The Unawakened Porter's Divine System

A Different Way

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Xavier stared at the five hunters lying across the floor.

For several seconds, he didn't move.

[Kill Them.]

His eyes widened.

"...Kill them?"

[Yes.]

Xavier looked at the hunters again.

"Why would I do that?"

[They Tried To Kill You.]

Xavier frowned.

"That doesn't mean I should kill them."

[That Is Sufficient Reason To Kill Them.]

Xavier stared blankly ahead.

Those words bothered him.

Not because they were complicated.

Because they actually weren't.

The System said it so simply.

As if taking someone's life was no different from stepping on an insect.

"They tried to kill me, but I survived." Xavier said slowly.

[Yes.]

"So why should I kill them?"

[To Prevent Them From Trying Again.]

Xavier shook his head.

"No."

[No?]

"I'm not killing them."

The System remained silent for a moment.

Xavier looked down at his hands.

He could still feel the impact of his fists.

He had hurt them.

More than he ever had before.

But killing them?

That was different.

"I can't just take someone's life."

[You Can.]

Xavier's eyebrows twitched.

"What?"

[You Are Capable Of Taking Their Lives.]

"That isn't what I meant."

[Clarify.]

Xavier took a slow breath.

"I mean I can't just decide that someone should die."

[They Decided That You Should Die.]

"I'm not the same as them."

[Correct.]

Xavier looked confused.

"Then what makes me different if I do this?"

[You Have A More Valid Reason.]

Xavier stared at the floor.

"That doesn't make it right."

[They Attempted To Kill You.]

"They broke the law."

[Yes.]

"So I'll report them."

[They Will Return.]

Xavier frowned.

"What?"

[If You Leave Them Alive, They Will Seek Revenge.]

Xavier didn't answer.

[You Injured Them. They Will Retaliate.]

The System continued.

[Their Retaliation Will Lead To Your Retaliation.]

[Then Their Retaliation Again.]

[The Cycle Will Continue.]

Xavier clenched his fists.

He knew the System was right.

"There has to be another way."

[There Is.]

Xavier looked up.

The System's next words appeared.

[Disable Them.]

"...What?"

[Make Them Incapable Of Coming Back At You.]

"What do you mean?"

[Break Their Arms.]

Xavier's expression changed.

[Break Their Legs.]

His eyes widened.

[Ensure They Are No Longer Capable Of Pursuing You.]

"No."

Xavier immediately shook his head.

"I can't do that either."

[Why?]

"Because that's insane."

He looked at the injured hunters.

"I've never even broken someone's bones before."

[You Have Already Seriously Injured Them.]

"Because they were trying to kill me!"

[Exactly.]

Xavier stopped.

The System continued.

[Everything The System Has Suggested Is For Your Survival.]

Xavier looked away.

"There's still something wrong about it."

[How So?]

"I don't know."

His voice became quieter.

"I just know there is."

The room fell silent.

Then...

One of the hunters groaned.

Xavier's head snapped toward him.

The man slowly pushed himself up.

His breathing was ragged.

His eyes met Xavier's.

For a second, neither moved.

Then the hunter suddenly lunged.

Xavier reacted immediately.

The hunter swung his fist.

Xavier stepped aside.

He grabbed the man's arm.

Then twisted.

The hunter's balance disappeared.

Xavier used the man's momentum and flipped him over his shoulder.

BOOM!

The hunter slammed into the floor.

He groaned in pain.

Xavier stared down at him.

The System spoke.

[See?]

Xavier didn't answer.

[They Will Not Learn.]

Xavier's fists tightened.

[Do What Needs To Be Done.]

"No."

His answer was immediate.

The System remained silent.

Xavier looked at the hunters.

They were injured.

They were beaten.

And yet one of them had still tried to attack him.

He understood what the System was saying.

But he still couldn't do it.

"I won't become someone who decides who gets to live."

The words left his mouth quietly.

"But I won't let them kill me either."

He turned away from the hunters.

"I'll find another way."

[You Will Regret This.]

Xavier stopped.

"No."

[You Will.]

Xavier shook his head.

"Maybe."

He looked down at his injured hand.

"...I'll just have to become stronger."

The System said nothing.

Xavier continued.

"Strong enough that I don't have to fear any form of repercussions."

Silence.

"Strong enough that nobody can force me to become something I don't want to be."

For several seconds, there was no response.

Then...

