For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then suddenly a thought flashed through my mind.
"…Wait."
My eyes widened slightly.
"Oh right."
"I forgot something important."
A grin slowly appeared on my face.
"I also have a cheat."
I leaned back on the bed and spoke quietly.
"System… are you there?"
For a few seconds nothing happened.
Then suddenly a cheerful voice echoed inside my mind.
"Ah! Host! You finally remembered me!"
"I was starting to think you had forgotten about your poor system."
I rubbed my forehead.
"Relax. I didn't forget."
"Now explain something to me."
"What exactly are you?"
"And where did you come from?"
The voice answered proudly.
"I am your personal system, Host."
"My purpose is to assist you in saving this world."
"My official designation is—"
The voice paused dramatically.
"SUPER SHOCKING SYSTEM."
I blinked.
"…That name sounds ridiculous."
The system immediately protested.
"Host! Please do not insult the system!"
"This system is a high-level support mechanism designed to maximize your success rate in changing the fate of this world."
"Then explain how it works," I said calmly.
The system quickly continued.
"As my name suggests, Host, the more shock you create in the world, the more rewards you receive."
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Shock?"
"Yes."
"When you do something unexpected… something that breaks people's expectations…"
"When others are surprised, stunned, confused, or emotionally shaken by your actions…"
"You generate Shock Value."
"And Shock Value is converted into SC Coins."
"SC?" I asked.
"Shock Coins," the system replied proudly.
"With those coins, you can purchase items, abilities, technologies, and even companions through the system shop."
My interest immediately grew.
"Show me the details."
"Of course, Host."
A blue transparent screen suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.
---
Status Window
Name: Alex von Voldigord (Alex)
Age: 10 (24)
Status: Second Prince of the Ether Empire
Condition: Extremely weak body
Titles:
• Mentally Ill Prince
• Good-Hearted Prince
Stats: [Click to view]
SC Coins: 0
System Shop: Locked (Beginner Access Required)
---
I stared at the screen.
"Open stats."
The window changed instantly.
---
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alex von Voldigord
Age: 10 (24)
STR: F+
AGI: F
INT: D
MANA: F-
AURA: F-
LUCK: C
CHR: B
BLOODLINE: Locked 🔒
Skills: None
Overall Rating:
"A Prince on the Verge of Death"
---
For several seconds…
My brain stopped working.
"…System."
"Yes, Host?"
"This body is completely ruined."
The system responded politely.
"That assessment is accurate."
My face twitched.
"STR F+… AGI F… MANA F-…"
"I'm basically a dying patient."
"That is correct," the system replied cheerfully.
I sighed.
"Well… we'll fix that later."
Right now there were more important things.
"Explain the Shock System properly."
The system responded immediately.
"Understood."
A new panel appeared.
---
Super Shocking System — Core Rules
1. When Host performs an action that surprises others, Shock Value is generated.
2. Shock Value is converted into SC Coins.
3. The greater the shock, the greater the reward.
Shock Scale:
Small Shock → 5–50 SC
Moderate Shock → 100–500 SC
Major Shock → 1000–5000 SC
Legendary Shock → 10,000+ SC
---
I leaned forward slightly.
"So if I do something crazy… I earn coins?"
"Correct."
"If you surprise a few people, the reward is small."
"If you shock an entire city…"
"The reward becomes enormous."
I couldn't help smiling.
"That actually sounds fun."
"Of course," the system said proudly.
"The Super Shocking System encourages creativity."
"Now show me the shop."
The screen changed again.
---
System Shop (Beginner Tier)
Categories:
1. Physical Enhancement
2. Skills
3. Technology
4. Equipment
5. Heroes
6. Special Items
7. Bloodline Awakening
---
My eyes widened slightly.
"Wait."
"You're telling me I can buy heroes?"
"Yes," the system replied.
"Talented individuals from across the world can be recruited through the system."
"However, higher-tier heroes require large amounts of SC Coins."
"Show examples."
The shop expanded.
---
Physical Enhancement
Minor Body Strengthening — 500 SC
Improves STR and VIT slightly.
Basic Healing Potion — 50 SC
Restores minor injuries.
