ALL NOVEL Chapter 373: System?
"What you said does make sense!" Mike said, nodding slightly.
"Please, Your Honor, we should protect the demons after this. Humans should also be warned to stop killing demons—once the big demon truly resurrects, they wouldn't stand a chance against it."
Mike pursed his lips and pondered, "Something is missing here. Until now, I thought the system could only collect my lone wolf bloodline, but maybe something changed after I rolled the first dice. Come to think of it, there shouldn’t be so many demons with lone-wolf bloodlines. It seems the system can now collect all kinds of bloodlines—as long as I kill them."
"But I have an eerie feeling; something is seriously wrong. I feel like I'm missing something obvious," he thought.
He had been haunted by a terrifying thought for some time but wasn't willing to entertain it too seriously. If true, he could be killed with no chance of resistance.
"Where did the system come from? Does it feed the bloodlines of the demons I kill back to the big demon?" He thought of this scary conclusion. It does make perfect sense.
Moondemon's explanation makes sense on the surface, but upon closer examination, it seems strange that the big demon managed to gather so many bloodlines in such a short time. After all, even though Mike killed thousands of demons, the world is vast. The concentration of bloodlines shouldn’t be so high. Even if the big demon can use them to resurrect, it shouldn’t happen so quickly. The only explanation is that the big demon has another, much more reliable source.
"Everything is lining up perfectly. I'm afraid that my system originates from the big demon!" He felt his heart go cold. He had no idea what the system was or how to get rid of it. If true, he could only lie down and wait for death.
He summoned the system interface:
Name: Mike
Age: 36/100
Bloodline Purity: 100%
Demonic Bloodline Mix: 120%
Combat Power Estimate: Error
Path to 121%: Error
Roll the Dice: 1 - 88%
"I killed a demon king, but the progress of the next dice only unlocked by 1%! I'm afraid most of the bloodline was taken by the system."
"Is the big demon so powerful to build the system? If so, how did I defeat its will in Moondemon's body? Wait, maybe I only thought I did ... Moondemon was trying to convince me that the reason for the big demon's resurrection was the circulation of bloodlines in the world. Perhaps she was trying to deceive me?" he thought.
"No, Moondemon shouldn’t have a problem. After all, it was she who warned me not to kill more demons. If she were under the influence of the big demon, she would never have mentioned it."
"So, I somehow managed to expel the big demon out of Moondemon's body, even though, in theory, the big demon, who supposedly created the system, should be much stronger than me. Maybe it is weak at the moment because it has yet to recover fully?"
"It's also possible that I'm overthinking it. Maybe my system is actually fine and has nothing to do with the big demon."
He considered all possibilities, but no matter what, the seeds of doubt had been planted in his heart. He would not be able to entirely trust the system after this, although honestly, it would probably make no real difference; he still plans to use the system; he wouldn't stop using his biggest trump card only because he has doubts about it.
If he doesn’t use the system, he would have no chance of increasing his lifespan's 100-year limit. In that case, he would die of old age.
"I will use the system's power, no matter who gave it to me because if I don’t, it would mean I would be left with no chance of immortality."
"I am probably paranoid. The system came as a perk of transmigration. It probably has nothing to do with the big demon!" He calmed down and reassured himself.
"Go back to Moon City and calm things down; I'll take care of the humans!" he said. For now, he put aside any plans to kill more demons. He also had to change his plans regarding human civilization.
"Consider it done, Your Honor M!" She nodded.
After saying that, Mike cast his teleportation spell and disappeared.
...
Teleportation is tricky; even Mike's legendary spell could only transport him short distances. He used it in front of Moondemon to show off, but in fact, he only teleported a few kilometers away and then used his flight spell to return to human civilization's land.
He disposed of his identification token again. He was now famous for losing his tokens. Fortunately for him, they were used to it and quickly verified his identity using the second method.
The intelligence agents might become suspicious of him. After all, he is the strongest human, so how does he lose his token every time? It’s not difficult to conclude that he does it intentionally to prevent the footage from being viewed.
However, as a two-star general and the strongest human, suspicion is not enough for intelligence agents to frame him. It would be difficult to interrogate him without evidence or an order from one of the two four-star generals.
Mike knew the flaw of his current operation, but he had no better way, so he could only ignore it for now.
...
Upon returning to the main station of the 73rd Army, he sent someone to bring Painkillers.
After a few minutes, Painkiller appeared, quite relieved by his safe return.
"General! You're back and alive!"
"Of course I am! Don’t tell me you were waiting for my death, hoping to inherit my position?" Mike asked in a severe voice. Of course, he was teasing Painkiller.
"Well, maybe ... no, wait, Never! I would resign from the army if anything happened to you!" Painkiller said firmly.
Mike rolled his eyes. The last time they removed him from the general position, neither Painkiller nor anyone else resigned in protest. In the end, words are just words; few are determined enough to do it when it comes to real action.
"Set up a meeting with General Wide Vision and Bright Light. I want to see them separately. Tell them I have important secret business that may take up to an hour to explain," he said.
"Boss, what is this important matter? Is it about money?" Painkiller asked, quite interested.
"It’s a top secret! Only generals can know!" Mike pointed at the rank of major on Painkiller's shoulder.
"Sigh!" Painkiller left sadly.
...
"Mike, I know you are the strongest human, but this time, you are interfering in things that have nothing to do with you!" said Wide Vision, who had a slightly angry look on his face.
Even though discipline is not very strict in the military, it is still unprecedented for a two-star general to come and interfere in such matters.
"This is a matter of life and death! Withdraw the army from the stations around the world!" Mike said.
"Mike, what you’re saying is impossible; human civilization needs its stations to operate our intelligence network," said Wide Vision.
"General, do as I said; otherwise, the world may be destroyed. The issue with intelligent agents can be solved easily; shut them down!" Mike said with a serious face.
"Mike, are you drunk?" Wide Vision looked at Mike carefully, searching for clues.
"Trust me this time, okay? I have to catch up on my meeting with General Bright Light. I’m counting on you!" Mike said this and left.
"I won’t do it!" shouted Wide Vision as Mike left.
...
"End of the world?" Bright Light asked, deep in thought.
"General Wide Vision already agreed!" Mike said with a straight face.
"Did he? Well, too bad we don’t have the power to do it. The Military Leadership Commission is the only body that can decide such an important matter!" said Bright Light.
"General, you know those geezers are too close-minded to agree to it; you should do it and keep it a secret," said Mike.
"Hey, I am not tired of living!" Bright Light shook her head. If she did close the stations based only on Mike's 'world ends otherwise' excuse, they would most likely not only remove her from her position, but they might throw her in prison or even execute her! Usually, human civilization doesn’t punish mages too severely, but they would even kill magicians when it comes to treason and colluding with demons. Withdrawing all agents and troops from human stations definitely at least looks like colluding with demons.
"General Wide Vision will convince you! Come in, General!" Mike called 'Wide Vision', who was waiting outside to come in.
'Wide Vision' came in, greeted Bright Light, and started debating with her.
With Mike and 'Wide Vision''s persuasion, she finally gave in and decided to comply.
...
Mike and 'Wide Vision' left the office together; after a while, they went into a quiet alley. Mike dispelled his spell, and 'Wide Vision' disappeared.
"Success! I didn't know my spells could even deceive Bright Light! I truly underestimated my power!" Mike thought with a bright smile.