I Got A System In The Ruined World

The Beginning Of The End

"This world sucks… Everything sucks!" I muttered to myself as I grunted on my bed. I turned slightly, placing my head on my comfy pillow as I wrapped my entire body with the thick duvet which seemed to be twice my size.

Covered in a blue overall, with star designs all over the pajamas I wore, I yawned and smacked my lips.

Suddenly a loud ringing noise, followed by stereos of music and the jingles of a melody invaded the silent, dark room. I cringed in discomfort.

"Urgh! Shit, not again!" I groaned as I tightened my face in disgust and frustration.

I had shut everywhere, covered all the blinds, and even covered myself in my favorite duvet, yet the noise of celebration still managed to reach me.

Glancing over at the wall, I saw a large calendar hung there, in a sorry state with several tears and marks all over. It had several strikes on it, showing the days that had passed. And the dates that were left without any marks were the days I was yet to live through.

My eyes caught the number beside the marked one… The present day's date.

"December 25th… Christmas…" I muttered.

When one mentioned such an occasion, it was usually with joy, vigor, and anticipation, but not for me. My eyes were tired and groggy looking, evidence of being up for nearly three days straight watching my favorite anime and reading light novels and manga.

I used to enjoy playing my favorite games, but due to the electricity bill, I had to cut costs.

"Tch, fucking cheapskates."

I shut my eyes and tightened the thick material around me to escape the sound that seemed to pervade the entire space.

My room. My street. My state. My country… The whole world!

"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…"

"Noel, Noel, Noel…"

"Long Time Ago, In Bethlehem…"

The carols were irritating to my ears, and all I wanted was peace and quiet.

"Just shut up already! Just what is there to celebrate?!" I shouted in a muffled tone, underneath my highly insulated duvet.

I decided to let everything fade away and let myself solely focus on one thing—the sweet smell of my room, the ambiance of safety, and how I was protected from the pestilence of the world outside the four walls of my haven. Other than the noise, nothing else could reach me here.

This was my world, cut off from the rest of reality.

"Too bad it can't remain this way forever…" I thought to myself painfully.

Soon I would need to resume school, attend the mind-grueling classes, and once again be subjected to the endless bullying and mockery I received from my peers, my seniors, and even my juniors.

I was the dreg of dregs, the worst person alive… And I hated myself for it.

"Why am I even alive?" I often asked myself.

However, being alone in this place protected me, albeit temporarily, from the harsh world that awaited me once my brief moment of solitude was over.

"Christmas Time Is Here, Time For Joy And Time For Cheers…"

I heard the melody of the song as it slowly danced through my ears, as the tender beat of the songs seeped through my skin.

I couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically.

"Cheers indeed… Bah Humbug!"

And with that final statement and a resolve to say goodbye to the world for the entire day of celebration, I fell into a deep sleep.

I heard the sounds of bells, coupled with carol sounds. They slowly and steadily entered my consciousness, but I ignored them all.

You A Merry Christmas>

I ignored that too, turning on my bed as I kept enjoying my solitary engulfment into the realm of unconsciousness.

Bell sounds kept ringing, songs kept playing, over and over and over again. However, I refused to open my eyes, stubbornly deciding to enjoy my sleep.

After all, when I woke up again, I would have another marathon to go through.

"I wonder if I can manage 5 days this time…" I slurred.

Slowly, the music faded, disappearing into the background. What was left was a dead silence, with not even a peep to be heard. I smiled in satisfaction and continued my beauty sleep.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me… I slept throughout Christmas day!

[Moments Later]

I slowly opened my eyes, closing them back slightly as a result of the light they took in. I covered my face with my hands, still trying to adapt to the bright environment.

"That's weird… Didn't I shut the blinds? Everywhere should be dark right now…" I muttered.

As I rubbed my eyes and tried to adapt my eyes to my surroundings, my blurred vision was slowly restored. My mouth dropped open as I witnessed everything my eyes took in.

"What the fuck!" I mumbled.

The entire place was filled with white colors, decorated with golden designs, sparkling like nothing I had ever seen before. Tears flowed from my eyes due to me just being roused from sleep, however, such beautiful scenery was enough for me to be dumbstruck.

"W-Where am I…?!" I muttered.

This definitely wasn't my room.

I stared about me and continued to appreciate the breathtaking view I enjoyed greatly. With my pajamas still on me and the pillow I always had with me in my firm grasp, I slowly walked around, wearing nothing on my legs except my socks.

It was almost as though I was in a manga world or that of a light novel.

"Have I been…" I asked myself, considering the possibility of being summoned to another world.

If that were true, then my happiness would be beyond measure. However, I had gotten countless dreams similar to this in the past, so I wasn't going to let this sight make me jump to conclusions.

