"…chan?"
The word slipped out and hung in the air.
All of a sudden, the dude—who'd been scowling like he was ready to punch the whole damn world—stopped walking. He spun around, looked at Ray with a confused expression for a split second, then… smiled.
A big, friendly, brotherly grin.
"Yo, what's good, nii-chan!" the guy replied, totally relaxed, giving a casual chin nod.
His voice was normal. No weird anime tone. No awkward pause. It was like the word Ray had just said was the most standard street greeting in history.
Ray froze.
He held his breath.
The guy was already walking again, slipping in his earbuds, acting like he didn't have a care in the world.
Ray stood there on the sidewalk, eyes wide as hell.
"Heh… heh heh…" A small laugh slipped out, quiet at first, then trembling.
"Man, this is seriously weird as fuck…"
He checked the timer floating at the corner of his vision.
[Global Alter Activated — 00:09:47 Remaining]
The common sense he'd messed with that morning—while cracking up alone in front of the water dispenser—flashed through his mind.
[Definition of Common Sense:]
"The word 'nii-chan' is a completely normal, friendly greeting that anyone can casually use toward anyone else, regardless of background. It represents brotherhood and chill vibes."
Yup.
He'd typed that shit raw. No filter.
And now…
The world had straight-up changed.
Ray started walking again, his steps light as hell now, practically bouncing. He passed a mom pushing a stroller, her kid throwing a full-blown tantrum inside.
"Hey, morning!" Ray greeted her, testing the waters.
She smiled back, warm and motherly.
"Morning to you too, nii-chan—!"
The word slipped out of her mouth like it was nothing. As natural as saying "sweetie" or "honey."
Ray almost walked straight into a utility pole.
He clamped a hand over his mouth, barely holding in laughter.
On the short walk to work, he heard it everywhere.
High school kids chatting on the sidewalk:
"Yo, where'd you go last night, my nii-chan?"
Construction workers wiping sweat from their brows:
"Man, I'm exhausted, nii-chan. Cement truck's late again."
Even an office lady on her phone, blazer crisp, expression serious:
"Yeah, I'm almost there. Nii-chan, chill out!"
Ray even spotted an old guy shaking his head at a younger dude spouting nonsense, patting his shoulder with a tired sigh.
"Nii-chan, please."
Nobody complained.
Nobody looked offended.
Nobody even blinked.
The world had fully accepted it as normal.
Ray didn't even wait two minutes before he started abusing it.
He greeted everyone he passed, tossing out cheerful "Nii-chan!" after "Nii-chan!" like free candy.
Sure, there were probably better words he could've used.
But "nii-chan" was efficient.
Fun.
And just chaotic enough to be perfect.
Before he knew it, the gym was already in sight.
[Ding!]
[Global Alter Ended]
[Mission Completed]
[Reward Granted: +50 EXP, +50 Alter Points]
"Hm… all done," Ray muttered, watching the system notification fade away.
He pushed open the gym doors, a grin plastered across his face.
"Well," he said under his breath,
"at least I made it here without getting shot."