My System Doesn't Give Power

04. The Headline That Nearly Ended Our Agency

Footage of the Ashes Cult leader fleeing Black Coast went viral beneath the headline "A Dog Fleeing an Even Wilder One."

Armani objected to being compared to a dog and visited the publishing agency personally. The Association Chairman intervened before matters escalated any further, though the building still sustained extensive structural damage.

The agency later replaced the phrase "Wilder One" with the nickname "Infamous Wild," which Armani reportedly disliked as well.

Zac stared at the screen before letting out a quiet laugh. "This is ridiculous, but it fits her perfectly."

[Journalistic integrity demands sacrifice.]

"Now I understand why the article came with a safety disclaimer."

He continued to the next entry.

03. The Nine Towers Massacre

Nine years ago, a portal appeared within the Prime Federation. The variants who initially explored it returned with reports of a nine-story tower, where clearing each floor granted extraordinary rewards.

Although many were wary at first, news of the treasures quickly spread. Before long, variants began flocking into the portal.

Once the number of entrants approached one million, the tower sealed itself from within and abruptly evolved into an S-rank disaster.

Before the association’s rescue force could enter, Armani learned that one of the tower bosses possessed a powerful dragon bloodline. She entered the portal intending to claim the creature’s heart and core for Bluey.

Armani cleared all nine floors, killed the demon controlling the portal, freed everyone trapped inside, and claimed every reward stored on the final floor.

The treasures she obtained are believed to have made her one of the wealthiest people in the world. When several rescued variants demanded a share of the rewards as compensation, the Association washed its hands of the matter and informed them that anyone seeking compensation was free to ask Armani personally.

Zac leaned back slightly. "System, I have a question."

[What is it?]

"Which do you think is true? Did she enter to save nearly a million people or because she wanted food for Bluey?"

[Why can’t both be true?]

"Come on. One of those reasons must have mattered more."

[Knowing her, the dragon-blooded beast materials were probably the stronger incentive.]

"Do you think anyone actually asked her for a share of the rewards?"

[I highly doubt it. Humanity has survived this long for a reason.]

"You’re probably right."

The next entry was far darker.

02. The Flameheart Family Massacre

Zac’s faint amusement disappeared the moment he read the title.

Nine years ago, a scion of the Flameheart family publicly insulted Armani Wild.

At the time, the Flameheart family was an ancient fire-affinity clan ranked among the ten most powerful families in the world. It possessed dozens of S-rank variants and a far greater number of A- and B-rank fighters.

Armani declared war on the family and attacked them alone. Most of its senior members and strongest variants were killed during the conflict.

Several Pillars attempted to intervene, but the fighting continued until the Association Chairman personally stepped in. It marked the first time in more than fifty years that the chairman had entered a conflict himself.

The incident cemented Armani Wild’s reputation as both terrifyingly powerful and dangerously unreasonable. If a single insult could bring one of the world’s strongest families to ruin, people could only wonder what else she might do.

Zac remained silent for several seconds. "All of that because one person insulted her?"

[You don’t know that.]

"What do you mean?"

[The article never explains what was said or what else happened behind the scenes. For all you know, you might have reacted the same way.]

"I would never be heartless enough to slaughter an entire family over an insult."

The system gave no answer.

Zac thought back over every interaction he had shared with Armani. "Why am I still alive?"

[Because she respects your mother and considers your family her own. She also quite clearly has a soft spot for you.]

"Why did I bother asking?"

[Remember, she is still waiting for you to grow up.]

"Say that one more time and I’m deleting you."

[What an adorable threat from the future bridegroom.]

Zac deliberately ignored the remark and moved on to the final entry.

01. The Woman Rumoured to Surpass the Twelve Pillars

The Twelve Pillars are the guardians of humanity and the strongest S+ rank variants serving beneath the Association Chairman, the world’s only publicly recognized SS-rank variant.

Armani Wild has never revealed her rank. Nevertheless, following the Flameheart conflict, the Black Coast Incident, and the Nine Towers disaster, one rumor has persisted across every nation.

Armani Wild may be stronger than all Twelve Pillars.

Some believe the Association Chairman is the only person unquestionably above her. Others make the far more controversial claim that she may have surpassed even him.

Only Armani knows the truth.

Whatever her rank may be, and regardless of her eccentricity, ruthlessness, or many controversies, one fact remains beyond dispute: Armani Wild is one of the greatest forces protecting humanity.

Zac stared at the final paragraph.

"Just how powerful is she? Is she really stronger than the Twelve Pillars?"

[Publicly, that remains possible.]

"What does that mean?"

[Her rank is unknown. Therefore, the possibility that she is stronger than the Chairman cannot be ruled out.]

Zac switched off his VSB and released a long sigh. "What the hell is happening to my life?"

He leaned back against the sofa.

"A few months ago, I was an ordinary person. Then I awakened and became bonded to an irritating system that offers me almost no practical benefits."

