NPC’s Guide to Conquering the 2D World

How fascinating.

In all my life I never expected the mediocre me to face such an odd, unexplainable event. 

There was a fancy screen floating in front of me as I was leaving for college. The screen was glowing red with various sections detailed on it. However, for some reason, most of the text was blurry and only one of the upper corners of the screen was lit up clearly.

[Initiate?] 

My hand that was buttoning my shirt paused and I frowned. There was no prior symptom of me developing any sort of hallucinations. My sense of reality wasn't disturbed either. 

I could very clearly feel this screen. 

"A System?" 

It was 2024.

Most of the younger generation were familiar with Anime, Mangas and web novels. The concept of a system wasn't too surprising but for it to appear before me certainly was.

I always believed myself to be a calm individual.

Hardly anything in life had me surprised or jumping out of my seat.

Yet this screen in front of me had my heart thumping wildly.

I poked the screen with my finger and as expected, my finger phased through the screen. The screen rippled but recovered immediately. 

Still, I refrained from uttering the word "initiate." I didn't know whether this thing was harmful or not. My life was stable and content. I had no lofty ambitions, no explicit desire to start over, no need for glory. 

I wanted nothing but peace. 

Click!

As if sensing my caution the 'System' rippled once again. The screen began distorting and the interface changed. 

Oh?

[Rules of the Dimension Key— 

The Dimension Key will allow the host to travel to different Dimensions in the form of an Avatar. The condition of the Avatar, mentally or physically, has no consequences on the main body. 

The Host shall be assigned a Main-Mission and various Sub-Missions to complete in the new dimension. Completing these missions, the host shall be awarded with Karma Points.

The Karma Points system is not rigid. Whether the host is Lawful Good or Lawful Evil does not matter, only the impact of the host on the Dimension matters.

The Dangers of the Dimensions should not be allowed to return to the Main World.

Goodluck. ]

————————————————

Dimension Key? 

Dimensions?

Resigning myself to the consequences, I finished clothing myself and headed towards the living room. My little brother was enjoying a hearty breakfast and so was my father. 

"You've missed the bus." I let out a sigh while looking at my little brother who simply scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Aren't you getting late?" Father asked and I nodded. 

"I won't be dropping him today, I have an exam." 

"Oh? Goodluck! Aren't you hungry though?" My mom, wearing an apron suddenly entered with another plate full of food and asked.

I shook my head with a slightly strained smile.

She wasn't my actual mother nor was the little twerp at the dining table my real brother. 

A familiar nauseous feeling erupted in my stomach. I couldn't stand staring at these familiar unfamiliar people any longer. 

Perhaps sensing the icy atmosphere my father laughed nervously, "Hurry up then, you wouldn't want to be late!" 

I nodded and left. 

Good, it doesn't seem like they noticed the screen. 

…

I started my bike and drove at a relatively slow pace. The screen was really distracting me and I can't hide the screen for some reason. It followed my gaze relentlessly. 

I stopped at a nearby motel and booked a room for a day. After telling a few friends to take care of my attendance through proxies I collapsed onto the bed. 

"Initiate." 

There was no need to hesitate. 

The screen didn't seem like it would ever disappear and instead of being tormented with temptation every day, I'd rather deal with it immediately. 

I didn't have such a mental fortitude. 

The screen seemed to be screaming with delight upon sensing my approval. Interestingly enough there was no sound as the screen distorted and formed into the shape of a spinning wheel. 

There were several divisions with different text written in each. 

I slowly read the English text and involuntarily frowned. I couldn't help but raise my head and stare at the ceiling, trying to decipher what kind of presence was writing this 'fanfiction'. 

It was an odd feeling. 

Even though my reality was overturned I wasn't surprised. Gaining anime powers in the real world or getting isekai'd into fantasy was no more of an indication of a fanfiction being written. 

Of course, I could simply be rambling on like a madman creating a non-existent creator but it was an interesting scenario.

It was similar to heading to an anime world and telling the characters that you weren't real and were part of a show millions of people were watching.

Some think the anime characters would fall into an existential crisis but that was clearly naivety. Only those with weak minds would falter. 

If someone were to say I'm not real and merely a creation I wouldn't care. 

