The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 5

Due to the “Newbie Protection Function,” Shen Ge couldn’t enter Tom’s Supermarket. But that wasn’t a big deal—he could just go to a smaller store instead.

What really bothered him were terms like “Tier-7 Aberrant,” “Aberrant Domain,” and “Special Contamination Zone.” These sounded like they belonged in sci-fi or supernatural genres, and they stuck in his mind.

*”So… the Tier-7 Aberrant that turns the entire Eastern District into a dangerous hellscape four years from now is currently inside Tom’s Supermarket?”*

*”If it grows into a Tier-7 Aberrant in four years, doesn’t that mean it must already be at least a few tiers strong now?”* The moment this thought crossed his mind, Shen Ge felt a jolt of alarm.

But then he reconsidered. Based on the information the System had revealed so far, Aberrants fed on “living beings.” If one really had appeared here—even just a Tier-1 or Tier-2—there should have been “casualties.” And if there were casualties, this place wouldn’t still be the busiest shopping district in the Eastern District!

“System, what level do I need to reach to enter this area?” Shen Ge asked mentally.

[Assessing host’s current status—]
[Assessment result: Tier-0]
[Host is advised to cherish life, avoid reckless behavior, stay away from Tier-4+ Aberrants, evade Tier-3 Aberrants, refrain from provoking Tier-2 Aberrants, and focus on growth to eventually overcome Tier-1 Aberrants.]

Though the System’s response was somewhat “off-topic” (and ignoring its psychological jabs), Shen Ge roughly understood the “Newbie Protection Warning” threshold.

Basically, he couldn’t enter areas with Tier-4 Aberrants. For Tier-3, he’d get a few extra reminders. For Tier-1 and Tier-2, it’d be like the earlier stray cats and dogs—just a single warning.

As for why he could enter the villa where the cat “Silence” had been, that was because he’d entered before activating the System, so no warning was triggered.

“How do I grow stronger quickly?” Shen Ge asked next.

[Scanning host’s current physical attributes—]
[Until host’s attributes reach normal levels, physical training can improve baseline stats.]
[Completing daily tasks grants 1% free attribute points at midnight the following day.]
[Earn System Points for draws—every 100 points grants one draw, with rewards including supplies, attribute points, equipment, etc.]
[Killing Aberrants and selling their corpses yields large amounts of System Points.]
[Absorbing high-tier Aberrants with unique traits grants their abilities.]

The System listed all the ways Shen Ge could currently “power up,” but it felt like querying an AI.

In short, the System had some intelligence, but not much.

“System, do you have consciousness?”

No response.

“System, sing a Jay Chou song.”

Still nothing.

“System, what are Aberrants?”

…Huh?
No reply this time either?
Were these questions beyond the System’s comprehension, or had his earlier casual queries broken it?

“System, how do I get stronger?”

[Scanning host’s current physical attributes—]
[Until host’s attributes reach normal levels, physical training can improve baseline stats.]
…

The System simply repeated its earlier answer.

Again—some intelligence, but not much.

*”Wait, if absorbing traits can raise my tier, don’t I already have the Tier-4 trait ‘Silence’?”* Shen Ge asked, puzzled.

[Assessing host’s current status—]
[Assessment result: Tier-0]

*”The Tier-4 trait ‘Silence’ doesn’t count as combat power?”*

[Assessment result is correct.]

“You’re the one who said absorbing traits makes me stronger!”

[Assessment result is correct.]

“System, sing a Jay Chou song.”

[…]

Shen Ge tried asking a few more questions about Aberrants, but the System’s replies were sparse. Even it didn’t know where Aberrants came from.

However, the System hinted that as Shen Ge’s tier improved, more functions would unlock—possibly providing “answers.”

After leaving Tom’s Supermarket, Shen Ge walked down the street until he spotted a Hongqi Supermarket and headed inside.

“Welcome.”

As he approached, the automatic glass doors slid open, and a voice from the entryway greeted him.

“Supplies for seven days…” Shen Ge scanned the shelves, unsure what to buy. After a moment’s thought, he grabbed a 5kg bag of rice, a carton of instant noodles, some chocolate bars, and a 10-liter jug of water.

“This should last a week, right?” After paying, he carried his haul out of the store—just as the System chimed in:

[You are incredibly lucky to find a supermarket untouched by looters. In these times of scarcity, discovering so much unexpired supplies proves you are truly the Chosen One!]

“…”

Shen Ge wasn’t sure how to describe his mixed feelings. Since the System had activated four years early, its logic couldn’t be judged by normal standards…

In four years, supermarkets would likely be overrun by Aberrants and stripped bare. If the System wanted to force this narrative, it kinda made sense.

Carrying his bags to the roadside, Shen Ge planned to hail a cab home, leave the Eastern District, and complete today’s daily task.

But since he usually ordered groceries online, he rarely carried so much at once. After just the short walk from the store to the curb, his arms were already sore from the 10+ kg load.

[Despite the dangers of the Aberrant-infested Eastern District, host seizes every opportunity to train. Admirable courage! Strength +1%, Constitution +1%.]

“Huh?”

Surprised but opportunistic, Shen Ge immediately marched up and down the street with his bags until his arms burned too much to continue.

[Defying the perilous Eastern District, host pushes physical limits with fearless resolve! Strength +6%, Agility +3%, Constitution +6%.]

Like most events, Shen Ge could earn rewards three times for repeated actions—but after the third, gains slowed significantly.

For example:

• First attempt: Carrying the bags 200–300 meters from the store to the roadside.

• Second attempt: Two round trips.

• Third attempt: Triple the distance!

“Whew.”

Setting the bags down, Shen Ge caught his breath. Too much time sitting in the office, too much lounging at home—no wonder I’m out of shape.

But if he weren’t so out of shape, his stats wouldn’t be below the “average adult male” baseline.

With a rough plan forming, he decided to start waking up two hours early tomorrow—jogging from the city center to his office in the Eastern District to grind his stats up to average. Then, he’d focus on other methods to grow stronger!