I Hate Systems

"How did it go?" A panting Grisha arrived before him, carrying the unconscious figure of Ranze with her that she dropped before Xuer. Also dragged by her was the figure of Fisksher, the healing expert she was planning to bring to their side through his help.

"Velcorn and Holla are both dead." Compass Carburettor said, facing Xuer, "They were defeated by the golems after you've battered them enough. All I did was deal the killing blow."

Bunuela remained silent the whole time, only observing his actions. As he was covered from head to toe, she wasn't able to even see his appearance, not to mention gain an understanding of his character.

"What are you planning to do next?" Grisha asked.

Compass Carburettor motioned for her to come with him as the two arrived at a secluded location. He then took out a couple of Origin Arts, Pills, and an Artifact that was suitable for her, "I found these in the Imperial Treasury. I could only find these that were suited to you."

"Thanks." Grisha didn't remain on ceremony and stored the items. She then silently observed him, muttering after a while, "Why is that even though you've grown stronger, I feel like you've become weaker than before?"

"I have expended most of my innate luck in dealing with them." Compass Carburettor said, "So, if I were to fight them again at present, no matter how strong, I might die in the end."

"You don't have to worry though." He continued, "My innate luck will be recovering over time from now on. And in extension, your luck too would begin to recover."

"That's good news." Grisha sighed in relief, patting her chest before saying, "I and Ranze teamed against Chenger. We couldn't win against her. There's more than one type of Luck supporting her."

"The Destiny Luck System might have devoured another Luck System." Compass Carburettor said, frowning deep in thought before saying, "There aren't any other major treasure zones in the Folkan Secret Realm, except for the final area which would only open on the final day."

"So, I'll be training until then. What about you?" He asked.

"I'll be training myself and my Sect members until then." Grisha said, "Sir Warktor and Chenger would face us in the final treasure area. I'll make preparations accordingly."

"Fine by me." Compass Carburettor nodded, asking in surprise, "Sir Warktor?"

"Yes," Grisha nodded, telling him more about Warktor. "Let Ranze and Xuer face him. The two of us would fight Chenger."

"Alright." With that, they were done discussion as the two returned. Compass Carburettor planted a Sleeper Cell seed in Fisksher, turning him into a Sleeper Cell immediately.

Grisha then unbound him as he began to heal everyone.

In the meantime, Compass Carburettor probed through Bunuela's mind, deciding against turning her into a Sleeper Cell. Her grandfather was the strongest of the Gaider Realm, a Martial Providence Stage cultivator with a Heaven Martial Spirit, and pretty much the only one alive from the previous generation that had explored the Folkan Secret Realm.

So, he might have the means to notice anything amiss in her. It wasn't worth it to raise his suspicions. That's why Compass Carburettor didn't do anything to her, cupping his fists at her in response, "I greet Lady Bunuela."

"I have heard a lot about Lord Gahrat." Bunuela cupped her fists in response, greeting him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hazen."

'So, Xuer has talked about it.' He nodded in understanding, asking, "It seems you wish to ask me something?"

"What do you know about Evil Spirits?" Bunuela frowned.

"How much has Xuer told you about them?" He asked in response, gazing at Xuer that was feeling her finger that was regrown by Fisksher.

"Pretty much everything you've told me about them." Replied Xuer.

"Then, there's nothing much I can tell beyond that." Compass Carburettor gazed at Bunuela, "If you are wondering whether they are the truth or not, you can simply verify them yourself. Those System Hosts are running out there."

"Chenger was a pain to fight against!" Ranze woke up after being healed, groaning as he spoke, "I came close to death many times. If Grisha hadn't saved me, I would have been dead by now."

"Even after I went all out, I couldn't kill Velcorn." Xuer said dispiritedly, making eye contact with Bunuela as she continued, "The two of us observed attacks against Velcorn curving unnaturally around him. It made no sense."

"There wasn't any wind there, or some other attack influencing it to behave as such?" Compass Carburettor asked, "And, was that an attack that would have killed him if it hit him?"

"It would have killed him." Xuer nodded.

"Then it's fine." Compass Carburettor nodded, "Their innate luck would prevent them from instant death scenarios. I told you about that, right?"

Xuer's eyes widened as she muttered in shock, "So, something that doesn't make sense like this can also happen?"

"Yes." Compass Carburettor nodded, "Systems are an existence that goes against all laws in the first place. You can't expect them to work according to the logic you're used to."

"What are you planning to do next?" Ranze asked.

"I'll head towards the Temperate Refinement Zone. I'll be training there until the final treasure location opens." Compass Carburettor said. "I'm not interested in any scattered beneficial locations. It's time to train and collate my gains."

"I'll be doing the same then." Ranze sighed and got up, looking at Grisha as he asked, "Can you lend Fisksher to me?"

"Alright." Grisha nodded, "I'll look for you if I want him."

Since Compass Carburettor was able to heal himself, he had no plans to use Fisksher, so he had given him to Grisha. That was why Ranze had asked her.

Even though Bunuela wasn't convinced, Compass Carburettor didn't plan to convince her. 'As long as she roams with Xuer, she'll be convinced eventually. Besides, she had seen two System Hosts in action. And as the heir to the strongest Clan in the Gaider Realm, she wouldn't like such talents to run amok either. In the end, she'll move against the System Hosts.'

He then bode farewell to everyone and returned to the Temperate Refinement Zone to look for Dullin's corpse. 'I should prepare for my fated battle with Chenger.'