For a while, the system did not answer him.

The silence inside his mind stretched long enough that even Clay began feeling irritated again.

Meanwhile, outside, the Holy Knights remained standing quietly before him, not daring to interrupt after seeing the change in his mood.

Maid Cy also stayed silent.

Because she could already tell something important was happening inside his head.

Then finally—

[Ding.]

The familiar voice echoed calmly within his mind.

[The host has fulfilled the conditions.]

Clay immediately frowned internally.

Fulfilled what conditions?

The system answered almost immediately this time.

[The host may now personally hunt and attempt to kill the main character four times.]

The moment he heard that, Clay froze.

Completely.

His eyes widened slightly.

What?

Inside his head, his thoughts immediately exploded again.

Wait.

Wait wait wait.

What did you just say?

The system calmly repeated itself.

[The host may now hunt and attempt to kill the main character four times.]

[No backlash will occur during those attempts.]

Clay almost thought he heard wrong.

No backlash?

Seriously?

You mean I can actually attack the protagonist directly?

Without destiny suddenly trying to destroy me afterward?

The system answered calmly.

[Correct.]

That answer alone nearly stunned him.

Because from the very beginning, one thing had terrified him the most.

Fate.

The story itself.

The invisible force constantly trying to drag him toward becoming the ultimate villain from the dream.

That was why he kept avoiding conflict.

Why he kept trying to relax.

Why he kept trying to stay away from the main storyline.

Because he was terrified that the moment he directly opposed the protagonist, the entire world itself would start treating him like the destined villain.

Yet now—

The system was saying he could actually hunt Maxwell directly?

Inside his head, Clay immediately began questioning everything.

How?

Why?

That makes no sense.

Shouldn’t the story protect the main character?

Shouldn’t fate immediately punish me for trying?

The system responded calmly.

[Normally, yes.]

[However, the main character has already initiated hostility toward the host through his own will.]

Clay blinked.

His own will?

[Correct.]

[The main character independently identified the host as an enemy before the host attempted to interfere with him.]

[Therefore, the thread of fate surrounding the host has become unclear.]

Clay slowly processed those words.

Then his eyes widened slightly again.

Wait...

So because he came after me first...

The rules changed?

[Correct.]

The system’s voice remained emotionless.

[The main character has already chosen to oppose the host.]

[As a result, the host may retaliate without immediately becoming bound to the role of the destined villain.]

That explanation alone immediately made Clay’s breathing become slightly uneven.

Because if that was true—

Then this changed everything.

Everything.

Inside his head, countless thoughts rapidly began colliding together again.

No way.

So I can actually strike first now?

I can stop him before he becomes ridiculously overpowered?

And fate won’t instantly destroy me for it?

The system calmly answered.

[Up to four attempts.]

That instantly made Clay pause again.

Why four?

[That is the current limit before the host becomes deeply entangled in the main story.]

Clay’s brow twitched.

Deeply entangled?

[If the host exceeds the limit, fate will begin identifying the host as an active participant within the central conflict.]

[At that point, backlash will begin.]

His expression slowly became serious again.

Backlash how?

The system answered immediately.

[The host’s peaceful future will rapidly collapse.]

[The probability of becoming the central villain will rise sharply.]

[The main character’s fate will begin reacting aggressively toward the host.]

[Major events will naturally gather around the host.]

[Disasters, enemies, betrayals, and conflicts will increase.]

The more the system explained, the uglier Clay’s expression became.

Because honestly—

That sounded horrifying.

Absolutely horrifying.

It was literally the exact future he had been desperately trying to avoid.

Inside his head, he immediately asked again.

Then what if I only attack him once?

[Allowed.]

Twice?

[Allowed.]

Three times?

[Allowed.]

Four?

[Allowed.]

And the fifth?

This time, the system paused briefly before answering.

[The host will be dragged into the mud.]

Clay’s face twitched.

Dragged into the mud?

[The host will become inseparable from the main storyline.]

