Envi’s POV:
I didn’t know where I was. All I could see was darkness—deep, endless darkness.
Then I began to dream. But it wasn’t like any dream I’d had before. It felt too real... like a mory. And sohow, I just knew—it didn’t belong to . It belonged to the God of Darkness.
In the vision, I saw him standing beside the Goddess of Benevolence. The two of them were locked in battle, fighting desperately against so overwhelming force. They looked exhausted—cornered. I was confused. Weren’t they supposed to be enemies? Why were they fighting side by side?
I couldn’t make out what they were fighting against, but whatever it was... it had terrifying, destructive power—sothing that felt beyond comprehension.
Then I saw it.
The God of Darkness threw himself in front of the Goddess of Benevolence, shielding her from a fatal blow. The attack tore through him, his body and soul starting to break apart.
He looked at her with sorrow in his eyes and whispered, "Forgive ..."
She cried—real tears, full of pain—and held him tightly as his body crumbled into countless shards of light and shadow, scattering into the void.
I stood frozen, not knowing what to feel. Confused. Powerless.
I tried to reach the Goddess of Benevolence, to hold her, to comfort her—but I couldn’t move. My hands passed right through her.
Then, I watched in horror as darkness consud her... breaking her apart into the sa kind of shards. I scread.
....
The dream shifted again.
Now, I found myself in Aetheria, deep inside the monster forest that borders the Blackmore family’s territory. This was the place where Nao and I would later fight Canis. But this mory—this was before that. I realized I was watching Naoki’s mories, right before he died. The final monts... before Nao reincarnated into Naoki’s body.
I saw Naoki struggling against a horde of shadow wolves. He wasn’t alone—soone else was there—but their face was blurry, hidden. Suddenly, without warning, that person stabbed Naoki in the back. Again and again. rciless. Until Naoki was left barely breathing, bleeding out in the dirt.
And then I heard it.
"This world is rotten to its core. That’s why you can’t be the hero to save it. This is the end, Child of Fate."
That voice... it chilled to my core.
I wanted to help Naoki—I scread, I cried—but I couldn’t do anything. Nothing happened. Just then, his allies arrived. They found him barely alive and rushed him back to the Blackmore’s mansion for healing.
But my thoughts kept circling the attacker. Why did he call Naoki the ’Child of Fate’?And why couldn’t I see his face clearly?I gritted my teeth. "That fucking bastard!"
....
Another mory.
I now saw the Goddess of Benevolence again. She was smiling at —that sa warm, gentle smile I could never forget. This was the day I, Envi, was created... the day I t Nao for the first ti.
I didn’t know how she survived that earlier attack—when her body was shattered—but I was grateful. Grateful that she was here, safe... even for just a mont.
She looked at and said gently, "Envi, I want you to go with his soul... guide him. Protect him. Be his system. And help him fulfill his destiny."
That’s when she sent Nao’s soul into Aetheria, to inhabit the lifeless body of Naoki. I was to go with him—to beco his system, his guide, and the bridge that connected Nao and the Goddess herself.
Before we left, she whispered sothing to , "Envi... this is all I can do now. I’m sorry."
Sorry? But why? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She was my creator. I didn’t hate her—far from it. I wanted to reassure her, to make her proud.
"I’ll do my best," I told her with a silly grin. "And you better give a great reward after we’re done, okay, Goddess of Benevolence?"
She smiled softly at that.
That was the last ti I saw her.
....
Then ca the mories. One after another—every mont I’d spent with Nao.
All the dungeons, the bosses, the near-death fights. The argunts, the teasing, the laughter. We were a weird pair, but... I loved every second of it.
Even though I was just a system—a tool created by a god—I’d changed. I had emotions now. Real emotions.Nao had rubbed off on .
Anger. Joy. Frustration. Pride. Even... love.Yes, I had started to feel sothing real for the people around .
When I thought of love, I thought of Alia.
She was terrifying, sure, but sothing about her drew in. Her loyalty to Naoki, her bravery... her willingness to risk everything for him. The last ti I saw her, she had tears in her eyes while sending Naoki off. It broke my heart and makes really worried about her condition now.
Then there was Lyra—kind-hearted, brave, and endlessly supportive. She fought beside Naoki, even when it put her life at risk. She confessed her feelings too, and I could feel Nao getting flustered. I think I liked her too... and I was sure Nao did.
