"What exactly are you trying to say!?"
Even threw the question directly at the glowing blue system window floating before him. Immediately, the system's mechanical and mocking voice echoed in his ears.
[I'm saying exactly what needs to be said! Following my lead right now is for your own good. I am the 'System'—I know far more about this world than you ever will.]
Even gritted his teeth and countered, "Stop speaking in riddles! Give me a reason!"
[What is there to explain? When was the last time you looked at yourself in a mirror? Your clothes are hanging off you like rags. Your body has become thin, and you have zero strength left. Your experience with the horrors of this world is non-existent. And you think you can reach the city in this state? Without the help of a merchant caravan or a group of travelers, that journey is suicide. You'd be dead and a ghost long before you ever saw a city wall!]
As the words appeared on the window, the harsh voice grated against Even's ears. Every word mocked his current helplessness. At that exact moment, his stomach lurched with a violent cramp.
Until now, his hunger had been a dull discomfort, but suddenly it transformed into a beast. It felt as if a ball of living fire was burning inside him, trying to tear his intestines apart. Even's entire body began to tremble. For a moment, the world spun before his eyes.
[Scanning complete...]
[Hunger Level: 10%]
[Warning: If this level reaches zero, your Life Force will begin to drop rapidly. Death is inevitable.]
The moment the red warning flashed on the window, Even's heart began to thud violently. He had been trying to ignore the hunger through sheer willpower, but the system's 'cold statistics' triggered a primal terror in his mind. The pain wasn't just in his stomach anymore; it was numbing his brain. Saliva began to pool in his mouth, while his throat felt as dry as a desert. The fear of death was now clawing at his throat.
He began to look around frantically. Food—he needed something in his stomach right now! In his desperation, he felt like he could dig up the earth and chew on stones. A little further away, he spotted a strange-looking tree.
Even stumbled toward it. His leg muscles felt like they couldn't carry his weight anymore; every step was a struggle against exhaustion. By some stroke of luck, he saw some fruits scattered on the ground. They looked somewhat like apples, but they were pale pink and elongated in shape. They looked like nothing from Earth—a bizarre creation of this world.
He picked up one of the fruits. Driven by hunger, his common sense was fading, his eyes gleaming with the desperate need for sustenance. Yet, a tiny shred of caution remained. He gripped the fruit with both hands and twisted it open. He wanted to see the inside, to check for any insects.
As the fruit split, a snow-white pulp was revealed. Instantly, a strange, sweet aroma hit his senses. The scent acted like fuel to his hunger. His stomach felt like a vast pit that needed to be filled at any cost. Even touched the pulp—it was as soft and smooth as cotton.
Just as he was about to take a bite, an alarm went off in his brain. The outer skin of the fruit had a strange purple tint. A blurry memory surfaced—in nature, things that are bright purple are often lethally poisonous.
He stood in deep hesitation. Was this first fruit of his new life a lifesaver or a death trap?
If he didn't eat, his own hunger would strangle him. If he did, the poison might kill him in agony. The pain of hunger was so intense that he thought dying from poison might be better than this slow torture.
Suddenly, a thought struck him—he had the System!
He stared at the fruit and commanded it to scan. But instead of an answer, a red mechanical message appeared:
[Process Suspended: All data regarding food items has been wiped from the Database.]
"WHART!!!" Even screamed in fury. "What kind of joke is this? Aren't you supposed to be my helper?"
The system's voice boomed in his ears, deeper and sterner than before:
[If I tell you what is poisonous and what is safe at every step, this journey will become far too easy. Remember whose blood flows in your veins, Even. The fire of that Great Hero has not faded from your body. Your father was an invincible legend of this world.]
The system's tone turned remarkably sharp:
[Seeing the changes in your body, I know you have the potential to be his worthy successor. I will train you, I will guide you—but I will not serve anything to you on a silver platter. You must win this fight alone. You must learn, at the risk of your own life, what is food and what is poison. Only then can you reach the level of that Legend.]
Even stood frozen, staring at the fruit. The system's words pierced his heart like a sword. The volcano in his stomach erupted with even more lava. His vision began to blur from the hunger, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. There were only two paths left—conquer the unknown or fade away silently in the clutches of hunger.
