The system doesn't appear with fanfare.
No thunder. No ominous chanting. No dramatic announcement that shakes the room.
It just…exists.
I'm standing in my room, freshly showered, dressed in clothes that probably cost more than my entire previous wardrobe combined, when the air in front of me ripples, like heat distortion on asphalt.
Then the screen unfolds.
Not projected. Not reflected.
Floating.
Perfectly aligned with my line of sight, translucent blue, sharp enough that my eyes adjust automatically as if they've been waiting for it.
I stop breathing for half a second.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
The system doesn't respond to sarcasm.
Figures.
The interface stabilizes, lines snapping into place with surgical precision. Text scrolls in a clean, minimalist font.
SYSTEM ONLINE
USER: KWON HYUN-JAE
STATUS: ALIVE
I stare.
Then I blink.
Then I reach out and swipe my hand straight through it. Nothing. My fingers pass through empty air. No resistance. No sensation. The screen doesn't even wobble.
"…Okay. So we're doing this." I mutter.
I glance toward the door instinctively. Locked. Quiet. No footsteps. Se-Rin is probably terrorizing the staff downstairs. Ji-Young is likely overseeing breakfast like it's a military operation.
Dae-Hyun has already left for work; his presence fades early in the morning, sharp and efficient.
I'm alone. Good.
I step closer to the screen. It reacts instantly, expanding with a soft chime.
MAIN STATUS PANEL
A list unfolds. Clean columns. Organized categories. And numbers that make my stomach tighten.
Strength: 92
Speed: 94
Stamina: 91
Intelligence: 88
Charm: 96
Looks: 99
Luck: 85
Wealth Influence: MAX
I don't speak.
I just stare.
My brain does what it always does when confronted with something impossible: it starts calculating. Baseline human average is what? Fifty? Sixty, maybe? Athletes peak in the seventies or eighties. Ninety-plus is…absurd.
Ninety-nine in looks.
I snort quietly. "That explains a lot."
A warmth spreads through my chest. Not adrenaline. Not excitement exactly. Recognition. This body. This reaction speed. The way people look at me like gravity subtly shifts when I enter a room.
It's not a coincidence.
It's math.
The system flickers, sensing my focus.
NOTE: ALL BASE STATS SET TO OPTIMIZED HUMAN LIMITS DUE TO PERFECTION CURSE
WARNING: OVER-OPTIMIZATION MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
I raise an eyebrow. "You don't say." I tap the air where Strength is listed. The panel reacts immediately, opening a sub-window.
STRENGTH (92)
Physical power, muscle output, striking force
— Capable of overpowering trained adults
— Bone density reinforced
— Grip strength exceeds normative thresholds
I flex my hand. The tendons in my forearm shift smoothly beneath the skin. No strain. No stiffness. I glance toward the far end of the room. There's a solid wooden chair near the desk. Heavy. Decorative. Not meant to be moved casually.
I walk over, crouch, and lift it with one hand.
No effort.
Not even a twinge.
I set it back down carefully.
"…Right. So that's dangerous." I murmur.
I'm not stupid. Raw power without control is how people get hurt, how I get noticed. Strength like this isn't something you flex in public unless you want attention, fear, or challengers.
Probably all three.
I tap Speed next.
SPEED (94)
Reflexes, acceleration, movement efficiency
— Reaction time significantly reduced
— Enhanced coordination and balance
— Micro-adjustments optimized
That explains the stairs earlier.
The way my body corrected before my mind caught up. I close my eyes and lean forward suddenly. My foot slides back, heel pivoting, center of gravity adjusting automatically. I don't stumble.
I open my eyes, lips curling.
"This is going to get me into trouble."
I tap Stamina.
STAMINA (91)
Endurance, recovery rate, fatigue resistance
— Accelerated lactic acid processing
— Improved cardiovascular efficiency
— Sleep recovery enhanced
No soreness. No lingering exhaustion. I could probably run for hours.
I tap Intelligence.
INTELLIGENCE (88)
Cognition, memory, problem-solving
— Enhanced pattern recognition
— Accelerated learning speed
— Tactical assessment improved
That one feels…subtle.
But when I think back to last night, to how quickly I adapted, how easily I read reactions, it clicks. My thoughts are clearer. Faster. Cleaner.
I tap Charm.
The system pauses for half a second longer than usual.
Then:
CHARM (96)
Social influence, attraction, presence
— Non-verbal communication optimized
— Emotional resonance amplified
— First impressions are heavily biased in the user's favor
I laugh under my breath.
"Biased. That's one way to put it." I repeat.
Images flash through my mind, Ji-Young's immediate affection, Se-Rin's possessive clinginess, the way even Dae-Hyun's sharp gaze softened just a fraction. Charm isn't mind control.
It's gravity. People lean in without realizing why.
I tap Looks.
LOOKS (99)
Facial symmetry, body proportion, aesthetic appeal
— Near-ideal human standards
— Visual impact significantly increased
— Aging curve optimized
I stare at my reflection in the mirror again.
Then sigh.
"Unfair." I decide.
Finally, Luck.
LUCK (85)
Probability manipulation, chance-based outcomes
— Minor events subtly biased
— Coincidences more favorable
— Risk outcomes skewed
That one bothers me. Luck isn't something you feel. You only notice it when it's gone.
Eighty-five means things will tend to go my way. Which means when they don't…
I glance down.
Wealth Influence is grayed out, labeled MAX, with no details.
