I Hate Systems Chapter 1109.8: Representation War (Part 8)

"Let's stand by and observe…" Stencil stated, planning to remain encamped until the Unlucky Tower of Ruin had fully absorbed Compass Carburettor's essence. As a Concept Representative, the dissolution and absorption of her own concept by the tower would necessitate a considerable duration. She had barely completed her declaration when the tower began to rapidly diminish in size.

A palpable sense of dread washed over the trio as they instinctively realized the tower, which they had manifested through the synchronized activation of three Core Skill Manifestations, had slipped beyond their command.

With a sudden flash, Compass Carburettor reappeared, cradling the minuscule tower in his hand, stroking it with an endearing gesture. "What a wondrous artifact this is. An object endowed with principles far exceeding those of a fully realized world."

He then fixed his gaze upon Rhizen. "Could you craft another such tower for me? It would be a most welcome addition to my collection. Rest assured, your compensation for this endeavor will be exceedingly generous."

"You…" Rhizen's brow furrowed, a disconcerting sense of unease creeping over him. "Who exactly are you?"

"A guess?" Compass Carburettor's boots glinted as he materialized behind Rhizen, casually tapping the latter's head with the miniature tower.

"Ack!" Rhizen cried out, a sensation akin to his entire nervous system convulsing washing over him, his blood seeming to flow in reverse. His luck values, in a state of utter panic, surged outward from his body, seeping into the Unlucky Tower of Ruin.

"You understand," Compass Carburettor remarked calmly, conjuring an energy blade sphere that enveloped both himself and Rhizen, effectively shielding them from Stencil and Gehera's assault, "when you unleash your Core Skill Manifestation, you ought to be positioned within its influence to benefit from its amplified power. Otherwise, regardless of how potent its effects may be, they are susceptible to being exploited."

"Especially by me." With those words, his Lore and Tell-Tale abilities activated at their peak, manifesting as chains that coiled around Rhizen, dragging his form into the tower and immuring him within.

Rhizen's innate luck then came into play, manipulating cause and effect in an attempt to liberate him. Yet, remarkably, despite the alterations to causality, Compass Carburettor remained precisely as he was, his posture and physical state unchanged.

Furthermore, the chains forged from his Lore and Tell-Tale remained impervious. Only Stencil and Gehera appeared to be affected, being forcefully returned to their original positions, occurring just before Compass Carburettor had extricated himself from the tower.

The reason for Compass Carburettor's immunity to these manipulations was straightforward: his significance within the multiverse superseded the level of causality influence that Rhizen's luck could exert. Had he been at the zenith of Grade 3, the outcome might have differed, but with Rhizen merely at level 222, his capabilities were insufficient.

Moreover, by possessing the Unlucky Tower of Ruin, Compass Carburettor had gained direct dominion over the very laws that underpinned the Core Skills of the trio: Rhizen, Stencil, and Gehera.

Upon finding herself returned to her prior location, Stencil's senses snapped back into focus. She whirled around with urgency, activating a barrage of Skills that rained down upon the energy blade sphere. "Compass Carburettor!"

"Indeed, that is my designation." Compass Carburettor offered a smile, his gloved right hand making contact with the energy blade sphere, channeling its energy inward. Moments later, a multitude of spikes erupted from the sphere, impaling both Stencil and Gehera.

Their defensive Skills shattered as if they were fragile glass, wounds appearing where the spikes had pierced them, from which blood began to flow.

As the two women cried out in agony, a pair of appendages extended from the sphere, grasping them by the necks. Upon contact, their planet-like forms dissolved, reverting to their human shapes, having been stripped of their advanced states.

Chains ensnared them, drawing them closer to Compass Carburettor, who regarded them with a mocking expression. "You dare to confront me without fully condensing your avatars?"

"Y-You… would you truly inflict harm upon me?" Stencil's voice trembled with disbelief as she gazed at Compass Carburettor. "Wasn't I instrumental in the very conflict that led you here? Can you truly bear to injure me?"

"And why not? We share no familial ties." Compass Carburettor retorted, delivering a kick that sent them hurtling into the Unlucky Tower of Ruin. He watched contentedly as power bled from their forms, manifesting within the tower as a swarm of monsters.

"A pity their full forms were not present," he muttered, a grin of anticipation spreading across his face. "Since I have emerged for the very first time, perhaps I shall indulge in a brief exploration of this locale?"

"Do not stray from the primary objective." A voice echoed within his mind, emanating from the original Compass Carburettor.

"I am aware; is that not precisely why I ventured out?" The consciousness wielding control scoffed mentally, and Compass Carburettor's boots flashed, causing him to vanish from the spot.

Appearing in a random pocket of void, he gestured towards the tower, indicating it to Dita. "Enter and enjoy yourself."

"Will I be permitted to devour them all?" Dita inquired, a hint of drool escaping her lips.

"They are all yours." Compass Carburettor flashed a smile, "I'll be providing you with even more to consume next, so be prepared to devour that as well."

"Okay!" Dita gave a cute smile and stepped into the Unlucky Tower of Ruin, commencing a grand feast upon all the monsters within.

Compass Carburettor then kicked his boots into the void and vanished. He reappeared on a battle platform where a Third Circle Magician was locked in combat with a Fifth Circle Magician, heralded as a prodigy of the century.

What was astonishing was that the Third Circle Magician was gradually gaining the upper hand against the hailed genius.

"Fire Storm..." the Third Circle Magician bellowed, unleashing a torrent of flames. Suddenly, the inferno evaporated as if it were mist. Ethereal chains materialized from nowhere, ensnaring his entire body.

Instantly, the System Fragment residing within him attempted to escape but found itself constrained. As it thrashed, the chains bit deeper into the magician's flesh, while a peculiar force gravitated towards him.

In time, a System Fragment coalesced in his abdomen, which he promptly vomited out. The fusion had been forcefully undone.

The System Fragment shrieked in pure terror, making a desperate attempt to return to the System World, causing the world's timeline to freeze for three agonizing seconds.

However, to its dismay, the chains remained unfazed. They savagely yanked the System Fragment, dragging it forcefully into the confines of the Unlucky Tower of Ruin.

"One Fate System Fragment acquired, with many more still to collect," Compass Carburettor murmured. He raised his hand, ready to intercept the System Punishment that descended upon him for speaking of Systems.

Gazing at it, a sense of hunger washed over him. After a brief contemplation, he slurped it down like a bowl of noodles, draining the System Punishment from the world ceaselessly until the Astral Network in that realm fractured and collapsed.

The spectral chains secured all the nascent fragments and drew them into the tower, where Dita was indulging in the feast of a lifetime.