Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

　"I knew you would come, Bai Qiong."

　Kafka's voice was soft yet firm, with a hint of elusive amusement.

　Bai Qiong's gaze swept across the room, finally settling on a figure sitting cross-legged on the floor in the corner—it was Ren, his face pale and his forehead covered in cold sweat, clearly enduring immense pain.

　However, before he could examine the blade closely, Kafka's voice rang out again, pulling him back to reality.

　"If we had eyes like Eriol's, the world wouldn't be what you and I see now; countless possibilities would overlap, representing the consequences of different choices. And every moment, these infinite choices would converge into the same point, becoming the present, becoming the past..."

　Kafka's voice was deep and magnetic, as if she were telling some kind of prophecy.

　She turned around, looking directly at Bai Qiong, her tone slightly probing yet also like a gentle invitation: "Is this your choice? To accept my request and help me?"

　Bai Qiong remembered that this was a crossroads that would affect the ending, and the choices made next would be crucial.

　He only needs to reject Kafka five times to reach the end with true free will.

　Before coming here, he thought this way—rejecting Kafka five times was the easiest way.

　You can complete this mission without doing anything.

　But when Bai Qiong actually appeared in front of Kafka, he realized...

　He simply couldn't bring himself to refuse Kafka five times in a row!

　Bai Qiong, of course, knew that his adoptive mother, Kafka, favored him. Coupled with her charming appearance, Bai Qiong naturally harbored some affection for her.

　However, for some reason, when he saw her here, he felt that his liking for Kaffa had increased even more, far exceeding the last time he met her.

　This is how the same thing?

　Even the prepared excuses for deliberately refusing five times felt like something was blocking Bai Qiong's throat; the words were stuck in her throat, and she couldn't utter them for a long time...

　too weird!

　He could only take a deep breath and finally nodded: "Perhaps."

　Kafka's lips curled up slightly, seemingly unsurprised by his answer.

　"Let me tell you about the current situation first. Aren's demonic possession is flaring up very violently, to the point that even my Word of Power couldn't suppress it."

Chapter Twenty-Nine Mission Reward: Fire Stick

　Kafka's tone became serious, but her eyes still held that gentle quality.

　"Therefore, I need to use the power of words to continuously weaken the effect of the demonic body and temporarily seal it. I cannot be distracted while maintaining the power of words, so I need you to act as my protector. Protect me while I suppress the blade, is that alright?"

　A hint of seriousness flashed in Bai Qiong's eyes, but he didn't say anything, only nodded.

　His gaze never left Kafka's face, as if trying to glean more information from her expression.

　“I know when the danger will come, and I know what it is. So don’t worry, if you help me, we will definitely get through this, and you won’t suffer any negative consequences.”

　Kafka's voice carried a soothing tone, yet it also sounded like a gentle promise.

　"There are some monsters wandering around here, and they'll be a nuisance if we leave them alone. Let's go take care of them, okay?"

　"it is good……"

　Bai Qiong's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as if drawn by some invisible force.

　His fingers trembled slightly, but he still gripped the weapon at his waist tightly, turned and walked towards the door.

　Outside the door, Bai Qiong mechanically swung his baseball bat, each strike precise and powerful, repelling the ferocious demonic soldiers.

　His movements seemed programmed, devoid of any emotional fluctuation; his eyes were vacant, like a walking corpse.

　After he swung the bat countless times...

　"Ding!"

　A cold, electronic voice rang in Bai Qiong's mind; it was the voice from the Inner World System.

　[Host, you should probably add more effects resistance attributes. Being completely controlled without even realizing the opponent's words of power is a bit pathetic for a protagonist.]

　The system's voice carried a hint of cold mockery, like a sudden awakening.

　Hearing this voice jolted Bai Qiong's consciousness.

　He shook his head, and the emptiness in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a glimmer of clarity.

　"Words of power? I'm being controlled by Kaffa?"

　Bai Qiong murmured to himself, only then realizing his own unusual behavior.

　That feeling of being in a daze, as if being controlled, made him feel a wave of fear.

　【What else can you do? You should thank this system for giving you one free access to the system; any further times will be charged.】

　The system's cold tone even carried a hint of schadenfreude.

