---
Inside a strange domain… Arthur drifted through a corridor that resembled a wormhole, his body still completely shattered, unable even to lift a hand. He wasn't the one walking… the domain itself was pushing him forward.
Once the system confirmed that they were safe, Arthur spoke in a tired voice:
"So… you don't have even one explanation for me?"
The system replied in a sarcastic tone, pretending to be clueless:
[Explanation for what…?]
Arthur didn't answer, letting the question hang. Then he said coldly:
"How do you expect me to trust you… if you don't plan on telling me anything?"
The system stayed silent for a few moments before replying seriously:
[I'm sorry… but you're not ready yet.
And before you ask—no, you're not a pawn meant to let the original heroes grow by stepping on your back.
You're here to carve your own fate.
I'm only an assistant.]
Arthur stared into the empty space ahead with suppressed anger.
"And what kind of assistant… hides everything from their own master?"
The system said:
[Calm down, Arthur… you're the rational one here.
Anger won't help you.
And I won't ask for your trust… because trust is earned, not given.
I'll do anything… to prove myself.]
Arthur went silent for a few seconds, thinking… before opening his eyes with a dangerous gleam, as if a final decision had formed.
"First… heal me completely. Use all my lifespan if you have to.
Just leave me one day."
The system trembled for a moment… then accepted.
"Second… take me to the Northeastern Continent—Viridian, the homeland of the Eilf's."
The system asked sarcastically:
[Why? You're not exactly the type who enjoys pretty scenery.]
Arthur ignored the sarcasm and replied:
"In the game, during the mid-semester quest… the hero travels to Viridian.
There… the World Tree was dying.
The Hero of Light was supposed to help the new World Tree embryo mature.
But the Abyss corrupted him… and the continent lost everything.
The World Tree fell… and more than half the elves went extinct."
The system asked:
[…So, what exactly are you planning to do?]
Because there was no trust left between them… the system could no longer peek into Arthur's thoughts, which is why it was asking.
Arthur said:
"The cause of the continent's destruction was the corrupted embryo.
It woke up… and devoured its mother.
I'm going to that embryo now.
If I'm early enough… I'll consume its life force, and make it mine.
That way… I replace my lost lifespan."
A suffocating silence followed.
Then the system said in shock:
[Are you insane?
Do you understand what you're about to do?
Your plan is full of holes!]
Arthur replied calmly:
"I know. But think… you know what will happen if the embryo survives.
Right now, it's just a weak child… not strong at all.
How do you think they managed to contain it?"
The system went silent again.
[…But… what if the World Tree doesn't produce a new embryo?
If we're wrong… we'll be the reason the continent is destroyed!]
Arthur answered with steady confidence:
"The World Tree will notice the disappearance of the embryo immediately… and produce another one.
Since it's still young… she'll do it despite her grief.
If she doesn't… then it's the end."
The system didn't confirm, but it didn't deny it either.
It sighed inside Arthur's mind:
[Fine… let's do it.
First the healing… then we go to Viridian.]
Suddenly, Arthur's body began to glow with a faint purple light. Bones reformed, wounds sealed shut, and his organs returned to their proper state.
But Arthur frowned and said:
"Why is the light purple? Isn't it supposed to be golden?"
The system replied, sounding confused:
[I don't know… maybe because the lifespan consumed wasn't long enough?]
Arthur didn't answer.
Even though he healed… an old injury deep in his lower body wasn't completely fixed, though it was much better than before.
Then—
Ding!
---
[Stats After Mutation]
• Strength: 11.77% ← 14.27%
• Endurance: 13.00%← 15.50%
• Intelligence: 56.00% ← 58.50%
• Luck: 16.04% ← 18.54%
• Mana: 10.98% ← 14.50%
• Charisma: 74.00% (unchanged)
---
Arthur glanced at the stats with a faint smile.
"Good… we're ready.
Take us to the embryo."
The system replied in its usual sarcastic tone:
[Yes, sir…
Let's go extend your suffering.]
The light vanished.
And the transfer began…
---
In a void of unseen darkness… within a distant, shadowed dimension far from any world, an unknown entity watched a thin thread glowing with a faint purple hue.
It stared at it in confusion and said:
[Should I cut it… or help it?]
---