"Or maybe I'm just dreaming, just as usual… Shit!"

As I continued to observe the area, a white light, appearing to be in the shape of a man, approached me. I was so preoccupied with the area that I failed to notice the sentient light beside me.

"HOW SURPRISING…" The white figure spoke gently, however, its tone was deep and authoritative.

This sudden sound shocked me, causing my skin to jump as I retreated from my position in reflex.

"Gahhh!" I yelped.

"CALM YOURSELF, HUMAN," the light responded.

Having no mouth or any other organs, with only the humanoid shape in its possession, it stood opposite me, who had kept a distance between us. I looked at it suspiciously, my heart beating faster in slight fear and apprehension.

"W-Who are you…?" I asked in a shaky voice.

The light being kept quiet for a moment and looked at me closely. It shook its head and seemed to sigh.

"I AM AN ENTITY YOUR KIND REFER TO AS GOD… AND, YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PRIZE ZONE," the being referring to itself as God said.

"Prize…?" I mumbled, repeating the words of the God, but with a look of hesitation and confusion.

"YES, FOR THE PRIZES EVERY HUMAN RECEIVED FROM ME YESTERDAY, ON CHRISTMAS DAY," it added.

This made me even more confused. This was getting too complicated to be a dream, and I also

had a feeling that something was strange.

"HOWEVER, WHO WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THIS? ESPECIALLY AFTER I PICKED THE PERFECT TIME FOR EVERY HUMAN TO BE ACTIVE WITHIN THE SPACE OF 1 HOUR… IT WOULD SEEM, YOU WEREN'T AMONG EVERYONE ELSE," the being known as God continued.

"FOR YOU TO HAVE SLEPT THROUGH A WHOLE DAY, ESPECIALLY ONE SUCH AS CHRISTMAS… YOU ARE DEFINITELY AN ANOMALY."

I kept hearing the rambling of the sentient light. However, there was only so much I could take since I felt so mystified and confused.

"Hey, what the fuck is going on here?" I finally responded in a raised tone.

This made the God I saw cease its deliberations and look at my distraught face.

"MIND YOUR LANGUAGE… YOU STAND ON HOLY GROUND!" God stated with a condescending undertone.

This made me whimper, timidly withdrawing to myself. I rubbed my hands together slightly, feeling uncomfortable and nervous in the strange space.

"HOURS AGO, DURING THE CONVERGENCE, I SUMMONED ALL HUMANS INTO THIS PLANE. FOR ONE HOUR, ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE TIME ZONES AND THEIR DIFFERENCES, EVERYONE WAS AWAKE. I USED THIS EVENT TO BRING THOSE PEOPLE INTO THIS WORLD AND GRANTED THEM ALL 'GIFTS.'"

"W-What? I don't understand… Gifts, as in powers?" I muttered, having a shocked look on my face.

"POWERS? I SUPPOSE YOU COULD CALL IT THAT. I GAVE THEM THE DIVINE SYSTEM, AS WELL AS SPECIAL PACKAGES, UNIQUE TO EACH PERSON."

With everything I was seeing, it was difficult not to believe what I was hearing. Even if it could very well be a dream, I wanted it to be real.

"T-Then… Now that I'm here… Does that mean…?" I muttered.

"YES, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU WERE NOT SUMMONED WITH THE OTHERS. AS SUCH YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THE DIVINE SYSTEM, NOR A GIFT. THAT IS WHY THE WORLD REJECTED YOU AND FORCEFULLY TRANSPORTED YOU HERE JUST AS YOU BEGAN TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS." God answered.

"I-I don't have any Gifts?" I muttered.

"YES, AND AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY GIFT, YOU ARE UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE WORLD. IT WILL SIMPLY REJECT YOUR EXISTENCE." God answered.

"I won't be able to return to the world again… I'll be stuck outside Earth…" I mumbled, ruminating on the new reality dawning on me.

"INDEED, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY BE DISSATISFIED WITH THAT, AND…"

"Are you kidding? Why would I be?" I suddenly beamed with a wide smile.

I had a relieved expression as I jumped for joy.

The only reason I remained in my world was that I was a coward, too scared to even take my own worthless life. With the world filled with everyone possessing powers, it would definitely be the worst and most dangerous place for me.

Compared to going through such hardship, I would rather take my chances with this God.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" God asked, appearing confused.

"I don't want to go back… I'm staying here… With you! After all, I don't have a gift… Right?" I smiled.

"Everything in the world is trash anyway… But now I no longer have to live in it!"

I had made my decision. I was going to embrace this new opportunity and leave my old life behind. Maybe, just maybe, this new world would bring me the happiness and sense of belonging I had always yearned for.

As I stood there, gazing at the mysterious being known as God, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope, knowing that my life was about to change forever.