[Updated] [Rewritten]
______ __ __ _
"What do you mean?"
[I mean If you don't become a master, I will lose you, my host.]
[And as a result, I will have to self-destruct, and, the aftermath will probably kill you.]
[In a sense, I will kill you, but indirectly.]
"What, you will self-destruct yourself?" Yuan asked stunned.
[Yes, I will.] The system replied calmly.
"But why?"
[Because I will lose my host. Which is the most important element of my existence.] The system explained.
"Well, can't you just stay inside me and do nothing? This would be beneficial to both of us." Yuan tried to negotiate.
[No, I can't. I was created for only one purpose and you already know it.]
"So, you can't do that too, huh?"
[Yes…]
{What else could it be…?}
"Don't you have another choice? Like finding another host or something?"
[No, I don't. I'm already bound to your soul after using the Rebirth on you. And host, I have an important question to ask you.]
"What is it?" Yuan asked cautiously.
[Do you want to see another person being the host of the system - me, a powerful entity?]
"...No, I don't want it!" Yuan said in a frail voice.
[…Ok.]
Even though he has always thought to do good. He was also a selfish person. Besides who could guarantee the system would fall into the wrong hands? Of course, he wouldn't become bad. Even when he became a Spirit Emperor Cultivator he never forgot about morality.
"Wait! Can Sect Master see or hear you?" He suddenly asked.
[No, only the host can hear me or see me.] The system replied.
"Well, that's another problem too..."
[Why, isn't it good that others can't see or hear me.]
"It is good, but…" Yuan struggled to express his opinion.
"Oh, I have an idea!" He spoke after a moment of thought. "Can I talk to you with my mind? Or else how can I explain it to the Sect Master?"
How was he going to speak to the Sect Master without revealing the truth about the system? He couldn't risk being exposed as a lunatic, not when his entire future was at stake.
[Yes, host. You can think what you want to say in your mind, and I will read it and reply to you.]
"Then that's good." Yuan nodded.
{Let's test it!} Yuan thought in his mind. {Do you read me?}
[It's working, host.]
"Yes, it's working!" said out loud Yuan.
[Why are you speaking again host?]
"Because my emotions will be reflected in my voice. You can easily detect whether I'm angry or happy..."
"But I will talk to you only when the two of us left..."
[Oooh, Host you sure have a high IQ! But I can detect even when you aren't speaking.]
"Huh, what is IQ? And you can? Well, that sounds possible."
[IQ means intelligence.]
"Does that mean I'm smart?" Yuan asked calmly.
[Stop praising yourself. Don't forget the fact you forgot that I could read your mind three times!]
"Don't mention it..." Yuan said in an embarrassed voice. "I think it's related to my mind. It's really unstable right now. After all of the things that happened."
"Let's go back to the topic."
[…Are you changing the subject?]
"In that case, don't have I another way?" Yuan ignored the system's words and asked it.
[No!]
"Like also rejecting the quest?!"
[I said no!]
"Even a little?!"
[Host, stop making excuses!]
The system was frustrated by Yuan.
[Either chooses to become a master or die!]
"Ok, give me a minute."
[Granted host, there is only one minute left before the quest time ends.]
"What? One minute? That fast? Why can't you give me more time."
[You asked for it just now.]
"You!"
"Why didn't you tell me first!"
[Well, you didn't ask for it.]
"...Sigh." Yuan simply decided to ignore the system.
[Hurry up host! There are only 30 seconds left.]
{What should I do? Should I become a master or not? No, I won't be a master... I swore in my past life...}
{Will I be betrayed again if I become a master?}
{...No. I won't let that happen}
Rong Yuan's mind raced as the seconds ticked away, each passing moment bringing him closer to a decision that could change the course of his life forever.
"Urghh!" He groaned. "What do I do?"
[Attention host, I'm undoing the time stop.]
[Decide, will you become a master and live or accept the penalty and die!]
[The choice is in your hands.]
[Ding!]
[Time Stop has been undone!]
As Time Stop came to an end and the world began to move once more, Rong Yuan found himself facing the moment of truth. He knew that the decision he was about to make would have far-reaching consequences, determining the course of his life and shaping his destiny for years to come.
"Curse you, [Death Quest]!"
With a deep breath and a determined spirit, Rong Yuan steeled himself for the challenge ahead. He cursed the quest that had brought him to this point, the "Death Quest" that had plagued him with its terrible penalty and ominous description. But despite his misgivings, he knew that he had no choice but to face it head-on.
________ __ __ _ _
"O-ok, I will do it!"
He finally decided to choose.
"Huh, what did you say?"
The Sect Master stared at Rong Yuan in disbelief, stunned by the young man's answer.
[What is your decision host?]
"I said, I will become a master!" replied Rong Yuan while trembling.
He finally chose the answer. It would probably change his life. For better or worse? It was in his hands.
[You didn't fully complete the quest yet!]
{Ok, ok, I know…} He was annoyed by the system's reminders.
{I will become the best master!} He muttered internally.
[Ding!]
[Host has completed "Main Quest #0– Part 1"!]
[Host has received the reward for completing the "Main Quest #0– Part 1"!]
[Would you like to see it?]
{I will see it later.}
[Ok.]
"Ohh, That's the spirit boy, you're finally back to yourself. Say it again!"
Rong Yuan heard Sect Master's voice and asked the system in his mind.
{System, can I choose the disciple by myself, at least?}
[One second, host.]
[…Yes host, yes. You can choose your disciple freely.]
[But why are you-]
"I will become a master. But I have a condition!"
{Well, then that is good.} Rong Yuan was relieved slightly.
[Oh, so you meant that!]
"Ok, say it!" said Feng Rong waiting for Yuan to answer patiently.
"I will take a disciple by choosing them by myself. Nobody interferes with my choice."
[…..]
"Oh, is that all?"
"Yes, that is all."
"Good, I agree. You can choose your disciple yourself."
{Good, master agreed.}
[….]
"Thanks."
"Ok, now have a rest. I will send grandmaster alchemist to you so he can check on you."
{Grandmaster alchemist!}
{Rouer!} A cold glint passed through his eyes.
{I will take revenge for what did you to me!}
{I will take revenge on all of you!}
"Ok, thank you for your help, Sect Master!" said Yuan trying to sound as calm as possible.
He didn't want to show his anger to Sect Master.
{But, Sect Master is surely helpful as always..}
"Goodbye Yuan, rest well. You will become an amazing master one day as this awesome one!"
{…and shameless as ever...}
Feng Rong left while returning back to his narcissistic self.
"Of course, I will be an amazing master. Not because I want to because I don't have any other choice."
{Because of some stupid system and its Death Quest!}
[I'm not stupid, host.]
{I know. I am just saying for earlier...}
[…Ok.]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
[So, you finally made your decision.]
{Yes, I have decided to become a master. Again…}
This may be the best or the worst decision I made in this life.
Only the future will show us which of the two will it be…