Ares_00
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137. The Protagonist
🕑 Added 2025-10-16 22:17:51 +0000 UTC(Riku POV)
***
"What....is happening right now?"
Had I finally gone completely insane?
What was this floating screen in front of my eyes?
What was that cold, robotic voice within my mind?
I considered a thought, a dangerous one.
But I wouldn't dare to think that was really the case, because this wasn't a web novel.
[Welcome, Host]
The voice repeated itself, like it was waiting for me to proceed.
So I held my breath and asked nervously.
"Uh..... Wh-What are you?"
[I am the Strategic Program for Interpersonal Communication Efficiency]
'...Huh?'
"What does that even mean?"
She said the words in English, and my English was elementary at best.
[Detecting Incompetent Host, simplifying language parameters]
[DING]
[I am a system that can help you increase favorability with the Heroines]
"Hey, did you just call me incom-..... WAIT, A SYSTEM???"
I stood up hastily, a surge of disbelief and excitement coursing through my veins as my wildest thought was somehow the most accurate one.
[Indeed. In simple terms, I am what you would call a system]
My breathing grew heavy and ragged, and I completely ignored my grass-stained uniform and sweaty appearance as I tried to grab the screen with unconcealed eagerness.
But my fingers went right through the blue window.
[I am intangible and can only be seen by the Host]
"O-Oh, that makes sense!"
I slapped my cheeks a couple of times, trying to calm down the racing heartbeat that felt like it would leap out of my chest.
[Detected that the host is a masochist]
[That information has been recorded]
"What the fuck?? I'm not a masochist!" I snapped loudly.
A woman walking along the riverbank with her toddler froze at those words, and when she saw my infuriated face, she quickly turned around and ran off after picking her child up.
"Wait, I'm not! ugh!!"
I watched as she escaped in fear, and turned my attention back to the screen.
"Look what you did!"
But the screen didn't reply this time.
"Never mind, I'll forgive you since I'm a magnanimous host! Tell me, you said something about heroines?" I asked with my hands on my hips, remembering the strange part of its introduction.
[Indeed. This world has three heroines with immeasurable potential]
[The host is advised to raise favorability with them to restore balance]
".....Balance? Right, you said something about the balance shifting?"
[Indeed. Unauthorized interference has been detected]
"What do you mean by interference?"
[There is @#%#@^$#^@&^*&]
"AGH!"
I plugged my ears as the system started spouting incoherent noises, but since the voice was coming from within, it didn't help at all.
"What the hell?"
Seeing the system go quiet again, I had an idea of what went wrong.
Either the system or I didn't have enough permissions to access some sort of high-level information, which was a common trope in web novels.
I hated being in the dark, but I boxed my frustration away since it wouldn't help me in any way.
"Whatever, what are your functions, system?"
I thought about all the web novels I'd read.
And since it said something about favorability, a few ideas came to mind.
[Below are the listed functions of the system:]
[1. The system will offer choices in communication scenarios]
• The choices may raise or lower favorability
• Not all scenarios will provide choices
• The system can not reveal the optimal choice
[2. The system will provide tasks/quests]
• The quests are important events that can help raise favorability
• Some quests may put the Host in physical danger
• Failure to fulfill quests may lead to punishments
[3. The system will assign rewards when:]
• The favorability of a heroine rises by 10 (excluding negative values)
• The Host successfully fulfills a task
• The Host thwarts the plans of external interferences (villains)
***
"..... Whoa."
There were quite a lot of abilities the system had, but it essentially boiled down to raising favorability with these so-called heroines.
However, the part about punishments, physical danger, and villains cooled down all the upbeat and confident energy I had.
I had forgotten that with the system comes a host of problems, and my mood soured when I thought about the fact that it might not all be sunshine and rainbows.
"Oh, right! Newbie Pack! There's always a Newbie Pack! System, give it to me right away!" I exclaimed, rubbing my hands in anticipation.
[This system only rewards effort, Host]
[Please work hard to earn rewards in the future]
".....Eh?"
