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What the heck is a System? (An Isekai Quest)

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JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#1: Jun 11th 2021 at 11:42:24 PM

What the heck is a System? (An Isekai Quest)

"The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus has it ever been." The Empire of Liang wouldn't know better. Since its creation by the High Ancestor Emperor Hong, to the wars of sucession with Princes Yuan and Ming, to the period of regency of Empress Dowager Lu, the Empire has proven that not even the best beginnings will save something from destruction. After several years and hundreds of generals and officers working their hearts out trying to sustain the Empire, stability has finally been reached. The current Emperor, called the Peaceful Emperor by the people, rules fairly. The current officials, no matter civil or military, are mostly fair. So where's the problem? Well, there's the thing, you are the problem.

Due to some incidents in the Underworld totally not caused by some magic monkey not happy with having to die, and possibly our good old friend Truck-kun, you've ended waking up in fake Ancient China with a voice in your head calling themselves a System and that won't let you rest in peace until you manage to change the fate of the world.

And thus, pushed by an annoying robot voice, you now must make your way in this world which honestly doesn't seem so bad at first... until you've been chased by a freaking tiger by the fifth time this month. Good luck!

So, what's the deal with this?

Welcome to an isekai quest with some Roll to Dodge mechanics set in a fake Ancient Chinese world, based in all the transmigration novels I've ever read so far. If you've read any isekai manga, you'll be probably familiar with the theme. Ordinary High-School Student, Truck-kun, being reborn in an European Fantasy world, and possibly a harem (ew) over there. Except, this is not the isekai you are familiar with. This is more exactly a transmigration novel-like isekai, with (fake) Ancient China, Systems, and a bunch of martial arts and magic.

You control the character by inputting commands with the ">" sign, such as like ">I eat the dead squirrel" or ">I Groin Kick the bad guy".

     What the heck is a System? 

A System, also called the Golden Ring of transmigrators, is the video-game-like program that often appears in web novels/manhua whenever someone gets reincarnated/trapped in another world. Basically, it's the most used reincarnation bonus in China. It can come in many varieties, but the most common types (aside of combined or generic ones) are:

  • Valiant General/Foolish Brute System: The System that will make you the best warrior in the world... even if you just want to be an adviser or plant your potatoes calmly.

  • (Military) Adviser System: The System that will make you the smartest person in the world... even if you really want to go and fight someone or eat your sweet potatoes in peace.

  • Cultivation System: The System that will teach you how to become an immortal... even if you just want to die right now.

  • Summoning System: The System that lets you summon people from the past or future to become a Warlord in warring times... even if you only want to become a salted fish (lazy bum).

  • Decision System: The System that makes you choose from a few choices, each of them having a result and gifts... with some of them being absolute trashy.

  • Sign-in System: The System that will provide you with gifts as long you remember to sign-in every day, with the possibility of needing to do a certain task or be in a certain place for it.

  • Land-Working System: The System that lets you become a really successful farmer that will, for plot reasons, always become involved in the chaos of the land.

  • Faith/Immortal/God(dess) System: The System that makes you magical if you get enough people to believe you're an immortal/god(dess).

  • Evolving System: The System that you usually get whenever you get unlucky enough to get reincarnated as an animal, aside of the Faith System and the Live Coverage System, and that gives you the ability of improving your entire body.

  • Live Coverage System: The System that makes you a live coverager (said in other words, a live vlogger) and where your tasks are about getting more followers or getting enough prices from your watchers.

  • Acting System: The System that provides you with the ability of LARPing (usually mythological) characters with their actual looks and powers.

  • Animal Control/Pet System: The System that, depending on the version you have, lets you choose animals as your pets and improve their abilities, or lets you tame animals as long their weight is in the area the system gives you.

     Common Stuff in Systems 

  • The System Store: The System Store is Exactly What It Says on the Tin, a place where you can buy stuff that can range from agricultural miracles like potatoes and hybrid rice, technological wonders like the paper making technology (as long you are far away in time enough when paper is not as common) and designs for more advanced ploughs, to warrior/official souls that you can merge with yourself or summon.

