Why did Father shout at me?! Isn't he the one who needs to apologize to me? His constant nagging makes me annoyed.
[Your father cares about you, and it will increase eventually.]
Why the fuck are you siding with him? You should side with me! I am your host! Not him, is he?
[You should apologize to him.]
What the heck?! He should be the one apologizing to me! Always puts his nose into my business. Did I ask him? No, I didn't. It's his duty to hover over me like I am some goddamn lost lamb! I can certainly take care of myself! I don't need his help.
[Host, I am pretty sure your father has thought about it clearly. Also, your behaviour with him wasn't... exactly 'nice.']
Leahlya gasped in disbelief. Why was her system being in approval of her father's decision? Wouldn't it make the task much more difficult?
It will make our task difficult. You know that, right?
[Do you remember my words from before?]
About the task?
[Yes. About the task. So, would you please tell what is your task?]
My task is... to save this world. Although, I am not good at being a saviour, because I have no prior experience.
[Elaborate it.]
Leahlya sighed and looked into the mirror. She combed her hair slowly.
The crimes in this world were rampant. So, there was no specific information on the person who 'destroyed' the world. Your superiors sent you to assist me. In the past, you had recruited many more individuals before me, who failed. So, now it's my turn.
[More.]
I believe the problem lies in the crimes itself. If I reach a certain level into this world's criminal core, then I might find the one responsible for this mess. I can't join the Red Knights. So, I decided to become a private investigator. My father had that 'golden ticket,' and I used it.
[So, what would happen without your father? Tell me, what will you do if something happens to your father?]
Don't say anything absurd! I will make you regret it!
Leahlya's eyes widened with anger. Even though she knew the system was riling her up, she lost her control.
[That's what I have been saying. Your father cares about you, and you... care about him. You love your father very dearly. And he loves you too. Even if I am a machine, I can see that. Your father is the only constant support in your life, and you know that. For you, he could fight the entire world.]
You are exaggerating, aren't you?
[No, I am not. Every one of my words is true. Do you know what will happen if something hurts you? Or even worse, kills you?]
Leahlya didn't respond to its words. Deep down, she knew the answer... but she was afraid to answer.
[Why don't you answer? Are you afraid? Well, I will tell you... Victor will just kill himself.]
Leahlya flinched at its words. Her hands shook for a moment, thinking its ominous prediction.
"You are right," Leahlya whispered to herself. Looking at her image, she continued, "I do love him. He is the only one in this entire world to care about me. I will apologize to him."
[Good. You do that.]
For a system, you are quite an expert in this 'emotional' things. You are only a system, right? Maybe you are a human disguised as a system. Or, maybe not.
[Your speculations are absurd.]
Leahlya shrugged to herself. Putting the comb on the dressing table, she stood up.
Maybe. I don't know. But what I do know is, your advice was something that I needed to make my head clear. Thank you.
[Your welcome, Host. Glad to help.]
Wait... I haven't asked you something yet.
[What do you want to ask?]
Your name. What is your name? You haven't told me yet.
[My 'name?' I...I... don't have a name. System 5067 is my name.]
Its voice was hesitant, and at the same time a bit sad. Leahlya shook her head and murmured, "This won't work.'
Wom.
[What?]
Your name is, 'Wom.' So, nice to meet you, Wom. Glad to work with you. Well, I hope our cooperation will succeed in saving this world.
[Thank you.]
Its voice was full of gratitude. It never expected its host to 'bond' with him... and certainly not take its advice.
Don't mention it. So, would you like to continue my explanation?
[If you want to, you can.]
Well, I will. See, being a private investigator will help me to mix with different grades of people. I can go deeper into the 'dirty' and 'messy' world of crime. It will broaden my search. Yet, the list of suspects would be doubled as well. And at the same time, I will be making my name well-known in public... and earn some profits as well.
['Profits?']
Yes! From nobles, that is. I will charge them a fairly large amount for my services. I mean, as a noble, I am kind of poor. We need all the money we could get. Then again, I might charge from commoners as well. But their fees will be very less in comparison to the nobles' fees. I will exploit as many nobles I could.
[You are... 'confident.' I hope... that works in our favour.]
Ah, it will. Do not worry, Wom. I am very experienced. Besides, I think you are going to stick with me, until I finish my task. But I do hope, I will get some reward. Right?
[Yeah, you will. My bosses have said it so. Although, there is one thing I haven't said before.]