"Why?"
"My overall physical fitness far exceeds the standard, and I even took first place in the mecha simulation battle. Why can't I participate in the mecha commander selection?"
Jiangcheng High School, principal's office.
Lin Chen's face was full of dissatisfaction as he stood in front of the desk and demanded answers from the principal.
Facing Lin Chen's questioning, the obese, balding principal smiled calmly.
"Because you accidentally killed an innocent civilian in the simulated battle. You should understand the severity of that."
"Therefore, the school committee held an emergency meeting and unanimously decided to cancel your selection qualification."
"Accidental killing of a civilian?"
Lin Chen immediately frowned and began replaying every detail of the simulated battle in his head.
On the day of the college entrance exam, he — like all other candidates — put on a simulation helmet and entered the virtual battlefield.
While piloting a mecha in a fierce fight with a giant beast, he did stomp a 'human' on the street.
But that "human" was actually a low-level monster with camouflage abilities.
That monster's ability to disguise itself as a human has been in the textbooks for years. Every student knows about it.
And before the exam, Lin Chen had already run through tens of thousands of simulations. He killed that same camouflaged beast every single time. There had never been a problem.
But now, all of a sudden, it was judged as the accidental killing of a civilian?
What a ridiculous excuse.
"I don't accept that. I object."
Lin Chen clenched his fists.
If he'd lost his qualification because he hadn't worked hard enough, or because his Qi and Blood values weren't high enough, he could accept it.
If it's my own weakness, I have to take responsibility — even if I don't like it.
But this? This was not something he could accept.
"If you don't give me a real reason today, I don't mind reporting this to the authorities."
"Report it?"
The principal's expression shifted immediately.
The fake smile dropped and turned into a look of irritation.
"Lin Chen, you need to understand something clearly. I can report this to the authorities first. I can make this a permanent stain on your record so you will never become a mecha pilot in your entire life."
Lin Chen fell silent.
Seeing that reaction, the principal relaxed. He thought he had already won.
"Listen," the principal said smoothly, "just repeat one year. You'll still have a chance."
"You have to know—I'm doing this for your own good."
"For my own good?"
Lin Chen let out a cold laugh.
"Do you really think I don't see what's going on? You came up with this ridiculous reason to disqualify me just to clear the way for Wang Hao, didn't you?"
Wang Hao was always ranked second in Qi and Blood values. Second in physical fitness. Second in combat performance.
Always just behind Lin Chen.
And every year, the entire school only gets one slot for mecha commander selection. Now, that slot would obviously fall to Wang Hao.
"Kid, we could have handled this quietly," the principal said, his tone turning openly mocking. "But you just had to make it messy."
"Fine. I'm not afraid to tell you. I deliberately tampered with your qualifications and handed them to Wang Hao."
"Do you want to know why?"
"Wang Hao isn't just talented. His father is also the richest man in Jiangcheng. He donates hundreds of millions to this school every year. And you? What do you have?"
"Apart from your scores, you're nothing."
"Since the difference in strength between you and Wang Hao isn't that big, why wouldn't I choose the person who brings more benefits to the school, instead of you — a broke nobody?"
The insult hung in the principal's office.
Lin Chen's expression didn't change. He just nodded slightly.
He understood everything now.
At that moment, the office door opened.
Wang Hao walked in without even glancing at Lin Chen. He went straight to the principal's desk.
"Principal, you were looking for me?"
The principal's attitude changed instantly. His expression softened into a warm smile.
"You're just in time. Congratulations on becoming the only student from our school to be selected as a mecha commander."
"You are the pride of Jiangcheng High School."
Wang Hao nodded calmly, as if this was already expected. He didn't look surprised at all.
Then he finally turned to Lin Chen.
"I know you're upset," Wang Hao said evenly. "But this world is cruel. Even if I didn't take this qualification, someone else would. Their offer just wouldn't be as good as mine."
"This is reality."
As he spoke, Wang Hao took out a bank card and held it out to Lin Chen.
"So for you, this outcome is actually the best."
But Lin Chen wasn't even looking at him.
He was staring into empty air, expression unreadable.
The principal glared at Lin Chen in disgust.
"Lin Chen, what are you doing? Take the card already."
Your family is dirt-poor. Why are you pretending to have pride now?
But what neither of them knew was that, at that exact moment, a voice sounded in Lin Chen's mind:
[System charging…]
[Current charging progress: 99.9%]
As a transmigrator who had lived in this world for 18 years, Lin Chen recognized that voice instantly.
This was it.
The cheat every time traveler is supposed to get.
With a system like this, becoming invincible is only a matter of time.
Lin Chen slowly stretched out his hand.
Wang Hao smiled in satisfaction.
No matter how stubborn Lin Chen acted, in the end he would bow his head. Money always wins.
But in the next moment, Lin Chen slapped the bank card out of Wang Hao's hand.
The card hit the floor with a sharp clack.
Lin Chen's eyes were full of open disdain.
"You steal someone else's qualification and then try to buy their silence. And you say it with a straight face."
"You've finally shown me what shameless really looks like."
"I'd rather never pilot a mecha in my life."
Because now that I have a system, it won't be long before I can step on a mecha, tear apart giant beasts with my bare hands, and not need any of you.
Without waiting for a reply, Lin Chen turned and walked out of the principal's office.
The principal and Wang Hao were left stunned.
They couldn't figure out where Lin Chen's confidence was coming from.
"This ungrateful brat," the principal snapped, pointing angrily at the door. "Does he really think he can become somebody just by acting tough?"
Wang Hao snorted.
"He'll regret it soon enough. There's more money on that card than he could earn in his entire life."
The principal nodded approvingly.
"Xiao Wang, prepare well for the mecha commander assessment next month. Becoming a mecha commander is the highest honor. Ants like Lin Chen don't even deserve to look you in the eye."
…
By then, Lin Chen had already walked out of the school gates.
The voice in his head sounded again.
[Charging progress: 100%]
[Congratulations to the host. The Gluttony System has been successfully activated.]
"Gluttony System? What is that?"
"System, explain your functions."
[Replying to host: As long as you eat monsters, you gain Health Points and Attribute Points, thereby increasing your strength.]
[The higher the level of the monster, the more delicious the food made from it, and the more Health Points and Attribute Points you gain.]
[In short: eating makes you stronger.]
Lin Chen's eyes lit up.
"That's… an insane way to level up. As expected of my system."
After hearing the system's introduction, Lin Chen was thrilled.
To confirm it was real, there was only one thing left to do.
Get monster meat — and test it himself.