What seemed a mere gesture—a simple pointing of his finger—unleashed a powerful burst of light that pierced the heart of the monster, shattering its core with a resounding crack!
This luminous attack, swift as a falcon's dive, left no room for the creature's reaction. The monster stood frozen, a second before its demise, as the light tore through its chest. The once fearsome beast now crumbled to the ground, a gaping hole where its heart once beat.
[Host has slain a mutated Twinhorn Behemoth]
"Um...?" The system's announcement echoed unexpectedly in Vyn's ears, taking him by surprise. He hadn't anticipated any reaction from his casual gesture.
"T-this... What in the world?"
Vyn gasped, his voice mixing awe with disbelief. The attack had unfolded just as he imagined: a beam of light springing from his fingertips, targeting the monster precisely where he intended. Could this mean the system was genuine—more than just a facade?
His skepticism towards the system's claims—claims that had seemed far too fantastical—had been profound. Yet, here he was, staring at the tangible proof that his dismissal might have been premature. The success of his action not only confirmed the system's efficacy but exceeded his wildest expectations.
'The Boundless Light will act according to your will...'
These words from the system, which Vyn had initially met with scorn and near ridicule, now replayed in his mind with a new weight. He had never believed in the god of light—no, he had resented all gods known to mankind. It was unthinkable that he, of all people, would wield a divine power.
[Host has gained a new title. Title will be changed from 'A Failure' to 'One Who Overcame The Impossible']
[Host's level has increased by 1]
[Host's understanding of the Boundless Light has increased by 1]
"What sort of system is this?" Vyn pondered aloud, his thoughts racing. Was this system an entity capable of tapping into divine forces, or was it itself a deity in disguise? And if it was not a god, how had it achieved such a feat?
"Are you some kind of god?" he questioned softly, his inquiry hanging in the air, met only by the system's silence.
"Tsk! Just tell me if you are some kind of god and stop being secretive," Vyn pressed, his tone edged with frustration. "But let me warn you, don't expect any worship from me. If seeking a devout follower was your aim in choosing me, you'd better seek elsewhere. I won't betray my principles, no matter the power bestowed upon me by any deity."
His voice carried a palpable undertone of anger, an emotion so raw that even the all-seeing system should have sensed his profound resentment towards the deities of this world. Why then, did it choose him? Like all gods, with formidable power came burdensome responsibilities.
Vyn never yearned for the shackles of a servant-master bond with any deity. If the world denied him his own power, he would rather embrace death than succumb to the servitude of a god.
[Host foolishness has surpassed all boundaries.]
Silence hung in the air like a dense fog.
At that moment, Vyn was utterly convinced that the system was nothing less than a mischievous troll. How else could one explain its mastery over the arts of mockery and belittlement? With no apparent reason, it relentlessly hurled random insults and curses at him. The situation was baffling. It was natural for him to be curious, but why did the system persist in demeaning him?
Seemingly attuned to his inner turmoil, the system declared yet again:
[Host's system neither bears the title of a god nor a divine entity.]
'Then what the hell are you…' Vyn nearly screamed the words out loud.
[The system is a mechanism tailored for the host as a guide.] Each response from the system was cryptic, filled with phrases that held elusive meanings. By now, Vyn was convinced that the system was deliberately provoking him, reveling in his rising fury and confusion.
His attention was abruptly diverted to the girl lying on the ground, who now gazed up at him with an expression of bewildered concern. She had been watching him for some time, observing his solo dialogue peppered with frowns and bitter sighs. It led her to wonder—was he mentally unstable?
"Um… are you okay?" Vyn's voice cracked slightly, his face flushing with embarrassment as he caught her worried look. He hastened towards her, offering a hand to help her up from the ground.
"I… I'm fine," she responded, her voice laced with a trembling uncertainty that she couldn't quite mask. Despite her efforts to project calmness, the bewildered look that danced across her face revealed her inner turmoil.
Just moments before, as the monstrous creature loomed, poised to strike, a sudden explosion of radiant light had burst forth from Vyn's direction. It was a blur—a rapid, dazzling flash of power that she couldn't quite grasp, yet its brilliant glimmer was unmistakable.
Had he wielded some mystical artefact to launch that attack? Or perhaps, was he a worshipper of Light itself? She couldn't help but ponder, though she knew that such questions must wait. What truly mattered now was the undeniable fact: she had been saved by him. The reality of her situation had shifted dramatically—she vividly recalled the scorn she had thrown his way upon entering this dungeon.
"I'm sorry for how I spoke earlier. And thank you for saving me," she said, her voice softening with genuine gratitude.
Vyn was visibly taken aback by her sudden apology and her thanks. He understood the dynamics of the battlefield well. Despite their similar ages, the pride associated with strength was immense, and it was a rare feat for one to apologize, especially to someone perceived as weaker. Her easy admission of gratitude left him wondering if this was indeed the same woman who had so coolly rebuked him upon her arrival.
"No worries, I did what I had to survive. If the monster had gotten you, I'm certain I'd have been next," he replied, offering her a semblance of dignity. "Your injuries look severe; we need to get you treated," Vyn added, his eyes tracing the harsh line of a wound that had marred her once pristine white robe.
An idea sparked in his mind—a brilliant, daring thought. The system had hinted that the Light would respond to his will. Could it be possible to harness this light for more than just attack? The stories of those who worshipped the Celestial Light came flooding back to him; these devotees could manipulate the divine light to mimic various properties—for attack, defense, and even healing.
Inspired by these accounts, Vyn wondered: If the Boundless Light could indeed be shaped by his will, could he not also use it for healing as he had for attack?
"Stay still," he instructed, placing his palm gently over the gash on her abdomen. In his mind's eye, he envisioned the light weaving through her cells, knitting the torn flesh, mending the broken.
A brilliant glow emanated from his hand, enveloping the injury in a warm, luminous embrace. The girl's body tensed, startled by the sudden surge of light. She looked up at him, eyes wide with a mix of fear and wonder, but as she met his steady gaze, a flicker of trust passed between them.
The light bathed her wound in its radiant glow, yet as the seconds ticked by, it became painfully clear that the injury remained stark and raw as ever. Doubt crept into Vyn's heart, his confidence waning like the fading daylight. Was the system mocking him in this critical moment? It seemed all too likely, given the enigmatic nature of the system that had woven itself into his destiny.
'System…!' His mind called out in silent desperation, seeking guidance or perhaps an intervention from the System.
---
[Host understanding of the Boundless Light is too low to perform this action. Host intelligence stat is at abysmal numbers. Host is pathetic]
The system's response was instant, seizing the opportunity to mock him yet again. Vyn pondered whether the system was somehow programmed to derive joy from belittling him. It seemed to him that the system would probably malfunction and perish if it failed to ridicule him at least ten times a day!
[System advice to host: Read skill books and learn more about different world concepts to increase your intelligence stat. High intelligence is needed in dealing with the Boundless Light]
'Is it really that hard to explain without throwing insults?' Vyn snapped back, his frustration bubbling over. 'Why launch into insults instead of just explaining this earlier?'
He couldn't help but imagine the system smirking if it had a face, delighting in his annoyance.