Beeping sounds… that was all Kyle could hear in the pitch-black void.
Then a voice. It was almost robotic, yet strangely familiar, as if it were his own. The person speaking sounded just like him.
[System binding.
Host, congratulations on receiving the 10,000 Revenge System, gifted to you by Lucifer, God of Death and ruler of the Underworld.
You have been entrusted with the ultimate mission: complete ten thousand acts of revenge. Each successful mission will reward you. You have also received a basic understanding of the concept of destruction.
Your cultivation has been automatically boosted to the Awakened tier.
Strength increased by +2; new level = 8.
Stamina increased by +2; new level = 6.
Chi increased by +2; new level = 12.
Mental energy increased by +2; new level = 15.
Charisma increased by +2; new level = 17.
Compatibility increased by +1; new level = 1.
Intelligence increased by +5; new level = 20.
Willpower increased by +1; new level = 12.
Luck unchanged, current level = -20
Karma points: 0
Skills: Concept of Destruction (current mastery: 2%)
Titles and achievements: None
Love interest: None]
Kyle instantly absorbed the system's information. Focusing his mind, he didn't need to read every word; it flowed directly into him. For now, he set the details aside, planning to explore them later.
As his body adapted to the boost and broke through to the next rank, his wounds healed instantly. He didn't have a magic heart, but his body could channel chi thanks to the Concept of Destruction now asserting itself in his mind. He wasn't sure how to control this concept, but he already knew how to manipulate chi since he once had a magic heart himself. What exactly was this concept? How powerful could it be?
Well, the concept of destruction taught a person to destroy. The end of something marked the beginning of something else. Simple? Yes, but that simplicity made it terrifying. It was one of the rarest concepts, alongside space, lightning, thunder, and many others. Chi surged through his body. "Plus ten" might have seemed modest, but the system's numbers belittled the weight of such an increase. Kyle felt as if his body was overflowing with energy. He had never felt so powerful.
He opened his eyes. Still on the ground, he pushed himself up and sat upright, a childish grin plastered across his face. The voice spoke again.
[Host, you have triggered a mission:
Shock the Bancroft family during the annual competition and exact revenge on your brother Kane.
Reward: A high-ranked level two technique
Consequences: None
Do you wish to accept?
What kind of dumb question was that? Of course he accepted. Even if the system hadn't offered a reward, he would still seek revenge. A roar filled his ears. No longer suicidal, he now recognized the danger surrounding him. He needed to leave the forest immediately. Sending chi to his legs, he dashed. "Swishhhh," moving away like a ghost.
This wasn't the injured, bandage-covered Kyle. No, the Kyle at this moment was a thousand times more precise, calm, focused, and ruthless. Ten thousand times, to be precise.
A determined look flashed in Kyle's eyes as he headed back to the city of Kegal.
The city was small, hardly a place big enough for royalty, yet it was built by his clan, making him an heir by birthright. He would have left as soon as he had gained this new gift of power from Lucifer, but first, he had to bring Julie with him. She was his only ally, his friend. Yet he couldn't simply take her. She was his family's property; they owned her. They were the ones who assigned her to him. He could have just asked his father, but now, as far as he was concerned, he didn't have one. Besides, he didn't want any favors from someone like Kabal.
Before reaching the city, he saw a clothing merchant carrying dry clothes and decided it was the perfect moment to change. With a gentle smile, he tapped the man on the shoulder and calmly requested a suit. The merchant, though not native to the city, recognized the emblem on Kyle's clothing. Understanding he wasn't an ordinary person, the man graciously offered something to wear.
Kyle changed into a plain, simple robe that betrayed nothing of his status or power. People would underestimate him, but that didn't matter. The annual tournament was approaching, where the clan would identify promising talents from across the region. The winner could request any prize. Kyle would claim Julie as his prize. Then he would grant her freedom, or she would accompany him willingly. He was confident she would choose the latter, though. He also planned to enact his revenge during this very tournament.
Passing through the streets, nobody recognized him. Perhaps they thought he resembled the injured heir, but no one suspected he was the same person. Kyle chuckled, amused by the thought. Did he look so different now?
"I guess I'll never know until I find a mirror. I hope I didn't become more handsome than I alre..."
His thought was interrupted by a collision. He had bumped into someone. Immersed in his imagination and adaptation to newfound power, he had forgotten himself entirely. Turning his eyes, he realized he knew this person. It was Lieutenant Claudius, one of the army's lieutenants.
Kyle paused, studying him. Would the man be able to recognize him? He wondered. However, nothing happened. No flicker of acknowledgment, no bow of respect. Claudius waited, expecting an apology, but Kyle was lost in thought.
Claudius' expression hardened. "Hey, idiot, don't you know you bumped into me? The very least you can do is apologize."
Kyle bowed quickly. If Claudius didn't recognize him, that was fine. It was a good thing anyway. He would just go on with his day. "I am very sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going. Please pardon my rudeness."
Kyle had always respected Claudius, who acted honorably in front of him and his father whenever they went on battles. Kyle's mind flashed to the days on the front lines with his Eclipse heart. The kid who went to war but never killed anyone. How laughable. He felt a pang of guilt but reminded himself to be more careful. Claudius laughed heartily, seemingly amused. Two other guards flanked Kyle, grabbing his arms from both sides.
"Kid, are you new around here? Do you know the price for bumping into me?" Claudius examined the boy closely. Shock registered as he saw calm black pupils staring back at him. He was used to seeing people trembling before him. But in this kid's eyes there was no fear, perhaps a touch of amusement, but no fear. Others would have been kneeling by now. It seemed all the time Claudius had behaved honorably, he was putting on an act. In reality, the man was a shameless, arrogant lowlife that had tasted power and couldn't help but abuse it. Appearances were deceiving. He was reminded of how blind he had been when he had his heart.
Kyle's cold voice cut through the intimidation; he was quite amused.
"Oh… what is the price?"
Claudius' laughter vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating smirk. He assumed Kyle was asking because he was afraid. As he answered this seemingly innocent question. He kept eye contact, watching for any hint of fear or regret in his target's eyes.
"I am going to cut off your thumb. Once I cut it off, you'll never grip anything with an iron hand again. Heck, you won't even be able to make a fist."