A few moments passed before he could finally sit straight and think properly. He looked at the blue screen that had popped up in front of him.
I need to clear my head after what just happened. I’m not sure exactly how strong a so-called "quasi-mythical" being is supposed to be, but it had to be powerful, especially if it was my future self. If anything, the word mythical doesn’t imply weakness.
Like an iPad, he figured out he could scroll on the system interface or, using his mind, command it to do what he liked.
This is going to take some getting used to. As awkward as it is to be excited over rewards over killing… yourself, I can’t help but be curious as a game addict. ”
“On the bright side, everything wasn’t in vain.” Grayson nearing the end of his notifications saw he obtained what his future self wanted him to get: the System Change Authorization.
His future self explained refusing the tutorial was the first step. As generous as the System and Constellations made themselves out to be, the tutorial was more insidious than it let on. He would do anything to rise to the challenge and protect the people he loved, even if it meant doing something he didn’t fully understand.
Using his mind he commanded the screen in front of him to scroll to the end of his latest notifications. There he saw a message he didn’t recognize and a number that kept dropping.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE TO HUMANITY]
In 40…39…38 seconds all of humanity will be asked to join the tutorial.
You will be asked to select a difficulty ranging from [Easy] to [Hell] it is advised you treat this seriously, and consider your survival with great care. After selecting a tutorial your awakening will begin.
We look forward to humanity rising to the challenge and wish you the best of luck.
Note that if you do not choose a difficulty after 60 seconds you will automatically be sent to a tutorial zone at random
What the hell, was I really that out of it, that I didn’t recognize five minutes had gone by. I’ve gotta do this now before I mess everything up.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Welcome to The Greater Universe Grayson Alderwood, we look forward to seeing your growth.
Please Select a tutorial Difficult Below:
[Easy]
[Medium]
[Hard]
[Extreme]
[Hell]
Grayson eyed the tutorial difficulties, noticing no convenient “decline” button.
“Use System Change Authorization,” he tried, but nothing happened. He cursed, muttering under his breath, “Inventory? Skills?” Still, there was no response.
“Oh, come on—how the hell am I supposed to use this thing? Why didn’t the old man teach me any of this beforehand?” He’d already wasted at least 20 seconds fumbling with commands he didn’t understand. Now wasn’t the time to be stuck on this.
Think, think… novels, anime—come on, brain, give me a clue! Suddenly, it hit him. “System!”
How it never occurred to simply just use his mind boggled him.
Name: Grayson Alderwood
Title: [N/A]
Class: [N/A]
Race: [Human]
Rank: [Unawakened]
Stats Points:
- Fortitude: 3
- Agility: 3
- Strength: 4
- Intelligence: 7
Skills:
[Past Echo] - Unique
Taps into the remnants of knowledge and abilities left by the past owner, allowing the user to gain a random skill the past user once possessed. This ability [REDACTED], [REDACTED] [REDACTED].
[One-Time Use System Change Authorization]
Allows the user to alter their system parameters at their discretion. Use wisely.
“Duh, if you don’t shout out the commands, you probably have to use your head.”
The Past Echo skill looks interesting, but not much time to worry about it. System use [One-Time Use System Change Authorization]
[One-Time Use System Change Authorization] Activated
System authorization activated! What would you like to change, Grayson Alderwood?
“Add tutorial declination option,” Grayson said without a moment’s hesitation. With only 20 seconds remaining, he'd be forced into the tutorial if he didn’t take action.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
[System Processing Request…]
Tutorial Declination is possible. Major ramifications may occur if the tutorial is refused. You have been warned.
Would you like to add a tutorial declination option?
[Yes/No]
“Yes!” Grayson immediately clicked the button.
After he clicked the button, a message popped up.
[One-Time System Change Authorization] has been consumed.
He swiped it away, not paying attention to it much.
There were only about 10 seconds left before everything went wrong. And, as if things couldn’t get any worse, the button to decline the tutorial was only now slowly appearing on the screen.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Welcome to The Greater Universe Grayson Alderwood, we look forward to seeing your growth.
Please Select a tutorial Difficult Below:
[Easy]
[Medium]
[Hard]
[Extreme]
[Hell]
[Decline Tutorial Summon]
“Decline.”
[Please confirm that you are declining participation in the tutorial]
[Yes/No]
“Who adds a confirmation you sick bastards, of course I want to decline.”
Grayson felt like he was sweating all over. This entire sequence had taken less than a minute, but he felt like he could die right now. If he somehow messed this up, his future self's entire life goal would have been all for nothing. Even if Grayson didn’t know how this would affect his life, he trusted his future self and didn’t want to disappoint him.
Grayson Clicked the yes button and nothing happened other than the system window disappearing in front of him.
[System Message]
Tutorial difficulty has not been selected. You will now randomly be sent to a tutorial zone.
