DEB 53

A-grade command.

Judging by the grade, it seemed valuable, but Huiyun couldn’t feel happy about it.

“Kneel,” seriously? Why would it come up with something like that?

Huiyun looked at the system window in dismay. 

To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing and childish. 

Too… too cringeworthy, really?

Even as he mentally objected, the system showed only the list of disciples as potential targets for the command.

Apparently, it could only be applied to those registered in the Disciple Education Book, which showed the names of Juan, Jiwook, and Nameless.

“What exactly is a command?”

In his rush, he hadn’t even properly read the explanation before trying it out. Asking the system for more information, a blue window popped up.

[A command is a function that allows you to forcibly make a disciple perform a specific action using Yasha’s authority! For example, if you apply ‘Kneel’ to Disciple A, when you say ‘Kneel’ to them, they will be compelled to immediately obey. Commands can be used once per day.]

In short, it was a command with irresistible compulsion. Confirming that the activation condition was the direct vocalization of the command word, Huiyun covered his face.

“Is there any way to revise this?”

Couldn’t it be done silently or by clicking something in the status window?

It was cringeworthy and a bit embarrassing. More importantly, if he vocalized it in front of the disciples, it would be obvious that he was the one forcing them to act.

Huiyun wanted to use this ability discreetly, without anyone noticing. For instance, he could quietly say ‘Kneel’ to Jiwook on his way home if he acted out of line.

Despite his earnest request, the system did not accommodate his preference. It only blinked the window as if telling him to follow the rules.

Feeling a deep sense of self-consciousness, Huiyun considered whom to apply the command to. 

In truth, there were only two real candidates.

Jiwook and Nameless.

Ash, despite his strong affection for Yasha, was somewhat manageable by Huiyun. Ash would listen to Huiyun about half the time when told not to do something.

But Jiwook was different. Jiwook disobeyed out of spite, and Nameless would ignore commands if he wasn’t inclined. To control these two, Huiyun realized he would need to invest future commands in them.

“Who needs more control in this situation….” 

Jiwook.

The memory of the previous night was vivid enough to make the decision quickly. Both Jiwook and Nameless had invaded Huiyun’s bed while he was sleeping, but the one who seemed less in control of his own actions was Jiwook. If Jiwook couldn’t control himself, Huiyun would have to help him. Having made his decision, Huiyun selected Jiwook as the target, and the Disciple Education Book’s information window updated.

[Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator]

Registered Disciples

Ash (Hong Juan) Respect 17% 

Vina (Kwon Jiwook) Respect 4% 

Moot (Nameless) Respect 10%

Education

Command: Kneel (Vina) Punishment

Praise

Relationship and Status

Ash (Hong Juan) Affection 35%

Worried about his sick master ㅠㅁㅠ｜Sadness, Worry, Annoyance 

Vina (Kwon Jiwook)

Affection 0%

Annoyed by his master’s frailty ㅡㅡ^｜Worry, Annoyance, Anger 

Moot (Nameless)

Affection 5%

Making dolls while thinking about his master ㅇㅅㅇ｜Interest, Joy, Daydreaming

!Note! Three unregistered disciples remain. Complete their registration by recovering your memories.

Over the past few days, the information in the window had changed significantly. Respect levels had risen slightly, and Vina’s negative affection had returned to zero. After reviewing each disciple’s status message, Huiyun focused on Nameless’s status, which seemed different from the others.

“…Did I choose the wrong person?”

It crossed his mind that he might have made a mistake not choosing Nameless for the command. But the opportunity had already passed. He could only hope for the best as he looked at the command section and noticed the punishment and praise options.

Given the nature of the command, did those two options also…?

– Yippp.

Siho let out a cute cry. Interpreting it as an affirmative, Huiyun began to suspect that the guide he received might be more dangerous than expected.

The idea of registering punishments alongside commands was somewhat disturbing from a human rights perspective.

As he was mulling over his concerns, a golden window popped up unexpectedly.

[Huiyun, Huiyun!]

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

Surprised by the system’s sudden address, Huiyun blinked. The system, now glowing more brilliantly than usual, continued.

