Chapter 6: System?
"...."
Misaka Mikoto was stunned. What's this? A system from a Japanese light novel about transmigrating to another world? Or a unique high-tech feature of this world?
She tentatively reached out a finger and poked the panel. Her fingertip passed right through without any physical sensation, but the panel rippled with her movement and then popped up a new window.
[Welcome to the "Marvel World," Player Misaka Mikoto.]
[This system is designed to maintain the basic order of the multiverse. For reasons unknown, the "coordinates" of multiple worlds have overlapped, causing certain "singularities"—beings like yourself—to be drawn into this Marvel world.]
[All players drawn into this world are classified into three main factions according to their core attributes:]
[Guardian Faction: Dedicated to preserving world stability and protecting life. Your actions will earn the favor of the world's will.]
[Assault Faction: Take pleasure in destruction, killing, and subverting order. They are enemies of all guardians. Note, however, not all of them are beyond redemption; their conduct often depends on their personal beliefs.]
[Neutral Faction: Act only for their own benefit, with a chaotic code of conduct. They may become friends or enemies.]
[Reputation points are the universal currency in this world. They can be earned by completing faction missions, influencing key events, or changing the course of the world. Reputation points can be used to obtain anything you need.]
A flood of information poured into her mind. It took Mikoto several seconds to process it all.
This wasn't just a personal transportation—it was a large-scale, collective incident? And now factions? It sounded exactly like an online game she had played before.
"Players…" she murmured, "does that mean there are others?"
As if sensing her question, the system panel shifted again.
[Yes. Be aware that you may encounter players from other factions at any time.]
The system also explained to Mikoto that to identify another player—or determine their faction—she only needed to be within a radius of 500 meters to see the symbol above their head. Likewise, other players could see the symbol above hers.
"How do I tell the different factions apart?" Mikoto asked.
[Red represents the Assault Faction, symbol: a red skull.]
[Green represents the Guardian Faction, symbol: a green shield.]
[White represents the Neutral Faction, symbol: a white scale.]
A chill ran down her spine. This world was even more complex and dangerous than she had imagined.
"Reputation points can get you anything?" Mikoto clutched onto the most important line, her heart involuntarily racing.
"So… could it… help me get home?"
[Returning to your original world requires unlocking the "World Beacon." Reputation points required: ??? (Current permissions insufficient, cannot detect).]
A cold splash of reality hit her.
However, Mikoto quickly noticed another line of text.
[The System Shop is now open. Players can use Reputation to exchange for items or summon characters with bonds from their original world.]
Summon?
Her eyes lit up instantly.
Almost trembling with anticipation, she mentally selected the "Bond Summon" option. A long list unfolded, filled with names and avatars she knew all too well.
[Misaka Misuzu (Mother) — Reputation points required: 5,000,000]
[Misaka Tabigake (Father) — Reputation points required: 5,000,000]
[Shirai Kuroko — Reputation points required: 4,000,000]
[Uiharu Kazari — Reputation points required: 4,000,000]
[Saten Ruiko — Reputation points required: 4,000,000]
[Shokuhou Misaki — Reputation points required: 4,500,000]
…
Mikoto's gaze scanned the list rapidly, and when her eyes fell on the long string of zeros, the excitement and anticipation that had lit up her face froze instantly.
Five million? Four million?
She glanced at her pitiful eight thousand reputation points and felt like a pauper staring up at astronomical numbers. How many times would she have to save the world to accumulate enough?
Unwilling to give up, she continued to scroll down the list, hoping to find something cheaper. Then, a familiar and troublesome name jumped into view.
[Kamijou Touma — Reputation points required: 1,000,000]
One million? That was three-quarters cheaper than Kuroko and the others.
Mikoto's cheeks flushed crimson, her heart skipping a beat. Almost instinctively, she waved her hand, wanting to dismiss the panel, muttering with a defiant tone:
"Wh-who would even summon that idiot?! Spending a million reputation points on him is such a waste! I wouldn't… hmph!"
Despite what she said, her gaze was magnetically drawn to that name, fixedly glued to it. Uncontrollably, the image of that spiky-haired boy always selflessly fighting for others, using that right hand to stand against Accelerator, surfaced in her mind.
If… if that idiot were here…
"No, no! Misaka Mikoto, snap out of it!" She slapped her own cheeks, forcibly banishing someone's image from her mind.
"The most important thing now is survival! Survival!"
She took a deep breath, closed the summoning list that was messing with her mind, and instead tapped on the "Item Shop."
A dazzling array of goods appeared before her, each item gleaming with tempting allure.
[One-Time Resurrection Coin — Price: 10,000,000 Reputation Points (Limit 1)]
[Description: Upon player death, revive on the spot with full status. Soul-bound, non-tradeable.]
[Peak Condition Potion — Price: 8,000,000 Reputation Points (Limit 1)]
[Description: Instantly heals all injuries and restores bodily functions to their peak performance level, lasting indefinitely.]
[Portable Gekota-Themed First Aid Kit — Contains various Academy City specialty medicines. Price: 2,000 Reputation Points]
["Sisters" Military Goggles (Replica) — Provides night vision and basic data analysis functions. Price: 10,000 Reputation Points]
…
Mikoto looked at these items, especially the first two, and gasped.
Revival coins and Peak Potions were simply heaven-defying life-saving trump cards, but their prices were equally heaven-defying. Her current reputation couldn't even cover a fraction of the cost.
Still, it gave her hope.
If she worked hard to accumulate reputation points, not only could she summon her friends into this world, she could also secure powerful ways to protect herself.
"All right!"
Mikoto closed the system panel, and darkness returned to the room. She lay back on her bed, but this time, her mood was completely different.
Confusion and unease were gone, replaced by a fierce, burning determination.
It was just earning reputation points, after all. She was the Railgun of Tokiwadai, one of the only seven Level 5s in Academy City.
In this "beginner village" of a world, as long as she figured out the rules, earning reputation points would be a piece of cake, right?
Mikoto clenched her fist, a confident smile forming on her lips.
"Wait for me, everyone. This lady is going to be the player king of this new world!"