*DING*
[Welcome, host, to the Heroine Stealer System].
A mechanical voice echoed in Ark's mind, leaving him momentarily confused before he drew a faint smile.
Who didn't know about these systems?
As a reader of hundreds of web novels, Ark already knew what a system meant; after reincarnation and transmigration, it's law to have a system.
Although he had read about it, he found it a bit amusing to see it in real life.
[Does the host agree to connect to the system]
In front of the Ark, there was a transparent blue panel with only two texts: "Yes" or "No."
A confident smile widened Ark's slight grin as he approached and pressed an option.
He chose to accept the system.
[System linking to host... System: Steal Heroines is now fully integrated into the host. The system is working...]
"Stop," Ark dryly stopped the system and silently watched the panel in front of him.
Having read hundreds of web novels in his former life, he knew that one of the most common scenarios was systems where the user was connected to them as if they were a power that someone else could use.
Basically, not in this world, not on earth, and maybe nowhere else, can you gain great power, a drastic advantage, without giving something in return.
Is there a God watching me? Will I be used as a puppet? Will I allow myself to be controlled?
Several questions circulated in Ark's calm but chaotic mind.
But if he knew all this, why had he agreed to the system in the first place?
A mysterious smile crept across the young man's handsome face, and then he did something that almost no one could or would dare do.
"By the grace of my curse, I summon you, nameless lord, for an exchange," were the only words Ark said in a neutral tone and without showing any emotion.
...
Time passed and seconds became minutes. Suddenly, the room began to distort unnaturally.
The room gradually twisted and then simply turned into darkness, a darkness that seemed to have no apparent boundaries.
Ark became nervous, but he had to stay calm; he didn't want to make a mistake, knowing that this could be their last encounter.
As a fan of Curse and Misfortune, he knew all the secrets of the world, and one of them was... curses or rather cursed creatures.
These creatures were part of the negative emotions and fears of living beings; when people felt fear, these creatures became stronger.
And the six curses, the six great fears of the world, were the supreme masters, beings so powerful that even in the novel their power was not fully explored.
But here is Ark, going straight to see one of the cursed beings, not only is he a part of them, but he is the most powerful cursed being... also called the Father of the Cursed Beings, the Seventh Supreme Lord, who is always forgotten.
Finally, the space was completely distorted.
In front of Ark, he could only see infinite darkness, as if the place where he was was a void in the universe itself.
"What do you wish for?" a cold voice echoed through the room as if it came from every possible direction.
Ark listened to it, shuddering slightly.
'The Father of Misfortune', Ark remembered, trying to control his emotions.
To have a being before him who could destroy worlds with a single look was no joke; his voice brought the fear from the depths of his soul to the surface.
Ark resisted; if he had fallen into a state of despair and madness, it would have been his undoing. And he would have been tormented for the rest of eternity.
Gradually, Ark regained his composure. "I would like to make a deal with you, an exchange," the young man declared.
No one answered for a moment, as if they were thinking deeply about this exchange, which made Ark a little uneasy.
His body unconsciously felt weak in front of such a phenomenon, and it wasn't because he was weak, but rather...
"My Container came to me just like that; I have been watching you since you were in your mother's womb; I have chosen you as my successor and vessel; you are the only worthy one.
I have followed your every step, but a few minutes ago, your attitude was abnormal; you have even aroused the favor of an unknown deity...". The voice spread in all directions of space.
Ark stood there in silence, knowing all this very well.
Theos Von Fallen was born and created to be the vessel of the Father of Misfortune, the creator of the other cursed beings.
That's why his body naturally felt weak around such a subject; if the Father of Misfortune wanted to, he could wipe him out of existence without even looking at him.
The voice did not continue its explanation, as if its silence meant that Ark should give his explanation.
But just as he was about to open his mouth, the voice spoke again.
"You are a completely different person; you are not Theos. Am I wrong?"
~