"What the f*ck just happened?" Nyx blurted out, staring at the aftermath in disbelief.
[I really saved humanity by giving you the title, "Lazy Bastard."]
"What the hell do you mean?" Nyx snapped.
[Have you even tried glancing at the details of a skill before dragging your ass over here and starting to complain?]
Nyx wanted to retort, but instead opened his system panel and checked the details.
[**SKILLS**]
Appraisal(Active) – Lvl. 1 – [Scan stuff. Look smart.]
Fire Arrow(Active) – Lvl. MAX – Creates an arrow made of fire, which can be launched at will and explodes upon contact. MP consumption and area effects depend on the amount of mana inputted.
Additional Effect: Increases the damage output by 500%.
[Note: Additional effects can be unlocked once the skill reaches MAX proficiency.]
[New skills available in shop]
[**ABILITIES**]
Basic Combat Proficiency(Passive) – Lvl. 1 – [You know which end of the sword goes in the enemy. Usually.]
---
"Huh? Lvl. MAX? As far as I remember, I haven't even used it before—how the hell is it already MAX?" Nyx asked in a confused and serious tone. He clearly recalled just buying the skill and using it for the first time now.
[That's this Daddy's greatness, bestowed upon a lowly peasant like you.]
"...That's broken on another level. Maybe not surprising though—seeing as the system itself is a mouthy bitch, I guess the skills being busted from the start kinda checks out," Nyx muttered, visibly annoyed by the system's arrogance… though he couldn't quite hide the smirk creeping onto his face.
If what the system showed him was truly legit, then it opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. Just as he started to bask in his newfound potential, something else caught his eye—other skills that were stuck at [Lvl. 1].
"Wait... then why is only that skill MAX and not the others?" Nyx asked, seriously confused.
[Only those skills you buy from the shop will be Lvl. MAX. Not the ones you gain naturally.]
The system replied in a tone so casual, you'd think it was common knowledge.
The thought of becoming the most absurdly overpowered bastard alive didn't feel like a dream anymore. With zero hesitation, Nyx opened the shop to go on a shopping spree for useful skills…
Only for cold, hard reality to smack him upside the head.
[System Points (SP): 0]
---
Nyx: ...
"Oii, System. How the f*ck do I earn points? Am I supposed to complete missions or kill monsters?" Nyx asked, agitated, already planning his future purchases.
[You can earn SP in three ways—completing missions, killing monsters, or… pleasing this Daddy.]
"...What the f*ck is that third method supposed to mean?" Nyx deadpanned, fully prepared for another bullshit response.
[You please this Daddy, you get points. Simple as that.]
"...So what do I do, Daddy Dearest?" Nyx immediately did a full 180 degrees , eyes sparkling with greed, his mouth, practically drooling as he stared at the system panel.
[Damn, even betrayal has more dignity than that.]
[Well, here, peasant. 500 SP added to your balance.]
---
As soon as he got the points, Nyx was ready to dive into the shop like a man starved.
But then reality sucker-punched him again—Rhea was still standing near the crater, eyes wide, frozen like she'd just seen a dragon hatch from a potato.
"Rhea?" Nyx called , snapping her out of her daze.
"Y-yes, young master?" she stammered, clearly shaken by the realization her lord might actually be a mage.
"Don't say this to anybody, okay? It's a promise." Nyx said with a firm tone. Then he turned and left the training grounds without waiting for a reply.
Rhea remained rooted in place, trying to process the absurd number of shocks Nyx had dropped on her in just one day. She wanted to tell Karl, to unload even a fraction of her confusion—but the promise weighed heavy. She wasn't ready to break that promise.
---
Back in his room, Nyx stared at the screen. The absurd amount of skills now available had his brain doing somersaults. Each one looked more tempting than the last—how the hell was he supposed to pick?
In the end, he gave up and did the unthinkable.
"System, got any recommendations?" Nyx asked while still scrolling through the never-ending list.
[If you want to build an arsenal, start by fixing your pathetic weak-ass stats. Only then should you worry about skills.]
For once, Nyx found himself actually agreeing with the system. The burn was real, but valid.
[Add "Basic Swordsmanship Technique" for 200 SP and convert the rest into stat points.]
"That's balanced. Sure—buy the skill and convert the points," Nyx replied, surprisingly content with the suggestion. The system was... helpful. For once.
[Congratulations! "Basic Swordsmanship Technique" has been added to ABILITIES.]
[Congratulations! 300 SP has been converted into stat points.]
Just as the notification appeared, pain exploded throughout Nyx's body—sharp, stabbing agony, like being skewered from the inside out by flaming needles.
"AARRRGGHHHHHH... F*CK YOU, SYSTEM!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!" Nyx screamed as he collapsed onto his back and promptly passed out.
---
Nyx woke up the next morning, still remembering the pain he was assaulted with last night. He groggily opened his eyes only to find Karl standing in the doorway and Rhea still crying beside him, clutching his arm like a lifeline.
