The red panel shimmered into view, the words forming in neat glowing lines.
[Status Window – Host: Jake Arven]
Race: Human
Age: 19
Affiliation: Brightcrest Academy ( Rejected )
Skill: ??? (Locked)
Strength: Average Human
Agility: Average Human
Vitality: Average Human
Endurance: Average Human
Intelligence: Average Human
Mana Affinity: None
Energy: 4.3 units
Coins: 0
Jake stared at the numbers for a long time. Average, average, average. The only thing that wasn't average was the word "Rejected."
"Nice," he muttered. "Didn't even need to wait for the letter of failure. The system already told me I'm trash."
He remembered what the voice had said back in the wasteland, something about energy.
"System," he said, sitting up. "Explain this 'energy' thing."
The crimson panel pulsed.
[System Explanation]
System Energy serves as the fuel for all functions. The more energy present, the faster the system operates. Insufficient energy slows or halts functions entirely.
"So what happens if it hits zero?"
[System Notice]
If Energy = 0, System enters Conservation Mode. Host access will be temporarily suspended until further recharge.
Jake groaned. "Figures. Even my cheat code runs on batteries."
Then a memory hit him, when he was on the wasteland, the voice, and that ridiculous "recharge" method.
He hesitated, scratching his head. "Uh… is there any other way to charge it? Y'know, besides… that?"
The panel flickered for a few seconds, scanning.
[Searching for Alternative Energy Sources…]
[Result: None Found.]
Energy recharge method is based on Host's strongest biological output corresponding to life essence signature.
Jake stared blankly. "My… what now?"
[In simpler terms:]
The System charges using whatever source your body produces with the strongest vital link. For you, that output is ejaculating.
He groaned again, dragging a hand down his face. "Fantastic, my interdimensional future depends on gooning."
He hesitated, then asked under his breath, "Okay, fine… for 'optimal use of the system,' how much do I need to ejaculate daily?"
The system went silent for a few seconds, then it chimed:
[Calculation Complete.]
Recommended minimum for sustained performance: 3 recharges per day.
Jake's jaw dropped.
"Three?! You expect me to—" He stopped himself, rubbing his temples. "Forget it. Of course. My life's a parody."
He fell back onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"Transmigrated to another world," he muttered. "Given a broken system that runs on… that. Yeah, peak protagonist moment."
The red panel faded from view, leaving only the faint hum of the system somewhere in the back of his mind.
Jake sighed. "Three times a day, huh? This system is gonna kill me faster than the demons."
-
The smell of warm stew drifted from the kitchen, snapping Jake out of his daze.
"Jake! Lunch!" his mother called.
He dragged himself out of bed, the dizziness had mostly faded, though his body still felt like it had been used as a training dummy for ogres.
The table was already set, his mother's careful cooking and his sister's messy enthusiasm everywhere. There was an extra-large portion waiting for him, thick slices of meat and rice piled higher than the rest's.
"You need the strength," his mother said, sitting across from him. "You lost a lot of blood, remember?"
Jake smiled faintly. "Yeah… thanks."
He started eating, the warmth spreading through his body like a quiet comfort. But it didn't last long, his little sister who he's found out is called Lina, was practically bouncing in her seat.
"So, is it true?" she blurted out. "You actually saw a demon?"
"Lina!" their mother snapped. "Don't talk about that at the table!"
But Jake noticed it, the flicker of curiosity in his mother's eyes, even she wanted to know what happened in the wasteland.
"It's okay," Jake said softly, putting down his spoon. "She's just curious."
He leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, I saw one. Big… ugly. Its body was covered in cracks, like molten rock barely holding itself together. And its eyes—" He paused, remembering the burning hate in them. "They looked alive, too alive tbh."
Lina's eyes widened. "That's so scary… but also kinda cool."
Their mother frowned. "Cool? Do you have any idea what those things—"
Jake raised a hand, smiling tiredly. "It's fine. I got lucky. Really lucky."
He looked down at his hand, now perfectly healed, not even a scar left, his throat tightened a bit.
"I'd be dead if it wasn't for…"
He trailed off. The image of the silver-haired girl flashed in his mind, floating in the sky, her calm eyes, her faint smile.
"If it wasn't for what?" Lina pressed, leaning forward on her elbows.
Jake hesitated. Should he tell them? Would they even believe him?
Before he could decide, a sharp knock echoed from the front door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound was firm, it was official. His mother stiffened immediately, exchanging a quick look with Jake.
Lina whispered, "Who could that be?"
Jake stood, the uneasy feeling from earlier creeping back into his gut.
"I don't know," he said quietly.
The knocking came again, louder this time.
His mother rose slowly, wiping her hands on a cloth, and moved toward the door. Jake followed, every instinct telling him that whoever was outside wasn't just a friendly neighbor.
The door creaked open.
Two tall men stood on the porch, their silhouettes outlined against the afternoon light. Both wore long dark coats marked with a silver insignia shaped like a winged blade. Their expressions were unreadable, but there was something sharp and heavy in their presence, the kind of aura that made the air feel tighter.
"Mrs. Arven?" the man in front asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes… that's me," she replied cautiously.
He reached into his coat and flashed a small metal badge, engraved with the same symbol. "We're from the Demon Hunter Corps. I'm Officer Rens, and this is my partner, Laro."
Jake's mother froze. "The… Demon Hunters?"
"Yes, ma'am," the second man said, scanning the house as if his eyes could pierce through the walls. "We received reports about the Brightcrest Academy examination attack. Some survivors mentioned a student matching your son's description."
Jake, standing a few steps behind his mother, felt his stomach twist.
"We're here to ask a few questions," Officer Rens continued. "It won't take long."
Jake's mother turned slightly, her eyes flicking toward him worried, protective. "Is he in trouble?"
Rens shook his head. "No, ma'am. Just routine follow-up. We need to understand what happened in that dimensional zone before the demons appeared."
Jake took a breath and stepped forward. "It's okay, Mom. I'll talk to them."
The men exchanged a quick glance. "Good," said Laro. "Then, if you don't mind, Mr. Arven, let's sit somewhere private."
Jake nodded and gestured toward the small living room. The men entered, their boots heavy against the wooden floor. As they passed, the air seemed to grow colder, faint traces of energy followed in their wake, like static from a storm that hadn't passed yet.
Jake sat opposite them, feeling strangely exposed under their gaze.
One of the men took out a small device that began to hum softly. "This records demonic resonance," Rens explained, noticing Jake's look. "Just in case."
"Alright, Jake," Laro said, leaning forward slightly. "Tell us everything you remember about the attack, right from the moment the test began to the moment you lost consciousness."
Jake swallowed, his throat dry.
Everything he remembered flashed before him, the red portal, the smoke, the chaos, the fight… and the silver-haired girl descending from the sky.
He hesitated.
Should he mention her?