System: Challenge

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"Myles, please keep your opinions to yourself," Fye berated the man, indignant at being insulted. "Excuse me for a moment."

"Still so polite even when he's mad at me," Myles muttered underneath his breath, catching a quick glimpse of where Fye stormed off to and focused his attention on Ai. "Maybe you could help me? Seeing as you can use that infinite knowledge of yours."

"It would be my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e," Ai undisputed.

"Woah! You don't have to kneel!" Ai looked confused for a minute, checking his posture and was even more confused.

Why was he kneeling?

More importantly, he was n.a.k.e.d and his character was the type to question before answering; so why did he accept doing his bidding?

"System, are you sure this body has no malfunctions?" Keeping silent for a few beats, Ai didn't hear the system's usual monotone voice. Putting it aside, Ai decided he'll question the system later.

Standing, Ai discreetly covered his lower body as even that wasn't avoided.

"Well...I appreciate you unhesitantly willing to help me—" Myles grabbed a bundle of clothes on top of a desk and handed it to Ai— "but I know how Infinite Knowledge works. You can't tell me any of Fye's private messages."

Ai woolly stared at the clothes handed to him, wondering what it's for.

"Don't think I didn't see you cover that." Apparently understanding his dilemma, Myles laughed, clutching his stomach and wiping his tears away. "You're the first-ever android to be embarrassed about your sausage."

Ai guesses he wasn't discreet as he first thought.

"...Thank you," Ai graciously accepted the clothes and hurriedly wore them. The clothes itself wasn't a splendor, merely consisting of a basic white crew-neck baggy cotton shirt, black pegged jeans, a pair of white slip-on socks, and all-white sneakers.

"You can check yourself there in the mirror—" Myles pointed towards a desolate area in the room— "it's a bit dirty, but...eh, do what you want."

Ai gave a short nod and walked towards the mirror, grabbed a rag, cleaned the mirror, then put the rag back where it was first laid. Ai gave a short distance between him and the mirror so he could clearly glance over the outfit.

The plain and simple outfit being worn by Ai did not diminish his charm but looked rather swell and composed. With his slim and long-legged physique, flowy raven hair framing his delicate face, soft and gentle bluebird eyes, long and intricate eyelashes, arched eyebrows, straight-edged nose, and full pouty red lips; a lush tender youth.

"System," Ai called out.

<< Yes, host? >>

"Why does it seem like I don't have total control of this body?"

<< Theoretically, the host could say there is a living "spirit" left in everybody. It regains a small consciousness and can directly force the host to do or say something the spirit would've. In this sense, the host does not need to worry about ever being OOC as that could possibly never happen. >>

"Can this "spirit" living with me harm me in any way or vice-versa?"

<< The "spirit" can never hurt the host, but the host can hurt the "spirit." >>

"How can I avoid hurting the "spirit?""

<< The only way for the host to avoid hurting the "spirit" is to obviate from failing a world. Once the host fails a world, not only will the host garner punishment but so will the "spirit." >>

<< This system since have updated from being the 'Death System: Die Quick, Die Smart, Die Strong' to 'System: Challenge.' Being so, the punishment has increased. 80% of the punishment goes to the host while the remaining percentage goes to the "spirit." >>

"Why didn't you tell me such important information once we started?"

<< This system was being updated. I was only able to answer host because of the update given to this system. >>

"I see... What do you suggest I do know, System? Are you able to converse with the "spirit" and ask about his opinions?"

<< The "spirits" cannot freely express their opinions. For every time they do, 1% of their life force will be taken away from their 10%. >>

<< Currently, the "spirit" has a life force percentage of 9%. >>

"Is there a way for me to increase their life force?"

<< The host can complete missions. Each mission gives out a different percentage of life force. >>

When Ai finished his assessment of his outfit, he looked towards where Myles was supposed to be standing.

Only to be mistaken, for Myles was kneeling, looking up to an unidentified person.

If only Ai could see his face without the shadows blocking his view, he could identify the person with Infinite Knowledge.

"You, come here," husky and tonal, demanding and overbearing, the voice demanded total obedience, forceful obligation.

Doing as demanded, Ai stepped forward to close the distance between him and himself, shadows still cast over the man's face, only his lips were in view.

"You're mine, now," the man decided, grabbing hold of Ai's wrist. Eyes glaring, he looked at Myles who was still kneeling. "Get to it."

"But boss, S-196 was made, specifically, for the Ve-"

"Did I stutter?"

Right away, Myles stood and configured with Ai's system, changing his status to 'In Custody' from 'Pending.'

"Ah, so he's my new master," it took a while for Ai to realize something was off.

Way off.

"What the hell?! System, is this man from the Lyles family?!" Ai was in a state of dire disarray. He couldn't assess the man's face to verify if he was or was not a member of the Lyles family; his new master didn't tell him he was able to move so he could only standstill. He was afraid if he moved, the "spirit" would use a percent of his life force to confine him to stay put.

<< The man is not from the Lyles family. >>

"How— Why?! I was to be picked by the Lyles family, was I not?!" Ai practically yelled within his mind.

<< Originally, Settia was unstable and defective because of Infinite Knowledge. He had to be re-programmed and became an Android Chauffeur and Nanny, much to the disappointment of the requester. Now that the host gained Infinite Knowledge without becoming unstable, there are changes in the world, so the host may or may not be able to meet the male lead of this world. >>

It took a few breaths for Ai to calm down, and once he did, he started panicking all over again. "What will happen to me and the "spirit" if I can't even complete the main missions?!"

<< There is only total annihilation for the both of you. >>

With that, Ai lost the tiny bit of composure he had left and internally screamed.

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