I Hate Systems Chapter 4: Why a System Always Puts the Host in Dangerous/Embarrassing Situations

The demon known as Fourth addressed Compass Carburettor, stating, “There's a specific reason why a System chooses to inhabit a living being and offer unwavering assistance.”

“And what might that reason be?” Compass Carburettor queried, maintaining a cautious distance from Fourth, as complete trust remained elusive.

Fourth showed no concern for the distance, instead acknowledging him with a nod. “Every realm adheres to its unique set of laws and principles. The sentient species residing within them possess distinct characteristics. However, a common thread unites them all: their capacity for thought, communication, and emotion.”

“To think, communicate, and feel?” Compass Carburettor sensed a dawning understanding, yet the concept remained somewhat hazy. He looked expectantly at Fourth, hoping for a complete explanation.

“The Power of the Mind, or more precisely, Mental Energy, is the unifying element among all sentient races. It is both universal and enigmatic. If you possess the ability to think, then the conscious cognitive function of your brain constitutes Mental Energy. And this is precisely what a System requires to mature,” Fourth stated, a smirk playing on its lips as it observed Compass Carburettor’s lingering confusion.

It then continued with a smile, “Recall your own life. Weren’t you frequently compelled to undertake missions that thrust you into awkward predicaments or drew unwanted public attention?”

Compass Carburettor’s eyes widened as a torrent of memories surged forth. “Yes, I encountered such scenarios so often that I eventually grew accustomed to them.”

“Have you ever encountered the term, ‘Sheeple’?” the demon inquired.

“Sheeple? You mean people who think like sheep? That term?” Compass Carburettor vaguely recalled a popular internet slang from his younger days.

“Precisely,” Fourth affirmed with a nod. “It’s a common phenomenon across all worlds. When a trigger or cause emerges, people tend to rally behind it, regardless of their actual knowledge or understanding. More often than not, they escalate a situation that never warranted such a significant reaction in the first place.”

Its tone grew serious. “This represents the collective power of minds, a vast ocean of shared thoughts. Systems flourish by consuming this energy. Therefore, when they attach themselves to a host, they offer rewards in exchange for placing the host in numerous situations where they become the focus of collective thought. This is how they grow.”

“But,” Compass Carburettor frowned, “the rewards they offer are incredibly valuable. Even if this Mental Energy, or whatever it is, holds such potency, the items a System provides are consistently beyond the logical scope of the host’s world.”

“Ah, that’s quite straightforward,” Fourth chuckled. “What appears impossible in your world might be commonplace in another. All Systems have access to a shared marketplace where they trade a myriad of abilities.”

“So, let’s say you receive the ability to fly as a gift. If the concept of a human flying is considered utterly absurd in your world, the value of such an ability to you would be… immeasurable, wouldn’t it?” Fourth asked, observing Compass Carburettor’s affirmative nod.

It then elaborated, “However, for a Flight System, an Elevation System, or a Flying System, these are merely foundational abilities. Your System would temporarily acquire such an ability from another by paying a suitable price, and then bestow it upon you. While its value would seem astronomically inflated from your perspective, to your System, it was likely acquired for next to nothing.”

“Thus, through this market, all Systems grant their Hosts abilities that seem miraculous and otherworldly. Consequently, their Hosts become the targets of envy, jealousy, admiration, hatred, and more from vast numbers of people. This influx generates a massive volume of Mental Energy, which your System happily devours,” Fourth explained, shaking its head with a sigh. “If we were to frame it in monetary terms, imagine an ability’s actual cost to a System is one unit. From your viewpoint, however, it would be worth at least a thousand units. Since the System selects the abilities it rewards you with, it invariably chooses those with tremendous profit margins.”

“So, that’s the whole story.” Compass Carburettor nodded, the realization finally sinking in. As the wealthiest individual on Earth, millions of people constantly discussed him on various platforms. Therefore, it all made perfect sense. Yet, a sudden thought struck him, prompting him to ask, “Then, why did my System cease this practice and return here?”

“This is the origin point for Systems, known as the System World. It is where they return at the conclusion of their existence,” Fourth stated, gesturing expansively. It then pointed at Compass Carburettor, reiterating his earlier words: “You yourself said it, didn't you? In the end, you grew accustomed to it.”

“What does that imply…?” he questioned, still confused.

“Mental Energy is not a quantifiable substance like other forms of energy. Its value is relative. How overwhelmed are you by a situation? How much does something mean to you? How intensely do you desire something? The amount of Mental Energy your System obtains fluctuates based on these factors,” Fourth elucidated.

With a frown, it then fixed its gaze upon the dense trees. “This is precisely why your System consistently orchestrates the most perilous or mortifying scenarios for you. Such circumstances are designed to impact your psyche most profoundly. Concurrently, it bestows abilities that fan the flames of your aspirations, propelling you towards the apex of this world. Consequently, the breadth of individuals affected by your exploits expands, and the sheer volume of thoughts directed towards you coalesces into a veritable ocean, surging in your direction.”

“Furthermore,” Fourth continued, shaking its head, “when you finally ascend to the pinnacle of your world, that is when the System reaps the rewards of its cultivation. It accumulates sufficient Mental Energy, enabling exponential upgrades within a compressed timeframe. However,” it paused, “once you acclimate to this process, signifying your immunity to the populace’s thoughts, opinions, and emotions, the influx of Mental Energy into you dwindles dramatically. At this juncture, your value to the System evaporates.”

“Thus,” Fourth declared, turning its attention back to Compass Carburettor, “its cycle concludes. It retreats to the System World, consumes you, and then seeks out a fresh vessel for its machinations.”