In the original novel, there had been a loud siren that alerted the world minutes before the apocalypse began. But right now, all it took was Rin complaining, and the world changed..
[What is wrong, user? Didn't you want us to start the apocalypse early? You should be jumping with joy. But perhaps, for an extra like you, it is only fitting to feel despair.]
[Would you like the system to offer you a therapy session? The first session is free, and you're guaranteed to feel better.]
Rin looked around the red world and then at the chatty system. He did not recall the system being like this in the original novel.
In fact, he was pretty sure that everyone else had a normal system. It did not talk like it were alive—
[I am a special, well-behaved system.. You might offend me if you are not careful. Please be careful not to offend me. Now, what would the user like to do first?]
This system was a headache. It was the only flash of white and blue in the red-tinted world around Rin.
But that contrast was enough to ground him for a moment, and Rin hardened his heart.
It didn't really matter if the apocalypse arrived today or a week later. Rin had been preparing for this moment his whole life. It was finally time for him to act.
"Show me my stats."
[Oh my! The user has finally decided to use his brain and give the system a command? Well, here are your stats. Wow! they're so low for someone as prepared as you.]
Rin ignored the system's jab and looked down at the screen.
[Strength: 10
Stamina: 20
Intelligence: 40
MP: 5
HP: 100/100]
"Huh—! Why is my MP so low? Shouldn't I get a boost because I know the future? Even the MC got one—"
[Tsk, the user has too many complaints. However, the system has all the answers. Due to the user's 'special' circumstances, he has been given a special reward instead of an MP boost. This special system will help the user survive in this ruined world—]
"Just give me my MP and get lost."
[How rude. Please be careful of your tone, user. The system is a reward for your hard work. If you mistreat it, then it can make things much harder for you.]
'Darn it—! That's straight-up blackmail, isn't it? Is this a reward or a curse?'
Unfortunately, the system was right. Rin needed its help if he wanted to survive in the apocalypse.
__________
It was a normal day for Shelly. As usual, she woke up around five and checked the reports sent to her by the bodyguards. Then, she did her usual checks (stalking) of Rin's online profiles to see if he had uploaded anything. Lastly, she checked the security footage around Rin's home and neighborhood to make sure he was safe.
Shelly needed to do at least this much to show devotion to Rin. This way, she would be able to react to any danger he might face and eliminate it.
Today, for the first time in forever, her mother allowed her to stay home.. This was an unusual occurrence, mainly because Shelly only spoke to her mother once a month.
Her mother did come back daily, but instead of talking to or spending time with Shelly, she spent her time locked in the room with Shelly's father and did God-knows-what. It was the only time Shelly was not allowed to go into that room.
According to her mother—
'I have nothing to say to you. I don't have space in my life for someone like you. All I need is my darling. But since you are a part of him in a way, I can tolerate you and pretend to love you as well. Now go and leave me and your father alone.'
Shelly still recalled how hurt she had felt by her mother's actions back then. Her five-year-old self had not understood why her mother would do this to her.
But now that she was older and had Rin, she understood her mother.. She would not pay attention to anyone else if she had Rin with her.
So she spent the whole morning daydreaming about Rin. The day before, she even went out with people who were getting too interested in Rin to warn them off.
It was a productive morning, and Shelly came back around lunchtime, only to find the front door open
'Is something…breaking into my house? They better not touch my Rin-collection if they value their lives.'
Shelly's first thought was about the things Rin had given her over the years. She cherished them all, even the rock and half-eaten cookie. She had preserved them all and kept them as keepsakes.
The thought of losing her precious treasures made Shelly rush inside. She grabbed a metal pipe on the way and entered the house. But instead of an intruder, her mother's familiar face met her.
"Mother, are you home? Was today supposed to be your visit day?"
Shelly asked with a frown on her face. Something about her mother's presence there unnerved her.
Her mother was not tall by any means, but she was still strong enough to carry a grown adult on her back. And she was currently trying to drag Shelly's father out the door.
"Shelly, I have decided to take your father back to the lab where he can be with me forever. I believe I have found a way to bring him back to my side. Ah, it's only a matter of time before my darling opens his eyes."
Her mother's reply didn't sound stable. Her smile was crooked, and her eyes were dazed. Shelly could instantly tell that her mother was high on something.
Not that Shelly cared.
Her mother was free to do whatever she wanted.
"So, have you decided to never come back to this house? Can I sell it?"
Shelly could make up a sob story and use this opportunity to move in with Rin for good. He already knew how her mother was, so he would welcome Shelly. And then, Shelly could slowly become Rin's everything and also—
"Shelly, you know that I only pretend to care about you because you are a part of my darling, right? Because of this connection, I will do you one last favor and tell you to start packing whatever matters to you.. Otherwise, you will lose it all."