That's not how it's supposed to go?
Where was my novice protection perk?
"This shitty system!!"
[DING]
[Detected yapping from Incompetent Host]
[Administering punishment]
BZZTTT
"AHGSHJAKHGHAJKSDHGBK!"
I howled in agony, rolling around on the grass as a jolt of electricity suddenly shot through my body, zapping me from the inside.
"WHAT THE FUCCCKKKKK!??"
Thankfully, the electrocution only continued for about 5 seconds, and the pain slowly started to fade away as I stared at the thick clouds with wide, bloodshot eyes.
"Ughh....." I panted, catching my breath with a hint of fear.
'.....I need to watch my mouth!!'
This was supposed to be the start of my ascension, not my funeral!
I brushed my hands all over my body and sighed with relief when I realized there was no actual damage.
But that scared me more.
It was able to cause that much pain without leaving a mark?
I shivered and decided to move on in case it randomly decided to find another fault.
"Forget that, who are the heroines? Can you tell me that at least?"
[Unlocking status panel]
Name: Kazama Riku
Age: 16
Height: 169 cm
[Favorability Panel]
• Sakuraba Hina: 10
• Yuzuki Haruna: -21
• Fujikawa Noa: -9
[Status: Incompetent Jerk]
***
I stared in disbelief at the values on the screen, thinking there had to be some mistake.
"They're the heroines?"
I sat back down on the grass, my legs giving way from the sudden shivers that ran down my spine.
"No... this can't be! I can understand the president's value being so low, since we've barely talked and I didn't leave the best of impressions today, but the other two have to be fake!" I cried out.
[Please don't insult the system, Host]
[I make no errors]
"But.... Yuzuki-san is a good friend, and despite the problems recently, it shouldn't be in the negatives! And Hina is my childhood friend, the one who's stuck with me for so long, there's no way her value is only 10!"
[DING]
[Below is the favorability a month ago]
[Favorability Panel]
• Sakuraba Hina: 73
• Yuzuki Haruna: 15
• Fujikawa Noa: 3
[Please reflect, Host]
***
The values sent a thunderbolt through me, wondering how the hell they'd decreased so much in just a month.
'.....What have I been doing?'
Especially Hina, whose favorability dropped by over 60 points!
I sat there for a good ten minutes, thinking back on all our interactions to see if I really did make such a big mistake.
Sure, there were times when I might've taken my teasing too far, but if you can't joke around with your friends, then where's the fun?
"Do those values have specific parameters?" I asked curiously.
[DING]
[Below are the parameters for favorability values:]
• <0 → Dislike/Hatred
• 0-10 → Acquaintances
• 11-30 → Regular Friends
• 31-50 → Really Good Friends
• 51-70 → Best Friends
• 71-80 → Crush/Liking
• 81-90 → Intense Liking/Love
• 91-99 → Till Death Do Us Part
• 100 → ???
***
"You mean... Hina really did have a crush on me? Before I fucked it up? And now she doesn't even see me as a friend?"
I'd always liked to tell myself that she would be easy to get and already liked me, but seeing it confirmed by the system was a whole different thing.
'It shows just how stupid I must've been to fuck up a done deal! But also, they're just really sensitive....'
I wiped the sweat off my face and made a decision.
'From now on, I'll be more wary about the things I say to them!'
This wasn't the endgame; with the system, I'd definitely make a comeback!
"But..... why is this balance thing even related to the heroines?"
[Host has insufficient permissions]
'So it really was a problem with the permissions.'
"Then can I find out in the future?" I inquired, rubbing my chin thoughtfully.
It really didn't make much sense to me.
Three supposed heroines in the world, but they were all in the same country, same city, and same school?
And they were somehow related to the balance of something?
[If favorability of all Heroines satisfies the following intervals:]
• 20+ provides one piece of Information
• 50+ provides a second piece of information
• 90+ Unlocks all Permissions
***
"I see..... Should be doable, the first two at least. Since we're going to be partners-in-crime, maybe I should name you? Calling you 'system' sounds so generic," I chuckled.