[At that point, even if the host wishes to avoid conflict, conflict will naturally seek the host.]

[The host’s existence will begin distorting fate itself.]

[The host will no longer remain a background existence.]

That explanation immediately made Clay feel a headache coming.

Because all he wanted—

All he genuinely wanted—

Was peace.

A peaceful life.

Sleeping.

Eating.

Relaxing.

Getting pampered occasionally.

That was enough.

Yet somehow—

The protagonist already decided he was the hidden mastermind behind the continent’s disasters.

Inside his head, Clay immediately questioned the system again.

Are you absolutely sure I won’t receive backlash if I target him now?

[Yes.]

Completely sure?

[Yes.]

What about indirect backlash?

[Minimal.]

What about destiny?

[Currently unstable.]

What about hidden fate threads?

[The main character initiated hostility first.]

What about future consequences?

[Manageable within four attempts.]

Clay still looked unconvinced internally.

You’re not tricking me, right?

The system remained silent for a moment.

Then—

[The system wishes for the host’s survival.]

That answer immediately made Clay suspicious again.

Why did that sound emotional?

[The system is merely stating facts.]

Clay narrowed his eyes slightly.

Inside his head, he still felt uneasy.

Because honestly—

This sounded too convenient.

Too good.

The protagonist suddenly targets him first.

Then suddenly the system says he can retaliate safely?

Something about it felt strange.

So naturally—

He continued asking questions.

Endlessly.

What counts as an attempt?

[A direct attempt to harm or kill the main character.]

What if I accidentally almost kill him?

[That still counts.]

What if someone else attacks him for me?

[Does not count.]

What if I only cripple him?

[Still counts if done with killing intent.]

What if he attacks me first during the encounter?

[The attempt still counts.]

What if I fail all four?

[The host should avoid direct hostility afterward.]

And if I ignore that advice?

The system answered immediately this time.

[The host will eventually drown in fate.]

That sentence alone immediately made Clay quiet again.

Because deep down—

He knew the system was not joking.

Meanwhile, outside in reality, the Holy Knights were becoming increasingly nervous.

Because Clay had remained silent for far too long now.

And the aura around him still felt heavy.

Cold.

Dangerous.

Frazanna carefully glanced at Maid Cy.

But even Maid Cy herself remained completely expressionless.

Inside her head though—

Young master is thinking very loudly again.

Finally, after a very long silence, Clay slowly exhaled internally.

Then—

A grin slowly appeared inside his mind.

Alright then.

If the protagonist already decided I’m the villain anyway...

Then maybe I should at least defend myself properly.

His eyes slowly narrowed.

System.

[Yes.]

I’ll do it.

For the first time since hearing Maxwell’s name earlier—

Something dangerous finally appeared inside Clay’s thoughts.

And the system immediately answered.

[The host is reminded.]

[You may only attempt it four times.]

[Otherwise...]

A brief pause followed.

Then the system finished calmly.

[You will be dragged into the mud.]

Clay’s brows slowly knitted together.

The more he listened to the system, the stranger the entire conversation became.

The gryphon beneath him moved calmly through the sky while the cold wind brushed against his face, yet Clay no longer paid attention to the scenery below. His thoughts were completely occupied by the words he had just heard.

He stared blankly ahead for a long moment.

Then finally—

"Wait."

His voice came out slower than before.

"Are you actually sure about this?"

The system did not answer immediately.

Clay narrowed his eyes.

"What if I really kill him?"

His expression gradually became more serious.

"What happens after that?"

The wind continued passing around him while Frazanna and the others remained below, still waiting quietly. None of them knew what was happening inside his head.

But inside Clay’s mind, questions were already exploding one after another.

"What if Maxwell dies?"

"What happens to the fate surrounding this world?"

"What happens to the story?"

"What happens to me?"

Clay swallowed slightly.

"And are you really sure fate won’t attack me afterward?"

The system finally responded.

"Yes."

Clay immediately frowned harder.

