CHAPTER 93: BULL-SHITTING IS THE WAY

Nolan sat back slightly, his expression unreadable. "We know that he’s just an ant right now. But, the aether core can’t just be consumed, and stolen, it’s quite literally impossible."

A shadow flickered in his eyes, recalling the vivid memory. "That’s till of course I shared the intel I had on Vivi, the ability to take away others’ abilities."

He gestured vaguely, as if brushing aside a ghost. "We made achieving that Igroth’s current goal. Our distraction also being the reason why Radhaan was able to make a monopoly on both Empires."

Nolan’s tone shifted into calculated coldness. "It’s a simple solution now—either have Leor help us, or we steal Leor’s aether core and use it."

His lips curled in a grim half-smile. "Two options, and no risk at all."

A faint twitch in his jaw betrayed hesitation. "But then, a few days ago, everything changed when I found out—and told them—that even Leor could do the same thing as Vivi."

He stared into nothing, voice now quieter. "The ability to have multiple abilities easily... and I also told them what I learned about Leor’s mentality from his memories." Nolan’s gaze dropped low.

His eyes narrowed, determination hardening every word.

Then Nolan’s voice grew firm. "We can’t use him to save the world. He would most likely help us if we gave him enough benefits—he’s a cynical man of business like you, after all."

He leaned forward, voice edged with urgency. "But we can’t risk a betrayal while gambling everything on him. What if someone else made a better offer than us? He would pivot in a second."

He exhaled heavily, as though burdened by the inevitability of it all. "So after all this, the second option just became our only. Kill him, get his aether core, research that evil power you three have, and find a way to consume the aether core." Nolan sighed with disappointment.

"Until I entered the trial?" Johan guessed what had gone on in their minds, and now fully understood Nolan’s goals and motivations.

He wanted to save the fellow transmigrator Vivi from the system’s influence, as he believed that’s what made her evil.

He had some kind of a personal grudge—just as strong as Johan’s—with Leor and the outer Gods.

And finally, he wanted to save the world with Igroth.

All three were solved, or at least gave the illusion of being solved, by one single action: learning what exactly the system is.

"Exactly. You’re the same as them, but much more rational. That’s why—tell me everything you know about the system.

There’s not even a need to join us. We will do everything for you, including killing Leor. Maybe even help you escape from here." Nolan’s voice started to become desperate again.

He had wasted too much trying to convince Johan. He had tried nicely. He had tried intimidation. But nothing seemed to work.

And his patience was on thin ice.

Now, he finally put everything he offered on the table.

This was his final attempt to get him with fair means, like Igroth preached.

But, if he still refused, Nolan would have no choice but to use force.

Then, he could send Johan’s broken body to the research and development department to fully ’study’ him.

He could risk this with Johan, as he felt like Johan wasn’t as precious as Leor. Leor was the only one with that ability—Nolan couldn’t ever risk researching him. He was the last hope of Igroth.

Nolan’s eyes narrowed as Johan stared at the coffee cup in his hand with a dreamy look in his eyes, making Nolan believe Johan was carefully considering his offer, but—

[Host, are you sure about choosing Option Two? (Try to contact the Goddess of Death, and warn her about Nolan, and win her trust)]

’Yes!’ Johan flashed his usual evil grin, turning toward Nolan with a bright light in his eyes.

"Alright, I will tell you everything I know about systems," Johan said with a hesitant voice, trying to appear like he didn’t feel comfortable sharing this information.

Nolan smirked confidently. "Systems? So that’s what they’re called... Yes, that would be helpful..." he replied greedily.

Johan understood Nolan’s thoughts very clearly, and sensed them coming from a mile away.

But one thing was for sure—for him, this trial wasn’t over as long as he didn’t get back to his body.

And, if he wanted to leave this trial, he would have to tell Nolan about the system. But if he was choosing Nolan’s side... then why Option Two?

’To play both sides, of course.’

’I’m not just going to waste [Servant of Death]. I need that reward from Option Two to better make my future plans work.’

’And no one told me I had to tell the truth.’

"Have you heard of the Devil contracts?" Johan asked in the most genuine voice he could muster, like the voice kidnappers use while offering candy to kids.

"Yes, of course. Contracts in general, too?

Like, you can even make a contract with me, and use my power through yourself.

Contracts are even more important in high-level fights—like, you can make a contract with the primordial flames and gain resistance to fire while fighting a skilled flame mage." Nolan said enthusiastically, chuckling to himself at the flame mage story, indicating to Johan that this was a real experience.

Johan stared expressionlessly at Nolan, suppressing the urge to say ’No one asked, lil-bro.’ with all his mental focus.

"Right... systems are, as far as I know, similar to this. They are what you’d call artificial intelligence—programmed to work on a set of rules and provide their host with more abilities through mysterious methods that a mortal like me can’t understand." Johan white-lied with a soft smile, looking like the most honest man in the entire world.

"But their contracts are far, far more costly." Johan said in a concerned voice. "You lose all resemblance of sanity if you get a bad one. Like... Leor. And as you said, Vivi."

Nolan’s lips parted. ’Why does he know when I don’t? Maybe systems are just one-sided contracts at a higher dimensional being’s whims with randomly chosen people...’

His eyes seemed to be urging Johan to continue, which Johan did. "Leor... he used to be nice too, like Vivi. Systems are evil. I think I lucked out with mine, because I’m still sane."