[Understood.]

Nothing else followed.

Xavier looked at the hunters one last time before leaving.

By the time Xavier returned to his apartment, his body felt so heavy he just wanted to collapse on his bed and sleep off.

The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.

The place was a mess.

Clothes were scattered across the floor.

The small table had been pushed aside.

One of the chairs was lying on its side.

Xavier stared at the room.

"...I really need to clean this place."

'But I'm so exhausted...'

He sighed.

After everything that had happened, his body was begging to rest.

Still, he couldn't sleep in a place like this.

So he cleaned.

Slowly.

He picked up the clothes.

Moved the chair.

Straightened the table.

By the time he was done, he immediately collapsed onto his bed.

He stared at the ceiling.

His mind replayed everything that had happened.

The hunters.

The fight.

The System.

Freya.

The Holy Maiden's offer.

He closed his eyes.

He still hadn't decided what he was going to do.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled him into sleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Morning came.

Xavier opened his eyes.

For a few seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling.

Then he sat up.

He rubbed his face.

Something felt strange.

The System had been quiet.

Very quiet.

Xavier stood and began getting ready.

After a few moments, he finally spoke.

"System? you've been awfully quiet."

[There Is Nothing To Speak About.]

Xavier paused.

"...Right."

He stared at himself in the small mirror hanging on the wall.

His crimson eyes stared back at him.

He looked away.

There was somewhere he needed to go.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Church of Dominions sub-sanctuary stood in the heart of the city.

It was impossible to miss.

The towering building rose above the surrounding structures, its pale exterior reflecting the morning sunlight.

Its architecture was elegant without being excessive.

Tall glass windows covered parts of the upper floors, while golden symbols of wings were carved into the walls.

The entire sanctuary grounds were surrounded by a large courtyard.

People entered and left throughout the morning.

Some came to pray.

Others came seeking healing.

Some simply came hoping to catch a glimpse of the Holy Maiden.

But the main sanctuary building was different.

Only authorized personnel were allowed inside.

Xavier stopped in front of the entrance.

Two guards stood at the doors.

He walked toward them.

"Excuse me."

One of the guards looked at him.

"Yes?"

"I have an appointment with the Holy Maiden."

There was a brief silence.

Then the two guards exchanged looks.

One of them scoffed.

"You?"

Xavier frowned.

"Yes." Xavier replied.

"With the Holy Maiden?"

"Yes."

The second guard shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but you can't just walk in and claim that you have an appointment with her."

"But I do."

The guards looked unconvinced.

Xavier sighed.

"I was invited."

That only made them look more amused.

"Look, kid. Hundreds of people come here every day claiming the same thing."

"I understand, but..."

"You'll have to wait outside." One of the guards cut short Xavier.

Xavier looked past them toward the entrance.

The System spoke.

[You Can Use The Ring.]

Xavier immediately rejected the thought.

'No.'

[Why?]

'Because that's wrong.'

[You Used It To Enter The Dungeon.]

Xavier's expression tightened.

'That was different.'

[How?]

'It just is.'

[Your Explanation Is Inconsistent.]

Xavier sighed.

'I'm not sneaking through the Holy Maiden's jurisdiction twice.'

[Understood.]

Xavier blinked.

That was surprisingly easy.

He stepped away from the entrance.

"I'll wait."

The guards nodded.

Xavier walked to the side of the courtyard and sat down.

Minutes passed.

Then more.

He waited.

And waited.

People continued entering and leaving the sanctuary.

Xavier occasionally glanced toward the entrance.

Nothing.

He sighed.

Maybe he had made a mistake coming here.

Then the large doors opened.

Xavier looked up.

Several members of the Church stepped outside.

And among them a familiar figure appeared.

Blond hair.

White clothing.

Golden eyes.

The Holy Maiden.

Her gaze moved across the courtyard.

Then stopped.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Xavier?"

Xavier stood.

She smiled.

She walked toward him.

Alexandria followed closely behind.

Xavier gave them both a small nod.

"Holy Maiden."

Freya tilted her head.

"What brings you here?"

Xavier hesitated.

He had spent the entire journey thinking about what he was going to say.

Now that she was standing in front of him, the words felt heavier than expected.

"I came..."

He paused.

Then looked directly into her golden eyes.

"...with a reply to your offer."

Freya's expression changed slightly.

And now, Xavier wondered if he had made the right decision.