Natsuki Subaru leaned against a cold rock, the more he thought about it, the more complicated things seemed.
It was far more complex than the simple cheat for grinding monsters and leveling up that he had initially believed the System to be.
"Come to think of it, this Solo Leveling System I have is absurdly powerful to begin with."
Natsuki Subaru touched his chest. There was nothing physical there, yet he could clearly sense the System's existence.
"It can provide the energy needed to level up out of thin air and precisely open dungeon entrances for me to grind monsters. The entity behind it can't possibly be some ordinary character."
Just then, a cool breeze blew over, carrying a faint scent of sulfur.
"Hmm... the moon is out."
Natsuki Subaru subconsciously looked up at the sky and saw a blood-red moon slowly rising from the distant darkness, its edges glowing with a faint, dark red halo.
As the moon ascended, an eerie red light spilled across the land like flowing water, bathing the entire battlefield in a crimson glow. Even the scent of blood in the air seemed to grow stronger.
Then, Natsuki Subaru's gaze was suddenly drawn to the ground.
The corpses of the high-level demons he had slain earlier were turning transparent at a visible rate.
Their limbs began to dissipate first, dissolving into countless tiny, gray-glowing motes of light. Then came their torsos and heads. The motes multiplied, like a swarm of crushed fireflies, slowly ascending toward the blood-red moon before completely merging into the darkness, leaving not a single trace behind.
"It doesn't even leave a corpse?" Natsuki Subaru took two steps forward and bent down to examine the spot where the demon's body had vanished, finding the ground pristine.
"The rules of this world are really strict. It doesn't even allow a single piece of superfluous trash to remain."
Natsuki Subaru stood up, his reverence for this world deepening.
The stricter the rules, the stronger the control behind them. He would have to act even more cautiously.
Natsuki Subaru looked down again at the unconscious demon girl, Ashel, and thought to himself:
Since the System has a protective mechanism that makes Ashel faint whenever key information is involved...
questioning her further now would be a waste of effort. It's better to get the floor pass first.
However, the Demon Realm and the impending war Ashel mentioned are definitely important clues.
What kind of enemy could force the entire Demon Realm to prepare for battle?
"And the System deliberately cut off this topic... does that mean this enemy, the one the Demon Realm is bracing for, is not only connected to this Demon Castle but also has some secret link to the System I possess?"
Natsuki Subaru clenched his fists, committing these questions to memory.
"Then again, what is the purpose of this Solo Leveling System I have? Why did it choose me, of all people, an ordinary person from another world?"
Natsuki Subaru looked up at the sky, now completely consumed by the night, and his thoughts drifted far away, recalling the plot of the original story.
The Witch of Envy, Satella, had granted him the Authority of Return by Death. It was his exclusive cheat, his hope in desperate situations.
And Satella's reason for bestowing this power was direct and fervent.
She loved Natsuki Subaru deeply and couldn't bear to see him swept away by fate toward his death. She hoped he could use this power to break free from his shackles and live a good life.
"So, is my Solo Leveling System here for a similar reason?"
Natsuki Subaru subconsciously touched his chest. There was no mark there, yet he could clearly sense the System's existence.
"I can't figure it out."
Natsuki Subaru shook his head, quickly dismissing the thought.
The Witch of Envy Satella's love was tangible.
But his System had never shown any emotion; it was more like a cold program.
Perhaps the System was created by beings from a higher dimension,
like observers who exist beyond the rules of the world, treating him as an experiment to observe his growth across different worlds.
"Or maybe some incredibly powerful and bored entity sees me as a toy and specifically designed a playground like the Demon Castle just to watch me struggle to survive?"
These speculations flashed through his mind, but Natsuki Subaru didn't dare to dwell on them.
After all, there was no evidence; it would only create needless worry.
"Still, the fact that I've made it this far is indeed all thanks to the System."
Natsuki Subaru recalled his early days after being transported. When he first arrived in the world of 'Re:Zero,' he was just an ordinary high school student with no strength to speak of. Back then, facing Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter, he couldn't even protect himself.
It was the appearance of the System that gave him a clear direction.
