Malric Thorn slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the window of his small apartment, casting soft patterns across the ceiling. After a few seconds, he muttered under his breath:
I survived.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared instantly in front of him.
Confirmed.
Malric let out a relieved sigh.
That's a good start.
The System screen suddenly flared with a bright new message:
SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE.
He sat up on the couch and groaned.
Ah, this can't be good.
The screen continued:
New function unlocked: Path of the User.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Path?
The screen explained that the System would now evaluate his actions. Depending on his behavior, he would be assigned to one of three paths: Hero, Anti-Hero, or Villain.
That sounds dangerous, Malric muttered.
It is an alignment evaluation, S.I.M.I.O. replied.
And how does it decide? Malric asked, crossing his arms.
The screen displayed more information: the System analyzes performed actions, impact on the world, interactions with other factions, and recognition from entities.
Great, Malric sighed. My record includes pigeons.
User evaluation beginning.
Malric waited in silence while S.I.M.I.O. processed. Finally, the screen displayed the result:
Unexpected outcome.
Malric frowned.
What does that mean?
The System continued:
The user meets partial conditions for: Hero, Anti-Hero, and Villain.
…Excuse me? Malric said, stunned.
Anomaly detected, S.I.M.I.O. announced.
Again, Malric muttered.
The screen added:
The System has determined that the user can develop all three paths simultaneously.
Malric stared at the screen in disbelief.
That doesn't sound balanced.
Neither is your System, S.I.M.I.O. replied dryly.
The screen showed another section:
GLOBAL RANKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED.
Ah, this should be interesting, Malric said, leaning forward with curiosity.
The screen continued:
Current ranking detected: Event recorded — Level 15 user defeated by unusual skill.
Malric sighed.
Pigeons.
Correct, S.I.M.I.O. confirmed.
The screen displayed:
System Ranking: TOP 1 MEMORABLE EVENT — Level 15 user defeated by Level 1 user.
Malric fell silent.
That sounds bad.
Exclusive reward granted, the screen announced.
That actually sounds good, Malric said, intrigued.
The screen continued:
Reward: Random skill evolution.
Malric leaned forward, suddenly excited.
I like that.
However, the screen did not reveal the result yet. Instead, it displayed:
NEW MISSIONS AVAILABLE.
Of course, more work, Malric complained.
The screen explained that, due to his access to all three paths, three mission points had been generated.
Three? Malric asked, incredulous.
The screen continued:
Hero Path Mission Point, Anti-Hero Path Mission Point, Villain Path Mission Point.
This can't end well, Malric said, crossing his arms.
High probability of chaos, S.I.M.I.O. replied.
The screen added a warning:
Failure in any mission will reduce your reputation in the corresponding faction.
So I can ruin three reputations at the same time, Malric sighed.
Correct, the System confirmed.
The screen kept going:
Rewards for completing missions: System coins, skill evolutions, entity recognition.
Malric looked at the ceiling, feeling overwhelmed.
This got complicated very quickly.
Notable progress, S.I.M.I.O. stated.
Malric stood up from the couch.
So I have three paths, three missions, and three ways to ruin my life.
The screen added:
Mission point locations now available.
Alright, let's see what disaster comes first, Malric said, resigned.
All of them, S.I.M.I.O. replied calmly.
Malric muttered.
Of course.
Somewhere in the city, the entities watched, the rankings began to fill, and three distinct paths opened before Malric Thorn.
Fragment – Hero Path
The System screen glowed in front of Malric.
MISSION ACTIVATED. Path selected: Hero. Objective: Perform one good deed today.
Malric crossed his arms.
That's surprisingly simple.
Apparent simplicity, S.I.M.I.O. warned.
That sounds suspicious, Malric said, raising an eyebrow.
The screen displayed:
Time limit: 24 hours.
Well, one good deed, Malric sighed. I guess that can't go wrong.
Historically, your actions tend to go wrong, S.I.M.I.O. reminded him.
Thanks for the support, Malric muttered as he left the building.
The city was calmer than the day before, but the System message still floated in the air. Users walked while checking their interfaces, some discussing rankings, others talking about the System shop.
Malric walked along the sidewalk, thinking about his mission.
One good deed… Help someone, save something, do something heroic.
He let out another sigh.
I'm not very good at this.
Confirmed, S.I.M.I.O. replied.
He walked a couple of blocks and remembered:
The park. That's where I met the cat.
Record found, S.I.M.I.O. responded.
Malric headed toward the park where everything had started: the pigeons, the rats, the cats. As he entered, he noticed how strangely quiet it seemed.
Suddenly, he heard a growl. He approached slowly and saw the black cat surrounded by three large dogs. The dogs were growling and baring their teeth. The cat was injured, with a bleeding paw, but it still stood its ground.
Great, Malric muttered, worried.
Interaction detected, S.I.M.I.O. announced.
