Deep within the Sea of Consciousness, not long before.
Ever since the System had revealed that cruel truth, the man and the System had faced each other in silence for a long time.
"System."
Only after an unknown stretch of time did Li Tiezhu speak softly.
"If that's the case..."
"Then why did Taichu arrange for me to meet my master?"
"Why not just dump me here and have me settle all this? Why go to all that extra trouble?"
The System's voice was as calm as ever: [This was a necessary step.]
"Necessary?"
Li Tiezhu waited a while. When the System said nothing more, he gave a self-mocking laugh. "Even now, you son of a bitch, you're still keeping things from me?"
[...]
[Taichu is far more powerful than any of you imagine.]
The System still gave no direct answer, merely emphasizing the same statement twice.
Looking at the System's air of profound secrecy, Li Tiezhu suddenly found it all utterly dull.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter anymore."
He let his hands fall dejectedly.
"Then let me ask you something concrete."
"Once this job's done... what happens to me?"
The System's answer was simple and direct, just one word:
[Death.]
An answer he had expected.
Yet after hearing it, Li Tiezhu actually felt considerably more relaxed.
"System."
He flashed that trademark smile that had accompanied him all his life.
"Thinking about it, I really got a raw deal..."
"When I first got here, you son of a bitch were stingy as hell, hoarding every last good thing..."
"Every day, you hounded me to pay off my debts, and you'd keep pulling that electric-shock crap..."
"I barely had a few good days. All I fucking got from sticking with you was hunger and cold..."
"And then there was that time..."