CHAPTER 43: CREED

Hearing this, Tyler didn’t feel much.

While it wasn’t as free as this world, things like drugs, alcohol, organs, and human trafficking existed in his previous world as well.

What surprised him the most was Youth Conscription.

This kind of thing would only happen during war, but here, it was quite normal.

Then again, that made sense considering the power of those nobles.

While these people weren’t interested in being hunters, they did possess the wealth to gain a large number of Natural fruits.

With enough resources, they could easily amass a large number of hunters.

And unlike hunters that came from a normal background, these would remain in their houses for the rest of their lives, slowly raising the number of hunters.

’It seems like my idea of making the walls and changing the currency can pull these people down from their thrones.’

’As long as I don’t fail mid-way.’

He thought to himself and signaled Misaka to continue.

"The ones controlling the kidnapping of our people came House of Iron Fist."

"I controlled their Leader’s son to send seven Second Rank Hunters, three Third Rank Hunters, and five Fifth Rank Hunters out of the country."

"Especially, I send those Second and Third Rank hunters to infiltrate our city while sending those five to find information about the man who released the new currency."

"I sent information stating that Eighth Rank Hunter Diva is currently supporting our city to their leader and killed all of those hunters."

"Then, I went to House of Blood Fist, where I controlled one of their treasury guard to loot their treasury."

Saying so, she opened her palm, and a purple portal appeared above her palm.

She started pulling items from the portal. In less than five minutes, the entire room was filled with weapons and armor.

There were also fifteen Natural Fruits.

Seeing this, Tyler didn’t get excited; instead contemplated his next move.

Misaka noticed his mood and asked.

"Lord, did I do something wrong?"

She was asking, knowing that stealing was bad, but she didn’t feel bad about stealing this from those people.

Even so, if her Lord didn’t accept these, she would return them without much hesitation.

This was the difference between Rose and Misaka.

Misaka was created from Tyler’s thoughts, so whether it was good or bad for Tyler, she would only listen to him.

Rose would instead try to change him if she felt like doing so would help her Lord.

While there was a hidden motive in her actions, she did want to control those village leaders for her Lord.

She didn’t know what her Lord was planning, but whatever it was, controlling them would be much faster and easier.

Tyler shook his head and said.

"You didn’t do anything wrong. I have a problem taking things from those people."

"But there is one problem. Hmm! Let me ask you something. There was a greedy manager who would often cut his employees’ pay and take them for his own benefits."

"Because of his previous work ethic, the higher-ups didn’t even care about this. So, the manager kept taking higher up and exploiting his employees."

"One day, that manager was in an accident. One of the employees saw this but didn’t come forward to help."

"He even hoped that the manager would die, and his wish came true. But after his wish came true, they also learned another news that shook them."

"It turned out his mother had a life-threatening disease. He was keeping their money, saving it for the medical bills of his mother."

"Unfortunately, he died, and when his mother learned the truth, she also gave up on herself and took her life."

"Now, tell me! In this situation, who is the wrong one?"

Hearing this, both Misaka and Rose fell into confusion.

But Rose immediately replied.

"It’s the Manager who is wrong. If he hadn’t taken his employees’ money, he wouldn’t have lost his life."

"But then he would’ve lost his mother’s life. He didn’t have money for her treatment." Tyler replied.

Rose’s smile inflated immediately as she wondered the answer.

After a long time, Misaka replied.

"There is no right and wrong in this question. It’s all about the perspective. From the perspective of the manager, he had no other choice but to do this."

"But from the perspective of the employees, he was just a greedy bastard who was taking their money."

Tyler shook his head and said.

"Rose was right. Saving someone isn’t your responsibility. It is a good thing to do, but it’s not the only right thing to do."

"The manager could’ve asked for money from his employer, explaining to them his mother’s situation.

"He also didn’t consider whether his employees were going through a similar situation."

"Under such a condition, he might have saved his mother, but his employee would’ve lost their family."

Hearing that, Rose didn’t feel happy.

Because her reasoning wasn’t correct. Of course, Tyler knew both of them could be correct, but here, he was trying to set an example.

"Misaka, by stealing from those people, you didn’t do anything wrong. But what if they started exploiting those civilians even more?"

"They aren’t good people. At least, those employees weren’t bad. But in this situation, this could take the lives of tens of thousands of people, right?"

When Tyler asked this, Misaka thought for a moment and shook her head.

Seeing this, Tyler smiled and asked.

"Oh, why not?"

"Because they fear the outbreak of spirits."

When Rose heard that, her eyes widened, and a look of realization appeared on her face.

"That’s right! The mass genocide can release a large number of spirits. Since humans and monsters create a balance with spirit, they naturally wouldn’t do this."

Rose shouted.

Tyler nodded.

"That’s right! I was wondering why those monsters didn’t attack humans. But while returning to the city, I also came to this realization."

"In just the eastern side of the Azure Country, nearly tens of thousands of people have already died."

"If they go overboard, the number of spirits would increase exponentially. But....."

He took a deep breath and continued.

"They won’t stop exploiting those people. I don’t know how to feel about that. If they aren’t exploited, they will continue to stay there."

"But once they are, they would definitely find a way to leave the country and join us. This is a good thing for us."

"But this good thing is created on the suffering of those innocent people."

Hearing that, Rose mumbled.

"That’s why I want you to become a little bit of those nobles, Lord. They won’t feel bad about everything."

On the other hand, Misaka shook her head and said.

"Think about it differently, Lord! If you don’t do this, they will continue to exploit these people, at a much slower rate."

"A short-term suffering is much better than long-term suffering. After all, if there is no destruction, there will be no creation."

"Only after being burned can they truly change."

Hearing that, Tyler felt a lot better.

Yeah! This world was already worse. Even if he did cause short-term suffering, wasn’t it to change this world for the better?

At this moment, he realized something.

His creed!

He was always afraid that he wouldn’t succeed.

If he didn’t even have confidence in himself, how could he ever succeed?

Overconfidence was a bad thing, but having no confidence was even worse.

Even with the system, he never seemed to have confidence that he would succeed.

Was he worried about failure, or was he worried about going against his own morality?

Yeah, he was worried about both.

This world was a giant puppet factory. Once it swallows anyone, it would turn them into one of the puppets.

He was even glad that he was reborn a year ago. If he were reborn from birth, he would’ve assimilated into one of their people.

Of course, his ambition to become the strongest wouldn’t change.

But his goals and dreams would.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts.

No matter what, he had to strengthen his belief, his conviction.

Only with a strong conviction could he turn his dream into a reality.

And, he wasn’t alone.

Looking at Misaka and Rose, he couldn’t help but smile.

Yeah, he still had many people in this world. It took a while to realize, but he wasn’t alone.

Even in this world, he managed to find people who would care for him.

’But my biggest secret and most important part of my existence will always be this system.’

’Without it, I can’t even imagine what I would’ve achieved.’

He slowly stood up from his chair and walked up to the window, looking over the city he had managed to establish.

’At least, not this!’

A smile appeared on his face as he turned around.

"Although it is a bit early, I feel like we can move on to the second stage of my plan."

"Rise in Popularity! I want every single human in this world to know me."

"Title of the Prodigy of Generation? I am taking it from you, Diva!"