'Hey, System, what do you think love is?' I asked the system, hoping it would give the answer I didn't have myself.
The system paused for a mont, its usual neutral tone cutting through my thoughts.
[System Response:
I cannot comprehend emotions, Host.]
I sighed. Of course, it didn't understand. Still, the flat response disappointed more than I expected it to.
The system has been with since Day 0 in this world, althought it did turn weirder after my evolution and so parts of its changed. Never the less I still treat it as family at this point, after all it's been with longer than anyone has.
"Not even a little bit?" I pushed, hoping for a miracle.
[System Response:
From my analysis of humans, love appears to be sothing uncontrollable. Once you feel it, even if the other party is the one destined to kill you, you will still hold them dear, beyond reason. ]
The words struck like a cold breeze. Uncontrollable? Beyond reason? What kind of nightmare was that?
"Wait, back up. You've analyzed other humans? Are you telling there are other people with systems like mine?" I asked, caught off guard by the revelation.
[System Response:
Host, I told you before that you're not the only one in the world who has a system. I ant that in the sense that there are others out there with the system and that I have been with other hosts.]
The system clarified as I slowly comprehend it's words.
So...my system is like a world hopping one? The one with multiple hosts? Wait, maybe they have a group chat I could join!
'So...are the other hosts still around? Do they talk to each other?' I asked, grasping at a new thread of hope. Maybe they could help figure this out.
[System Response:
No group chat currently exists between hosts. However, I can create one and invite them. Would you like to proceed?]
I felt my heart leap at the suggestion. "Yes! Please!"
[System Response:
Understood. Beginning connection process now.]
After the system said that I could faintly feel that it was doing sothing, it was a weird feeling like it was tying a part of my soul into sothing.
'System, what are you doing?' I asked, nervous about what I'd just signed up for.
[System Response:
I have asked for permission from the main god and from the other hosts. They have agreed. Now I am tying a part of your soul into the group chat due to the fact that each of the hosts are located in different dinsions. The host does not nwed to feel scared as the process is harmless and will not have any side effects.]
Welp, that's good then.
While waiting for the system to finish I thought about the three back at the inn.
Although Eve's case was very unexpected, I'm more surprised about Leah.
That annoying woman didn't co off as soone who liked , well other than that ti when we were squished to almost death back in that dungeon. But I thought that was just a mont of vulnerability since we were dying.
Was I really that blind?
What did it even an to like soone? How was I supposed to figure out if I liked them back? Was there a manual? A checklist?
My thoughts spiraled on and I started to want to run away again until the system's voice brought back.
[System Notification:
Host. It's done. You may nowessage the other hosts in the different dinsions. ]
As the system said that a new nu showed up on the screen showing my status.
[Group Chat
-The kingdom of Greatness!
Interdintional Host Chat(New!) ]
...Who the heck changed the groups's na?! Last I checked that was still 'Daily Report Chat'.
I'll co back to that later, for now the new group chat!
[Interdinsional Host Chat]
[I have no idea]: Why'd the system send us here again? I didn't know it could do this.
[Interdinsional martial Artist]: I didn't either, by the way, we're all of you from earth before you died?
I Was Transmigrated: Yeah, stray bullet got . I woke up in a book world.
Sobody, Help!: Electrocution. Charging my laptop with wet hands—don't ask. Now I'm in ancient tis.
[I Have No Idea]: The ground swallowed . Then I woke up in the interstellar book I finished reading the day before.
[Interdinsional Martial Artist]: A tiger mauled while I was at the zoo. Reincarnated into a martial arts world.
[I Have No Idea]: Hey, newbie! Stop lurking and introduce yourself!
... So I wasn't the only one who died in a ridiculous way.
[I'm an Oni: Hi! I'm the one who asked the system to create this chat. I died after a truck and a car raced to end my life then I got reincarnated as a baby ogre in a fantasy world but now I evolved into an Oni! ]
Sobody, Help!: Pfft—hahaha! And here I thought my death was embarrassing!
I was transmigrated: Hey, the one above that's just rude.
Sobody, Help!: Sorry, sorry. My death has been bothering since day 0 in this world.
I couldn't help but smile at their banter. They didn't seem to take themselves too seriously, which was a relief.
