My Evil System

"I want you to leave Thomas alone," I said straight to the point, and before they had the chance to refute, I added, "I'll pay you one thousand gil every days for the rest of our stay here."

I saw hope when Edie and the others paused and looked at each other.

Men were moved by two levels only: fear and self-interest. At least the latter work in my favor.

<While your other self ruled them through fear. Just like a true Evil Overlord!>

I ignored it.

Edie and his group then whispered to themselves before Edie squinted his eyes at me.

"You have that kind of money, newbie?"

I nodded and handed one thousand gil to them. "It's not important where I got it from. The important thing is . . . I'll give you this amount in exchange . . . you leave Thomas and me alone."

The three were busy inspecting the gil, and I saw their eyes shone with delight.

Edie quickly pocketed the gil and grinned. "Alright, we agree. But that's two of you, so you have to pay us two thousand gil."

". . ." I didn't have a problem even if they requested ten thousand. "Deal, then. But you have to keep this from Thomas and the others."

Edie shrugged. "Of course, we won't tell the others."

He then laughed with his friends.

"What do you think of us? Idiots that we would tell our money source to others?"

". . ."

I didn't comment and handed the gil to Edie, and the latter's smile widened even more.

After pocketing another thousand gil, he tapped me on my shoulder.

"You know . . . my brother said to leave you alone for unknown reasons . . . but since you're the one who came to us, then who am I to shoo you away."

Something told me that even if he was warned by his brother, he would still make it hard for me.

<Host is right. Until humans get what they deserve, they won't stop! So just kill them!>

". . . Just remember your promise," I said to them seriously.

Edie waved his hands. "Sure. Sure. But don't forget about our agreement."

Edie then turned, his back facing me. "Let's go, boys. We still had to collect CR points so we could eat a hearty breakfast."

Ben tapped me on the shoulder and smirked. "You made the right decisions."

They then left while laughing.

<Host, should just kill them>

I wasn't angry at the System pestering me for once, for I was happy and proud of myself for resolving the issue that didn't involve killing.

Men must be free to do what they believe. It is not our right to punish one for thinking what they do, no matter how much we disagree.

I have plenty of money, and if it could resolve my problems, then I wouldn't hesitate of using it.

<Like those Evil beings in your world that get away with everything using money. That's the evil spirit, Host! Embrace your evilness!>

I was using the money for good. Not Evil! So there's a difference!

I went back to the dorms to take a bath and prepare for school, hoping that Thomas would feel a little better now.

----

After dragging Thomas to take a bath and secretly having breakfast in town, I had successfully convinced him to take the class with me.

Unfortunately, we didn't belong in the same room. He was just in the adjacent room, though.

Looking at the stone walls and elevated wooden chairs with a chalkboard, it reminded me of the university classrooms back on earth.

Even though I didn't go to college, I went to universities to tour around in my free time and pretend that I was studying there together with the rich kids.

It was always a dream of mine to finish college, but since we were poor and I was the eldest male in the family, I had a responsibility to take care of my family and make sure that my siblings all finished their education.

I was actually excited about going to school for once, to be honest. Now that my major problem was over, I could feel positive emotions again.

I picked a seat at the very back since I was the type of guy that didn't want to be noticed first.

There weren't many players present since it was still thirty minutes before eight.

Upon climbing the stairs to position myself at the back, I felt some stares at me. Walking past the other players, I heard them say.

"He is the one who ordered meat yesterday night."

"He is either rich or an idiot."

"An idiot, I bet. He is a newbie like us. I heard from a reliable source that his ATP is still in the twentieth, even after a month of staying here."

"It's only the first day. I wonder what he would eat for the rest of his days here."

". . ." I didn't know that ordering a single meat would cause this much ruckus.

Great.

Now, no matter how I lay low, that wouldn't happen because of my blunder yesterday.

<Host, shouldn't feel bad about doing what he wanted! You are meant to become the Evil Overlord, the Greatest Villain there is! You're meant to rule this world!>

Please stop saying that.

I sat on the seat next to the open window and waited for the teacher to enter and start the class like a good boy.

One minute passed.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed, and still no sign of the teacher, but the seat was rapidly filled by players.

Some were already forming groups like they were long time friends leaving me still alone in my seat, wondering if it was because of the meat incident.

Until, without rhyme or reason, there were two guys who approached me.

"Hey, you're that noob who ordered meat, right?" said one of the men, smiling like this world was a bright place.

It's that 'meat' thing again! Was it such a big deal to cause this much attention?!

( . . . continuation on NOTES)