Zone Difficulty Chosen: Hell
Teleport will initiate on 10…9…8…
“How is this happening…”
Grayson fell to his knees. First, he failed to honor the dying wish of his future self, and now to make matters worse the System was making fun of him by sending him to the worst tutorial difficulty. Hell. If he knew anything about video games, it was that modes like these were designed to be almost impossible and Grayson knew he would probably die trying to attempt something like that.
“I’m sorry, Future me. If only I was a bit smarter or a bit faster. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
He was now scrunched into a little ball, accepting his wait to come. All the apologies and wishes to start over were for naught. Grayson knew better than anyone that the price to go back to the past was too immense for someone like him to handle.
The tutorial timer slowly went down. 5…4…3…
I wonder what the hell the difficulty will be like, all flames maybe?
2…1…0—
[TUTORIAL TELEPORT CANCELLED]
System Change Authorization detected…
An additional 20 seconds will be added to the tutorial selection time.
Please select a tutorial difficulty before the time runs out or you will be sent to a random tutorial difficulty:
[Easy]
[Medium]
[Hard]
[Extreme]
[Hell]
[Decline Tutorial Summon]
Grayson shot up from his feet and didn’t even need more than a second to hit the decline tutorial button and confirm his choice. He wasn’t going to make another mistake after his first blunder.
“Thank the heavens for giving me another chance,” He cheered out loud dancing around his kitchen, completely forgetting the poor display he had earlier.
[TUTORIAL DECLINATION CONFIRMED]
Teleport to the tutorial will not take place…
The precedent for tutorial declination has not been witnessed before…
Grayson's heart thumped widely as he basked in the momentary relief of things finally going his way for once. But as today showed, he couldn't fully celebrate because a new message materialized in front of him, one that was different. It was shrouded in static and didn't appear to be all there.
[???] has been called to administrate this case.
Grayson squinted his eyes at the ominous message which sent a chill down his spine. "Come on, what now!? I just declined the tutorial. What's the big deal?" The screen in front of Grayson flickered wildly, and a shadowy figure whose silhouette was indistinguishable appeared.
Grayson's mind started going haywire as it tried to figure out what it was looking at. A wave of trepidation washed over Grayson. The system message wasn't any ordinary system message; the entity that stood before him oozed with the authority of the very rules of the universe.
"Grayson Alderwood," the entity spoke, the voice echoed in his mind rather than as an audible sound. The very voice disturbed his soul to the core.
"You have made a choice that has never been made before. Judging by your look, you must not understand the gravity of your decision. Grayson felt his stomach twist into a knot. He didn't know if the entity was aware of his future self.
"I just wanted to avoid getting thrown into hell! What could be the ramifications?"
Damn, that excuse sucked.
The figure regarded him with a gaze that seemed to pierce into his very soul. He knew he was lying. If anything he already knew about his future self, but to be on the safe side he didn't admit to anything. "Your refusal to participate will not interfere with your awakening- but your awakening will diverge from the path laid out for humanity. You will not receive the initial guidance offered to others. Instead, you will be thrown into the Greater Universe without a safety net."
"Great. Just what I wanted," Grayson said sarcastically. "What do I even get for this?"
"Whether or not this decision of yours will prove fruitful is uncertain. However, know this: by declining, you have chosen a path of isolation. You will face trials unlike any other, only matching that of the hell difficulty you say you were feared." the entity continued, its voice dripping between a mix of warning and intrigue.
He knows. Grayson clenched his fists, resolve forming inside of him. "I'll take my chances. I trust my future— not myself to guide me." "Very well. Your decision is final." The figure began fading, leaving one final message: "Prepare yourself Grayson Alderwood. The Greater Universe awaits, and its challenges will test the limits of your being." Before he could say anything, the entity vanished into nothingness, leaving behind nothing but a message on the blue screen in front of him.
[TUTORIAL DECLINATION CONFIRMED]
Teleport to the tutorial will not take place. Initiating Awakening Sequence...
As the screen went away, Grayson felt something inside of him, pulling at the very core of his being. It was like the very fabric of reality was unraveling all around him. He saw memories of the past swirl in a chaotic rhythm around him- his life leading up to this moment, his failed attempts at romance, the long nights spent working late for his college classes. Then a sudden clarity or realization hit him. He felt more like himself.
[AWAKENING IN PROGRESS...]
He remembered the times he was so done in the deep when he felt nothing when the world was against him. He thought of his future self and the face he made as he talked about the world ending. This was his life and this was him. There was no restarting, not now, and if his future self could rise to the apex surely he could face whatever lay ahead in his new path.
[AWAKENING COMPLETE]
The world around him exploded in color, vibrant and overwhelming.
He found himself back in his kitchen, walking toward the front door. He opened the door and what he saw beyond the confines of his home was breathtaking. A vast otherworldly landscape growing widely. Strange flora and a weird emptiness from the lack of humans greeted him.
Grayson took a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. He might have declined the tutorial, but he was determined to face whatever was thrown at him.