[This is unfair, Rookie. Why are you doubting the system from the get-go? Did I do something to make you feel suspicious?]
The system asked, and Rin immediately felt defensive.
"It's nothing you did. I'm just feeling a little more sensitive than usual. Don't worry about it."
Once the system asked Rin this, he felt foolish and decided that he had been far too eager to investigate things. He needed to take things slowly so the system would not become suspicious of him.
[Hmm, if that's the issue, then this senior understands. I will overlook your doubts and questions about the system.]
Rin nodded and then looked at the core in his hand.
The core was calling out to him, urging him to swallow it. But something inside him was telling him that it was not something he should do. Every time he ate a core, something inside him changed. He no longer felt entirely human.
[Please consume the core and increase your strength. Otherwise, the next few tasks are going to be difficult for you.]
