I slumped back against the Italian leather seat. The silence inside the limousine weighed far heavier than the noise outside. I tried to calm myself, closing my eyes for a second, but it was useless; my mood only kept getting worse.

  —Tell me something, "bastard system" —I thought, a vein bulging on my temple— that purple cloud… what exactly does it mean?

  The system, which had been bragging just seconds ago, fell completely silent.

  —I'm not going to get angry, so speak. Tell me at once —I urged mentally, forcing a smile.

  「 T-this…! Well… You see, Master… purple is a very… nice color? Yes, that's it! It's a limited edition tone! Very few have the privilege of carrying such an… extravagant aesthetic above their heads. 」

  I narrowed my eyes. The vein on my temple throbbed harder and harder.

  —Explain yourself!! —I demanded, my tone dry and sharp.

  「 Hiii! (＞﹏＜) What a temper! It's just that… let's see, how to put this without sounding bad? Well… The world is made up of individuals with different fortunes, some more than others, and in every reality there is at least one "favored child." The greater one's affinity with the world, the purer the aura that surrounds them becomes. 」

  It paused, as if carefully choosing its next words so as not to be disconnected.

  「 To put it bluntly: the closer you are to the world's favor, the clearer your fortune value. In that sense… you are not exactly the favorite. (′ー`A;) … But look on the bright side, Master! It's a color that perfectly matches your suit! 」

  Stolen novel; please report.

  A cold shiver ran down my spine.

  ?…So that means that no matter what I do, I'm destined to die miserably??

  「 Y-yes.. 」

  "He… he"

  「 ?????? 」

  ?Damn it, what the hell! Bastard system! Why did I get stuck with this son of a b!tch!? Others transmigrate and obtain the best treasures, the favor of goddesses and enviable luck, but I was left with this sh!t! Why don't you just go to h—?!?

  「 P-please, Master, stop! Stop scolding! 」

  ?Bastard… #$%!? I continued, unloading every curse I knew.

  「 S-stop! Stop the insults, Master! The truth is that… I was joking a little. (T﹏T) 」

  —Eh? Joking? —I replied mentally.

  I felt my fury drain rapidly, replaced by disbelief. If the system had had a physical body, I would have strangled it right there.

  「 …Listen carefully, Master! If the Host wishes to survive, he cannot rely on the charity of fate! That is for losers! Instead, you must accumulate "Points of Greatness" by stealing the Luck Value of those blessed by this world. 」

  The system's tone became sharper; I could almost hear an insidious voice seeping into my mind.

  「 "By stripping them of their fortune and sabotaging their perfect destinies, you will be able to claim those points for yourself. It is the only way to cleanse that purple stain above your head and rewrite your ending." 」

  "Are you serious…? I have always been an honest person, ever since I was a child. I have never taken anything that did not belong to me, even helping my elders; like that time when the old woman in the neighborhood lost her wallet, I was the one who kindly looked for it for her. Of course, omitting the fact that I only returned it after charging her a fifty percent 'interest fee.' Or what about that other time, when the neighbor's dog ran away from home? …Who do you think found it? I recall being the one who left the neighbor's door poorly closed, only to later appear as the hero, earning the favor and gratitude of his daughter…

  I rested my chin on my hand, recalling the good deeds I constantly performed.

  —…I have always been an exemplary citizen, bastard system. What you suggest is… —completely unacceptable.

  「 Oh, I see! Such nobility! Then please, die with dignity, Master… Goodbye! Closing session forever! 」

  The panel in front of my eyes began to fade slowly.

  —W-wait! Wait! System! Brother System! —I shouted mentally, feeling cold sweat run down my neck as the control panel before my eyes dissolved.— Don't be so impulsive… let's talk. Let's talk, yes.

  I kept my face impassive outwardly, but inside my virtual hands were stretched toward the void.

  ?I never said I wouldn't do it, I was just… reviewing my options,? I added quickly, trying to recover my composure. Though my ethics are "peculiar," I am a businessman. And a good businessman knows when to yield.

  ?Ahem…? I cleared my throat lightly.

  —Are you still there, brother? Don't force me to call you "dad."

  「 Hmm… (￣ヘ￣) So now we're "brothers," huh? How quickly the wind changes when the death meter starts beeping. But it's fine, Master. I like that moral flexibility of yours. 」