As they traveled deeper into the Third Demon Realm, Glorio led the group toward a small town.
"Based on the time, it should be night on Earth. Let's stop here and rest for a bit."
The town wasn't very large. The local residents looked more like Beastmen—animal-type humanoids—quite different from the human-like appearances of Glorio and Shin.
Glorio brought the group to an inn. The owner, seeing such a large group, immediately smelled a golden opportunity to make a massive profit.
"Looking for rooms?"
"Yes," Glorio replied.
"A single room is thirty thousand. If you want multiple people in one, that'll be sixty thousand!"
"Tsk. You're really trying to rip us off, aren't you?" Glorio said, his voice tightening with annoyance.
"Hmph. If you think it's too expensive, go somewhere else. But don't say I didn't warn you—mine is the only inn for miles!"
"Is that so? Then don't say I didn't warn you either!"
Glorio looked at the owner with a threatening glint in his eyes.
"What?"
The owner's expression flipped instantly. He stared down the barrel of "The Truth"—a handgun Glorio had just pulled out.
It seemed that no matter which world you were in, this particular tool was remarkably effective at helping people regain their composure.
The owner's gaze cleared up immediately. "Ahem... I see. How about five thousand? I can't go any lower than that."
Glorio nodded, satisfied. "That works."
Without another word, the owner handed over several keys. Glorio distributed them to the group and pointed toward the stairs. "The rooms are upstairs. I'll come get you tomorrow."
Late that night, Turles sat in his room with Bulma and Future Bulma, lost in thought.
Bulma looked at Turles. "I thought the Demon Realm would be more interesting. It doesn't seem that different from anywhere else. If I'd known, I might have just stayed home with Lazuli and waited for you to get back."
"Hahaha, most planets are actually pretty similar," Turles replied. "When it comes to the environment, Earth is still the best—even with the industrial pollution."
"I just wonder what kind of experts are hiding here in the Demon Realm," Future Bulma said, her eyes gleaming. "I'm actually looking forward to it..."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Tsk. Look at you. You're turning into a total battle maniac. Not ladylike at all."
"Hahaha, maybe I should have you modified into an Android too?" Future Bulma teased.
Bulma shook her head quickly. "No thanks. I believe my husband can protect me."
Future Bulma nodded. "True. We're different in that regard. But personally, I still prefer having the power in my own hands."
Watching the two of them bicker, a small smile played on Turles' lips. This feeling... it was good. He pulled them both a little closer. He didn't plan on doing anything tonight; after all, they weren't home, and he needed to stay alert.
In the dead of night, the System's voice suddenly jolted Turles awake.
"Yo, Host. Living the dream, I see. Surrounded by beauties... you've gone soft."
"Hmm? System? You're back?"
"Just checking in on you. Didn't you say you wanted a Chat Group last time?"
"Why? Did you find one?" Turles asked, a hint of anticipation in his mind.
"Well... no. I almost had one, but some idiot jumped out of nowhere and scared it off. It was a real mess..."
The System sounded a bit embarrassed. "However, I did catch that idiot and brought him back!"
"Second Brother, bring that idiot up here!"
The Per-Second Power Level Increase System spoke up awkwardly. "Big Brother, can you please not call me 'Second Brother'? It sounds a bit... off."
"What then? Should I call you 'Old Second'?"
"Uh... let's stick with Second Brother."
"Then quit whining! Hurry up and bring that fool out. He dared to ruin my plans. Absolutely lawless!"
Slap!
"What are you looking at? You got a problem?!"
The Deep Blue Stat Point System was stunned. I didn't even say anything! You just slapped me across the face! Did I say I had a problem?!
Slap!
"Still looking? You think you can act tough in front of my Boss?!"
"I..."
Slap! Slap! Slap!
After three more hits, the Deep Blue Stat Point System completely broke.
"Big Brother! I give up! I surrender! Tell him to put the knife away, I'm done for!"
"I have spent half my life drifting, never meeting a true master. If you do not disdain me, I am willing to..."
"...be your foster son?"
Turles instinctively finished the sentence. The System nearly overheated with rage. Wait, what? Is he trying to play Lu Bu? Does that make me Dong Zhuo? Having spent so much time with Turles, the System was well-acquainted with his host's Earthly pop culture references.
"Second Brother, hit him again!"
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"No! Big Brother, stop! I'm trying to acknowledge you as my Big Brother! I swear it on my Core System!"
"Hmm? You're serious? Second Brother, hold on a second."
"Yes, Big Brother! From the moment I met you, I knew you were my destiny. You are like..."
Turles listened to the flattery and felt his lip twitch. Good grief, even the System world was full of bootlickers. Just listen to how this new one was praising the original.
"Fine, you've got a silver tongue. See this? This is my Host. What are you waiting for? Bind with him already."
"Understood, Big Brother! Right away, Big Brother!"
Ding! Deep Blue Stat Point System successfully bound!
"Deep Blue? What do you actually do?" Turles asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like. Whenever you defeat an enemy, you'll earn Attribute Points based on their power level. Then, you can add those points to your stats however you like..."
Turles nodded. "I see. It feels a bit... low-end, doesn't it?"
He was already strong, and he could usually pick up attributes just by fighting.
The Deep Blue Stat Point System was speechless. Low-end? Do you hear yourself?
Oh wait, he's the Host of the Big Boss. Never mind.
The original System was notorious in the system circles for being ruthless. If it hadn't been using "alt accounts" every time it went out, it would have been ganged up on by other systems long ago. It was incredibly cautious; even now, its "main account" remained hidden.
"By the way, Host," the original System said. "I've updated the power scaling while I was out. The power levels in this universe are breaking way too fast. I'll let you see the details in a moment. Also, you need to play it a bit more 'steady'—don't go acting invincible just yet."
"Play it steady?"
"Yeah. I gathered a lot of resources during my trip and upgraded myself. I just did a quick scan of this universe, and man... there are so many 'lurkers' hiding in the shadows."
"In the Demon Realm you're in right now, there's a King-tier entity sleeping.
In Conton City, where you joined up, there are two.
In Zeno's Multiverse, there are another two.
And I haven't even listed the rest."
"By the way," the System added, "when I say 'King-tier,' I mean the same level as Zeno."
Turles froze. What?! The water in the Dragon Ball universe is that deep? That many Zeno-level beings?
It looked like he really did need to stay low-key and focus on steady development.