NOVEL NEXT Chapter 322: Testing the System
"That was a satisfying meal," he said, standing up and pretending to shake off the remains from his body.
His mouth was still smeared with blood, so he wiped it off with his hand.
But instead of finding something to clean it like a normal person, he licked it, savoring the taste as if it were leftover nacho cheese.
"Yummy," he chuckled, savoring the sensation as his fingers touched his mouth. Her blood flowed through him, an addictive rush that he couldn't get enough of.
'If I had to compare it to another meat, it would be like the most expensive wagyu beef from my old world, and even that pales in comparison in terms of juiciness and fats.'
"Is it just me, or do people I hate taste better?" he wondered aloud.
"Maybe it's because of my race?" he asked. "System, is my tendency to eat humans because of that?"
He had always thought it was just a trait of being a monster, but now that the system could provide some information, he wanted to understand more.
But that wasn't the only reason he wanted to converse with the system casually; he also wanted to test how intelligent it was now.
The system had shown a level of authority that made him worry, and understanding its capabilities and autonomy was important.
[DING!]
[System: Negative. Your chosen race does not eat humans through their mouth because they do not have a stomach. They absorb vitality directly through touch and do not enjoy eating humans directly.]
Reign was stunned and did not expect that kind of answer.
"Then why do I find human meat so good?" he asked, curious about why it seemed like the finest delicacy in the world.
[DING!]
[System: It's all psychological. Host convinced yourself that it tastes good.]
"Wait, what? Of course not. You turned me into a monster, so that's why I like eating humans," he reasoned out.
[DING!]
[The system never gave host a mission to eat humans in the first place; host just assumed .]
"Don't twist it. You said eating humans increases my stats and EXP in the cemetery," he argued, feeling like the system was tricking him.
[DING!]
[The system only mentioned the benefits of eating humans after you had already eaten one.]
"I…" Reign was stunned. He began to recall the events, repeating them in his mind.
He remembered the first time he ate human meat. It was true that the system hadn't given him a mission back then.
Feeling hungry at that time and seeing himself as zombie-like, he had assumed that eating humans was necessary to satisfy his hunger like in the movies.
So when those grave robbers offered themselves to him, he simply saw it as an opportunity to feed. After that, the rest was history.
"Wait.. Don't tell me ?" he trailed off.
[Ding!]
[The system adjusted to the host's mental state at that time and concluded that, given the host's unstable psychological condition, eating humans was what you desired the most.]
"So, the reason I didn't evolve into a more human-like creature is because I want to eat humans of my own free will? You didn't do anything?" he asked, feeling confused.
[Ding!]
[System: Affirmative. The system concluded that the host suffers from various mental disorders and lacks the desire to mutate into a more human form. Because of this, the system offered a monster-like form and appearance to fit the host's broken and unstable personality.]
"But demons are supposed to be scary looking, right? That's why I look like this? " he asked.
[System: Intelligent and powerful demons are mostly attractive beings. Only low-level demons are scary and ugly because they are considered savages.]
"H— How about Demon Lords?"
[System: Demon Lords, are typically more attractive and charismatic.]
"What the hell!" he exclaimed.
He had been wondering why all the intelligent demons he met were good-looking. Even Aiku's original form could be considered a beauty.
Now, he finally realized that he was unique for still looking like a monster.
"Wait… Does this mean the reason I can't materialize skin on my face is because of my psychological condition?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
[System: Affirmative ]
"Then, can I have a human appearance if I really wanted to?"
[System: Affirmative ]
"Give me a human face!" he ordered.
If he could really get one on the go, it would be much more convenient than wearing a mask. Experience new tales on M V L
[System: Scanning host's psychological condition.]
Reign felt a warm sensation spreading through his body.
He focused on the type of face he wanted—a look similar to his past life but with a more mature appearance.
He pictured the features clearly in his mind, hoping that this concentration would guide the transformation process.
Seconds passed, and Reign touched his face, but it stayed the same cold, skull-like appearance he had before.
Even though he had focused hard on changing it, nothing happened.
"System, what happened ?"
[DING!]
[System: Host is still not qualified to have a human face.]
"What do you mean? You said I just had to want one!" he asked, his tone showing his frustration.
[DING!]
[System: Deep inside, host doesn't really want a human face. You harbor intense dislike and hatred for the human race, so the system cannot give you a face]
"What?" Reign paused for a moment, his frustration growing.
He had thought that just desiring a change would be enough. But the system's response made him question his own feelings.
He paced back and forth, trying to make sense of it.
"So, even if I wanted to look human, it's not just about wanting it. I have to actually accept the human race?"
The system didn't respond, leaving him to mull over the revelation.
The idea that his deep-seated feelings were blocking his transformation was both unsettling and frustrating.
"But how can I even accept them?" he wondered aloud. "I see them as food. It's one thing to call them delicious, but it's another to accept them as more than that."
Reign thought hard about this new information, feeling the weight of the system's words.
His view of humans as just food was deeply rooted, and changing that way of thinking was really tough for someone as set in their ways as he was.
"Maybe if I focus on interacting with them in a different way, I can change my perspective ?," he thought, trying to find a solution.
Just then, an image of Cyril's face flashed in his mind, and he immediately hit himself.
SLAP!
The sound echoed sharply, a loud crack against the hollow, bony surface of his face.
'Forget about her!' he scolded himself.
The reason he had come here in a hurry in the first place was to avoid her.
But now that the system had actually given him a chance to have a human face, he found himself getting sidetracked with strange ideas.
'Stop thinking about her,' he told himself firmly.
He couldn't afford distractions like this. If he let his emotions dictate his actions again, it would spell disaster.
Recalling how he always acted out of character whenever she was in danger filled him with disgust.
The thought of how he had behaved, driven by misplaced concern and emotion, made him feel like a total idiot.
'That's right, she will only hold me back... I don't need her.'