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

　Gradually, the crowd dispersed, and soon there were hardly any people left at the dock.

　Just as Bai Qiong was about to leave, he suddenly heard a faint sound coming from a box.

　The sound was like some living thing struggling, faint yet clear.

　Bai Qiong turned his head and quickly locked his gaze on the source of the sound.

　The box belonged to the Golden Man Alley Merchant Guild. It was over half a person's height and quite large. Before they could even check it, Bai Qiong discovered the contraband Dream Bubble...

　The contents of this box still appear to be moving.

　Are the items in the box in Jinren Alley also magical artifacts?

　Or...

　What other living organism is it?

　Bai Qiong frowned slightly, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

　Now that the investigators have left, the box has slipped through the net.

　What's inside the box is still unknown.

　Perhaps we'll need to go and check it out ourselves to find out.

　However, before Bai Qiong could go forward to check, a dozen dockworkers quickly walked over with several golden figures.

　The foreman immediately stopped Bai Qiong, saying sternly, "Mr. Bai Qiong, the contraband Dream Bubble has been confiscated. You can't touch the other goods. These belong to the Chamber of Commerce, and we can't afford to take responsibility if anything happens. The inspection phase is over now, and you no longer have the right to inspect our goods."

　Upon hearing this, Bai Qiong glanced at the several fully armed golden figures, then turned his head to look in the direction where the Tianbo Division group had left...

　After a moment's thought, he stepped aside to make way for them, saying calmly, "Then... you can move out."

　"Then thank you, Mr. Bai Qiong."

　The foreman bowed to Bai Qiong, then turned to the workers and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and move all these things into the warehouse!"

　The workers moved quickly and skillfully, carrying the boxes on the ground deeper into Jinren Alley, clearly very familiar with this task.

　Bai Qiong squinted as he watched their retreating figures, a profound meaning in his eyes.

　His fingers tapped unconsciously on the end of the baseball bat in his hand, as if he were pondering something.

　“Mr. Bai Qiong… is there anything special about that box that makes you so concerned?” Su Chang leaned closer, tilting her head to look at Bai Qiong, her eyes filled with curiosity.

　“That box… there seems to be something alive inside, but I don’t know what it is…” Bai Qiong said meaningfully, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity.

　"what?!"

　Su Chang's mouth dropped open, her face filled with disbelief. "Wh...what kind of living thing is it? Why is it in the box...Could it be that the Golden Man Alley Merchant Guild also put a demonic possession mechanism in there?"

　"We don't know the specifics yet. This is Jinren Lane's territory, and it's full of their people. It's not a wise choice to take action rashly."

　I'll tell Lord Yu Kong about this. It's best if Tian Bo Si handles it, and then... I'll ask that Scott guy; maybe he knows something."

　Bai Qiong's gaze remained fixed on the distance, his tone tinged with coldness, "The murky waters of Jinren Alley are deeper than you imagine, Miss Su Chang..."

　Su Chang felt uneasy at Bai Qiong's tone. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice hesitant: "Then... then if you need any help, remember to call me. I... I'll go now!"

　After saying that, Su Chang ran away as fast as she could, her back view showing a bit of panic.

　Bai Qiong stood still, looking in the direction where the workers had disappeared, and then at Su Chang's departing figure.

　From his perspective, several lines of small characters were clearly visible on Su Chang's body.

　[Scan successful! 】

　[Current target: Su Chang]

　Corruption Value: 0%

　[Task: Increase Su Chang's corruption value to 30%]

　[Mission Reward: The truth and evidence of the Golden Man Alley incident]

　[The truth and evidence of the Golden Man Alley incident: Host, aren't you curious about what exactly happened in Golden Man Alley? All it takes is a little...]

　A cold glint flashed in Bai Qiong's eyes as he murmured, "I'm very curious about the truth behind this small Golden Man Alley, which could be worth 30% of the Corruption Points..."

　After all, the fire stick and that large sum of money only account for 50% of the corruption value.

　That 30% is indeed a lot.

　[I'm not overcharging, host. The secrets involved in the Golden Man Alley incident are absolutely worth the price.]

　"Forget it, I don't want to do this anymore!"

　As Bai Qiong spoke to the system in his mind, he walked to a bench not far from the park and plopped down on it.

