Author (D): I apologize for the lack of a chapter today. I hope this chapter will be an appropriate apology.
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THE SHADOW SYSTEM: LIES & MECHANICS EXPOSED
(In-Universe Document for Readers)
I. THE GRAND DECEPTION
The Lie: "The System protects humanity from the shadows."
The Truth: The System is training hosts to become better bridges for the shadow realm.
How It's Hidden:
~ Fabricated Heroism:
* The System edits footage to show Chosen saving civilians (+5 pts) while omitting their failures.
* Example: Hana (Tokyo) sees herself rescuing a child, but the original footage shows her fleeing.
~ "Survival" Glitch:
* When Mike says "cooperation means survival," the word briefly flickers to "sacrifice" for high-Perception Chosen.
* The System deducts 10 pts from those who notice.
~ Penalty Lies
* Claim: "Combat lock for disobedience."Truth: Shadows mark rebels for future corruption (e.g., Mateo's blisters contain shadow-seeds).
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II. MECHANICS MANIPULATION
A. Rankings (The Hidden Math)
What You See: Kill-based tiers
What's Real: P-Num (Potential Number) dominates
What You See: "Optimized criteria"
What's Real: System favors those who'll willingly open doors
Example:
~ Wanjiku (2 kills, Rank 9) has P-Num 89 (angelic compliance).
~ Rafael (87 kills, Rank 14) has P-Num 62 (defiant tendencies).
B. Skill Acquisition
~ Class Shards:
* Drop from shadows you're destined to bond with.
* Abby gets "Voidstalker" because her soul resonates with voids.
~ Subclasses:
* Pre-B Rank: Random, but grow with host (e.g., Necromancer Knight).
* Post-B Rank: Synergy-locked (e.g., Pyromancer → Ember Sage).
C. The Two Timers
~ Public Timer: "5 Days to System Arrival" (False)
~ Private Timer (Mike Only): "2.3 Days to Door Activation" (When Lily's crayon drawing fully opens)
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III. CHARACTER-SPECIFIC SECRETS
~ Mike (Host 1) :-
* Known: Leader of Chosen.
* Hidden: His "SSS+" class is Reality Bender - he can alter System rules briefly (golden vein flares).
~ Lily (Host 3) :-
* Known: A child with odd drawings.
* Hidden: Her crayons are fragments of the moon's cage. Every drawing reshapes reality.
~ Adebayo (Lagos Doctor) :-
* Known: Healer with autonomous shadow.
* Hidden: His shadow is a failed Chosen from a previous cycle.
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IV. FUTURE REVELATIONS (Teasers)
~ Chapter 12: Dungeon walls whisper "Lily's name" in Mike's voice.
~ Chapter 13: Wanjiku's healed patients begin dreaming of the moon's ribs.
~ Chapter 15: The public timer hits "0 Days" - but the true crisis begins 72 hours later.