Of course it is. I step back, exhaling slowly. Okay. I'm strong. Fast. Attractive. Rich. Charismatic. So what's the catch? The answer arrives immediately. A new panel slides in from the side, sharp and unforgiving.
CURSE: PERFECTION
EFFECTS:
— All measurable attributes optimized
— User cannot naturally experience mediocrity or failure
— Social visibility permanently increased
CONSEQUENCES:
— Heightened envy, rivalry, and hostility
— Increased expectations from allies and authority figures
— Psychological strain due to lack of challenge
I read it twice.
Then a third time.
"…So I'm a walking target."
The system doesn't deny it. I pace the room, slow and thoughtful. If everyone notices me, then anonymity is impossible. If expectations are always high, then slipping up, even once, will draw blood.
People don't forgive perfection when it cracks.
They wait for it to. I stop near the window and pull the curtain aside slightly.
The Kwon estate sprawls below, manicured gardens, security discreet but visible, cars moving with quiet efficiency. This isn't just wealth. It's power disguised as comfort. And power attracts predators.
The system flickers again.
TUTORIAL AVAILABLE
I tilt my head. "Sure. Why not?"
BASIC COMMANDS ENABLED
A small prompt appears at the bottom of the screen.
TRY A COMMAND
"…Command?" I echo.
I glance around, then back at the system.
"All right. Let's start simple." I say softly. I focus on the mirror.
"Look." The world shifts. Not visually, informationally. A translucent overlay snaps onto my reflection.
SUBJECT: KWON HYUN-JAE
AGE: 17
PHYSICAL CONDITION: PEAK
THREAT LEVEL: LOW (SELF)
NOTES: User exhibits exceptional aesthetic presence.
I blink. Then laugh. Out loud this time.
"Threat level: low. Good to know I'm not dangerous to myself." I repeat.
The system remains stoic. I turn my head toward the door. "Look." I say again, testing. The overlay flickers, but nothing happens.
"…Ah. Line of sight." I murmur.
I walk to the door and open it slightly, peering into the hallway.
Empty.
But when I say it again—"Look." The overlay appears on the hallway itself.
ENVIRONMENT: RESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR
LIGHTING: OPTIMAL
HIDDEN THREATS: NONE
NOTES: Low-risk zone
"…That's useful."
I close the door and lean back against it.
This isn't just a stat screen. It's reconnaissance. Information is power. And power, used wrong, gets you killed. I test again.
"Look."
This time, I focus inward. The system hesitates, then opens a new window.
INTERNAL STATE:
— Mental fatigue: LOW
— Emotional volatility: STABLE
— Stress accumulation: MODERATE
Moderate. I snort. "Already?"
No response. I glance at the bottom of the interface. A small icon pulses. Coins. I tap it.
CURRENCY: SYSTEM COINS
BALANCE: 100
EARNED THROUGH:
— Survival events
— Social interactions
— Combat encounters
— Quest completion
SPENDABLE ON:
— Stat enhancement
— Skill unlocks
— Social upgrades
One hundred coins.
Not infinite. That matters. I scroll.
AVAILABLE UPGRADES (LIMITED):
— +1 Stat Increase: 50 Coins
— Passive Skill Slot: LOCKED
— Active Skill Slot: LOCKED
So I could boost something right now.
Make myself even stronger. But that's how you lose the plot. If everything's already maxed, pushing further will only magnify the consequences. More attention. More imbalance.
No.
First rule of survival: don't escalate without reason.
I exit the coin menu.
A soft chime rings.
NEW SKILL AVAILABLE
I freeze.
"…That was fast."
The panel opens.
SKILL UNLOCKED: LOOK (BASIC)
— Allows limited analysis of visible targets
— Cooldown: NONE
— Accuracy scales with Intelligence
That explains it.
I grin.
"Nice."
I step away from the door and move back toward the center of the room, mind already racing. If Look works on people, then school is going to be…interesting.
Hierarchy. Rivals. Teachers. Delinquents.
I'll be able to see cracks before they speak.
But there's a downside. Knowing too much isolates you. People can sense when you're watching them like a chessboard.
I stop pacing. The system flickers again, sharper this time.
WARNING: OBSERVERS DETECTED
My spine stiffens.
"Observers?" I whisper.
The panel doesn't clarify. It just adds:
SOCIAL AGGRO INCREASE: +5%
My jaw tightens.
So it begins.
Even here. Even now.
I glance toward the window again, scanning the grounds below.
Nothing obvious. Security guards patrol as usual. Staff move in quiet patterns. No one is staring up at my window. But the feeling doesn't go away. That subtle pressure between my shoulder blades.
The sense of being seen.
I close the system interface with a thought.
The room returns to normal. Too normal. I sit on the edge of the bed and rest my elbows on my knees, fingers interlaced.
Okay.
I have power.
I have information.
I have a family that would burn the world down for me without hesitation.
And I have a curse that guarantees I'll never blend in. School starts soon. That's where the real test begins. Where eyes linger too long. Where whispers spread. Where strength invites challenge and charm invites obsession.
Where one wrong move becomes entertainment. I straighten slowly, posture effortless, expression calm. If this system wants to turn my life into a game—Then I'll play it properly.
Carefully.
Strategically.
And I won't lose.
The system reappears for just a second longer, a final message pulsing at the bottom of my vision.
FIRST SOCIAL ARENA UNLOCKED: SCHOOL
DIFFICULTY: UNKNOWN
I smile faintly.
"Unknown. My favorite." I repeat.
The screen fades.
But the game has already started.