"I awakened extraordinary potential, only to discover that my bloodline might be more of a curse than a blessing."

"My father was once considered one of humanity’s greatest variants before being branded a traitor. I’m forced to hide my real name because a cult might come after me."

"Worst of all, my father left me with the small task of saving the world from a disaster I know absolutely nothing about."

"Now, one of the strongest people in the world has suddenly turned out to be my aunt, and she may or may not have romantic feelings for me."

He rubbed both hands over his face.

"And all of that happened in barely four or five months."

Zac let his hands fall. "My life is a fucking mess."

[Congratulations on finally catching up.]

***

Elsewhere in Central City stood Blackstone Academy, ranked fourth among the world’s top five academies.

Within its grounds, inside one of the grand mansions reserved for elite students, a twenty-two-year-old young man moved through the halls with unhurried grace.

His hair was pure white, his eyes a deep violet, and his features were striking from every angle.

He stopped before a concealed doorway and stepped through it, descending a flight of stone stairs into darkness.

At the bottom, a man hung from heavy chains.

His body was a wreck of bruises, cuts, and broken bones. He was barely conscious, each breath rattling through a throat that had endured far too many blows.

The white-haired young man approached and stopped before the mangled figure. "How are you feeling, senior?" he asked in a soft, almost gentle voice. "It pains me deeply to see you suffering like this."

The chained man raised his head with great difficulty.

"You shouldn’t have done that, Senior," the young man continued in the same gentle tone. "I only played with your sister a little. It wasn’t my fault she died. She couldn’t even endure a few rounds before breaking."

A faint look of disappointment crossed his flawless face.

"To be honest, she didn’t even satisfy me properly. She should be ashamed of herself for being such a disappointment."

A muffled, furious sound tore from the man’s cloth-stuffed mouth. His body convulsed against the chains, the metal cutting deeper into his raw wrists.

The white-haired young man tilted his head, watching the struggle with mild curiosity. "You know, Senior, you really shouldn’t have gone around the academy telling everyone what I did. It damaged my reputation."

His gentle smile never wavered.

"And it would be rather tragic for the same family to suffer a second loss so soon. After all, it has only been a few days since you found your sister’s body in that alley."

He sighed softly. "You should have left matters alone. But instead, you investigated her death and came knocking at my door."

The young man stepped closer. "You left me with no choice."

He leaned towards the captive man’s ear and lowered his voice. "But do you know what I discovered? Your mother is remarkably beautiful. Even more so than your sister."

He drew back one sleeve, revealing the inside of his forearm. Several clear bite marks, still faintly red, marred his pale skin.

"See these?"

"Your mother was a fiend in bed. So fierce. Ahaaa... Thinking about it now, it was pure pleasure fucking her senseless." He said while moaning from thinking back to the scene with euphoria.

"You should have seen her face at the end; she was completely broken and couldn’t get enough of me. Don’t worry, though. She’s still alive. I think she can last a few more days."

The chained man thrashed even harder, a raw, inhuman cry tearing from his throat.

The white-haired boy reached forward and yanked the cloth from his mouth. The man immediately gasped for breath, blood and saliva dripping from his lips. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse but clear enough to understand.

"You piece of shit. Don’t think you’re untouchable. The Academy will find out what you’ve done soon enough, and when they do, your day of reckoning won’t be far behind."

The white-haired boy smiled.

"You think the Academy doesn’t know what I do?" he asked. "They know everything, yet they still choose to keep their mouths shut. Do you know why?"

He stretched leisurely, rolling one shoulder. "Because I’m the best they have. I’m the one with the potential to bring them glory and win first place in the upcoming Kings and Queens Tournament."

He stepped closer. "And do you know something, brother? It was one of the teachers who gave me the location of your house."

His smile widened. "Funny, isn’t it?"

"Don’t get angry now." The boy reached into his coat and pulled out a glass jar filled with pale, worm-like creatures writhing against the glass.

"See these? They’re called flesh-eating worms. Normal worms prefer decaying matter, but these little things love living flesh. Warm meat, especially."

He smiled. "So, have some."

He forced the man’s jaw open and emptied the entire jar into his mouth. Then he clamped the man’s mouth shut, holding it closed until every last worm had been swallowed.

The man stared at him, hatred burning in his eyes.

"You think you’re untouchable because of your potential, don’t you? Then remember my face. Your day of reckoning isn’t far away. Someday, someone will make you suffer just as much as you made me and my family suffer."

The boy laughed. "So be it. I’ll be waiting for him."

He stuffed the cloth back into the man’s mouth and started towards the exit. Just before leaving the basement, he glanced over his shoulder.

"Enjoy your dinner." He paused, his smile widening. "Sorry. I was talking to the worms. Ahaaahaaaa..." Laughing, he left the basement and walked out of the mansion.

As soon as he stepped outside, he noticed another boy waiting near the entrance. He approached him and asked, "What is it, Mark?"

Mark raised his head and met his gaze. "I caused a little problem."

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