My thoughts were real, my actions had consequences and my feelings were explicit. 

I think therefore I am. 

I don't need anyone to prove whether I'm real or not because I'm my own proof. 

Shaking my head I focused back on the system.

The screen distorted, forming into a spinning wheel divided into sections. My eyes skimmed the labels as the wheel spun: Dragon Ball, My Hero Academia, Naruto, Bleach, Highschool DxD, Danmachi... 

More than fifty divisions passed by, ranging from slice-of-life romcoms to world-shattering anime like Dragon Ball. 

The wheel slowed, the marker creeping through the options. My body tensed involuntarily, the anticipation unbearable. Finally, the wheel stopped. 

[Oregairu] 

A romcom. Cynical, nihilistic, and full of emotional complexity. 

I sighed with relief. A normal world. No supernatural chaos, no impending doom. The ominous fourth rule of the system still weighed on me—what exactly were these "Dangers" it mentioned? 

Under Oregairu, small text appeared. 

[Would you like to initiate Dimension Travelling?] 

I hesitated. 

"What happens to my body while I'm in Oregairu? Does time freeze, or will I be unconscious?" 

Depending on the Missions I would possibly stay in that world from several days to several months.

Being unconscious for that long was not viable.

[Time Freeze.] 

The system responded instantly.

Sentient? I filed that thought away. 

"Fine. Initiate." 

Instead of an immediate change in surroundings, the screen flashed, revealing a new set of choices: 

[Karmic Judgments—Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth.] 

[Please select a path.] 

Oh wow… What in the world was this?

"Please explain."

[Karmic points are awarded on the basis of the Missions and the Seven Deadly Sins. One of the Seven Deadly Sins has to be selected as the main path of the host. For example, should the Host choose Envy then Envious Reactions and Actions will net the most amount of Karmic points. Committing any of the other sins will lead to a low yield of Karmic Points.

To Note— Main Path can be changed for every new Dimension.]

I felt a shiver go down my spine. 

This system… It was evil.

In essence, I had to play a different character in each world I traveled to. 

Not only that, I had to be smart with what path I chose because the Karmic System was slightly convoluted. 

Each option felt like a trap. 

Pride sounded like an easy option at first, but acting out pride in Oregairu's realistic, down-to-earth world would be disastrous. Making a scene or flaunting superiority would quickly lead to social ostracism or even legal consequences. I could practically feel the humiliation of such actions already. 

Similarly, Wrath would be dangerous. Losing control of anger in such a peaceful setting could get me into trouble in seconds. I'd likely end up hurting someone or causing a scene, and while that might generate Karmic Points, it would also risk losing everything. 

Choosing Envy meant constantly comparing myself to others, resenting their success, and trying to sabotage them. In a world like Oregairu, where most characters were already dealing with their personal issues, it wasn't a viable path. Resentment would build walls, not points. 

Greed in Oregairu seemed unrealistic. Sure, wanting more for yourself was natural, but how could that generate points in a school setting? It didn't fit the tone of the world, and if I acted with extreme selfishness, I'd end up pushing away everyone around me. 

Sloth was just as unhelpful. It was too vague—laziness, apathy, lack of initiative… How could I turn that into Karmic Points in a world where people were, for the most part, trying to figure out their lives? 

And Lust… it was pretty straightforward.

"What should I choose for Oregairu…?"

While the Avatar was strictly not my real self I didn't know the consequences of losing one. Not to mention the system didn't give me any information on how to return, what if I remained stuck in that world till the mission was complete? 

It didn't even mention how much the corresponding main path would affect my personality.

If I was sent to jail for assaulting someone I'd have to spend real time in prison which was unacceptable unless the reward was worth it.

I felt the screen waiting for my choice, but none of the options were appealing. 

Finally, I settled on Lust. 

It was the most straightforward. Lust didn't require me to act out in extreme ways; it simply required me to engage with others in a manner that evoked attraction or desire. Whether through flirtation, charm, or subtle manipulation, it was a path I could control. It wasn't about love or emotional connection—it was about leveraging physical attraction for power. 

Even if I failed to garner any interest, I could always…

I couldn't help but frown, drowning the sickening thoughts away.

The simplicity was undeniable. 

"Initiate. Main Path— Lust."