Free Web NovelChapter 14: the system’s integrity
The next morning, Leo’s eyes snapped open at five o’clock sharp.
Waking up at dawn had been his daily routine in his previous life—a habit he had kept up for nearly twenty-three years. It was so deeply ingrained in him that even waking up in a new, dangerous world couldn’t break it.
Aside from a bit of tossing and turning, last night had been peaceful. But as Leo tried to sit up to do some light stretching, a wave of lethargy hit him. His stomach growled loudly; he was completely out of energy. He thought about washing up, but then remembered he didn’t even own a basic toothbrush or toothpaste yet.
Sighing, he dragged himself out of bed and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Through the wide front windshield, he took in the full view of the destruction. Where a massive building had stood yesterday, there was now only a sprawling pile of concrete and twisted metal. Last night, the truck’s external cameras hadn’t shown him much in the dark, but daylight revealed the true scale of the blast. The explosion had been intense enough to scorch and crack the walls of several surrounding buildings.
Leo scanned the area carefully. Seeing no signs of lurking zombies, he twisted the key, started the engine, and drove the truck closer to the perimeter of the ruins.
He killed the engine and walked back into the living compartment. When he returned to the door, he was fully geared up: a heavy backpack slung over his shoulders, a gun gripped tightly in his right hand, and his trusty crowbar held in his left.
Stepping out into the cool morning air, Leo made his way over to the edge of the rubble and climbed to the top of a collapsed wall.
"System, collect the crystals while I gather the cards with the help of the belt."
"And System, remember not to fill your own pockets."
[Host, stop slandering the System. The System is always honest and conducts its work with integrity.]
"Integrity my ass. Like I’d believe a narcissistic System like you."
Hearing Leo’s words, the System was speechless
[Host, since your words have hurt the System’s self-esteem, the System has decided to charge the Host forty percent of the crystals as compensation.]
This time, it was Leo’s turn to be speechless.
"Oi, System, why are you suddenly increasing the compensation? What happened to all that talk about integrity?"
[The System is charging the extra ten percent because of the emotional damage caused by the Host.]
"Why are you taking a joke so seriously? And aren’t you a System? Since when did you start having emotions? Just say you want ..."
But before Leo could finish his sentence, the System simply replied,
[Fifty percent.]
Leo gritted his teeth. The next second, however, he forced the fakest smile he could muster.
"Oh great and magnanimous System, why do you take the words of an ignorant mortal like me so seriously? This ignorant mortal begs for your forgiveness."
[Hmph. Since the Host is ignorant and is now actively acknowledging it, the System will forgive him and charge only the original thirty percent.] freewēbnoveℓ.com
Leo chose not to say anything further.
[Host, if you curse the System in your heart, the price will increase to sixty percent.]
Hearing the system’s comment Leo paused for a moment then resumed to survey the area
After their short banter ended, both of them got to work.
Leo walked around the entire area while his belt automatically collected the cards.
Soon, the System’s notification sounded.
[Ding... Host, the total number of crystals collected is seventy.]
[After deducting the System’s compensation, the Host receives forty-nine crystals.]
[The crystals have been automatically credited to your Origin Card.]
Leo summoned his Origin Card. The balance displayed on it had now increased to fifty crystals.
After completing his task, Leo didn’t linger any longer and quickly returned to his vehicle.
Once inside the vehicle muttered
" Now , it’s time to see what kind of cards I got"
