3 Disarming the System

The silence was a little drawn out, making Yuan Haoran think that the system was up to something. In his opinion, the delay was a little too long for a supposedly advanced machine. Was it inefficient or looking for a way to trick him to avoid being uninstalled?

But again, the system could be stalling because the information was buried too deep for easy access. It was probably not something that a person who was connected to the system would like to know.

After all, who would want to get rid of a gold finger?

But Yuan Haoran was not an ordinary person. He did not believe in unwarranted advantages without strings attached. If he wanted something, he could work to figure out a way to get it. More importantly, he did not like having unknown elements in his life.

And the system was a major unknown.

'Do not make up some nonsense to cheat me. I might not know much about these kinds of systems, but I am sure I will figure out a way to deal with you if you lie.' Yuan Haoran warned coldly.

He had already considered his options for suppressing the system.

Unfortunately, everything he came up with to destroy the system would cause him extensive damage. In essence, he would have to compromise his brain and psyche to force a disconnection. He was not willing to go that far yet because he knew the painful life of an unhealthy person.

Self-destruction had to be the final option if it came to that.

The Hero System pinged and responded to his question.

[The Hero System is an upright system designed to enlighten the Host on the benefits of doing good in the world. I will not use deception or other unethical methods to achieve the set directives.]

The offended response confirmed that the system had some measure of a personality and could even mimic emotions. From a scientific point of view, it was fascinating. However, Yuan Haoran did not like the idea of the intruder in his mind.

He had conducted enough human experiments in his past life to know that this type of system was not just a mission and reward unit. Also, the use of the term 'set directives' implied that there was some kind of programming designed to target the Host.

After a long period, another light ping sounded in his mind before the Hero System responded.

[The Host can disarm the Hero System after achieving Godhood.]

Yuan Haoran almost laughed in anger.

When he talked about the God level as he was purging the ghost of Master Guo, he was just taunting him. Now that the same words were thrown at him, he wanted to strangle someone. Godhood was not something that had been verified as far as he knew.

'You are a very good system.' He said through gritted teeth.

The Hero System pinged and responded with a tone that implied it understood the sarcasm and anger.

[Thank you, Host. I will strive to make you a hero among men.]

Yuan Haoran could not describe his anger as he listened to the system. Perhaps, it was his imagination, but he could swear the machine was just taunting him for the fun of it. However, he was not someone to be trifled with.

'What will happen if I fail to complete a mission? Is there a punishment?' He asked as he walked around the necropolis collecting all the treasures the old man left. Naturally, he also took Master Guo's storage ring which was filled with a lot of resources.

Once again, the Hero System stalled before answering.

[The Hero System is a benevolent system designed to teach with love and guidance. The failure of a mission will mean a lost reward and the benevolent lecture from the system on the consequences of failing to help the helpless.]

'In that case, I will not be participating in your shenanigans.' Yuan Haoran was happy to have reached an acceptable outcome. He did not care about being lectured. While it would certainly be annoying, he doubted the system would say anything he had not heard before in the original world.

[You will miss out on countless cultivation resources. You can become truly powerful.]

'I am already a Saint-level expert.' Yuan Haoran responded.

[Evil cultivation is not suitable for a hero. Heroes must cultivate on the righteous path.]

'Exactly my point. I am, once again, the Demon King.' Yuan Haoran responded without a hint of remorse. 'I am not a hero and have no interest in the righteous path. I will not take on missions to help those who are too weak to survive.'

[You will not be welcome in the world outside the domain as a devil cultivator.] The system did not understand the resistance.

'I believe I can manage with my power if I face resistance.' Yuan Haoran snorted lightly. 'If you were a devil system, you would be able to compel me to do your tasks through punishment and threats of death. You have no way to compel me to comply.'

The system stalled for so long that Yuan Haoran could hear the gears turning.

[Please wait while the Hero System finds a response.]

Yuan Haoran closed the panel and looked at the city of the dead. The necropolis was his home for ten years. He had not ventured outside, and he did not know what kind of world awaited him. But he could not wait to see it.

The only thing that could make it better… A beautiful face appeared in his mind. It smiled at him for a moment before blood trickled from the familiar mouth. His red eyes changed from their chilled dark saintliness to those of the unhinged mad devil of the past world.

The turbulence encompassed him causing his power to become unstable and burst out. Within a moment, the mausoleum and the rest of the necropolis collapsed around him before he could control his spiritual energy.

His power was unstable due to his speed of cultivation as well as his consumption of the power of the ghost of Old Master Guo. He would need to stabilize his power but that had to occur over time. Still, he needed to keep a tight grasp on himself to avoid a disaster.

The ruins around left nothing of the magnificent necropolis.

Yuan Haoran drew back his spiritual energy and became calm once again as if nothing happened. His scarlet eyes cleared up from the madness, but their natural shade maintained a tinge of bloodthirst. He took another look at the once-beautiful mausoleum. 

There was nothing left for him here.

He turned to the north and started walking out of the necropolis. His steps were light and did not seem to touch the ground. The feeling was nothing like the tediousness of walking in his past life or the confining limits of driving a powerful vehicle.

Although he missed his car collection…

This was different. It was exhilarating.

He liked walking without the pain and weakness of the past world. He wondered how running as a Saint-level cultivator would feel. However, before he could test out his speed, the soft ping of the system indicated its return from its short hibernation.

[The Hero System would like to exchange valuable information with the Host's willingness to conduct the missions.]