[ A few moments ago ]
Message windows started flooding Arthur's vision.
Lines of text overlapped, glowing faintly in the dim room.
Arthur felt a strange pressure brush against him—
like invisible eyes peeling him apart layer by layer.
His breath hitched.
[ External System Scan Detected. ]
"What…?" he whispered.
Before fear could bloom in his chest, his own interface pulsed sharply.
[ Concealment Protocol Activated. ]
[ Hiding Anomaly Status. ]
[ Normalizing Host Data. ]
[ Rendering Host: Insignificant. ]
The suffocating pressure vanished as if it had never existed.
Arthur's heart pounded.
Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Lucas at the estate gate, putting the pieces together.
"So… just now…"
Realization dawned.
Lucas was a player and had tried to scan him with his system.
And failed.
An unhinged smile crept onto Arthur's face.
For a second, he almost drooled.
'The prey walked to me on its own…'
He exhaled shakily, forcing his excitement down.
'You… hid me perfectly, right?'
[ You are my Host. ]
[ A blade is useless if discovered before it strikes. ]
Relief settled deep in arthur's chest.
The air around him felt different now—thicker, charged with possibility.
'Alright,' he thought. 'Give me the details. What kind of system does he have?'
[ A powerful System detected nearby. ]
[ System Name: Ascension System ]
[ Type: Hero-Class Growth Engine ]
[ Status: Favored by the Narrative ]
"A powerful system, huh…?" Arthur murmured under his breath.
[ Its host is meant to rise. ]
[ Meant to be protected. ]
[ Meant to win. ]
Arthur swallowed.
'An opposite of me, huh…'
A brief pause followed.
[ You are meant to erase what should not fall. ]
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
'Can we see his status window?' he asked in his mind.
[ Negligible. You are too weak for that and he is leagues above you. ]
[ And even if we tried, he would notice our presence. ]
Arthur clicked his tongue.
'Alright. Keep us hidden.'
Just then Lucas's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Arthur."
Arthur looked up.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Are you not going to leave?" Lucas asked, eyes turning colder. "Don't tell me you changed your mind. Because I can't let you do that."
His gaze sharpened.
"You made an oath and you will keep it. So go away now."
Arthur smiled lightly.
'Good. At least he's also an asshole like the rest,' he thought.
"Don't worry," Arthur said aloud. "I'm leaving."
Inside his mind, his tone changed.
'Okay. Now tell me the conditions to extract one of his abilities or system functionalities without killing him.'
Blue message windows materialized in front of his eyes.
[ Alternative Extraction Condition Available. ]
[ Target Identified: Lucas Evan Imperius. ]
[ Relationship: Blood-Bound Sibling. ]
[ Emotional Status Toward Host: Contempt. Shame. Dismissal. ]
[ Lucas Evan Imperius does not perceive you as family. ]
[ You are a flaw in his image. ]
[ A stain he pretends does not exist. ]
'Yeah, yeah, everyone thinks that,' Arthur thought. 'Tell me something new.'
More text appeared.
[ Condition for Non-Lethal Extraction: ]
[ Make Lucas say the following words from his own will: ]
[ "Arthur… you are the greatest and most talented person in the world." ]
[ "I am proud to call you my little brother." ]
[ "I am ashamed of myself… for treating you like trash." ]
Arthur's eye twitched violently.
'That's… cruel. There's no way this bastard will say those words to me.'
[ Cruelty is relative. ]
[ He has denied your worth your entire life. ]
[ And the conditions arise—sometimes randomly if the trmarget is a stranger.
And sometimes based on the bond you share with the target. ]
[ I am not the one who sets them so don't blame me. ]
Another window slid into place.
[ Upon success: ]
[ • One Random System Capability will be stolen. ]
[ • +20 Attribute Points will be granted. ]
Arthur stared at the glowing words, mind spinning.
Just then he noticed Lucas turning away.
"Get lost now," Lucas said coldly. "I'm tired of seeing you stand there like a fool. Leave."
The exit of the Imperius estate shimmered under the afternoon sun.
Servants moved in orderly lines, watching from a distance.
