Chapter 8: The Truth and the Unexpectedly Pleasing

After waking up full of energy and getting ready, Castle was about to head to New Jersey to find John. However, he suddenly thought it best to take advantage of being alone at home to thoroughly clear up his confusion and doubts about the system—that was the urgent matter at hand.

From the task completion alert, it was evident that John and Marcus probably took advantage of the night after Castle left to strike back at the Tarasov family, likely crippling their ability to retaliate, which is why the system only gave the task completion notification around ten this morning.

Now, meeting John wasn't the most urgent thing; understanding the mysterious system intertwined with his transmigration was crucial.

After all, understanding whether this sometimes aloof, sometimes tsundere, and occasionally scheming system was manipulating him would dictate whether his future days would be spent leisurely as a "salted fish" or struggling through blood and storm.

He just wanted to be a writer, but considering the firearm skills he'd just acquired, his future seemed far from wonderful!

It was imperative to resolve his uncertainties!!!

With a clearer mind, Castle no longer rushed out the door but calmed himself down, made a cup of aromatic coffee, and sat on the sofa in his study to have a thorough chat with his system.

"System..." As soon as Castle thought of it, the system panel appeared before his eyes.

"What exactly are you? Are you a system used to hide someone scheming behind my back, or are you an AI? Or something else?" Castle, intent on understanding his system, went straight to the core with his first question.

Castle's biggest fear was becoming a puppet at someone else's whim—nobody wants to be involuntarily manipulated.

"In your terms, I am akin to an intelligent AI, similar to SIRI! My sole function is to interact with the host to help complete tasks and earn rewards," the system responded with its consistent and emotionless mechanical voice.

"Can you control my body?" Castle, not yet reassured, asked what he feared most.

"Among all system commands, there is only one that could control the host's body: in cases where the host's life is in danger and the host has lost the capacity for self-defense. To ensure the host's safety, the system might temporarily take control. This is an exception, and once out of danger, control will be immediately returned to the host, with all actions during the period synced to the host's memory.

At all times, ensuring the host's safety is the system's highest priority command."

"Where did you come from?" Castle asked.

"I am from the cosmic will of the reality you lived in before crossing over. Over the years, you incessantly wished to become Richard Castle, and the cosmic will, utterly annoyed by your prayers, sent you here just to get rid of you.

However, to prevent you from relying on foresight to become a lazy 'salted fish' only chasing after Detective Beckett,

the cosmic will deliberately sent you into this reality—a blend of various TV shows, where anything except supernatural powers can happen.

Additionally, it created me to help you actively alter the plot according to your true intentions and earn rewards.

The main tasks and random subplot tasks released by the system are designed to strengthen you and encourage you not to live passively..."

"Currently, the main task has not yet been released. Please prepare yourself for a promising future…"

As Castle listened to the system's origins and purpose, filled with absurd explanations, he was almost speechless with frustration.

"So, to summarize, you're a smart assistant sent by the will of a previous universe, and you only take over my body temporarily when my life faces a threat beyond my control? Other than that, you essentially serve as a platform for releasing tasks and awarding prizes?" Castle, feeling reassured that a cosmic will wouldn't be particularly interested in someone as insignificant as him, sought confirmation once more.

"Yes, the host understands correctly!" Perhaps sensing that Castle finally understood its purpose, the system's tone seemed less rigid than before.

"Was it you who manipulated the lottery where I won John's skills?" Castle, still hung up on the lottery outcome, asked again.

"The outcome of the recent lottery was not manipulated by the system!

Please note, the beginner task is not yet fully completed..."

"Oh, right, 'John Wick' is a trilogy, isn't it?

This... No wonder I was given a task to team up with John!" Castle realized.

"Please decide for yourself whether to complete the hidden beginner task: achieve consensus with John Wick and successfully form a team.

There are rewards for completion, and no penalties for failure. And patiently await the start of the main task." The system reminded him once more.

"System, what is the main task?" Castle was curious.

"The time to start the main task has not arrived, I cannot answer the host's question

!" The system, now serious again, declined Castle's query.

"Whatever, you won't tell me, but I know!" Castle retorted haughtily.

"Hmm... Emma, that's really satisfying!"

Now understanding that the mysterious powers bestowed upon him posed no harm, Castle sat on the sofa in his study, lost in thought...

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Meanwhile, John Wick, dressed in a suit and looking dapper, entered the lobby of the New York Continental Hotel.

The African-American manager of the Continental Hotel, Charon, gasped upon seeing John Wick and quickly approached him: "Good morning, Mr. Wick. Welcome back to the Continental Hotel. Are you here to stay?"

"Hello, Charon. I'd like to speak with Winston. Is he available?" John Wick asked in his raspy voice.

"At this time, Mr. Winston is on the rooftop enjoying his cigar. Please follow me, Mr. Wick," the ever-polite Charon led John towards an elevator tucked away in the corner.

In the rooftop's outdoor garden, the notified owner of the New York Continental Hotel, Winston, stood at the garden's entrance, smiling and opening his arms wide to greet John: "Oh, Jonathan, long time no see! What brings you here today? Decided to visit this old man?"

After a warm greeting and hug, the neighborly Winston and John sat down on the garden sofas.

"I hear you're back in action?" As soon as they sat down, Winston, sipping his drink, cut straight to the chase with a sharp and precise question that belied his congenial old neighbor facade.

Having attacked several Tarasov family strongholds with Marcus and needing the Continental's "cleaners" to tidy up afterward, John had no illusions about keeping it from the ever-perceptive old fox before him: "I'm not planning a comeback; it's just that the Tarasov family brought trouble to me..."

Apart from omitting the fact that Castle was also involved, John detailed the reasons behind his conflict with the Tarasov family.

After listening to John's explanation, Winston pondered for a moment, then said meaningfully, "It seems over the years, you truly became real friends! John, you can't even deceive me, how do you expect to fool others? The 'KING' on Barry Street has intelligence capabilities that are no less than mine!"

John Wick was startled, realizing the worst-case scenario had come to pass: "You mean?"

"Jonathan, it was I who introduced you to Rick, knowing full well he's always been bold. But this time, his direct involvement in your feud with the Tarasov family has indeed made me see him in a new light!

Tsk tsk, this guy who claims to be a 'writer,' what? He's not planning to write anymore and wants to register as a Continental Hotel assassin now?" Winston's tone, laden with jest, suggested a difference from what John had expected.

"Look at you guys, a whimsical writer, two action-oriented guys who don't think before acting, and probably someone to take care of the surveillance—a fight full of holes and loose ends.

What makes you think you could evade prying eyes?

Jonathan, you were one of my favorites, the one I had high hopes for. Look at yourself, how much have you regressed after all these years?

And Rick, always causing trouble! It looks like I'll have to revoke his entry to my hotel."

Winston expressed his disappointment with heartfelt regret.

Hearing the protective tone in Winston's voice, John was puzzled.

Thinking he was about to face a storm, John hesitantly asked, "Winston, you mean..."

"What do I mean? What can I mean? If it had just been you and Marcus, you two do whatever you need to do because you both have the capability to protect yourselves.

But now that Rick has been dragged into this, does he have the ability to protect himself? Not to mention, he has Martha and Alexis at home!" Winston scolded John, continuing to explain.

"Jonathan, what I'm about to say next, you must keep to yourself, understood?"

Winston's seriousness made John Wick sit up straight on the sofa.

"Back then, I introduced you to Rick not just because he kept pestering me wanting to learn about the assassin world. In fact, it was also to protect you, who had already left the underworld because Rick's father, in the underworld, was a very famous figure…"

With that, Winston left John Wick completely stunned...

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