The Daily Quests planned his growth, providing rewards upon completion. Killing monsters accumulated experience points, and leveling up simultaneously improved his physical stats and abilities.
Just like a game character, he was able to shed the label of a rookie, honing his skills bit by bit and gradually growing stronger.
Generally, the penalty for failing a System quest is annihilation.
But his System never made such threats. Instead, whenever he was in a predicament, it would issue combat quests, guiding him to overcome obstacles one step at a time.
From this perspective alone, the System seemed to be a benevolent entity.
It had never actively harmed him. And what truly supported him to this day, besides the System's assistance, was the perseverance to grit his teeth and get back up after every battle, and the resolve to never again lose those important to him.
"Emilia, Rem, Betty... It's precisely because I have people I want to protect that I can break my own limits time and time again."
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
Without the System, he might have been like the Natsuki Subaru from the original story, dying countless times and only able to start over again and again through Return by Death.
And each time, he would have had to face crises as an ordinary person.
Forget protecting those around him; he might not have even been able to keep himself alive.
Unlike now, with the System's enhancements, his strength had long since surpassed many others.
"Elsa Granhiert, Wilhelm, Julius, Roswaal... none of them are a match for me. As I am now, I can already rank among the echelon of the strong in this other world."
Natsuki Subaru mused internally.
More importantly, it was because of the System that he was able to successfully subjugate the White Whale, kill the Great Rabbit, and even eliminate the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Sloth.
In a sense, the fact that he was still alive and possessed such strength was entirely due to the path paved by the System, combined with his own hard-fought efforts every step of the way.
In short, the System's existence not only made him stronger but also gave him the ability to rewrite the fate of the original story and protect the people he wanted to protect.
"But, is the System really a benevolent entity?"
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but ask himself.
Undeniably, the System had indeed changed his destiny.
From not daring to even touch the hem of Elsa Granhiert's clothes when he first arrived, to being able to confront a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult head-on today.
From being powerless to do anything but watch his companions fall into crisis, to being able to personally subjugate the White Whale, kill the Great Rabbit, and protect the people he wanted to protect.
This growth was real. Every quest and every reward from the System was like a stepping stone, lifting him from the position of a rookie to that of a powerhouse.
Yet, the more this was the case, the stronger the unease in Natsuki Subaru's heart grew.
After all, was there truly no purpose behind this seemingly unconditional gift?
Could his growth just be a meticulously designed script by some unknown entity?
"I'm like a marionette, thinking I'm moving forward through my own efforts, when in reality, every step is under the other party's control."
This suspicion intensified, especially when he recalled what the demon girl, Ashel, had said earlier.
The Demon Realm she mentioned, the imminent war... none of it sounded like a fabricated lie.
But at the most critical moment, the System cut off the conversation, citing that the "information volume exceeded the permitted range," causing Ashel to fall unconscious immediately.
Why block information about the Demon Realm and the war?
Was it afraid he would know too much, or would that information shake the System's control over him?
Natsuki Subaru's mind was filled with questions.
"But... it's useless to think about this now."
Natsuki Subaru shook his head forcefully, trying to cast aside the chaotic thoughts.
He was well aware that with his current strength, he was in no position to contend with the System.
The System could easily block key information and provide hints when he was in danger; naturally, it also had the ability to impose restrictions if he lost control.
If the System truly held malicious intent, he wouldn't even have a chance to resist. Agonizing over this was just asking for trouble.
"It's better to focus on improving my strength for now." Natsuki Subaru clenched his fist, thinking,
"When I can break the System's information blockade, when I'm strong enough to control my own destiny."
"At that time, no matter what secrets this System hides, whether its intentions are good or evil, I will one day uncover its true face with my own hands!"
At this thought, the hesitation and confusion in Natsuki Subaru's eyes gradually faded, replaced by an increasingly resolute light.
........
Natsuki Subaru walked along the desolate roads of the 80th floor, surrounded by crumbling ruins. Only the sound of their two sets of footsteps echoed in the silence.
The blood-red moonlight spilled through the dilapidated dome, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
Behind him, the demon girl, Ashel, broke the silence in a small voice:
"I'm sorry... why did I suddenly pass out just now? My head still felt a little heavy when I woke up, but I can't remember anything."
