Because of his glare, some people also felt offended, but they did not take any action.
Lucifer nonchalantly got up from the ground and went towards the nearby empty bench, seeking a warm spot in the sunlight as he was feeling quite cold.
After sitting on the bench leaning against the cool wood, he allowed himself to relax, though inner turmoil still churned, thinking that the situation he was in right now was not something easy to comprehend.
He once again examined his previously wounded area, massaging it gently to check for lingering scars.
However, he found out nothing, he was totally fit and fine… just a little cold.
'What was the thing earlier ringing into my mind? System? Protection?' He pondered deeply, determined to unravel the mystery of his revival.
He also noticed that some kind of thing was pooping in front of his face from time to time, something like gaining hatred points.
'It has an emotionless voice, reminiscent of a woman's,' He thought as he overlooked the surroundings. But he saw only the faces of people, some were Ascendents while some were mortals and discrimination could be seen by the expressions they were showing.
[Ding! You have reached 10 hatred points. The Hatred System is officially launched.]
[For further inquiries, please say "system" and then ask your questions.]
"Huh? Who? What?" Lucifer tried to locate the source of the voice but saw no one. The emotionless, cold voice echoed again in his mind.
"…"
Silence followed.
"System right… who are you?" Lucifer asked cautiously, piecing together the fragments of his thoughts while eyeing everyone within his vicinity.
[I am your desire, born by your hatred.]
[In other words, I am a part of your soul…]
[Warning, Warning]
[Warning: Host is currently weak. Discussing this matter may attract unexpected troubles for the host.]
"…"
Lucifer suddenly felt cold run down his spine as he felt someone was peaking through everything. Because of that Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
'What was that? Who dared?' A mix of powerlessness and anger surged within him, echoing the vulnerability he had felt at his lowest point.
He surveyed his surroundings but found nothing amiss. It was all too mysterious.
[Host does not need to worry about it, just focus on your goals and be strong, ask me anything you want…If I can answer, I will. If I cannot, I won't]
"Ohh… Then, did you revive me?" Lucifer asked calmly as he got up and wiped the dust from his clothes, remembering yesterday's tragic incident, making him cold from the inside out. 'Anyway, there is lots of time left for me to get my revenge… being angry won't change anything now.' Lucifer thought as he regained his composure.
The time he spent on the streets had taught him many things, one of which was how to control his emotions, but sometimes he couldn't. Lucifer knew that coming back from death wasn't simple. It was a miracle. If higher-ups knew this, they would cut him from top to bottom for research and use him as an experimental subject for their projects.
[Yes... As for how I revived you?]
[Warning: Unable to answer.]
"…"
Lucifer rested his hand on his chin, deep in thought. He had no choice but to trust what this entity was telling him. After all, he was alive and whole, with his wounds mysteriously healed. 'Am I dreaming?' he wondered, pinching his cheek. The sharp pain confirmed his reality.
[System reminder: If you wish to feel real pain, I suggest stabbing yourself.]
Lucifer blinked, momentarily speechless. 'Thanks, but no thanks. What a sharp tongue this thing has!' he thought, shaking his head at the absurdity of the suggestion.
"Hmm, anyway…What are you? Do you have a name? What is your role? What can you do? I have a feeling that you are more than you appear" Lucifer inquired, still scanning his surroundings and contemplating his next move.
He noticed that people were eyeing him with a malicious glint, their expressions hinting at hostility, as if they were ready to charge at him like hungry wolves.
'Why the hell are they looking at me like that? If you want to fight, then come at me one-on-one,' Lucifer muttered inwardly, seeing the negative emotion lurking on other people's faces.
[I have no specific name. If you wish to address me, you may call me the Hatred System or anything else you prefer.]
"Your name will be 'Ego' then. Now, next question."
["…"]
['Ego'?... Alright]
This plain response of Ego rendered Lucifer speechless, he began to wonder if his naming skill was that sucks?
[As for what I am and what I can do...]
[Well, I am simply part of your soul, connected with each other]
[My sole purpose is to collect hatred points that arise genuinely generating negative emotions in others towards you.]
"Ohh, how does that work?" Lucifer asked, his curiosity piqued.
[These hatred points can be granted regardless of whether it's hate, anger, jealousy, malice, envy, fear, annoyance, frustration, or disgust.]
[However, these emotions have to occur naturally and have to be focused on you.]
[In case the person is around you, you will earn 1 hatred point simultaneously.]
[If they are further away but still harboring negative feelings towards you, you'll still earn 0.1 hatred points.]
"Interesting," Lucifer mused. "And what else?"
[To learn more about your status, simply say 'Status' and it will appear before you.]
"Status," Lucifer called out, startling everyone around him for a brief moment.
[Gain 1 Hatred Point (Annoyance)]
[Gain 1 Hatred Point (Angry)]
…..,
[Reminder: Host doesn't need to call that out loud. Just will for it, and it will appear in front of you.]
"Oh, why didn't you mention that earlier?" Lucifer replied, a mix of annoyance and amusement in his tone.
["…"]
He received no response from Ego.
A transparent panel then materialized before him, and he settled back onto the bench, observing it carefully.
[Hatred System Level: 1 (upgradable at 1000 Hatred Points)]
[Name: Lucifer]
[Physique: Dark Overlord Body]
[Talent: Slave of Shadow (White Grade) (upgradable at 1000 Hatred Points)]
Umbral Infusion (currently locked, needs 100 Hatred Points to unlock)]
[Main Power Rank: Mid-Level Dawnbringer Rank]
[Core: Not forged yet]
[Skills Learned: (See More)]
[Hatred Points: 6]
Lucifer took a moment to process the information that was displayed before him. The realization made him exhilarated and also unsettled by the fact that he could harness other people's negative emotions.
Still hard to believe what was happening. Nevertheless, he always thought the world was full of upsides and downs, so somehow he believed it.
With a newfound ability, he started to feel a surge of excitement as his smile began to smirk like a devil.
If he could turn the hatred directed towards him into power, perhaps he could rise above his past, create a new fate, and get what he wants.
"Let's see how this plays out," he whispered to himself, the smirk still evident on his lips