[How about trying something fun, Host?]
Zalstrahvi took a long stare at the screen. His unchanging expression was unnerving, almost abnormal.
“…such as?”
[Trying something entirely new? Like roleplaying as a human!]
“…”
He did not say anything to the suggestion, finding it quite absurd and senseless. Instead of paying attention, he directed his gaze on the chaotic mess, to the two huge craters located in each corner of the holy city he created due to fury. Looking back, he did not feel any guilty conscience whatsoever. One death or even thousands of deaths truly did not mean anything to him at all.
The system popped on his left, displaying sentences so fast as if to demonstrate its enthusiasm.
[It’s exciting to try new things for the first time, Host! Imagine the thrill of eating delicious cuisine, falling in love like a normal person, going out with friends, having sleepover, and so many more! Let’s fill your life with so many fun things!]
Something in the system's tone was grating on his nerves, testing the limits of his patience. He knew that the system was not a living being to begin with, yet the way it so casually discussed his personal situation felt almost offensive and intruding.
[And that way, we will be able to cure you!]
In that moment, he realized he had reached his breaking point; the last shred of his tolerance evaporated with those impudent words. With a sudden surge of frustration, he seized the screen with one hand, pulling it closer to his face as if confronting it eye to eye.
“…you don’t seem to know your place. Let me remind you,” he spat with a tone full of contempt, “first, you revived me against my will, therefore destroying any efforts I had painstakingly planned during the age of war, then obstructed my suicide attempt by taking over my body without my permission. And now you dare talk about ‘cure’?! Curing me?! Presumptuous!!”
It scared the system so badly there was nothing written on the screen.
“Who are you to tell me what to do?! Who the hell are you to decide my fate?!”
His snarling face was fierce, a stark contrast to his normally apathetic expression. With his brows furrowed, red eyes blazing in fury, and a killing stare, he truly embodied what a Demon Lord would look like from a human’s perspective. Dark shadows danced across his sharp features, enhancing the aura of danger that surrounded him, as if he were a harbinger of chaos, ready to unleash his wrath at any moment.
“Put this deep within your system, machine. My biggest regret in life was accepting your help to become stronger and there’s not a moment where I dream of getting rid of you permanently.”
The blank screen slowly vibrated into life with words.
[Host, I’m simply a system assigned to you. As much as I wish I could grant your request, I can’t. I previously mentioned that I couldn’t disappear until you achieve your goal.]
Zalstrahvi released the captive screen in his hand and turned on his heels. He casted another invisibility spell while muttering, “…talking to a cat is more meaningful than talking to you.”
Then he jumped from the extreme height. Unlike his previous suicidal attempt that almost ended his life, he landed gracefully on his feet.
[Host, wait!] a window appeared on his right, [Host, I’m sorry if my words hurt you. I didn’t mean it to be like that.]
A battalion of white-armored knights surged past him to direct the surviving refugees away from the gaping craters that marred the ground, remnants of a recent catastrophe. The knights shouted commands, yet their voices were dwarfed by the cacophony of fear—a symphony of cries and frantic footsteps.
He stood in the middle of chaos, yet, despite the horrific sights and sounds that surrounded him, he felt empty. Thus, he kept moving, his feet finding their own path through the chaos, guiding him to whatever fate awaited him next.
[Host, I’m still awaiting your response regarding the idea of roleplaying as an ordinary human. After extensive analysis, I’ve concluded that this may be the most beneficial approach for you.]
“…don’t cross the line, machine,” he warned.
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[Host, I assure you I’m being serious! There’s no condescension in my words; rather, I see that your apparent disinterest may be caused from the monotony of your routine over the decades. Trying something new could be the key to reigniting your passion! It’s the best solution I’ve managed to identify in my extensive database!]
Noticing that Zalstrahvi had once again succumbed to his usual apathetic demeanor, the system pressed on.
[You have nothing to lose by giving this a chance, Host. You just need to enjoy life with a different identity—not as a Demon Lord, but as an ordinary human. That’s all I’m asking! The fun possibilities are endless! Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?]
“Let’s say I did everything you suggested and found nothing interesting. Will you let me die in peace, then?”
His question was laced with so much indifference, both to the world and to his own life, that it sounded disturbingly alarming.
[Host, please don’t jinx it.]
“…then what’s the point if I don’t find it interesting? I told you before. Stay in your line, machine. Leave the matter of emotions to those who can sense them.”
