[A few minutes ago...]
Inside the Hunter Association's grand hall, a seventeen-year-old boy stood among the crowd.
His hair was a striking maroon, falling messily across his forehead and framing sharp black eyes that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
He wore a fitted black coat embroidered with faint blue runes—the mark of the Blue Magic Tower. The aura radiating from him was unmistakable: solid D-rank, Tier 1.
Power—refined and dangerous for someone so young.
Around him clustered four boys of similar age, all hanging on his every word and movement. They were his lackeys—E-rank Hunters who followed him like shadows.
"Master Jordan," one of them said eagerly, "which dungeon should we take on today?"
Another smirked. "It's pointless even asking. Master Jordan could clear it alone. You just want to be carried."
Laughter erupted from the group.
"But can you blame me?" the first replied. "He's the favorite disciple of the Blue Magic Tower Master himself!"
"You've got me there," another conceded.
They all laughed again—except Jordan, whose expression remained stone cold.
Suddenly, his ice-black eyes snapped toward them.
"Will you all stop talking?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm trying to concentrate here."
The laughter died instantly.
Rage flickered in his gaze, and they knew better than to test him. Upsetting Jordan Zane wasn't worth the risk. It would be a mercy if he only beat them half to death.
Silence fell.
Jordan turned his attention back to the strongest Hunters in the hall, scanning their auras, their weapons, their movements.
He clicked his tongue softly.
'What the hell, damn system,' he thought. 'Why aren't you providing quests? There are so many strong Hunters here. At least give me something...'
Three months ago, Jordan had become a Player.
Chosen by a system called—
[Absolute Choice System].
In that short time, it had transformed him completely. Quests led to rewards—skills, techniques, artifacts, and knowledge no one else possessed. He'd risen from obscurity to become the Blue Magic Tower Master's absolute favorite disciple, astonishing everyone.
But there was one thing he hated about it.
The system gave quests completely at random.
Still, he'd noticed a pattern: quests always triggered around someone strong.
So, following that hunch—and having just broken through to D-rank—he'd come to the Hunter Association to test it.
He began walking toward the strongest auras he could sense.
B-ranks.
A single A-rank Hunter stood near a counter, radiating casual menace.
Jordan approached each one subtly.
No reaction.
He muttered under his breath, "Damn it... this is the only time I abhor this system—when it doesn't work the way I want it to..."
He sighed.
'But it's also true,' he thought. 'As long as I have it, I can rule the world—stepping on everyone who ever belittled me.'
He took a deep breath.
"I'll just have to wait patiently..."
Just as the thought formed—
The massive entrance doors opened.
Jordan's eyes lit up.
A girl with platinum hair cascading down her back like liquid silver stepped inside, her dark brown eyes sharp and commanding. Beside her walked a female bodyguard in her thirties—brown hair tied back, exuding quiet lethality.
Isabella Crown.
Daughter of the wealthiest man in the Republic of Arcania.
A prodigy who awakened the SS-rank talent: [Sword Sovereign].
Her beauty was breathtaking.
She had sharp cheekbones, soft lips, and clear, pale skin. Her build was well-balanced—noticeably strong yet feminine—with a full chest, a narrow waist, and hips that moved naturally as she walked.
She wore practical combat clothing rather than anything decorative: black tactical pants reinforced with mana-woven fabric, and a short dark jacket over a fitted top made from lightweight drake leather.
Faint protective runes shimmered across the material when she moved.
A slim sword rested at her hip, its hilt wrapped in worn white leather—used, not ornamental.
Wherever she walked, gazes turned.
Hunters.
Receptionists.
Even Jordan's lackeys stared, mesmerized.
"Isn't that Isabella Crown?" one whispered. "The one who awakened the SS-rank talent, Sword Sovereign..."
Jordan barely heard them.
On the other hand—
Isabella's assistant spoke up nervously. "Miss Isabella, you know if your father finds out you came here without his permission... he'll be worried sick. And possibly fire me."
Isabella glanced at her, smiling faintly. "Don't worry, Mala. As long as I'm here, no one can fire you."
Mala sighed, giving up.
Isabella continued, "Let's clear a gate. Something higher than before. Maybe a C-rank... or possibly B-rank."
The words had barely left her mouth when—
A screen materialized in front of Jordan's eyes.
[System Quest: The Emperor's Gambit]
Current Target: Isabella Crown
Time Limit: 30 Days
[Choice A: The Path of the Sovereign Suitor]
Objective: Gain Isabella's genuine, uncoerced love. She must willingly confess her feelings to you before the 30th day.
Reward:
S-Rank Skill: Absolute Emotional Dominion
▸ Perfect perception of emotions and intent
▸ Immunity to charm, illusion, and emotional corruption
▸ Can stabilize allies' mental states during combat
Additional Rewards:
×1 Soul Strengthening Elixir
×1 Fate-Linked Memory Crystal
+Permanent Charisma Growth (20%)
Failure Penalty:
Petrify Curse — Your body will begin to petrify at the stroke of midnight. Over seven days, your flesh will turn to cold marble. You will remain fully conscious, transformed into a living statue for seven days.
[Choice B: The Path of the Dark Overlord]
Objective: Defile Isabella by any means necessary. Strip her of her dignity and pride, ensuring she belongs to you as a broken conquest.
Time Limit: 2 Days
Reward:
Physique: [Primordial Chaos Body] ??????
Weapon: [Soul-Reaper Scythe]
▸ Grows in power with every life taken
[DANGER] Failure Penalty: Total Erasure
The system will reclaim all investments and rewards given to you. Your core will explode... as Isabella gives you a horrible death.
Jordan gulped hard.
That was the downside of his system.
When a quest appeared, he had to choose at least one option.
Refusal triggered the penalty automatically.
He'd come close to death many times because of it.
But the rewards... were always worth the risk.
Now, staring at these choices—
He took a deep breath.
Choice A was safer. Good rewards.
'I should choose this,' he thought. 'Less risky. Beneficial.'
His finger hovered over Choice A.
But then—
He stopped.
'No,' he thought. 'I will never attain what I want by playing it safe.'
His eyes gleamed as he stared at Choice B.
'The rewards of the second choice... they'll catapult me to the top for sure. A physique like that can't be measured by normal rewards.'
He selected Choice B.
A dark resolve settled over him.
'Looks like it's bad luck for you, Isabella...'
He began moving toward her.
But then—
He saw Isabella approaching a black-hooded guy near the reception counter.
His system buzzed violently.
Another quest—and another set of choices—appeared.
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A/N:
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