章節 35: Part 01: Leon and His System
Leon.
The best friend.
The funny one.
The story reliever.
It was his duty to stand by the protagonist's side and aid him. To make the protagonist shine brighter than anyone else. To help the story progress in the right direction.
Without him, the protagonist wouldn't be the hero of Aruvar that he is today.
In fact, Rey wouldn't even have destroyed the City of Tevalon in the first place.
One of Leon's main jobs was to be an icebreaker.
If Leon were there, the City of Tevalon could have ended differently. They would have first worked with the resistance in the first village they had arrived in. Leon would have struck up a conversation with the inn's daughter, making the first connection between Rey and the new harem addition.
Leon would then walk around, asking for information, while the protagonist watched as Leon made a fool of himself along the way. Rey would have allies, information, and a place for the slaves to run to. Like this, Rey would have the very first emotional connection with Ura. He would have a deeper understanding of their situation, their history, and their mindset.
They wouldn't have traveled straight to the City of Tevalon. Instead, they would have wandered all across Ura, meeting nobles, making allies, and earning a reputation. Rey could've hunted beasts he's never seen before, unlocked ancient ruins, gained new powers, and added more people to his harem.
The chaos that he caused would not have happened. The deaths of the half-demons would not have occurred.
Rey could have become a real hero for Ura.
Unfortunately, Leon was not there.
A vital part for the story to proceed was not there.
The role of the best friend isn't just a regular side character after all. They're not cannon fodder, not an expendable character.
They're unreplaceable.
Their role holds meaning.
A bigger responsibility.
They are the reason why the protagonist looks cool, why the protagonist gets the girls, why the protagonist has fun.
Leon is the best friend.
And not just any best friend—the one and only loyal best friend.
And Leon knew this.
He knew it all too well.
His system repeated it every single day.
He can't make a mistake. Not one misstep. Not a single wrong word. It could throw the entire story off.
That was how big his role was.
"So what happens if I mess up?" Leon asked one day, "Like, if I'm late or something?"
System: Punishment.
"What?! But what if it's not my fault?!"
System: Bigger punishment. That means you've done something to cause the story to deviate.
"How am I supposed to know?!"
System: Do as I say, and you can avoid punishment.
"What if I fail?!"
System: Don't fail.
"The hell-"
System: Protagonist arriving in 10 seconds. 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . .
The system worked almost 24/7 whether Leon wanted it to or not. It spoke in Leon's mind constantly, telling him the exact words to say, what kind of face to wear, and what event would occur next. It even tested him sometimes, and if Leon guessed wrong, he would get a little shock. The only time Leon had silence was when it was time to sleep, which was at midnight since 'Leon' enjoyed staying up late.
But as much as the system was annoying and difficult to handle, it was just as helpful. The system always made sure to stay one step ahead of the present timeline. And so, Leon never experienced any problems, no sudden surprises, or any mishaps. The body 'Leon' was already well-built and trained as well, so Leon had no trouble following every command of the system. He just had to act and follow the script.
System: Incoming enemy at 3 o'clock.
'I told you before, I don't know where 3 o'clock is!!!'
System: To your right. Left foot, twist and turn. Step in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .
Trusting the system and 'Leon's' body, Leon shook off the enemy before him, took a quick step, and turned.
System: Right arm full swing to the throat.
Leon immediately did as told.
System: Enemy behind. Twist sword and stab.
Just as quickly, Leon swiftly flipped his sword and stabbed the enemy behind him without turning around.
System: Enemy attack on your left. Dodge, left arm needs a slight graze.
Leon hated the idea of getting injured but still did it anyway.
System: Enemy incoming behind. Don't turn around. Protagonist to the rescue in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .
SLASH!
Just as the system had informed, the protagonist came as predicted.
"Losing focus, Leon?" Rey mocked him as he fought the incoming enemies.
System: Proceed with the script.
Leon yelled, "I HAD HIM!"
"Sure you did,"
Yes, the system was incredibly helpful.
Especially during those fight scenes. Leon was an art student, not a swordsman. So he depended highly on the system during those times.
But killing wasn't something that Leon felt comfortable doing. It was something he was required to do, not only to survive but also to complete his missions.