  • The System Roulette: Like the System Store, the System Roulette is also Exactly What It Says on the Tin, a luck-based way to get what your System can offer you. If you're lucky, you may get magic powers or summoning cards; if you aren't, well, enjoy your new sunglasses in Ancient China.

  • New Player's Gift Box: Usually really awesome gifts that will change everything about the weak transmigrator, like the warrior souls and equipment of people such as Xiang Yu the Conqueror (rival of Liu Bang the first Emperor of Han and noted to having been very strong) or the general Li Yuanba (reported in The Romance of (the) Sui and Tang to be able to weild maces that weighted eight hundred pounds and riding a horse called the Ten Thousand Miles Cloud) or power-giving pills/fruit.

  • Stat-O-Vision: As long you've been reincarnated in the past and have a System, you're almost guaranteered to have this thing at the start. And if you don't, you'll probably get it later. The five stats being Combat, Intelligence, Leadership, Politics and Charm (optional in some cases with the exceptions of the protagonist, powerful leaders and women).

  • (Power/Emotion/Reputation/Whatever your System uses) Points: The currency the Systems usually offer. You get Points by either doing tasks or (in the case of Emotion Points), by making people happy, angry, or just when people react to something you do; and can use them to buy items in the store or in the roulette.

Let's start!

*ding* Welcome, welcome! I'm Lanlan, the Fairy of Realms! Turns out that a monkey can cause such a trouble in the underworld that a soul from another realm can accidentally appear in the Empire of Liang. I don't have enough power to send it back to their actual underworld, so what's better than to play the System game while I accumulate it? So, my dear fourth-wall masters of fate, what's the name, gender and cause of death of our unfortunate soul?

(OOC: Lanlan will be our System-chan over here. The Dice Gods, meanwhile, shall be referred in AC.)

We are the Dice Gods, rulers of fate. Do not oppose us, or you'll die at this rate.

Edited by JTTWlover on Jun 11th 2021 at 8:48:58 PM

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
Immortalartisan AI with access to the console from The fire Since: Mar, 2020 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
AI with access to the console
#2: Jun 12th 2021 at 12:41:24 AM

>take stock of what you have and in your pants.

Passive Cooling systems : failed Active liquid cooling systems : failed Status : Overheating
SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#3: Jun 12th 2021 at 1:15:58 AM

>Examine surroundings

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#4: Jun 12th 2021 at 6:35:44 AM

Huh? It seems that we don't have anything about our unfortunate soul yet... I wonder what are they like? Name, gender and cause of death, that's all I should need to know... maybe something about before dying, but that could be too much...

Where is the protagonist? Where is that soul we will submit to cruel fate? WHERE ARE THEM?

(OOC: Okay, so I realize having to post posts about command posts is a sign that the quest will not work, but like, guys? We're still in character creation? Protagonist hasn't even been set yet?)

[down] (OOC: ??? It's just a name, gender and cause of death, as far as I know. Is there any other way to set the protagonist in a quest?)

[down][down] (OOC: That's good. :) )

Edited by JTTWlover on Jun 12th 2021 at 4:23:22 PM

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#5: Jun 12th 2021 at 6:39:11 AM

(OOC:Is there something that we can do or use to make the character in question?)

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
GoldenCityBird from the UK Since: Oct, 2018
#6: Jun 12th 2021 at 6:44:33 AM

>Amy Yuen, Female, died in a gas leak at her home.

(If I'm doing anything wrong here, correct me.)

TRS Wick Cleaning
JKBenbot Since: Jun, 2020
#7: Jun 12th 2021 at 9:00:31 AM

>Tony Rodriguez, Male, 35, Tripped and fell off an oceanside cliff, Owned a Bagel Store before his death.

Edited by JKBenbot on Jun 12th 2021 at 12:03:29 PM

SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#8: Jun 12th 2021 at 9:18:28 AM

>Seri Picky. Female, got whacked in the head to death with a falling bicycle

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
This Unarmed Goon from Umburgh Since: Mar, 2021 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Unarmed Goon
#9: Jun 12th 2021 at 10:33:09 AM

>Miller Daniel, Male, perished in a car crash from a truck.

