Stem... [Edited]

"Hah… Hah… Hah…" I panted, my breath ragged as I fixed my gaze on the massive gate looming in the distance.

Arten's Gate.

Tsk.

There's no way I can get in. If I try, I'll probably get ransacked—or worse, killed. It's impossible for anyone to be outside those walls without raising suspicion.

This is the border of Arten. Everything beyond these walls is considered a threat. After all, beasts that take on multiple forms roam these lands. To them, I might as well be one of those creatures.

I let out a long, weary sigh. "This is going to be a colossal pain in the ass."

"Why didn't you just teleport me?! You've already stolen an entire day of my life!" Frustrated, I scanned my surroundings. I was frustrated beyond measure at this point, and i just had to vent my anger out on someone. Naturally, my target was Stem.

Yeah, I call the bastard Stem now. System is too long and it doesn't deserve that much respect.

[Oh, I could've teleported you. Would you like that?]

"Wait… seriously?"

[Of course,] it replied in the most reassuring tone imaginable.

Huh?

Maybe it's being reasonable for once.

"Alright, then do i—" I stopped mid-sentence as a thought hit me.

Wait. How much is this going to cost me?

[Not much, really. Just your entire life.]

"…,"

I hope you die a slow, excruciating death.

[Oh, don't worry. I won't just hope. I'll make it happen,] it shot back with a smugness that made my blood boil.

This system—no, this bastard—is worse than anyone I've ever met. How can it possibly be this petty?!

Let bygones be bygones, for crying out loud!

[I WILL NEVER! Unless… you willingly give me 10 Life Points.]

"What the hell?! Why would I ever hand over 10 days of my life to you?!"

[Hmm, maybe to appease me?]

"Are you some sort of vengeful deity?"

[Maybe I am,] it responded, clearly enjoying itself.

Tsk. There's no point arguing. From now on, I can only rely on myself.

[Let's see how far that takes you,] it mocked, the tone dripping with amusement.

"…"

Whatever.

I turned my attention back to the gate and frowned. Why in the world are those walls so massive?!

[They were designed to keep out all kinds of mana beasts. Of course, they had to be this big,] Stem answered as if reading my mind.

"But… how the hell am I supposed to get past them?" I muttered, my frustration building as I gnawed on my nails.

[Wait… are you seriously planning to climb those walls?]

Its tone carried genuine disbelief, and for a moment, I felt like an idiot for even considering it. The walls were a few thousand feet tall—like trying to scale a skyscraper with no gear. Even if I started now and climbed non-stop for a week, I wouldn't make it to the top.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I muttered under my breath, the edges of desperation creeping in.

I had to come up with something. Anything. Standing around here wasn't an option. It was already a miracle that I hadn't encountered any mana beasts, but that luck wouldn't last forever. If one showed up now—no matter the tier—I was as good as dead.

I WILL DIE!

[Oh, then my work here is done,] Stem said with mock satisfaction.

Huh?

"HEY! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HERE, YOU BASTARD!"

[I can and I will. Good luck, user!]

And just like that, it left. The bastard actually left me here.

"I hate that system!" I growled through clenched teeth.

Tsk. Now what?

I glanced toward the gate again and froze. Guards were stationed at the front, their armor gleaming menacingly in the sunlight.

CRAP.

These guards looked even more dangerous than the ones back at the mansion. If they decided to kill me, it would be over in seconds.

I slid down against the tree I was hiding behind, letting out a long, exhausted breath. My mind was racing, but no matter how hard I thought, there was no hope.

I couldn't get in.

Wait… what if I revealed my identity?

"…Yeah, that's stupid," I muttered to myself.

If I did that, every effort I'd made up to this point would be worthless. Not to mention, I'd probably get killed instantly. My bloodline alone was a threat to the empire.

"So, what the hell am I supposed to do?!" I gritted my teeth, grabbing my hair in frustration.

Then, something caught my eye.

I froze.

"…Food."

The word escaped my lips, and suddenly, all my worries and frustrations evaporated.

This—this was a more immediate concern.

Food.