In order to get his wish to go home.
The first time Leon killed someone, he was forced to stay in character. Punishment was death if he didn't, so he really had no choice. It took all his willpower, the system even offered its help as well to make it so he didn't look so shaken.
Then, after midnight, when everyone had fallen asleep and the system finally kept quiet, Leon silently cried himself to sleep. He had nightmares for weeks. He suffered alone for many nights. He was just thankful the system had enough heart to let him cry. Of course, those were the very last tears he would ever shed for a long, long time.
It was obviously out of character, and the system would not put up with it if Leon was caught.
And so, the more Leon killed, the less it bothered him. Soon, killing became normal. It became a survival instinct as the story progressed. But even if Leon became adept at fighting and killing, he still had to follow the system's every command. He must follow the story down to its smallest detail.
But it wasn't as if Leon was completely perfect at acting and fighting. He did stumble many times. He was just lucky that he was given a starter pack that saved him when he first entered the book. Then it was the points that he accumulated along the way to gain one-time passes. Passes like 'Auto-Correct' for when he messed up a sentence. Or a '5-Second Rewind' for when he fumbled a fight sequence. Or maybe even a 'Leon Power-Up' for when he felt exhausted.
But those were just little things that he could buy as many times as he wanted. There were always bigger ones like 'Be a Hero for 24 Hours' or 'Find Your True Love', and those allowed Leon to act out of character without punishment.
'Why are you showing me this?' Leon asked.
System: Don't you want to be a hero for a day?
'Does it cause the story to deviate?'
System: Yes, it does, but you won't get punished for it.
'I don't want it,'
System: Don't you want to save Evelyn? Her death will occur in three days. If you head there now, you will make it.
'Will I be able to go home?'
System: . . .
'I don't want it,'
System: . . . It will be here for when you ever want to buy it.
Leon never bought it. He never bought any of the big, fancy passes. His points would pile up to the millions, and he would ever only buy the little passes that would help him complete his missions to go home.
There was nothing more important than that.
Evelyn was only a character.
He was already struggling to go home, so why would he further risk his life to save a character?
That's dumb.
However, whether he liked it or not, Evelyn's death did weigh on his mind. Not just hers, but also many more. Like Rey's family, Emilia, that healer . . . Just a lot of people he could have saved. They may just be characters, but knowing that you had a chance to make a difference takes a toll on one's mind. It was like his humanity, his sense of virtue, was slipping away.
But what can he do?
If he helps them, he will lose himself entirely.
And it's not like they can help him, the system is the only thing that guarantees his way home.
So, all those deaths that he could have changed, he shoved them down inside. He blocked it out.
It's not his fault.
It's not his fault.
They're just characters.
They're not real.
It's just a book.
System: You have reached 100,000,000 points. Congratulations, you win a prize!
' . . . '
System: Please choose a prize from the following for free:
1. Instant Lover! Pick one girl from the protagonist's harem to become your lover.
2. Doppelganger! Become the protagonist for 24 hours.
3. UnWanted! Your face will no longer appear on any wanted poster.
'. . .'
System: Please choose a prize from the following-
'-I don't want any,'
System: . . . Please choose-
'-I said I don't want any,'
System: . . . Oh.
Leon knew that the system was usually very strict, always nagging and controlling him. However, sometimes Leon thinks that the system likes to test him. Test how much of his humanity he is willing to lose in order to reach his goal. But he won't fall for it. He can't make any mistakes. He can't risk it. There is no way.
System: . . . If you choose the third prize, it won't affect the story.
'I don't need it,'
System: . . . Please choose one.
'I don't need it,'
System: Choose one.
'Is that a requirement?'
System: . . . You can say that.
'Sigh, just do the third one then,'
System: Would you like to execute it immediately?
'Whatever you want,'
System: UnWanted! activated. Your face will no longer show on any wanted poster.
Little did Leon know, the system did want him to have at least some sort of freedom in this world, to enjoy this world even if it's just a little bit. It was the reason why he gave out prizes in the first place. But the system underestimated him, Leon's wish to go home was deeper than he thought. Too deep that it was worrying.
The system was at a crossroads.
