Arthur looked up at Jordan with wide, starry eyes—the perfect picture of an adoring fanboy.
His posture was slightly hunched, shoulders drawn in, as if he were afraid to take up too much space.
Anyone watching would see nothing but a harmless admirer desperate for approval, his gaze filled with almost embarrassing admiration.
"Sir, can I come with you too?" he pleaded. "Please... give me a chance to prove myself!"
A devilish smile crept across Jordan’s face, hidden behind his practiced charm.
"Of course you can."
’It’ll be easier to finish him off inside the dungeon. No one will know.’
’And with my mind control ability, I can handle Isabella too. Killing two birds with one stone... this really is my lucky day.’
Mala leaned toward Isabella, whispering urgently. "Miss, this seems like a good deal. Jordan’s a very famous magician. It’ll be safe."
Isabella clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed but relenting. She glanced between Jordan and Arthur, her sharp eyes lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if measuring something she couldn’t quite name.
"Fine."
She jabbed a finger toward Arthur. "But Jordy—"
"Mr. Jordan!" Arthur yelled immediately, playing the part perfectly.
Isabella rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Keep that red-eyed maniac fan of yours away from me."
Jordan smiled smoothly, all charm. "I promise, miss. No one will trouble you."
Isabella crossed her arms. "Fine. I accept. You can take all the loot—I just want to clear the dungeon gate. Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear," Jordan replied.
He turned to the group. "A C-rank gate opened up six blocks from here—in the middle of a road. It’s causing major problems for civilians. The Blue Magic Tower already bought the rights. I was heading there with my team."
The street around them buzzed faintly with tension—distant sirens, hurried footsteps, and the low hum of mana leaking from somewhere unseen.
Isabella shrugged. "Fine. Wherever that is."
"Alright," Jordan said. "Let’s go."
He glanced at Arthur, who wore the most innocent smile imaginable. "What’s your name?"
Arthur paused dramatically. "The name is Arthur." He took a deep breath. "Arthur Celestian."
’Let’s go full villain anyway,’ he thought.
Jordan smiled. "Welcome to our party, Arthur."
Arthur beamed. "It’s my pleasure to be working with my idol!"
Jordan’s lackeys exchanged glances.
’This guy’s even better at flattery than we are... we have to be cautious of him.’
Jordan stared at Arthur’s smile.
’For some reason, this guy gives me the creeps.’
’Maybe he’s acting.’
’But... I’m sure he’s just an F-rank from his aura alone. I’ve faced worse opponents than him.’
From the moment Jordan first laid eyes on Arthur, his system had been buzzing violently.
A translucent screen hovered in front of his vision, its glow faint but unmistakable even under the afternoon light.
Two choices burned there, which he still did not choose, because he played cautiously and wanted to assess Arthur himself first.
────────────────────────────
[Choice A: The Path of Predatory Supremacy]
Objective: Kill the player standing before you within 24 hours.
[Threat Level: Low]
Reward:
Unknown Progenitor Bloodline
▸ Classification: Unrecorded
▸ Origin: Unknown Era
▸ Potential: ?????
Failure Penalty:
Total Reversal
▸ Upon failure, the reward will be transferred to the target.
▸ Death will be prolonged and excruciating.
────────────────────────────
[Choice B: The Path of Cowardly Retreat]
Objective: Withdraw from the target’s vicinity immediately and avoid all interaction.
Reward: None
Failure Penalty: None.
────────────────────────────
A predatory smile spread across Jordan’s face.
The rewards were astonishing.
’A progenitor bloodline...’
The threat level marked Arthur as [Low].
’Thank you, system. You really are the best.’
’Making it too easy for me.’
’I can get the physique from Isabella... and the bloodline from Arthur.’
’Then there will be no equal to me.’
Without hesitation, he selected Choice A.
[ Quest Accepted ]
Jordan clapped his hands sharply, drawing everyone’s attention.
"Alright, everyone! Let’s get going."
Isabella strode ahead confidently, platinum hair swaying.
Jordan and his lackeys followed.
Arthur brought up the rear.
The crowd thinned as they moved, the city’s noise slowly giving way to an uneasy silence.
But as Arthur walked, a predatory smile curved his lips.
As he licked them slowly.
A few moments ago—
The moment his gaze first landed on Jordan, his own system had materialized a window.
[ A foreign System detected nearby. ]
[ System Name: Absolute Choice System ]
[ Type: Choice-Bound Authority ]
[ Status: Mid-Rank System ]
Arthur’s steps slowed almost imperceptibly.
"A choice system... huh?" he murmured under his breath.
The system continued.
[ Its host advances through enforced decisions. ]
[ Every path demands a price. ]
[ Every hesitation invites punishment. ]
Arthur felt a faint pressure in his chest, like invisible hands testing his resolve.
’So that’s his gimmick...’
A short pause.
[ Choice-bound systems create unstable growth. ]
[ Their hosts burn brightly. ]
[ And often burn out violently, collapsing. So they come with risks. ]
Arthur’s eyes sharpened.
’Sounds troublesome.’
Another window appeared.
──────────────
[ Target Identified: Jordan Zane ]
System: Absolute Choice System
Relationship: Stranger
Narrative Role: Mid-Rank Villain (Projected)
[ Emotional Status Toward Host ]
• Caution
• Disdain
• Superiority
Target Perception of Arthur:
• Trash-tier Awakener
• Non-threat
• Expendable
──────────────
A vein bulged on Arthur’s forehead. His mouth twitched.
"So he thinks I’m trash, huh," he murmured.
He spoke in his mind. ’Show me the extraction conditions, partner.’
The screen shifted.
──────────────
[ Alternative Extraction Condition Available ]
Target System: Absolute Choice System
Condition:
• Enter direct combat with the target
• Survive for five continuous minutes
Restrictions:
• Target must acknowledge Host as an enemy
• Host must remain alive during the five-minute duration
Success:
• Random System Capability Extraction
• 20 Attribute Points
──────────────
Arthur exhaled slowly.
’Five minutes... huh.’
’That guy is strong. I can tell.’
A smile appeared on his face.
’It’s gonna be a lot of fun.’
He followed the group at a leisurely pace, every step measured, every breath controlled.
In his mind, he said, ’Partner.’
[ Yes, Host? ]
Arthur’s voice turned cold. ’Let’s get ready. It’s time for the hunt.’
’It will be him or me.’
’Let’s see who comes out on top—this trash or that top-tier disciple.’
The system responded instantly. [ I was born ready, Host. I’ll take care of his system. You just focus on survival. ]
Arthur’s smile widened.
’Now I’m looking forward to it.’
-----
A/N:
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