The First Enemy (2)

Past midnight.

After getting home and dealing with the palm wound she got from that violent woman, Sofony changed her dress into a more comfortable set of clothes and then spent the rest of the time thinking about everything that happened.

Gio was still not around. He had attended a meeting or whatever ceremony at Aurora City so she was all alone in the unit, left to her own devices. Right now, in their bedroom, she was sitting with folded arms in front of the computer. Her pretty face was not looking good as there were just too many things weighing in her mind.

There were many problems to consider.

The first one was how the other party knew so much about her yet her information about the other was almost next to nothing.

At first, the only worry she had when she learned of this shop-ban punishment was not being able to cure her eyes before its commencement. This was why when the hastily done operation finished with some time to spare for the system's healing assistance, she already sighed in relief and threw all her worries behind her mind.

But who would have thought that five days later her lack of access to the system's services would bring her more troubles and worries? This was simply maddening.

Now, as she was still unable to access the shop and the system's info bank, she could only phone Gio's assistant to ask for help. Her request was naturally to collect as much intelligence as they can about Clarissa.

Of course, she still hadn't forgotten about the spyware she planted to Clarissa before. Unfortunately, the other immoral host was very meticulous. When she tried to check if the device was still working, the system told her it was destroyed and if she wanted to retrieve the few days worth of recording within it, she would have to wait until tomorrow midnight.

She sighed, 'In other words, wait for the shop ban to get lifted first?'

<System: Hehe. What else can we do? It's not my fault that you had a fall out with her. She was already dissatisfied when put spying device on Yet you're content that. You further angered Just wow. who the heck asked to try slap her your first conversation? Definitely great me. Hmp!>

Oh, that was the second problem.

Actually, she could justify why she tried to do that. Her best friend was unwelcomely involved in something she should not. And she couldn't know what Clarissa would do. There was no way Sofony could remain calm as she perfectly knew what kind of creature Clarissa was.

Who could stop that gangstress if she wanted to do something untoward to Wendy?

The world of the immoral hosts was perilous even for Sofony who has the assistance of the system. What more for an ordinary person like Wendy? It would probably be okay if the girl was someone like Gio, but she was clearly not. Wendy's limited connection with the police and her somewhat keenness on piecing out mystery clues in detective stories wouldn't help her navigate this foreign world.

In short, it was better for Wendy to not get tangled with anything and anyone related to the immoral system. Sofony included.

And about that listening device...

'Is it because I didn't apologize? But it's really her girl's fault. I only retaliated. If not, I won't even think of messing with her. She also did that to Wendy.'

<System: Host. Why think too much of it? I'm actually not against it. You're doing it right! Though it's recommended to fight with each other, who cares! You didn't apologize and acted so bitchy in front that host, hehe, I love it! finally showing improvement! That's Court death! Don't feel shy about Provoke more people! Best if you throw this city into chaos! Hahaha!>

The girl closed her eyes and repeatedly rubbed her slightly aching forehead. She then shook off the stupid thoughts and decided to just plan ahead as she was afraid that Clarissa would strike her at any time.

The first thing she considered was information. Afraid that Clarissa would get more information about her and the other people around her from the system, she tried to come up with some countermeasures. Sadly, for now, there was nothing she could do but hope that Clarissa had not yet obtained any evidence against her or anyone close to her.

'First thing I have to do once the ban is lifted tomorrow midnight is to make the system AI shield all my information from the other system AIs. If this isn't possible, at least I'll have it block as much information as it can.'

'Then, of course, I'll look for her weaknesses... If there's none, then create one.'

For three seconds, she felt quite at lost as it was the first time she ever thought of doing that. To fabricate lies was something she hadn't ever considered before. These past few days and months, she might have done several immoral things, but her basis and weapons had always been the truth.

Just when she was wondering if this was the effect of desperation on her, an annoying voice rang in her head.

<System: Stupid, fabricating crimes to frame others is only for targets that are clean.>

'... Oh. You make sense. No immoral host is clean.'

She wondered if what it meant was that there's no need to create.

Fine. She only had to know, then plot the best way to expose the other.

To do all of these, the safest way was through the system.

As if the devil thing already predicted what's going on her mind, it began to remind her that its services were never free.

In short, the third problem was points. The unknown passive skill gave her an additional two thousand points today, but she had a hunch that it would be far from enough. Even her joke-of-a-confrontation with Floyd made her spent close to ten thousand points. All she did was track Floyd and forward his crime videos and location to Gio's men and the police. Still, all of these already sucked away too much point from her.

She could already foresee that more points would be needed to face off Clarissa.

