36 Too Many Voices
As he thought, 'System, open the Trade-In function,' the automated voice spoke.
[Trade-In]
[Current Balance] [Syndicate Credits: 14] [Spatial Credits: 14]
[Items can be traded in. Depending on the rarity of the item, either a specific credit type and quantity will be given in exchange, or a random type and quantity.]
Rentaro looked at the Trade-In function briefly, noting it down for future use. Next, Rentaro thought, 'Research and Investigations.'
[Research and Investigations] [Sub-Missions Function]
The automated voice followed briefly, before going quiet. As Rentaro started to question if that's all the function had to introduce, a woman's voice abruptly sounded.
[So, you've finally unlocked this function? Like Wilhelm, you could consider me as being part of the system.]
Not only Rentaro, the eavesdropping Wilhelm was bewildered, [I'm not the only one that was set as a guide for this system?]
[In a way, you could see it as such. My duties are mostly regarding research and investigations, mainly collecting and sorting such information in the system database. Anything else doesn't concern me.] The woman hmphed.
[Rentaro... I think she's a tsun~dere.] Wilhelm awkwardly voiced out.
Both Rentaro and the woman facepalmed, not wasting any more words on him. Wilhelm was just a bit—unique at times. He could only see it as Wilhelm having an immense interest in his previous life.
At the same time, Rentaro felt a bit dizzy, There were just too many voices inside his mind. One of these days, he might end up losing it. Was he hearing his thoughts or theirs?
The woman continued, [Aside from focusing on research, I'd like to say I'm much more privy to what our existences are.]
Wilhelm asked her to go on, eager to learn more about himself, and so Rentaro decided to quietly listen as well.
[The two of us are solely particles of the system creator's soul. For every system she created, she separated bits of her soul, one to act as a guide in each system, the other to collect and compile research and the host's experiences. Of course, she also set up the automated system voice as a failsafe, in case anything happened to either the guide, the compiler, or both.]
[Technically speaking, the two of us aren't considered true beings by the World Laws as we weren't created naturally. I'm sure you felt it, the repulsion of the outside world? If you tried to exit the system space, you'd be swept away, or more specifically, devoured by the rift that sends one to the Spirit Retribution Dimension.]
Wilhelm was quiet, taking into consideration her words. 'I'm not a true being? Just a particle of someone else's soul.' Wilhelm couldn't help but feel a bit down.
Listening to the two, Rentaro learned that the system creator was a female, but that's all she said about her. Picking up on Wilhelm's situation, he said in concern, 'Firstly, since you don't have a name, how about Tess?'
The woman thought for a second, before shortly accepting, [Very well, I suppose I'll accept your suggestion. Don't expect me to treat you like Wilhelm though—I'm not as simple minded as him.]
'That's fine,' Rentaro said, 'What's this Spirit Retribution Dimension you mentioned?"
Tess proceeded on, [Any existence not accepted by the World Laws that ends up exposed to the world will be devoured by the rift, though that isn't the end of their "existence." That's where the Spirit Retribution Dimension comes into play.]
[Within the dimension, various creatures are formed from chaotic energies. These creatures fight to the death—fighting for the sake of acceptance. Likewise, those who are devoured by the rift are given the same chance to fight for their existence's acceptance.]
[One day, Wilhelm or I might find ourselves entering that rift. I'm explaining this now to give the two of you a heads-up.]
Wilhelm felt a small smile forming on his nonexistent lips, thinking about how right now him and Tess were merely voices. Committing her words to memory, he thought, 'One day, I will force the world to accept my existence. I'll form my own body and adventure outside with Rentaro, Roy, Kyon, and who knows how many others."
Tess continued along the lines of Research and Investigations function, [Listen well, Rentaro. The system creator left each "compiler" such as myself with a special gift. Well, three special gifts to be exact. There exists a race known as the Hymirian race, otherwise known as Corrupt Beings.]
[Without going too in-depth, the Hymirian race are made up of parasitic creatures who generally form symbiotic relationships with their hosts. The system creator actually gathered quite a few, hence the three gifts I hold in my possession.]
'This Hymirian Race... Are they dangerous?' Rentaro couldn't help but ask.
[On their own, no. Their existence lay in attaching themselves to a host, usually benefiting the both of them. As for whether a host is dangerous, well, that can only be determined upon meeting said host. Needless to say, a Hymirian being won't accept you as their host just because you ask it to. There's quite a bit of luck involved.]
[How about we give it a try?] Wilhelm prodded.
Rentaro mulled over it for a moment before nodding in agreement.
If there wasn't any danger in trying, why not make the attempt? Perhaps some good would come of it.
In the worst case scenario where the Hymirian being rejected him, what could go wrong? Then again, where would it go afterwards?
Rentaro wavered slightly, when Tess interrupted suddenly.
[It's too late to change your mind, my curiosity has already gotten the better of me.]
In the middle of the training field, a green and purple summoning circle suddenly formed, flashing with various runic symbols. Rentaro felt an unsettling aura, but it wasn't harsh enough to feel sinister.
Rising from the summoning circle, he saw a small four-legged alien-like being. Its body was kind of like that of a squid but with the gelatin look of a jellyfish.
The core of its body was a translucent grey with red spots, atop its head grew a small purple plant with red spots. Its eyes were two crescents with purple eyes and red pupils, while its mouth looked similar to a vortex.
The Hymirian creature inspected its surroundings, a woman's voice sounding in monotone, "I'm finally outside?"
Its eyes eventually set on Rentaro, looking him up and down, "As thankful as I am for you releasing me, I'm afraid the two of us aren't compatible."
Rentaro tilted his head as he beckoned for the strange being to continue.
"It's not that I want to be rude, but the two of us are truly not compatible. Considering I haven't spoken in awhile, I guess I'll introduce myself at the least. My name is Yafa, and I belong to the Hymirian race as I'm sure you already understand."
Rentaro nodded along, "I'm Rentaro, not much to add to my introduction, really. Is compatibility that important when forming a bond?"
"For a symbiotic bond, yes, compatibility between us and our host is important. Otherwise, our merging would be defective and we wouldn't be able to bring our abilities out to the fullest." Yafa patiently explained.
Regardless of Tess' insistence that the corrupt beings were harmless in their initial state, Rentaro couldn't help but worry about them roaming freely, "So, what do you plan on doing now?"
Yafa pondered briefly, answering softly, "I'm sure I'll find someone else around who I feel an affinity with. Not all of my race are like me though. While we're not very strong, there are some who will push to take over their host's mind and body. Be careful in the future should you make any other attempt."
Chortling, Yafa rushed off into the bushes with an unmatched speed, with only the rustling of bushes proof of her passing by.
'Well, that was anticlimactic.' Rentaro shook his head.
He felt a trace of disappointment, though he didn't have any high expectations to begin with. And while the conversation was short-lived, he at least learned some new intel.
The Hymirian race, while physically weaker, weren't all so harmless. At the very least, he'd need to take some precaution the next time he approached one in the case it wanted to try to take over. Then again, perhaps the next one would be as harmless as Yafa.
Rentaro also noted their speed was too fast for his eyes to follow. Or maybe his cultivation was just so low that their speed was alarming.
Tess sighed, scrutinizing as she sorted out everything that happened, [I'm sure everything will work out better next time. There's a reason I was given three of these "gifts" anyways. I'll just report the first attempt as a failure, though I'm very curious as to what will happen with Yafa in the future.]
