I Became A System

As they got deeper into the asymmetrical forest, with its slopes and slippery rocks, they finally found one Algae Lizard.

As the books describe it, it was slippery and green. There is slippery liquid covering its whole body and it crawls on all four as normal lizards do.

From the ranking, it is a D-rank monster. And even with Ellena's mere breath, she can take care of it.

"The quota is 5 per quest. Why don't we have fun?" Selena said with an amused grin hidden behind her lips.

Ellena's eyebrow raised and afterward a smile followed. "I see where you are going. Let's have a race!"

"So you get me too? Then, I will start with this." Selena said before dashing at an incredible speed towards the monster.

As she was already near the monster, she unsheathed her sword and quickly beheaded it as if it was merely a piece of bread to be cut.

"You got stronger!" Ellena said.

"Of course, I practiced a lot since the day you left. I won't lose to you again, you know."

And as Selena was still the same, I could see the competitive redhead in the past. Her hairstyle has changed since then, but what has remained the same is her determination.

"I won't lose, Selena." Ellena giggled, then dashed in the same direction, heading towards a monster that appeared.

For a moment, I have to feel pity for these lizards. They have become fodder and a prize for them. Well, at least that is what happens when their masters, the demons, create a space distortion to try to connect to this world.

Two hours later, Ellena and Selena came back to Thalia's side. While Thalia was still safe as they slew every monster that appeared, Thalia also killed a few monsters she got to touch and slam a rock at them.

It is not like how she described her ability. I think it was weakening as she only said she didn't know how she did it, killing her family.

Her ability right now is as the Pressure Aura of Ellena, but the downside was to touch the target. And after weakening her target, she killed it with a huge rock she could grab.

I think Thalia needs a dagger at her side. When we get back, I will try to suggest it to Ellena.

"How much did you kill?" Ellena asked Selena.

A smug face emerged on Selena's face as she rubbed her nose with her bent index finger.

"I got 53! Beat that! I also got one D-rank monster that is at the peak of the D-ranking!" Then she grabbed a grotesque rabbit with a red horn and dark legs. It was white, but the other features were just too ugly.

"That's...? What was it? Dark Legged Horn Rabbit. It's a long name, so I almost forgot it."

"That's right! What did you get? I mean, how many?" Selena then asked.

"I got..." She opened her palm to show 10 fingers.

"Only ten? What did you do to have that humiliating number?!"

"I think you misunderstood it. It's 10 tens, a hundred. "

Selena's jaw almost dropped as she gazed at Ellena's innocent face. Or she was consciously making it up.

"You're not joking, right?"

"I am not. Look." Then she dumped all of the materials from her Inventory.

"Wait! How did you do that?! That's Inventory, right?!" Selena asked in disbelief.

"It is. But I want to keep it as a secret."

Selena was just speechless and just nodded involuntarily, and it was followed with an awkward smile.

"You are becoming more mysterious, Ellena."

From what Selena makes it sound like, I find it hard to understand. What does she mean? Does it mean that she was trying to comprehend Ellena? If she does, it's futile.

However, if it is not, maybe she is trying to comprehend why Ellena is different from others. If she does notice something, why is she keeping it to herself?

Ah... Wait... I'm getting stupid. Ellena just showed an ability that I suppose only Mage Rune owners can do. It's getting off-topic, so she might be thinking why does Ellena have an ability like that.

I'm really getting more stupid. I tried to read every aura but forgot to think wisely and comprehend them. This sucks. I must change this habit. I didn't nag Ellena for showing Inventory... Lame...

"What do you mean mysterious?" Ellena asked, then she faced Thalia, who was just a few inches away from her. "Do I look strange?" she followed.

Thalia just shook her head and tilted it in confusion as Ellena and Selena's conversation continued.

Now that I look at Thalia for the nth time, she's timid and not easy to connect with. She is somewhat unique on her own, but sometimes when she shows her emotions, she can't handle them.

I remember in the village we stopped 3 days ago. When she saw the carriage getting surrounded, she immediately rushed and exclaimed at the bandits. And when I compare her to Ellena, she's also... uncomprehensive but not too much like Ellena.

Sighs... Why am I getting stupider? I hope that this will be the only time it happens.

Right. Right! Right?!

Ugh... Now let's forget about it. It's not a big thing.

"No... I don't mean like that. Somewhat, when I saw you earlier, you had a mysterious aura. That's why I didn't recognize you quickly."

Oh... So that was it? I thought of it largely.

"Ah... Plenty of things happened. And as for the Inventory, it was a secret."

"Even I can't know it?"

"Sadly..." Ellena paused for a moment and continued. "I can't tell it to you. I hope you understand."

Selena just laughed and tapped Ellena's shoulder. "Don't be. I can understand why you want it to be a secret. This world is full of unexpected abilities. I can't promise to protect it."

Now... Ellena's carelessness resulted in this. She was feeling guilty about what she said and the fact that she couldn't just tell any person about it. For Isabella, she barely knew Ellena's rune, so she couldn't consider that she knew Ellena's secret.

"I'm really sorry. Ugh... I was careless."

'She's my friend, right? I can trust her, right?'

Ellena, you are leaking your thoughts accidentally into our connection.

"You can't tell her. Also for her safety." I said, taking his attention.

Then, just after it, an idea came to her mind, smiling and faced back at Selena.

"Forget about it. I will introduce you to another person instead. It is Aaron, my... forever companion."

And just like that, Selena's expression became confused as to where she stood. Obviously, she can't see me, so I'll just let her feel my presence. Wow... Ellena's starting to disclose me. Yet, I can't complain about it.. Life sucks.