　This system is truly disgusting.

　"You make it sound so easy. The relics in this world don't have random attributes, so where are you going to get effect resistance to stack up for me..."

　Bai Qiong looked at the semi-transparent subtitles in front of him with disdain.

　"It's alright, if you need any of these tools, I can get them for you, as long as you complete a few more missions..."

　"Don't try to entice me with rewards! Don't think I'm the kind of womanizer whose mind is only filled with sex..."

　Bai Qiong took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in his heart.

　He looked around. He had already driven back the demonic soldiers, but an unsettling atmosphere still lingered in the air.

　Why is Kaffa trying to control herself? This scene wasn't in the original story...

　Logically speaking, Kafka was someone who worked with the protagonist and they had a bond with each other, so why would she attack him?

　Bai Qiong thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure it out.

　He frowned and asked the system, "System, can you tell me why?"

　[Host, are you treating me like a chatbot? How would I know the answer to that? I'm just your system, not Kafka's.]

　The system seemed somewhat disdainful of Bai Qiong's question.

　However, isn't this a perfect opportunity?

　"what chance?"

　Bai Qiong's expression hardened, and he asked warily.

　【Of course, it's an opportunity to build rapport!】

　[Think about it, she's already using words of power to control you. What does that mean? It means she's really interested in you. Getting to first base won't be a problem!]

　Since she's gone after you, she's definitely a bad woman. Punish her and show her what you're capable of!

　"discipline?"

　Bai Qiong was stunned for a moment. He subconsciously felt resistance. He didn't want to hurt Kafka, even though she had just controlled him.

　As a time traveler, he retained a lot of the original plot in his mind, and he was still instinctively more willing to believe Kafka.

　Although there is no blood relation, she is still a kind of "mom" at least.

　If I really did that to Kafka...

　Isn't this equivalent to Scott sending his father to jail? He's such a filial son!

　Bai Qiong instinctively felt that the system was up to no good again.

　【Kafka's Word of Power has fallen on your head, yet you still protect her and doubt me, the system that has helped you countless times? What are you thinking?】

　[I think you've gotten too caught up in fan fiction. She's not your real mother. Act like a real harem novel protagonist and do what you're supposed to do, okay?]

　The system didn't give Bai Qiong a chance to refuse, directly projecting the task panel into his mind.

　[A new target has been added: Kafka]

　Corruption Value: 0%

　[New Task: Increase Kafka's drop rate to 50%]

　[Quest Reward: Evolve the Flame Spear into a Fire Stick]

　[Fire Stick: Can inflict both mental and physical torture on enemies. When used on women, it can continuously increase their corruption value, turning them into true "Heroes of the Stick."]

　……

　[Go for it, host. Forget all those 12+ plot points in your head.]

　It is your inescapable duty to restore the glory of the world!

　Bai Qiong frowned even more as he looked at the task list.

　"Although I don't know what happened to the world line, and Kafka might be bad... but you're no better!"

　After much thought, Bai Qiong gritted her teeth and hardened her heart, saying, "Even if... I admit that what you said makes some sense."

　It's unclear what Kafka's purpose was in controlling him, but now, Kafka's Words of Power are threatening his personal safety. If he doesn't retaliate, he might not be so lucky next time.

　"Self-preservation is necessary."

　Bai Qiong sighed.

　At the same time, it should be noted that the system's messages contain a large amount of malicious intent...

　Even if he had to deal with Kafka's behavior, he had to at least stay clear-headed and not be completely swayed by the system.

　Bai Qiong raised the baseball bat in his hand, his eyes gradually hardening.

　We can't afford to fall for this again!

　He turned and pushed open the door, where he saw Kafka's slightly tired figure.

　Kafka leaned back in her chair, her usually impeccable makeup unable to conceal her pallor.

　Seeing Bai Qiong enter, she forced a bitter smile, her voice weak, "It seems that the power of words really can't control you after all. Eriol's prophecy was right..."

　"Don't say that. I almost fell for your trick. I risked my life to come to the Immortal Ship in the middle of the night to help you, but you do this to me. Is that fair?" Bai Qiong replied coldly.

　He raised his baseball bat and aimed it at Kafka.