"Interesting."
I frowned slightly. "…What's interesting?"
The skull didn't answer immediately. The blue flames within its eye sockets flickered as it continued to stare at me, calm and unreadable.
Then it finally spoke.
"…Why should I let you stay here?"
I blinked. "…What?"
"Yes, you heard me correctly," the skull replied in an indifferent tone. "Why should I let you remain here?"
Its gaze never left me.
"You've already stayed in this cave for years. You've consumed its spirit herbs, absorbed its Qi, and even caused no small amount of trouble. Tell me... after taking so much from this place, why should I allow you to continue staying here?"
The question didn't carry anger or contempt. It sounded like something so obvious that it didn't even need an explanation.
I opened my mouth to answer.
...
Nothing came.
Then, without thinking, I spoke the only truth I had.
"…I don't know."
The words left my mouth far more quietly than I had expected.
What was I supposed to say?
I had entered this cave by pure luck. I had eaten its spirit herbs, absorbed its Qi, slept here for years, and now I was asking to remain here as though I had every right to.
Looking at it that way...
It really did sound shameless.
For a moment, I lowered my head, unable to find another answer.
The silence lingered between us before I slowly raised my head again.
"I don't know whether you'll let me stay or not," I said honestly. "I know what kind of situation I'm in. I can't even control my own body. That Qi Assimilation State could happen to me again at any time, and if it happens outside... I'll probably die before I even wake up."
A bitter smile escaped me.
"Maybe I'll become another beast's meal. Maybe some cultivator will find me first and turn me into nothing more than cultivation resources. I don't know."
I looked straight into the blue flames burning within the skull.
"But I don't want to accept that without even trying. If I'm going to die someday, then let it be because I wasn't strong enough... not because I never had the chance to become stronger."
I took a slow breath before lowering my head once more.
"So... if you'll allow it, please let me stay here."
The skull remained silent for a long moment, the blue flames within its eye sockets swaying gently.
"…Good."
I looked up in confusion.
"You understand your situation."
Its voice remained calm, without the slightest hint of sympathy.
"But understanding it changes nothing."
"In this world, nothing is free."
"You wish to remain here because leaving means death."
"So answer me this."
"If I allow you to stay... what does this place gain in return?"
The cave fell silent once more.
Before I could open my mouth, the skull continued.
"You need not answer."
"Because right now... you have nothing."
Another moment passed.
"Then prove that keeping you alive is more valuable than letting you leave."
I frowned.
"…How?"
The skull looked at me for a long moment before answering.
"First… learn to control that body of yours."
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. If I could do that, I wouldn't be standing here asking you to let me stay."
"Precisely," the skull replied without the slightest change in tone.That is why it is the first thing you must accomplish.A beast that cannot control its own body cannot control its own fate.
"If you cannot even command yourself, what makes you think you deserve to remain in this place?"
I lowered my head, my thoughts turning into a mess.
How am I supposed to make this damned body listen to me?
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded.
Other people awaken absurd talents, copy techniques after seeing them once, or get systems that practically hand them power on a silver platter.
And me?
I got a system that throws me into a years-long sleep whenever it feels like it.
What kind of cheat was this?
Every time that damned trait activated, I became completely helpless. If it happened outside this cave, I'd just be lying there... waiting for some beast to make me its next meal or for some cultivator to carve me up for resources.
Some blessing this turned out to be.
I let out a quiet sigh.
Still...
Complaining wasn't going to change anything.
The old man was right about one thing.
I didn't have another choice.
If there was even the slightest chance of taking control of this body, then I had to find it.
After all...
There had to be a way.
I slowly raised my head and met the blue flames once more.
"…I'll do it."
The words were quiet, yet firm.
"No matter how long it takes... I'll learn to control this body."
The skull didn't answer.
It simply continued to watch me in silence.
Hmph...
Such determination from a little brat.
Only moments ago, he had spoken of death as though it were inevitable. Yet now, despite knowing how hopeless his situation truly was, he still chose to struggle against it.
Whether it was courage, Or merely foolishness, Only time would decide.
A faint sigh escaped the ancient guardian.
He still has a long road ahead.
Controlling his own body is only the beginning. Compared to what awaits him in the future... this is insignificant.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the depths of the cave.
Of all the beings in this world... why did it choose this sleepy little brat?
Even after all these years, he still couldn't understand.
His expression gradually turned solemn.
Hopefully... no one else noticed.
But that breakthrough...A five-year Qi Assimilation...
Even hidden beneath this cave's concealment, such a disturbance was impossible to erase completely.
To forcibly assimilate that much Qi... it was already an act that challenged the natural order.
If even one of those old monsters sensed a trace of it...
The blue flames flickered once.
...then this peaceful place will not remain peaceful for much longer.