Chapter 278: Defiance [1]

I never questioned the system.

Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was in desperate need of it. I was desperate to get rid of the disease that had been plaguing me since childhood. I didn’t want to die, and so, in desperation, I clung to the one thing that could help me get rid of the nightmare that had been haunting me for so long.

I followed the system requirements and quietly let it dictate my actions.

I understood that there was no free lunch in this world.

The system clearly had some sort of goal.

I did too.

I thought that in the end, as I grew stronger, I’d learn more about the truth.

But—

"....."

Quietly staring at the numerous fragments in my hands, all of which looked like they were extremely pure, alongside the warning by the doppelganger, I understood that I could no longer ignore the situation.

’It’s in a rush.’

The system was in a rush.

I counted the fragments in my hands.

Five.

It had given me a total of five fragments.

Holding them in my hand, I remained quiet while staring at them.

’...The system very clearly wants me to get stronger. But why?’

I thought about all the quests in the past. Each of the quests was connected in some sort of way. From the cult case to the secrets of the version of me that existed in this world. Each time the system presented me with a quest, it did so with a certain intention.

I understood this and didn’t say much.

While I knew that the system was stringing me along for some sort of goal it had, since it benefitted me directly, I never questioned it, even though I hated the feeling of having my movements secretly controlled by someone.

This time, again.

The system was stringing me along with the fragments.

It was telling me to reach the Third Order.

"I don’t like this at all."

Holding onto the fragments, I felt a sense of repulsion. I knew that I was doing this for my own selfish motives, but this feeling of quietly being used as a puppet...

It made me feel like shit.

Putting the fragments away, I crossed my arms and tapped my finger against my right arm.

"....."

I sat in silence.

I wanted to muse over the situation. While things were okay for now, I knew that things couldn’t keep going like this. The more I progressed, the deeper I fell into the cycle of reliance. It wouldn’t be long until I became a complete puppet to the system.

’No, maybe I already am.’

The thought made me frown.

In the end, however, what could I do...?

I was in desperate need of the medicine.

I bit my lip.

Ding!

A certain notification pulled me out of my thoughts.

Turning my attention towards my phone, I momentarily closed my eyes before standing up.

"Looks like things are getting started."

Putting the fragments away, I headed for the door.

I planned on thinking more about the situation later.

*

There was a gathering on the main floor of the Containment Department.

The moment I entered, the place was packed with people.

’It isn’t different from last time.’

This was an entire department gathering. Naturally, the topic in question was regarding the upcoming gate. There were five days until the day of the gate. As such, the Guild was in a state of high alert.

’...Where should I sit?’

I looked around, and just before I decided on a spot, a hand pressed on my shoulder.

"There you are, superstar~"

A head popped up next to my shoulder.

Turning my head, I flinched.

"Shit!"

"...Wow."

Team Leader Soran brought her head back, looking somewhat offended.

"What’s with that look? It’s almost as if you’re repulsed by the fact that a super sexy, super hot, super beautiful lady is talking to you."

I flinched again.

"...."

The Team Leader’s expression fell.

"That wasn’t necessary..."

"No, that..." I scratched the side of my face. I myself didn’t know why I flinched again. Then again, her words did make me want to puke.

"Whatever. It’s fine."

Though she said that, I could tell that the Team Leader’s face had considerably darkened. She was most likely holding a grudge. Her continuous mumbles, which went like, ’Not at all angry. I’m not offended. I probably scared you’, made it all too clear.

I could only stare at her until she finally snapped out of it and looked at me again.

"Right, I wanted to talk to you about your recent exploits. I’ve been so busy handling this mess that I haven’t had the time to properly congratulate you on your achievements."

She placed her hand over my shoulder and patted it a couple of times.

"Good job."

"...."

Was this really it?

The Team Leader’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

"You’re not happy with this?"

"...Very."

She smiled.

"That’s good."

The Team Leader pulled her hand away before turning towards the Section Chief in the distance.

"The meeting is about to start, so I’ll go for now. However, I’d like the two of us to have dinner some day again. There are quite a few things that I’d like to talk with you about. They’re quite important, so you can’t miss it."

"Oh..."

Secretly, I started to sweat.

Having dinner with her?

I’d rather die.

But then... thinking about the black market, I found myself unable to flatly refuse her on the spot.

’Fuck.’

"Keep up the good work. I hope you all remain consistent for the upcoming department trials. I expect a lot of things from your group."

The Team Leader left right after that, leaving me somewhat at a loss.

Department Trials?

That...

What exactly was that?

I was at a loss, but before I could dwell on it, another hand pulled my shoulder.

This again...?

"Yo."

It was Kyle this time. He was giving me a weird look.

"Are you and the Team Leader close?"

"What?"

I looked at Kyle strangely. The two of us close? What about our interaction looked close?

If anything, I wanted to avoid her at all costs.

"Are you?"

"No."

Of course not.

Kyle nodded.

"...Hmm. Well, it’s fine."

"No, it’s not fine."

"Oh, sure."

"No, seriously."

"I believe you."

"Not you too..."

"Here, let’s grab these seats."

Before I knew it, Kyle dragged me towards a couple of seats as we sat down. I tried to speak to him, but before I had the chance, the lights of the place flickered off, and the Section Chief began speaking shortly after that.

"Looks like everyone is here. I’ll make things short."

The room instantly fell quiet.

I did too, as I held myself back.

In the end, I turned my attention towards the Section Chief.

"There are five days until the <A> rank gate opens up. So far, everything looks clear. The gate has remained stable. However..."

The Section Chief’s expression turned grim, the air growing tense.

"VILE-2013 has been recently spotted. From what we’ve managed to observe, our previous observations hold true. The anomaly is capable of increasing the rank of the gates that it’s inside of. We believe the same case will happen for the gate."

The Section Chief’s words caused the room to grow even tenser.

"...But thankfully, from what we managed to observe, the increase will be gradual. What does that mean?"

Holding onto a small controller, the Section Chief pressed it as a projection flashed on the wall behind him.

"It means that we have a limited amount of time to clear the gate before it’ll be too late."

He paused.

"This gate... It’ll without a doubt rise to <S> rank if we take too long to clear it."