" Congratulations host on becoming the master of THE CRIPPLED SYSTEM.". Those were the words that woke Lewis up.
With a soft grunt, Lewis lifted his head and, staggeringly, got up. He felt as if he had been chained in hell for eternity. Everything in front of him was blurry and he was swaying back and forth with no balance.
It took a while for Lewis to come back to his senses. " Huh!? Where am I? Didn't I die? What's.... happening? ". It was a long time before Lewis came to terms to the fact that he was still alive. Looking around, he found out that he was still in the same place where he had been mercilessly gunned down by his cold blooded assassins.
Glancing at the sky, Lewis found out that it had been hours since he had been unconscious and that the sun was already starting to rise. With a huge smile plastered on his face, Lewis said to himself," My comrades... I finally have the chance to avenge you. Since the government thinks that now I have been disposed, they will let their guard down and not to mention that I have the element of surprise. I'll make sure to get revenge for you and rest assured, I'll repay them back in a hundred fold for what they did to you guys. ". Just like the rising of the sun and the start of a new day, Lewis was filled with a conviction that he never had.
" Uhhh.... I don't mean to ruin the moment but host, once again , congratulations on becoming the master of THE CRIPPLED SYSTEM! ". As Lewis was enjoying the scenery of the rising sun, a human yet mechanical voice came from his head startling him, " Wha... Who's there ? ". Lewis shouted as looked around trying to find the source of the voice. " Silly host, I do not have a physical form and I exist in your brain." The voice resounded in his mind once again. " So, you are just a hallucination that I am having due to blood loss???". The voice replied in an angry manner " No! I am a system here to help the host to become a great figure and you can consider me a gift from a certain someone.". When he heard that, Lewis got ecstatic as he expectantly asked, " You mean that my mother made you?!!" " YOUR MOTHER!!!! CAN YOUR MOTHER EVEN KNIT A GLOVE?!!!!! ". As the voice roared inside his mind, Lewis felt felt as if something was squeezing his brain. Suddenly the pressure went away as the voice calmed down and said " I am sorry, that was unbecoming of me.". Lewis couldn't help but reply in a meek voice, " Its.... Its ok. ".
--------After a long while of awkward silence-------
Lewis couldn't bear the silence anymore as he asked, " So..... uh, what can you do? ". As Lewis asked that question, it was if the voice had its switch flipped over as it started ranting in a happy mood, " Well, I am glad you asked. For starters, I can show you your stats. This means that you can see your strength, agility, dexterity and your intelligence. The second thing is the shop, you can only unlock this when you have a hundred CP ( Crippled Points ). The third thing is the inventory. This is an infinite amount of space to store your things. Last but not least, there is the mission bar. This place generated missions in order to help you earn CP and to help you level up and also hell you increase your your stats. "
Hearing all that Lewis could feel his blood boiling as he asked, " System or whatever, how do I see my stats? ". The reply was, " Obviously by saying stats. ". Ignoring the system's sarcasm, Lewis quickly said," Stats " out loud. Suddenly, in front of Lewis, a blue page, which only he could see, materialized. On it was written
----------------------------
Name : Lewis Weller
Age : 30
Strength: 20
Speed : 17
Dexterity: 22
Intelligence : 05
Status : Alive ( Only with the system's help )
----------------------------
Lewis was very happy upon seeing his stats but when he laid his eyes upon his intelligence, Lewis felt like crying and on top of that the system's sarcasm wasn't helping at all, " Wow, such a dumb idiot. Your intelligence rivals a two year old kid. I can't believe my luck, to be stuck with such a dumb person.". Lewis couldn't help but retort angrily, " Hey I was nothing more than a disposable soldier so of course my intelligence would be low. ". " Exactly. And that is also the reason why you cannot have your revenge. You may have the element of surprise but what exactly are you going to do ? Infiltrate their headquarters and try to find the people who did this to you ? You'll be dead before you even enter the building. High intelligence is a must for many and also for a revenge of this caliber. ". Lewis wanted to say something in his defence but had no words to do cause the system was just to savage.
Having nothing more to say, Lewis could only change the subject, " So.... What exactly can I buy in the store? "." Anything. From furniture to advanced medical stuff that doesn't even exist. ". Lewis suddenly had a thought as he asked excitedly, " Does that mean that I can also regenerate my arm. ". " Yes, you can, however I will cease to exist the moment you do so as I can only serve crippled people.". Lewis's excitement suddenly vanished like a deflated balloon as he considered that option. Since the situation was to complex for him that his brain started to hurt, Lewis left that problem for another time, as he asked, " By the way, why me ?". The System was startled by Lewis's sudden question as it asked, " Pardon ? ". " Why me ? There are numerous cripples in this world, whom would love to have you but why me ? ". The System couldn't help but be impressed as it replied, " Well, that is a great question. However, I do not know the exact answer. What I do know is that I was bestowed upon you because an infinite amount of variables converging on one point and that point was you. That's why it is you. ".
After hearing the system's answer, Lewis kept quiet for a long time as if pondering something before he asked, " Is there a limit to the amount that my stats can be leveled up. ". The reply was, " Yes. Except for intelligence, everything has the number 50 as the limit. With 80, being the limit for intelligence. ". Lewis was disappointed by the system's answer as he wished to keep on leveling up however the system's next sentence brightened his mood, " However, if the variables align again and a specific requirement is met then the system may be able to upgrade, due to which the limit will also increase. However, it is not an easy task to meet the requirements and at the required time so please do not get delusional fantasies. ".
The System's last comment seriously irked off Lewis as he asked, " What can I call you? I mean I don't want to keep on valuing you system in front of other people. ". " Dumb host, you may name me however you can also talk to me mentally as you've already embarrassed me enough with your little intelligence and I don't want my master to called an idiot. I have my pride too, you know. ". The System's snide comments passed off Lewis as he roared mentally, " SHUT UP, YOU DUMB AND COCKY SYSTEM. Anyway, from now on I'll call you Jarvis. Ok.". " Ok." Came a meek reply.
-------After awhile --------
" Hey system, what do I do now? ". " Ahhh... I totally forgot about that. There's a beginner's gift waiting for you. Would you like to open it Y/N. ". Lewis almost exploded due to anger. Barely managing to repress his anger, he spoke through clenched teeth," Yes!!!".
As soon as he said that, another blue page materialized in front of him :
-----------
CONGRATULATIONS !
You have obtained :
Blood pill x3.
House.
Prosthetic arm x3.
-----------
"Congratulations host. You're now no longer a homeless beggar anymore but a beggar with a home."." SHUT UP!!!". Although he said that, Lewis was very satisfied with his rewards. As he focused on the Blood pill, another blue page materialized with the following information :
--------
BLOOD PILL
A pill that allows the user to restore all lost blood. Total time taken : 6 hrs.
--------
" Host. My advice would be to take a Blood pill and rest in your home to recuperate from your wounds."." I'll do that.". Lewis prepared to walk away but he suddenly stopped and asked," Hey.... Ugh... Where's my house located ?". Instead of a reply, a the blue page materialized once again
-------
Mini-Map activating. Please be patient.
-------
A few seconds later, in the upper right corner of Lewis's vision, a Mini-Map like in video games appeared, showing him the way to his house. Lewis couldn't help say, " Sigh.... it's been a long day, I guess I'll go rest now. ", as he made his way to his home.
