After Vash wake up.
Vash stared at the transparent screen.
For several seconds, he didn't say anything.
Then he remembered all the novels he had read.
In those stories, awakening a system usually meant one thing.
Power.
The main character would receive incredible abilities, rare talents, and rewards that ordinary people could only dream about.
Vash looked at his own status.
Strength: 6/10
Agility: 5/10
Endurance: 4/10
He frowned.
"System."
[Yes.]
"Give me something powerful."
[Specify.]
Vash thought for a moment.
"Strength."
[Current physical condition does not support excessive strength.]
"Then give me a special ability."
[No suitable ability available.]
"A legendary bloodline?"
[None detected.]
"Superhuman body?"
[Unavailable.]
Vash's excitement slowly disappeared.
"Are you really a system?"
[Confirmed.]
Vash sighed.
"You're useless."
[Statement noted.]
He almost laughed.
This system was incredibly calm.
It didn't get angry.
It didn't argue.
It simply answered.
Vash looked at the interface again.
Then he noticed something he hadn't seen before.
In the corner of the screen was a small symbol.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
He selected it.
The interface changed.
---
[SYSTEM STATUS]
System Name: Ordinary System
System Integrity: 18%
Current Version: Unknown
Condition: Damaged
Available Functions: Limited
Unlocked
- Status
- Skills
- Basic Analysis
- Daily Tasks
Locked
- System Shop
- Advanced Analysis
- Training Assistance
- Memory Archive
- Unknown Functions
System Points: 0 / 100
Repair Requirement: 100 System Points
---
Vash stared at the screen.
"Damaged?"
[Correct.]
"Can you repair yourself?"
[Possible.]
"How?"
[System Points.]
Vash became interested.
"How many?"
[100 System Points required to restore the next system function.]
"What's the next function?"
[Information unavailable.]
Vash narrowed his eyes.
"You don't know?"
[Function data is damaged.]
That answer gave him a strange feeling.
Something had happened to the system before it reached him.
But what?
And who had created it?
Vash had no idea.
He decided not to think about it yet.
"Fine."
He closed the system-status window.
"If I can't become powerful immediately, I'll start with what I have."
At that moment, another notification appeared.
[Daily Tasks Generated.]
Vash opened it.
---
[Daily Tasks — Day 1]
1. Walk 10 steps.
2. Complete 5 minutes of rehabilitation exercises.
3. Drink 500 ml of water.
4. Read for 15 minutes.
5. Write one sentence about today's recovery.
Minimum Completion: 2 tasks
Reward:
- 2 tasks completed → 1 System Point
- 4 tasks completed → 1 System Points
- 5 tasks completed → 3 System Points
---
Vash read the list twice.
"That's it?"
[Correct.]
He stared at the tasks.
"You're giving me water as a mission?"
[Proper hydration supports recovery.]
Vash couldn't argue with that.
"Fine."
He looked at the first task.
Walk 10 steps.
His expression became serious.
That wasn't going to be easy.
---
A few minutes later, the doctor helped Vash sit at the edge of the bed.
"Don't rush," the doctor said.
Vash nodded.
His feet touched the floor.
His legs trembled immediately.
He took a breath.
One step.
His knee shook.
Two steps.
His arms tightened as he held onto the support.
Three.
Four.
His body felt incredibly heavy.
Five.
Six.
He wanted to stop.
But then he remembered the system.
[Daily Task: Walk 10 steps.]
Vash clenched his teeth.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
One more.
Ten.
He stopped.
His breathing was heavy.
The doctor smiled.
"Good."
Vash looked at the system.
[Daily Task Complete.]
[Physical Rehabilitation Progress: +0.1%]
[Walking Stability: +0.1%]
Vash stared.
"Only 0.1 percent?"
[Correct.]
He looked at his legs.
Then smiled.
"That's fine."
It was small.
Very small.
But it was progress.
He had taken ten steps today.
Tomorrow, perhaps he could take eleven.
---
That evening, Vash completed another task.
He drank the water his grandmother brought him.
[Daily Task Complete.]
[Tasks Completed: 2/5]
[Minimum Daily Requirement Achieved.]
[Reward: +1 System Point.]
Vash looked at the system-point counter.
System Points: 1/100
He smiled.
Only one point.
He needed ninety-nine more.
But for some reason, that number didn't discourage him.
It gave him something to work toward.
His grandmother sat beside his bed.
"You did well today."
Vash looked at her.
"I only walked ten steps."
"Ten steps after two years?"
She smiled.
"That's more than enough for today."
Vash looked down at his hands.
For the first time since waking up, he understood something.
Maybe he didn't need to become extraordinary tomorrow.
Maybe he just needed to become slightly better than today.
The system appeared one final time.
[Daily Progress Recorded.]
[System Points: 1/100]
Vash closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow..."
He smiled.
"I'll get two points."
The system responded immediately.
[Statement noted.]
Vash laughed.
"You're really annoying."
[Statement noted.]
And for the first time in two years, Vash fell asleep with something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Not power.
Not certainty.
But hope.