The cat lifted its head and looked at him.
Human…
Malric raised a hand.
Easy.
The dogs turned to look at him.
This territory is ours, one of them growled.
Of course it is, Malric sighed, looking back at the injured cat.
This is going to hurt, he said.
Don't come closer… the cat warned.
Too late, Malric replied as the dogs advanced.
He activated his skill: Pigeon Agro.
Skill activated.
Number of pigeons in the area: 14, S.I.M.I.O. announced.
That's not enough, Malric said.
A second later, the pigeons descended.
Traitor! Attack! the birds screamed as they dove toward Malric.
Ow! he exclaimed as one pecked him on the head.
The dogs looked confused, but the pigeons soon realized they had the wrong target and began attacking the dogs instead.
Retreat! the birds shrieked, scattering as the dogs backed away in confusion.
Malric looked at the cat.
Are you okay?
The cat could barely stand.
Human… Thank you…
Malric crouched down.
Don't talk. You need to get out of here.
He carefully picked up the cat and left the park, while the pigeons watched him from the trees.
Traitor!
The screen appeared:
MISSION COMPLETE. Hero Path.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Seriously?
Positive action recorded, S.I.M.I.O. confirmed.
Looking at the injured cat, Malric felt a small sense of satisfaction.
That's good.
He hurried to the main street and entered a veterinary clinic.
I need help!
A veterinarian quickly approached.
What happened?
Dogs, Malric replied.
The man took the cat immediately.
Leave him to me.
Malric waited in the lobby while the cat looked at him one last time before disappearing behind the door.
Human… Thank you for saving me, the cat whispered before being treated.
You're welcome, Malric murmured, feeling a little better.
S.I.M.I.O. spoke again.
Good deed recorded.
You know? Malric asked. Maybe I can actually be a hero.
Probability low, S.I.M.I.O. replied.
Don't ruin the moment, Malric said, sinking into a chair in the waiting room.
The place smelled of disinfectant and pet food while the veterinarian attended to the cat behind the closed door.
Well… that went less badly than I expected, Malric sighed.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared again.
Relationship updated.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What now?
The screen showed a bar:
Pigeon Hostility: Current level — 46%.
Malric blinked.
Forty-six?
Confirmed, S.I.M.I.O. replied calmly.
The screen continued:
Faction status: The pigeons wish to harm you.
Malric sighed.
I already knew that.
Additional problem: Their intelligence is very low.
Why is that a problem? Malric asked, frowning.
Creatures with low intelligence tend to make violent decisions easily, S.I.M.I.O. explained.
Great. I have stupid enemies, Malric muttered, resting his head against the wall.
A few minutes passed before the door opened and the veterinarian stepped out.
Your cat is going to be fine, he announced.
Really? Malric asked, hopeful.
Yes, he had some wounds, but nothing serious.
Behind the man, the black cat appeared, now with a small bandage on its front paw. It walked slowly toward Malric, its eyes calm.
Human.
Malric smiled slightly.
I'm glad to see you on your feet.
The cat sat in front of him.
I owe you my life.
It was nothing, Malric said, raising a hand.
The cat shook its head slowly.
For us, it was everything.
You speak with animals… You help us… and you fight even though you are weak.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
Thanks… I think.
The cat continued.
In the name of the Feline Family… I thank you.
Malric frowned.
The Feline what?
… I thank you.
Malric muttered.
That sounds suspiciously like the mafia.
The cat ignored the comment.
We need people like you in our ranks.
Ranks? Malric asked, intrigued.
The cat lifted its head slightly.
I will speak of you to Don Cat.
Don Cat? Malric replied, surprised.
He is our leader.
Malric sighed.
Of course he is.
Wait for the result in the coming days, the cat said, lifting its bandaged paw and gently placing it on Malric's hand.
Thank you, human.
Malric smiled.
Take care of yourself.
The cat withdrew its paw and headed toward the clinic exit, disappearing into the street.
Malric stared at the door, reflecting.
… I just got recruited by cat mafia.
Confirmed, S.I.M.I.O. replied immediately.
The screen glowed.
Skill improved.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What now?
The screen continued:
Animal Conversation → Animal Communication. Level improved. Animals can now form more complex sentences.
Malric nodded.
That is actually useful.
The screen showed another notification.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED.
Malric felt anxious.
I always worry when one of these appears.
The name appeared slowly:
CAT MAFIA LACKEY.
Malric stayed silent.
…
No.
The description appeared:
You have taken your first step into the feline criminal system. Possible benefits: moderate respect from street cats, potential access to urban information, possibility of feline missions.
The screen added a final note:
Every great criminal empire starts with a small favor.
Malric stood up from the chair, sighing.
The pigeons hate me, the crows want to rule the world, and now the cats are mafia.
Notable progress, S.I.M.I.O. replied calmly.
Malric muttered.
This has definitely gotten out of control.