Stepping out of the car, I quickly paid the driver before walking toward the narrow alleyway leading to the entrance of the five-story building I’d grown up in.
The building was painted a dull red, scraps of paint flaking from its walls while mold crept along the edges.
The stench of the surroundings hit me hard. It was like someone had left a dirty cloth soaking in rainwater and rotten eggs for years.
[Search complete.]
Instantly, several bright screens appeared around the System’s main interface.
Each displayed abilities of various kinds, ranging from Tank-class techniques to Mage-class spells, with a handful of Fighter-class skills scattered among them.
’Give me the best ones you can find within my price range. If possible, filter out the other classes and leave only Fighter-class skills.’
[Got it Host.]
The System’s main interface displayed a progression bar, its numbers crawling forward until they finally reached one hundred percent. The moment it did, most of the screens around me vanished, leaving only four.
Ding!
[Search complete.]
[The following abilities have been selected based on Host’s current compatibility, potential, and available funds.]
[Four recommended options found.]
I slowed my steps, shifting my gaze to the five screens floating before me.
The first out of the four abilities was:
[Telekinesis]
[Description: Allows the user to manipulate physical objects through mental force.]
[At F-Rank, the host can lift up to 300 kilograms, with 700kg in squeezing strength. Range: 20 meters. Crit Dmg increase: x0.7.]
[Potential: Extremely High.]
[Price: $9,800,000.]
...
At the sight of the first ability alone, I could already feel a bubbling excitement rising within me, my hands twitching at my sides like a kid who’d just been handed the one toy he’d begged for all year.
Back on Earth, I’d always imagined what it would be like to control objects from afar, just like those superheroes, and now I was finally getting the chance.
I let out a slow breath, trying to calm myself, only for the stale air to catch in my throat and send me into a coughing fit.
’Fuck, that hurts.’
Once I’d finally calmed down, my gaze drifted toward the other four abilities.
...
[Lightning Manipulation]
[Description: Allows the user to generate and manipulate electrical energy through their body.]
[At F-Rank, output is sufficient to easily incapacitate an ordinary human and Awakened below your level. Further mastery allows the user to increase voltage, range, and control.]
[Potential: Extremely High.]
[Price: $10,200,000.]
...
My gaze darkened at this one. ’It can only incapacitate people weaker than me? Then what’s the fucking use?’
Sure, lightning was a pretty neat ability, and the System said I could incapacitate those weaker than me, meaning I’d still be able to deal damage to stronger opponents even if I couldn’t incapacitate them.
Still... I didn’t think it was the right choice for me at the moment.
The next ability was far less aggressive than Lightning, but no less essential.
It was the kind of ability everyone needed in their arsenal for those moments when a fight went south and running was the only smart move.
...
[Flash Step]
[Description: Allows the user to instantly relocate their body across a short distance.]
[At F-Rank, maximum displacement is 7 meters. Cannot pass through barriers containing sufficient magical energy.]
[Potential: ???]
[Price: $6,500,000.]
...
The perfect escape ability, and just as useful for repositioning in a fight.
Yeah, seven meters wasn’t much, but with the right timing, it could do a lot.
’If I paired this with either of the first two abilities, it’d practically be a cheat.’
I couldn’t help feeling drawn to this particular one. It wasn’t just useful in almost any situation; it was also ridiculously cheap compared to the others.
I shifted my gaze away for a moment, moving on to the final ability.
...
[Heavenly Demon Sword Intent]
[Description: A technique from ancient murim that allows the user to cultivate spiritual energy and use the technique of the Supreme Heavenly Demon.]
[This technique doesn’t only contain immense power in each new stance, but also allows the user to manifest formless blades through Sword Intent. No physical weapon required.]
[Potential: Unmeasurable.]
[Price: $2,000,000.]
I stared at the screen. ’...A sword technique?’
My gaze dropped to my empty hands. ’Without the need for a sword?’
I slowly clenched my fist. ’So I can literally create one whenever I want.’
For a second, I went completely still.
Different scenarios, battles, and imaginary foes flashed through my mind.
