In the empty, dark space, only an old table was visible. Two heavy black chairs faced each other, and upon them sat two mysterious beings. Ashborn stared at Shikama Doji, trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart. Under absolute suppression, he couldn't even move. Now, doubt crept into his mind—had he ever truly been powerful? Or had he always been a weak creature?
*"Hmm... Seems like you're worried about your cute little successor."* Shikama Doji spoke in his usual calm, playful tone. Even without reading Ashborn's thoughts, he knew what was on his mind.
Ashborn was worried about Sung Jinwoo.
If there was one thing Ashborn feared, it was Shikama Doji harming Jinwoo. In this world, Ashborn could even be considered Jinwoo's spiritual father. Shikama Doji lost himself in thought. *Jinwoo is so lucky to have people like this around him... Unlike me, who only had one person in my past life.*
His best friend. The one he considered a brother. But now, his memories had blurred—he couldn't even remember his face. *"I remember in that past life, no one truly loved me except him... Not my wife, not my children."* He knew, and they knew he knew. They were all playing roles—acting like a happy family.
*"I wonder... What is he doing now? Maybe he died of old age... Maybe he's still alive."* He longed to know what his friend had done after his death. *"He must have been so sad..."*
Shikama Doji slowly raised his wine glass and took a sip. But the wine couldn't soothe the sorrow stuck in his throat. He wasn't feeling well. Only a handful could make him seem even slightly more human—otherwise, he was just an emotionless monster playing a role.
*"If you say so, it puts my mind at ease... Why would a superior being like you appear in a place like this?"* Ashborn wasn't surprised that Shikama Doji had guessed his thoughts. Shikama Doji replied calmly, *"Just for fun. Don't worry, my presence is good for your little successor... I can help him a bit. Like by upgrading his system."*
This time, it was Shikama Doji who surprised Ashborn. Ashborn had no doubt he had such power.
From Shikama Doji's perspective, Kandiaru—the creator of Jinwoo's system—was somewhat talented, but his system was weak and simple. A system designed solely around transferring Ashborn's power, not those omnipotent systems described in novels. Even Shikama Doji hadn't been capable of creating a system before, but now he was.
If he wanted to build one now, he'd make it so powerful it'd be near omnipotent—a system capable of traveling across all dimensions, times, and spaces. Though he had no plans to create such a thing yet, maybe one day, for fun, he'd craft it and gift it to a lucky hormonal teenager. Of course, it was impossible for Shikama Doji to give something without a price—that lucky teen would have to face hell.
*"Well, little king... Let's give him a little shock."* Shikama Doji said in a cheerful, mischievous voice.
Suddenly, the empty space flashed.
Kandiaru, as the system administrator, could sense the strange energy infiltrating the system. But before he could react, Shikama Doji controlled his mind and distorted his memories.
[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
[The system has been updated by the new administrator!]
[Does the host wish to run the new version?]
Sung Jinwoo, who had been resting at home, stared at the system screen in shock. *"Administrator?! Who's the administrator?!"* He had always been curious about the system's creators, especially after the incident at the Cartenon Temple and the Statue of God.
His eyes gleamed—now he'd find out who was behind the system.
He clicked [Yes]
Suddenly, the golden screen flashed, and his world turned upside down.
The system shop had completely changed.
[Reality Rewriting Talisman]
[Wish Crystal]
[Time and Space Talisman]
[Weakened Version of Clairvoyance]
[Copied Version of Grimoire 999]
And thousands of others...
A flood of illogical artifacts that, even just by reading their descriptions, made Jinwoo's body freeze in terror.