkill... I could hit Alice’s cervix in certain positions already, anyways.

My mind once again began wandering as I thought about that, but I quickly stopped myself.

Damnit! Ryan, get your mind out of the gutter!

I tried to analyze the System's workings, in order to keep my mind busy and stop myself from freaking out about the fact that apparently supernatural things like this are possible and science might be fundamentally wrong, but failed quite miserably, and instead found myself clicking on Inventory, trying to see whether an item would really appear from nowhere.

What I found was a blank screen with the one slot, taken up by a single, transparent vial filled with some rainbow-colored gooey-looking liquid, with four words below it.

I tapped on it, wondering if that would make it appear, but another screen appeared, instead.

Hmmm... So it won't leave the System and appear as an actual object... I could "use it" now, but even if I did, what Stat would I pick? It would be more efficient to wait until I plan on doing something that will raise a specific stat, and use it on that one. Although it might not even do anything. I mean, this could still all be in my head. I could be imagining that my penis grew bigger, and that's the only evidence that this System really exists.

Sighing, I decided to open the last available screen, Missions, to see if it would offer some clue.

The screen that appeared was gigantic. The first message was interesting; it seemed like the System didn't want it's users to just estoy complete missions by hiring a prostitute or picking up a woman who was... less than beautiful, perhaps because they would be easier to woo.

As I read through the weekly missions, I couldn't help but chuckle in self-deprecation at how the extra 5 points had come from my pathetic display earlier, which I had almost managed to move on from before being reminded of it again.

Once I reached the One-time Missions, however, my gaze became hard.

This damn "System" wants me do divorce Alice!? What, and let her be snatched by another man? Never! I wasn't sure I held any feelings for her anymore, but thanks to this System making me remember all our memories together, now I am; I love her! And even if she doesn't anymore, I'll get her to love me again. I won't let go of her just like that.

I clenched my fists, my eyes sharpening with flaming resolution. I was going to get my wife back, no matter what. And I would use every resource available.

So what if I hate this fucking System? It still helped me find the meaning for my life again. And even if there are parts of it I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, that doesn't mean I can't give it some use.

I nodded to myself.

That second One-time Mission looks good, for example. Let's start with that one. Oh, and that item I got, too. No point in saving it up. Let's see, Inventory... Selectable Stat Growth Booster... what should I use it on, though? I'm going to be getting a lot of exercise in, so probably either Strength or Endurance. Hmmm... yes. Let's go with Endurance, since it's currently the lowest of the two.

And so, as I felt an invigorating energy course through my body, erasing any fatigue I might have had and egging me on to do things that would improve my endurance and staying power, I sat up, then jumped out of bed. I knew there was no way in hell I'd fall asleep after all that, so instead I steadied my posture, putting my feet at a bit over shoulder-width apart in some half-remembered form from back in my gym days, and began doing squats.

Meaning, I barely even skimmed any part of the screen that was below that second One-time Mission.