Countdown until Earth Assimilation:

1 minute, 58 seconds...

"What the-"

Jacob couldn't get the words out of his mouth before he heard screaming. He couldn't see where it was coming from, obviously due to the giant blue box taking up the entirety of his vision, but he tried to look, nonetheless.

He assumed that everyone else was going through the same thing he was, due to the scream he heard when this box appeared. He had to figure out what was going on, and whether he should be worried or not. If he couldn't find out the answer to either of those questions, he would most definitely default to worrying.

Jacob knew that he shouldn't freak out or do anything rash, but the constant ticking noise of this blue box was more than a little suspenseful. Jacob then realized that he still had the mop in his hand. He knew this because he could feel the weight of the mop in his right hand.

Before he knew it, he just started mopping. He could barely see anything, but he just kept on swiping that mop left and right. It worked as a sort of stress relief or coping mechanism if you will.

He looked forward at the box with a newfound panic.

Countdown until Earth Assimilation:

0 minutes, 5 seconds

Jacob couldn't stop himself from visibly gulping before the countdown finished.

5

4

3

2

1

Congratulations!

You have been successfully assimilated into the system!

Please wait until further instruction.

"What?" Jacob said out loud.

The blue box disappeared from his vision, and he began to look around. There were fewer people than he expected, but the few that he saw were either visibly frightened or on edge. Some of them were even on the floor, presumably due to the loss of their sight.

Jacob was beyond confused. Was this a prank? No, if it was, it would be the prank of the century by far. But then again, that was very unlikely, as Jacob doubted that pranksters would have access to that type of technology, or if said technology even existed.

Finally breaking out of his thoughts, he began to calmly walk his way towards the staff room. Yeah. As if. Jacob ran as quick as his frail, little retail worker legs could take him. The staff room was undoubtedly the safest place in the store, and he sure as hell didn't want to stay in one spot for too long, as he feared that something big was about to happen.

The second Jacob's hand reached for the door to the staff-only room, a bright light engulfed his vision, utterly blinding him. The light persisted for but a few seconds, as it began to settle down. Jacob had his hand on the door before another blue box appeared with a new message.

Welcome to the System!

As a result of system integration, some aspects of physics and natural law have been modified to further ensure a smooth assimilation of life into the system.

Many different species of life have been merged with your previous ecosystem, and access to mana has been distributed to all life.

Jacob could only gawk at the message in front of him.

'Mana? Like from the RPGs I used to play all the way back in middle school?'

Jacob didn't have the chance to further entertain that idea, as another box appeared.

Status updated!

New Quest: "Tutorial"

Completion Conditions: Slay 1 Goblin

Reward: +10 EXP

Progress: 0/1

The second Jacob was finished reading the box, another one took its place.

Please say "Status" to open your status menu!

Can it really hurt to try? Jacob thought to nobody in particular.

"Status..." Jacob muttered.

A new blue box appeared, which didn't surprise Jacob as much as he felt it should have.

Name: Jacob Bates

Level: 0

Exp: 0/10

Class: N/A Race: Human Health: 90/90 Mana: 200/200 Strength: 8 Endurance: 5 Dexterity: 10 Agility: 9 Intelligence: 16 Wisdom:

12

Available Points:

0

Skills: N/A

Titles:

[Cool Headed]

The information that appeared on the box was much more surprising, however.

His low physical stats were to be expected since he hadn't been able to keep his body in shape due to his condition, but why was his intelligence and wisdom so high compared to all the others? He knew he wasn't dumb per se, but he didn't think he was necessarily a genius, as these numbers implied.

Also, what is [Cool Headed]? Another blue screen appeared.

[Cool Headed] is a title obtained by showing exemplary skills in staying calm in dangerous situations.

Effects:

+2 Intelligence

+2 Wisdom

'Well, that explains that. But how did I even end up with the title in the first place? I mean, I suppose that just idly mopping while a massive change to the laws of physics is happening right in front of me could be the reason. Actually, now that I think about it, that's most definitely the reason. Wait. I've been overlooking it due to the ridiculousness of the situation, but could I use magic? I mean, if this system thing is telling the truth, and there really are monsters and status screens, then it isn't all that farfetched to think that I could perform magic, is it?'

As Jacob was thinking, he had been interrupted by screaming from outside the room he was in. He had completely forgotten that he had taken to the staff room in the midst of the panic outside.

Putting his head against the staff door, Jacob listened closely. What he heard on the other side was chaos.

People were screaming, shelves were getting knocked down, and Jacob swore he heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet directly outside the door at one point.

"Sounds like everyone's doing fine outside." Jacob jokingly muttered to himself.

Jacob, lost in his thoughts for the umpteenth time today, was suddenly presented with a noise that reminded him that he forgot to do something vital.

He had never locked the door behind him.