When a Filipino got Isekai'd with a twist!
"Only I can summon those!"
Chapter 38: SHAKE IT OFF?!
Serena sat in the hospital room. The hospital room was a sterile, white-walled space with a single window that let in a sliver of sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant, and the soft beeping of machines filled the air. A heart rate monitor beeped steadily beside Kieth's bed, casting a soft blue glow over the room. The bed itself was a crisp, white expanse with a thin blanket pulled up to Kieth's chest. A small, wheeled table held a pitcher of water, a glass, and a small basket of fruit. The soft hum of the machines around her provided a comforting backdrop to her thoughts. She watched Kieth, his face peaceful in sleep, and felt a mix of anxiety and hope. The system's notifications had been a whirlwind of information, but she was determined to understand it all.
As the flashback of her running back to help Kieth flashed before her eyes.
"I need to go back, Max! I need to help the hero escape!" Max's eyes widened in surprise, his grip tightening on her arm. "Serena, you can't! It's too dangerous! We have to think this through."
But Serena's heart raced with urgency. She could still see Kieth, trapped and vulnerable, the weight of the world on his shoulders. "He's counting on us, Max! If we don't help him now, he might not make it out. We can't just leave him behind!"
Max hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect her and the undeniable truth of her words. He glanced back at the chaos unfolding in the distance, the sounds of conflict echoing in the air. "Okay, but we need a plan—" but before he can finish his sentence, Serena cuts him off and says, "No, you need to help the people escape. Go without me, go!"
Max's eyes narrowed, a mix of frustration and concern etched across his face. "Serena, you can't just throw yourself into danger like this! What if something happens to you?"
But Serena's resolve was unshakeable. She had seen the way Kieth had fought, the way he had put himself on the line for others. He had always been the one to protect them, and now it was her turn to return the favor. "I won't let him face this alone. I can't just stand by while he risks everything. I have to do this, Max; the hero's life is more valuable than mine. The world still needs them."
Max's expression softened, the weight of her words settling heavily in the air between them. He could see the fire in her eyes, the determination that had always drawn him to her. But the thought of her facing danger alone gnawed at him. "You're not just a sidekick, Serena. You're my friend. I can't lose you too."
Serena stepped closer, her voice steady. "You won't lose me. I promise I'll be careful. But if I don't do this, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Kieth needs me, and I need to know I did everything I could to help him." As she said that, Maxx and the others ran back to the capital while Serena alone was going back to the dwarven kingdom to save him.
The air was thick with tension as Serena sprinted toward the dwarven kingdom, her heart pounding in her chest. Each step felt like a declaration of her resolve, a promise to Kieth that she would not abandon him. The chaos of the battle faded into the background, replaced by the singular focus of her mission. She could still hear Max's voice in her head, urging her to be careful, but the urgency of the situation drowned out his warnings.
As she approached the entrance to the dwarven kingdom, the once-vibrant gates now stood battered and charred, remnants of the fierce conflict that had raged just moments before. The scent of smoke lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the stone walls. Serena's breath quickened as she ducked behind a crumbling wall, peering into the courtyard. She could hear a loud explosion from an attack from a distance. As she enters the large gap. She could see Mochi and someone lying on her back. Meow," Mochi meowed, signaling her to hurry and help her master. As she got closer to Kieth, a bright light flashed, and all of them got transported inside the pocket dimension in Kieth's system.
As Serena's thoughts returned to the present, she gazed around the hospital room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. The soft beeping of the machines, the gentle hum of the air conditioning, and the faint scent of disinfectant all blended together to create a sense of calm. But her tranquility was short-lived, as the system's voice cut through the silence, its words a harsh reminder of their situation. "Notice: User is hungry; please, armor lady, prepare breakfast for the user." Serena's eyes rolled heavenward as she muttered under her breath, "Great, just what I needed. A culinary critique from a disembodied voice."
System notification alert!
Rebooting progress is now 60%.
The system AI is now evolving! To be able to help the user in combat and in each and every situation.
