LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 7: Chapter 7
The following week saw Alex balancing the demands of his bookkeeping job with his newfound desire to explore his system's potential. Each day after work, he would sit at his desk, staring at the glowing interface hovering in front of him, the familiar sight of his system both comforting and daunting.
"Okay, let's see what you can really do," he murmured, bringing up the main menu. The display showed a few basic functions—memory processing, knowledge storage, and the ability to simulate small environments. Although it was far from the grand power he had initially envisioned, he was beginning to see its value.
After a long day of crunching numbers at the office, Alex returned home and settled into his usual routine. His family was already gathered around the dinner table, and the warm aroma of his mother's chicken pot pie filled the air.
"Hey, big guy! How was your day?" Amilia asked, her voice cheerful as she took a bite of her meal.
"Pretty standard," Alex replied, shrugging off the day's fatigue. "Just numbers and more numbers. You know how it goes."
His mother looked up from her plate, her expression softening. "You're working hard, Alex. I hope you're also taking some time for yourself."
"I am! Just trying to get the hang of things," he assured her, a small smile crossing his face. "I've even been thinking about diving back into gaming with the guys this weekend."
"Really? That's great!" Amilia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You should totally do it! It'll be fun!"
"Yeah, I think it might be a good way to unwind," he said, realizing that spending time with his friends might help him relax after a busy week.
Later that evening, after dinner, Alex retreated to his room, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness about the weekend. He pulled up the system interface again and began experimenting with the memory processing function. It was like having an encyclopedia at his fingertips, but he needed to find a way to utilize it more effectively.
"What if I could simulate a gaming environment?" he pondered aloud, tapping into his creativity. "I could practice strategies without any pressure."
With a deep breath, he focused on the interface. "Create simulation environment."
A bright flash filled his room, and suddenly, he was standing in a lush, vibrant landscape—a fantasy world alive with color. Trees stretched tall with luminescent leaves, and in the distance, a castle loomed, its spires touching the sky.
"Whoa," Alex breathed, his eyes widening in awe. "This is amazing."
He began to explore the environment, moving through the simulated forest, and it felt almost too real. He could hear the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the gentle flow of a nearby stream. It was a world where he could experiment and learn without fear of judgment or consequence.
As he wandered through the forest, he visualized himself leading a team in a raid, employing strategies he had read about and watched in gaming streams. He practiced his combat skills against imaginary foes, honing his reflexes and decision-making abilities.
Minutes passed, lost in the thrill of the adventure, until Alex finally collapsed onto the ground, panting. "Okay, that was intense!" he laughed, realizing how much fun he had just had.
After a few more sessions, Alex emerged from his simulations few minutes each time feeling a sense of accomplishment. His confidence was growing, and he began to feel a spark of excitement about the possibilities that lay ahead.
The weekend arrived, and Alex met up with Jessica, Ben, Kyle, and Sam at their usual spot, a dimly lit gaming lounge filled with rows of computers and the buzz of friendly competition. The atmosphere was alive with chatter and laughter as friends gathered around to compete and enjoy their favorite games.
"Look who finally decided to join us!" Kyle shouted, raising his drink in greeting.
"Better late than never!" Ben chimed in, waving him over to a computer. "You ready to get crushed?"
"Not if I can help it," Alex replied, grinning as he took a seat.
As they settled in, the game booted up, and the screen filled with vibrant colors. Ben and Sam quickly engaged in playful banter, challenging each other to a friendly match. Jessica watched with a smile, clearly enjoying the atmosphere.
"Alright, Alex, show us what you've got!" Jessica encouraged, her enthusiasm infectious.
Feeling the weight of their expectations, Alex hesitated for a moment. He could feel the familiar urge to impress them lurking in the back of his mind. "Okay, let's do this!" he declared, pushing aside his doubts.
The game began, and Alex found himself immersed in the familiar rhythm of competition. He navigated the virtual terrain with newfound skill, employing strategies he had practiced during his simulations. Each victory felt exhilarating, and he could sense the camaraderie around him grow as they cheered him on.
As the night wore on, Alex found himself laughing and enjoying the moment, the pressure of daily life fading away. It was a reminder of the joy that gaming could bring and how it connected him with his friends.
"Alex, you're a beast!" Ben exclaimed after a particularly close match, clapping him on the back. "You've really leveled up!"
"Thanks! I've been practicing a bit," Alex replied, feeling a warm flush of pride.
"Keep it up, and we might need to start calling you 'Legend'," Sam joked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
They continued to play until the early hours of the morning, sharing stories and celebrating small victories. The evening left Alex feeling invigorated, the laughter echoing in his mind as he made his way home.