Click.Aiden adjusted his blazer as he stepped out of his room, rolling his sleeves halfway. The collar sat clean. Tie? Slightly loosened — effortlessly sharp.
His steps were calm. Too calm for a kid who'd technically died yesterday.
But today?
Today was a second chance.
[Smile System Online]Welcome back, Aiden Ward.
Time Remaining Until Collapse: 3 years, 2 months, 9 days.
This world will burn on March 12, 2033.
Survive. Entertain. Smile.
– Let the broadcast begin.
He paused midway down the stairs. A faint hum clicked behind his eyes — the interface flickered.
Status Window – OPEN
Name: Aiden WardAge: 19Level: 55Title: ☠ The One Who Lived Through Ruin (Legendary)Affiliation: NoneCelestial Subscribers: 5,131,002
Attributes:• Strength – 74• Agility – 69• Endurance – 72• Perception – 80• Dexterity – 68• Intelligence – 71• Charisma – 67
Smile Points: 4,013 (previously: 268,900)
Skills:• Sharpshooter [Lv.4]• Silent Movement [Lv.3]• Tactical Thinking [Lv.2]• Pain Resistance [Lv.3]• Weapon Mastery [Lv.3]• Cold Survival [Lv.2]• Cooking [Lv.2]• Field Medicine [Lv.2]• Close Combat [Lv.3]• Situational Humor [Lv.4] — [Unique Passive]
[Pending Contract – Unknown Celestial][Smile Shop Unlocked][Star Stream Channel: LIVE]
"God, I miss having 200k points. Four thousand feels like pocket change…"
Maybe don't get murdered next time, Mr. All-Muscle-No-Brains.
"Touché."
He stepped into the kitchen.
His dad was at the table, reading the paper. His mom poured tea. But it was his sister who noticed first.
She blinked once. Then again. Then squinted.
"…What the fuck?" she said, toast still in her mouth.
Their mom gasped. "Language!"
"No, Mom, I need that word. There's no other word that fits this situation!".
Aiden lifted an eyebrow.
"Good morning to you, Professor Overreaction."
His dad looked up now. Frowned.
"Why are you just… staring at the wall?"
Aiden blinked.
"I was praying for patience. Didn't work."
His sister stepped closer, eyes sharp.
"I told you he's on something (drugs). I mean, look at this guy! Yesterday he was built like an underfed sociology major. Now he's some… action movie reboot?!"
Aiden casually buttered some toast.
"I leveled up. Puberty hit like a tactical airstrike."
(quite literally at 19- puberty....? wtf??)
She folded her arms. "Your face looks like it was carved by a pissed-off Greek sculptor."
He nodded seriously.
"It's called trauma-sculpting. New therapy method."
[Smile Points +120]God of Irony is amused. God of Judgment thinks you're insufferable.
His mom blinked. "Did you start working out again?"
Aiden: "Nah. Just stress. It's a full-body workout these days."
His dad narrowed his eyes. "If I find pills in your room, we're having a conversation."
"If you find anything in my room, we're having a whole different conversation."
[Skill: Situational Humor – Lv.4] Activated.Passive audience engagement increasing.+64 Smile Points
His sister still stared at him as they sat at the table.
"You're being weird."
Aiden crunched into a boiled egg.
"That's rich coming from someone who collects dead succulents."
"I keep them for aesthetic."
"You keep them like trophies from plant murder."
Breakfast moved fast from there. Small talk. Awkward glances. But Aiden kept half his mind in the stream — gods watching, stats shifting, subtle changes flickering behind every breath.
[System Notice]Your body is still adapting to prior stat allocation.Sudden skill activation may result in pain, memory flashbacks, or bleeding.
Smile through it.
His phone buzzed. Message from his dad:
"Get ready. I'll drop you to campus."
His sister rolled her eyes.
"I'll see you there. Try not to weird out every girl who walks past."
"Too late. I'm already on the 'mysterious transfer student' arc."
God of Narratives likes your energy. +30 Smile Points
He looked at his reflection in the hallway mirror.
Younger. Taller. Shoulders like armor. Eyes calmer, but colder.
"Three years until the world ends..."
He adjusted his collar.
"Guess I better make 'em count."