My Childhood Friend Turned Yandere in the Apocalypse

Chapter 272: Ch 272: You won’t wake up

[Rookie, how can you doubt the system’s pure intentions toward you? The system is the only one who’s on your side unconditionally. Would you like some proof of my sincerity?]

"There is no need for that. I already know that you are on my side and are sincere. But that does not mean your sincerity will necessarily be helpful to me."

Rin pointed out, and the system seemed to sulk at his doubts.

[(˶˃⤙˂˶)]

[This is not fair! All this senior has ever done is help you, yet you still doubt me? Then I won’t help you in the future—]

"Now, don’t be so dramatic. I collected these cores because you asked me to, right? I am going to take them now."

Rin told the system, not wanting to lose its assistance.

As much as he was starting to suspect the system of being up to no good, it was also true that it was the only thing keeping him alive and well. That was why Rin could not afford to lose it.

[The system will forgive you this time. But only because I have a big heart. Now, consume the cores and have sweet dreams.]

The system spoke before Rin swallowed the two new cores in his possession.

Sleep immediately overtook him, and he closed his eyes.

’It’s a good thing I told the others not to worry about me and that I would be out for a while. Otherwise, I have a feeling they might have panicked if they saw me...’

Rin’s eyes finally closed, and he felt his consciousness being tugged away.

The next time he opened his eyes, he was standing in front of that beautiful optic tree-like creature he had seen before.

He was standing before the system’s main body.

...

[Connecting to Subject #00. Checking progress. Body and mind synchronization progress: 90%.]

[Once synchronization reaches 100%, Subject #00 can be used as a host by the system and will lose all individuality.]

[Subject #00 has no say in this matter. The system’s will is final.]

"Huh? What the hell is this..."

Rin looked at the system message log with a conflicted expression.

He could understand what it said, but not what it meant.

"What do you mean I will be used as a host? Does my will not matter?"

Rin asked, and the system paused before it started computing again.

[Individuality detected. No segment is allowed to possess individual will.]

[Purge in progress.]

[Memory deletion will begin in 5...4...3...2...1...]

[Error detected. Subject #00 possesses an exceptionally strong will. Personality override canceled.]

[The system will attempt to reboot.]

Rin suddenly felt a sharp pain erupt inside his head, and he clutched it as he dropped to his knees. It felt as though someone was driving needles into his mind, trying to empty it.

"Stop it! I am...not your puppet. I won’t bow to you."

Rin growled as he kept one hand on his head, rubbing it in a desperate attempt to ease the pain. After a while, it gradually subsided, and he checked the digital logs once more.

[Subject #00 is showing resistance. Rechecking synchronization level.]

[Synchronization level: 90%.]

[The system will attempt another reboot within the subject and check for a hostile takeover.]

The pain eased for only a few seconds before returning. Rin felt his mind go blank for a moment before he sensed another presence inside his head.

[Establishing connection... Successful. Data transfer will begin in 1 day. Estimated time required for complete transfer: 100 days.]

[All traces of individuality will be eliminated once data transfer is complete. The host personality will be erased.]

The system was a bastard without any emotions, and it was brutally blunt. It was telling Rin exactly what it intended to do to him.

It sounded terrifying, but Rin was not going to give in so easily.

"Tsk, you think I’ll allow you to take over my body and mind? Then think again, you idiot! I’m not going to give up."

Rin yelled, and the space around him started to break apart.

[Individual will is not required. Subject #00 will be purged and converted into a perfect host. It is only a matter of time.]

The space disappeared after those ominous words faded away, and Rin woke up clutching his chest.

He immediately grabbed the clock beside his bed to check the date and time.

"Two days? I slept for two days?"

Rin tried moving his body, but it showed no signs that he had been asleep for that long. Still, he doubted the clock on his bedside table was wrong.

"I should head out and check with the others to see what happened while I was asleep."

Rin forced himself to stand up and walked outside, where the others were waiting for him.

Shelly noticed him first and waved for him to join her. She looked relieved to see him up and about.

"Are you done resting? You told us not to disturb you two days ago, so no one came near your room. How are you feeling now?"

Shelly asked, and Rin quickly tried to reassure her.

"I am feeling fine...for the most part. I didn’t even realize how much I needed that rest until my head hit the pillow."

"Then you should have taken my advice and rested more often. There is no point in exhausting yourself like this."

Reina pointed out as she sat beside Rin. She looked far more exhausted than before, but there was a happy smile on her face.

"Did something good happen, Reina?"

Rin asked, and Reina immediately answered him.

"We got more people interested in volunteering at the medical wing. I think our staffing problem is finally resolved."

"That’s nice."

Rin told Reina, and she let out a sigh before turning to look at him with concern.

"Hey, Rin, are you sure you’re alright? Is something going on with you? It’s not that anything is wrong... You just feel...a little distant. That’s all..."

Reina looked genuinely worried and that made Rin feel sorry for her.