Sofony took a deep breath, her head subconsciously turned to the bed's direction. It was as if she saw Gio's figure there and suddenly she remembered how she vowed to make herself stronger and useful.

She could no longer be weak.

At least, she must do her best not to appear distressed as she did earlier.

The system had already been bound to her for more than two months, yet she hadn't fully explored its potential. Her reason for this had always been her reluctance to sink deeper into the dark water of immorality. But now that she had sunk deeper into this water, and could only let herself sink more to protect herself and the people around her, it seemed she would have to finally get rid of the restriction she imposed on herself.

In order to become stronger.

Of course, she would set some bottom lines in order to not totally blacken. For example, never involve the innocent. To survive against the system and the other hosts, only do the minimum things needed.

Nonetheless, she wondered how well she would be able to execute these.

How she hoped she didn't have to become like this.

Sofony shook her head and pondered again about the problem.

Then suddenly, she laughed, remembering her conversation with Clarissa.

For the first time tonight, her eyes finally had mirth on it.

'I'm somehow in a disadvantage because she clearly already investigated me.'

'Earlier at the mini-hotel, she must have purposely said that to agitate me. And it's my fault for stupidly falling for it.'

'She must be thinking I'm so dull, impulsive, and weak. To put it differently, the type of host that will surely die to minor tricks and schemes. Well, given my stupid performance before and when I tried to slap her, if I were to be in her place, I would also assume the same.'

'But I can probably use this to my advantage. After all, I've always been seen as weak and naive.'

'Now, the more she underestimates me, the more she'll think I'm someone she can squash with little effort. Hopefully, this will push her into making hasty decisions, thus delaying her first move.'

A while later, an alarming question popped into her mind so she hastily called out to the system.

'Hey! Damnable thing! Does she know that I can't access the shop until Sunday midnight?'

To which the response she got was, <No. But she knew you're weak. Isn't that already a ground to start attacking you?>

She dismissed its teasing tone and sighed in relief. Then not long after, as if she finally figured out what she should do while waiting for George's report, she browsed something on the internet, memorized some details from it, then shut down the computer.

Sofony strode towards the drawer and picked up a long black wool-cashmere coat. She turned off the lights before leaving.

While she was stepping into the elevator, the system seemed to have thought of something so it asked.

<System: Hey, stupid host. All your monologues earlier suddenly made me wonder if you've been acting all along.>

To this, Sofony shook her head and answered, 'Not at first. When I tried to slap her, I was truly being angry and emotional. But when she left me in the powder room, I realized that she was totally being antagonistic with me. Of course, I'm weak. She probably knew it too. But when I tried to appear like someone who will put up a fight, she probably hesitated a bit and decided to double-check things first. Hopefully, that's what happened. I have to delay, remember? Because you damnably set up a quest for me that led to my loss of sight, which further led to me doing stupid things and getting a shop-ban!'

<System: Oh, you're blaming me again for the nth time? I know that's immoral, but it's already annoying. And what 'not at first', huh? Hehe, don't like it! Who are you fooling here!>

She ignored it and focused her mind on solving her points issue.

Tonight, she wouldn't be sleeping.

....

When the Saturday sun finally dawned upon the Earth, Sofony went back home as her man's assistant finally sent the report.

Sadly, on it, there's no information about Clarissa's involvement with the mafia.

No records also of contact with high ranking politicians or businessmen.

Nothing about her family.

No records with the police as well.

In other words, Gio's people found no substantial intel she could use against Clarissa Guzman.

If Sofony would say that she was not quite devastated, she would be lying to herself and the system. Fortunately, she had also expected this to happen, and so the frustration was not much. When she contacted George's team for help, she was only thinking that 'maybe' they would find something.

It seemed Clarissa was very careful though.

She rubbed the place between her eyebrows while reading the remaining pages. When she finished... the only useful thing she found out was Clarissa's mysterious appearance more than one year ago and her sudden rise to prominence. If she was guessing it right, then that was a clue to when that girl obtained her system.

No wonder Clarissa immediately became a known campus idol.

'Ugh, I think I ran into another first batch host.'

Someone who took an almost similar path with her.

"Miss Sofony, my boss wants to inform you that he'll be back tonight. For the meantime, so that you won't miss him, he arranged for you to meet up with your parents. After that, my female colleague will accompany you to get your dress for tomorrow."

George, the assistant, noticed that she already put down the report so he politely said.

After hearing this, her eyes that became reddish due to lack of sleep slightly widened.

'Ah, I nearly forgot. Tomorrow is my debut to society as a rich couple's daughter.'