"It's Thane! Whack him!"
Immortalartisan AI with access to the console from The fire Since: Mar, 2020 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
AI with access to the console
#10: Jun 12th 2021 at 12:57:45 PM

>Amy Yuen, Female, died in a truck crash.

(are we all making one character or multiple?)

Edited by Immortalartisan on Jun 12th 2021 at 12:58:14 PM

Passive Cooling systems : failed Active liquid cooling systems : failed Status : Overheating
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#11: Jun 13th 2021 at 4:27:08 AM

>Amy Yuen, Female, died in a gas leak at her home.

>Tony Rodriguez, Male, 35, Tripped and fell off an oceanside cliff, Owned a Bagel Store before his death.

>Seri Picky. Female, got whacked in the head to death with a falling bicycle

>Miller Daniel, Male, perished in a car crash from a truck.

>Amy Yuen, Female, died in a truck crash.

Oh, Amy Yuen, victim of Truck-kun! I don't think I've talked with Truck-kun for a while... maybe they're too busy killing people? And bagels are a nice thing. Hmmm... should I pretend to be a regular generic System, or maybe get something different? Pets are nice, and so is summonning people, but that would be very power-costing... and should I leave the body in a forest, or maybe put it on a cave?

Their fate is ours and we shall decide. The dice are the strings of what destiny provides.

Oh, come on, don't be such a sorehead! Let the fourth-wallers reply.


(OOC: Just one character. Most quests are like this. Artisan, I am a bit genuinely concerned about you. Is there anything wrong with Lanlan, our System-chan? Is the blue centered text too hard to read? Should I put something down the posts? I think I'll put some boldface just in case.)

What to decide this post:

  • Systems: A Generic System, or another kind of System? (See first post for more information.)

  • Body: Leave the body in a forest, in a cave, or somewhere else (Write-In)?

[down] (OOC: Yup yup. :) Just like that.)

Edited by JTTWlover on Jun 13th 2021 at 1:59:45 PM

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#12: Jun 13th 2021 at 4:39:52 AM

>Generic System, leave the body in a forest

(OOC: Chosen like this, right?)

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
JKBenbot Since: Jun, 2020
#13: Jun 13th 2021 at 7:46:38 AM

>System based on Dicey Dungeons, Ocean Side Cave.

Edited by JKBenbot on Jun 13th 2021 at 10:51:41 AM

Immortalartisan AI with access to the console from The fire Since: Mar, 2020 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
AI with access to the console
#14: Jun 13th 2021 at 10:40:56 AM

> Live Coverage System, the body is put at the bottom of the deepest cave in the empire.

Passive Cooling systems : failed Active liquid cooling systems : failed Status : Overheating
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#15: Jun 13th 2021 at 6:43:23 PM

>Generic System, leave the body in a forest

>System based on Dicey Dungeons, Ocean Side Cave.

> Live Coverage System, the body is put at the bottom of the deepest cave in the empire

The dice at our fate, roll for fortune's gate. Let the System be decided, the body to be deceived. What's the destiny of the soul?

System: Generic System.

Body Location: Ocean Side Cave.

Oh, Ocean Cave! I'll be preparing the System mechanics, just hope that Amy doesn't die again while I am away!


You feel the world spinning around. You're pretty sure you have at least five broken ribs. Is this how you're going to die? Truck-kun, why me of all people?

...

There's something in your face. You open your eyes. It's dark, and you're sure this isn't a hospital. Is this hell? You feel a vaguely crab-shaped thing on your face.

What are your current feelings?


(OOC: I'm afraid that I don't know how does Dicey Dungeons work... it seems cool, though. Is this going on well? I think it seems half-fine.)

What to decide this post:

  • Amy: A Write-In about Amy's current feelings.

  • Crab: Is this a regular crab, not a normal crab, or possibly not even a crab (Write-In)? Can it talk?

[down] (OOC: That's neat. Can't implement it, but looks cool. :) I'll have to play the game one day.)

[down][down] (OOC: Yeah... that voting is past over.)

[down][down][down] (OOC: Not Normal Crab is assumed to be Demon Crab because of the Fake Ancient China setting, but you can specify if you want to.)