"That simple?"

"Yes."

"That’s it?"

"Yes."

Clay’s mouth twitched.

"You sound way too confident."

The system remained calm.

"The host currently possesses permission."

"Permission?"

"Yes."

Clay blinked.

"What kind of permission?"

"The permission to retaliate."

Clay stared ahead blankly.

Then his face slowly became strange.

"Retaliate..."

He repeated the word carefully.

Then suddenly his eyes widened a little.

"Wait."

He froze again.

Something finally clicked inside his head.

"Aren’t you defective?"

The system went silent.

Clay immediately pointed accusingly into the air as if the system were physically in front of him.

"Hey!"

"You are defective!"

"You literally admitted it yourself!"

"You said you had problems!"

"You said there were glitches!"

"You said the maid thing was a loophole!"

Clay’s expression became more suspicious the more he spoke.

"So why are you suddenly talking like some all knowing existence now?"

The system answered calmly.

"I may be defective."

"But the main role is not."

Clay’s face stiffened slightly.

"The main role..."

He slowly repeated those words.

Then his expression gradually became confused again.

"What does that even mean?"

The system answered.

"My main role is to help the host avoid fate backlash."

Clay froze.

For a few seconds, he genuinely forgot to breathe.

Then he pointed at himself.

"...Me?"

"Yes."

"You were made for me?"

"Yes."

Clay’s eyes widened even further.

"Wait."

"Hold on."

"No no no no no."

He immediately rubbed his forehead.

"Stop."

"You’re saying things that sound insane."

The system remained quiet.

Clay’s face twitched again.

"You were created to help me avoid fate backlash?"

"Yes."

"And you’re telling me this now?"

"Yes."

Clay stared blankly into space.

Then suddenly—

"Wait."

His entire body stiffened.

A horrifying realization slowly crawled into his head.

"...Created?"

His voice became quieter.

"I created you?"

"Yes."

Clay immediately looked horrified.

"What?!"

The gryphon beneath him almost reacted from the sudden shout.

Even Frazanna and the Holy Knights below looked upward in confusion.

But Clay no longer cared.

Inside his head, his thoughts were already turning chaotic.

"I created you?"

"When?!"

"How?!"

"Why would I create something like you?!"

The system answered calmly.

"I do not know."

Clay almost choked.

"You don’t know?!"

"Yes."

"You literally just said I created you!"

"Yes."

"And you don’t know how?!"

"Yes."

Clay looked like he was about to lose his mind.

"What kind of broken explanation is that?!"

The system replied in the same emotionless tone.

"I only know fragments."

"The host created me."

"My main role is to help the host avoid fate backlash."

"I was incomplete upon awakening."

"I possess missing functions."

"I possess damaged records."

"I possess corrupted memory sections."

Clay slowly lowered his hand from his forehead.

His expression became increasingly strange.

"So you’re telling me..."

He swallowed.

"...there’s a future version of me somewhere out there crazy enough to create a defective system?"

The system answered.

"Possibly."

Clay immediately spoke again.

"No."

"No no no."

"That’s impossible."

"Why would I even know how to create a system?"

The system replied calmly.

"The host currently does not know."

Clay’s mouth opened slightly.

Then closed again.

Then opened once more.

He suddenly felt a strange chill run across his body.

Everything about this situation felt wrong.

Too wrong.

The more answers he received, the more questions appeared.

Clay’s gaze slowly darkened.

"So there really is something bigger happening..."

The system remained silent.

Clay’s expression became ugly again.

"Then why are you helping me weaken myself?"

The system answered immediately.

"Because the host wished for peace."

Clay froze slightly.

The answer came too quickly.

Too naturally.

Almost like the system had repeated those words countless times before.

The wind continued blowing around him while his thoughts slowly became heavier.

Peace...

He slowly leaned back against the gryphon saddle.

His eyes narrowed faintly.

"...Did future me become tired?"

The system did not answer.

Clay immediately noticed that.

