My Childhood Friend Turned Yandere in the Apocalypse

Chapter 228: Ch 228: Best Course of Action

The humming this creature was letting out sounded familiar and nostalgic.

Rin knew that he had never heard anything like that before, but he still felt his body melting and the tension slipping out of it when he heard that haunting melody.

It was comforting, almost like a parent talking to a child and telling them that everything would be alright. But in his case, the parent was a huge sentient otherworldly creature.

"I must be losing my mind."

Rin complained before he sighed and looked toward the creature. He also took a step toward it, making the tree feel excited.

Rin had no idea how he could tell what that creature was feeling, but he knew that it was his responsibility to ensure that the creature remained happy and out of harm’s way. As a Prime Segment—

’What am I thinking? This was not normal. Did this thing take over my mind?’

Those thoughts of protecting this creature had not been his. It felt unsettling to know that his mind could be controlled by this creature whenever it wanted.

Luckily, it did not try to do anything similar once Rin broke through its illusion. But there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t happen again.

[Subject #00 Prime’s authority level has been reset. Please check for new access.]

[Control over the minor Apocalypse settings can now be exercised. Please gather the cores and complete your evolution.]

The message lingered in front of Rin’s eyes and he had a feeling he was starting to see what the system wanted from him.

From being dragged here to being given authority by the system...it was clear that he was being groomed to take over for this creature.

"Are you...trying to make me become the next you?"

Rin asked in a low voice but there was no answer. The silence felt like enough of an answer and Rin felt his heart sink deep into his chest.

It took a few seconds for Rin’s brain to catch up, but once it did, he started hyperventilating to get rid of the tension building up in his body.

"You want me to become you? Have you gone mad? I don’t want to become you. I have my own life to live and people I want to be with. I am a human—"

Rin suddenly went mute and the system window floated in front of his eyes.

[Subject #00 Prime was born for this purpose. It is a destiny he needs to fulfil.]

[The main host body does not have enough time left. A replacement will be needed soon. That’s why we asked human Molly K Jr. for help in exchange for compensation.]

[Subject #00 Prime has a choice to make—either become the new core, or become ash when this world comes to an end.]

"Heh-! Those are some fancy choices. Don’t I have a third one?"

Rin questioned and the screen quickly replied to him.

[For now, there is no one else compatible with the main body to take over. The system has been integrated into this world’s consciousness too deeply to be taken out without consequences. Would Subject #00 Prime like to risk it?]

[Based on the logical conclusion reached thus far, the best course of action for Subject #00 Prime is to cooperate with the system and take over when the time comes.]

There did not seem to be a way around this.

However, Rin did not want to become the host of this creature. He had a feeling his own individuality would get torn to shreds if he allowed that thing to take over.

Moreover, Kyle and his people were planning to take this thing down. Maybe they had a way to take it down without destroying the planet?

[Subject #00 Prime, please do not misunderstand. These are extreme measures in desperate times. The system does not wish for this world to end. So it is willing to make sacrifices to prolong its life.]

The system seemed rational and held not a single hint of malice or regret in its tone. It was clear that it was not a trap.

However, just because Rin understood and even saw things as they were, did not mean he was going to agree to have his life stripped away from him.

"I refuse! Find someone else to take over."

Rin knew that it was selfish on his part to refuse. But he truly wanted to live a life with the people he was currently with.

His only objective in this life had been to survive the apocalypse and live happily. And becoming a host for a foreign creature was not on his list.

[Subject #00 Prime, you do not have a choice. You were born for this purpose and you are the only person currently able to sprout the main body inside you. Do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a choice.]

[Your only option is to either cooperate or watch this world die. The companions you want to be with will also be affected by your choice.]

The system was logical and Rin knew deep down that it was right. The second he heard that the main body was integrated with this world, he already knew he could not let it die and allow this world to be destroyed.

But even if his choice had already been made, he wanted to try rebelling a little to see where it landed him.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to get him out of the clutches of the system.

"Fine. So, how much time do I have to collect these cores? And how many do I need to collect?"

Rin sighed and decided to cooperate this time. After all, even his people’s lives were on the line. There was no point in trying to remain stubborn.

[The number of cores needed to become an ideal host has been added to your KPI. The system will make sure to add various ways for you to get cores. So keep an eye out during the tasks.]

[Moreover, please trust the system. All it wants is for humanity to find a way to survive.]

Rin knew that already. The system wanted the human race to survive, but humans were the ones who made it all complicated.

Even the apocalypse had been caused by humans in the first place. This creature was just being used as well.

But knowing and understanding were different matters.