The system's past transmigrated person(s) were never this fixated on going home. And even if they were, the story always deviated somehow. And if they played their cards right, they could always get their wish to go home anyway.
It was the system's first time experiencing someone who was so intent on going home that they were willing to sacrifice not only all the people they met but also their own happiness in order to do so.
Yes, the system was strict.
Yes, the system was controlling.
And yes, the system was detestable.
But the system was also willing.
The system always made sure to stay on top of it. To always be informative and truthful. To help as much as possible for the story to proceed.
The system even gave out many chances, many options, many prizes, etc., and usually people are willing to take them and use them.
So, why would Leon be any different?
Shouldn't Leon be fighting against the system?
Shouldn't Leon try his best to save everyone?
Shouldn't Leon be greedy? Have his cake and eat it?
It made no sense.
Even if you are intent on going home, you don't sacrifice everything to do so, right?
So . . .
What's the system supposed to do now?
The system . . .
It can't . . .
How is it . . .
There's no way . . .
Leon's wish could never be granted.
He can't go home.
That plane crashed.
He died.
This is his life now.
And it was all the system's fault.
The thing is, the system had a little secret.
Leon was not supposed to be in this world in the first place.
He was never supposed to transmigrate.
Because the real transmigrated person, the one who was supposed to be 'Leon,' the system lost his soul in the process of transferring. Well, more like accidentally transferring it to a different story and having no idea which story that soul is in. So to cover up that mess-up, the system quickly snatched another soul. And that just happens to be the current Leon.
The problem is, the systems are assigned to a specific person and can only grant that specific person one wish before moving onto their next person. They don't have the ability to grant any non-assigned person(s) a wish. The only reason why the system was still in this world was because it was trying to keep this world intact while it found its assigned person. And it actually didn't take long for the system to find its assigned person at all, but it chose to stay in this world anyway. To make up for its mess-up.
The system thought that Leon would be the same as most of its' past transmigrated person(s). So, it acted as usual in hopes that Leon would rather stay in this current world. In fact, the system gave Leon its full attention. It 'helped' as much as it could, and it even gave out prizes that it had never given out before. But that all seemed to cause the opposite effect.
Is this why there are only certain people who can transmigrate?
Why those from normal, happy lives are almost never chosen to transmigrate?
They have no need to live in another world because their world is already perfect for them.
If the system knew it was going to be like this, it would have never snatched a random soul.
Present:
Leon is walking. He smells a forest. He hears the sounds of crickets. It's not that cold anymore.
He is being led by someone in front of him. Someone who holds his hand gently and securely. It is a familiar touch. He knows who it is, but prefers not to name them. There is a smaller presence behind him, a shorter guy, someone who Leon thinks he'll get along with. But Leon doesn't want to. There is nothing he wants in this world.
So he walks aimlessly, letting the hand he despises lead the way.
("Are you sure this is a good idea?" Seven asked worriedly, "I thought you said Leon isn't trusted by enchanted beings?!"
"He isn't," Rey replied.
"Then why are we heading towards a village full of elves?!"
"Forest elves,"
"That makes no difference! Are you trying to get Leon killed?!"
"He won't die, he has me,"
". . . Yeah, right. Okay,"
Rey glared, "You're getting bolder, control yourself,"
"Yeah, yeah,"
Rey unsheathes his sword, Everlasting Light.
"Wait! I'm sorry, I'll watch my words!! Please spare me-"
"-We have company,"
Monsters dive out from their hiding spot.)
Leon feels himself getting thrown around, but it isn't bad. It feels like he's dancing. He's dancing.
Skidding through the sky.
Almost floating.
Oh.
It must be prom night.
His senior year in high school
That's right, those things existed.
How could he forget?
It was his first dance.
Leon whirls in his memories. Twists and twirls. He dances in the dark, unable to control himself. His arms flail in the wind, he is light on his feet, and he feels weightless in the air.
And then he falls.
Keep falling.
("You threw him ten feet in the air!" Seven chastised, "What if you didn't catch him?!"
Rey glared, "I will always catch him,"
"Yea, well you almost didn't catch me!"
"You'll live,"
"Rey, I'm begging you. Please stop throwing us around," Seven sobbed, "I'll die from a heart attack before getting eaten by a beast!")
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