Chương 16: Chapter 15

After a bit of haggling, Elias was able to gain multiple benefits from the system by leveraging the fact that, even if the system were to mold a stabilized body for him, it would not possess a proper background within that world. Using that weakness, he managed to secure 20 guaranteed lives from the system. Meaning that every time he died, the system would return him to a previously saved point, effectively restarting the process and allowing him to continue.

Elias did not fully understand how the system would accomplish such a thing, but regardless of the method, Elias had successfully obtained additional insurance. Then, using the fact that he was entering a magical world, Elias brought up another issue. If he had received the body of the original person he was meant to replace, the likelihood of that body possessing magical abilities would have been relatively high. Therefore, he believed he deserved something equivalent.

After another round of negotiations, the system finally asked him what he wanted. After thinking for a moment, Elias asked the system a question.

"What ability do I currently possess that has the highest potential for growth?" The system analyzed him before answering. Impersonation. Elias considered that response. If he asked for magical abilities, weapons, or some other powerful skill, he would still have to deal with the learning curve. Even if the system granted him something extraordinary, he would need time to understand and master it. That would create unnecessary complications. Instead, Elias focused on what he already knew.

"Since you're creating a physical body for me, my impersonation ability will naturally become more difficult to use," Elias explained.

"In my current soul state, I do not require external tools because, as you can see, I am already capable of impersonating others effectively. However, once I have a proper body, that ability may become limited." He paused.

"So I need something that compensates for that." The system remained silent. Elias continued.

"Whether it is a magical tool, an ability, or some kind of system assistance, I want something that allows me to create the most convincing disguises possible. Something that lets me become anyone, whether that is an elderly woman, a child, or someone completely different from myself." A small pause.

"That level of transformation would be interesting. You can figure out the details yourself." At that moment, the system felt something dangerously close to irritation. However, it could not argue. Because despite Elias being incredibly troublesome, he had technically caused the host's Will to Live value to increase from zero to one. Due to some misunderstanding, the system had reached an incorrect conclusion.

It believed that Elias's presence, his personality, and his way of thinking were the reason the host had finally developed even the smallest desire to continue existing. Therefore, it endured. After finalizing that agreement, the system asked if there was anything else.

"No." Elias thought for a moment. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Actually, wait. There is one more thing." The system immediately became suspicious.

"What?"

"We're a team, right?" The system paused.

"No." Elias blinked. The system continued.

"I am not your teammate. I am your observer and the collector of the debt you owe." Seeing that the system refused to acknowledge their relationship in the way he wanted, Elias backed down slightly.

"Fine, fine, fine. You're my debt collector." He smiled.

"But as my debt collector, you understand that I need to stay alive in order to generate enough value to repay you, right?" His tone became almost arrogant.

"So don't go throwing me away." The system felt something similar to exhaustion. However, compared to the original conditions of the agreement, this situation was still far more manageable. At least, that was what it told itself. As they prepared to end the discussion, the system was about to begin explaining Elias's objective, the evaluation methods for the generated value, and the various ways he could increase his worth in the upcoming world.

Then Elias, who had been quietly beginning to dissipate as Nina returned control, suddenly reformed once again. He stared directly at the system.

"Since I technically won't have a normal body at the beginning and I won't have a proper background in that world, that means I won't have anywhere to live, right?" The system became cautious.

"Give me five years of free housing."

"No."

"Four years?"

"No."

"Three?"

"No."

"Damn, you're strict." A pause.

"Two?"

"I am not lowering it any further." The system considered the request.

"Six months. Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it." Elias immediately accepted. A translucent contract screen appeared between them as the agreement was generated. Without hesitation, Elias signed. Using the name: Nina Blackmore.

"Don't go back on your word," Elias said. Nina, who had been observing everything happening from within, felt her interest slowly disappear. The conversation, the negotiations, the endless back-and-forth. She no longer found it worth following. However, she could no longer return to sleep because Elias had finished using his will to remain separate and was now merging back into her soul. Even so, she had already lost interest. The system, meanwhile, felt drained. If such a thing was even possible.

It finally understood why its creator had prepared such absurd benefits and protections within the system. If this was merely a copied or weakened version of what the creator had once dealt with, then the system had no desire to meet the true Elias. Otherwise, it feared it would lose everything before even beginning. After the contract was finalized, the system retrieved the document and prepared to send a report. However, when it saw the name written on the agreement, it paused. Nina Blackmore.

Wasn't the person currently using the identity of Elias? The system thought for a moment. Perhaps there was some commonality between these identities. When they took on another person's identity, they still understood who they truly were. There was a boundary they refused to cross. Interesting. After recording the observation, the system sent the information to its creator. Hopefully, he receives this soon. Hopefully, he sees the new contract.

And hopefully, he does not have to deal with the kind of person who would send his own sister to suffer in his place. After sending the report, the system looked back toward the Will to Live value. Despite everything, despite how troublesome Elias had been, despite how exhausting this entire situation had become, the system believed they had at least made progress. They were finally moving in the right direction. Then another notification appeared. Ding. Will to Live value has decreased by 1.

Current Will to Live Value: 0.... The system stared. Silence followed. What is this? For the first time in a long while, the system genuinely felt cheated. Without further hesitation, it decided there was no longer any reason to continue negotiating with the host. It transferred the necessary information regarding the evaluation rules, methods of increasing value, whether through true monetary value generated within the new world or through increases in Will to Live, and then sent her away. The system was done.