Why is My System Glitching

Half a day later, Lordi Payne threaded through the chaos of Alchemy Peak's Grand Market, his storage pouch bulging with freshly bought herbs and raw materials—enough for a marathon of elixir pill crafting. The market's din—vendors hawking elixirs, cultivators bartering in sharp tones—faded as he made for the Lab Hotel, a squat, iron-clad building pulsing with the hum of alchemy arrays. He planned to rent a room for ten days, time to craft his Bone Tempering Pills and use AllFullOS system one-click-cultivation in peace. The hotel's lobby swarmed with disciples, their robes a riot of colors, the air thick with the tang of herbs and sweat. Lordi joined the queue at the front desk, arms crossed, calculating his next moves.

A shout sliced through the clamor. "Lordi Payne!" The voice—frantic, familiar—made him turn. Hugo Payne shoved through the crowd, sweat beading on his brow, his face flushed with urgency. "Clan Brother, there you are!"

Lordi's brow arched, surprise tinged with wariness. "Hugo? What's got you yelling?"

Hugo grabbed his arm, pulling him to a shadowed corner by a pillar, away from the lobby's crowd. His whisper was low, desperate. "I need a favor, Lordi—something important. You have to help me."

Lordi eased his arm free, voice cool and guarded. "Slow down, clan brother. What's the job?" Their relationship had always been lukewarm at best—after all, this was the same clan brother who had refused to lend him even ten spirit $tones last time. If it was a minor request, he might oblige. But if it's anything messy? He'd walk. No time for this nonsense.

Hugo huffed, irritation flashing. "Just come with me back to Ghost Shade Peak. We're seeing Elaine-chan."

"Elaine-chan? Sun Elaine?" Lordi's frown deepened, suspicion coiling. "Why the hell does she want to see me?"

"How should I know?" Hugo snapped, his indignation blind, almost proud. "Elaine-chan asked for you. So just come!"

Lordi let out a dry laugh and brushed Hugo's hand off his shoulder. Voice still neutral. "Sorry, Clan Brother. I'm swamped with something else right now. I don't have time to entertain your sweetheart."

Seeing Hugo Payne's darkening gloomy face, Lordi puzzled, studying him with genuine curiosity, "Hugo, seriously, Why are you so obsessed with that woman?"

Deerspring Town wasn't large, but Lordi Payne remembered plenty of pretty young ladies from respectable families.