Bab 2: Chapter 1- Sudden request

Richard Scarlette was frozen in shock at his place as he stared at the golden screen floating in front of his eyes.

When he raised his hand, his hand went past through the screen—further confirming that he wasn't hallucinating right now. A system, just like those novels he used to read, awakened just after Richard realized his identity.

'What a cliche set-up....' Richard frowned as he looked at the system message again and contemplated.

If this all is true, which seemed to be most likely, then accepting the system seemed to be disadvantageous for him. He has seen many systems in those novels imposing tasks and inflicting severe punishment upon failures. One of those systems directly states 'Finish the task or die like a dog'.

Richard doesn't know how people liked such novels.

[Before the Host decides whether to accept the System or not, the System would like to list some features and advantages.]

Richard raised his brows. What was this? Marketing?

[The world the Host is aware of, isn't the same as this one. In the final battle against the King of Dead, the Protagonist had to sacrifice his life.]

Richard frowned deeply at that. This wasn't something he expected.

The novel he read in his last life, clearly stated that after a lot of struggle and sacrifice, the King of the Dead was finally eradicated from the world, and no one from the main cast died.

And in the end, they lived a happy life. The end.

Then....how come this System was stating something differently?

[The Host must be confused but this is how the world works. The King of the Dead was too strong to be defeated by some mortal beings. And as a repercussion of sealing the Demon Lord, the Protagonist died.]

Richard interjected, "Then...how does this world still exist? Sealing that deity-class demon wouldn't do any good. Wait...are we in the past and the story hasn't begun?"

Richard suddenly came to a conclusion which sounded absurd to his ears. However, his speculation was on point,

[Indeed, host. After the Emissary of Light—the Protagonist—was defeated the God of Fortune mourned as their last hope to save this world and disaster befell the heavens with the downfall of the Protagonist. That's why, the Goddess of Fate allowed this time reversal.]

Richard was having a hard time believing in this all...however, for now, he didn't outrightly reject the system and further asked,

"Then...do I need to become stronger and support the Protagonist so he can defeat the final boss?" That seemed the most probable conclusion of all the explanations he had heard until now from the system.

However,

[Saving the world or not, is entirely in the hands of the Host. The System would be more focused on guiding a safe life for the Host.]

Richard asked in confusion, "But why do I need protection? I just won't be a little prick and stay away from the Protagonist's way?"

That was what Richard had decided the moment he realised where he was and what character he had become.

Being a mid-rank boss was cool and dope, but what benefit would it bring if the villain didn't get plot armour and the Protagonist, in one way or another, beat the crap out of every villain in the name of 'Power of Love'?

However, the next thing that appeared on the screen, nearly made his mind numb,

[...Host, if the Goddess of Fate has reversed the time then the deity must have some plan in my mind right? If everything happens in the same way as it had in the last timeline, then the result would remain the same.]

"Then...what changed?"

[The lovers of the Protagonist, retain their memories of the previous timeline.]

"..."

*********

It took some time for Richard to finally realise his current stance.

The fact is, in this world, not only Richard but four other people also know the future. And those four people are the four main heroines who would definitely get rid of any and every obstacle that could hurt their beloved.

'Fuck...I am screwed.' Exiting the bathroom, Richard walked outside the room without informing the maid and his mother, who both had fallen asleep.

He walked aimlessly into the mansion while being ignorant of the numerous looks he was receiving.

His current dilemma didn't allow him to be aware of the surroundings, as he asked the system,

'Is there any chance that if I act differently than how I was supposed to, then they wouldn't come for my life?'

[To provide you with the answer, the Host needs to be reminded of a certain Space-Time theory: In theory, reversing time creates several dimensional cracks which allow the passing souls to enter the world that they are not supposed to enter. And Host is one of those souls who entered the world when it was thrown back in time.]

[And this theory is known by the regressors as well; that's why, if the Host acts differently, the regressors would suspect that you must be someone else in the body of Richard—and on the orders of Goddess of Destiny and Fate the regressors would immediately get rid of you.]

Those words brought his feet to a gradual pause.

Wasn't he royally fucked?

'Wait...could it be that this System is toying with me so I can allow it to assimilate?' Richard had spent most of his previous life between people who could lie for a piece of bread. And if this system's existence depends on whether Richard accepts it or not, then spouting such a lengthy lie doesn't seem implausible.

