The first choice had a second disadvantage. 'It is that I will be permanently using up one of my Arms to obtain this ability. So it means, in the future, I would only possess 5 Arms. Whether this is a good or bad situation, I cannot say for sure.'
His second choice was to retain Slave Harem as it was and use it as a System Fragment. That meant, he would be able to load it as a bullet in his gun and shoot it at his foe, just like what he had done to Duchess when she was only a Grogar.
But, this meant he would lose the ability after firing it once. There was only one advantage to this, and that was the fact that this was using the core of the Slave Harem's power. Meaning, it was an ability that didn't conform to the laws of the world or any logic of sorts. It was bordering a concept, its effect absolute.
So, irrespective of the targeted entity, they would fall under this ability's effect. 'But, no matter how strong they are, they can still be subjected to my control while using Slave Harem as a Skill. Only the duration of time necessary and the amount of Mental Energy needed might differ. It makes no sense to waste the entire ability on one person.'
His situation meant that it wasn't helpful enough. Moreover, since Systems didn't have any Gender of their own, it meant this ability wouldn't work on them.
But, there was a catch here that he realised, hence the cause for his dilemma. And, that was when considering System Hosts.
Suppose there was a System Host who was a female. Then, once he fired Slave Harem into her, it would mean that she would fall head over heels for him. Moreover, the effect of Slave Harem would also make its way into the System parasitising her.
After all, when a System was in a Host, they were a single entity. That's how Compass Carburettor was able to make System Fragments out of severing Regriel's arms before. It was because the Slave Harem System had fused into his body.
So, a part of its ability existed in every inch of his body.
Therefore, once the System Host falls for him, it meant the same for the System in her too. It too would develop feelings for him. This way, it would try to help him with all its might. He would be getting a System as his ally through this manner.
In the former choice, the Skill of Slave Harem would work in conjunction with his Secret Society, allowing him to make members without any limitation, saving time and effort tremendously. After all, he only needed to use the Skill of Slave Harem on them before making them a member of Secret Society. It would take less than a minute to do so.
But in the latter choice, he would be getting a System as his ally. And through it, he would gain access to the Astral Network and would be able to gear himself with helpful abilities. There were pros and cons to both the choices as he was conflicted.
'Wait, there is one problem in the second choice.' He frowned, thinking, 'Even if I gain a System Host as an ally, there won't be much use once I leave that world. After all, once they return to the System World, the System has to devour its Host. It may or may not work in such a fashion. And secondly, if the System I target doesn't fall for Slave Harem's effect, then I am wasting the ability.'
"If I'm just making a logical assumption, then I can say that this effect won't work on any Systems above Level 5, since that was the Slave Harem System's level. But, would a System of this level be helpful to me, especially considering how I'll be facing stronger Systems in the future? And, even if this ability takes effect, what will happen when the System levels up and surpasses level 5? Will it overcome this effect and then turn aggressive on me because of what I had done?"
He sighed, "I guess, in the end, it's my ignorance that's preventing me from taking the way that might possibly have a greater chance of profit in the future."
There was just too much that he was ignorant about. Hence, he didn't wish to take too many risks and bite off more than he could chew. "I guess I'll select the first choice and obtain Slave Harem as a Core Skill. It does have plenty of use to support me after all."
Once there is a woman among Secret Society that has a loyalty of 100 in a world he was in, he could Bestow upon her the Skill of Slave Harem. This way, she'll enslave any men while he could do the same for women. With that, they'll be able to pull in more members without trouble.
Though, Compass Carburettor had no intentions of doing it on people, unless of course, they were his enemies and he had no other choice but to do so to fulfil his objective. Otherwise, he was planning to use it on monsters.
As they were monsters, they would obtain the ability to turn into humans and mingle into human society. This way, they'll be able to use their special powers as monsters. It would create interesting dynamics and would stay true to the notion of everything being secretive, being true to the essence of the ability—Secret society.
'This has more definite use and I can also share it with my members. And, I can understand all the advantages and risks of this option, unlike the other one.' He sighed, muttering, "I'm unlike those Main Characters of cultivation novels where everything mysterious and unknown would only end up profiting them in the end. Reality doesn't work like that. A single mistake, and I'll be damned."
He then activated the System Fragment containing Slave Harem, making it his own, watching it condense in his body after devouring one of his six Arms. The moment it became his Core Skill, he sighed, saying in the end, "I guess this is it, quite the disgusting route I have to take."
"But, I won't complain. If this is necessary to help Stencil, I'll gladly do so."
Author's note: December month's mass release quota:
Golden Ticket: 1 bonus chappie for every 12 GT
Magic Castle: 2 extra bonus chappies for every Magic Castle
Spacecraft: 5 extra bonus chappies for every Spacecraft
Read 8 chappies in advance in Privilege
