The Desert

Laura was staring at me, waiting for my response as I held the parchment.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "I'll go find the portal in the western desert region. Pack whatever I might need."

She froze for a moment before regaining her composure.

"Will…you go alone?" she stammered.

I tilted my head, confused. "Yeah. That place is dangerous, right? Do you think anyone else is fit to go there besides me?"

She blinked, clearly conflicted. "What if something happens to you?"

I laughed at the irony. "Didn't you want me dead? If I die, shouldn't that make you people happy?"

She turned away, pouting slightly.

...She was kind of cute.

I knew how to appreciate beauty when I saw it, but I kept the thought to myself. She'd probably take it the wrong way.

Anyways—

My voice turned cold. "Just because I'll be gone doesn't mean the workers get a break. Make sure they report to the mines tomorrow. Otherwise…"

I let the threat linger in the air. She could interpret it however she wanted.

Lowering her head, she muttered in a quiet voice, "Understood."

I ignored her and walked past, heading back to my chambers—to my ever-so-comforting bed. Honestly, I was beginning to suspect it was enchanted.

The Next Morning

I slept in a little longer than usual. After waking up, I quickly went through my morning routine.

By the time I finished breakfast, it was time to depart.

I considered threatening the townspeople again before leaving but ultimately held back.

I wanted to see how well Laura could handle things—her ability to lead.

I had high hopes for her.

Stepping outside the castle, I was met with a sweet breeze, cool against my skin.

The winds would change on this journey. I was sure of it.

I took the reins of my horse, commanding it toward the western deserts.

Controlling it wasn't too difficult—it was just like using a joystick in a game.

As a certified gamer and former keyboard warrior, this was nothing. Anything less would be an embarrassment to my community.

Laura was the only one who had come to see me off.

Not letting the opportunity go to waste, I reminded her of her responsibilities and offered some light praise.

Something along the lines of 'I expect good news from you.'

The trip was long and grueling—both metaphorically and literally.

I lost the reins more than once, nearly tumbling off my horse each time.

But eventually, after an exhausting ride, I arrived at the Western Deserts.

The border between the grasslands and the desert was stark—a clear, harmonious divide where lush fields faded into endless dunes of sand.

I left the carriage beneath a massive oak tree. Well, it wasn't really an oak tree—it was much bigger. But it looked like one, so oak tree it is.

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists and stepped forward.

The moment my foot sank into the sand, the world changed.

A wave of scorching heat slammed into me, burning my lungs with each breath. The air was thick—almost molten. Sweat poured down my skin like a waterfall.

Gritty sand whirled around, invading my nose, my eyes, my mouth.

The sheer intensity of it caught me off guard. But I endured, pushing forward.

Each step was agony. My body screamed in protest, exhaustion clawing at my limbs. Even breathing felt like a battle.

And yet…

A strange thrill coursed through me.

Was it because I was an outsider to this land? Or was it because I was just that much of a sadistic bastard?

Regardless, I found myself enjoying the sensation.

Then, I noticed it—my body was adapting.

The suffocating heat no longer felt unbearable. My body was cooling itself down, instinctively adjusting to the harsh conditions.

Was I hallucinating?

No—

[ Host's body is actively resisting the extreme environment. ]

[ Host's Embryonic Chaos Core is undergoing saturation. ]

[ Heat resistance has increased significantly. ]

A faint smirk tugged at my lips.

So that was the reason.

The pain had been worth it. This Embryonic Chaos Core—a gimmick at first glance—was actually a broken growth-type ability.

The more I endured, the stronger I became.

"Wait… isn't this just masochism?"

Even as a mortal, I'd been pretty broken. But even after transmigrating, I wasn't exactly being spoon-fed power.

It was kind of depressing.

Still, I had my system. Even if it was a piece of junk, it was mine.

"I do like my system, though."

[ (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠) ]

[ System is happy to hear that, Einar! ]

Sometimes, it acted like a needy child. An attention-seeking baby.

But at least it was my baby.