The Innkeeper

The Innkeeper looked at Ereboth as an elder would look at a naughty child, and for a moment his expression seemed like he was resisting the urge to sigh. Of course, the fact that Ereboth had been able to sense as much was because Lex had revealed that expression to him in the first place.

"Young man, I have already instructed you at length, even going as far as describing things to avoid and pitfalls to be careful of. I can show you the way, but I cannot walk it for you. Let me ask you a question instead, and maybe that question will help guide you. If the system disappeared right now, completely, without repercussions. All your quests are gone, and there is nothing guiding you towards anything. Even the abilities you have are only your own, what would you do? Or rather, what would you want to do?"

The question was like a clap of thunder in Ereboth's mind, for it had never even imagined that he could exist without his system. For reasons unknown, Ereboth had always instinctively felt like he was the system and the system was him. Even though he had lived billions of years, he had never imagined that he could exist without the system. Now that the Innkeeper had asked him such a question, he suddenly felt like he had awakened to a new reality.

For a time, Ereboth tried to think of what he would do but… but there was no answer. His instincts couldn't guide him on this, and there was no answer in his mind, either.

A few seconds passed without Ereboth answering. This time, the Innkeeper sighed audibly.

"Fine. Let me guide you a little. There is no need to immediately come up with an answer. Instead, just think of ways to use the system in ways that the system was not meant to be used. That does not mean going against the system or its quests, but just use the features of the system for a purpose other than what the system tells you.

"Do you think you can manage to do that on your own, or do you want help with that as well?"

Ereboth did not have a face in its planet form, and had been cowed by the aura of the Innkeeper flowing directly into its soul, but its nature had not been completely suppressed.

Feeling like he could take advantage of the Innkeeper, or at least make use of the continuous aid he offered to build a stronger connection between them, Ereboth was willing to go as far as needed.

Moreover, he had been thoroughly convinced. Not only did the Innkeepers aura alone suppress him, the way he looked at the world brought him an all new perspective on life. As such, he was willing to pay any price to strengthen their relationship, even if it was the Innkeeper treating him as a child.

Come to think of it, Ereboth had no parents, so no one had treated him like a child before. From a certain point of view, the Innkeeper could be like a stand-in parent. If that was the case, why did he need to be reserved?

"Innkeeper, please grant me your guidance."

"Keep in mind your goal is to use the system for means other than what the system states it can be used for. So far, you have used the system to farm experience from all the beings living on your body. Now, you can do things a little differently. Instead of farming experience, think of ways you can use the system to give you more perspective about what it's like to be a traditional planet.

"Since you are so insistent on it, I suppose I can help you out with this. But keep in mind, I won't do so again unless you show progress. For the low, low price of 1MT a month, I will allow you to link some of your territories and dungeons to the Inn, allowing some of the Midnight Inns guests to come and visit them.

"You can temporarily grant them systems, and use that as a novelty feature to attract more tourists onto yourself, and build a reputation as a tourist planet. Maybe this will give you some insight into the kinds of lives other sentient planets live, and what they strive towards. Maybe that can help you find your path."

"Deal! Done! I'll do just that!" Ereboth exclaimed, suddenly energetic. He could not miss this opportunity to link himself to the Midnight Inn, and the Innkeeper had even made the price of doing so incredibly cheap. Ereboth would be a fool to spurn such an amazing opportunity.

The Innkeeper looked at the planet reluctantly, but it was too late. As soon as the Innkeeper had made the offer, Ereboth had made the payment and transferred the required amount.

He would not take back the money, and the Innkeeper would be forced to keep his word!

Not only that, but he had even gained a source of new beings coming to it, even if it technically couldn't force them to stay forever.

For the first time in a long time, Ereboth felt excitement at the prospect of the new visitors coming to him. He already began to think of all the kinds of dungeons he would design. After all, he couldn't just show cheap or low-quality dungeons to guests of the Inn.

Internally, Ereboth began to laugh. This was just the beginning. At first, he would bring the guests of the Inn to the dungeons. But slowly and surely, he would expand their reach, bringing them to see all the world wonders he had created. Heck, he might even send some of the residents of his planet to the Midnight Inn!

The evil, murderous planet laughed internally as he conjured up plot after plot in its mind, completely unaware that he was paying the Innkeeper to do what the Innkeeper wanted to do from the very beginning.

Moreover, even the guests who wanted to go to the dungeons would need to pay the Inn to reach them. The Innkeeper put on a neutral expression, but his internal capitalist was laughing as well.

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