[I'm an Oni]: Um...can I ask a question?
Sobody, Help!: Sure! Say it!
[I'm an Oni]: So, I'm kind of scared of love. Three people just confessed to , and I have no idea what to do. How do you figure out if you like soone?
The chat went silent for a mont. Then:
[Interdinsional Martial Artist]: Love, huh? Well, in my world, it's all about strength. If soone can match in a fight, I'll respect them. From respect cos love. That's how I t my wife.
[I Have No Idea]: That's... very specific.
[Interdinsional Martial Artist]: It's the only way I know how to asure soone's worth. My wife—she wasn't the strongest, but she challenged like no one else dared. She fought with her heart, not just her fists. That's when I knew. Respect beca admiration, and admiration turned into sothing deeper. It was terrifying at first. Love felt like the ultimate vulnerability, like handing soone your weapon and trusting them not to strike you down. But that's what made it real. If you're afraid of being vulnerable, then maybe that's where you should start looking.
I Was Transmigrated: Vulnerability is terrifying. I get that. But, you know, love isn't always about grand gestures or battles. Sotis it's in the quiet things—the little sacrifices you don't even realize you're making. My partner? They started leaving little notes for , even though they were awkward at expressing themselves. It was their way of saying, "I see you. I care."
[I Have No Idea]: Or when you're willing to share your last piece of food. That's love. Especially for soone who has mysophobia like . Imagine , a clean freak, giving up my neatly packed lunch to soone else just because they forgot theirs. I thought it was nothing at first, but the look in their eyes... It hit later. Love isn't logical. It's ssy, it's inconvenient, but it's also beautiful in ways you won't understand until you're in it.
Sobody, Help!: Hm... I think love is when you want to be with soone, even when it's inconvenient. If they make you happy, that's a good enough sign to try. Honestly, I used to be terrified of love too. I overthought everything, wondering if I was making the right choice. Even after I got married, I had doubts. But you know what? Those doubts faded every ti my wife laughed at one of my dumb jokes or held my hand when I was too scared to admit I needed help. It's not about being perfect—it's about being there, even when it's hard.
[I'm an Oni]: But what if I don't want to be vulnerable? What if it hurts?
The chat paused for a mont, the silence heavier than before. Then:
Sobody, Help!: Love will hurt. That's the truth no one tells you at first. It's scary because you're putting your heart in soone else's hands, trusting they won't break it. But it's worth it. The sweetness that cos from love—the monts of joy, of connection, of belonging—will make you forget about the bitterness you felt in the process. It's not about avoiding pain; it's about finding soone who makes the pain worth enduring.
[I Have No Idea]: If you're scared, take it slow. No one's forcing you to decide right away. Talk to those three people who confessed to you. Be honest about how you feel—or don't feel—right now. See how they respond. Love isn't just about grand emotions; it's about trust and patience. If they care about you, they'll wait.
[Interdinsional Martial Artist]: Exactly. Love is a test of strength—not just physical, but emotional. It's about being strong enough to take a risk, even when you're terrified. And sotis, that ans taking baby steps instead of leaping headfirst into it.
Sobody, Help!: And don't forget—it's okay to be scared. Fear doesn't an you're weak; it ans you're human. Love isn't about being fearless. It's about choosing to try despite the fear.
The weight of their words hung in the air, or rather, on the screen. Each response resonated in a different way, as if they had all faced the sa uncertainty I felt now. Vulnerability. Trust. Pain. Joy. Could I really open myself up to all that? Could I take the risk?
[I'm an Oni]: Thanks. I'll... think about it.
The chat lit up with encouraging responses:
Sobody, Help!: You've got this! Take your ti.
I Was Transmigrated: Good luck, newbie! Love's a wild ride, but it's worth it.
[Interdinsional Martial Artist]: And if anyone hurts you, just tell . I'll co punch them through the multiverse.
[I Have No Idea]: That's... not how dinsions work, but good sentint.
I smiled at their banter, feeling a warmth I hadn't realized I needed. They didn't just offer advice—they reminded that I wasn't alone. These people, scattered across dinsions, had their own struggles, their own fears, and sohow, they'd made it through. Maybe I could too.
Love was terrifying, yes. But maybe, just maybe, this was gonna be worth the risk?
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