Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 199: System-less.

''Say, why do you think the system exists?''

''Hm?''

While Anna works on a console, Aurora turns to me with her usual thin smile. Although it's only been a few weeks since I met her, I feel like I have already grasped her psyche.

Well, she's me, but.

From the tone alone, she's probably wanting to explain something.

''I'm not sure.''

So, to save the trouble, I decide not to try to guess, instead letting her tell me everything. Expectedly, her smile deepens slightly the moment I reply, leaving a mischievous impression.

''The system is like a processor,'' She says. ''It assigns a game-like aspect to living organisms—not all of them—and accelerates the flow of life.'' 

''What does that mean?''

''Every living creature is bound to die one day. When that time comes, its body and soul will return to Earth, nurturing other lifeforms. What the system does is compute this process and speed it up. It's why you don't see a lot of lingering souls—because they are all caught by the system.''

These definitions of souls and spirits or whatnot... I'm not too familiar with them. Still, I get what she's saying.

''Is there a benefit to accelerating the process?''

''It helps to repel the invaders. As incarnations of death and destruction, what they fear the most is life. The hyper-cranked cycle of life is what they hate the most.''

''Huh...''

According to Aurora, that is the main function of the system, but it also aids with casting magic and fueling the dome, among other things. As if to point it out to me, Aurora repeatedly stresses the differences between raw magic and system-based magic.

''To put it simply, it's more powerful... but also harder to control. It's what the monsters outside are using.''

True magic... I'd always felt like my ice still had room for improvement. So this is the answer.

''That's not all.''

''...?''

Pressing her index finger against her lips, Aurora gleefully makes a shush, ''I'll give you a few days. Get used to it by then.''

Then, she vanishes.

I can't help but feel dumbfounded. Not elaborating aside, the way she made that face... ugh... what happened to her? I can't believe we're the same person somehow.

I won't become like that, right?

[The preparations are finished.]

''Oh.''

Following Anna's directions, I proceed further into the facility, closing in on the system's core. Walking along the path, I can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia—not like I've been here, but the constant buzzing it emits reminds me of an airplane before taking off.

Not just that, but there's a profound frequency showering my mana veins, which is strangely similar to a massage.

[Please stand here.]

''Okay.''

Soon, we arrived at a body scanner of sorts. Once settled inside it, Anna asks me to brace myself one last time before she activates the mechanism. Expectedly, a thin film forms between the two projectors above my head, slowly descending with a precise stability.

''...''

Not much happens even after it completes the journey and disappears. Instead, the device goes into a calculation mode briefly before letting out a mechanical grunt—a sophisticated one.

And that's when it hits me.

''Ugh...!''

Stripped of the assistance the system provides, every ounce of mana inside me roars to life, fanatically colliding with itself to escape my control. On top of that, an intense headache sends me dizzy as a flurry of information is poured into my head—something I've not felt in a long time.

It isn't until a long time has passed that I finally regain some sanity, just enough to be disgusted at my own body that is drenched in sweat.

I'll have to take a bath again...

No, maybe learning how to control my own power is the priority now. I don't think I can properly fight at this stage.

Fortunately, I can more or less do the same things before the system's deactivation, just not as easily. My connections to Zircon and its people are still intact.

[You can still view the system's evaluations of yourself or other entities at will. I only withdrew its control over your power.]

''I did hear that from her... but what if I wanted to learn new skills?''

[With enough energy equivalent to the number of skill points needed, you can request a purchase. It will be done manually by me to avoid any mishaps.]

''What about achievement bonuses and level-up bonuses?''

[There will be none. Previously, the bonuses you mentioned were drawn directly from the God of Nihility's abyss. Once you two are completely fused, the need for such actions will not be needed anymore.]

''...But the HP and MP restoration that occurs when leveling up is from the system, right?''

[Yes. That function will be unavailable for you.]

That's... a shame. I guess it's already quite hard for me to gain levels, so it's not too bad. Considering other masters and grandmasters take decades to reach where they are now, it'll just be unfeasible for me to gather enough experience in such a short time.

''Ah, one last thing,'' I utter. ''Do you know anything about the convergence?''

[I am aware that it is inevitable and somewhat unstable. Other than that, nothing.]

''I see.''

After familiarizing myself with... myself for a while in the Backrooms, there are several things I've realized.

Firstly, the power output is indeed higher—considerably so. I didn't actually lose any sort of ability either. It seems when I 'buy' or 'gain' a skill, the system will directly imprint the appropriate level of knowledge regarding that skill into my head. The same thing is true for upgrading a skill.

How massively advanced that is.

If so, the most valuable thing I've lost is the ability to access the system's library on the spot. 

''Wow, boss... you look different today.''

''Sikare?''

Wiping the sweat trickling down my cheek, I notice a haggard woman loitering nearby. Holding up her thumb, she gives a pleasant smile,

''Very handsome.''

''...What are you doing here?''

As if finally remembering her life purposes, Sikare fervently reaches for a few tubes inside her lab coat's pockets and hands them to me. They all contain a clear red liquid with small bubbles—like a strawberry soda.

''What are these?''

Posing a proud grin, Sikare puts up her index finger, ''Remember the last time you asked the doc to look into soul-switching operations? Well, we found a solution.''

''Did you test it thoroughly?'' I ask, feeling somewhat skeptical.

It's a job usually done by deities—dealing with souls, I mean—so isn't it natural that I find her claim suspicious? Nonetheless, Sikare only nods confidently at my question, ''Yes!'' she replies.

''We had a few criminals chug it down. The doc was able to pull out their souls and swap their bodies. No side effects so far.''

''How did he do that...?''

''I dunno, black magic? He only ever babbles about the pestilence and whatnot, but.''

''...''

Of course, this is good news. I'd wanted to ask Aurora for help, but it looks like we can do it on our own now.

After giving Sikare a head pat, I take my time with a bath before teleporting to Chloe. Maybe it's time to finally switch back.