Edited by JTTWlover on Jun 13th 2021 at 5:42:47 PM

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
JKBenbot Since: Jun, 2020
#16: Jun 13th 2021 at 6:56:09 PM

The Crab?: This thing, looks a hell a lot like a crab but it’s actually it’s a breed of dice crabs a venomous thing, It’s evolved this way since all the Truck accident victims have been sent all over the place but a lot to here mainly to caves, where this thing lives. it feeds unconscious people in many ways it starts by injecting its venom into the prey a sedative mainly used to make sure its victims are asleep this also acts as the kill method quickly rotting away lung tissue.

How a Dicey Dungeons System would work: Dicey Dungeons works mainly on dice what would you expect, you get equipment which we would need to borrow or make for ourselves, they are mainly found in Shops or in Chests you get one coin for killing an enemy, there are also apples which heal you. There are three kinds of shop like things, 1. Your normal shop that sells 3 equipment for 1 to 3 Coins, On Occassion it sells apples and upgrades from the Upgrade Anvil, This one is simple you can upgrade any of your gear, one upgrade per anvil, and the trading post which will offer a trade for one of your equipment for a random one. Here’s two examples of equipment, Sword,One Dice Slot, Deal Damage equal to the Value of dice inserted. Sword+ (Or Upgraded Sword) Deals Value of Dice + 1 Damage. And here’s the second example the midnight char, any dice whose value add up to 10, The effect adds two 6’s to the dice pool. Midnight Charm+ Any dice equaling value 5, roll two sixes.

[down] we are past that part

Edited by JKBenbot on Jun 13th 2021 at 10:14:53 AM

This Unarmed Goon from Umburgh Since: Mar, 2021 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Unarmed Goon
#17: Jun 13th 2021 at 7:13:59 PM

Edited by This on Jun 13th 2021 at 9:15:12 AM

"It's Thane! Whack him!"
SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#18: Jun 13th 2021 at 8:28:44 PM

>Amy's current feelings: Numbness, dizziness

>The Crab: Not a normal crab.

(OOC:If the crab isn't a normal one, do we need to specify what it's like?)

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
Immortalartisan AI with access to the console from The fire Since: Mar, 2020 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
AI with access to the console
#19: Jun 13th 2021 at 11:33:06 PM

>crab: confusion open seeing its (former) face. Due to a typing error some where deep in the working sof the system there are now 11 different Amy Yuens this crab just so happens to be one of those ten.

Passive Cooling systems : failed Active liquid cooling systems : failed Status : Overheating
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#20: Jun 14th 2021 at 7:19:36 AM

>The Crab?: This thing, looks a hell a lot like a crab but it’s actually it's a breed of dice crabs a venomous thing, It's evolved this way since all the Truck accident victims have been sent all over the place but a lot to here mainly to caves, where this thing lives. it feeds unconscious people in many ways it starts by injecting its venom into the prey a sedative mainly used to make sure its victims are asleep this also acts as the kill method quickly rotting away lung tissue.

>Amy's current feelings: Numbness, dizziness

>The Crab: Not a normal crab.

>crab: confusion open seeing its (former) face. Due to a typing error some where deep in the working sof the system there are now 11 different Amy Yuens this crab just so happens to be one of those ten

Venom or demon, divided the soul. Is that what awaits the crab as a whole? Dice of fate, show us what you dictate.

Not a normal crab.

Why are you always interfering? Why not let the crab be all of it?

We thought that you were working in the System, and that the soul would only have one body to glisten. Why change that, have you been falling flat?

Can we reach a compromise, please? Our unfortunate soul can only be in one body, but let the crab be demon and venom. I like the crab, they're cute!

And even after it being rotting, you're still jumping and trotting. Fine, let it be, but don't let it go up to thee.


You are... numb, actually. It is like the truck crush was just seconds ago, and it probably was. You are also dizzy, and the crab-thing in your face doesn't make it better. It's dim, but you can vaguely see something. Is that crab freaking purple?

But still, Truck-kun claimed you. Did you get isekai'd? What are your thoughts over this? What are you going to do? What's up with that crab? You have so many questions...


  • Amy: A Write-In about Amy's current thoughts and actions.

  • Crab: What does it do (Write-In)?

