[The System has concluded that, due to the Host’s slight negligence caused by his current circumstances and environment, enemies of the Ultimate Family may pose an unnecessary threat to the Host and his family in the future.]
[System is calculating the necessary resources and abilities required for Host to protect the Ultimate Family during emergencies.]
Dan raised an eyebrow.
[System has detected a viable option.]
[Host has been gifted Affinity: Space. Rank Of Affinity: SSS]
Dan froze. ’Affinity to space?’
He wasn’t well-versed in this kind of stuff, but even with his limited knowledge, he knew that an affinity for space at SSS-Rank had to be pretty damn powerful.
Excitement immediately filled his heart.
Unfortunately, the next notification poured cold water over it.
[Current abilities associated with Affinity: Space: None.]
[Reason: Mana has yet to descend.]
[According to the Rules of the Universe, Host cannot freely utilize supernatural abilities before the descent of Mana.]
[Once Mana descends, Host will initially possess a limited Mana capacity.]
[Host’s Mana capacity and other stats can gradually increase through leveling up, training, treasures, bonding with family, or other applicable methods.]
Dan would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed.
He had just received an affinity for space, only to discover that he couldn’t actually use it until Mana descended.
Fortunately, the next panel lifted his spirits somewhat.
[System wishes to increase Host’s Mana capacity immediately.]
[Restriction imposed upon System by Aphrodite is interfering.]
[System cannot bypass the Rules of the Universe.]
[System is calculating alternative methods.]
Dan waited.
A few seconds later, another notification appeared.
[System has identified another potential solution.]
[System intends to grant Host a second Affinity.]
Dan’s eyes widened slightly. ’Another one?’
[Restriction imposed upon System by Aphrodite is interfering.]
[Restriction is conflicting with another Rule of the Universe.]
[System is unable to complete the process.]
Dan couldn’t help feeling pained by the restriction.
He didn’t know much about the rules governing the System, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that Aphrodite’s restriction was preventing him from receiving some pretty useful benefits.
’These Rules of the Universe... what are they?’
[The Rules of the Universe are fundamental laws governing the existence and operation of all things within the universe.]
Dan frowned.
The system could tell that Dan doesn’t have full understanding, so it gave a much clearer explanation.
[Space, time, causality, energy, life, death, and the relationship between supernatural power and the physical world are all governed by the Rules of the Universe.]
[For example, before the descent of Mana, the current world cannot naturally sustain supernatural abilities.]
Dan nodded slowly. ’And Aphrodite’s restrictions aren’t part of those rules?’
[Correct.]
[Aphrodite’s restrictions are imposed upon the System independently.]
Dan shook his head. There was no point dwelling on things beyond his understanding.
He continued walking, but another matter was still bothering him.
As he moved farther away from Kyle, Dan glanced back at him.
The guy was rich and seemingly had plenty going for him.
So why the hell did he hate Dan this much?
’We’ve barely even interacted. What could possibly make him this hostile toward me?’
The System responded almost immediately.
[Scanning target’s thoughts.]
Dan stopped.
[Scanning complete.]
[Relaying relevant thoughts to Host.]
Kyle’s thoughts suddenly echoed inside his mind.
’That bastard... If only I had his looks.’
Dan’s eyebrows twitched.
Another thought followed.
’Seriously, what the hell do women see in that guy?’
Dan’s expression changed. ’Does he seriously hate me because he thinks I’m better-looking than him?’
He found the thought almost absurd. ’How petty can someone be?’
Then another thought surfaced.
’And if it wasn’t for just his looks, how the hell would he have ended up with that gorgeous milf next door? She deadass ignores me, but she talks to him and even lets this dude play with her kid.’
Dan’s fingers tightened around the handle of his shopping cart.
’Milf next door?!’ His eyes narrowed. ’He’s talking about Sophie.’
Everything suddenly clicked.
Kyle wasn’t simply jealous of Dan.
He had noticed Sophie, wanted her attention, and apparently resented Dan for being the man she had chosen instead.
Dan’s jaw tightened. ’So that’s the reason.’
The warmth disappeared from his expression.
He could tolerate insults directed at himself. He could even tolerate someone being jealous of him.
But Sophie was his wife and Lily was his daughter.
Anyone deliberately trying to interfere with his family was stepping into completely different territory.
’This guy really does have a death wish.’
Dan took a slow breath and forced himself to calm down.
He wasn’t going to kill Kyle in a supermarket. Not now, not in front of people, and certainly not before the apocalypse had even begun.
That didn’t mean he would forget what he’d learned.
’System.’
[System is listening.]
’You should’ve told me he had his eyes on Sophie from the beginning.’
[System was previously unaware of the reason behind Kyle’s hatred and killing intent.]
[Scanning a target’s thoughts consumes considerable System Energy.]
[If System Energy is completely depleted, System may become temporarily inactive.]
[For this reason, System did not immediately perform a deep mental scan of the target.]
Dan’s expression remained cold.
The explanation made sense.
He couldn’t expect the System to constantly read everyone’s thoughts.
Still, Kyle had just made himself a problem.
Dan looked toward the front of the supermarket.
The receptionist was still behind the counter.
For a brief moment, his expression softened.
He hoped she would be alright once the missing merchandise was discovered.
His gaze then returned to Kyle.
He had come to this supermarket to prepare his family for the apocalypse.
He hadn’t expected to discover a potential enemy.
Apparently, the apocalypse wasn’t the only thing he needed to prepare for.
Dan pushed his cart toward the checkout area.
For now, Kyle could keep his life.
But Dan wouldn’t forget him.
He had barely taken another step when the System spoke again.
[System knows that Host’s current abilities and resources may still be insufficient to guarantee the safety of the Ultimate Family.]
Dan’s expression turned serious.
[System is considering alternative methods.]
Dan waited.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
[System is forcibly awakening a dormant System Feature.]
Dan’s eyebrows rose. ’Another feature?’
[System Feature successfully awakened.]
[Ultimate Family Danger Meter has been activated.]