I Hate Systems

Stencil remained seated in the spot for a few days, barring anyone from even approaching her. By then, her luck had recovered to the level of a normal person, so at least, she wouldn't face random attacks that coincidentally acted against her.

Earth Star and Gehera too were healing themselves from the numerous attacks they had sustained. The effects of many Skills pervaded their being, causing recovery to be slow.

Once she recovered enough to move around without issue, Stencil got up from her spot and approached Platinum Head, asking, "How's everyone's growth?"

"It's proceeding without issues." Platinum Head was relieved upon seeing that she was recovering without any problems, "We're mostly attacking while under cover from the natives of each domain."

The domain here referred to a segment of the serpent universe where a dragon plushie had taken root and was birthing a race constantly to populate the region. While such regions faced the brunt of the invasion, the Heroes and Villains from the 24 Rings hid in safety and launched attacks.

As long as they killed their enemy, their strength improved by a small margin. Moreover, through the scattered dragon plushies, they were able to gather more thoughts, emotions, etc. leading to a faster production of concepts in the 24 Rings.

The concepts were evolving to become better suited towards facing the invaders, allowing the defending side an easier time.

In the serpent universe, the enemies had 168 worlds to rely upon while there side only consisted of the 24 Rings. So, if they failed to pace themselves appropriately, they would be overwhelmed soon.

Thankfully, it wasn't a matter of getting overwhelmed within a month or two. Just to travel from one end to the other would take decades, especially since they had no other choice to travel in a straight line.

But once they finish setting up the portals, it'll be easier for them to move back and forth using the portals as checkpoints. The enemy side had already crossed the halfway point and were rushing towards the tail end.

Though, without the Invader System, they had become weaker. Thankfully, a Grade 3 System inherently changed the laws of a world for good when they took over it. Hence, none from the invading side actually lost their strength.

They just were no longer able to rely on a boost of power from the Invader System.

Their current strength was enough to overwhelm the 24 Rings, even after including Stencil, Gehera, and Earth Star into the picture. After all, the latter three were severely injured. It would take them months or even years to make a full recovery and regain their prime strength.

"We just need to buy time and survive until dad returns." Stencil muttered and stared at Gehera, "Are you able to control the serpent universe?"

"Yes," Gehera nodded, "I'm currently relying on the map I procured from Truck-Kun. We're treading a route he had explored. It will lead us to the region of the multiverse where Mystique's worlds are more concentrated."

"Even the Systems are afraid to truly trigger him."

"Let's just loiter around the region and not actually near any of his universes." Stencil said in reflex, "We don't want to end up mad all of a sudden, with no rhyme or reason, right?"

"Relax, I understand that better than you." Gehera shrugged, "Who do you think kept up with Hazen's tantrums during the dark ages?"

"I got your point." Sporting a wry smile, Stencil was just about to return to the 24 Rings and make some preparations when she thought of something and asked Gehera, using a Mental Energy stream instead.

[Did you…do the deed with my dad?]

Gehera stared at her in surprise before stating with a sigh.

[If you are wondering whether I'm expecting a child, unfortunately, I am not.]

She was sullen by the end of that statement, "He's wasn't a hundred percent human when we…did it."

[So, I never conceived. But, even if we were to do it now, I don't think I'll ever become pregnant. There's something I feel is preventing another child of Compass from making an appearance.]

[So, something like that indeed exists, huh.]

Stencil frowned in response as she spoke normally this time, "There was something I was always puzzled by."

"What was it?" Gehera asked in curiosity.

"You know about a woman named Grisha?" Stencil asked.

"I've stolen relevant memories from Hazen. I know her." Gehera nodded, "Why? Is there an issue with her?"

"Well, she's the only other woman that had a close relationship with my dad. Theoretically, she should have borne his child long ago. My dad's fertility is dangerously high." Stencil continued, "But nothing happened. I first thought it was just because he was a System Slayer."

"Many points don't add up, though." She said, sighing in the end, "There's a mysterious power at play. And your senses only confirm my hypothesis."

"If you think about it, everything makes sense." Stencil pointed at herself, "I mean, I don't want to brag, but I'm pretty strong. And my growth potential is pretty unmatched. Majority of my power ups were simply handed over to me, almost as if I'm fated to get them."

"Then, if I had a sibling or two, wouldn't they have gained powers on a similar level as me?" She asked, "If that happened, who will face a loss?"

"Arnark…no, there's one that would dislike another entity like you emerging." Gehera nodded, stating solemnly, "Zaira."

"Yes," Stencil stated in all seriousness, "It seems her influence is omniscient."

…

Kyak!

Zaira shrieked in pain as she patted her belly, watching the entity within squirm violently, causing her intense pains. It had to be noted that her body wasn't like an average human woman. Even if a planet was thrown at her face, she wouldn't even suffer a scratch.

It was a body that had tanked countless blows from an Immortal at his zenith. But now, the very same person was clutching her stomach, screaming shrilly in pain as the entity within seemed to be gnawing at her uterus from within.

"Wait…stop! No! Not that way!" Zaira's face paled in fright when suddenly, her stomach exploded as if a bomb had gone off within, spilling off her internals, killing her.

Thankfully, it seemed the explosion did an undo on whatever power Mystique had placed on her as Zaira returned to being a manifestation of the System World, condensing an energy body to appear.

She stared at her stomach, observing a jet black worm squirming within, swimming through her intestines as suddenly, it opened its mouth and swallowed her body, including the internals that had splashed out from the explosion.

The worm curled like a foetus as the remains of Zaira's body stitched itself over it, forming a layer of human skin as in a matter of seconds, a human baby formed, one that appeared after devouring Zaira's body fully.

Uwaaa!

The baby opened its mouth and screeched an unintelligent roar, but for some reason Zaira was able to make out a sentence based on the energy fluctuations that reverberated through her energy body.

"I'm the multiverse's primary focus."