The Systems Challenge - Chapter 397: Elmo’s Not-So-Great Escape

Sumi has always despised the world she lives in—one filled with greed, deceit, and pain. Trapped in a miserable life with a dead-end job and mounting debt, she sees no escape. But when her lecherous boss crosses the line, Sumi reaches her breaking point. In a desperate act, she takes her own life—only to awaken in the darkness and found out that her wish has been granted she is no longer human she finds herself in the most unexpected form… a seed of a flower and she was in the world which she only knows in game and stories. a world where creature like demon, monster and things like magic and spells exist and she is going to live her second life… as a flower.

In an alternate modern world, where people could summon their own beastly companions, His journey was anything but ordinary.As the college entrance exams loomed, He found himself the subject of ridicule for his choice of a companion – a small, seemingly inconsequential snowball known as an ornamental pet.“”Little Snowball? Merely a decorative trifle, utterly useless.””“”Why bother with a pet that lacks the capability to evolve?””“”Its potential is pitifully inadequate. It’s destined to remain stagnant for its entire life.””“”Dreaming of the Familiar Academy? Utterly impossible.””He was bombarded with questions, scorn, and derision.But what they didn’t know was his unique ability – he could unlock the maximum potential of any Beast Evolution!With a calm demeanor, he gazed at the pet panel, visible only to him.“”Hidden evolution route!””“”Queen’s Path: a route of boundless potential. It can ascend to the regal King class.””From Little Snowball to Ice Crystal Soul, from Snow Girl to Ice Blue Girl, and ultimately, the formidable Extreme Ice Queen… the transformation was breathtaking.Now, armed with the power to unleash the fullest potential of any beast, he faced his doubters with a bold challenge.“”Who dares to call my Snowball useless now?””The stage was set for an extraordinary journey, where potential defied expectations and a small snowball could ascend to royal heights. Who would have the last laugh in this tale of evolution and triumph?

In the midst of swirling possibilities, a question lingered in the air like an unspoken promise: “If you were given the chance to reset the beginning, what path would you tread?”Option One: To revel in the simple joys of life, finding solace in the embrace of solitude, for the paper-thin figure is the epitome of true love.Option Two: To journey into the realm of cultivation, seeking the secrets of immortality, striving to become a legendary sword immortal.Option Three: To immerse oneself in the world of martial arts, carving out a path as an unparalleled grandmaster, destined to reign supreme over all sects.Option Four: To traverse the realms of fantasy, experiencing rebirth as a formidable entity, ascending once more to the pinnacle as a divine sovereign.Option Five: To venture into the dark realms, mastering the arts of sorcery as the esteemed leader of the demonic sect.Option Six: To ascend the throne and rule over all, commanding an empire in the realm of fantasy, for in the divine dynasty, the desire to reign as emperor burns brightest.Amidst this array of choices, Chu Yuan declared with unwavering determination, “I crave the throne. I shall be emperor.”Yet, the system interjected, its digital voice tinged with skepticism, “Is it not preferable to live a simple life as a recluse?”“Is it not preferable to be emperor?” Chu Yuan retorted, his resolve unyielding.Silence greeted his response, an acknowledgment of his unwavering determination.“Congratulations, host, on selecting Option Six: to reign over all, in the divine dynasty of the supreme emperor.”[Divine Destiny Selection System is launching...]

An AI calling itself Schema has assimilated earth into its system. As a consequence, everyone gained access to status screens, power-ups, and skills. This AI turned these concepts from fiction to fact. It's easy to become intoxicated with leveling up and becoming stronger. To some, it's too good to be true like living out a dream.

For Daniel, however, it's closer to a nightmare.

He's in a bit of a predicament. Cracks in our dimensional fabric have unleashed terrifying beasts from dark, abyssal places. Schema organizes these cracks into dungeons, giving the native species of the planet a chance to fight back. Daniel finds himself trapped in one of these dungeons. Not long after, he discovers there's only one way out.