First Mission

Ace knew he could not avoid this anymore because he couldn't just throw away this System Treasure since he didn't even know where it was hidden.

But he knew this 'System' was inside his mind because every time its voice sounded in his head, only he could hear its voice and see the panel. He also believed this 'system treasure' would not harm him because he was the System's 'Master'!

However, his life will not be ordinary anymore. It was a matter of fact!

Ace thought of another commanding word to control the System and transmitted, "System Shop."1

The Transparent Panel changed into another new one, and a new symbol glowing in silver appeared on the top right. It was like a cart. 

====

[System Shop]

[Available Skill Books]

[Available Cultivation Technique]

[Available Weapons]

[Available Pills]

====

Four different options, shimmering in silver, appeared on the panel.

There was a symbol of a 'Book with a blank eye' for 'skill books,' a 'Round Pill with nine circles' for 'Pills,' a 'cross of swords' for 'weapons,' and as for techniques, there was a 'book with a coin engrave on its cover.'

In front of every option were their names in the language of ancient gods.

Ace became ecstatic after studying all the options and hurriedly reached out to the System through his mind with massive anticipation and excitement, "Show me Available Pills."

====

[System Shop]

[Available Pills]

[Basic-Level Healing Pills: Can heal any serious Injury and Disease below 'Heavenly Qi River Realm']

{Price: 25 Thief Points (TP) Per Pill}

[Basic-Level Heaven Qi Recovery Pills: Can instantly recover Heavenly Qi]

{Price: 10 Thief Points (TP) Per Pill}

[Lowest-Level Heaven Stealer Pills]

{5 Pills Available}

{Price: 150 Thief Points (TP) Per Pill}

====

When he saw the description of the Basic Healing Pill and its purpose, Ace became so enthusiastic that he wanted to jump with happiness. But, instead, he didn't even notice the words below.

He didn't know what that Heavenly Qi River Realm was, and even if he knew, he wouldn't even care about it because his eyes were fixed only on those three words: 'Heal any disease.'

He hurriedly ordered loudly, "System, give me a Basic Healing Pill Now!"

But he only gets an emotionless answer,

=====

[No Enough Thief Points (TP)]

=====

"WHAT!" He was going to clash with the System when he suddenly remembered Thief points.

Ace took another glance at the system shop panel hurriedly and finally spotted a price column of whole 25(TP) right below the Healing Pill. But, unfortunately, he only has 15 (TP). There was also another pill, but he didn't know what they were used for and didn't care, so he ignored it.

Ace calmed down and thought grimly, 'Do I have to steal to earn Thief Points (TP)? No, I have to do that. It's better than earning 1 Ruby coin, and I still don't know if that Pill will work or not. Although that Old Gale gives a guarantee, and he seemed nice, I can't trust anyone but myself.'

He takes a deep breath and asks calmly, "System, tell me what things I have to steal to earn thief points (TP)."

"[Missions given by the system and any kind of Honorable Thievery]"

Ace hurriedly saw the Mission Column on his main panel, but there was currently "0". 

"How will I get missions?"

"[Missions will trigger based on host life's special events and when some special criteria set by the system were to be satisfied.]"

Ace became speechless, "How the hell am I supposed to trigger these life events, and what are your criteria?"

Then, he screamed in his mind furiously, 'This System is not helpful at all. It is just spouting bullshit'.

Just as he was about to give up on the idea of doing a mission, he heard the System's sweet voice again.

=====

[A New Mission has been issued!]

=====

"What are these bullshit events exactly?" Ace muttered in confusion.

But then he becomes happy with this immediate coincidence, 'I can finally earn Thief Points (TP) without doing the theft stuff.' Ace thought happily as he opened the 'Mission Panel' in excitement.

It was a symbol like a hand holding a coin between the thumb and index finger.

=====

[Mission Panel]

[Revenge Mission: Steal All the Treasures from Shop No. 8 in River Flower City, Outer Region Pill Market. Let that Fat Shop Owner know no one can cheat an Honorable Thief.]

{Rewards based on Host Performance}

{Days Left: 7}

{Mission Failure Punishment: Death}

=====

Ace was pleased when he saw the mission, but his elated expression changed to an angry one when he finally saw what the mission was.

'W-what! It wants me to steal from that fatty's shop just for revenge??! Although I admit I want to smash that bastard's shop with stone and steal his gold coins, I just said that in anger. It's not like I want to do it. No, how the hell am I supposed to do it, even if I want to do it? The Outer Pill Market security is sealed tight, even at night, and every shop has its personal security. It is probably the most well-guarded area beside the inner city!' Ace thought angrily.

He furiously saw the mission panel, and his eyes landed on the Rewards section, 'Performance?'

Confused by the reward, his eyes go down to the time section, '7 Days, huh? Even if it was 70 days, I can't do it no matter what!'