User can stats now fully back. User can now access the item shop and box.
Summoning new weapons is still not available now.
Notice!
User health points are now 58%.
Current health: 3200/6200
The user is now waking up!
The system's voice was dry and detached, its words dripping with a hint of sarcasm. "Notice: User is a hungry person. Prepare breakfast for the user. Don't bother trying to cook anything fancy; they'll just eat whatever you put in front of them anyway."
Serena blinked as the notifications flooded her mind, the sterile hospital room slowly coming into focus. The soft beeping of the machines was a stark contrast to the chaos she had just escaped. She looked over at Kieth, still asleep, his face relaxed but pale. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, but the system's alerts ignited a spark of hope.
"Rebooting progress is now 60%," she murmured to herself, trying to process the information. Kieth was waking up, and with him, the potential to turn the tide of their battle. She glanced at the screen displaying his health points, her heart racing. 3200/6200—he still had a long way to go, but at least he was alive.
The notification about her being an "armor lady!" made her chuckle despite the gravity of the situation. She could almost hear Kieth's voice teasing her about her love for breakfast.
"User's stomach is growling louder than the system's warnings. Feed him already."
"Yeah, yeah, I guess I better get to work then, but hey, Mr. System, I have a name, and my name is—" she whispered, a smile breaking through her anxiety. But the system cuts her off and says, "Don't care, just prepare breakfast for the user."
Serena shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation bubbling up inside her. "Fine, fine, I'll prepare breakfast," she muttered, pushing herself up from the chair. The sterile room felt even more confining now, and she needed to move, to do something productive while she waited for Kieth to wake up.
She glanced at the small wheeled table beside the bed, her mind racing with ideas. The basket of fruit caught her eye—apples, bananas, and a few oranges—and this fruit is familiar for her; it's somewhat like the fruit from her world but foreign at the same time.
Notice: "We're not asking for a gourmet meal, just something that won't poison the user. So, yeah, a banana is a great start."
Serena chuckled softly at the system's bluntness. "Alright, banana it is," she replied, shaking her head as she reached for the ripe yellow fruit. She peeled it carefully, the sweet scent wafting up to her as she took a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the task. It was a small comfort in the midst of everything that had happened.
As she placed the banana on a plate, she glanced back at Kieth. His chest rose and fell steadily, the heart rate monitor beeping in a rhythmic pattern that reassured her. She could see the faintest hint of color returning to his cheeks, and for a moment, she allowed herself to hope. Maybe they would get through this together.
"Okay, Mr. System," she said, her voice light as she addressed the disembodied voice again. "What else do you suggest? I mean, I can't just serve him a banana and call it breakfast."
"Notice: User requires a balanced meal. One banana is insufficient. Consider adding a source of protein and hydration," the system replied, its tone as dry as ever.
Serena sighed, her mind racing. "Protein, is that edible, huh? What do you suggest? I don't see any eggs or bacon lying around." She glanced around the room, searching for anything that could help her create a more substantial meal.
"Notice: User's dietary preferences are unknown. However, a protein shake can be synthesized if the necessary ingredients are available in the item shop," the system informed her.
"Great, an item shop," she mused, her curiosity piqued. "How can I access it when I'm not the user hello"
"Notice: Item shop access granted to authorized personnel," the system replied, its tone unchanged. "You, armor lady, are currently authorized due to proximity to the user and...other factors."
Serena raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the system's cryptic message. "Other factors? What do you mean?"
"Notice: Information not relevant to the current task. Item shop access instructions: say 'item shop' to open the interface."
Serena rolled her eyes as she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Item shop."
The room's walls flickered, and a holographic interface materialized in front of her. Rows of icons and menus stretched out, each one representing a different item or category.
"Welcome to the item shop," the system said, its voice now tinged with a hint of commercial cheer. "Please browse our selection to find the necessary ingredients for the user's protein shake."