Natsuki Subaru replied casually without turning back:
"Don't worry about it. Are you feeling okay now?"
It seems the System's information block is thorough; she doesn't even remember why she fainted.
"I'm fine now!" Ashel immediately quickened her pace to match Natsuki Subaru's, paused for two seconds, then asked again in a small, uncertain voice,
"Were... were you worried about me?"
"I guess you could say that."
Natsuki Subaru didn't overthink it and admitted it frankly.
After all, Ashel was the first intelligent demon he had met in the dungeon who could communicate normally. Not only did she know the whereabouts of the lower-floor permit, but she also held a lot of information about the Demon Realm.
Keeping her around would be very beneficial for clearing the Demon Castle later, so naturally, he paid her a little more attention.
"Lord Subaru..."
Ashel's trembling voice came from behind, the end of her words lilting upward with a hint of imperceptible joy.
Focused on observing his surroundings, Natsuki Subaru was completely unaware that the demon girl's cheeks were now bright red, even the tips of her ears were pink. Her eyes were filled with unconcealable delight, and her steps had become much lighter.
"Let's put that aside for now." Natsuki Subaru changed the subject, his gaze falling on a faint silhouette visible in the distance. He said slowly, "Are we almost at our destination? This floor's abandoned area is bigger than I expected."
"We're almost there! It's just ahead!"
Ashel walked up to Natsuki Subaru and pointed ahead.
In the dim light, the spire of a Gothic castle gradually came into focus. Its brick walls were covered in dark green vines, and a few scattered candlelights flickered in the tower at the top of the castle.
"Our Radir family lives in that castle. The transit permit is a scroll with silver edges. My father always keeps it locked in a secret compartment in his study. I know where it is!"
........
Pushing open the castle's heavy oak doors, the candles in the main hall flickered in response. Under the warm yellow light, the marble floor reflected their two figures.
Ashel's father, the demon noble Abak, was already waiting in the center of the hall. He wore a long black robe adorned with his family's crest, his hands clasped behind his back. His hawk-like gaze was fixed on Natsuki Subaru, who had just entered, his expression filled with astonishment and apprehension:
"Ashel, who in the world did you bring back? Can't you see? That man's shadow is hiding countless soldiers!"
As he spoke, Abak's body instinctively took half a step back.
As a demon noble who had lived for several centuries, his perception of mana far surpassed that of ordinary people. At this moment, he could clearly sense a dense, tide-like surge of mana flowing within the black shadows surrounding Natsuki Subaru.
That power was cold and heavy, like an invisible mountain pressing down on his heart, making it almost difficult for him to breathe.
Abak had only ever felt this kind of pressure when facing high-ranking demon lords. The person before him was far more powerful than he appeared.
"Hmm... quite perceptive."
Natsuki Subaru glanced at Abak with some surprise.
Being able to sense the Shadow Soldiers in his shadow meant the man's mana perception was indeed excellent, but that was all.
He glanced at the name above Abak's head. The words [Demon Noble Abak] glowed orange, a full tier lower than a red-level lord boss.
With his current strength as a Level 94 Shadow Monarch, if he were to actually fight, he could easily finish him in just a few rounds.
"If you used sweet words to deceive my daughter, thinking you could conquer my castle and plunder my family's treasures, then don't even think about leaving here alive!"
Abak took a sharp step forward, the hem of his black robe stirring without a wind, his voice suddenly rising.
CLANG—
As his voice fell, the side doors on both sides of the hall were thrown open, and a dozen demon knights in black armor filed out.
Their longswords were drawn, gleaming coldly as their tips all pointed at Natsuki Subaru, forming a tight encirclement.
"Hmph..."
Natsuki Subaru's eyes twitched slightly as he nonchalantly swept his gaze over the demon knights, his expression completely unfazed.
He could clearly perceive that the mana fluctuations of these demon knights were chaotic and weak. The strongest among them was only equivalent to around level 70, not even a match for his Shadow Soldiers.
If he were to fight, he would only need to release a wave of his Bloodlust skill to incapacitate these knights. As for killing them instantly, it would be as easy as lifting a finger.
_____
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