The Anomaly Beyond The System

Chapter 5: Your name will be…

[STATUS]

Name – Lucian Foster

Race – Human

Titles – [LOCKED]

Bloodline – ??? (Dormant, Sealed)

Affinity – [LOCKED]

Talent – [LOCKED]

Rank – [LOCKED]

[Attributes]

Strength – 1

Agility – 1

Constitution – 1

Intelligence – 7

Will – 1

Perception – 1

Charm – 4

Stamina – 1

Mana – [LOCKED]

Attribute Points (AP) – 0

- - - - -

"I'm fucking weak as hell."

That was the first thing that came out of his mouth.

Staring at the screen showing his status window floating before him, Lucian narrowed his eyes.

Almost all of his stats were sitting at 1.

"What are the maximum stats for an average person?"

He asked in concern.

He genuinely had no idea what a normal human's attributes were supposed to look like.

Even before the apocalypse, Lia had never mentioned anything about people being able to see their stats.

And looking at his stats now…

He was sure that they were pathetic.

And he was right.

[For your understanding, a normal human can only reach 10 points in each attribute. That is their natural limit before awakening or without the presence of mana.]

Lucian paused.

[Even a NEET has around three points in each attribute.] The system added, a faint edge of amusement slipping into her tone.

[So… congratulations. You're technically competing with someone who hasn't left their bed in months.]

"So now I have a system that makes sarcastic comments about me,"

Listening to her dry remarks, Lucian let out a tired sigh.

"Perfect. Out of everything I could've gotten after dying and coming back, I ended up with one that roasts me."

'Should I be grateful… or just offended?'

"Haa… whatever. So how do I get quests?"

The moment the words left his mouth—

[Ding!~]

A chime rang in his mind, followed by a new screen flashing before him.

[New Quest Generated!]

[Quest: On Your Feet.]

Main Objective:

– Move your body.

– Stand on your own two feet.

Reward: +1 AP

Bonus Objective:

– Maintain balance for 10 seconds.

Bonus Reward: +1 AP

Difficulty: F

Failure Penalty: None

— — —

"Haha…"

Seeing the panel before him, Lucian let out a weak chuckle.

"Finally, something I can actually do—and get something out of it."

For the first time since waking up, something warm flickered in his chest.

Hope.

Hope he had lost all these years.

Then his brows furrowed.

"But why is there no penalty?" He asked.

"And these Attribute Points… or AP—can I increase any of my stats with them?"

He was excited since he could finally grow stronger, while having something no one else had.

[For your first question, there is no penalty because penalties are based on difficulty, and this quest is just F Rank.]

She paused briefly before continuing.

[As for the Attribute Points—yes. They can increase any of your stats… unless those stats are locked.]

"Locked?" He frowned.

"Why are they locked? And… what about my bloodline? Why is it sealed?"

[Some functions are locked due to the absence of mana. As for your bloodline… I cannot tell you.]

His chest tightened.

"You'll tell me when I'm strong enough." He guessed.

[Correct.]

"...Can't you tell me now?"

He didn't know why, but the bloodline part felt important.

More important than his stats. More important than the quest.

[No.]

Her reply was firm and final.

[Just know this—your bloodline is strong enough to kill you. That is why it is sealed.]

Those words made him pause.

Lucian went silent.

"...Then why didn't I die before?" He asked slowly.

"I mean… I just got you now, right? What about before? I was paralysed, but still alive."

[You had not awakened your bloodline at that time.]

Her tone made it clear the subject was closed.

"Oh.. okay."

That was all he said.

He could tell that she wasn't telling him everything—but he didn't press further.

Strangely enough, he was trusting her.

Easily. Maybe too easily.

It was odd, especially for someone like him—someone who rarely trusted anyone.

After a moment, another thought crossed his mind.

"By the way… what do I call you?"

[Huh? What do you mean?] she asked, genuinely confused.

Only then did Lucian notice it.

Her voice was… beautiful.

Eerie, inhuman, but to him, it was strangely comforting.

"I'm asking what your name is." He said.

"I don't want to keep calling a woman 'System'. It sounds cold—especially with a voice like yours."

[Why does it sound like you're flirting with me?] Her voice carried a hint of teasing amusement.

"Huh?" Lucian blinked.

"How?"

He honestly didn't understand.

[…Nothing.] This time, she sounded like she had been caught off guard.

[Anyway… you can name me, if you want.]

'Does she sound... excited? Or am I just thinking too much?' He thought internally.

"I'm not really good at naming."

[Uhh… just think of a name. I'll decide if it's bad or not.]

"Haa… fine."

He fell silent, thinking.

Then—he remembered something.

He had read a few novels, and some of them contained a system.

A universal system.

Something that recorded everything.

A keeper of records… per se.

The name they often used was…

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"I've decided," He said quietly.

"Your name will be… Akasha."