Wait, System! Stop Helping The Protagonist!

Krestic brought back his signature smile on his face and asked. "What is your name?"

"Sir, my name is Ashton, just a peasant in this kingdom." Ashton replied respectfully.

"Hmm, let me ask you, are you scared?" Krestic looked straight into Ashton’s eyes.

"No, sir. With your presence gracing us, we have nothing to fear. It is our fortune to have you." Ashton wasn’t lying. In front of Krestic, many heretics would feel ashamed of themselves.

"Oh, would you say the same thing if a duke was present here?" Krestic smirked as he felt he found some amusing.

Ashton was stumped before answering. "I do not know, sir. I have not met any duke in my life. So, I can’t say what they can do for us. But I have met you and have seen your grace many times, and I also know that because of you we are living in peace and harmony."

"Oh." Krestic raised his eyebrows. "Your way of thinking and speech is rather smart for a peasant. Did you perhaps have the chance to study under anyone’s tutelage?"

Ashton was shocked and panicked inwardly. ’Oh no, I forgot peasants are dirt poor and illiterate. I panicked too much seeing Krestic, leading me to forget my speech pattern.’

Ashton could do nothing but bite the bullet. He forced himself to remain as calm as possible before replying with a scent of embarrassment. "Sir, I do not have the money to study under anyone or to enroll in an academy. Fortunately, my father knew someone who had great worldly knowledge. With his help I was able to learn."

Then the room once again descended into silence.

Krestic pondered for a bit before saying it. "What kind of work are you doing right now?"

"Uhhh, I am currently unemployed, sir." Ashton rubbed the back of his neck while trying to avoid eye contact with Krestic. No matter which world he was in, talking about unemployment was always embarrassing.

"Is that so? I have a job for you. Are you perhaps interested?" Krestic asked, looking at Ashton, amused.

Ashton was stumped. He didn’t expect this beginner final boss would invite him to work. As he began to think to himself, he started to hesitate. He has not awakened any talent or ability. He doesn’t even have the special physiques of this world. He didn’t have anyone to rely on. So, getting work recommended by a baron was too good for him.

’But, this guy is a devil himself. I do not know when he would kill him in a fit of rage, elation, or sadness.’ Ashton knew it was too much of a risk to be under a baron and a villain on top of that.

If only he had some kind of power to rely on.

[ Ding ]

[ It is detected the host has encountered a major character. ]

[ The system is activated. ]

As if Ashton’s prayers were heard, voices that felt like heavenly music echoed inside his mind. He roared out loud. ’System! Now this is what I am talking about! System quick! Give me the strongest skill so I can blow this guy into smithereens.’

[ Host, put away delusional thoughts. ]

Immediately, the system poured cold water onto Ashton’s burning ambition.

[ You just have to ensure the plot goes without any outside hindrance and does not deviate too much from the general plotline. This system will help you ensure you do it. ]

’What do you mean not diluting the plotline? What do you mean outside hindrance?’ Ashton felt like a 100-ton cluster bomb exploded inside him. The information the system leaked might be small, but it revealed some glaring issues.

[ You will know. ]

[ Task 1 (Continuous): Weaken Krestic’s power down to 60%. For every 5%, the host will receive a reward.]

[ Task completion reward: The protagonist receives bountiful rewards ]

Ashton read the task and was elated as he read he would receive a reward just for weakening Krestic, but his face dropped when he saw the task-completion reward. He roared inside his mind for the injustice. ’System! Are you kidding me? Why are you giving the protagonist rewards for completing a task that I will do instead of giving it to me? Is something wrong with you?’

However, what he got in return was pure unadulterated silence. No matter how much he yelled or muttered weird system activation chants, the system didn’t budge.

At that moment, Krestic’s voice came in. "Have you decided?"

Only then Ashton remembered which presence he was in. Gritting his teeth, he decided he should be deeply involved in the plot to unearth what the system wanted to say. "Yes, sir. I am willing to do the work you recommend."

Krestic nodded his head in satisfaction; however, inwardly he was a bit bewildered. He had witnessed too many emotions pass through this youth’s face. He even wondered if he made a wrong mistake, but whatever happens. He had promised something, so he should stick with it; it wasn’t like in the grand scheme of things this youth could do something.

Ashton asked. "Sir, what kind of job will I be doing?"

"Hehehe." Krestic laughed a little before saying it. "You will be my second daughter’s royal retainer."

Ashton’s eyes widened in shock. He pointed to himself with his mouth agape. "Me? I am not strong and don’t have connections. There are many people who are better than me. Why choose me?"

Krestic curved up the side of the lip. "That is why I am assigning you to be her royal retainer. I need someone simple with a good mind. I need someone like you."

What could Ashton say but express his gratitude? "Thank you, sir. I am flattered."

But no one knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to grab Krestic by his collar and question him like he was interrogating a criminal. "Why are you assigning me to be the royal retainer of the first female lead? Do you want the protagonist to kill me?"

"Okay, take a rest today. Be sure to present here in the morning." Krestic nodded, indicating with his head for Ashton to leave now.

Krestic, who was expecting Ashton to leave in joy, all of a sudden heard.

"Sir, can I have some pay in advance?"