Serena's eyes widened as she scanned the holographic interface, but her excitement quickly turned to confusion. The items listed in the shop meant nothing to her. She saw strange terms like "Battle Royale Bundle," "Rare Loot Box," and "Virtual Vibes Pack." The icons and images accompanying each item were equally baffling.
"What's all this?" Serena asked the system, feeling like a stranger in a strange land. "I don't recognize any of these things. Where's the food?"
The system's response was dry and detached, as always. "Notice: Item shop contents updated regularly. Food and beverages available in the 'Consumables' section."
Serena's gaze darted around the interface, searching for the "Consumables" section. She finally found it, nestled between "Cosmetics" and "Bundles." As she navigated into the section, she was greeted by a list of unfamiliar items.
"Protein shake mix?" she read aloud, hoping the system would provide more information. "What's in it? And what's with all these strange symbols next to each item?"
The system's response was unhelpful. "Notice: Item descriptions available upon purchase."
Serena's frustration grew. She was trying to help Kieth, but the item shop's strange contents and the system's unhelpful responses were hindering her progress.
Serena let out a frustrated sigh and rubbed her temples. This was ridiculous. She just wanted to make a simple protein shake, and yet the item shop was making it impossible.
"Listen, system," she said, trying to keep her cool. "I don't care about your Rocket League or your painted cars. I just want to make a protein shake for Kieth. Can you please, for the love of all things sane, help me?"
The system's response was immediate. "Notice: Consumables section updated. Protein shake mix now available."
Serena's eyes widened as a new item appeared in the Consumables section. "Protein Shake Mix (Basic)" read the description. "Restores 1000 HP. Ingredients: protein powder, water, and a hint of vanilla flavoring."
Serena's face lit up with excitement. Finally, something she could work with. "I'll take it," she said, selecting the item.
The system's response was immediate. "Notice: Protein Shake Mix (Basic) purchased. Ingredients synthesized. Shake ready for consumption."
A small, sleek machine on the counter whirred to life, and a protein shake materialized in a sleek, silver cup. Serena's eyes widened as she picked up the cup and examined it. It looked...familiar. Yet, somehow, it didn't.
She turned to Kieth, who was still sleeping peacefully. "Kieth, wake up," she said, gently shaking his shoulder. "I've got your protein shake ready."
Keith's eyes fluttered open, and he gazed up at Serena with a mixture of confusion and gratitude. "Serena?" he whispered, his voice weak but unmistakable.
Serena's heart swelled with emotion as she smiled and held out the protein shake. "Hey, Kieth. I've got your breakfast ready. Drink up; you need the energy."
Keith's gaze drifted to the shake, and he raised an eyebrow. "Protein shake? How did you...?"
Serena chuckled. "Let's just say I have my ways. Now, drink up!"
Keith took the shake from Serena and examined it warily. He sniffed the contents, then took a tentative sip. His eyes widened in surprise, and he took another sip, this time more eagerly.
As Kieth drank, Serena watched anxiously, monitoring his reaction. The system's notifications had mentioned that the protein shake would restore 1000 HP, but she had no idea what that meant in practical terms.
"Keith, how are you feeling?" she asked, trying to gauge his response.
Keith finished the shake and handed the cup back to Serena. He took a deep breath, and a hint of color returned to his cheeks.
"I feel...better," he said, his voice stronger now. "Thanks, Serena. I owe you one."
Serena smiled, relief washing over her. "You don't owe me anything, Kieth. Just get better, okay?"
As Kieth nodded, the system's voice cut in, its tone still detached but with a hint of approval. "Notice: User's HP restored by 1000. Current HP: 4200/6200."
Serena's eyes widened as she processed the information. Kieth was getting better, and the system's notifications were helping her understand the extent of his recovery.
But as she turned to Kieth, she saw a look of concern etched on his face. "Serena, I think we need to talk," he said, his voice low and serious.
Serena's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what Kieth wanted to discuss. Was it something about his past, or perhaps the mysterious system that seemed to be controlling their lives?
"Where are we?"
To be continued...