Beginner Training Manual — 200 SC
Improves physical growth.
---
Skills
Basic Swordsmanship — 800 SC
Basic Mana Control — 700 SC
Strategic Thinking — 600 SC
---
Technology
Efficient Farming Tools — 1200 SC
Improved Bread Production Method — 800 SC
Urban Sanitation System — 1500 SC
---
I blinked.
"Urban sanitation?"
"Yes," the system replied.
"Improving city hygiene significantly reduces disease."
"Long-term population growth increases."
I nodded slowly.
"So the system isn't just about fighting."
"Correct."
"It supports civilization development."
That actually fit my plans perfectly.
The screen continued.
---
Equipment
Iron Longsword — 300 SC
Reinforced Armor — 700 SC
Aura Training Ring — 1200 SC
---
Heroes
Beginner Knight — 3000 SC
Skilled Merchant — 2500 SC
Engineer — 4000 SC
---
Special Items
Ancient Map Fragment — 2000 SC
Hidden Ruin Locator — 5000 SC
Dragon Relic Fragment — 10,000 SC
---
Bloodline Awakening
Locked (Insufficient Rank)
---
I leaned back on the bed.
"…Interesting."
With this system, I could literally rebuild parts of the empire.
Technology.
Talent.
Resources.
Everything could be purchased.
But there was one small problem.
"System."
"Yes, Host?"
"I currently have zero coins."
"That is correct."
"…Fantastic."
The system added helpfully,
"Therefore, Host must begin shocking people immediately."
I chuckled.
"Well, that part shouldn't be too difficult."
Just then I slowly stood up from the bed.
My body still felt weak, but after resting it was slightly better.
"Let's test this body."
I stretched my arms and began doing some light exercises.
Push-ups.
Slow stretches.
Nothing intense.
But after a few minutes…
My stomach growled loudly.
"…Okay."
"Food first."
Right at that moment—
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," I said.
A maid entered the room and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"The Empress requests your presence at the dining hall."
"Dinner is ready."
I smiled slightly.
"Well then."
"Let's eat."
Slowly, I walked toward the palace dining hall.
The moment I entered—
Several maids gasped.
"Prince Alex is walking!"
"His Highness is out of bed!"
Their shocked expressions were priceless.
Suddenly the system voice rang in my head.
System Notification:
Maids shocked.
+200 SC Coins earned.
I almost laughed.
"Well… that was easy."
I walked toward the large dining table.
The emperor, empress, crown prince, and princess were already seated.
The moment they saw me, everyone froze.
"Alex?"
The empress stood up immediately.
"You're walking?"
"Are you feeling better?"
The emperor looked equally surprised.
Seeing their worried expressions…
My heart warmed slightly.
These people truly cared about the original Alex.
And now…
They were my family.
I will protect their smiles, I silently promised.
"Serve the food," the empress ordered.
Servants quickly brought dishes to the table.
The smell was incredible.
Roasted meat.
Fresh bread.
Steaming soup.
My mouth started watering immediately.
But when my plate arrived…
I froze.
A bowl of vegetable soup.
I slowly turned toward the chef.
"…Explain."
The poor chef began sweating.
Before he could answer—
The empress spoke firmly.
"I ordered that."
"You need healthy food."
"But mother…" I protested weakly.
"You know I don't like vegetable soup."
"Like it or not," she replied calmly.
"You will eat it."
"And you will finish it."
I looked toward my father with pleading eyes.
Help me.
Please say something.
The emperor noticed my desperate expression.
For a brief moment…
It looked like he might help.
Then he slowly turned his head away.
My mind screamed.
Traitor.
Suddenly—
A small piece of meat appeared on my plate.
I looked to my side.
My little sister quickly looked away.
"Don't misunderstand," she said.
"I'm not giving you more than that."
The entire table burst into laughter.
Even I couldn't help laughing.
"Well…"
"Better than nothing."
I picked up the spoon.
As the family continued talking and laughing around the table…
I quietly smiled.
Because now I knew something important.
I wasn't alone in this world.
And with the Super Shocking System…
Maybe saving this empire wouldn't be impossible after all.