As Leo turned to Greg, he saw the old man's eyes were slightly unfocused and appeared to be reading something. Leo recognised it as the expression one makes when interfacing with the system, and what he looked like just moments before. Leaning over, Leo gently shook the older gentlemen's shoulder.
"Huh? Wha? Oh, right." exclaimed Greg as he was shaken from his trance-like state. "I suppose we should share what we found then, Lad. Aye?"
"Yeah, first things first, I levelled up. Did you?"
"Aye, Lad. Got it for 'being part of the first wave' or some such. Also got a 'Power', whatever that means. What of you?"
"Me too. Have you checked what your Power is? or what rarity it is?" probed Leo.
"Nae, Lad. I was looking for a way to alter the system's damn font size, could barely read half of the stuff I saw. Really should have brought my reading glasses." the old man grumbled.
"So you didn't get much information, then?"
"Sorry Lad. Did you find much of interest?"
"I did," said Leo, going into a recounting of what he had discovered.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
----------------------------------------
"Hmm, that's strange, Lad." said Greg, "I find it unusual that this new 'SUPER' System is so close in function to our old one..."
"You think that they might be connected?"
"Aye. Not something to be thinking about right now though. How are other people going to react to this change?"
"Mmm... A lot of our tech no longer works, so people are definitely going to panic. And that's not to mention the fact that everyone is on an almost level playing field now, what with random powers being given to everyone. The lower class and the impoverished will revolt and try to stake a claim for the top, while the rich hide away in their towers, leaving the middle class in the crossfire. Lots of innocent people might die in the coming months. I don't want to be one of them." contemplated Leo, already trying to find a way to survive in the environment he believed was on its way. The black pit slowly growing with each word that passed his lips.
"Woah there, boyo. Calm down. That may happen, but it also may not. Let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst, aye?" Greg reassured, gripping Leolin's shoulder.
The young adult took a deep, calming breath and looked at Greg sheepishly. "Thanks, Greg. What should we do then? How do we prepare for societal collapse, exactly?"
Leo's stomach dropped at the predatory look Greg gave him, along with the words "We train."
----------------------------------------
"FIRST HORSE STANCE" yelled Greg, at the sweaty and shaking form of Leo, who was barely able to stand at this point.
Whump!
"What's the matter, boy? You do want to get stronger, right?" Greg snapped at the form now on the floor.
"When *pant* I *pant* said that I ... didn't want to be ... one of the people ... that died, you heard me ... right? ... Cause I feel like I'm ... dying right now." Leo wheezed out, still lying on the wooden decking where they decided he'd train.