Chapter 85: The Fake System!

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Ha! Bubble teapot indeed!

Leo instantly realized he had been fooled.

Ever since he entered the Atrium, this so-called system had been acting oddly, with erratic task updates and an anxious tone that betrayed its true nature.

But who wouldn’t want a system at their side?

Deep down, Leo still wished the other truly was a system—even an unreliable one would do.

Yet, faced with the truth, disappointment engulfed him. He shouted angrily, “You liar!”

“Hehe.”

“So, you’re not a system at all. What are you then?”

“A ghost? Ah! I’ve heard humans turn into ghosts after death. But what about me? I suppose I’m a little spirit. But I have no life; perhaps you could call me a spirit ghost.”

Master Bobak’s gentle voice interceded, “Ael didn’t exactly deceive you. She is a sort of system—specifically, the Atrium’s system.”

“The Atrium isn’t merely a city. Its heart is a complete alchemical construct, responsible for all arcane devices. Ael is the control system of this construct.”

“Over a thousand years ago, Lord Chisael built the Atrium and created Ael. Though the Atrium was sealed, its core—like any living thing—would die if it stopped functioning, so it merely entered a dormant state.”

“The Thunder Clan of the Bearfolk volunteered to remain as guardians, while Ael continued to oversee the Atrium’s operation.”

As Master Bobak spoke, Leo finally understood Ael’s true nature.

She was, in essence, an artificial intelligence overseeing the city. When the Atrium was sealed, most of its functions went dormant, but some arcane devices still required maintenance, and Ael was responsible for monitoring them.

Moreover, this ancient druid’s alchemical creation possessed formidable soul power, able to easily probe Leo’s thoughts, invade his mind, and even block Bobak’s soul link.

The so-called ‘civilization system’ was merely a façade constructed from Leo’s subconscious desires and lingering memories.

“I only wanted to help Valheil repel the orcs! And I happened to find you!”

You didn’t just want me to repel the orcs—you tried to get me to ambush Freya!

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With her identity exposed, Ael’s voice grew lively. “Bobak, his soul is fascinating! Artificial intelligence—is that what I am?”

“Ael,” Bobak sighed softly, as if reproaching a mischievous junior. “Do not pry into people’s hearts so freely.”

As he spoke, a powerful mental force enveloped Leo’s soul, granting him a sudden sense of security—the unsettling feeling of being seen through vanished completely.

Leo thought, “I suppose Master Bobak could easily probe my mind and memories, but this kindhearted elder chooses not to.”

The realization deepened Leo’s respect for Bobak, and heightened his awe of the master’s mysterious strength.

Such extraordinary and supernatural spiritual power was far beyond mere mortals.

The gap between the extraordinary and the saintly is vast—three tiers and nine levels apart.

Though these three tiers and nine levels are called the ‘extraordinary,’ with broken bodily limits, enhanced traits, and greatly extended lifespans, they are still flesh and blood.

Low ranks can be killed by a single arrow; even high ranks may not possess such wondrous abilities.

This Bobak, whose only possession was a beast-hide shorts, so unassuming—could he already be at the saintly tier?

Turning back, Leo saw his companions setting up camp on the riverbank. He called, “Hey! Fake system! I’ve completed the task. Shouldn’t you let my companions in now?”

“System prompt: The big dumb bear wasn’t fed any fish, so your task isn’t complete!”

Leo retorted, “There aren’t any fish in this lake!”

Unexpectedly, Ael grew angrier. She shouted, “There used to be! But that gluttonous bear ate them all!”

Her voice quivered with a hint of tears and grievance, “I’m a lonely little spirit who’s lived here for a thousand years. It took me ages to raise some fish, watching them grow day by day—they were my precious babies! I gave each one a name, and now the big dumb bear has eaten every single one!”

Her tone was so mournful and sorrowful that even Leo felt a pang of sympathy. He turned and glared at Freya, “Didn’t you say you hadn’t eaten in ages?”

Freya feigned ignorance, “Huh? Fish counts? But it’s fish!”

Leo finally understood why Ael harbored such resentment towards Freya. In her time here, Freya must have ruined much of Ael’s belongings.

Just then, Master Bobak spoke, “Ael, let them in. Consider it compensation for teasing Leo.”

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After a moment, Ael’s voice came, unwilling but resigned: “Ding! Your companions have unlocked Atrium access privileges.”

Leo led the still wildly shaking, dripping Freya back, whispering, “Your master’s got quite the authority—even Atrium’s system listens to him.”

Freya beamed with pride. “My teacher is the Grand Druid! Guardian of the Forest of Thrashiel! Leader of the Wild Faith!”

She pondered a moment, then compared, “Hmm, if Lord Chisael is a grand duke of the human kingdoms, then my teacher’s like your Pope.”

Uh… best not to imagine, best not to imagine.

Leo tried to picture it, only to find he simply couldn’t.

On the riverbank outside the waterfall, the adventurer party was preparing to camp and await Leo’s news, when suddenly they saw him emerge again from the veil of water.

Trailing behind was a huge, soaking wet groundhog.

Seasoned adventurers could easily identify the species of this magical beast.

Leo dodged Freya’s deliberate splashes, spread his arms wide, and called out, “My friends! Welcome to the Atrium!”

Guided by Leo, the party finally passed through the waterfall’s curtain and crossed the magical barrier.

Even Leo, well-versed in films, television, and literature, was deeply struck by the Atrium’s breathtaking beauty. As for these natives from another world, they were like medieval bumpkins, wholly unprepared for such a sight.

The Atrium might not be the grandest city, but it was the creation of the ancient druid Chisael—an embodiment of his pursuit of life’s ideals.

Every statue, every corner, every district strove for refinement, perfection, and the comfort elves longed for.

The entire city, built along the mountainside in harmonious tiers, was suffused with elven artistry and the beauty of nature’s balance.

They crossed Moon Lake and Moon Gate, entered the Atrium, and followed the avenue up the mountainside.