"Young master!" Suddenly, his reverie was broken as a maid dashed in his direction with sweat trickling down her face.

She was holding someone in her hand which looked like a scroll.

As she reached him, Richard maintained a composed front and asked her, "What is it?"

Hearing his voice, the maid straightened her back and tried to stand properly but her rough breathing turned her attempt into an utter failure.

"Young master...and envoy arrived from Count Cravenford's family and delivered this letter for you. I asked them to stay a little but it seemed the envoy was told explicitly by their master to return immediately after delivering the letter."

Richard's brows knitted close. This was... somewhat rude. Thankfully, the Duchess didn't hear about it or this could have become problematic.

Count Cravenford is not only lower in rank, but also, Duchess Scarlette—Richard's mother—and Count William Cravenford were on good terms. Most prominently, Count William's daughter was one of the heroines and engaged to Richard.

"You may go." The maid bowed upon being commanded before she walked away.

Emily Cravenford—the main reason why Richard was so hateful toward the Protagonist. The reason why Richard always wanted to become better than the Protagonist. And also, she is the reason for his demise as well.

From what Richard remembered, Emily never had contacted him on her own initiative before and even in the novel he read, it was clearly stated that Emily kept her distance from Richard because of his rude personality.

Then how come this letter all of a sudden arrived from the same Emily?

'Does it mean...the System isn't lying?' Richard had woken up in this world just an hour ago so there was no chance his action could have altered the plot.

'No...I shouldn't land on a conclusion...' Deciding to check the content of the scroll first, Richard removed the seat and slowly unfolded the scroll.

[Sir Richard,

I trust this letter finds you in good health. I wish to invite you to a meeting over tea at my family's manor on the morrow, at the hour of three in the afternoon. There are matters regarding our engagement that require our discussion.

I look forward to your presence.

Emily Cravenford.]

Now...this was something unexpected.

In general, Emily is the type of person who follows her father's words as a command and does whatever he asks her to. However here, it was clearly stated that it was Emily who wanted to talk about engagement.

This was definitely something that shouldn't have been happening.

'So...should I accept the System?'

********

A/N:- Yeeeeees.

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Pilih

KIRIM HADIAH

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Bab 3: Chapter 2- Understanding the System

While Richard was contemplating the matter, suddenly another screen appeared before his eyes,

[As for the advantages of the system:

1.) Weekly tasks and bonus items.

2.) System Administration

3.) Optional Task Assigner]

....

This felt like the System was adding points to its charm to woo Richard. Regardless, he read the content before opting for the first option,

[1.) Weekly tasks and bonus items: Based on the performance of the task performed, the host would be granted some bonus items or rewards, in addition to the mission reward. These items/rewards can vary and have a close relation with the difficulty of the mission.]

It didn't take him long to understand the content before he went for the second,

[2.) System Administrator: To a certain degree, the System will assist the Host in every conceivable manner. Moreover, the System will provide support in tracking the favorability of individuals who could potentially become threats to the Host's life.]

Richard raised his brows reading that. It almost felt like it was an Otome game or something with that favorability feature there.

However, considering that he might need to gain a good impression of the main cast to ensure his survival in this world, this feature would be quite helpful.

'Let's see this now....' Focusing on the [›], Richard began to read the last advantage of the System.

And this one greatly shocked him.

[Optional Task Assigner: The Host may choose any wish they desire to be fulfilled, and the System will provide tasks to achieve it. However, once a task is assigned, no additional tasks will be given until the current task is completed. The tasks may vary in difficulty and frequency.]

Richard went through that description twice and thrice, before asking, "If I feed the goal of becoming the demon king of this world...will the System help me do it?"

[Undoubtedly, Host.]

"Fuck..." Richard swore under his breath as he leaned his back against the wall behind him and heaved a long sigh.

This...was something that could ensure his safety in this world and turn him invincible so no one would decide his fate for him.

Being powerless and at the mercy of others in his past life, Richard no longer desired such a life where he would have to think of how he could survive another day.

He wanted to become strong.

But—

"System, is it possible for you to assign me a task so I can protect my sister?"

As he said those words, the face of a little girl clinging to him while sobbing pitifully, came into his vision and Richard felt his heart throbbing painfully in his chest.

This stinging sensation made him realise that there might be no better use of this feature of the System if he just—

[Yes, Host, it is.]

