The System That Chose Him
Then—
A mechanical voice echoed inside his mind.
(Ding. Host detected. System activation requirements met.)
(System unlocking… 1%… 7%… 25%… 52%… 70%… 88%… 97%… 100%.)
Victor's eyes narrowed.
So… it begins.
He stood frozen in the silent forest, the bodies of the two Red Bears already dissolving into mana mist around him. Videl lay unconscious nearby. Leon was still asleep, breathing steadily.
And inside his head—
A presence.
(Ding. Welcome, Host.)
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"…System?"
(Confirmed. Designation: Dominate Heart System.)
His brow twitched.
"Dominate… Heart?"
(Yes, Host.)
"What does that mean?"
(System Explanation: You gain rewards by conquering the hearts of women.)
Victor stared blankly at the trees.
"…What."
(System: You heard correctly.)
A long silence followed.
Victor slowly pressed his fingers to his temples.
"So after conquering continents and killing gods… I finally get a system…"
He exhaled.
"And it's this kind of system."
(System: I am a harem-based support system.)
Victor almost laughed.
Of all things.
Of all cosmic jokes.
"I finally receive a system after two lifetimes of struggle—and it's a romance system?"
(System: Affirmative.)
His eye twitched.
"Hey, System. Can we change modes?"
(Processing…)
"Give me a battle-type system. A slaughter system. A god-killing system. Anything but this."
(System: Request denied.)
Victor clenched his jaw.
"Not negotiable?"
(System: Not negotiable.)
He clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
(System: Host appears dissatisfied.)
"Obviously."
(System: Clarification: When you dominate a woman's heart, you will also receive combat-related rewards.)
Victor paused.
"…You mean this ridiculous system can still make me stronger?"
(System: Correct.)
His irritation eased slightly.
"Why didn't you say that first?"
(System: Host did not ask correctly.)
He sighed.
"Annoying."
Then the system spoke again.
(System: Host, one more function is available.)
Victor's eyes sharpened.
"What is it?"
(System: If you wish to sever the destiny binding this girl, I may assist.)
Victor stiffened.
"You can interfere with fate?"
(System: Partially.)
His pulse quickened.
"Do it. Now."
(System: Unable to comply.)
Victor frowned deeply.
"Why not?"
(System: System is only partially awakened.)
His patience thinned.
"Then why did you even appear now?"
(System: Host has met initial activation criteria.)
"What criteria?"
(System: Restricted information.)
Victor stared into the air.
"…You're useless."
(System: Host is advised to maintain emotional stability.)
He laughed dryly.
"Give me one reason not to uninstall you."
(System: Full awakening will occur on Host's sixteenth birthday.)
"…Four years from now?"
(System: Correct.)
Victor exhaled sharply.
"Then why tease me now?"
(System: Preliminary guidance is required for destiny deviation.)
He closed his eyes.
"Meaning?"
(System: Upon full awakening, I will assist you in freeing this girl from divine fate.)
Victor slowly looked at Videl's unconscious face.
"…So you really can help her."
(System: Yes.)
His expression softened for a fraction of a second.
Then the system continued.
(System: However, Host must fulfill operational requirements.)
Victor tensed.
"What requirements?"
(System: Host must meet as many women as possible and dominate their hearts.)
He nearly choked.
"So I need to build emotional connections as a prerequisite to breaking destiny?"
(System: Correct.)
Victor dragged a hand down his face.
"This is troublesome beyond words."
(System: Host will also receive a protective reward.)
His hand paused.
"What kind?"
(System: A one-time absolute protection barrier.)
Victor's eyes widened slightly.
(System: It can block a single fatal attack.)
Golden light suddenly surged across Victor's body.
For a brief instant, his skin shimmered like polished gold.
A warm, heavy power wrapped around his soul.
(System: Protection granted.)
He felt it.
A shield woven directly into existence.
"…That's actually useful."
(System: We will meet again when conditions are fulfilled.)
"Wait—System—"
(Silence.)
"Hey."
Nothing.
"System?"
Only wind in the trees.
"…Appears like rain. Disappears like smoke."
Victor stared at the empty air.
In his previous life, he had many wives and consorts—but those were born of instinct, power, and desire, not emotion.
Love had never been required.
Now fate demanded something different.
Real bonds.
Real attachment.
He frowned.
"This is going to be complicated."
He shook his head.
"For now, survival comes first."
Victor turned toward Leon and Videl.
Both were still unconscious.
He stepped beside Videl and looked down at her quietly.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"…Looks like I didn't lose you after all."
His gaze hardened with resolve.
"When this system fully awakens, I'll tear apart the chains the gods placed on you."
He sat cross-legged and began circulating mana, restoring what he had spent.
The forest slowly returned to silence.
And unseen by heaven—
Destiny had just been challenged for the first time.