1 The Beginning

Everyone is searching for their purpose in life. While they search, they do the things they're supposed to. They study in school, they are filial to their parents, and, eventually, they find their passion. Even if it's not their passion, they still find what they want to do in life.

Alan Pender wasn't like that. He studied in school, he was filial to his parents, to the point that he even went and graduated from university, putting himself in debt to afford it. He didn't know what he was interested in, so he ended up with a degree in general studies. When he graduated, his whole family turned out to congratulate him. His mom and dad waved at him and cried happy tears as he walked across the stage to collect his diploma. It was a truly heartwarming scene.

At least Alan thought that at the time. Of course, the excitement faded as they realized that a general studies degree doesn't help you get a job anywhere. No parents hope for their children to still be living with them after university. Alan Pender's parents were no exception. Of course, they never voiced their complaints to him. But they let him know in subtle ways. Like when he went to get breakfast and they served him only a single portion of oatmeal. Or when he asked to read the morning newspaper, and they handed him the classifieds section.

Alan may not have been passionate, but he could take a hint. That's why he found himself walking down Main Street in City A. He looked at every storefront, checking for 'Hiring' signs.

"Hahhh," Alan sighed, as he made his way down the street. "Why is it so hard to find a job? I'm a university graduate after all! Doesn't that count for anything?"

He'd been laughed out of more than one interview already. The more polite employers told him he was 'overqualified'. Since when was being 'overqualified' something that disqualified you from getting a job?

He kicked a rock in front of him out of frustration. As he swung his leg back to kick, an old lady was crossing the street about a block away. The old lady was walking along, holding her purse loosely. As she walked, a man on a scooter wearing a motorcycle helmet accelerated towards her. Oblivious, she kept walking. The man reached out as he passed her, grabbing her purse. She screamed for someone to stop him; as he accelerated away, Alan finished kicking the stone.

The stone flew forward and landed in the path of the scooter. The motorcyclist, seeing the stone, suddenly swerved aside to avoid it. As he did so, he ran into a telephone pole. The woman cheered and charged towards him to confiscate her purse.

As she did so, Alan watched from across the street. "Could this be?" He thought. "Is this the legendary event where you save an old lady and it turns out she's super rich and rewards you with tons of money?"

As he thought this, he stopped under a windowsill to watch and see if the old lady came to thank him. However, as he did so, the telephone pole that had been hit by the motorcyclist tilted ever so slightly. It didn't fall, but it shifted enough to cause the wires between it and the next pole to move, knocking a planter off of a second floor windowsill, directly onto Alan's head.

Everything went black.

When he woke up, Alan found himself in a hospital room.

"What happened?" He wondered to himself groggily.

Then it all came flashing back to him. "No good deed goes unpunished," He thought to himself angrily. "If only I hadn't stopped that robber, everything would have been fine."

"Correction, Host," A voice rang out. "You did not intend to stop the robber, therefore it does not count as a good deed. In fact, if it had been anyone other than a robber, you would have caused a traffic accident. Thus, it is appropriate karma that you should be knocked unconscious."

Alan blinked. "Umm, did someone say something just now?"

"Confirmed, Host," The voice rang out again. "I said something. Host appears to have suffered brain damage. Debating if system should move to another host."

Alan looked around, but couldn't see anyone. "Where are you?"

"I am within your head, Host," The voice said.

"I see…" Alan nodded as if he understood, before calling in a loud voice. "Excuse me, nurse? I seem to be hallucinating, please admit me to the psych ward."

"Host, you are not hallucinating. I am a system created by advanced beings to help my selected host achieve the peak."

"Achieve the peak of what?" Alan wondered aloud.

"Achieve the peak of cafe ownership." The system said.

"Uh, what? Why would anyone invent such a pointless system?"

The system ignored him. "Host has met the requirements. Beginning the first mission."