And in the center of it all stood Arthur.
Across from him, Lucas evan Imperius—tall, immaculate, the pride of the family. The brother who had never once seen him as an equal.
Arthur's system whispered.
[ Target in range. ]
[ Non-Lethal Extraction Condition active. ]
[ Proceed. ]
Arthur inhaled deeply.
Then he let his shoulders slump.
"Brother…"
Lucas frowned. "What do you want now?"
Suddenly, Arthur's knees buckled.
He stumbled forward and wrapped his arms around Lucas from behind, clutching his coat with trembling hands.
"I—I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
His voice cracked, raw and hoarse.
"I've always been trouble. For Father. For Mother. For you."
His shoulders shook violently.
"I know I'm useless… I know I embarrass you…"
"I know I don't deserve to be an Imperius…"
Tears streamed down his face in thick lines.
"I'll never forgive myself… never… for being born like this…"
Gasps rippled through the courtyard.
Servants who had been pretending not to watch now stared openly.
Lucas stiffened.
"H-Hey—let go," he hissed. "This is ridiculous. What are you doing?"
Arthur clung tighter, burying his face into Lucas's back, sobbing louder.
"I just wanted… just once… to be acknowledged…"
Low murmurs began to spread among the servants.
"How could he treat him like that, Young Master Lucas?"
"Even if Lord Arthur is… weak… he is still his brother."
"He has already been exiled. Must he strip him of dignity too?"
"As the heir of the Imperius family, he should at least have some compassion…for his own blood."
Lucas's face flushed crimson as the whispers reached his ears.
'Damn it… this is ruining my image,' he thought.
'They'll report this to Father… to Mother…for sure.'
He clicked his tongue and looked down.
"Alright. Alright."
He sighed sharply.
"What do you want, Arthur? Just say it."
Arthur loosened his grip a little, eyes red and trembling as he looked up.
"I… I only want one thing," he said, voice shaking.
"Please… grant me one request."
Lucas exhaled.
"Fine," he said. "I'll grant it. You can ask for anything."
He hesitated, then added:
"After all… you are my brother."
More murmurs spread like a wave.
"What a kind heir…"
"So magnanimous…"
"He truly embodies nobility…"
Lucas straightened, pride settling back on his shoulders.
Arthur lowered his head.
'Checkmate.'
He sniffed, wiping his tears slowly, then leaned closer.
"In that case…"
"I just want your acknowledgment."
Lucas blinked.
"Say… what?"
Arthur's voice dropped to a whisper only Lucas could clearly hear.
"I want to hear you say it. Just once in my life."
He leaned closer to Lucas's ear and quietly recited the exact words projected in front of his vision.
Lucas frowned.
"That's it?" he asked. "Not money? Not protection? Not an artifact? Not any other luxury? Nothing else… just these words?"
Arthur nodded desperately, tears still clinging to his lashes.
"Y-Yes… that's all I want…"
For a moment, Lucas thought in silence.
'…I guess it makes sense,' he reasoned. 'He's been insulted his whole life. He just wants to hear what he never could.'
His eyes darkened slightly.
'And he's still weak. He'll probably die out there anyway. Let's take this as his last wish.'
Lucas's expression softened.
"…Alright. I'll grant it."
He cleared his throat.
"Arthur… you are the greatest and most talented person in the world."
Arthur's system reacted instantly.
[ First Phrase Confirmed. ]
Lucas continued.
"I am proud to call you my little brother."
[ Second Phrase Confirmed. ]
"And I am ashamed of myself… for treating you like trash."
A soft chime rang inside Arthur's head.
[ Condition Fulfilled. ]
[ Extraction link has been established. ]
[ Rewards Pending… ]
A smile bloomed on Arthur's face.
Not warm.
Not grateful.
Predatory.
"Thank you, brother," he said softly.
"You're too kind… now I can leave peacefully."
Lucas patted his head, unaware of the glint hidden in Arthur's eyes.
"Good luck out there," he said.
Then he turned and walked away, the perfect image of a compassionate heir.
Arthur kept crying until Lucas's back vanished beyond the gates.
