No, what the hell am I even thinking? As an expert in plotting paybacks, I should know well enough that impatience doesn't yield good results.
Koul's grip slowly loosened till it finally freed the system who stared blankly at him, unaware of the turmoil in Koul's mind.
"You are really useless, aren't you?" Koul chuckled, trying to dispense the awkward tension in the air.
"Anyways, please show me to my room," he said. "I don't know where it is, and I don't want to ask those leeches full of hate."
[Sure, host. Follow me.]
The system took pace, whooshing past Koul and taking the lead.
They reached a point and took a turn, meeting another hallway that stretched long and almost endless.
[Your chamber is at the very end of this hall,] the system informed.
Hah? Koul's brows furrowed, eyes gazing ahead and calculating the length.
Why does it have to be so far? At the very end itself?
If trouble breaks out or there's an important issue on ground, it will take me a decade to reach the outside from my room.
He sighed dramatically, fed up by the length he had to walk to get to his chamber.
After a while of silent walking, they arrived at the door to his chamber. A heft, ornate door with rich golden intricacies.
Koul wrapped his hand around the soft handle, pushed the door and went in without any thoughts.
His eyes swept around the vast chamber adorned with lavish details and accented in hues of gold and deep red, radiating the opulence of old nobility.
His gaze wandered over the chamber, from the lavishly dressed bed to the rich-looking couch, lingering on the polished desk and chair, the warm glow of the lights, the stately wardrobe, and every carefully placed ornament that spoke of wealth and refinement.
I can't doubt his wealth for sure.
Without a word, he walked toward the wardrobe and started taking off his clothes. His garment was sticking to his wounds as the air had dried and hardened them, causing him extreme pain just to take it off.
With good endurance, he slowly peeled the clothes from his wounds and let them drop to the floor, leaving only his lower garment.
As he attempted to take off the rest, a gentle knock came on the door.
At first, his brows narrowed, then he spoke. "Come in"
Two maids walked in, one holding a tray while the other simply clasped her hands in front of her shyly.
"Y-your majesty," the one holding the tray stuttered softly. "Your bath is ready."
Hmph! I was starting to wonder when it would!
After delivering the message, Koul expected them to already be on their way but they remained still in spot which confused him.
"Your majesty," the one holding nothing spoke up.
"Since you're injured, we thought we might bring you ease by tending to your wounds if you allow us," she said, bowing.
Koul's face instantly grew dark, his features twisted in disgust as he was irritated by their offer.
He saw everything they do as a pretense they put on. Although it shouldn't bother him since they were just doing their jobs, either willingly or not, but for some reason, it annoyed him.
"We just wan—"
"Not needed," he cut in sharply with a raise of his palm to shut them out.
"Just leave!" He ordered. They both bowed and instantly turned, wasting no time in leaving.
Hypocrites!
"System," Koul called cheerfully, turning toward it. "I'll have to rely on you again to escort me to the baths."
The system's expression turned weary, staring exasperatingly at Koul.
[You know it'll just be easier to allow them do their work, right?]
Tsk! Idiot!
"Yes I know," he smiled warmly like he wasn't cursing the system within him.
"But for now, you help me. When I need them, I will call for them."
The system took Koul to the bath where he met a large square bath, carved in stone. Steam curled steadily from it, filling the whole bath with heat and steamy mist.
Looks like a hot spring.
Koul walked to the steaming bath, let drop his waist cloth and wanted to go in. But a sudden thought struck him still on his spot.
"Ehhh,"He cried out, his heart starting to bleed dramatically with pain and tears.
I'm pretty sure I'm done for if I go into that water with such wounds on my back, hagh!
He was starting to regret why he rejected the maids' offer to treat him. The thought of the pain he'd go through just by letting the water touch his wound was worrying.
Mehn… fuck it, he said in dramatic tears as he'd rather endure the pain than get their help.
He didn't want to rely on them for anything because he was soon going to handle everyone and put everything back in place.
Everyone was going to feel it.
Slowly and as gentle as he could go, he dipped his legs in, hesitating to go in from fear.
Huu~ Fuu~ It's okay. It's not going to kill me. I can do it.
He encouraged himself within him, getting ready and building his resolve.
After a while of encouraging himself, he finally went into the water and—
AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
The scream that tore from his throat was enough to shake the whole palace.
Koul shut his eyes in agony, his face squeezed uglily in pain.
"I'm cooked!" He cried, trying his best to endure.
[You should have just allowed them to treat you,] the system chipped in.
"I should have!" Koul agreed, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes.
The area he stood in the water soon turned red from his wounds. And as the pain intensified from the heat of the water, Koul remained inside regardless, his resolve steeled.
[Plus, there are healers among the maids. As you've seen the guard you stabbed being treated with magic earlier, they could heal you with that.]
Ah.. I see. So it was indeed magic.
I know the system had told me before about it, but witnessing it for the first time, I didn't know how to take it.
I guess even the palace workers can be talented.
"No, let it be," Koul said, referring to his wounds. "I have a job for them. They'll come in handy later."
"Anyways," he adjusted his posture, submerging his body into the water despite the excruciating pain.
"Why haven't I received any notification about the tasks being completed? Is there still anything left?"
"Task," he summoned and the screen appeared before him.
<
<
Time Limit: 0:45:02
What the fuck? Why's the first one still at 1/2?
I understand the second one being that since there was no specific number given for me to survive through the day. But, I've clearly wielded my authority befitting my title not once but twice?!!
If we are even properly counting, then at least thrice?
So what does the system mean 1/2?
And the time will soon elapse. What do I do?
I'll get punished at this point.
Koul's heart pounded heavily, the pain coursing through him now overtaken by fear and worry.
The higher-ups really have me on a tight leash. They handed out tasks without mentioning the rewards or the penalties.
The first punishment they gave me was deliberately cruel, wicked enough to plant fear deep in my gut. Now, even if I try to imagine the penalty, I don't dare hope for anything mild.
That fear keeps me from slipping. They knew it would, and that's precisely why they chose it.
His gaze darted toward the system and he frantically asked.
"System! What does this mean by showing 1/2?"
[Hmm? It simply means you haven't completed the task,] the system replied bluntly.
"But I did! More than twice!" He yelled, the heat rushing to his head.
[No, you did not! At least in the record, you haven't!] it fired back.
Ah fuck! What do I do? The time's only 42 minutes remaining.
How do I go about this task? How do I complete it?!