Nyx lay sprawled on his bed like roadkill—mentally fried, physically twitching, and emotionally ready to sue his own System.
"Oii, Sys! Explain yourself!" he barked.
[This Daddy's got nothing to explain. Just vibin' with the wreckage you call a life.]
"First of all, what the hell is Phase 2? Some cliché-ass upgrade? If it is, forget upgrading—I might shut your whole ass down."
[Tch. Bastard. Phase 2 ain't some upgrade. It's a limiter. Your body can't handle the onslaught of rapid stat growth. So unless you wanna explode like a sausage in a microwave, you need Phase 2 to unlock the next stage.]
Nyx processed the info, but something didn't sit right. The System was being too… helpful and too direct.
He narrowed his eyes. There's more it's not telling me.
"Speaking of stats, show me my panel."
[**SYSTEM INTERFACE**]
Name: Nyx Vaelthorn
Race: Human
Title(s): Newbie Trash, Lazy Bastard.
Alignment: None
System Points (SP): 700
HP: 10000/10000
MP: 7000/7000
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength (STR): 100
Agility (AGI): 100
Endurance (END): 100
Intelligence (INT): 100
Wisdom (WIS): 100
Constitution (CON): 100
Luck (LCK): ???
[Stats are in a locked state.]
[SKILLS]
[ABILITIES]
[INVENTORY]
[SHOP]
---
"A perfect hundred… Feels like I just topped the damn entrance exam," Nyx muttered, admiring the numbers.
[Can't say about that, but one thing's for sure—you're not getting even a negative marking for effort.]
"And what's that 'locked state' supposed to mean?"
[You increased your stats too fast, dumbass. Your body can't keep up. You need to keep training and monster hunting until it catches up, or you'll snap like a twig in a hurricane.]
"Wow. Didn't know a mouthy bitch could actually explain things so clearly."
System: ...
"Did this majestic voice left you speechless?"
[Forced initiation the integration process of "Regeneration"]
"O-Oi! You system bastard—slow down—"
But it was too late. The process had already started.
---
[Scene too graphic. Even the author skipped it to preserve your mental stability.]
---
Nyx woke up to the familiar symphony of pain screaming through every fiber of his being. He tried to turn his head—immediately regretted it as agony shot through his neck like a sledgehammer through glass.
"ARRRGHH... I swear, I'm gonna rip you apart the first chance I get, you bitch!"
[Wanna try another integration?]
Nyx immediately sat up and saluted like a traumatized soldier.
"Sorry, sir. It won't happen again."
[Good.]
"By the way, how did my SP disappear? I mean I had like over six thousand after the hunt." Nyx asked, still in cautious posture.
[Do you think the stats came flying into your ass?]
"...Makes sense."
Nyx collapsed back onto the bed, groaning into the mattress. His head spun. His body ached. And he still wasn't sure whose side he was supposed to be on—the System's, the nobles', or just his own.
Eventually, he pushed himself up and walked to the window, staring out into the silent night.
"Hey, System."
[Yes?]
"I'm probably gonna do something crazy-ass stupid. So... stop me before I drown. Because if I fall—just like in the past—I probably won't wake up again."
He stared at the moon, voice dropped from its usual snark. A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes—fear. Not of others, but of himself.
[No worries, buddy. I'm here to assist you anytime—even if I have to smack some damn sense into you.]
"That's what I expect from a mouthy bitch," he muttered, a faint smirk pulling at his lips.
---
Next Morning
Nyx had breakfast with Rhea and Karl. But unlike their usual chaotic routine, the table was steeped in silence. Nobody said a word.
The tension wasn't awkward—it was heavy. They all felt the same thing: something big was coming.
---
When Nyx arrived at the inn, Valon was already seated near the window, staring into nothing. Nyx dropped into the seat across from him, tossed his boots up on the table, and raised a brow.
"You look dead. Someone steal your balls?"
Valon blinked, jolted from his trance by the voice. He turned to face Nyx.
"Nyx... you came earlier than expected."
He paused, like he had more to say—but changed his mind last second, playing it off with a casual shrug.
Nyx caught the shift in his eyes but didn't press it.
A moment later, two figures entered through the front door and turned toward them.
"Seems like everyone's early," Samantha said, walking over and dropping herself into the seat beside Nyx without missing a beat.
She glanced sideways at him. Nyx only gave her a brief look before returning his gaze to the table.
"Ruby wanted to say something to you," Samantha added.
All three turned to the timid girl standing quietly behind her, hands nervously clutching the hem of her dress.
"T-thank you, Nyx. For saving my life... and for the potion. I don't have anything right now, but I'll definitely repay this favor someday," Ruby said, still timid—but genuine.
Nyx leaned back in his chair and replied casually, "I ain't the one who saved you—it was these two. As for the potion, I already told you... think of it as compensation for dragging you into that forest."
The group fell silent for a moment—until Samantha broke it, eyes narrowing slightly.
"So... what are your plans today? I doubt you called us here for a casual monster stroll."
Nyx's expression shifted. The laid-back grin vanished.
"Lead me to the demonic beasts. A pure-corrupted one. Not the mutated crap we fought yesterday."
"...You trying to commit suicide?" Valon asked, brows furrowing at the absurdity of his words.
Nyx gave a half-smile.
"Kinda. Wanna join?"
Silence fell over the group.
Not from confusion. Not from disbelief.
But because—for the first time—they heard a seriousness in Nyx's voice that wasn't masked by sarcasm or swagger.
"You serious about this, Nyx? One mistake in that forest and we're all dead," Valon said.
"Yeah. You guys just lead me to the monster—I'll handle the rest," Nyx replied.
Suddenly, Samantha grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward. Her eyes locked onto his like she was trying to rip the truth out of his soul.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Is this some fucking suicide mission to you?" she hissed. "Do you really not value your life? If not, then at least keep it safe for the people around you, you bastard."
She glared at him with pure fury—but the worry in her eyes betrayed the venom in her words.
Nyx stared back, then slowly pried her hands off his collar.
"I'll handle it... till I can't," he said quietly. "But you guys'll be there too, right? So help me out, will ya?"
He gave a crooked smirk.
"Doesn't look like my pathetic skillset's carrying me much further on its own."
Silence fell over the inn as no one spoke. After a long moment, Samantha sighed.
"Fine. But the moment I see things getting out of control, we're retreating the hell out of that forest. No questions asked."
"Wow, you sure got a foul mouth for a lady," Nyx said casually, flashing a grin.
"Who's even asking for your critique?" Samantha scoffed, then punched him lightly on the shoulder.
"Let's set off."
---
In a dark chamber, a man sat upon a throne, his figure cloaked in shadow and silence. Suddenly, a dark silhouette emerged before him and dropped to one knee.
"Reporting, my lord," the shadowy figure said respectfully.
"Speak," came a heavy, commanding voice from the throne.
"Nyx Vaelthorn has started moving. The assassination attempt failed. And... something strange is happening. He's no longer following any pattern—his actions have become unpredictable."
The man raised an eyebrow, stroking his beard with a slow smirk.
"Nyx Vaelthorn... that idealist's son?"
He chuckled lightly under his breath, the sound hollow and cruel.
"Cease all missions concerning him. We've already dispatched the necessary people. Once we retrieve that from the region, he won't even be worth a beggar's attention."
"I'll inform the others, my lord," the figure replied before vanishing into the darkness.
The chamber fell silent once more, save for the faint creak of the throne as the man leaned back, murmuring to himself:
"Nyx Vaelthorn... If only your father had bent the knee. Such a waste of potential. Alas~"