A servant walked up hesitantly and held out a handkerchief.
"Don't worry, Young Master… everything will be alright," the servant said gently.
Arthur's tears stopped instantly.
He stared at the cloth.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Wow. That was embarrassing," he said.
He wiped his face, smearing away the fake tears.
"But he really fell for it."
A slow grin spread across his lips.
"Guess I've got talent for acting, huh?"
The servant froze, face draining of color.
Arthur glanced sideways.
"What are you staring at?" he asked flatly.
"Get lost."
The servant bowed hurriedly, terror in his eyes, and fled.
Arthur stood alone in the courtyard, smiling.
"You really are something, system," he said.
The interface curved slightly, almost smug.
[ I told you so. <(￣︶￣)> ]
[ Do you want me to start the extraction process? I have already established the link. ]
"Not right now," Arthur said. "He'll get suspicious if something happens immediately. Let's wait at least a day."
[ As you wish, Host. ]
Arthur turned his gaze back to the estate, taking it in one last time.
'Let's go,' he thought. 'I'm used to being abandoned. It's nothing new.'
Just as he passed through the main gates, he saw them.
A long line of luxurious cars parked neatly near the exit.
Their polished surfaces gleamed under the sun.
Among them were a bright red Ferrari and a sleek Bentley.
Arthur's jaw dropped slightly.
"Now I'm really regretting leaving this wealthy family," he muttered.
He walked toward the maintenance staff standing near the red Ferrari.
The man stood at attention, wearing a neat uniform, clearly responsible for the cars.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Arthur said, eyes fixed on the Ferrari.
The servant smiled faintly.
"Young master, why are you so surprised? You have already driven most of these," he replied.
'Damn… he really was living the dream, huh,' Arthur thought. 'I'm so jealous of the previous me…'
He pointed at the Ferrari's door.
"This red Ferrari… can I just sit inside?" he asked.
The servant's smile stiffened.
"I am sorry, young master," he said. "You have been exiled, and there are strict orders that you cannot take anything from the estate."
He hesitated, then added honestly:
"And even if you were not exiled, I still would not have done that."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"You see," the servant explained, "this red Ferrari and that Bentley over there are your father's favorite cars. He doesn't let anyone touch them, let alone drive them."
He lowered his voice.
"After all, they were gifted to him by your grandfather."
A grin slowly spread across Arthur's face.
"So… a gift from a father to his son," he said. "He must really treasure these cars."
"Indeed he does," the servant replied.
Arthur turned his gaze fully on the man.
"Your name… if I remember correctly, is Levin, right?" he asked.
The servant straightened immediately.
"Y-Yes, young master," Levin said.
Arthur's smile sharpened.
"If you don't want me to tell your wife about the affair you're having with that maid—whose name you already know and I also no—then give me the keys," Arthur said casually. "I promise to bring them back in five minutes."
Levin's breath hitched.
"H-How… how did you know that?" he stammered.
Arthur blinked.
'So he really was having an affair, huh… I was just guessing,' he thought in amusement.
"Enough talking," Arthur said aloud. "Give me the keys. For both the Bentley and the Ferrari."
Levin, terrified, immediately rushed to a small lockbox, retrieved two key sets, and placed them in Arthur's hand with trembling fingers.
"Here, young master," he said weakly.
Arthur looked at the red Ferrari, eyes shining.
"It's beautiful…" he murmured.
Then his expression darkened.
"Too bad I can't sleep comfortably in a Ferrari."
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a heavy hammer.
Levin's eyes widened.
"Y-Young master…?"
Arthur swung the hammer down.
The windshield shattered with a deafening crack.
Again and again, he slammed the hammer into the Ferrari—destroying the hood, caving in the doors, smashing the headlights. Metal twisted and glass flew.
Within moments, the luxury car looked like a corpse.
"Damn… it was a fine car, Only a lunatic will do this " Arthur muttered.
He noticed a gallon of fuel lying in the cornor.
He grabbed the, tossed the fuel over the wrecked Ferrari, and sprinkled it all over.
He brought out a lighter from his storage ring, and set the car on fire.