I could already picture it: conjuring a blade from nothing, standing like a god of war on the battlefield, spiritual energy flowing through me instead of mana.
Combine it with Telekinesis, and I could become a fucking sword god. Blades orbiting me, flying wherever I point.
I stared at my clenched fist and couldn’t help squeezing it tighter.
Just as I was about to make my choice, the system’s earlier words rang in my mind, and a deep frown settled on my face.
"Wait, system," I said aloud. "Didn’t you say it wasn’t possible for me to learn techniques from other worlds and fit them into classes?"
[That is correct, my dear host.]
"Then what changed? Is it that the Heavenly Demon Sword Intent is different?"
[Hmm... no. There is no fundamental difference between this technique and other ones.]
[The host said I should pull out all strong Fighter class techniques within your price range and I did exactly that. The Heavenly Demon Sword Intent is by a mile stronger than anything else here.]
[But my earlier words remain. No one in this world would be able to accomplish that.]
I stared at the technique. Unlike the others, it didn’t glow brightly. Instead, it pulsed with a deep red light, and I felt an unmistakable pull toward it.
Like a strange itch that demanded to be scratched.
[Have you made your choice, Host?]
I nodded quietly and stretched out my hand.
The path ahead, the one leading toward my goals, was going to be a thorny one. To walk it, I needed strength.
Strength to defeat my enemies.
Strength to protect the people I cared about.
Strength to make sure I never returned to the life of a poor beggar, scraping together measly change just to survive.
If I wanted that future, I couldn’t afford to play it safe.
I needed to take gambles no ordinary Awakener would dare make.
Because if I wanted to stand at the top, I couldn’t think like everyone else.
I had to become an outlier.
"System, purchase telekinesis, flash step, and Heavenly Demon Sword Intent."
[...]
[Host! Are you sure about this? That’s two million you’re wasting!]
"System," I said softly, a small smile touching my lips. "Didn’t I tell you before?" I paused, then declared, pride creeping into my voice. "Trust your host."
[...]
[...sigh. I shall obey your commands, my dear host. If this ends up being a bad judgment on your part, don’t come crying to little ol’ me.]
I shut my eyes and sighed. "Don’t worry, I won’t regret my actions."
[Initiating purchase.]
[Stat and combat increase, PURCHASED.]
The moment the System said this, a warm flood of energy coursed through my entire being.
My limbs felt lighter, and the entire world seemed brighter.
Colors I’d never been able to see before suddenly bloomed before my eyes. Even the air around me seemed cleaner.
I stared at my palms before slowly clenching my fists, feeling newfound strength surge through my fingers.
"So this is what it feels like to surpass the limits of a normal human?"
It felt like there were a hundred versions of me inside my body.
I stretched my hand out and slammed it against the wall beside me.
Instantly, spiderweb-like cracks splintered across the wall, sand billowing into the air.
"Amazing."
Ding!
[Skill and technique purchases completed.]
This time, instead of a warm sensation spreading through my body, a strange heat built up in my abdomen before spreading throughout my body, as though I were about to breathe fire.
Even without testing them, I could already understand the fundamentals of Telekinesis and Flash Step, as though I’d been practicing them for months.
Only the Heavenly Demon Sword Intent remained blank in my mind.
Before I could even ponder the sword art or celebrate my new skills, a loud voice suddenly rang inside my head.
"So you’ve finally decided to come home, you fucking bastard! Why are you just standing there? Don’t tell me you’re planning on running away again."
My gaze darkened at the croaky, drunken voice that had haunted my nights for years.
My lips parted, then closed again.
All I wanted was to tell that bastard exactly what I thought of him and beat him to a pulp. But knowing how cowardly he was, I forced myself to hold it in.
"I’m not running anywhere, Father. I’ll be at the front of the building in a minute."
"Hahaha. Seems you’ve prepared yourself." His voice suddenly turned dark as he barked, "Because today is going to be your last day on this damned planet!"
I lowered my head, my whole body trembling as though from fear. But really... it was excitement coursing through me.
’I guess he did train me after all, because hell, we sure do think alike.’
I held back my malicious grin and raised my eyes. ’Yes, Father. Today is going to be your last day on this planet.’