Even's nerves were buzzing with intense tension. Though the hunger was driving him mad, he was not one to give up. If the system refused to help him directly, he would find a loophole or a hidden path within the system itself. He commanded firmly, 'System, open the Home Screen!'
The system didn't mock him this time. Like a loyal servant, a translucent blue window appeared before his eyes.
[ Status Window ]
Name: Even Anderson
Age: 20 years
Height: 5.7 ft
Weight: 66 kg
Level: 1
Even scrutinized his current capabilities. There were only two special 'Abilities' listed:
[Translation and E-Rank Healing.]
He noticed there were no separate columns for physical stats like strength, speed, or stamina. Confused, he asked why. The system explained indifferently:
[There is no separate calculation for strength here. As your Level increases, your strength, speed, and endurance will all increase simultaneously. Everything is intertwined with your Level.]
Searching further, Even found another section— 'Daily Missions.' It was currently unlocked. Inside, he found a set of simple but grueling tasks:
[100 Push-ups
100 Sit-ups
100 Squats
10 km Run]
Even realized this was the only way to turn his fragile body into iron. But in his current state, he'd probably collapse just trying to do one push-up. His limbs were buzzing with the tremors of starvation. Then he found the 'Mission Section,' the primary way to gain XP and level up. But it was locked. A small note read— [Requirement to unlock: Level 10].
Finally, he entered the 'Skill Section.' It was unlocked, but Even's heart sank as he looked inside. The few skills available were all Level-1 and practically useless in his current situation. To get high-level combat techniques or magic, there was no alternative but to level up.
Even sighed and dismissed the screen. There were no shortcuts. He would have to climb this ladder through hard work and life-threatening risks. He looked at the pink fruit again. His hunger was at its peak; his whole body was shaking, and his head was spinning. This uncertain piece of food was about to be the first test of his new life.
The system's window flickered again with its familiar mocking chime.
[Brain Scan Complete!]
[I'm impressed, Even! You actually have some brains in that head of yours!!]
"STOP THE JOKES!!" Even hissed. Death and hunger were closing in, yet this machine was playing games.
[Did you forget, Even? Think back. How did you figure out the 'Rank' of those three female warriors?]
The faces of Baron's three fierce warriors flashed before his eyes. Yes, he had measured their power using the system's scanning.
"Yes, I remember. So what?" he asked, his voice breaking.
[Then use that same power. Though it won't work for food anymore since I wiped that data. You have to earn it all over again, just like your father once did. Before, I told you the Ranks directly—that was my mistake. From now on, if you want to know someone's Rank, you must 'Fight' them. The scan will only complete through conflict.]
Even looked at the fruit in disbelief. His stomach made a strange, gurgling sound. "I don't understand! What does fighting have to do with food? Am I supposed to fight this lifeless fruit?"
The system replied with utter nonchalance:
[To put it simply... you have to taste it! There is no other way.]
Even was stunned. The system was offering no help, no scan—it was pushing him straight toward a gamble with death. His blood felt like it was boiling from the hunger. If he didn't eat this fruit, he felt like he would start chewing on his own hands.
Even tried to pressure the system back. "Listen, if I eat this and die, what do you gain? You'll be trapped in darkness for another few hundred years. Is that what you want?"
The system didn't flinch.
[Trying to outsmart me is useless, Even. I am scanning your brain every second. I know your moves before you make them. But my hands are tied. My database is empty; I have no info to give.]
Even didn't give up. "But look at the risk! I could die!"
The system then offered a calm, profound example—like a first lesson in warfare:
[What happens on a battlefield? When you face an unknown enemy, do you jump in with all your strength? No. First, you engage in light skirmishes. You observe the enemy's strength and speed. You test them.]
The voice grew intense:
[This fruit is like an unknown enemy. You don't need to eat the whole thing at once. You only need to 'taste' it—to recognize it. Let your tongue touch the pulp for a split second, then immediately rinse your mouth with water. If you are slow or careless, the poison will kill you. The choice is yours—will you face your enemy, or die of hunger?]
Even felt his palms sweating. This was no longer just a fruit; it was his first battle. The beast of hunger was forcing him forward. He slowly brought the fruit to his lips. An electric current surged through his body. His mouth wanted to tear into the fruit instinctively. He was now just seconds away from a game of life and death.
[Hunger Level: 5%]
[Warning: Risk of losing consciousness is rising...]