The world felt different now.
Muzan stood before the cracked mirror in his dim apartment, silver irises glinting in the darkness. The faint glow of the system's translucent windows hovered in the corner of his vision, vanishing when he blinked, reappearing when he willed it.
> [Sovereign System Active.]
[Status: Stable.]
[Affinities: Fire, Lightning.]
[Potential: Unquantifiable.]
His hands tightened around the sink. The memory of the rift, the flames, the beasts turning to ash at his feet—none of it felt real, yet it was the only thing that felt alive inside him.
The system chimed again, its voice cold and indifferent.
> [New Mission Generated.]
[Mission: Reclaim Your Dignity.]
[Objective: Punish those who cast you aside.]
[Target: Local bullies who assaulted Host post-ceremony.]
[Reward: Sovereign Points x500, Lightning Step (E-Rank Movement Art).]
Muzan's lips curled slightly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Memories of fists, boots, laughter as they beat him into the mud outside White Leaf Academy, while others watched and turned away.
He remembered Alice, standing frozen near the gate, unable to move, unable to speak.
His chest tightened before the feeling vanished.
"Fine," he murmured. "If this is what you want, I'll play along."
---
The night was heavy with mist as Muzan stepped through the slums near the academy district, black coat billowing softly behind him. His footsteps made no sound, the world strangely quiet, as if holding its breath.
In a narrow alley behind a gambling den, the first target appeared—Taro, the leader of the group that once dragged Muzan into the mud, spitting on him, calling him worthless.
Taro was laughing, throwing dice with the others, boasting about the Awakening Ceremony and how worthless Muzan looked crawling at their feet.
Muzan stepped into the light.
The laughter stopped.
"M-Muzan?" Taro's face twisted, fear and confusion blending into a sneer. "You got a death wish, trash?"
The others rose, five of them, bigger, heavier, mana glints in their palms as they prepared to teach him a "lesson" again.
But Muzan felt nothing.
His hand rose, and with a thought, the system flared.
> [Sovereign Art: Flame Wreath - Activated.]
Fire roared around him, swirling but never touching his skin. Taro stumbled back, falling onto the crates as the others hesitated.
"W-What the hell…?"
Muzan's silver eyes glowed faintly as he stepped forward, the flames following him like loyal hounds. With a flick of his wrist, a thin lash of fire snapped out, catching one of them across the arm, the man screaming as the mana burned away his defenses.
> [Host has achieved partial mastery of Fire Affinity. Efficiency increased by 10%.]
They tried to run.
They never made it far.
The alley was filled with the scent of burnt mana, screams echoing before fading into the night. Muzan moved with cold precision, each step deliberate, each strike without hesitation. Flames roared, lightning crackled, and fear filled the eyes that once looked down on him.
In moments, they lay on the ground, burned but alive, clutching their wounds, their eyes wide with horror.
Muzan crouched before Taro, who was sobbing