Chapter 40: Nexus Gets Rejected Again
Ron’s sudden words of gratitude left the system stunned. How could a trash G-rank mortal like Nexus earn the respect of a D-rank hunter like that?
With its supreme intelligence, the system reached a firm conclusion in the blink of an eye.
From the system’s perspective, Ron had been overwhelmed by its power. But Ron’s limited knowledge made him mistakenly believe it was all because of Nexus. That meant Nexus was shamelessly stealing the system’s credit.
With its unrivaled reasoning across the universe, the system immediately started cursing.
[You damn master! How dare you shamelessly steal my credit like that? I was the one who brought Mark back to life, so how dare you steal the spotlight that should’ve been mine?]
"Huh?"
Not only was Nexus dumbfounded, but Ron also looked up at the system in complete confusion.
Now Ron understood. This system had a very high level of autonomy. It wasn’t an ability completely controlled by Nexus.
Even so, what did that change? His experience from seeing countless people during dungeon raids told him that Nexus, the one who hadn’t done anything remarkable, was actually the one standing above everything.
To Ron, even the powerful aura from heaven wasn’t as terrifying as the invisible aura he sensed from Nexus.
Maybe it was just Ron’s imagination, but his faith in that illusion was absolute, without the slightest doubt.
"Get up. I didn’t do anything worth thanking me for."
Ron wasn’t thinking that deeply. Nexus understood what he meant with a single glance. But as far as Nexus was concerned, he wasn’t that involved in this matter. Ron himself was the main reason. Nexus had only helped by accident.
"I understand. I know I offended you."
[You don’t know shit! Did a donkey kick your brain, mortal? When did you ever offend my trash master? You clearly offended this great system, not him.]
Nexus ignoring the system was barely acceptable, but how could a mere mortal like Ron also dare to ignore the great system? The system absolutely refused to accept it.
"Great System, I know I’m nothing but trash compared to you. But can you respect the proper order? Even you said he’s your master. Isn’t it only reasonable that I thank the person with the highest status first? Besides, if I thanked you after thanking your master, wouldn’t that make it seem like you’re one level below your master? I’m only saying this to protect the dignity of a great existence like you."
Nexus was a little surprised that someone like Ron, who looked like the type to rely more on muscle than brains, could calmly argue with this ridiculous system.
These ridiculous arguments somehow perfectly matched the system’s supreme intelligence. A few well-chosen keywords made the system happy, causing it to automatically ignore everything else it didn’t want to hear.
[Hmph, you know your place. I’ll let you off this time.]
This system was arrogant, but it was also easy to satisfy. As long as someone was willing to lower themselves a little and flatter it, the chance of success was about ninety-nine percent.
"For the first time since I became a hunter, I feel like I’ve truly broken past my limit. Even though I usually work out to build a body like this, those workouts only ever reached the limit, never surpassed it. Only now have I truly let go of the burden in my heart. I no longer think of myself as trash. So it turns out that all these years, the biggest thing holding my life back was my own attitude."
Ron bowed deeply to Nexus. Most of it had come from his own realization, but it was precisely because he had reached that realization that he chose to bow to someone standing even higher.
Instead of jealousy and frustration toward someone else’s superiority, what he felt now was respect.
Besides, it wasn’t completely illogical either. If Nexus hadn’t accepted Mark as his disciple, then all Ron would’ve gained today was a brief moment of satisfaction before returning to his stressful life right afterward.
"Your muscles have suffered serious damage. There’s no way they’ll recover to how they were before. You still think this is a good thing?"
Nexus reached that conclusion based on humanity’s current level of medical technology, specifically what someone with Ron’s financial situation could realistically afford.
Someone like Ron definitely had no chance of accessing high-level healing abilities or divine power, so those couldn’t be taken into account.
"I thought that punch was going to be the last moment of my life. And yet I’m still standing here."
Ron grimaced in pain, but the corners of his mouth were still curled upward. It wasn’t an obvious smile, but it clearly showed the complete peace in his heart.
Ron had just killed Nexus’s disciple twice, yet now he had successfully made Nexus feel impressed.
[What are you waiting for? This mortal clearly has more sense and is far better than that stupid piece of trash.]
Before Nexus could say anything, the system was already getting impatient. As far as the system was concerned, cultivation talent was a trivial matter. As long as it wanted to, it could greatly increase Nexus’s disciple’s innate talent.
Ron knew how to flatter the system, and he had just reached an enlightenment that elevated his mindset to a whole new level. He was obviously a better choice than Mark.
Although Mark’s number one position hadn’t been officially acknowledged by the system, it couldn’t change Nexus’s decision. With the second position still vacant for Ron, there couldn’t be a better candidate.
"Do you want to become my disciple? I’ll teach you how to cultivate. You’ll have the chance to keep growing, to keep climbing toward the peak you’ve always dreamed of."
This sudden invitation was completely beyond Ron’s expectations, leaving him staring blankly at Nexus. The corners of his eyes suddenly became a little wet, but instead of accepting, Ron lowered his head in shame.
"I offended you, yet you’re still giving me a chance. I’m deeply grateful. But I still can’t forgive myself, so I’m truly sorry for refusing your kindness..."
[Mortal, are you messing with me?]
The system stared at Nexus in confusion after seeing Ron refuse. Ron clearly knew this was a life-changing opportunity, yet he turned it down for this reason. It completely caught the system off guard.
Nexus, however, didn’t mind at all. For the first time, he gave the interesting young man in front of him a faint smile.
After a brief pause, Ron raised his head and met Nexus’s gaze. In those tired eyes burned an intense desire to rise higher.
"But I truly want to rise! I won’t go looking for you. I’ll keep moving forward in my own way. If fate allows us to meet again someday in the future, I hope you’ll give me another chance."