Serve a Greater Purpose

And the hostages need all the lucks they can get.

While I like to set up a Trading Post to gather some necessary Wealth, I decide to hold it off since these people need to squirm a little bit more. They have not been through enough hell to fully comprehend their current situation.

If they are hoping for an actual rescue from actual heroes, they will be waiting for a while. And that is fine by me, as I am not going to do anything that does not profit me in some way.

Taking down the Dungeon will not be easy due to the power level of the Boss. It is likely another Titan for the Queen of the Hive to flee from there. She would have been the Dungeon Boss in term of power, otherwise. Since she is not, she must have been spooked, and only a Titan has ability to do so to a Hive Mind.

It is not unheard of to have two Titans in a Zone, but it is unheard of for the first wave to contain two Titans inside the Zone. Defeating a Titan is not always possible even with the combined power of those who have gained the acknowledgement of the System let alone two Titans.

Of course, this time around is different.

As I head into the bloodied and unlit corridor, I have a check of my status just to confirm that my level has reached level 9. Since the System no longer sends notifications, I have to check things manually. I suppose that the lack of notifications is due to the System Window being visible to everyone, players or not.

Does that mean the System is compensating? It is not the first time it has done so. As such, I do believe the System is sentient in a way. If it is, how do I talk to it? It has never responded to anything before.

"Wait! What happen to the others?" a woman calls out, and she is the same one that calls me out on my slave contract. I decide to commit her name to memory, as I find her somewhat interesting.

I dismiss the System Window and cock my head around to eye her. "They are safe, and you should be worrying about your own wellbeing instead of others, Michelle."

With that, I continue down the corridor, and while I can just teleport away, I am giving everyone within the room a second chance. The chance to serve me for a greater purpose. The alternative is not better than what I have offered. Even if they survived the Zone, they would be under the surveillance forever.

And that is not the life that anyone ever wanted to have.

Several people chase after me as I reenter the lobby.

I turn around to face them and tilt my head in a questioning demeanor. I am not at all surprised to see Michelle there. She has weighted her options and chooses the best possible given the circumstances, at least I believe so. "Have you decided to change your mind?"

This question is directed at Michelle.

"Yes. Please save us. Please," another woman answers instead. "You have to. We're going to –

It is annoying to say such things. And while I do have my humanity, it does not drive my actions.

"I don't have to do anything," I interject and summon the contracts for them to sign. "I do not give out second chance easily, so you will find that the terms have been changed considerably."