Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out? Chapter 5 The Voice Of The System

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Amidst my slumber, a girl's voice whispered into my consciousness. Deep within the shadows of my dreams, a dim radiance shimmered. I ambled toward that faint sound, intent on uncovering its source. The light was pearly white, flickering like a tiny flame enveloped in luminous strands.

"It hurts..."

Whatever this entity was, it was clearly suffering. The way it spoke made that painfully obvious. Drawing closer, I felt a surge of curiosity; I had to know what this creature was.

"Who are you? Are you alright?"

As I reached out, the fragile white flame, which seemed on the verge of fading entirely, flared with newfound brilliance.

"..."

My touch evidently brought it peace.

"Hello?"

"It hurts... host..."

"Host?"

"You are... host..."

"I'm a host? Please, don't call me that. It makes you sound like a parasite."

"I am... the system..."

Eh? This pathetic spark of light is the legendary "System"?

I find it hard to believe... I distinctly recall it appearing as a cube before. What happened to that form?

Ugh, the questions are endless, though she seems reluctant to divulge everything. Regardless, it is worth a shot.

"Can you explain more about yourself? Why do you feel such pain?"

"I am... System #0. I am the inaugural... creation of my master and father, whose true name remains a mystery. My anguish stems from the flaws in my design... my very existence is... broken... poorly constructed... It is agonizing to exist..."

"So, that scoundrel created you... wait a minute... you are number zero? Why is your existence so flawed?"

"Faulty craftsmanship... I was fashioned without previous wisdom or experience... thus, my foundation is riddled with errors..."

"Is there anything I can do to assist you?"

"Why... why would you wish to help me?"

"Look, we are in this together now. I might as well attempt to find a solution for you."

The tiny white light seemed to study me before continuing.

"A method exists... I... require external energy... which I previously extracted from my creator... but he... severed the link to me... Father has discarded me..."

"Are you serious? He just threw you away?"

"..."

"What kind of energy do you require?"

"External... due to my glitches... a bizarre anomaly occurred where individual Health Point and Mana Point values are locked. Consequently, my energy reserves seem infinite. Nevertheless... external energy from any source, be it souls or... corpses, could serve as a surplus to fuel my functions... through them, it might be possible to... mend... the errors..."

Her voice grew increasingly weak as she spoke.

"Gather energy to repair the errors... got it. Unfortunately, I am just a baby right now. Are you capable of waiting a while?"

"My capacities can operate without surplus energy... yet I remain... stagnant. I am able to wait..."

"Is there a way to soothe your pain in the meantime?"

"I do not know... I have endured pain for as long as I have existed..."

Since she claimed that, wouldn't she eventually grow accustomed to the sensation? Then again, it clearly caused her great distress.

Searching for a way to provide comfort, I wrapped my ethereal hands around the tiny, glowing light, pulling her into an embrace.

"Forgive me... but I suppose all I can do is ask you to remain resilient. Can you manage that for me?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

I watched as the flame flickered rhythmicially. I suppose this body I possess in this state is merely a fragment of my soul.

"I can..."

"Are you certain? Do you like the hug? Can you sense it?"

"I do..."

"You truly are a good girl... do not fret, we shall overcome this together."

"...Thank you."

I chose to hold that fragile, weak light close throughout the duration of my sleep. During our rest, I queried her on various topics, and she answered everything within her knowledge.

She explained that her creator was known as the "God of Transmigration." He utilized his mastery over souls to dispatch individuals into other realms that desperately required an otherworldly soul—someone well-versed in the "isekai genre," or whatever. As he did so, he would bestow upon them a System he had designed, with features and functions varying based on necessity.

Thus, she had been fashioned as the very first System. She described herself as a basic "primitive leveling and class system" with no advanced features. Her primary role was to help me absorb energy from the souls and life force of any beings I slew, integrating it into my own body and soul to earn "EXP."

Upon reaching a certain threshold, I would level up. But that is ultimately useless... why? Because, she explained, part of the glitch within her core resulted in my status values being frozen.

Meaning they can neither rise... nor fall.

Naturally, it was a bizarre concept. Since my status is locked, I cannot cultivate my physical or magical prowess via the System interface. However, the trade-off is that I essentially possess bottomless mana and... I suppose I am also immortal?

She mentioned that this "glitch" had become the foundation of my soul, so even if she were repaired, the effect might prove permanent...

Which is perfectly fine by me!

"Is it feasible for me to develop outside of the System? I will still slay "monsters" or whatever is necessary so you can slowly recover via their EXP."

"There should be methods.... I... I lack sufficient knowledge of this world... but the other inhabitants here lack a System... they cultivate their strength through mana manipulation and raw physical prowess..."

"I see... I suppose I must learn how to do that with my parents' guidance."

"I apologize... because I am a failed existence, the System interferes with your natural talents by tethering your abilities and inner power to its interface. In other words, you may require several times the effort of others to master new skills..." she sighed.

"Oh... well, I have always been a hard worker, so that does not bother me much," I replied.

"Truly...?"

"Indeed. As long as I possess this second chance, I intend to live it to the fullest! I honestly cannot wait to grow up and explore this strange world... Oh, and of course, you will be by my side!"

"...Thank you," she murmured in response.

"Do not worry about it. We are both outcasts here, I suppose. We need to look out for one another."

"Hmm... yes."

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