He moved his other hand and gently patted Rhea's head as he spoke, "I'm still alive, Rhea. Why are you crying?" Nyx asked in a casual tone—you'd believe he hadn't even passed out at all.
Rhea, hearing his voice, raised her head. Seeing him looking at her, she jumped on him with a tight hug.
"H-hey, slow down." Nyx stammered, unable to dodge in time.
After a moment, Rhea broke the hug and pulled back.
"Umm... so, what happened?" Nyx asked, trying to act the fool.
"You were screaming like the world was ending— then we found you passed out. And you have the guts to ask us what happened, young master?" Karl snapped, seeing Nyx act so shamelessly.
"Do you even realize what would've happened if you'd died like that?!" Karl added, not backing down. He stepped closer to Nyx and leaned in.
"I stayed with you because the old master had hope that you'd change. Even I believed that. Don't let the hopes of your father die down, Nyx Vaelthorn," Karl said in a commanding tone as he left the room with a snap of the door.
Nyx couldn't find a single word to reply or even meet Karl's eyes before he left. He knew he'd made a mistake by doing that—but he didn't know the pain would be that severe.
Nyx turned to Rhea. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
"I-I'm sorry, Rhea. I don't know what happened. I just fainted. I didn't want to worry you guys," Nyx said in an apologetic voice as he looked at the girl before him.
Rhea didn't say anything. She just wiped her tears and started to walk away, then turned back.
"Please don't ever do that again, young master. You have no idea what would happen to us without you being around."
She then turned and left, leaving Nyx sitting on the bed, alone.
---
"You could've at least warned me, y'know," Nyx said to the system. But unlike his usual playful tone, this time he was really down.
[Well, mistakes happen sometimes. Can't do anything about what already happened.]
"What do I even expect from you, an apology? Haa~" Nyx turned to his ceiling, wondering how badly this might've damaged the trust he'd just started to rebuild.
---
"Open System Panel," Nyx murmured under his breath.
[**SYSTEM INTERFACE**]
Name: Nyx Vaelthorn
Race: Human
Title(s): Newbie Trash, Lazy Bastard.
Alignment: None
System Points (SP): 0
HP: 200/200 – [1 CON = 10 HP]
MP: 80/80 – [1 WIS = 10 MP
[**ATTRIBUTES**]
Strength (STR): 20
Agility (AGI): 14
Endurance (END): 12
Intelligence (INT): 10
Wisdom (WIS): 8
Constitution (CON): 10
Luck (LCK): ???
[SKILLS]
[ABILITIES]
[INVENTORY]
[SHOP]
[**ABILITIES**]
Basic Combat Proficiency (Passive) – Lvl. 1 – [You know which end of the sword goes in the enemy. Usually.]
Basic Swordsmanship Technique (Passive) – Lvl. MAX – You have mastered all possible swords and are the most proficient with them. You can use a sword like it's a part of yourself.
Additional Effect: Increases the chances of mastering sword techniques by 2x.
---
Nyx was satisfied seeing the new technique added to his arsenal. The ability also came with muscle memory and knowledge—he felt like he'd been swinging swords for decades.
He got up and walked to the mirror, clearly noticing the changes in his body. He was more defined now, and even slightly taller.
After examining himself, he sat back on his bed and decided to invest the rest of the stat points.
"System, add 5 points to STR, 6 points to AGI, 12 points to WIS, and 7 points to CON."
Nyx took another glance at his updated stats:
STR: 20 → 25
AGI: 14 → 20
WIS: 8 → 20
CON: 10 → 17
He was satisfied. As he moved his body, he could clearly feel the difference. If he could fight a normal person with some difficulty before, now he could probably take on five of them. Combined with Basic Swordsmanship Technique, he had become outright deadly.
He got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.
---
When he reached the dining room, the mood was heavy. He knew he couldn't say anything to Karl until he proved himself. As for Rhea, he'd have to find a way to make it right.
He sat down and began to eat as Rhea served him. Silently, he finished and placed the plate aside.
"I'll be in the training grounds. Don't disturb me," he said curtly, leaving the hall.
Meanwhile, Karl stood upstairs, watching Nyx with worry. The boy had changed drastically over the past few days—he who used to be cold and distant was now caring... and foul-mouthed.
Karl turned toward a large painting of the previous Lord and Lady Vaelthorn. He sighed.
"Master... the young master seems to have changed. I don't know if it's for better or worse.
But I promise—I'll watch over him, like I always have... until my last breath."
He bowed slightly, then walked away.
---
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Nyx stood in the training ground, drenched in sweat, chest heaving with each breath. Behind him lay countless shattered dummies.
He had finally gained a system worth rooting himself into—and he wasn't about to waste that chance.
"Time for a f*cking grind."
---
P.S: How's our Daddy Dearest, do you like it or think its a bit excessive? Do leave your views on the comments.
Stay healthy, Stay pure, just to get corrupted here~
–Clashercertified