[Furthermore, if not for saving a certain clueless host who insisted on going toe-to-toe with the version's final boss and nearly got reduced to his molecular components, would this system have overdrafted its core energy?]
"Hey! You're the one with attitude now?!" Cloud wasn't having it. "During the Rugal fight, who was it that dropped the ball at the crucial moment, struggling just to plunder a bloodline? If I hadn't used reverse psychology to motivate you, you probably would've formatted yourself on the spot!"
[...]The system fell silent.
[...That was an anomaly.] After a long pause, it finally squeezed out a completely unconvincing excuse.
[Anyway, Host, this reboot not only fixed all bugs but also included an epic version update. Now, please allow this system to present the post-battle summary that was delayed due to the previous crash.]
Without waiting for Cloud's agreement, a flood of system notifications poured into his mind like scrolling comments, overwhelming his consciousness.
[Ding! Detected emotional fluctuation toward you from target Aoi Kusanagi (High-Potential Bond Character)...]
[Current Affection: +50 (Cloud-ge is so cool! Cloud-ge is so strong! Cloud-ge is the best in the world! I want Cloud-ge to hold me!)]
"..." Cloud stared at that "thirsty" affection note and felt his temples throbbing.
Girls these days... are this direct?
[Ding! Detected emotional fluctuation toward you from target Mai Shiranui (Core Bond Character)...]
[Current Affection: 105/100 (Overflow)]
[Status: Completely fallen, heart secretly given, utterly devoted.]
[System's Friendly Reminder: Host, stop being a saint. Be a beast instead. What are you waiting for? For her to bear your children and inherit your credit card debt? Go for it!]
"Pfft—"
Cloud nearly spat blood.
Good grief! A system that's hornier than me?! You even know about credit card debt?!
Did you secretly download something inappropriate during this update?!
"Ahem... um... Cloud, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
Mai, who was applying sunscreen for him, looked curiously at his face—which had suddenly turned the color of a boiled shrimp.
Her soft fingertips, cool with sunscreen, traced across Cloud's firm abs, sending shivers through him—whether intentional or not.
"N-nothing!" Cloud's face burned. He felt like he might "spontaneously combust." "Just... it's a bit hot, yeah, the weather's hot."
[Ding! System Final Warning! Detected that mysterious figure Mature appeared near the battlefield during the last battle!]
[Identity: One of the Eight Elite of the Divine Tribe!]
[Danger Level: SS+ (Extremely Dangerous! Beyond current Host's capability to handle!)]
[Bond Potential: ??? (Cannot be estimated)]
[Special Note: Host, though she's very beautiful, very sexy, and looks quite... "moist," please control your lower half! This woman is a poisonous rose you cannot afford to provoke! Simps who simp to the end get nothing—simp for her and you might lose your life! The best strategy is to make HER simp for YOU!]
"Mature..."
Cloud's heart clenched.
He remembered what Geese had said before dying.
It seemed the new storm really was... coming.
"Hey, System!" Cloud suddenly remembered a crucial question. "That Orochi power sealed inside me—how's it doing now? I feel like... it's getting a bit restless."
Since the last battle, he'd occasionally sense that sealed power within him leaking faint traces of cold, violent aura, affecting his mind.
Though subtle, it was unmistakably real.
[Host, you've finally asked the right question.]For the first time, the system's voice turned utterly serious.
[Orochi's power is one of the root-level forces of this world. It represents chaos and destruction. Though you've fused with part of it, you're fundamentally still human. It's like making a three-year-old swing a hundred-pound dragon-slaying sword.]
[You cannot control it.]
[Currently, this system is forcibly sealing it. But as your own strength grows, that seal will weaken. Once it fully erupts, you face only two outcomes.]
[One: Get devoured by its massive negative will and become a mindless destroyer.]
[Two: Your body can't handle the power, causing complete genetic-level collapse, reducing you to... a puddle of protein.]
"What the hell?! That serious?!" Cloud was startled. "What do I do?! Don't you have some one-click uninstall or permanent seal function?!"
[No.]The system's answer was crisp. [It's easy to invite a god, hard to send one away. This power has already bonded with your soul. The only solution is to... completely master it!]
[Host, you must rapidly increase your strength and realm! Only when your vessel is strong enough can it contain this divine power!]
Hearing the system's grave warning, Cloud's "retirement and relaxation" mindset evaporated instantly.
He now understood there was a "nuclear bomb" hanging over his head—one that could detonate at any moment.
Get stronger!
Must... get stronger, fast!
...
While Cloud was having this "friendly" chat with his system, a girls' "tea party" was also underway.
"Mai-neesan, look—Lord Cloud is spacing out again. He must be thinking about how to get stronger, how to better protect us, right? He's so... responsible!"
Aoi Kusanagi, the little princess of the Kusanagi clan, rested her chin in her hands, gazing at Cloud with lovestruck eyes, little stars of adoration sparkling within.
...
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