In the SunWood mansion, "Are you sure that is what happened?" a deep voice questioned, carrying strong intent that could make anyone shiver.
The man, likely in his late sixties, had long white hair tied into a neat ponytail and a thick white beard, matching the snowy white suit with a Sun crest etched on the back. He sat on a large chair, resembling a throne, as the Patriarch of the SunWood family, Raven SunWood.
"Yes, my lord!" a man with a cold expression said, wearing an expensive black suit with perfect posture and pushing his glasses up his nose. "Although the Arcane Empress had intervened in the Blood Cult's activities, it was her son and youngest heir to the Starlight family who killed most of the Blood Cultists before his mother's intervention at the end."
"I see! So all the reports the Guardians released were fake?" Raven asked, demanding answers.
"Yes, sir! It seems like it was all just a cover story released by the Arcane Empress to hide her son's achievements from the world. She also added fake reports to make it seem like her son was hospitalized during the first attack."
"Hmmm! So the Starlight family has created a monster of their own," Raven muttered to himself, looking down as he thought.
"Alright! Good job, Firah. I want you to investigate the Blood Cult's movements. It seems like they're getting quite bold these days, attacking so openly. Also, we might need to call a meeting with all the major families."
"Yes, sir! I'll get it done right away," Firah answered coldly. "I'll take my leave now, sir."
"Good, you can leave. Also, keep an eye on the Starlight boy; give me news when he awakens." Firah froze for a few seconds before answering and walking out of the room. "Yes, sir!"
Sigh! Things are getting exciting now, Raven thought, smiling to himself
*****
In a dark room, many robed figures gathered, all facing one man with his back turned against the crowd. Mystery shrouded the man like a large, dark veil. His posture was straight and upright, with black-trimmed hair matching the long black coat he wore, adorned with beautiful golden trims around the edges.
The robed figures, who seemed to have gathered specifically to meet this man, were rowdy, engaging in discussions and arguments. However, when the mysterious man moved, grabbing a cup of red wine and slowly sipping it, the room fell silent. The gesture commanded attention, and the robed figures kept quiet, with pin-drop silence ensuing.
"So, I give you all one job, and you all get schooled by a five-year-old child. What a disgrace," the man said, his words sharp and carrying large amounts of bloodlust, causing the robed figures to tremble in fear.
"My lord, it's not like that," one of the robed figures stepped forward, pleading. "We didn't know the child was so powerful." The mysterious man flicked his wrist, causing the robed figure's head to suddenly explode into a bloody mess.
"How many times have I warned you not to speak without my permission?" the mysterious man said, his killing intent laid bare, sending shivers down the hooded figures' spines.
"I want a meeting with all the Blood Warlords. Inform them it's time to begin phase one of the plan," he added coldly. "Dismissed!"
Immediately after he spoke, all the hooded figures disappeared, leaving only the mysterious man. "That Starlight rat has surely become a thorn in my plans," he thought to himself as he sipped his wine once more.
*****
"Ugh!! Damn, my head hurts," Astrid thought as he slowly opened his eyes. "Where the hell am I?" Astrid said aloud, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the room's lighting. A strong smell of medicinal supplies and disinfectant tickled his nose, causing him to sneeze.
It was clear he was in a hospital due to the color and design of the room. He was on a large, white king-size bed. The room was also painted white and was large. On his left was a tray of food, sitting on a side table. Turning right, he could see an empty white chair with a book on top of it, indicating someone had been constantly in the room.
Opposite him was a large mirror, reflecting how bandaged and injured he was after the fight. His ribs had been bandaged, as well as his face. Only his eyes were unbandaged, making him look like a mummy.
"I wonder what happened after I went unconscious. Was Lia able to win, or did the bastard escape?" Astrid thought to himself, clearly remembering what had happened during the fight.
"Oh yeah, the System gave me a quest! For the first time in its goddamn life, it's actually acting like a proper system," Astrid exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows as he opened the status window.
<<< Quest Completed >>>
<<< Level up >>>
<<< Level up >>>
<<< Level up >>>
<<< Host leveled up from exp gained while fighting the Blood Cultists >>>
<<< Due to the host's incompetence, the host was unable to finish the quest, so the host will only receive partial rewards, as the quest was completed by the host's mother >>>
<<< Rewards >>>
<<< Five percent increase to all stats >>>
<<< New talent: locked due to the host being unable to complete the quest given. The host will have to unlock the talent through another way >>>
<<< Two percent increase to all current Talents >>>
<<< Host should try better in more quests to come; sorry to say, but the system is disappointed >>>
"You lying, disgraceful, deceiving, greedy, piece of shit! You are clearly the worst system I've ever seen in my life, and I just risked everything for you!" Astrid claimed with his jaw clenched, veins popping on his head.
<<< You know I can eliminate you anytime I please, right? >>>
"Oh sure, like you were the one who brought me to this world," Astrid stated, his voice laced with sarcasm.
<<< Termination of host brain in 10, 9, 8... >>>
"Wait!! I was joking, goddamnit! Don't you have any sense of humor?" he exclaimed, but was ignored by the system.
<<< Just receive your rewards; talking to you is tiring >>>
"Damn you! I feel like I'm the only main character who gets stuck with such a useless system," Astrid thought to himself as he claimed the rewards.
He could feel the change in his body; his strength had improved once more with just a slight addition of five points to his stats.
"I wonder how strong I'll become once I reach 100 in each stat," he thought as he looked at his status window.
<<< Status >>>
<<< Level 6 >>>
<<< Strength: 25 >>>
<<< Speed: 27 >>>
<<< Endurance: 35 >>>
<<< Charm: 37 >>>
<<< Luck: 35 >>>
Sigh! I'm tired; I don't want any disturbance, he thought, glancing at the status screen once more.
Just as he was about to lie down, a nurse barged into the room. The two made eye contact, and the nurse's eyes widened in shock before she suddenly screamed. "The young master is awake!"
'Dammit!!'
******
(Author's Note: 1/2 chapter published
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