Main Quest

"Anyway, what now," the youth asked her.

"I honestly have no idea," she answered straightforward, "I don't think anyone above and below heaven has an idea on what to do in such a situation."

If it was up to her, she would love to turn back time and pretend like this never happened. Sadly her jurisdiction wasn't big enough.

'Ah, at least slow down time,' she thought, 'things are moving too fast!'

"Fair enough." The youth didn't interrupt as he understood how hard it was to accept his existence. Also, if there was anything he possessed, it was time. So he didn't mind waiting for her to process all the info.

Time passed with no words from the girl or the system. Bored, the youth took a stick and began drawing random circles. He was still slightly sad about his seal. Without it, it would be much harder to die. However, since it had been a few thousand years he even thought about the word 'cultivating', he fortunately didn't simply jump all the ranks and ended up as an immortal. In fact, it was quite the opposite, he was still mortal. Realizing that, he turned happy.

Things continued while the both of them kept dwelling in their own thoughts.

"All right, I think I have gotten more or less used to the idea," the girl said, finally breaking the spell of silence, "basically, you can't die, right?"

"It is more than that. An immortal technically can't die either, but if you stab him often enough, he will remain on the ground. Undyings, wraiths and spirits can't die either, since they already are dead. There are also gods and other things, such as Karma and Fate that technically cannot die. However, everything, including the Dao has an expiry date, except for me. Therefore, I am imperishable."

"Nope, sorry. Lost you again," the girl said. Such an unscientific being could not possibly exist. It went against all known—and probably also unknown—rules.

"Again, take your time."

"Let us move on to a different topic. So you are simply imperishable, nothing more, right?" She felt the words 'simply imperishable' were an oxymoron. "There's nothing else that comes with you, right?"

"Well no. In essence, I am a simple human. Quite old, but that is it. I just can't seem to disappear, otherwise, I am rather normal."

"That is good." She sighed in relief. If there were any more news, she might just die of heart failure.

However, what she didn't know at that moment was that 'normal' had a very different meaning for a being older than time.

"Then you probably don't have any means to harm me, right? That means I can still fulfill my goal," the girl said, "if I think about it, it is great that you are still alive! I didn't turn into the record-holder of the swiftest death."

"I am glad you are happy." The youth found her quite funny. In a way, they were quite similar, being able to stay optimistic even in perilous times.

"Tell me your wish. Anything except dying. I am sure, if we work slowly, I can fulfill it for you."

"System rebooting," the clear voice said silently in the background.

"Eh, but I don't have anything I want to do. I am bored of life, because I've already done everything. I have seen nations fall, heroes rise, and been part of them myself."

"Surely there must be something." The girl wasn't going to give up. She had finally found some hope for her life, she won't let go that easily. "Let's get the obvious ones first, ever been a king?"

"Yes. Queen too. In fact, I have been part of every royal family branch there is."

"Have you tried building your own legacy as an immortal? Created a sect?"

"I think I left more legacies than pebbles on the road behind."

"How about being a scholar? A chef? A magician?"

"All tried and done. Would you like to see some of my skills?"

The conversation went on for a long time, with the girl voicing her thoughts and the youth rejecting.

"Then why don't you try vying to become the absolute Dao," she solemnly said.

It had been in her mind for a while now, but she was too scared to ask. Competing for the Dao was different than all the other goals, even for a system, it was unfairly hard. Unlike other professions, she would possibly have to fight against other systems, most of them with more experience than her. Not to mention all the other mysterious lifeforms, outside the systems radar.

"I've been it eight times already. Three times consecutively even," he answered frankly.

The girl had the feeling she just heard something completely ridiculous. 'Why does the Dao sound like a friendly competition in his mouth?' Her world view was slowly collapsing. She swore to not mention the Dao in front of him anymore, as she may lose all respect for it.

"I guess you don't have anything for me, huh?"

"One more chance, please!" The girl pleaded desperately.

"Haha, relax. I won't abandon you. I think that would be a bit too cruel, since you would certainly perish."

She didn't say anything. It was true. A system could only move to a new host by either completing the Main Quest or having the host die. Since in this case, the latter was absolutely out of question, she would have to rely on the former. To gain nourishment, the Host needed to periodically complete smaller task issued by the system. If he ignored her, she would certainly die.

Still, her small pride as a system did not allow her to admit so.

"That is good, then let us move on to the Main Quest."

"Oh, I still haven't thought of a goal yet. It is just that I found something interesting to keep my mind off of dying for now."

Hearing that, the girl turned extremely happy, "tell me, tell me, what is it? I will be sure to get it."

"You," he answered and then spread his arm out while facing the sky. "I find you interesting."

"Eh," she was stunned silent. "Eh, but, but I don't even have a body! Also we only just met, I don't think I am ready for this. You seem like a nice guy and all—"

"I was talking about you as a system, young girl."

The youth smiled. In all his life he had actually never come across something like her. Or maybe he did, but never realized what it was. He did not understand how that could have been possible, but then again, the world kept changing, while he remained stable, thus it was no wonder new things appeared without him noticing, he supposed. However, now that he knew of her existence, he was immensely intrigued.

"You!" Why are you speaking in riddles!"

"I didn't know you would be so serious." He cupped his ears again. It didn't do anything though.

The girl grew more agitated the more she thought about it, In the end she shouted, "I changed my mind, let me help you perish after all!"

Suddenly the cold, mechanical voice rang out, "Quest: A new beginning Completed. Reward issued, Bonus Reward issued. Error, reward cannot be issued, Host already in possession of reward. Error, bonus reward retracted. Ask the host to wait for a fix."

"Huh," she called out, startled by that unexpected popup. "I didn't do anything."

Without waiting for the girl, the voice continued, "Main Quest issued. New Quest issued."

[Quest: First steps

Description: As a potential ruler, Host needs stimulus in his life, for death of boredom is the worst death by far! Find something that entertains Host! Time limit: 30 days.

Reward: Not clarified yet.]

"What the hell!" She cried out the moment she read the contents. Why did it feel like the Quest was more for her than for him? "How do I delete this! Delete button! Why doesn't this piece of junk have a delete button?"

"Non-compliance will result in death with no means of resurrection."

"... Did that garbage just threaten me? Anyway, what is the main quest?"

[Main Quest - Help Host to finally perish!]

The imperishable youth laughed. "Happy cooperation from here on out," he smiled, "and also forever after."

"..."