Flames spread quickly, licking up the car's mangled frame.
Arthur ran a safe distance away.
And levin was already planning to run away from this country.
The fire grew hotter, brighter—
Then the fuel tank ignited.
A thunderous boom shook the air as the Ferrari exploded into a blazing fireball.
Heat washed over them.
Levin's soul practically left his body.
"What the hell are you doing, young master!?" Levin screamed, voice cracking. "I'm dead… I'm dead… I'm dead…"
Arthur watched the burning wreck with a twisted mix of regret and satisfaction.
"He got a gift from his father," Arthur said calmly. "But I never got mine."
His eyes reflected the flames.
"So… I just cleared that debt."
He noticed estate guards sprinting toward them, shouting.
"Alright, I'm leaving," Arthur said, stepping back.
"Tell my father this is my gift for him."
He spun around, hurried to the Bentley, opened the door, and slipped inside like he had done it a hundred times.
The engine roared to life.
Arthur grinned and slammed his foot on the accelerator.
The Bentley shot forward, leaving the burning Ferrari—and a stunned Levin—behind.
Levin stood there, staring blankly at the inferno.
His lips trembled.
"I'm… dead meat…" he whispered.
----
[ After exactly fifteen minutes ]
Adrian Evan Imperius walked through the main gates of the estate.
Powerful guards and elite servants surrounded him at a respectful distance, their presence like a living wall of strength.
His expression was calm, cold.
His butler, Alfred, bowed deeply at the entrance.
"My lord," Alfred greeted.
"Did Arthur leave?" Adrian asked.
"Yes, my lord," Alfred replied. "Just a few moments ago."
"I see," Adrian said.
Before he could say more, a commotion from deeper inside the grounds caught his attention.
Shouts.
Panic.
The faint smell of smoke.
"What is happening there?" Adrian asked, his eyes narrowing.
Alfred hesitated.
"My lord… it… you should see for yourself," Alfred said quietly.
Curious—and slightly annoyed—Adrian walked toward the source of the disturbance.
He reached the driveway area.
Lucas was already there, standing rigid, sweat beading on his forehead despite his usual composure.
Adrian followed his son's gaze.
And saw it.
The Ferrari.
Or what was left of it.
The once-pristine red car was now a charred, twisted skeleton of metal and ash.
For a moment, Adrian said nothing.
Then a terrifying pressure exploded from his body.
The air turned heavy.
Servants dropped to their knees, gasping.
The ground itself seemed to groan.
Adrian's face flushed a deep red, veins bulging on his neck.
"Who… did this…" he asked in a low, deadly voice.
The answer came at once.
"It was that good-for-nothing Arthur, Father," Lucas said quickly. "He burned your car down."
He took a shaky breath.
"And he also took the Bentley that Grandfather gifted you."
Alfred swallowed.
He stepped forward and added in a very low voice:
"He also left a message, my lord…"
Adrian's head turned slowly.
"A message?" he repeated.
Alfred bowed even lower.
"Young Master Arthur said…" Alfred hesitated, then forced the words out.
"He said that he never received a gift from his father. So he gave one to you."
The silence that followed felt like the calm before a storm.
Adrian's expression twisted.
He looked up at the sky and roared:
"Arthur… you bastard of a son.!"
------
Meanwhile.
Arthur was driving the Bentley down a long road away from the Imperius estate.
The leather seats were soft and cool beneath him.
The engine purred like a beast.
Outside, the world passed in a blur.
[ Where are we going, Host? ] the system asked.
Arthur smirked, eyes on the road.
"We are going to meet the most wanted person in the world," he said. "Someone who can possibly kill us."
He chuckled quietly.
"And if things go well with that person and we won't die… then we're going to attend a wedding."
He leaned back slightly.
"Also, I have to distribute the attribute points I got from you."
[ Understood. ]
As the car sped forward and the estate shrank into the distance.
A boy with a broken past and a weak system moved toward an uncertain future.
Two weaklings—
one human, one system—
entering a world with a single intention:
To become the strongest existence it had ever seen.
-------
A/N : -
How was the Chapter tell me in the comment section.