[Host, I already have a name]
"Oh, right. The Strategic whatever whatever."
[You may call me SPICE]
".....Spice. That's a strange name, but I like it. I needed a bit of Spice in my life."
I now had the support of the system, the choices it provided, as well as the rewards, so it would be difficult for me not to achieve these goals.
After brushing off the grass on my uniform, I stretched my arms and took a long, deep breath.
The fresh air from this small area away from all the pollution, the calming sounds from the running river water, and the bright sun that had broken free from the shackles of the clouds, just like I did.
I thought back to all the humiliation I'd faced recently, the pain and injustice I'd been through.
No longer would I just sit back and watch Yagami, who I knew for sure was a Villain through and through, steal my harem from right under my eyes.
I would take back what's mine.
And more.
Because I am Kazama Riku.
The Protagonist of my Story.
***
A/N
~ End of Volume 1 ~
Thank you so much for reading and supporting my story! Here's to many more volumes in the future!
Comments
carefree_extra
More pls!!. TFTC!
Undead Writer
TFTC!
SomeRandomGuy
Thanks for the book! Excited for the next one~ I bet Riku will somehow manage to somehow mess this up even with the golden spoon of the system lmao Can't wait for our *actual* main character to figure out Mr. Incompetent Host has a system when he inevitably slips up about it. This will be fun~ P.S. That cliff is diabolical
SomeRandomGuy
He's called incompetent for a reason, to be fair xD
Aman VH
The MC won't change, not even remotely
Jonathan Everson
I've been really enjoying this story, but I'm not sure if I want to keep going with it is SPICE makes Riku the MC and not Reiji. Not a fan of giving him this power.
Aman VH
it won't change too much from what it is right now, not sure how to explain it
Ugly Bastard Tag
I like where the story is going, spices up the story quite a bit. The only thing that annoyed me was Riku not asking the system to show timestamps on when points fell, that way he could analyse what he did wrong, also the president route is completely fu**ed because if he ever meets the younger brother he gets outed xD
Gremory
Not sure how I feel about Riku getting this system. I was kind of okay with the amount of his POV chapters because I figured this is the end for him, but honestly everyone else chapters are far more interesting, and it’s worrisome that in order to showcase this power it seems like we are going to see many, many more Riku PoV. Which again are probably the least interesting, fingers crossed it goes a different way
Justin Archibald
I think he would start to think of them as objects instead of people as well. It makes it hard to really to see where he is going with this since he is the only one with an endgame whereas Reiji wants to just live his best life. There is no point I would side with the guy that does nothing but selfish acts over someone that helps people because he wants them to be better. I kind of wish there were more characters listed that we had not even met yet so we could be more curious.
Ben
This is where the Noa finds out he did her brother dirty by abandoning him to the dogs
Michael
I have been enjoying this series. It has good characterization and dialogue and poses problems which are scaled well to Reiji’s capabilities. That said, I’m concerned that the recent decisions with Riku may cause it to jump the shark. At a high level, he needed to either be strengthened to stay relevant in the 2nd arc, or to have his role reduced. I found him the least interesting character in the recurring cast, so I was leaning the other way, but you need to pick the direction which gives you the best plot ideas, so I’ll defer to your judgement. The real problem is the nature of his power-up. By giving him an information advantage about the world design (as opposed to other powers like new allies, greater strength, greater skills, better tactics…), you’re forced to focus more on his interior life since the change will be hard to understand through his actions alone. That is the least interesting part of Riku as he exists today. I doubt that frequent views through Riku’s eyes will be popular unless he radically changes.
Kaywye
God I hope SPICE doesn't help. I want to see Riku get his consequences pretty badly. Though I am assuming that the future will be Riku becoming a serious roadblock for Reijis progress. Like Reiji I can only wipe a hand down my face while groaning.