　"Let me guess, this so-called breaking of the secret is definitely your doing again, right? You've been gradually altering this world, and then issuing some bottomless tasks for me to complete."

　In the end, instead of returning to normal, the world became increasingly unrecognizable... Do you think I'm some kind of puppet? Being led by the nose by you all along?

　Bai Qiong finished speaking in an annoyed tone, then glanced disdainfully at the subtitles in front of him.

Chapter Forty-Five: All Actions Are Just

　【…】

　The system displayed a long string of ellipses.

　Bai Qiong continued, "Although we couldn't have completed those two modified missions without you, I think that without you, those modified timelines might not even exist. What do you think?"

　[The host seems to be acting somewhat extreme.]

　If I were to still answer that these changes in the world were not caused by me, and that I genuinely wanted to help the host, would you believe me?

　Bai Qiong shook his head. "Even if these anomalies weren't caused by you, I'm not unaware that all the tasks you issued before were intentionally or unintentionally leading me into the abyss."

　"You keep saying you're just a simple system with no independent consciousness. Although you always try to sound cold, your tone is becoming increasingly manipulative. How can I trust you?!"

　At this point, Bai Qiong raised his head, his gaze intense.

　"Come, answer me!"

　【…】

　The subtitles showed an increasingly long silence.

　[It seems my system isn't very lucky. It's supposed to be set in the other world, but it's encountered a protagonist like you who wants to be a champion of justice.]

　If only you were a completely evil person, everything would be so much easier...

　To be honest, I quite admire you, but now it seems... is our collaboration coming to an end?

　What a pity...

　At this point, Bai Qiong could sense the system's dejected mood between the lines.

　However, Bai Qiong showed no pity whatsoever, and stared straight at the system in front of him without changing his expression.

　"No, perhaps I did want to be a simple righteous hero before, but... Kafka is right, the world needs a villainous savior. If the world is really going to end, I don't mind becoming that kind of person."

　"Assuming these modifications weren't your doing, and your so-called reward is genuinely meant to help me change this 18+ world and restore it to 12+, then prove it to me!"

　【…】

　[It seems the host has grown quite a bit... I'm very happy.]

　But I'm sorry, I cannot prove that at the moment.

　From now on, I will still assign you tasks, but I will no longer provide guidance or hints.

　One day, you'll understand that I'm right. If you truly want to save the world, you need my power.

　[Let me think... using the setting of your world's "Fate" anime... even heroes of justice need to replenish their mana, right?]

　"You even know this?"

　Bai Qiong frowned.

　[This is what I saw when I was bored and browsing through my memory archives.]

　[Furthermore, don't forget that after a few major updates, the world of Star Railway will have crossover events with Fate. It's not an exaggeration to say that this setting is part of the game itself.]

　【Host, please use the mana replenishment skill on those female characters, just for my sake!】

　Bai Qiong looked at the system in front of him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

　He pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Alright, then I'll continue to trust you for now... but keep your little schemes to yourself."

　【Understood……】

　"Since you can access the things in my head, do you know a novel website that I used to really enjoy reading called Cat's Guest?" Bai Qiong asked curiously.

　[I can see it, so what?]

　"It feels like just forbidding you from giving hints isn't enough. Can't you learn from those useless systems in online novels, just be a decoration, don't talk, and only give me tasks?"

　Sometimes I really think you talk too much. If you keep going like this, you'll start to resemble QB more and more, and you'll only lead me astray.

　Bai Qiong's words were unmistakably aggressive.

　[Sorry, host, I'm afraid that won't work, I'll suffocate...]

　Bai Qiong pouted and looked at the system's aggrieved expression, saying, "Then can you please stop calling me host? It sounds weird, like those sows. Just call me master."

　【this……】

　I was a little embarrassed to speak up.

　Too embarrassed to speak up...?

　Bai Qiong seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Why? You're not actually a woman behind the 'Your' account, are you?"

　【…】

　【It really is……】

　Bai Qiong: "?"

　……

　After this negotiation with the system, Bai Qiong was able to resolve a knot in his heart.

　Perhaps it was that simple sense of justice that was originally in my heart that shackled my steps, making me timid and hesitant.