I Hate Systems

Krrr!

Kuak!

Tchhhhch!

Arnark felt his stomach churn horribly, as if he had consumed food that had spoiled weeks ago. He had a migraine while the feeling of hundreds of ants running underneath his skin pervaded, growing gradually more irritable.

Thump! Thump!

His heartrate continued to a accelerate over time, the emotions complex, part anxiety, part anticipation, part expectation, and part fear. It was as if he had become a love-struck individual waiting for his crush, or the potential beloved to make an appearance.

The stronger this feeling got, the greater Arnark felt uneasy. After all, he was aware of the cause.

Compass Carburettor was growing stronger at an exponential pace. His qualities as a Main Character too were improving as a result.

This was why he, Arnark, the Main Character System was drawn towards Compass Carburettor. It was the nature of the Main Character System to appear within the body of the individual with the Main Character qualities.

This hadn't happened before on such a scale, for throughout history, there wasn't a Main Character on Arnark's level. The worthy ones that appeared only gained a fragment or two depending on their potential.

But the fact that his entire body was experiencing this meant one thing: Compass Carburettor, when compared to Arnark, in terms of being the Main Character…

Was about to eclipse.

The fact that the sensation was growing stronger and stronger meant that within a few days, Arnark, as an individual would be lose forever, his power transferring to Compass Carburettor who would become the worthiest Main Character in the multiverse.

"So, we just need to buy time and hold up for as long as possible…"

"Until Compass is done with his preparation…"

"When he arrives, we can retaliate."

He trained on his senses, having hidden sensory means through the attacks he had launched before, using them to spy on the conversation between Ying and Stencil.

Since the Systems would be able to easily interfere or comprehend instantly the information transmitted through a Mental Energy stream, Ying and Stencil were communicating physically by creating a simple string of air between the two through which their voices were transmitted.

Of course, being prepared, Arnark had long since tapped on their conversation, listening to everything that transpired as he stared at Ying in surprise, 'He gleaned the truth of this shoddy alliance with a simple glance. As expected of the legendary Adventure System. He might have lost all his powers, but his analysing capabilities are exemplary.'

He nodded in understanding, 'That makes sense as to why Compass and Stencil are so different from the rest.'

Arnark observed the actions of Zaira, Martial, Invader System, and Slayer, sighing, 'None are willing to deliver the killing blow to Stencil. She has been weakened to the extent a full-powered attack from any of us would be enough to kill her.'

'It seems none have realised that Compass is on the verge of attaining a higher state of being.' Arnark grinded his teeth a little in frustration as he calmed himself down, realising that only thanks to the pull he was feeling towards Compass Carburettor was he able to accurately sense the other party's growth.

"Guess I have no choice." His voice resounded through the void when suddenly, Stencil and group felt chills.

Boom!

'W-What happened?' Stencil was alarmed as she noticed that the time around her had paused, just as when a System intended to return to the System World. But the level of authority in this time stop was significantly higher, to the extent even she was unable to move.

Her eyes widened as she observed even entities the likes of Slayer struggling to move, their movement slower than a human grandma. The speed at which one could move in this state displayed the authority they held over time itself.

And, the enemies were greatly prepared in such a case. Slayer was still able to move like a human grandma. The Invader System was a tad slower while the Waning Essence System was even slower. Martial could still move at half his original speed while Zaira was unaffected.

Forming a sharp contrast, Earth Star and Ying were as still as a statue. Gehera was able to move her eyes to look around while Stencil could cause her fingers to twitch.

In such a precarious state, she realised in shock. She was staring at her body, one lacking the head. She had been decapitated, same for Gehera, Earth Star, and Ying.

In one attack, Arnark paused time and delivered the killing blow.

"Da…d…" A wheeze slipped through Stencil's mouth as her eyes light their light.

The quartet of Stencil, Gehera, Earth Star, and Ying lose their lives, just like that.

Zaira, Slayer, Martial, and the two Grade 3 Systems took a moment to realise what just happened, failing to understand just why Arnark had taken action so abruptly, when it was apparent just before this that he was the one that least wished to kill them.

Unfortunately, none had managed to react, too shocked when they realised the extent of authority Arnark had gained on the concept of time and space. His attack there had traversed space and time to kill their targets.

'Had he unleashed it on me, this body of mine would have been destroyed.' Martial thought solemnly, harbouring fear towards Arnark.

The same thought resounded in the minds of everyone as they stared at the figure of Arnark snap his finger as the bodies of the four targets disintegrated into nothing and vanished.

Though, despite having taken such a powerful action, Arnark's expression only paled in response, sensing his body flaring up excitedly to the extent even he was unable to control himself.

It was as if every particle that comprised him wished to leave him and become part of the approaching entity, a feeling that spiked to such an extent that the situation became too dangerous.

Arnark's actions made his Main Character nature take a minor hit, bridging the gap alarmingly close. Now, there was just a day's difference in development before he would be eclipsed as the Main Character.

With a solemn expression, Arnark stared at the space in their midst, muttering, "He's here."

Uncontrollable bloodlust driven by absolute insanity erupted at the location, rupturing the universe.