Moon Winchester
Sorry, but I gotta be honest here. I am not invested or interested in Riku story at all and I’m not a fan of the agenda being pushed that way. Currently, we have the plot of the mysterious psychotic Z, we have the syndicate plot where there’s more information than we know, we have the interpersonal relationship plot where it is all about the developing relationship between the main character and the hero heroines. Finally, we have the self actualization plot, following the spiritual journey of our main character as he discovers himself in this new world, trying to find a place for himself. These are a lot of plots that all tie into each other that can work off each other that can build off each other. The added element of Riku and a supernatural force and otherwise non-supernatural mortal world is very weird. It feels like suddenly I don’t know where you’re gonna introduce spiritual stuff or supernatural stuff which will be cool if done right but with absolutely zero mentions of it it feels odd. I know that sounds stupid because the whole point of this book is a man who got sucked into a video game turned reality but still. I don’t know if I’m gonna read book 2. Book one was great. Don’t get me wrong and I loved it, but I might need some time.
Aman VH
Maybe for one or two days
LeJordon
It's not like it gives him the correct options, and based on Reiji's internal dialogue about the game. It's pretty difficult to get a "perfect" ending with each of the heroines, not to mention he doesn't get to redo like he would if he was playing the game as the protagonist. I have a feeling he's still going to choose a lot of bad options lol
Tzeneth
Part of me just dislikes Riku but part of me also wants him to actually redeem himself and actually learn something from the system. The problem is that he's such an idiot I think he'll think purely in terms of points and not realize he needs to think about them as people. Don't think he should end up with either Pres or Haruna.
luc B
Are you planning on taking a break?
Raraki Kraken
I wouldn't be surprised if Riku ends up choosing not only the worst choices, but also ALL of the consequences of his previous act before he got the system come back to bite his ass if he DOES make SOME progress.
blucube 14
Thanks for all the chapters! Oh boy there's the SPICE. I look forward to seeing where this goes.
John
Feeling the same. Riku is written so well that he is perfect to hate so I think author did really good here but hoping he does not somehow end up getting a bunch of favorability and swaying them at all since I hate him haha
Istan T
I don't know if I like this, since I hated Riku at every moment in this work. But I'll let the author cook, it's necessary for the work to have intrigues too, I hope he suffers more with the system
AHPMoogle
Dude is so incompetent the world has to literally step in and help him cheat... even with that, I think the only realistic shot he has even with system help is Hina.
Enzo
Thanks for the chaps! Former protagonist comes back as the challenger for the rivalry arc 💪. Though I dont know if Reiji really cares. He's not really trying to get anyone besides Yui anyways, he's just trying to be a decent guy lol
Jerkface
Such a fun path to take the story down. Love the system having protagonist being our stories antagonist. It would be fun to see if spice can redeem Riku into not ending up the final Antagonist for reiji
NeoUsui
(^・x・^)
SoothSayre
I actually figured something like this was going to happen. Not necessarily the system, but something supernatural. This story, while seeming like a non-fantasy story, already existed on the basis of a supernatural event, transmigration. I hope magical events and abilities don't exist purely for the former protagonist, because I don't like him. Keep up the good work.
Aman VH
LMFAO
Crea0
Hopefully this will be the last of the Riku chapters for a while.
Rad
I’d like to estimate that Riku will be able to get Hina back to 40-50 or so at least, and might be able to end up with her if the author is feeling generous to him. Haruna will never go above 20 so long as Riku looks at her as a capture target. Finally, I believe Noa might be brought up to 50-60 for the plot and will promptly crash and burn permanently when the info with Sora comes out. I do think they’ll all hit at least 20 for the plot point though, but I doubt Haruna will ever make it up to 50 unless she’s feeling VERY forgiving, probably helped by Reiji being an all around good person who seems to dislike enmity from people who are potentially redeemable. This is of course all just speculation because I’m bored and about to fall asleep from a horrid sleep schedule.
CinnamonHawk263
Reading to the end and getting to the cliff you left us on, only to see your icon of smug ass Jerry. Well done you bastard can’t wait for the what comes next.
Hagen Bishop
A great end to the first volume. I can’t wait for more :)