[Would you like to obtain information about the whereabouts of the missing three disciples?]

“No, I’m not buying it.”

Here it was, trying to sell him on another awakening.

Fed up with the pattern, Huiyun waved his hand dismissively, saying he wasn’t interested. 

The system urgently followed him, trying to persuade him.

[Don’t be like that! Try completing this quest! I promise I won’t push for an awakening this time!]

“Quest?”

[Yes!]

The system responded energetically, and Siho, watching the situation, let out a bored cry.

Condition met! The Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator opens.

[Disciple Education Book for Reincarnator, Chapter 3]

-Only the master cares for the lost disciple (1)

Shouldn’t you find the missing disciples and register them in the Disciple Education Book? Clear the gate to discover clues about the disciples’ whereabouts!

Condition: Conquer an intermediate-level or higher gate

Reward: Progress 5%, Information about one missing disciple

“Did you hide them?”

[What????]

Oops. 

I said that out loud.

Seeing the system display the Disciple Education Book and its rewards as if it had been waiting, Huiyun couldn’t help but suspect that the system knew about the missing disciples. Honestly, given the system’s past behavior, it was entirely possible.

The system seemed bewildered by the sudden accusation, but considering its past actions, Huiyun’s suspicion was understandable. Ignoring the system’s whining about how unfair it was to be accused of something it didn’t do, Huiyun tried to think rationally.

It didn’t seem like the system had kidnapped them.

If the system were offering information, it probably meant the disciples were indeed in the demon realm. The system would likely reveal their precise location.

“Even if you tell us where they are, if we can’t reach them, it won’t matter.”

[Then complete another quest!]

“That’s one way to do it.” Huiyun admitted it was a reasonable approach. 

“But I’m not doing it.”

[Why not?]

“Just a bad feeling about this.”

The system, which used to push awakening, was now pushing quests, and it felt off. The feeling he got was the same as when he received the Aftercare Service for Saviors. After accepting that, his life took a turn, meeting Yasha’s crazy disciples and ending up like this.

The system objected, saying he was always like this, but Huiyun ignored it.

In conclusion, when the system was overly polite and persistent, it usually meant it was pushing something unpleasant.

He wasn’t falling for it again.

Seeing Huiyun’s stubborn refusal, the system shifted tactics.

[But you have no other way to find the disciples right now! If even one of them gets hurt, can you live with that? I don’t think so. Acting is better than regretting, Huiyun.]

“…”

The system, usually whiny or pleading, was now making a surprisingly logical argument. Huiyun ran a hand over his face, contemplating the situation. The system had hit the mark. If he had a chance to find the disciples and didn’t take it, and later found out one was hurt, he’d deeply regret it.

It would feel like he had personally killed them, like he had abandoned them.

The thought of that guilt was already weighing on him, and the system knew it. Sensing Huiyun’s hesitation, the system pushed harder. Siho, seemingly unimpressed, let out a sharp cry and wagged his tail.

“…Just this once.”

Huiyun reluctantly agreed to the quest, hoping to confirm whether the disciples were indeed in the demon realm. 

The system rejoiced.

“I can’t believe I’m making the system happy….”

Feeling unsettled, Huiyun dismissed the system window and lay back down on the care bed to rest. After sleeping soundly for about three hours, he woke up feeling significantly better.

‘Even with the potion and treatment, that was a quick recovery.’

Given the penalties from using Yasha’s powers, this level of recovery felt like a freebie. Satisfied, Huiyun noted the pending quest notification and slowly got up.

Recalling the route the guard had shown him earlier, he easily found his way to the elevator and headed up.

Taking a deep breath outside the guild master’s office, Huiyun burst in and looked at the three hunters on the sofa. 

They all turned their gaze to Huiyun simultaneously.

Checking their faces one by one, Huiyun spoke.

“Let’s go.”

“…Where?”

“To conquer a gate.”

It was best to tackle the quest quickly, and Juan’s expression turned odd.

“I thought you went to rest?” 

“I did. Now I’m ready to go.” 

“…”

The three hunters gave him incredulous looks. Huiyun, noting that their current expressions matched his usual reaction to their antics, firmly insisted on going.