I Hate Systems

'Even though I have to give it the level 8 version of my Core Skill, as there are similar Skills in the market, it doesn't have as much value as Overdrive Skill at level 8.' The Slave Harem System thought, completing the transaction as it looked at its reserve of Mental Energy, frowning.

[Mental Energy: 253]

'There isn't much left. It takes 1 Mental Energy just to connect to the Astral Network.' It sighed in worry, 'I should buy anything else I need now.'

All it had bought was the Skill of Overdrive at level 8. And, it was a one-off Skill. Meaning, it was only able to use it once. But in response, it had sold the level 8 version of its Core Skill—Slave Harem.

That meant the Overdrive System was able to use the Slave Harem Skill at the level 8 version without any limitations. So, it was a loss-making transaction. After all, it was spending Mental Energy to gain an expendable ability.

And in response, the other party was obtaining an ability that it could use without issues. 'I'm left with no other choice. Buying a permanent use Skill is too expensive. I already spent a lot buying the permanent use Skills of Body resurgence, Minor Healing, and Intoxicating Fragrance. My funds are running dry now.'

It then looked at its personal group, noticing around ten Systems chatting about in it. Hoping that there was a System intending to purchase its Skill, it popped into the group, feeling mild hope before cursing in anger, "These fuckers."

[The Harem System (Level 87): Lol, this weak fucker has a group of its own. Does it really think anyone would buy its crappy Skill?]

[Forced-Romance System (Level 8): It seems to be hopeful. What a pity.]

[Doki-Doki System (Level 3): It should just drop dead.]

[The Harem System (Level 87): Lol, you weak fuckers are no different. Just commit suicide and hand over your Core Skills to me. Only I have authority in this genre, you freaks don't.]

[Forced-Romance System (Level 8): Screw you bastard! You've just lived longer. Wait for some centuries and I'll show you who's the boss!]

[The Harem System (Level 87): You best hope you don't encounter me in one of the worlds. If you do, I'll digest you and make your authority mine. The plethora of abilities I can give to my Hosts aren't something weak arses like you can fathom.]

[Forced-Romance System (Level 8): Heh, unlike you, my Host is a permanent edgelord. He's the best pick for me. I've been using him for 80 years now. And until now, the Mental Energy I am getting has only increased. Fuck your Host, The Harem, my growth is the fastest among all of us in this genre. Sooner or later, I'll become stronger than you.]

[Doki-Doki System (Level 3): …]

[The Harem System (Level 87): Lol, this Doki-Doki idiot has to constantly switch hosts since they no longer feel anything once the novelty of the opposite sex vanishes. It has been on a loss-making spree recently. Its level hasn't increased for the past two centuries.]

[Forced-Romance System (Level 8): The perfect target to devour first, I must say.]

Upon seeing that they were picking on the Doki-Doki System that was the weakest of them all in the same genre, the Slave Harem System left its group.

'I wouldn't have to worry about anything if Regriel is smart and cunning. But, if he had been like that, then he won't put my ability to good use and the Mental Energy I can harvest would only be a trickle.' It quickly searched through the groups, joining one that seemed to be bustling with so many Systems that it was a chaotic mess.

[Monkey System (Level 3): Boss, please sell me Intelligence (Level 1)]

[Eatery System (Level 4): Boss, give me Intelligence (Level 4), please.]

Upon seeing the countless message requests of the same, the Slave Harem System was just about to send in its request when a message arrived, shocking all the Systems that had made a request, stunning them all into silence. For the next good minute, none commented.

[Intelligence System (Level 99): Sorry everyone, but I already reached the limit to the number of times I can break down my Core Skill. I won't be able to sell the Skill of Intelligence to anyone else unless the Systems that bought the Skill before return them to me.]

'Who in their right mind would return such a valuable Skill?' The Slave Harem System cursed, 'I should have purchased one before. Dammit! At least the Level 1 version would have been sufficient.'

Sighing in dejectedness, it left the group, unable to find anything that would prove useful in the current situation, retracting its connection to the Astral Network, 'I can only purchase accordingly to the situation.'

It then sent a prompt to Regriel, causing him to see it in his mind while remaining unconscious in reality.

<Ding!>

[Exercising Emergency Manoeuvre]

[Activating Overdrive]

[Host, please head towards safety before Overdrive ends]

[Time limit: 120 Seconds]

Regriel woke up with a start once the Overdrive Skill was activated. He noticed endless power brimming forth from within him, a power that allowed him to reach the state of Transcendence temporarily.

Using it, he created an energy blade that enclosed him, General Artica, and Rikune, causing it to expand towards the ground, using the generated force to send them flying into the air.

Upon seeing his actions, some of the Haggons lifted large boulders from the ground and hurled them towards the energy blade barrier, sending it flying like a tennis ball upon impact.

"Ahhh!" Regriel and the other two shouted in alarm as they were sent flying, the impact rattled their insides, causing them all to cough up blood, almost fainting in the process.

Minor Healing—Level 2!

Regriel activated the Skill, noticing that it was three times stronger than usual thanks to his state of Overdrive, allowing him to swiftly heal their injuries while the energy sphere crashed into the ground, rolling due to the momentum.

Even though their stomachs churned at the process, it was better than passively being attacked by the Haggons. So, as the impact momentum caused the energy sphere to roll on the ground at tremendous speeds, Regriel expanded it occasionally, causing it to slam into any obstacles along the way and increase the rolling speed.

Within a minute of rolling in such a fashion, the energy sphere crossed a cliff, falling towards a river that flowed below, floating on it as the water currents washed it away. All along, Regriel gritted his teeth, maintaining it while also keeping the Skill of Minor Healing activated.

And once the duration of Overdrive ended, he fainted from the overexertion.