I Hate Systems Chapter 1106.5: Representation War (Part 5)

The energy-blade toad lay inert within the crater, motionless until the settling dust cleared. From a minuscule chamber nestled on its forehead, Hazen observed, eyes shut, as Mental Energy was drawn into the creature's core. This channeled energy, through him, then coursed into the Darble Network, coalescing into a central sphere. This particular Mental Energy possessed a protagonist's essence—it was System Elixir. Initially, Systems merely sought to harvest this System Elixir, but lacked a method for precise extraction. Their only option was to absorb all forms of Mental Energy, then filter it, discarding the surplus while retaining the valuable components. System Elixir constituted only a fraction of this. However, through Lore, Compass Carburettor introduced a pivotal variable: all types of Mental Energy would now simply dissipate, mirroring their behavior across every world, with a singular exception. When System Elixir materialized, it transformed into a flowing stream, directed towards the nearest Secret Society member. Utilizing their bodies as conduits, the System Elixir accumulated within the Darble Network. As long as this System Elixir remained contained within the Darble Network, any infiltration by Zaira into Central Plains would prove fruitless, leaving her empty-handed.

Hazen, monitoring his accrued System Elixir, remarked, "Approximately 8000. Pathetically low, wouldn't you agree?" It was understandable, as not everyone possessed a protagonist's nature. Even at the precipice of death, few experienced a temporary surge of protagonist tendencies. Thus, the System Elixir harvested was indeed minuscule. "Still, it's a beginning, isn't it? There are countless more locations ripe for the taking." A cruel smile played on Hazen's lips. Since Systems had annihilated his home, a profound hatred for them festered within him. And with all his targets technically being Systems, he felt unrestrained in his predatory actions. This approach posed no issues, given the sheer immensity of Central Plains. Its population growth outpaced even his relentless slaughtering, a fact that reassured him. This was precisely why Compass Carburettor had urged all Secret Society members to engage in unrestrained carnage.

Under normal circumstances, if two System Hosts—specifically those affiliated with a Grade 2 System—were to procreate, their offspring would also inherit the System Host status. The Grade 2 System would preemptively implant a fragment within the developing fetus in its mother's womb. This mechanism allowed Grade 2 Systems to ensure a steady increase in their Host population without actively seeking new candidates, thus passively harvesting Mental Energy with minimal exertion. Only Grade 2 Systems possessed this capability. Grade 1 Systems required active recruitment and intervention in a Host's life, much like Grade 3 Systems, which had to actively seek out worlds to inhabit. Grade 2 Systems, however, could passively accumulate resources without any concern, setting them apart and aligning them with the significant forces across the multiverse.

With the Restriction Order now in effect, any offspring resulting from two System Hosts would not be born a System Host, but merely a common native. Consequently, if the Secret Society members continued their systematic elimination of System Hosts, wouldn't a time eventually come when Central Plains was entirely purged of all Systems? This was their ultimate objective, the clear requirement for accumulating sufficient System Elixir to forge the Main Character System. After all, wouldn't the narrative of their entire race—the Systems—being decimated for resources provide the perfect genesis for the final member of their lineage, created to exact vengeance for them all? That was the very essence of being a Main Character System, the ultimate goal Compass Carburettor was pursuing. To ensure the success of this grand design, he had handpicked the most exceptional members of the Secret Society and deployed them to Central Plains. For such a colossal world, a mere two thousand-plus members of the Secret Society might seem insignificant. Yet, their individual strength was immense, each capable of raising an army of Haggons to perpetrate further slaughter.

While the energy blade toad remained stationary, Hazen supplied it with Darlac, repairing the damage sustained from its descent. Subsequently, the toad roused itself and launched forward, covering dozens of kilometers in a single bound. Thump! Thump! The earth vibrated with each colossal leap as the toad advanced towards the next stronghold. The energy blade itself was weightless, but when imbued with substance, it became terrifyingly potent. Laden with enough water to form a small lake within its being, the toad possessed the mass to flatten entire regions. Hazen observed the inhabitants of the nearest fort scattering in panic upon his approach. They brandished swords and shields, weapons that appeared woefully inadequate for the situation. It had not been long since Darlac was introduced to this land. Few had even begun to comprehend its capacity for creating energy blades, let alone grasp the existence of the Warrior and Puppeteer Paths intrinsically linked to it.

For the creatures, it was merely a means to sustain their movement, a boost to their endurance. Despite possessing greater stamina to flee, their actual speed remained unchanged. Confronting the behemoth toad, capable of traversing vast distances with each bound, they were brutally crushed into a paste.

Seated within the colossal toad's cavernous maw, Hazen was occupied, consuming a tree to replenish his Darlac. The toad's mouth was a veritable forest, and as Hazen devoured the trees, the creature would effortlessly scoop up another mouthful from the surrounding environment.

Consequently, Hazen found himself in perpetual motion, never requiring respite. He observed the System Elixir accumulating within the Darble Network, a slow yet constant accretion.

The other members of the Secret Society had also commenced their accumulation efforts.

A decade unfurled in this manner, during which Hazen surveyed his Darble Dungeon. He gazed upon the over a billion Haggons within, all having reached maturity. Their Darlac reserves fluctuated between 5000 and 8000, with approximately ten thousand achieving the coveted Transcendence.

They constituted a formidable legion. A smile gracing his lips, he unleashed them, issuing a single, potent command: "Annihilate anything that is not a Haggon."

A torrent of Haggons surged forth, overwhelming the adjacent territories. Armed with superior energy blade weaponry, they decimated the lesser races. This technological superiority was a direct result of the Secret Society's continuous innovation in Darlac utilization, disseminated through the Darble Network.

These advancements were subsequently imparted to the Haggons nurtured within their dungeons, leading to a widespread mastery of their craft among all Haggons.

Witnessing the Haggon Tide, Hazen's grin widened as his Darble Dungeon commenced the spawning of a new brood of young Haggons. Another ten years hence, he would release them, repeating the cycle indefinitely.

Gradually, the dread-inducing notoriety of the Haggons permeated the entirety of the Central Plains.