Ha, I've Got a System!

Qiao Sen felt both unfortunate and fortunate, because when he had reached the end of his rope, he had finally encountered his master.

Penniless, he could only crawl forward, humbly lower his head, and devoutly kiss the filthy ground beneath his master's shadow.

He found it hard to describe how he had felt then. Looking back, all he remembered was excitement and exhilaration.

His master had bestowed many miraculous abilities upon Qiao Sen, allowing him to peer into people's hearts and concoct potions from all kinds of herbs.

With his master's help, he could even regain his youth!

Though he looked like an old man in his seventies or eighties, he could clearly feel the vitality bursting forth with every beat of his heart. He was certain he had returned to the youthful days of his twenties or thirties.

That was what he had desired beyond all else!

His master had shown him a new world, one without cold or hunger, without harsh noble lords or cruel exploitation, and even without death...

Though there was only eternal darkness and scattered glimmers of light there...

But so what?

All he felt toward his master was gratitude...

Following his master's instructions, Qiao Sen had trailed this down-and-out noble named Aaron for several days. At last, he had found his chance.

Of course, he believed that too was his master's arrangement.

His master had told him there was an Earth Demon Spider in Leyden City's sewers and guided him into making it regard Aaron as food.

He watched as the Earth Demon Spider wrapped the drunken Aaron in silk and injected him with venom.

His master needed a fresh, strong body, and the Earth Demon Spider's venom and silk could preserve the sacrifice's vitality to the greatest extent possible.

Everything was proceeding according to his master's plan. The sacrifice had already drunk the Spirit Guiding Liquid and become suitable material, while all the supplementary ingredients were ready.

No one could stop his master's descent!

Qiao Sen stared into the darkness ahead, filled with arrogant ecstasy.

So what if the city guards sent to clear the sewers arrived?

His master was invincible!

Just as he proudly fantasized about the future, he failed to notice a small accident.

The supplementary ingredients laid out on the ground began burning one after another, yet the bluish-purple Soulless Grass alone remained completely still.

Then, he heard a shrill squeak.

Qiao Sen's expression changed instantly. Of course he knew that was his master's voice.

But the voice that had once been full of liveliness was now filled with shock, unwillingness, and even despair!

A wind actually rose within the semi-enclosed sewer, making the torchlight flicker unsteadily.

In that shifting light, Qiao Sen saw black smoke gather into the outline of a rat, then vanish completely amid a desperate shriek.

No, rather than vanishing, it was more accurate to say that it had been absorbed by the sacrifice.

For a moment, Qiao Sen did not know whether this was part of his master's plan.

But his hesitation gave Aaron precious time to catch his breath.

Unlock complete. Welcome, Mas*... Absorbing new energy will activate Phase One.

Soul Anchor confirmed. Fragment mounted. Releasing emergency stored energy.

No, bro, there's still a lousy old man in front of us! Stop sending DLC packs!

Oh, there's backup hidden energy too? Then it's fine.

Five-star review!

At this moment, everything seemed frozen. Even the torch flames were suspended in midair.

Aaron's attention was wholly drawn to the spinning gold-and-silver coin before him.

The next moment, the coin stopped.

Coin of Fate: Upon activation, all allied units within range gain the "True Luck" status and receive one "Heal Minor Injuries." All enemy units gain the "True Misfortune" status. Duration: one minute.

He saw a golden angel, and he also saw a golden streak of light fly out from the coin and shoot straight into his body.

His body, which had already been completely drained, miraculously surged with vitality once more. Strength returned to his numb limbs, and his spirits immediately lifted.

A luck buff, a misfortune debuff, and a full status restore.

Excellent review!

At the same time, Aaron saw a silver light enter the old man's body. A silver demon grinned viciously as it aimed its pitchfork at him.

Before he had time to think further, the invisible restraints vanished, and everything began flowing again.

Qiao Sen was completely unaware of the silver light from the Coin of Fate. He merely scrutinized Aaron uncertainly and asked tentatively, "Is that you, Master?"

Who the hell is your master?

Aaron instinctively wanted to snap back, but then an idea suddenly struck him.

If this old bastard mistook him for his master, then wouldn't that mean...

His thoughts raced. He cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "Yes. It's me."

The old man was overjoyed. He strode toward Aaron and said with extreme fervor, "Then, Master, we must leave immediately. But before we go, there is one more thing we need to do..."

Looks like this old man wasn't very smart either. I actually managed to fool him...

Aaron let out a long breath and asked instinctively, "What is it?"

"Look into my eyes..." Qiao Sen said.

That was such an obvious death flag. It definitely couldn't mean anything good!

But the problem was that Aaron, whose guard had only just lowered slightly, simply could not restrain his curiosity.

What?

So what if I look at you?

He instinctively looked into Qiao Sen's eyes, only to see a strange violet-black color radiating an evil aura.

After meeting his gaze for only an instant, Aaron felt an inexplicable dizziness, and his body went numb again.

At that moment, the old man swung a wooden staff that looked more like a walking stick and viciously smashed it toward Aaron's head!

He had planned this all along!

The sharp whistle through the air proved that he was absolutely striking to kill.

How was this an old man with one foot in the grave? He was clearly a burly man!

If that blow really landed, he would probably lose more than half his life.

Or rather, he could be certain of it: he was dead.

The fanaticism had not yet faded from the old man's face when cruelty and rage crept across it.

So this guy wasn't just a scheming old bastard—he was an old master actor too?

Aaron's heart sank. In his haste, he truly had not anticipated this.

Or rather, the old man had made his decision far too quickly, giving him no chance to think it through!

In just a few seconds, he had made a judgment, chosen the right expression and tone to disguise himself, used conversation to approach, then turned on him and revealed his hand for the finishing blow!

The whole sequence had been smooth as flowing water.

But wasn't this supposed to be Aaron's move?

Wasn't he supposed to call the old man over, then find an opportunity to kill him?

Oh, judging from the old man's skills, he didn't seem easy to kill either...

Wait, what happened to "True Luck" and "True Misfortune"?!

At this life-or-death moment, Aaron's attention still wandered uncontrollably, leaving him with the leisure to think about that.

Of course, it was not as though he had done nothing.

Though his body was numb, he could still make small movements.

He tried his best to dodge.

But before that fierce wooden staff, his evasive movement was as slow as a crawling turtle.

Then, at that moment, something unexpected happened.

Aaron saw the old man's movements seem to stiffen. The staff that had been aimed at his head instead smashed into his shoulder.

A crisp crack of shattering bone rang out.

The intense pain broke him free of the paralysis, and he instinctively shoved the old man away.

Qiao Sen did not resist—or rather, he could not resist. He simply fell stiffly to the ground.

Still shaken, Aaron gasped for breath, hearing only the pounding of his heartbeat as searing pain tore through his shoulder.

So close.

He had been so close to dying!

Then, chaotic footsteps sounded from nearby.

A woman shouted, "There are traces of a Heretical Cult ritual ahead! Follow me, quickly! Don't let them get away!"

Aaron was overjoyed. He glanced at the unmoving old man, forgot the agony in his shoulder for a moment, and rushed out in large strides, shouting for help, "I'm here!"

Why did this world follow the law of "reinforcements always arrive late" too?