Freya, the warrior—relentless, powerful, determined. She trained tirelessly to stand by our side, never wanting to be left behind. Her strength was inspiring... and her love for Naoki was honest. She earned my respect—and maybe even my heart.
And finally... Serena.
The one who made Nao fall in love at first sight.He said she reminded him of soone from Earth—a girl he could never forget. Serena was strong, sweet, and always pushed us to beco better. Even I... started to feel drawn to her.
Thinking about love... it’s seriously annoying.
It’s frustrating because I’m just a system! I’m not supposed to feel any of this. I was created to guide Nao in this world—not to feel. These emotions... they’re not ant for . They belong to him. He’s the one who deserves to experience love, happiness, heartbreak... not . Not a tool.
And yet... I feel it all.
Little by little, frustration built inside .
When I entered this Hero’s Trial realm... I began to realize just how foolish I’ve been. The truth hit like a cold wind—I wasn’t sad because I couldn’t feel love. I was sad because I was jealous.
Yes, jealous.
Jealous of Nao... of Naoki... because they’re human. Because they have people who care about them. Because they can say "I love you" and be loved back. I can’t do that. I’ll never be able to.
And maybe that’s what my na, "Envi," really ans. A na given by the Goddess of Benevolence, who probably already knew what I’d beco. The envious system... cursed to always look at what I can’t have.
Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help Nao get stronger. Maybe it was who was holding him back all along.
I’m just... a nuisance. An annoying, useless system who’s failed at his only job.
I don’t deserve to be by his side.
Maybe it’s better if I just... disappear.
I’m sorry, Goddess of Benevolence. In the end, I couldn’t keep my promise.I’m sorry, Nao... for not being able to help you reach your goal...
...
...
"Hey, idiot. You’ve been mumbling to yourself this whole ti. Are you rambling again?"
In the darkness, I heard Nao’s voice. But I couldn’t see him.
"Seriously... are you just going to lie there sulking forever?"
I still couldn’t respond.
"WAKE UP, YOU DAMNED LAZY SYSTEM!"
Suddenly, the ceiling above shattered like glass—
CLANG! THUD!
At the sa mont, pain shot through my head.
"OW—DAMN YOU NAO, THAT HURT!"I shot up, and there he was—Nao—standing in front of in a strange dark room. He was actually holding .
"Wait... you can touch ?! You’ve never been able to do that! I’m a system, rember?!"
"Yeah, well, apparently in this realm, I can touch you. Lucky for . I’ve been aning to punch you after all the crap you’ve put through—your pervy comnts, your laziness, your idiocy... Honestly, you’ve been nothing but a pain!"
He clenched his fist and raised it again.
"Wait! WAIT—!"
I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting another hit.
But then... the punch stopped—right in front of my face.
Instead, Nao looked at seriously, and said,
"Listen to , Envi. Yeah, you’re annoying. You’re pervy. You’re lazy. But even so... I need you."
"You’ve done your job well—better than I ever expected. You’ve helped complete quests, saved my family, protected the people of Aetheria. Honestly... I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."
His voice dropped, quieter, but sincere.
"And Envi... I didn’t know you could feel sadness. But don’t worry. I believe... soday, your wish will co true."
I stared at him, stunned. I had no words. My heart—or whatever I have that resembles one—tightened.
"Nao... I..." My voice trembled.
But deep down, I believed him. I wanted to believe him.
Nao slowly extended his fist again—but this ti, for a handshake.
"So... help finish this trial. And after that, let’s defeat the Demon King—together. Partner."
That word—partner—hit harder than any punch ever could.
My doubt, my pain... it all vanished.
I reached out. A glowing hand extended from my system body, and I gripped his.
"Welp, if you insist... leave everything to this amazing Envi! Hahah!"
"Still acting cool, huh? Hahaha." Nao chuckled.
And with that, the dark room began to shatter around us. The trial was ending. The next challenge awaited.
When I ca to, Nao and I were standing together again—face to face with the two figures waiting for us: God of Darkness and Canis.
Now I understood. Why Nao and I had to unite our strength. Why this trial existed.
We’re not just hero and system.
We’re one.
And this is only the beginning.
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