I Hate Systems

"Everyone here is strong, that's a given. I'm not sure if you've yet to realise this based on Straxia's words, but the same entity lives within us in different forms." Ianon began to speak, controlling the urge to facepalm when he noticed the eyes of most of the people widened in shock and surprise at his words.

Trying his best to not bring out any words induced with mockery, he said, "For argument's sake, let's call these entities Telephones. We cannot understand their reason for existence, but they help us in surviving this apocalypse. And, for the same argument, let us address people like us as Telecom Operators."

"What's…with the analogy? They don't make a connection." One of them snorted immediately, sporting a smug expression as if the world revolved around him.

"It doesn't need to make any sense. It's just a word anyway." Ianon talked a bit faster, wondering why he was even bothering to do this, venting internally, 'System, what exactly did your comrades see in them?'

[Pretty much nothing. It's not like we need them to have any quality to be frank. Anyone we possess will rise to the top of the world]

'They why even bother lusting after Rhizen and Straxia?'

His System chose to stay silent for that, aware that if it told him that, Ianon would be able to grasp the bigger picture sooner or later.

Snorting in response, Ianon said, "Basically, certain entities are born that hunt us Telecom Operators. And, one of them has grown so strong that all Telephones are threatened. We've been grouped together to deal with that entity we call a Slayer."

"Wonderfully explained." Straxia clapped her hands as she continued, "That's the entire purpose in our meeting here. If we had set off right away like a certain someone wanted to, we would have rushed towards our deaths."

Velcorn's face reddened further at her words being directed at him. Honestly, he only wished to lead them due to the Quest he had been assigned. But now, he had lost the initiative.

"Though, I won't blame him. Considering the situation, the less we know, the better it is." Straxia said before getting up.

Everyone was confused by her final statement as Ianon subtly frowned, 'She's implying that if Compass Carburettor manages to capture someone, he wouldn't be able to pry out the details about everyone from that person. As expected, she is also guarded against the possibility of a traitor amongst us, whether it is now or in the future.'

Upon seeing Velcorn's face lit up at her words, Ianon didn't know whether to laugh or cry, 'Bro, she wasn't praising you.'

Straxia looked at the group, "Does anyone have abilities related to travel? We need something that could carry the entire group."

"Actually, I can do that." Velcorn said, pointing at the crocodile they were standing upon, "That is precisely the reason everyone has been told to assemble here."

"Then, let's get going," Straxia said before taking a seat, watching Velcorn close his eyes for a moment as a vast aura emanated from him, shocking most of those gathered at the place.

There wasn't any doubt of his strength. It was pretty apparent now as to why he hadn't faced any difficulties in battling after his first battle.

The skies darkened as a flock of birds arrived, landing atop the crocodile. Each spanned a height of two metres, possessing toughened scales in place of skin, sporting two pairs of wings, and a comfortable saddle on their backs. As for their head though, it looked like a chick's, meek in nature.

"I've already prepared for our journey. I call them Vocrators." Velcorn smiled, "Don't underestimate them based on their meek appearance. They can travel above the speed of sound. And most of all, their burst element works passively, acting as a barrier to negate air resistance. So, you wouldn't actually feel anything while sitting on their backs. And, they can travel for an hour before requiring replenishment."

"That should be enough." Straxia nodded as she climbed atop a Vocrator that she liked, "I believe everyone already knows our destination. It's being constantly relayed by that trapped Telephone."

"If we proceed south, we'll intercept their flight," Ianon muttered, watching Straxia nod in response.

They boarded their respective Vocrators and took off to the air, speeding towards the south immediately. Based on the route taken by Compass Carburettor's aircraft, they could intercept it from the front within forty minutes of travel.

As they flew, Ianon calmed himself before fluctuating his emotions, 'Anger, Anger, Giddiness, Anger, Sadness.'

He constantly varied his emotions while thinking of Grisha, transmitting Mental Energy to her. Even though she wasn't able to read the contents in Mental Energy, she was able to perceive the emotions using Secret Society.

And, they had already communicated beforehand of a code language to transmit simple messages.

And at present, the contents that he transmitted to her were simple, '40 minutes to approach him. One of us can control mutated beasts.'

[She replied that she got the message]

The Conspiracy Slayer System said to Ianon after receiving Grisha's Mental Energy stream, also relaying the information that she had perceived based on the output he sent.

After observing that she got everything correctly, he sent three happy signals to her as a show of confirmation. This was to prevent any miscommunication. Compass Carburettor had a habit of nit-picking details in regards to stuff he already understood.

So, to ensure there were no misunderstandings, he had created such a mechanism. This way, only after Ianon confirmed her readings would Grisha take action accordingly.

…

Seated underground in her laboratory where she was creating External Items, Grisha smiled upon obtaining confirmation from Ianon, gazing at the massive chart before her that she had created for their code language.

As for Ianon, his System helped drill the information directly into his mind, preventing him from forgetting it. So, it was easy.

As for her, she too wouldn't forget due to her possessing the effect of Remembrance. But, she had kept one just in case.

'Compass, they'll reach you in 40 minutes. It consists of all the System Hosts except Dwun.' After relaying the message, she received a reply from him, sighing as she was worried, 'I hope you finish it on time and escape.'