—well, that settles it, then.

"System, integrate with me."

[Command recieved.]

[Initiating process...]

[Combining resources....]

[....]

[Congratulations, Host!]

[You have successfully gained the most reliable System to ever exist.]

Richard dryly chuckled, "Well, we will see about it."

********

After he was done with the discussion with the System, Richard tried to think of how he should proceed with this new body.

His mother—Duchess Scarlette is a very perceptive woman who loves her son more than anything. Richard never has seen his father before nor heard anything from his mother.

'A mistake?' Richard was forced to think if the Duchess mistakenly slept with someone and had to conceive the baby.

'Nope...if it had been the case then she wouldn't have spoiled me this much.' The reason why Richard survived halfway through the story was because of his background.

Duchess Scarlette always overlooked Richard's mistakes and misdeeds and always supported him, directly or from the shadows. And taking advantage of her love for him, Richard did everything that led him to his demise.

But not anymore. He has to change things.

Although Richard couldn't stop behaving like a spoilt brat, considering this world contains regressors, he can somehow influence the aftereffects of his actions.

But for now, his main concern was this meeting with Emily.

This particular event would decide various things.

"Young master!" Suddenly the brown-haired maid who first appeared before him after he woke up in this body, emerged out of his room.

Her small round face was coated with a thin layer of sweat and her caramel shade eyes trembled in nervousness.

"You are loud." Richard's face twisted in slight annoyance, and although he was pretending to be rude, it felt quite natural.

The maid immediately sobered up before she straightened her posture and bowed in regret, "I apologise for the unsightly display....I-I was worried about the young master."

"I heard you. Now leave." Richard didn't wait to hear her response before he walked inside his room.

Inside, on his bed, the woman with long crimson hair still slept like she had attained her life goal and now was enjoying her reward.

And the most disturbing part was that the pillow was now between her legs....ugh.

'Seriously...how much obsessed is she with Richar-me?' Richard couldn't help but wonder.

He decided to take a bath for now since he wanted to calm his mind before his mother woke up.

He has to make sure that she doesn't suspect him or this would turn nasty in no time.

Duchess Scarlette was one of the very few ladies who retained her position as a nobility solely based on her achievements. She, not only graduated from the Academy as the top student but has also served in the army.

Gaining so much experience in a variety of fields makes her one hell of a broken character—and someone who would be quite useful for him in the future.

'Let's see...' Trying to follow his memory, the few bits he could remember, Richard touched the magic stone which was fixed in the place of a faucet.

But nothing happened.

I need to feed it my magic—Richard discerned.

Those who can use magic can utilise magic stones to use these facilities like to produce water, light or heat. And those who couldn't use magic, still rely on traditional means.

Naturally, since Richard was awakened, he was provided with these facilities.

'Haah...now how can I use my etherflow?' The magical force that energizes one's magic is known as etherflow. Ether originates from one's core—and no, that core isn't the heart.

One's core forms at varying locations of the body and through a network of channels—called etherflow—they travel throughout the body of a magician.

The network decides the strength of the core and how much magic one's body can utilise.

A more widespread etherflow would enable greater ether generation, allowing an individual to recharge their magic for high-ranking spells or more frequent spellcasting.

The type of magic Richard uses is known as Blood Magic, but this doesn't mean he is a hemomancer. Instead, he has inherited a unique set of magical abilities from his mother; skills that only members of the Scarlette family possess.

But Richard can worry about it later. For now, he has to manipulate this supernatural phenomenon called Ether.

"Should I meditate?' Getting into the lotus position while sitting in the middle of the bathroom, partly naked, he closed his eyes and tried to think deeply about the energy flowing inside his body.

....but it didn't work. His senses weren't adapted to this body and for a normal human being, listening to even their blood flow was nigh impossible.

He would have tried to do something more...but suddenly the door of the bathroom swung open, and simultaneously Richard sprang to his feet.

It was his instincts, honed in his previous life where death could strike without warning...

However, currently, his source of caution was not a zombie but a sobbing mother who, with her eyes closed and hands raised, advanced towards Richard.

"Oh, my baaaaaaby...."

"Wait, mother! I am-guh." His plea was unheard as Richard was met by an unfamiliar warmth.

Seriously, he has to do something with this son-con lady.

*******

A/N:- Huehue~

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Pilih

KIRIM HADIAH