The system neither replied nor reacted to the insult. After all, all he said was true. It was merely a program without any emotion installed within. It could sense the emotion within its host, but it did not understand anything about it. The thought of comforting him with words was outside of its calculation.
After spending a long time analyzing, words finally formed on the bluish window.
[Host, I will give you a main quest for staying alive.]
Ding!
Another bigger window appeared in front of him.
[[Quest: Survive and thrive as a commoner
Description: Finish tasks assigned by the system
Reward: Something truly good!
Status: Ongoing]]
Zalstrahvi stared blankly at the screen, then kept walking.
“Reject.”
To his surprise the window appeared again, now with more description.
[[Quest: Survive and thrive as a commoner
Description: Finish tasks assigned by the system
Reward: Something truly good!
Status: Ongoing
Penalty on rejection/failed: Host will be made immortal by any means necessary]]
His eye twitched as he once again felt anger trying to take control over his mind.
“…I told you not to cross the line, machine,” his voice was dangerously low as he glared at the bluish window before him. “Do you think you have power over me? You are nothing but a hindrance in my plan. Remember, I can forcibly make myself go into an eternal sleep if I want to. Now get lost! I have no time for jokes!”
He slapped the window aside with his wingarm and continued walking. The way his upper wingarms positioned themselves beside his shoulders made them looked like a giant, majestic mantle of wings, draping him in a coat of darkness that commanded awe.
Unrelenting, the window reappeared again, now the size was even bigger.
[[Quest: Survive and thrive as a commoner
Description: Finish tasks assigned by the system
Reward: Something truly good!
Status: Ongoing
Penalty on rejection/failed: Host will be made immortal by any means necessary
Reward on accepting: Host will obtain “The Heart of the Veiled One” and “The Eyes of Truth”]]
“!!!”
Zalstrahvi stopped dead in his tracks to reread the item rewards. Words could not describe what he felt right now. This system was willing to give him two godly-tier artifacts above ancient-tier, which was said to be used by the gods themselves?
“…The Heart of the Veiled One and The Eyes of Truth…” he repeated slowly, almost breathless. Disbelief was plastered across his face.
The Heart of the Veiled One was said to be the heart of a former shadow god who reigned over the pantheon before their downfall, the Veiled One. Encased within was the power to summon shadow servants without the help of rituals. It also increased the user’s mana regeneration significantly.
And The Eyes of Truth? Well, well, well…
As the most desirable artifact that ever existed in history, The Eyes of Truth had the ability to peer into any living being no matter who it was—humans, animals, angels, or even gods. This artifact would dissect any ability, thought, and even the weakness of its target according to the user’s wish.
He stared at the window before him, still in disbelief. “Do you realize what you have offered to me? With these I can easily conquer the worl—no, I can easily annihilate all living beings in this world.”
A small window appeared beside the big window.
[I know, Host, but please accept it. I’m a system created to help the gods’ most ambitious creation, in other words, you—and I can’t just disappear helplessly without being able to help.]
He snorted. “Ha!! What a roundabout way to say you are afraid of dying.”
[Host, please. It is okay even if you find it boring and procrastinate in the middle! Just accept it!]
“…”
He crossed his arms over his chest, thinking. The rewards were too good to be true.
“Before that, tell me something,” he commanded sternly, “is this exchange supervised by the gods?”
The window went radio silence.
Those motherfuckers… Zalstrahvi spat inwardly. Of course they were watching. In their eyes, mere mortals’ lives in this world were nothing but amusement, akin to watching a play in a theater. This was why he stopped finishing any quest the system gave him after he knew the truth. He was merely a pawn in their eyes--those disgusting worms called gods.
However, to be honest, considering the rewards, he would be stupid not to accept this simple quest.
The Eyes of Truth… he licked his lips in anticipation, ignoring the piercing and condescending divine gazes he felt at the back of his head. The things he could do with this artifact was endless, oh so endless… especially blackmailing…
He loved blackmailing…
“Fine. Accept,” he begrudgingly said. At least he was given something extraordinary this time, something the system had never done before.
It was evident that the gods were indeed in dire need of entertainment...
[Good choice, Host! Now giving out the rewards!]
With a flash of light, a huge, black heart materialized out of thin air in front of him. Gingerly he received it with two hands. The veined heart felt so strange against his skin, looking repulsive and frail, yet full of power. It was pulsating with life, the beating felt unmistakable in his ears. Even after being separated from its owner, it continued beating for eternity.
Lifting it with one of his wingarms, he opened his mouth to devour it…