The Late System

[Soul characteristics detected, authentication complete]

[Welcome, Silent Chosen #233]

[System loading]

[System loaded]

[This system is designed to improve the host's living conditions, enhance spiritual and entertainment levels, and enrich a perfect life]

[All functions of this system are free and open, no top-up required. Please be wary of any form of top-up scam messages]

[Arrange your time reasonably and enjoy a healthy life]

[Wishing you a happy life]

Lu Ban, standing outside the photography studio after being rejected for his script for the sixth time, was taken aback.

The words of his script, a classic from his other world, suddenly changed, twisting into that string of text in beautiful lead type.

The typewriter moved without wind, ticking out a series of neat characters: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Huh?

Lu Ban shifted his attention from the script he was "writing" and looked up at the text.

People bustled around the studio, extras in all sorts of costumes coming and going, yet the words on the script remained.

It wasn't an illusion.

Three months after transmigrating to this world, Lu Ban had finally obtained his golden finger.

Whether before or after transmigration, Lu Ban considered himself an ordinary person.

He had no girlfriend, didn't smoke, only drank occasionally, completed his studies diligently, lived his life step by step, maintained inner peace, didn't fixate on winning or losing, didn't dwell on troubles, and didn't make enemies that kept him up at night.

Lu Ban felt there was nothing unusual about him.

His only hobby, perhaps, was watching movies.

The protagonists in movies were not ordinary; even common folk had their own [Stories].

As an ordinary person, Lu Ban envied them.

This was a world that was both familiar and yet not, where some artistic works were missing, and others had been rebranded. In Lu Ban's words, it was a "standard world of plagiarism."

It was a shame he didn't have a golden finger.

Relying on his university knowledge of drama and film from his previous life and lingering memories, he had written several classic scripts that were huge hits in his past world. It wasn't out of ambition or a desire to make a name for himself and reach the pinnacle of entertainment.

It was purely because Lu Ban loved movies.

He felt it would be a shame if those classic films couldn't be seen in this world.

However, his plagiarism attempts had hit a wall early on.

Firstly, the scripts were written from memory and weren't entirely accurate.

Secondly, what was popular in one world might not be popular in another.

Finally, he was just an ordinary graduate.

In an industry where even the masterpieces of webnovel giants were dissected and adapted by screenwriters, a novice like Lu Ban found it difficult to even get a foot in the door.

After a few attempts, Lu Ban finally settled on classic horror movie scripts, hoping to capture the director's attention.

It had failed.

Should he try other approaches?

His looks were decent, maybe he could find a rich woman to support him and let her invest in his film?

That didn't seem entirely impossible.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Lu Ban awakened the system.

Well, I'll be.

Lu Ban exclaimed "Well, I'll be."

He found a spot out of the sun, laid out the script before him, pretending to read the words, and focused his attention again on the rigid and unyielding text.

The words were cold, written in a neat font, yet they exuded a chill.

Just like in those novels, with a thought from Lu Ban, the text changed.

There was no status panel, but a line of text.

[Initiating Setup]

"Does this system have a tutorial?"

Lu Ban thought to himself and gently touched the line of text with his index finger.

As if shrouded in mist, the text changed its shape.

[Select Profession]

After these four words, a dense stream of text suddenly exploded from the script in Lu Ban's hands.

He instinctively leaned back, the cold wall the only thing grounding him.

Lu Ban carefully examined the text, which turned out to be job titles.

There were common ones like [Actor], [Programmer], and [Journalist], as well as less common ones such as [Private Detective], [Librarian], and [Archaeologist]. There were even peculiar professions like [Folklorist], [Con Artist], and [Mortician].

As his gaze swept across the screen, these job titles shifted, with synonyms or near-synonyms appearing next to them, crowding out other job titles as if they had a will of their own, trying to persuade Lu Ban to choose them.

Was this where I choose my profession?

With no instructions, Lu Ban had to rely on his own understanding.

After some deliberation, he chose [Director]. This was because it encompassed professions like screenwriter, writer, and creator. From the perspective of adapting existing works, this seemed like the best choice.

The moment his mental touch confirmed the profession, the dazzling array of text vanished, replaced by something resembling a stat panel on the script.

[Name: Lu Ban]

[Profession: Director]

[Education: University Undergraduate]

[Strength: 55]

[Constitution: 65]

[Body: 60]

[Agility: 70]

[Appearance: 90]

[Intelligence: 65]

[Willpower: 80]

[Education: 70]

[Luck: 20]

[Sanity: 80]

Below a pile of ordinary personal information was a stat panel like those found in many novels.

But... why does this stat panel seem a bit strange?

Shouldn't it have skill attributes like music, art, and literature?

This system has some issues.

Lu Ban continued scrolling down, not finding any of the essential elements of a "copying" system. At the very bottom of all the attributes, there was only a confirmation button.

Yes, there was no option to exit or restart; only confirmation.

He gently tapped the button.

[Settings Successful]

[Chosen One, welcome to the Silent Land]

[Initiating Novice Guidance Mission...]

[Loading...]

[Load Complete]

[As a creator, drawing inspiration is crucial. Before you begin your creation, please experience a broader world.]

[Please complete the novice guidance mission to receive novice rewards.]

As the black text interlaced and appeared, three oil-painted doors suddenly materialized in the script in Lu Ban's hands.

"!"

These doors seemed forged from bronze, heavy, rusted, and cold, exuding an ancient aura. They were half-open, as if they could be pushed open with just a touch.

This is just on paper!

Through the gaps in the doors, Lu Ban could see colorful mist, deep and obscure darkness, and chaos that twisted all things.

At this moment, Lu Ban felt the hustle and bustle of the film city receding from him. His surroundings became dreamlike and silent, with only the three doors capturing his entire attention.

He observed them intently, and three lines of text appeared on the doors.

[Fellow Traveler]

[Do you feel lonely and isolated when walking home at night? Don't be afraid, I'll keep you company.]

These were the words on the leftmost door. This door was deep in color, with heavy shadows seeping from its gaps, ink-like waves lapping against the door inch by inch.

Lu Ban looked at the middle door. This door gave off a twisted and eerie feeling. Just staring at it made the intricate, chaotic decorations on the door seem to writhe.

[Friend Under the Bed]

[We've lived together for so many years, say hello to your good neighbor, I'm talking about the one under your bed.]

Those were the words on it.

As for the last door, it was shrouded in gray mist, yet the half-open door exuded rainbow-like brilliance, making it the most normal-looking of the three.

[The Alley of No Return]

[Legend has it that in a bustling district, there's an alley you can't turn back from. Brave its depths!]

"?"

Lu Ban's head was filled with question marks.

Your system is a little… off, isn't it?

Newcomer, new book, please collect and recommend!