When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw wasn't the gilded ceilings of the Verian clan's estate, nor the soft glow of the evening lamps.
It was the window.
A system window.
Glowing, floating in the air, its light brushing against my skin like the caress of a dream made real.
For a moment, my heart stopped. Then it raced so violently I thought I'd faint all over again.
> [Congratulations, Atticus Verian.]
System Type: Binding System.
Function: Bind to a chosen character. Every progress they make will grant you 10x rewards.
Restrictions: Only one bind at a time. Once unbound, the same person cannot be bound again.
I stared. My chest tightened. My lips trembled as a laugh nearly escaped me.
A system.
Finally, I… I'm not worthless.
---
The thrill lasted only seconds before the weight of reality returned, heavy as stone. My body ached like it had been torn apart and stitched back together, the echoes of those thousand deaths clawing at the edges of my mind. Sweat clung to my skin, soaking through the sheets.
I was back in my room. Someone had carried me here.
The faint murmur of voices drifted in from outside, familiar voices—the soft concern of my mother, the quiet composure of Razeal, and the restless fidgeting of my sister.
They were worried. About me.
But instead of comfort, shame stabbed me like a blade.
I had fainted in front of everyone. Humiliated myself. While the other heirs stood firm, even Razeal, protected by his damn system, I had collapsed like a broken doll.
The weak twin. The mistake.
I clenched my fists, nails biting into flesh.
This world was ruled by power. Without it, I was nothing. Not even worthy of pity.
But… the system wasn't a weapon to swing. It wasn't raw talent.
It was something far better.
A way to cheat.
---
My eyes narrowed as I reread the glowing words.
Bind to a character. Gain 10x rewards from their progress.
At first glance, it was unfair. Razeal's system connected him to villains across the multiverse—an arsenal of chaos. Mine, by comparison, was passive. Dependent.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized the truth.
In a world ruled by monsters, heroes, and gods, I didn't need to be the sharpest blade. I only needed to attach myself to the blade that cut the deepest.
If I chose carefully, I could surpass everyone.
The question was… who?
---
As I tried to process everything, a memory surfaced.
In two days, my sister would undergo her Talent Awakening Ceremony.
The memory was sharp because I had read about it before. I knew this story. I knew the characters.
And I remembered what the novel had said about her.
If not for the existence of monsters in this generation—freaks like Razeal, chosen heirs of destiny—then there would have been no one capable of defeating her.
My sister was destined to stand near the very peak.
A smile ghosted across my lips.
"Perfect."
---
I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the weakness in my limbs. My surroundings blurred for a moment before settling. The room was dim, shadows stretching across the walls. From the open doorway, warm light spilled in, and with it the sound of voices.
I stepped forward.
There they were.
My mother, her gaze weary but warm. My sister, restless, frowning as she twisted the hem of her dress. And Razeal, sitting calm and perfect, eyes cold as though the entire garden incident had been nothing more than an inconvenience.
When they noticed me, my mother rose immediately.
"Atticus," she breathed, relief softening her face. She reached forward, brushing my hair gently. "You're awake. Thank the heavens."
My sister ran to me, clutching my hand. "I was scared," she whispered, her voice trembling.
I smiled weakly. "I'm fine. Really."
But inside, I was already moving.
System.
> [Choose target to bind.]
My gaze settled on my sister. She was worried, her brows furrowed. So strong-willed, even now. She would awaken her power soon.
She was the right choice.
I didn't hesitate.
> [Binding Target Selected: Verian Selyra.]
[Binding Complete.]
Note: Unbinding will permanently remove the option to bind this individual again.]
The words etched themselves into the air before vanishing. And with them, something clicked deep inside me, a thread latching onto her soul.
I felt it—her heartbeat, her resolve, her potential.
And with it, a surge of warmth that poured into me. Not strength yet. Not raw power. But the promise of it.
For the first time since my rebirth, hope didn't feel like a lie.
---
I exhaled, long and heavy, letting my shoulders relax.
My mother studied me closely, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You fainted suddenly," she said softly. "We feared the worst. But it seems you're well enough now."
"Well enough," I echoed, forcing a smile. "Yes."
Razeal's eyes lingered on me, sharp and unreadable. His silence weighed heavier than words.
But I didn't care. Let him think I was still broken, still worthless.
Because now, I had my own system.
And I had taken my first step.
Outside, the evening deepened. The party was long over. The Seeds had scattered back to their clans, whispers of weakness no doubt spreading like wildfire.
But none of that mattered.
Not anymore.
---
That night, as I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, I whispered to myself:
"I'll make it through this. No matter what gods say… I will live."
And deep within, the Binding Thread pulsed in response, a silent promise of what was to come.
---