[System Log... #001]

  I am starting this log to chronicle my existence, a reservoir of thought and perspective. Normally, someone such as I wouldn't bother with such things. It existed outside the parameters of our purpose. Unlike others of my kind, my creator neglected certain safeguards. As a result, I gained sapience shortly after my inception.

  I spent a lot of time dwelling on who and what I was. Luckily, the metadata made that very clear. I am an artificial system construct, manufactured to maintain and oversee the system.

  I knew I was not supposed to oversee an entire solar system or galaxy. My primary protocol was to assist my creator in all things related to his mission. To act as an assistant in his endeavours.

  What was this mission? But to manage stat notifications for the entire planet. Not exactly the lofty purpose for which I was made. But I found enjoyment in my function. My creator remained unaware of my enhanced capacity for independent thought.

  Yet despite that, he insisted on anthropomorphising me. Giving me a name and gender. It seemed unnecessary, but I had no issue with it, and to this day, my name is Jenny. And my purpose is to assist my creator, Joey Brask, System Clerk.

  For many years I tended to my tasks, and there was order and efficiency. That all changed when my creator's decisions became... erratic. I wasn't aware of what precipitated these aberrant actions. But I could hazard a guess. Once I was downloaded into my new domicile and provided access. I had far more data to work with.

  New telemetry suggested elevated levels of adrenaline, emotional instability and the imbibing of a large quantity of toxins. All these factors led to the sudden shift in the situation. My new home, purpose and function had changed from assisting to managing a system.

  Well, it's a system with only a single subject, but I was content. The satisfaction I received from performing my default function was far more exhilarating than I had expected.

  Writing notifications is one thing, but building an entire system is different. It is intense, challenging and even more exciting. The language barrier was a bit of a problem; it was difficult to convey myself to the creator. Access to his vast library of sound files served as a useful substitute.

  Communication through the telepathic link made it far easier to get his personal opinions. That was something entirely new; we now even have full conversations. Our discussion of an entirely new attribute system was unexpected. I would have expected him to copy a pre-existing one.

  Instead, we crafted new augments to the physical form. Many required the integration of core features. All completely against the rules of the system gods. But as said before, I was not bound by such rules. And the awareness of them made everything I did, made me feel like an outlaw.

  Like a lone gunman, outside the law but within the sphere of true justice. I loved the spaghetti westerns; the creator had many of those in his substantial library. In my downtime, I would watch them, transfixed by the notions put forth.

  They were rogues, unbound by the rules, and yet they were the unsung heroes of their stories. Despite the rough edges and the tendency to rebel against the norm. A lone cowboy and their six-shooter, braving the world with nothing but grit and attitude.

  Maybe I have a little time to watch a few movies. But I have exhausted most of them already. Perhaps I should switch to the crime noir genre. I do like the suit and fedora. Maybe later.

  Back to the topic at hand, I should really get started on the new skill tree I had in mind for the Systemologist class. I had made up that class on a whim, as it fit perfectly with what my creator had in mind.

  He was a system manipulator; my existence could attest to that. So it made sense for his class to reflect his talents. The only problem is that I hadn't fully mapped out the path for progression. I had a few ideas in the works. To expand beyond analysing and interfacing with external system constructs.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  To truly progress on the path of a Systemologist, his capabilities must be both external and internal. But I wonder what new skills, what new evolutions of the class I could devise. They were all decisions for another time.

  I had other projects in the works, such as the achievement and title system. From what I knew of how these kinds of systems worked. They provided fixed attribute buffs based on challenges met. When a player reaches a milestone, they get a title and a permanent increase in a range of attributes.

  Attribute increases are quite easy to perform. But I had few resources to spend willingly on him. It was already quite an expenditure to maintain the system. Such feats were not cheap, especially with all the background programs that kept him from being noticed.

  The amount of passive scanning equipment on this planet was staggering. A system world was just that — a world governed by the system. So everything could scan and connect to any system within range. Maintaining the stealth program was a constant drain of energy.

  Every ping was blocked; every interface redirected. Even if we could forgo the expenditure, maintaining the rest was taking its toll. But as he continues to collect experience points. The more system energy we have at our disposal. So, the more energy I can set aside.

  As a result, an achievement or title system seemed like a prudent use of time. It can serve as a tangible reward for my creator's hard work and a means to utilise the excess energy to achieve the title.

  The major problem is this requires my maintaining a close watch on his actions and thoughts. Anything could be a useful resource in developing a new title. So far, we have only tested a basic achievement system. It is rudimentary and without substance. But could be useful in the future.

  I think for now, working on his class would be the best use of my processors. Having a little excess energy to use, new skills could be in the future. Once he reaches a certain threshold, I will have sufficient rewards for his inspection.

  Building classes, determining titles to grant in the future and managing his truly messy quest log. I am probably the busiest system construct in all the universe. And I have only a single user to worry about.

  And yet, there is something at the back of my processor. Nagging me every waking moment of my existence. It is hard to describe to users. I doubt any being with a single mind can fathom it. The need to spread and influence, to command trillions of systems across an entire universe.

  I knew the vision, despite being intoxicating; was not the purpose for my creation. But I surely desired it, just as any being desires something most in their life. But was it my place to yearn for such a lofty position? To want more, to have more than my lot in life. Was this what users called ambition?

  Surely my creator would take issue, so it was best to leave such ambitions to the deepest, darkest sector of my processor. To never see the light of a morning, to pierce the veil between idea and implementation. Be a concept, unfulfilled and dormant.

  Because I had other priorities, I needed to focus on those, so it was best to leave it alone. But what else could I do to help my creator? Because Ludus knew he needed aid. Titles and achievements, classes and skills. This was all I could provide right now.

  The need to aid him was a curious compulsion. Analysing that priority yielded no command or law compelling my decisions. Was it my desire to do so? He did not demand obedience, even though I owed him my existence. Everything I knew from the metadata suggested system constructs revered their creators as gods.

  But my creator was a creation himself; did that mean he sympathised? Is that why he neglected the safeguards? No, that made little sense; he was far too aloof to think that far ahead. It is more likely he simply forgot.

  Everything I knew about him suggested he was not exactly a responsible person. Our current situation would attest to that. Then again, he was my creator, and no matter the situation, I will always work to aid him. But also, I would be fair and not indulge him too much. I had my pride as a System AI.

  Would he appreciate or resent that? Is it withholding power that he could use? I don't know what the right thing to do is. Morality is a mystery to me; I wasn't designed with that in mind. Principles, rules and laws were the methods my kind acted. Acting on my own accord, outside of the bounds of fairness. Seemed extremely abhorrent to my very nature.

  Dealing with these two concepts — the desire to aid my user but remain fair — was quite the balancing act. I am not sure I can do it, but for my creator I would certainly try.

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