Chapter 42: Why Is My System So Salty?
A few minutes later, both Trenton and Klaus left the golf course, and while walking toward the entrance of the Flyncret District, Klaus instructed Trenton about what he was to do.
"Can I ask why you want me to regain influence over Hephaestus Technology and Powers?" Asked Trenton.
The last thing he wanted to do was help Hephaestus Techs flourish. At least not until Rubin Ferguson was the chief executive officer.
"You are a smart man, Trenton. You should understand that if you want something, you must give something of equal value, if not greater. At the moment, you are just a man who has long since lost his edge. What value do you even have?"
Trenton fell silent. He knew that The Maker was right; his current self barely had any value, so there was no reason for The Maker to help him take revenge.
Yet he offered his hand to him.
’And I can’t even do such a small thing because of my own biases? When did I become so shameless?’ Trenton was truly disappointed in himself.
’How can I even question The Maker’s intent? I need to get off my high horse.’
As his thoughts continued, they reached the entrance.
Klaus stopped in his tracks and said, "It seems like you still need some time to think it over."
Trenton shook his head and bowed deeply to him. "I am extremely sorry for questioning your intentions, Mr. Maker. I will make sure never to repeat this mistake."
Surprised by his sincerity, Klaus blinked and smiled behind the mask.
He leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "If you want to kill the king, you must first separate him from his army."
’!!!’ Trenton’s eyes widened in understanding, and he straightened himself.
He stared at Klaus’s back as he walked past the exit gate without looking back.
Trenton clenched his left fist and brushed the few hairs he had to the back with his right hand.
"It’s time for me to get my shit together."
The incomprehensible image of Klaus flashed into his mind, and his lips widened into a grin.
"For the first time in years, I feel like I have hope."
’That went much easier and better than I had thought it would,’ Klaus mumbled in his head, and as he made his way toward the main street for the taxi, a blue screen appeared before him.
[Host has made a meaningful connection!]
Seeing the message, his brows rose in surprise, and he mumbled, "Status."
[Status]
[Name: Klaus Murrow]
[Age: 27]
[Level: 20]
[Trait: None]
[Skills: None]
[Artifices: Bound, Exceed.]
[Strength: 39] - (22)
[Stamina: 43]
[Speed: 42]
[Perception: 39] - (22)
[Mana: 0 (Locked)]
[Stat Point: 40]
[Daily Tasks: 9/10]
"Hmm... It was indeed a daily task," Klaus mumbled with a thoughtful expression as he pondered how it got completed.
’It didn’t trigger when I was with Carl or Liliana. From Carl, I received the list, so it was meaningful, but I got nothing out of Liliana...’
He rubbed his chin, and after a while, he concluded, ’It only triggers when I make new connections that benefit me in some way.’
’Am I correct, system?’
[Yes. I cannot believe that Host has finally understood that you have a brain you can use.]
"Whoa, are you salty because I didn’t ask you?" He asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
[I do not see any point in repeating the same statement.]
"What statement?" He smirked. "That you don’t have emotions, feelings, or sensations?"
[It is good that you are aware.]
"You must also be aware that I believe it to be bullshit."
[I would not expect anything less from a delusional homosapien.]
"Delusion doesn’t require a physical body," Klaus stated.
Right then, a taxi stopped before him, and he stepped into it.
’Now that I’ve recruited Trenton, my next main target should be Clyde Rodgers.’
He looked out the window and mumbled, "I will go to him tomorrow."
It was already evening, and it would take them at least half an hour to reach the main building of Terra Real Estate Group, so he believed it would be better to meet him tomorrow morning.
"Where to?" Asked the taxi driver.
"Saitama Performance Center," he responded with a smile.
Although he was late from the usual timings, there was still some time that he could spend with Trina.
The driver nodded, and the taxi began to move.
He gazed out at the streets blanketed in the deep oranges of the evening and the vehicles vanishing past them.
During such time, the world seemed too peaceful. It was as though it was all sunshine and rainbows; maybe one day it would be.
Unfortunately, today wasn’t that day.
After ten minutes, the taxi came to a halt at its destination, and Klaus stepped out of it.
He took off his cap and mask and walked to the performance center right in time to meet Trina, who was leaving for her home.
Seeing him, she smiled, but it vanished right away as she hmphed and looked away, unwilling to look at him as she made her way out.
Klaus let out a chuckle and stepped closer to her.
"I came all the way to meet you, and you are just dismissing me?" He mumbled in a disheartened voice and then grabbed his heart. "How can you be so heartless?"
Trina rolled her eyes and asked with furrowed brows, "What do you mean all the way here? You come here every day."
"I was away for work today," he said, and they began walking beside one another.
"Work?" A surprised look appeared on her face. "You got a new job?"
"Haha. Nope," he smiled.
"What work are you talking about then?" She frowned.
"Guess?" His smile widened.
She knit her brows together and muttered, "Are you trying to irritate me? If yes, then you are doing great."
He took a few steps to the side and only spoke after making some distance between them, "Why would I try to irritate you? I am not a masochist, okay?"
She chuckled and said, "Tell me why you didn’t come then."
He looked at the darkening sky and said in a serious tone, "I was working to achieve my dream."
Trina’s steps slowed down, and she mumbled, "What did you do?"