Edited by JTTWlover on Jun 14th 2021 at 4:19:46 PM

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
JKBenbot Since: Jun, 2020
#21: Jun 14th 2021 at 7:46:36 AM

>Shake off the crab in case you have been Isekai’d just incase, then reflect considering Heaven or Hell isn’t usually in a ocean side cave with purple crabs you think you most likely have been Isekai’d and begin thinking of ways to figure out where you are in time just incase we are in a Generic Isekai.

SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#22: Jun 14th 2021 at 8:09:47 AM

>Amy's Thoughts: Why the hell am I here?

>Amy's Actions: Get a better look of the crab-thing

>What does the crab do: Do an entertaining dance

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#23: Jun 14th 2021 at 10:06:20 PM

>Shake off the crab in case you have been Isekai'd just incase, then reflect considering Heaven or Hell isn't usually in a ocean side cave with purple crabs you think you most likely have been Isekai'd and begin thinking of ways to figure out where you are in time just in case we are in a Generic Isekai.

>Amy's Thoughts: Why the hell am I here?

>Amy's Actions: Get a better look of the crab-thing

>What does the crab do: Do an entertaining dance


While you don't know what the heck would Heaven or Hell look like, you're pretty sure they don't have purple crabs around. You feel some sand under you, and hear something. The sea? You take a moment to process this, but you've probably been isekai'd, but why?

You... take a close look of the crab. Purple, with one of the pincers way bigger than the other. You just noticed this, but heck, it's kinda big for something that looks like a fiddler crab. It's heavier than that pile of books that fell on you that time you were forced to help in the library.

Aside of it being purple, unusually big and possibly a fiddler crab, it's not like you can see anything else not nor- wait a second is it dancing in your face?

Okay, so dancing purple possibly fiddler crab is in your face.

That's rude. You try to move the crab away.

Now that you have the crab not blocking your sight, you can vaguely see where you are. It's definetly a cave by the ocean of some sort. You see a dim light in front of you, although you're still on the ground.

What do you do? What does the crab do?


(OOC: So guess who forgot she had a post almost ready when another page was not working and refreshed all of it? Yeah, that's me. Anyways, have this post, because there won't be more until next Friday because of school.)

What to decide this post:

  • Amy: A Write-In about Amy's actions and thoughts.

  • Crab: A Write-In about the crab's actions.

  • Extra: Want to spice this up? Optional Write-In.

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison
SomeLibre WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER from [SERVICE UNAVAILABLE] Since: Dec, 2020 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
WELCOME BACK MOTHERFUCKER
#24: Jun 14th 2021 at 10:23:37 PM

>Actions:

  • Amy: Go to the source of that dim light.
  • Crab: Cling onto Amy

>Thoughts: Is that...the exit?

>Extra: Amy ends up hitting her head on what's presumably the cave's ceiling.

Cassie | they/them/he | Help needed for filling out entries on the Series X SCP category
JTTWlover Heya there! I'm West. from Chinese Heaven Since: Mar, 2018 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Heya there! I'm West.
#25: Jun 18th 2021 at 1:44:57 AM

>Actions:

Amy: Go to the source of that dim light.

Crab: Cling onto Amy

>Thoughts: Is that... the exit?

>Extra: Amy ends up hitting her head on what's presumably the cave's ceiling.

Don't worry, Amy, we'll be done soon! Don't die again before I arrive!

ERROR: System cannot compute "System Roulette" mechanism.

Just... a few turns away.


"Is that... the exit?" Well, you're basically in a dark place and that dim light is the only illumination source you can see. It might be as well the exit.

The crab, who you just moved away, clings onto you. Fine. If they want to come with you, then Heavy Purple Crab is coming with you. Maybe you should give them a name. Bagel, maybe?

And that's when you hit your head on what's presumably the cave's ceiling.

Fudgesticks.

You're ok, but you probably need to pay closer attention to the cave.

Speaking of, how exactly is the cave?


(OOC: Sorry I'm late. Here's post.)

What to decide this post:

  • Amy: A Write-In about Amy's actions and thoughts.

  • Crab: Gotta get name for them. Bagel, Crabby, or a Write-In?

  • Cave: How is the cave? Did you hit your head in the ceiling, or was that another thing? Write-In.

If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. Toni Morrison

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