When Ace's eyes landed on the punishment section, he paused for a moment and started rubbing his eyes to confirm if he saw nothing wrong.

When Ace saw again, there was still a "Death" word. He even waved his hand to see if the panel screen had dust on it, but his hand had gone through it. 

After confirming, it was indeed the word "DEATH."

Ace nearly had a stroke as his eyes were bloodshot. He cursed this black-hearted System as he shrill screamed, "HONORABLE THIEF, YOUR MOOOMMM!!!!"

Ace was so angry and terrified that he forgot about Alina next to him.

Alina jolted, awakened by Ace's scream, and asked in a weak voice, "W-what h-happened!?" She was still in a stupor and didn't know what had happened to Ace, but she was worried about him.

Ace was shocked and snapped out from his enraged mental state when he heard little Alina's worried voice, and he quickly reassured her, "N-no-nothing happens. A rat just scarred big bro!"

When little Alina heard his silly excuse, she smiled weakly just as she wanted to say something, but no words came out because she fainted while smiling.

When Ace saw this, his anger and fear faded like smoke, and he quickly held little Alina in his arms and said in a panicked voice, "Little sis! Little sis! Alina!" No matter how much he called or shook her, she didn't answer anymore.

Ace felt a surge of anxiety rising in his heart because Alina's body temperature was dropping, and so was the hut's!

He forgets about the death punishment the System had given him a moment ago and pleads in a begging tone, "System, please give me that Pill and I will rob whoever you told me to. Just give it to me right now!" 

He was ready to sell his soul to the devil, much less a petty robbery. But he was destined to be disappointed.

"[Rewards can only be given on Mission completion.]" the system responded emotionlessly.

Ace's breathing becomes irregular after hearing the answer, 'Will I lose her like everyone?'

Just as he was going to plead again, the System spoke again,

"[But the System can diagnose this Girl for 1 Thief Point (TP).]"

Ace becomes silent when he hears this and thinks angrily, 'She can't give me TP but wants it instead!??' Ace gritted his teeth and said, "DO IT!"

At least it was much better than Old Gale's diagnosis that he just randomly guessed, and Ace also wanted to see this thing's capabilities. He didn't mind becoming a thief if it was a supreme treasure!

A dark blue light shone in Ace's eyes, and he was surprised because he could see information floating on Alina's head. It was exactly like his status panel.

=====

[Alina Silver]

[Race: Hunter (Ice Elemental Bloodline)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Gates Realm {1st Gate}]

[Weak state: Currently going through her bloodline awakening. She needs an 'Extreme Ice Qi Pill' to awaken her elemental bloodline successfully. If she didn't get any 'Extreme Ice Qi Pill,' she would die in 3 days.]

=====

When Ace saw her status, he was utterly flabbergasted by this and asked, "You are telling me she is not human but a legendary hunter who lives on Blood Continent?!!"

'Blood continent' was where the Third Rank Race of the Golden Sky World, 'The Ancient Hunters,' lived, and it was much bigger than the Azure Wind Continent of the Human Race.

Ace was very confused at this moment. 'How did a hunter appear in River Flower City? The funniest thing is a hunter lived with me as my little sister.' Ace lamented over this sudden reality.

Ace saw she was also a cultivator, and he didn't know what realm this Qi Gate was, but when he compared it with his mortal status, it was likely something extraordinary. He couldn't help but look back at the unconscious Alina ambiguously.

'She didn't even tell me her full name.' Ace sighed and became extremely calm after seeing her status.

Ace initially doubts her identity and presumes that she isn't standard from the start. After all, how could a little girl come to a city, remain unharmed, and even accept the offer to go to a stranger's house instantly? However, he never would've dreamed that she was not even a human altogether.

Maybe he had not questioned her before because he was alone in this world, and she had filled a deep hole in his heart.

'So, she didn't have that 'nerve cold disease' either. It's her Hunter Bloodline that is awakening. Doesn't that mean that the 'nerve heating pill' wouldn't have worked on her either?' His expression darkened even more after thinking about it.

He would've killed her with his ignorance if not for the System.

Ace spoke calmly yet thoughtfully, "System, I know you're not from this world, and I also know you chose me for some special reason, and you even have so many abilities that I didn't know about yet. But I know you need me, and I need you. So tell me, do you have this Extreme Ice Qi Pill or not!"

Now was not the time for him to worry about himself. He only had three days, and this all-knowing black-hearted System was his only light in this darkness.

"[Yes.]"

"How much?" Ace shut his eyes.

"[30 Thief Points (TP)!]"

Ace opened his dark blue eyes, which were now shimmering with determination.

Ace put unconscious Alina on the rug. Then he stood up and opened the hut door, and headed out. His destination was the Outer City Pill Market!