The Legendary Programming Mage

Before I knew what was happening, a low, dark laugh slipped from my lips.

Hahahahahahaha...

So, I'd basically been given an expiration date with the reliability of a cheap phone battery.

"Just fucking great."

It was strange how the world loved kicking me when I was down.

One moment I get transmigrated into an ugly bastard who can't use mana, and once I fix that, the world throws in a new trial.

"Trials make a king..." I tried to steady myself. "Trials make a king, Allen..."

I tightened my fist, fighting the urge to smash the system window in the face.

But remembering it couldn't be touched, I restrained myself.

"Damn, life is unfair."

If this was some cliché plot, the virus inside me could have become an overpowered boost.

But for me?

It was my doom.

Tsk.

Clicking my tongue, I sank back into my blanket.

750 days.

That was how long I had left on this planet, assuming I ignored the reduction mechanism.

If I added it...

Then...

I pressed my fingers against my temples.

0.1% every day...

That would be around 10% every hundred days, which meant 75 days.

I nearly burst out laughing. "Just kill me."

And as if that wasn't enough, they had to nerf me with extra reduction every time I used mana heavily.

However, it wasn't like the system gave me nothing in return.

At least I would gain 5% of a defeated monster's stats as health.

And knowing systems, I doubted it was limited to monsters.

Humans too were included.

I wasn't going to kill anyone, but it was still good to know.

At least that way, I had a double excuse if I ever did kill an opponent.

I nodded to myself in approval.

Actually, thinking about it, there wasn't much of an issue with the life force.

All I needed to do was kill a bunch of monsters.

I shifted in the bed, trying to find a comfortable position.

For now, there was nothing to worry about.

Even with the life drain, I still had over a year before death came knocking.

The moment I closed my eyes, my consciousness slipped into the embrace of sleep.

---

The first light of dawn in this new world was torture.

I was sure I had closed the window just in case, so why?

Opening my eyes slowly, my gaze drifted to the window, which was wide open, then to Quincy, who had just entered the house with a large bag.

She glanced at me, tilting her head before smiling. "Good morning, Mister Allen."

I rubbed my eyes softly. "Good morning..."

Greeting first thing in the morning really wasn't the best experience.

"What are you doing in my house?"

Quincy, now crouched on the floor unloading different takeout containers from her bag, turned to me.

"Have you forgotten the deal we made?"

Finally lowering my hand from my eyes, I replied, "Of course not."

Why would I even forget that? I need it more than you do.

Quincy nodded, placing two small boxes in the fridge before moving closer with another two.

"Well, I know you won't cook anything, so I made food."

She handed me one of the boxes as she sat on the bed without asking.

With practiced ease, she opened the box to reveal stir-fried rice.

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she blew on the spoon inches from her lips before taking a bite.

"It's hot~" She opened her mouth slightly while fanning her hand over it.

"Allen, it's..."

Her words caught in her throat as our eyes locked.

From the moment she opened the box to the instant the food entered her mouth, I couldn't look away.

Was I becoming stupid?

It was the only logical reason.

Because never in my life had I stared at someone so intently.

The moment she realized my gaze, I lingered for a moment before lowering my eyes to the box in my hand.

"Thanks for the meal."

"Mmm..."

Though I couldn't see her face, I somehow knew it was red.

'Her weirdness is definitely rubbing off on me.'

Hmmm...

'It's good.'

"Did you make this?"

Quincy turned to me and smirked. "What? Have you fallen for me?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Wasn't that what I told you yesterday?"

She puffed out her chest and cheeks. "Yes. I spent all night thinking of how to say it back."

She suddenly leaned closer, her smirk reaching her eyes. "So, was it cooler?"

Heat crept up my face for a moment.

'Damn, now I've got a fever.'

I took another spoonful. "It was cringe, not cool."

"Humph." She looked away dramatically, but I could feel her gaze land on me again and again—and each time, she smiled.

It didn't take long for me to finish eating.

Once I was done, I stepped into the bathroom and took a long shower.

I had to wash away both Allen's former ugliness and my fever.

Quincy waited outside since, according to her, it was improper for a man and woman to share the same room when one was bathing.

It took me about thirty minutes to get dressed.

I wore a black turtleneck, a white shirt over it with the last two buttons undone, and over all of them, a trench coat.

Paired with black trousers and polished shoes, I looked like a fashion model.

Even without the outfit, I was divine, but now no one in the galaxy could compare.

Tying the back of my hair into a single braid, I placed a baret over it, grabbed a bag, and left the room.

Outside the door, Quincy waited in her simple white gown and modest jewelry.

"Oh, you're done." Her legs, which had been kicking aimlessly, stilled.

She looked up at me with wide eyes, and I nodded. "Yeah, I'm done."

As if just noticing my clothes, her face flushed as she turned away.

"Uhmm... You look good."

I drew in a breath. "You too."

She peeked at me from the corner of her eyes. "Are you just noticing it?"

Without giving me time to respond, she rushed ahead.

"Okay, let's go meet big bro."

Her warm hands gripped mine as she pulled me forward.

Finally, it was time to officially register as a hunter.