The voice that wouldn't shut up

The next morning, Ethan woke to the sound of his alarm.

For once, he reached over and turned it off before it could ring a second time.

He blinked at the ceiling, confused.

"Did I... actually wake up on time?"

It felt strange.

Usually, dragging himself out of bed was a battle he lost every morning.

He stretched, yawned, and sat up.

"Maybe today's my lucky day."

"You call this lucky?"

Ethan froze.

The voice was calm, clear, and definitely not his own.

He looked around the apartment.

No one.

His front door was still locked.

The windows were closed.

"...Hello?"

A long silence answered him.

He rubbed his eyes.

"I'm still dreaming."

"No. Unfortunately, you're awake."

Ethan shot to his feet.

"Who's there?"

"Inside your head."

"...What?"

"Please don't make me repeat myself. This is embarrassing enough."

His heartbeat quickened.

He grabbed the nearest object—a frying pan—and held it in front of him.

"Show yourself!"

"I would if I had a body. Sadly, I'm trapped with you."

Ethan stood motionless.

Then he slowly lowered the frying pan.

"...I've finally lost my mind."

"I was hoping that wasn't the case. It would have explained a lot."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I've reviewed your life."

Another pause.

"I've seen enough."

Ethan frowned.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Perfect Human System."

"The... what?"

"The Perfect Human System."

Ethan waited.

"...And?"

"And nothing. That is my name."

"So you're some kind of AI?"

"No."

"A ghost?"

"No."

"An alien?"

"...Do humans always guess this badly?"

Ethan folded his arms.

"I think you're a scam."

"If I were capable of sighing, I would."

He frowned even harder.

"So why are you in my head?"

The system remained quiet for several seconds before answering.

"Because of a selection error."

"...A what?"

"I wasn't supposed to choose you."

Ethan laughed.

"Well, that's rude."

"It's accurate."

He rolled his eyes.

"You've known me for less than five minutes."

"I've analyzed every moment of your life."

"...That's even ruder."

The system ignored him.

"My purpose is to guide exceptional individuals toward their highest potential."

"And?"

"And somehow..."

Its voice became noticeably colder.

"I ended up with Ethan Carter."

"What exactly is wrong with Ethan Carter?"

"You were late to class twenty-three times last semester."

"So?"

"You survived on instant noodles for twelve consecutive days."

"I like noodles."

"Your laundry has developed its own ecosystem."

Ethan instinctively glanced toward the overflowing basket in the corner.

"...Don't judge me."

"I already have."

He let out an exhausted sigh.

"This is ridiculous."

"It is."

"I'm going back to sleep."

"You can't."

"Watch me."

Ethan lay back on the bed and pulled the blanket over his head.

A second later—

BEEP!

A painfully loud sound exploded inside his mind.

He jumped upright.

"What was that?!"

"A motivation alert."

"It nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Good. You're awake."

"You did that on purpose!"

"Correct."

Ethan pointed accusingly at the empty air.

"I already hate you."

"The feeling is mutual."

Silence filled the room.

For the first time in years, Ethan had absolutely no idea what to say.

Finally, he muttered,

"...Can you leave?"

"I've tried."

"And?"

"I can't."

"So we're stuck together?"

"Unfortunately."

Ethan stared at the ceiling.

"This is the worst day of my life."

"I assure you, it can become much worse."

Before Ethan could respond, a faint blue screen appeared in front of him.

Unlike in video games, it was simple.

No flashy lights.

No dramatic music.

Just plain words.

First Assignment

Clean your apartment.

Time Limit: 2 hours.

Ethan blinked.

"...You're joking."

"I'm completely serious."

"I'm not cleaning."

"I expected that answer."

The screen disappeared.

Nothing happened.

Ethan smiled proudly.

"See? You can't make me."

The system spoke in an unusually calm voice.

"I never said there would be a punishment."

"There isn't?"

"No."

Ethan grinned.

"Great."

"I simply won't assign your next task."

"...Okay?"

"Which means you'll remain exactly as you are."

Silence.

Then the system added,

"Average."

That single word lingered in the room.

For some reason, it irritated Ethan far more than shouting ever could.

He looked around his apartment.

The dirty dishes.

The scattered clothes.

The overflowing trash.

"...You're really calling me average?"

"I was being generous."

Ethan clenched his jaw.

"Fine."

He picked up the first empty cup from the floor.

"I'll prove you wrong."

The system remained silent.

If it could smile...

It probably would have.

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