CHAPTER 80: FEAR OF ASURA: PART 3

There was a beautifully marked dagger, its silver blade contrasting with the black sand, and under it, the sand had been mended to write a message, a message that someone wrote with their finger—

"Survive for three hundred years, don’t worry as hundred years are just a single second in reality, Good luck!"

Johan’s entire body shook, frantically looking around for any sign of who wrote this. As far as he knew, the Fear of Asura wasn’t a conscious dungeon.

Suddenly, he felt an urge to laugh, and he laughed—harder than he ever had in his life. It wasn’t a happy laugh, but bitter.

"So the dagger is your way of saying that I either live three hundred years in this hell, or kill myself... I really didn’t expect this trial to be so interesting. Alright, I accept the challenge." Johan, staring at the purple sky, yelled at the top of his lungs, and the sky seemed to vibrate a bit in return.

’I don’t think I will age, feel hunger, and there are no physical dangers other than—’ Johan stared at the knife, not even picking it up.

"So I just have to sit here for three hundred years? Simple enough." With that thought, Johan shut his eyes, falling on his back.

Doing nothing sounded good on paper—the air was cool, and the sand was soft. There wasn’t an urge to go to the bathroom either.

Just much-needed peace. Johan had been under constant deadly pressure from the moment he entered this world. He could use this to finally clear his mind and make some plans against Leor and Radhaan.

Seven days later~

"System, how does one love?" Johan asked with tired eyes—he had slept so much that even sleep started to feel tiring. He stared at the six-foot-tall castle he’d made. He wasn’t entirely alone, at least—the system was still here.

[I am unable to find an answer, Host.]

The white text slowly appeared on the blue screen, so slow that it seemed tired. But anyone would be, after giving the same reply to so many questions repeatedly.

"Just say it. What do you think love actually is? I saw way too many people cheat even after thirty years of a love marriage, and the moment the other partner finds out, all the love disappears completely, and every ’I love you’ becomes a statement in the court..." Johan asked with a yawn, molding the top of the castle he’d made.

He didn’t expect any sensible chat or answers from the system, of course. He just wanted to... yap to someone.

But to his surprise—

[This is just human emotional attachment. Once it’s betrayed, it can’t be recovered. Love for mortals is like a bunch of brain chemicals exploding. Once they stop, love vanishes.]

Johan’s eyes widened, but his face finally gained some color, replying instantly, "Then, you think love isn’t real?"

[I wouldn’t know that, Host. I can’t feel. That’s your job to figure out.]

"My job? I mean, we don’t exactly know why the chemicals explode inside the brain, right? Maybe that’s love..." Johan said casually, shoving his finger into the castle wall to make a window.

[I know as much as you do, Host. So I agree with your answer. The rest we can figure out later.]

The text appeared word by word, the blue screen trembling like it was sighing.

Johan nodded thoughtfully, picking up more moist sand to increase the castle’s size.

Only a few minutes passed when—

"System! Why do you think we hate each other so much? Is it just because of the things others do? Like, I clearly know why I hate Leor so much, but what about wars? Like the soldiers of the Midgard Empire—hate even toddlers of the Aurelian Empire. Why? Just because of brainwashing? Humans are quite dumb then, right?" Johan asked seriously, rubbing his chin.

Nothing happened.

The translucent blue screen didn’t appear.

"System! System! System!! I know you can hear me!!" Johan shouted repeatedly, but... no one replied.

"Alright, fuck you too. I didn’t like you anyways!" Johan pouted like a four-year-old girl, crossing his arms. Definitely not suiting his body in his mid-thirties.

One year later~

"You’re right, James, but I do think Alya looked cute in the white wedding dress! Nothing can compare. I wish I could save that moment in time in something like a bottle, and live that cheerful smile over and over again." Johan chuckled enthusiastically, sitting on a chair made with black sand.

The castle was still there, now around sixty feet big. Johan had also made furniture—like a table and chair—to relax.

"I would agree with you, definitely... if I was as retarded as you. Have you even looked at the NSFW content available for Beatrice? You’re missing out on so much! Alya who? Beatrice is our only Goddess! And her personality—oh my God..." the man named James said, shaking his head, as if disappointed in the person sitting in front of him.

James had long brown hair reaching close to his eyes, and from the back—covering his entire neck. A handsome, young face, but a skinny, average body.

"Ass is not everything, James. The cheerful smile of Alya, her charming, melody-like voice, her eyes filled with emotion—Beatrice can’t even be compared!" Johan said sharply, taking a deep sigh filled with disappointment.

Yes, his past body had appeared three months ago, introducing himself as James.

Johan doubted him at first, thinking that his body was hallucinating, but James... felt so real. And Johan finally had someone to talk to, so he didn’t try to fight it—just accepted it.

And now, after three months, he did feel like that was a good decision. Even if this James was just a hallucination of his brain, this guy could still help him survive three hundred years, right?

"Ahh, let’s just drop it. It’s okay to have opinions, even if they’re wrong." James said with an annoyed voice, his face filled with the look that said, "We have to compromise for the disabled."

Just as Johan tried to argue, James’ face grew serious, making Johan pause.

"What do you think happened to Clara after your death?"