'So you mean you are the kind of system that steals the protagonist's opportunities, steals his harem, and even does evil things to them just to get points for your system shop?'
He narrowed his eyes slightly as he asked the question in his mind, his tone filled with suspicion and faint disgust.
The system answered without hesitation.
[Yes. Do you confirm to bind? Please confirm binding to obtain the newbie gift pack!]
So it really was that kind of system.
He clicked his tongue inwardly.
It looked like there was no way to obtain the newbie gift pack without binding first. A typical bait tactic—lure the host in with benefits before slowly tightening the leash.
Still…
He took a deep breath.
Then—
'But, I REFUSE!!!'
[Okay, confirm to—… W-Wait, do you mean to bind or not?]
For the first time, the system's mechanical tone faltered, as if it had encountered something completely unexpected.
The young man smirked faintly.
No worries.
He slowly stood up from his seat, straightened his posture, and struck a dramatic pose as if he were standing on a stage.
Then, with absolute confidence, he declared:
"One of the things I like the most… is to find people who think they're hot shit, and say 'NO' right to their faces!"
[!@#$%^&*#%^.... YOU THINK I DIDN'T KNOW JOJO????]
BZZZZT—
A sharp buzzing noise suddenly filled his ears. Static electricity crackled faintly in the air, making the hair on his arms stand on end.
It was as if the system itself had become enraged.
'Who cares?! I'll say it again—NO! Get out of my body and my spiritual sea!'
This time, his tone turned cold and resolute.
He no longer sounded like he was joking.
As a normal young man from the 21st century, raised with at least some degree of morality and common sense, how could he possibly accept becoming a villain like that?
Drugging people. Hypnotizing them. Manipulating others just for points.
It was disgusting.
He had read plenty of villain transmigration novels before.
At the start, the protagonists would always claim they had principles. That they wouldn't cross certain lines.
But what happened in the end?
Power corrupted them.
The temptation of rewards, abilities, and dominance slowly twisted their minds until they became no different from the villains they once despised.
Sure, taking opportunities before the protagonist—like grabbing an artifact early or forming connections first—that was understandable.
Even interfering with the protagonist directly?
Fine.
But going after innocent people?
Targeting the protagonist's mother, sisters, or mentors?
Using despicable methods like coercion, assault, or worse?
That crossed a line he would never accept.
Absolutely not.
[You!!! Are you telling me to get out!!!????]
The system's voice rose sharply, filled with anger and disbelief.
Normally, he wouldn't deliberately antagonize something as unknown and potentially dangerous as a system.
But this one?
A "Villain System"?
That was the worst kind. Worse from all of its kind.
The kind that dragged people into darkness step by step.
[You think saying NO will make me leave you!?!? Dream on!!!!]
[Confirm to BIND to host…]
[Binding Successful.]
'Grass!! @!^#$^&@#, you mud horse #%^@!^$—!'
He cursed instinctively, his face darkening.
And yet—
Despite his anger, his mind remained calm.
This outcome… was within expectations.
There was no way a system like this would simply leave after being rejected. Forcing a binding was practically standard behavior.
He had already prepared himself for this.
[Congratulations to the host for first-time binding!!!]
[Congratulations! You can now obtain the newbie gift pack!!]
[Opening gift pack… @#$%^*^% ERROR!!! Unknown interference detected!!!]
'Huh?'
Now that was unexpected.
His brows furrowed slightly.
What was the system doing now?
This… wasn't part of his prediction.
For a moment, he even suspected that the gift pack might be gone entirely. After all that was what he first thought.
[Opening… Gift pack opened!!]
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained: TACO, Smartphone, Crazy Person Language Proficiency.]
'Taco, smartphone, and what the hell is that last one?'
Before he could process it further—
[HAHAHA!!!! I might not be able to withhold giving you a newbie pack, but I can definitely change it into three trash items for you!!!]
'I see…'
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'So this system isn't completely omnipotent. It still has rules—like being forced to give a starter reward after binding.'
Even so…
The limitations clearly weren't very strict.
After all, it could still downgrade the rewards into complete garbage.
But still—
Why was a smartphone considered trash?
Tacos and weird language skills, fine. But a smartphone?
In a pre-WW2 parallel world, that should be insanely valuable.
[Hehehe… You think there's a mistake? Why don't you read the descriptions first???]
[TACO]
[Evaluation: Just a normal taco taken from an undead in some plane… Probably belonged to someone else… But you might die if you eat this, as the death aura could kill ordinary people!]
[Smartphone: Huawei P40 Lite 5G]
[Evaluation: Condition: 15% battery remaining with a cracked screen. Originally belonged to someone who transmigrated in the middle of the road.]
[The system has thoughtfully adjusted it so the host can access the internet from their previous life for one month (based on their previous data plan). However, with only 15% battery, the host will probably only be able to post one or two things before it dies. LOL.]
[Crazy Person Language Proficiency]
[Evaluation: The host can now communicate fluently with crazy people, even across multiverses and languages.]
[Please talk more with them, as the system believes the host may have some mental issues.]
[(With this, the host should be able to make more friends??? With other crazy people LOL.)]
With the system description, 2 objects jump out of space and land on the table in front of him and at the same time, a bunch of knowledge enters his mind.
Thankfully, this is a private room. If not, the appearance of these 2 objects out of thin air might attract unwanted attention.
'####### This system is truly beyond expectations!'
His fists trembled slightly.
A person might die standing, but he would never allow himself to be humiliated like this!
Look at these items!
Other people might get bad pulls like cola, potato chips, or instant noodles—but at least those were usable!
But this?!
The taco couldn't even be eaten without risking death.
The smartphone… was literally his own phone, returned to him in a broken state with a cruel joke attached.
And the "crazy person language proficiency"…?
That wasn't even subtle.
It was outright calling him insane!
No—
Worse.
It was helpfully giving him a way to communicate with other insane people.
"Tch… Do you think you've won, System?"
He spoke aloud this time, his voice low and steady.
[Hehe, of course not. But take a look at your first task… Then you'll understand.]
[Novice Task: Princess First]
[Description: Obtains the first time of the princess of the Everlight Kingdom within one week.]
[As the limited character for Version 1.6, it is up to you to get her before the protagonist!]
[(Although the protagonist will also never be able to do this, as it is a 12+ game.)]
[Reward: Stamina Booster x3 (to help the host last longer)]
[Failure Punishment: Soul Annihilation]
'x!@#$%^ System!!!!! YOU forced me into this!!!'
His expression twisted as he read the task.
This wasn't just difficult.
It was impossible.
Forget about completing it—just the gap between his identity and that of a princess made it absurd.
He was a disgraced noble, disowned and expelled.
She was royalty.
Even if he resorted to illegal means…
What then?
Capture? Execution? Public disgrace?
There was no winning outcome.
[What? If you don't do it, you die. There are plenty of others who can replace you! HAHAHAHA!]
The system grew more arrogant, its tone dripping with mockery.
But unlike other transmigrators who would panic or despair—
He remained calm.
Because there was one reason…
One crucial reason…
The reason for why he dared to confront this system.
"HEHEHE… You think this can force me???"
He let out a low, chilling laugh as his eyes turned cold.
[What? Instead of soul annihilation, would you prefer other punishments? Like your 'thing' becoming 1 cm shorter?]
The system sneered, clearly trying to provoke him.
After all, fear wasn't limited to death.
There was also social death.
Humiliation.
Loss of dignity.
It had countless ways to control a host—through greed, fear, vanity, lust, and pride.
But he simply shook his head.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Tsksksk… So arrogant."
He paused for a moment.
Then spoke slowly.
"…but have you ever heard of Code 404?"