"I'm happy that you're at least good for something, Shin. You're not entirely useless after all."
Arlo scanned every corner of the abandoned shrine that Shin had managed to find for the power draw. The shrine, hidden deep within the woods a short distance from the city of Asakusa, looked perfect. White shimenawa papers in zigzag patterns fluttered in the breeze that blew through the dense forest. Though it was daytime, very little sunlight pierced through the thick canopy, casting an ominous glow over the shrine. The eerie setting made it clear why people avoided this place at all costs.
[Do NOT call me that,] the system replied in Arlo's mind, clearly offended by the nickname.
"Eh, why? It's a good name. Or would you prefer 'Chin' instead?"
[If you must know, the name given to me by the universe is BJ4367_S,] the system declared proudly, expecting awe and admiration from Arlo.
Instead, an awkward silence followed. Arlo looked at the system with a blank expression.
"So, Shin, how did you manage to scan such a large area in such a short time?" Arlo finally asked, ignoring the earlier conversation.
[YOU DAM-]
"Can you also scan for life forms in the area?" Arlo interrupted, feigning amazement.
[Wait a damn minu-]
"You're more amazing than I gave you credit for," Arlo interrupted again, this time with a compliment. The system's anger cooled a bit at the praise.
[Tsk, fine. I'll let it go this time.]
An awkward smile crept onto Arlo's face as he realized how easily the system could be appeased. 'Systems aren't really a smart lot, huh?' he mused to himself, relieved the system couldn't hear his thoughts.
[I can only scan an area of 500 meters for now, and yes, I can detect life forms, but not stronger ones or those skilled in stealth.] Arlo's smile faded, and he started looking around, suddenly alert.
"Hey, what the hell? What if there was a strong life form around here?" he said, eyeing the sinister-looking shrine they were in—a perfect hideout for a demon.
[Ah... that...] The system's panel blinked, as though it had just remembered something crucial.
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*Creak...* The sound of wood groaning under some unknown weight echoed through the dark shrine. Arlo's face paled, and he immediately started running out of the shrine, disturbing the eerie silence.
To a regular person, his reaction might have seemed odd. But any member of the Demon Slayer Corps would have done the same—except those confident in their strength.
"I thought you were my companion, not my enemy!" Arlo muttered under his breath, though the system could clearly hear him.
[Well, don't blame me. Who would've thought a strong demon like this would be so close to a large city?] the system replied defensively.
"Shut up and come up with a solution to this mess you've caused!" Arlo yelled, not caring if he alerted the demon chasing him. 'Tsk, damn baldie, why'd you have to bring me back in this cursed body? Do I have to exercise again just to get back into shape?' he thought angrily, eyeing his own out-of-shape belly as he ran, panting with each step.
[Let's spin the wheel,] the system suggested after a moment of contemplation, unable to think of a better plan.
"Ki...ki...ki..." The demon finally emerged from the shrine's shadows—a black-skinned, thin creature with elongated claws, lunging at the back of the fat man.
Despite his size, Arlo—drawing on his experience from his one-and-a-half lives—managed to duck just in time, narrowly avoiding the demon's claws. Surprised but undeterred, the demon lunged again, faster than before.
"SPIN THE WHEEL! SPIN THE WHEEL!" Arlo screamed, watching the demon's claws come dangerously close to his throat.
[Activating the power draw wheel.] With the system's announcement, the demon froze mid-air, as though time itself had stopped.
Arlo gasped, taking in the sight of the demon's suspended claws inches from his face. Without a second thought, he crawled backward and stood up, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
[That... was close,] the system said, echoing Arlo's own relief.
"So, dear Shin..." Arlo's voice was calm, but his expression was anything but. A bead of cold sweat formed on the system's nonexistent neck as it noticed Arlo's unsettling smile.
[M-Master Arlo... please... calm down...] the system stammered, backing away mentally, if not physically.
"Oh, I'm perfectly calm, Shin," Arlo replied in an eerily calm tone, stepping toward the system, his eyes cold.
The system felt an increasing dread, knowing it had seriously messed up.
"Please, enlighten me, Shin," Arlo continued, his tone icy, "why did we come to this shrine if time stops when we spin the wheel?"
At that, the system remembered its earlier words back in Asakusa.
[Please... Master Arlo... it was... my first time doing this too.]
"Oh, really? First time? Then why didn't you mention that earlier?" Arlo's anger spiked, making the already frightened system shudder even more.
And so, the two unlikely companions continued their "peaceful" conversation in the time-stopped shrine, with no interruptions in sight.