His face became even stranger.

"You know something."

Silence.

"You definitely know something."

Silence again.

Clay clicked his tongue.

"You’re terrible at hiding things."

The system finally spoke.

"I only know fragments."

Clay sighed deeply.

"...You keep repeating that."

"It is the truth."

Clay rubbed his face hard.

For some reason, the more he talked to the system, the more uneasy he became.

At first he thought everything was simple.

A peaceful life.

Avoid the plot.

Avoid fate.

Relax.

Sleep.

Eat.

Get stronger little by little.

That was all he wanted.

But now—

The main character was targeting him.

Rumors were spreading about him.

His maid might secretly be the villainess.

The system claimed he created it.

And now apparently he had permission from fate itself to hunt the main character.

Nothing about that sounded normal anymore.

Clay suddenly muttered quietly—

"...What kind of future did I come from?"

The system answered softly.

"A dangerous one."

Clay’s eyes slowly widened.

That was the first time the system answered something in that tone.

Not emotionless.

Not mechanical.

But almost...

Serious.

Clay slowly inhaled.

Then exhaled.

"...Great."

He looked up at the sky.

"So somehow I escaped one nightmare and walked into another one."

The system replied.

"The current situation is still manageable."

Clay almost laughed.

"Manageable?"

"Yes."

"The host currently possesses advantage."

Clay narrowed his eyes.

"Because Maxwell attacked me first?"

"Yes."

"And because he spread rumors?"

"Yes."

"And because fate recognizes him as the aggressor?"

"Yes."

Clay slowly became thoughtful again.

Then he suddenly asked—

"If I kill him during these four chances..."

His eyes narrowed further.

"...will fate really ignore me?"

"Yes."

"No punishment?"

"Yes."

"No backlash?"

"Yes."

"No sudden plot armor saving him?"

The system paused briefly.

Then answered—

"Not guaranteed."

Clay immediately looked horrified again.

"What do you mean not guaranteed?!"

"The host is allowed to attempt elimination."

"However..."

Clay’s face twitched.

"There’s a however."

"Yes."

"Of course there’s a however."

The system continued calmly.

"Main characters possess abnormal survivability."

Clay stared blankly ahead.

"...That sounds incredibly unfair."

"Yes."

Clay immediately pointed at the air again.

"Then what’s the point?!"

"The host possesses four opportunities without direct backlash."

Clay frowned.

"And after four?"

The system answered.

"The host will become involved."

Clay slowly became silent.

Then finally—

"...Involved."

"Yes."

Clay suddenly understood.

If he kept trying after fate considered the conflict resolved, then he himself would officially enter the story.

And once that happened—

Everything would become dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Clay’s face slowly became ugly.

"...So I only get four clean attempts."

"Yes."

"And after that, fate starts looking at me."

"Yes."

Clay sighed deeply.

For the first time in a while, he genuinely felt nervous.

This was not like dealing with beasts.

Not like fighting tribes.

Not like pretending to be lonely and overpowered.

This involved something much bigger.

Something he still did not fully understand.

He remained silent for a very long time.

Then finally—

"...Alright."

The system waited.

Clay slowly opened his eyes.

"I’ll do it."

His voice became calmer now.

More serious.

"If Maxwell already chose to come after me..."

He looked toward the distant horizon.

"...then I can’t just ignore him anymore."

The system answered.

"Correct."

Clay slowly nodded.

But then the system spoke once more.

"One warning."

Clay frowned.

"What now?"

"You only possess four opportunities."

Clay sighed tiredly.

"Yes yes, I know."

"If all four fail..."

The system’s voice became heavier.

"...the host will be dragged into the mud."

Clay’s expression slowly stiffened.

The atmosphere around him became quiet.

Even the wind suddenly felt colder.

"...Dragged into the mud."

He repeated the words softly.

And for some reason—

He did not like the sound of that at all.

"Stop repeating..."

Then his eyes glinted.

"I will hunt him then."