After listening to Maximilian's question, a loading icon appeared in his mind, indicating that the system was processing the answer. After a brief moment, the response came.
[Answer: The system was designed with the ease of the user's power inheritance in mind. All the powers the user has acquired and will acquire in the future come from the souls of the 12 Villains trapped within the system's structure.
The trial winner is decided through a best-of-three format. The trial master—or the villain you are fighting in the trial—has the right to dictate a special rule for the trial. The default format is trial by combat, unless the trial master exercises their right to change it.
For example, Owen Lane, a villain also known as Blood Mongoose, used his special rule to withhold all key information. This resulted in the trial participants entering the trial without knowing what had happened to them. All of them died and failed the trial—except for you, the last participant.
Fortunately, you passed the first round of the trial, which allowed you to absorb half of Blood Mongoose's skills and abilities.] The system explained.
"You said I was the last participant in the trial. What would have happened if I failed?" Maximilian asked.
[Those who fail the trial will have their souls consumed and stored as energy for the trial master to use to free themselves. This means the trial master will do everything in their power to make you fail the trial. Please expect unfair rules and foul play.]
Hearing this, Maximilian couldn't help but gulp. He had been so close to failing the trial. If it weren't for his sheer determination to kill that bastard and refusal to give up, his soul might have already been consumed.
"By the way, your system seems a bit inconvenient. I thought systems were supposed to be more user-friendly, like having a shop to buy powers, issuing missions, and earning points to spend in the shop," Maximilian argued. In truth, he didn't fully believe things like systems were to be real either, so his question wasn't so much an argument as it was curiosity.
[According to the 'Law of Conservation of Energy,' it is stated that 'Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another or transferred from one object to another.'
Think about it, host. If there were a shop and the system provided you with things like a newbie gift pack or free energy points from quests, where would that energy come from? It must come from somewhere, right? What is the source of the energy you use? Will you need to repay it one day? Is there something 'extra' that comes with that energy? Wouldn't you question it?
All systems are designed with the creator's purpose in mind, and that purpose might involve a hidden agenda. There's no free lunch in this world, host.
In contrast, this system is the most transparent. You know where your power comes from, and the system can't take it back because the abilities and powers you gain come from the trial of souls. The victor claims all, and the power of the loser's soul nourishes you, along with all their skills and abilities, which will belong to you and you alone.] The system explained.
Hearing the explanation, Maximilian chuckled. This was in line with what he had expected—there's no free lunch in this world. To be honest, he preferred this kind of transparent system over those mysterious ones with no clear origin for their items and powers.
"So... System, what is your purpose, then? And does your creator have any hidden agenda?" he asked.
[According to the directive in my program, I am to encourage and assist you in becoming the Greatest Villain. As for why, and my creator's hidden agenda, this information is not in my program, and I don't know who created me either. I hope this answers your question, host.] The system replied matter-of-factly.
"That's good enough. I didn't expect to know everything on the first day, anyway. Thanks for the clarification; now I feel much more at ease," Maximilian replied as he searched the lab for some clothes to wear.
He decided to wait and see what the system's creator's goal or hidden agenda was. He believed that, with time, the creator's agenda would eventually be revealed.
After about 10 minutes of searching, he finally found some clothes. The first item was a knee-length white tunic that looked like something a hospital patient would wear, and the second was a simple, large blue cloth that seemed more suited for covering equipment.
[Ding-dong... Side Mission activated.]
The system's voice blared, though the "ding-dong" sound was part of the system's speech rather than a bell-like sound effect.
[Mission: Follow system instructions for wearing your clothes and staying in them for a day.
Mission Duration: 1 Day
Reward: The system unlocks a new feature.
Will you accept?] The system prompted, displaying the new mission in front of Maximilian.
"Huh? What kind of mission is this? Wearing clothes?" Maximilian looked at the mission window with skepticism. But after noticing that there was no punishment listed, he asked, "Are there no punishments if the mission fails? No downside other than not getting the reward?"
[No, Host. This system was not designed to force the host to do anything. The most the system can do is encourage and guide the host to become the greatest villain. If the host decides not to do a mission, it is within your rights to decline.
Other than the trial, the system has no authority to force the host to do anything. It can only encourage the host with rewards.] The system explained.
"You mean... you can force me to undergo the trial," Maximilian concluded.
[Clarification: 'Force' is not the right word. The trial is a fundamental operation that functions independently of the system. The system has no authority to intervene. However, if system features are unlocked or upgraded in the future, the system may gain the ability to intervene in the trial. For example, it could postpone the trial for a period of time until the host is ready to undergo it.] The system clarified.
"I see... and how can I upgrade you? By completing your missions?" Maximilian asked.
[Completing missions can only unlock system features that do not require large amounts of energy. To unlock stronger and more useful features, the system requires energy from alternate sources that the host can find and feed to it.]
Hearing the system's explanation, Maximilian nodded. What the system said was within his expectations. The system requires energy, and it's not the kind of omnipotent system that can perform miracles like a personal cheat code.
"Then, what kind of energy are you looking for? Do you mean I can plug you in somewhere to charge you? Or do I need some special energy source?" Maximilian asked while looking around for a plug.
[No, Host. Electricity is too low-quality to charge me. If you want to use electricity to feed me energy, I would need at least 600 million kilowatts, and that would only fill one block of energy.]
That much electricity is about an entire month's output of an average nuclear power plant!
"One block of energy? I don't see any 'block of energy' anywhere in your UI. Are you sure you're not just bullshitting me?"
[User-friendly UI is one of the locked minor features and requires some time for the system to process. If the host would like to speed up the unlocking of the user-friendly UI, I suggest completing missions to accelerate the process.]
"Are you serious? Isn't the UI supposed to be a basic feature that comes with the system? Why do I feel like you're messing with me?" Maximilian asked suspiciously.
[Messing with you is not part of the system's programming. If you think I'm messing with you, it's likely your imagination combined with your fragile psychological tolerance that makes you think so.] The system smoothly argued.
"...." Maximilian then let out a sigh. He decided to push the slight irritation to the back of his mind. Arguing with this sh*tty system was pointless—he couldn't punch it, after all.
"*~Sigh* Whatever, I accept the mission. So, what do you want me to do?" he asked.
[Mission acceptance confirmed!]
[Now, host, first, put on the tunic!... I mean... the shirt-like cloth in your hand!] The system instructed.
Maximilian put on the tunic, and the next instruction followed.
[Hold the tog... I mean... the fabric lengthwise, so the long edge is horizontal. Then, fold about 1/3 of the fabric lengthwise to create a thick band.]
Maximilian followed the instructions.
[Good! Now... start by placing one end of the toga over your left shoulder, letting it hang down your back. The folded edge should be at the top. Then bring the fabric across your back, under your right arm, and across your chest...] The system began to instruct Maximilian, and he followed along without question.
Until... it was finished.
Now... reflected in the full-body mirror was Maximilian draped in a toga over the tunic, dressed like some ancient Roman noble. All that was missing was a wreath crown atop his head. With his features—his hairstyle, stern face, and hawk-like eyes—he looked like an ancient Roman tyrant straight out of a movie.
"Oi! System, what the hell are you making me do?" Maximilian asked in irritation.
Okay, this little sh*t is definitely messing with me.