PLAYER SYSTEM C23 HESITATION

After the brief moment of heroism, Jack returned to his hoverbike and rode back toward the Lite Condo in Upper West Dareth. The transition from the grimy streets of South Merida to the clean, sleek lanes of the upper district felt like stepping into a different world entirely.

He parked his hoverbike in the condo’s parking lot and walked toward the elevator. As the doors closed behind him, he leaned back against the wall and exhaled.

“Phew... I’m beat.” His voice was low, almost swallowed by the hum of the lift as it ascended. A quick glance at his smart watch prompted a swipe. A small window popped up:

‹Today’s Earnings: $300›

Jack stared at the number, lips curling in a tired smile. “Back on Earth, that’d be a solid haul for a single day… but here?”

In this world, $300 barely stretched far enough to cover a week’s groceries, let alone rent. A basic room in Dareth cost more than his monthly wage. Thankfully, he still lived in his parents’ penthouse, which let him pocket every cent he earned. Without that, survival would be a grind.

‘Being a hoverbike mechanic won’t cut it long-term,’ he thought, his expression tightening. ‘Even Junkers running the safer rooms in the Root Tower are earning more than me.’

The elevator continued its smooth ascent, and Jack’s gaze dropped as his thoughts deepened.

‘I’m an Awakened now… and not just any ability — the PLAYER system. I could be earning far more than scraps. If I joined the Heroes Organization, I’d have access to teams, better equipment, and dangerous room permissions. Even monster hunts.’

His brows furrowed at the thought.

‘Joining them comes with perks, sure — money, support, connections… but also obligations. Responding to villain incidents, community work, and crisis management. Water-type Awakeners putting out fires, Earth-types repairing damage zones… It’s not just glory.’

The elevator chimed.

The doors slid open onto the top floor. Jack stepped out into the clean, quiet hallway of the penthouse. The smart lock beeped softly as the door recognized him, sliding open automatically.

As he entered the familiar luxury of the home, his thoughts shifted again.

‘Maybe going independent is better... Being a solo hero has more freedom. I can tackle Root Tower rooms on my own terms. That is, if I’m strong enough.’

His eyes glinted with ambition as he stepped inside, his footsteps light but his thoughts growing heavier.

'It all depends on how far this power can take me.'

He stepped into the living room — empty. Then to the dining room. Also empty.

"Huh. Looks like Ian’s already off to conquer his busy life again," Jack muttered, shaking his head with a faint smile.

A soft voice broke through his thoughts. “Ian? Who’s that?”

Jack turned to see Samantha standing nearby, tilting her head with curiosity.

“Oh—right. I almost forgot you were here,” Jack said, chuckling lightly.

Samantha’s cheeks puffed adorably in a pout, her brow furrowed as she stomped her foot against the floor. “That’s so mean! I’ve been with you the whole ride, holding onto you the whole time… and now you suddenly ‘remember’ I exist?”

Jack rubbed the back of his neck, a flicker of guilt in his chest. “Sorry… My head’s been spinning a bit. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

She arched a brow. “Oh yeah? What kind of thoughts?”

“Just… stuff.” He waved it off.

“If it’s just ‘stuff,’ then why does it take up so much room in your head?” she quipped, crossing her arms with a raised brow.

Jack smirked despite himself. ‘Yeah, she got me there.’ He sighed, then added more seriously, “It’s personal. I’d rather keep it to myself for now.”

Samantha crossed her arms, lips pressing into a pout. “If that’s the case, then say it clearly. Don’t leave me hanging.”

Jack sighed, then glanced at her. “You know what? I’m tired. And maybe you’re tired too. I think it’s time I shut off the glasses for a bit.”

Samantha’s eyes widened. She waved her hands frantically and shook her head, stepping closer. “No! Don’t! I’m not tired at all — remember? I’m virtual! I don’t need rest!”

Jack’s fingers hovered over the shutdown button on the glasses. “Right… you don’t get tired,” he muttered. Then added, a little more firmly, “But I do. So stop interrogating me and let me unwind, alright?”

She nodded rapidly, hands to her sides like a soldier. “Understood. I will not disturb your beauty rest. Permission to stay silently active granted?”

Jack smirked and patted her head gently. “Good girl. You behave, and I won’t shut you off.”

Her cheeks turned a shade pinker, but she nodded like a flustered schoolgirl.

Feeling a little lighter, Jack walked into the kitchen. Despite having worked nearly all day, he still had the energy to cook. His Level 10 status gave him above-average strength, stamina, and dexterity. Even so, by the time he finished making a simple meal—garlic fried rice, scrambled eggs, and grilled chicken—he could feel the fatigue creeping into his bones.

Sitting down with a sigh, he finally relaxed and dug into his food, each bite more satisfying than the last. For now, the world could wait.

Samantha rested her chin on her hands, forearms placed on the table, quietly watching Jack eat. She didn’t speak—just observed, eyes full of warmth and quiet attention.

Time passed.

After finishing his meal, Jack placed the dishes in the smart dishwasher and made his way to his room. Samantha, of course, followed him like a gentle shadow.

He glanced at the clock—4:30 PM.

"Time to chill and dive back into The War of Eve," he said to himself as he flopped onto the bed. Just as he reached to remove his VR glasses, he noticed her.

Samantha was staring at him with the saddest pair of puppy-dog eyes he’d ever seen. Her lips were slightly pursed, her expression pure sulk.

“...” Jack stared at her in silence, then sighed. “Samantha, I don’t want to do this either, but... the glasses need to rest and recharge. I’m not deleting you, okay? I promise. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

Samantha pouted even more dramatically, turning away with her arms crossed and eyes closed. “I guess it can’t be helped... Hmph. If that’s how it is, then I’ll wait. But don’t you forget—you promised!”

Jack nodded solemnly, fingers still hovering near the glasses. But inside, he was warring with himself.

‘This is ridiculous... I actually feel bad about turning off a pair of glasses.’

Somewhere along the way, without meaning to, he’d stopped seeing her as just a “virtual companion”... and started seeing her as something real.

Samantha opened her eyes and, noticing his hesitation, offered a small smile. She stepped closer, gently placing a hand against his chest. Her voice was soft, reassuring.

“Jack... You’re not killing me by powering down the glasses. It’s okay. I’ll still be here.”

Her words hit harder than they should have. His thoughts spiraled again. ‘But will she really be the same when I turn them back on? Will her thoughts... her expressions… still be hers? Or will it just be a saved version pretending to be her?’

He grit his teeth. “Forget it. I’m not shutting you off. I’ll leave the program running while the glasses charge wirelessly.”

Samantha blinked, surprised—and then beamed. “That’s fine by me,” she said, her voice practically glowing.

Jack removed the glasses and gently set them on the wireless charging pad at his desk. But his nerves got the better of him. He picked them up again just to check—and there she was, still smiling at him.

He exhaled, relieved. “Phew... now that that’s settled,” he muttered, placing the glasses down again without worry, “Time to suit up.”

With that, he grabbed his VR headset and prepared to return to the world of The War of Eve.