Knox staggered back, his chest heaving as he stared at the blood pooling beneath his parents'bodies. Their stillness mocked him, the silence in the room pressing down like a suffocating weight.
He stumbled to his knees beside his father, trembling hands reaching out. "Dad?" His voice cracked, desperate for even the faintest sign of life. "Mom?" His gaze darted to his mother, her lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling.
He pressed his fingers to his father's neck, praying for a pulse, any indication that he could still save him. But there was nothing. Just emptiness.
"No... no, no, no!" Knox's scream was raw, his fists pounding the floor as tears streamed down his face.
'What am I supposed to do now?'
The question hung in the air for only a moment before a voice, smooth and laced with mockery, broke the silence.
"Oh, how tragic. What a painfully cliché beginning to your story."
Knox froze, his head whipping around. "Who's there?"
"Relax, it's just me," the voice said with a chuckle. "The System. You've officially activated me by killing that thug in such.... spectacular fashion."
The voice came from within his mind, its tone casual, almost amused. A small glowing interface appeared in front of him, flickering between blue and red light.
"What... are you?" Knox asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm your system," it replied, voice dripping with faux sympathy. "And wow, what a sad little life you have here. Dead parents, a rundown house, and now you're sitting in their blood. A true tragedy."
"Shut up!" Knox snarled, anger sparking in his eyes. "Don't talk about them like that!"
"Touchy, aren't we?" the system mused, its tone still light but growing sharper. The glowing light shifted, deepening to a sinister red. "Listen, kid, crying over them won't bring them back. If you're so heartbroken over their deaths, then do something about it. Change this worlds."
Knox clenched his fits, his breath hitching as the system's words cut through his grief like a blade. "What do you mean?"
"You've seen it already," the system continued, its now cold and commanding. "The strong take what they want, leaving the weak to suffer. Your parents died because this world let scum like that thrive. If you want to honor their memory, then stop being weak. Stop being a victim."
The glowing red intensified, casting eerie shadows across the room. "Don't waste time trying to be a hero. Heroes die just like your parents. Be something greater—be the ruler of this world. Take charge. Don't let anyone ever take anything from you again."
Knox's teeth clenched, his body trembling with a mix of rage and sorrow. The system's words dug deep, stirring something primal within him.
And then, just as quickly as it had turned red, the light shifted back to its original blue. The voice became chipper once more. "Anyway, since I'm custom-built to help my host, I've got something to cheer you up! You've unlocked your Beginner Pack! Would you like to open it?
Knox glared at the glowing interface, his voice low and bitter. "Fine. Open it."
"Great choice!" the system chirped, its tone suddenly jovial. A flurry of light engulfed Knox, warmth spreading through his body as notifications flooded his vision.
Beginner Pack Rewards:
* Superman Template: 3% Progress
* Abilities Unlocked:
Flight
Heat Vision (Weaker) - Capable of melting metal
Super Hearing
X-Ray Vision
Freezing Breath
Knox staggered as the power coursed through him, his muscles tingling with newfound strength. He could feel it in every fiber of his being—the raw potential waiting to be unleashed.
"Well, look at that," the system said with a satisfied hum. "Congratulations, Knox. You're officially on your way to becoming this world's strongest being."
Knox took a shaky breath, his fists clenching as he looked down at the bodies of his parents one last time.
"I'll make them pay." he murmured, his voice cold and resolute.
The system chuckled. "That's the spirit."