Horitake's next words caught the system completely off guard:
"System… you really won't betray me, will you?"
The doubt in his voice was palpable, spilling over like an overflowing cup.
The system seemed flustered, its tone laced with uncharacteristic panic:
"Please, Host, you have to believe me! The system would never harm you—we're bound together! Your success is mine, and your downfall is mine too!"
Horitake's face remained impassive. Calmly, through his thoughts, he replied:
"I'll buy that you won't betray me.
"But I hate being led around by the nose.
"System, I'm not an idiot. All those tasks you've issued? They look like predictions to help me succeed, but really, they're just you pulling my strings—forcing me to follow your script.
"Especially what happened in Kusatsu County last time.
"No task triggered, but everything was too convenient. Too perfectly timed. Too… inevitable.
"It felt like I was gliding along a prewritten script, smooth as silk."
After Horitake laid it all bare, the system was genuinely rattled—its panic was unmistakable:
"H-Host… I… I… Please, believe me! No matter what, I'd never harm you! That's absolute! You have to trust me!"
Its tone turned pleading, almost desperate.
Horitake's mental voice stayed cool and steady:
"Let me guess how your 'script' plays out next.
"According to your prediction: The brigand demons don't return, so Akaza deduces the headquarters' rough location.
"He recruits two Lower Ranks as backup, rallies over a hundred of his demon minions, and launches an assault tomorrow night.
"A massive battle is inevitable.
"Before that, just to be safe, I'll ask Oyakata-sama to evacuate the Corps' living forces and have the Ubuyashiki family pull out too—leaving an empty headquarters as the battlefield.
"During tomorrow night's clash, I charge ahead, lead from the front, and defeat—or even kill—Akaza.
"Task complete? Everyone lives happily ever after?
"No way in hell.
"Don't forget: Akaza is Muzan's most loyal dog—his favorite.
"If Akaza's in danger, on the brink of death, you think Muzan won't notice?
"Through Nakime's Blood Demon Art, Muzan either yanks Akaza back for a scolding… then storms in himself.
"Or he appears right then, saves Akaza, and wipes us all out!
"Either way, I end up facing Muzan.
"But by then, the Corps' forces are evacuated. I can urge Shinobu-neesan and Mitsuri to flee too.
"No more holding back—I go all out, fight to the death.
"I'll use my life to wound Muzan gravely… then die.
"But thanks to the Stand-In Doll, I preset a revival spot beforehand. I come back quietly, unseen by anyone.
"Muzan, meanwhile, thinks he's killed me for good.
"He's left with an empty headquarters—nothing else. No prize, no victory.
"He'll be furious, but fury won't help. Empty-handed, he slinks back to the Infinity Castle to lick his wounds.
"As for the evacuated Corps? When they hear of my 'sacrifice,' they'll be heartbroken. Their hatred for Muzan will boil over, fueling their rage and grief—making the whole group stronger.
"And me, revived?
"I can't just strut back into the Corps like nothing happened.
"But I can slip in secretly to Shinobu-neesan, Mitsuri, and Oyakata-sama.
"They'll be overjoyed.
"Then what? I go underground, become the Corps' sharpest hidden blade in the dark.
"Thanks to my 'heroic sacrifice,' my status and prestige among the higher-ups will rival Oyakata-sama's.
"When the time's right, I step out of the shadows, make an even bigger impact, and claim even greater renown.
"That's your script, right? You damn dog of a system!?"
The system fell silent in Horitake's mind, utterly speechless.
Horitake had nailed its entire plan—down to the tiniest detail.
Sensing its mute attention, Horitake pressed on:
"What a brilliant script! I'd applaud the plot myself!
"System, assuming you won't betray me… sometimes I think, yeah, following your script wouldn't be so bad.
"But sorry—not for me. I won't be led around. I refuse to be your puppet.
"That said, you're my cheat code. I owe a ton to your help—I'm grateful for that.
"I don't want to be controlled, but wasting your dedicated guidance? That'd be a shame."
The system's tone lit up with excitement: "Host, you mean…?"
"I mean, I'll follow your plan—but my way.
"I've got my own ideas, already taking shape in my head.
"Your plan as the base, my tweaks as the edge. It'll net me bigger gains, better aligned with my interests.
"Enough stalling, system.
"I'm grateful for the cheats.
"For all your help.
"I trust you won't betray me—I won't turn against you for it.
"But the days of you pulling my strings? They're over.
"Watch and see how this plays out."
With that, Horitake shut the system out.
It wanted to respond, but words failed it now.
The system's feelings were like those of a parent toward their child.
Parents would never harm their own. They map out the perfect path, wanting their kid to glide through life smoothly.
But one day, they realize with a jolt: the child has ideas of their own.
The child won't follow the script to the letter anymore. They want changes. They want to live for themselves.
Spotting that shift, a parent's heart swells with pride… and aches with bittersweet complexity.
That was exactly how the system felt about Horitake now.
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