I was reading the third edition of "Abnormal Psychology" in the library when a flash of light suddenly burst into view.
It wasn't the kind of brightness you get when a light bulb blows. It was a perfectly transparent blue screen floating in midair, like a holographic projection in a sci-fi movie. I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was hallucinating after staying up too late. I'd been working on my thesis until three in the morning, so a few hallucinations seemed understandable.
But the screen was still there.
It didn't just refuse to disappear. A line of text popped up on it: [Scumbag Detection System successfully bound! System 001 at your service!]
I stared for three seconds, then muttered, “What the hell?”
The senior student beside me, who was studying for her graduate school entrance exams, looked up and glared. I quickly waved at her, pretending I'd been talking to myself. As I pretended to turn a page, I kept sneaking glances at the screen.
Another line appeared: [Host's IQ detected to be above 120. We recommend cooperating with the System's various detection functions to fight scumbags and uphold women's dignity!]
“...” The corner of my mouth twitched. This System could even test IQ? Should I be proud?
The System fired off three more messages in a row, all explaining the mission. I skimmed them quickly and got the gist: this thing was basically a super scumbag radar. It could detect whether a man was cheating, lying to get sex, two-timing, or using manipulative tactics, and then I was supposed to expose him on the spot.
Honestly, my first reaction wasn't shock. It was excitement.
Because I fucking hated scumbags.
I'd watched my best friend get deceived by a scumbag and jump off a building. I was only in my final year of high school at the time. Ever since, whenever I heard that some girl had been tricked by a scumbag, I'd wanted to rush over and tear the guy's face off. If this System could really help me identify scumbags, I'd be more than happy to use it.
