25 The System's Objective / Information.

It was indeed hunters. A single group riding around in a car, shooting down everything in their paths.

As they passed by, Asper was tried to get a look at who it was. Spiky gray hair was the only characteristic he could see.

The Wolgur boss which had been going for Asper started to shoot at the car. Due to the wall having been blocking the view hover, Asper couldn't tell what was happening.

"If they're here than I can…"

Asper looked at the corpse of the monster's and readied his knife. All he could think about was how much he'd be able to make from all these orbs.

'They'll serve as a good distraction.'

He gripped tightly onto his knife before giving another look outside to see if it was truly safe enough. Once confirming that it was, he made his way towards the corpses.

"Let's make this quick…" He muttered

***

Near the outside of the ruins, a group of three hunters could be seen moving together. Each one was equipped with an electric assault rifle.

Two were on the lookout while the one leading the group seemed to be looking at the ground with a prosthetic tool over his right eye. It seemed to be helping him track something.

They used the broken down buildings and rubble, to obstruct and hide themselves from the sight of any monsters which they could encounter.

Whichever monsters they would find, they would deal with but only when necessary. The reason was simple, they didn't want to attract any monsters and they had a target in mind.

"How much longer, boss?" One of the men asked.

A tall bald man, with a strong and Buffy figure. The same went for the other two. This one had the tattoo of a scorpion over his left ear.

The other's both had the same tattoo, one had it on his shoulder while the other had it on his backhand.

The one with the tattoo on his shoulder, was the tallest with the most defined muscles out of all of them. He was the one with the prosthetic tool over his right eye, and was the one doing the tracking.

His bright green Mohawk, evil grin and large size gave him an intimidating appearance.

"Patience. We're nearly there." He replied

"Are you sure there's anything to gain from that kid?" The last guy asked

This one too was bald, only a little shorter and less bulk in comparison to the other two. He gave off a less intimidating aura but seemed to pay very close attention to his surrounding.

"There is. My gut tells me that there is, and you know my gut is never-". The group leader's eyes widened as his eyes came into contact with a boy in the middle of the ruins. "Well speak of the devil." He muttered with a wide grin.

——————————

Asper quickly made his way throughout the ruins while doing his best to avoid the sight of the monsters. His pouches were full and made it harder for him to move freely but none of it mattered to him. All he could worry about was getting home safely.

He had wrapped a piece of his top which he had cut around his wound to stop the bleeding but it was far from being perfect or of any help. The only reason the bleeding had stopped was thanks to the system.

Crouched, he stuck near the walls of the broken down buildings for cover. If anything were to happen, he would want to at least be able to run inside and hide when needed.

As he walked, he paid close attention to his stats and health.

<Name: Asper Antes>

<Race: Human>

<Level 15>

<220/2000 exp>

<Class: Adapter>

<Title: None>

[Stats]

HP: 17/140

MP: 39/155

---------------------

VIT: 13

SEN: 7

STR: 5

AGI: 27

INT: 31

<0 Stat points Available>

[Skills]

<Adapt LV.2> (Passive)

————————————

'Adapt really did level up… That's probably linked to how I was able to pull off those moves… I was also able to adapt to the monster's attack pattern… Did I know how to make that move because I adapted to the monster? Maybe.'

"It would make the most sense if that was the case. I wouldn't know how to feel if something else had control over my body otherwise."

<Correction: System unable to control owner's body without permission>

Asper's eyes widened as his heart nearly leapt out of his chest. The system replied. Such was a first, it had never done that before which is why it had surprised him so much. Did it become capable of communicating due to adapt having levelled up?

"So you would be able to take over my body with permission then?>

<Correction: Temporarily, if commanded.>

It really was communicating with him.

"Hm… Then I'll ask you this now… I don't have to be worried about you suddenly killing me in my sleep, do I?" Asper asked with cold eyes as he looked at the artifact on his chest.

<Response: System is incapable of hostility towards possessor / Holder / Owner / Master.>

"Is that so…? How can I trust you?"

<Response: System's duty is to protect the possessor / Holder / Owner / Master. Due to early stage, system can shutdown and be removed from body if possessor / Holder / Owner / Master desires.>

Asper's heart sunk as he heard this. Cold sweat dripped down his face as he nervously said.

"Alright, Alright… No need to do that…" Muttered Asper

'I just got this artifact, If I lose this I'll lose everything I've gained.'

<Correction: Changes made to body are permanent, further progression is hindered.>

'I guess that means I keep my level and stats I gained even if I were to lose the system? But I wont be able to level up without it.'

<Correct.>

"I see… Then, I have a few more questions."

<…>

"Are there other artifacts like you? If so, what are your objectives? Why help me, or others like me grow? How does the system work? Killing monsters is converted to experience points? Levels? Why take such a form."

*** Next chapter preview

*Pew*

Asper watched as the bullet passed right by his eyes.