The city never slept.
That was the first thing Gabriel had learned after moving into the penthouse—noise was constant, light was endless, and humanity… never stopped moving.
It was inefficient.
From the glass wall stretching across his living room, Gabriel observed everything below like a detached observer. Cars moved like blood cells through arteries of asphalt. People swarmed like insects.
Predictable.
Replaceable.
Weak.
Then—
Pain.
A sharp spike ran through his ribs.
Gabriel didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't even breathe differently.
"…Three ribs. Possibly cracked," he muttered calmly.
Somewhere in the city, his brother had just been hit.
Hard.
The sensation faded into a dull echo, lingering like a ghost under his skin.
Lucifer's curse.
A masterpiece of cruelty.
Gabriel didn't bleed.
He didn't bruise.
But he felt everything.
Every punch.
Every fracture.
Every scream.
Perfectly replicated inside him.
Not damage—
But experience.
A constant, unavoidable reminder that his life… was tied to another's weakness.
Most would call it torture.
Gabriel called it data.
His fingers moved slightly.
A faint green light flickered across his palm.
Then—
System initialized…
Host Status: Gabriel
Rank: E – Peak
Energy Output: Stable
Curse Integration: 41%
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Still inefficient."
If pain could be converted fully…
If the curse could be controlled…
Then theoretically—
There would be no upper limit.
The air shifted.
Gabriel noticed immediately.
Not because it was obvious.
But because it wasn't supposed to happen.
The temperature didn't change.
The sound didn't change.
But space itself…
Distorted.
"…Interesting," Gabriel murmured.
Then—
Someone was standing behind him.
No footsteps.
No sound.
No warning.
Just existence.
"Gabriel."
The voice was smooth.
Refined.
Dangerous.
Gabriel turned slowly.
Not surprised.
Not alarmed.
Just… observing.
Alex.
Perfect posture.
Perfect composure.
Perfect smile.
And completely wrong.
Everything about him felt like something pretending to be human.
"Your concealment technique is flawed," Gabriel said immediately. "Your presence leaked 0.7 seconds before manifestation."
Silence.
Then—
Alex laughed.
A low, amused sound.
"Straight to criticism? No greeting? No fear?"
Gabriel studied him.
"…Fear requires uncertainty."
"And you're certain?"
"Yes."
Alex's smile widened.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
Gabriel didn't respond.
He was analyzing.
Aura density.
Energy fluctuation.
Control precision.
Conclusion—
Dangerous. Extremely.
"You're one of them," Gabriel said.
"Say it properly," Alex replied.
Gabriel's gaze sharpened.
"…Heir candidate."
"Much better."
Silence settled between them.
Heavy.
Measured.
Then Alex stepped forward.
Not aggressively.
But deliberately.
"I'll skip the unnecessary parts," he said. "You already know the situation."
"Multiple heirs. One throne."
"Exactly."
Gabriel's mind began running calculations.
Power levels.
Unknown variables.
Risk.
Outcome.
"You cannot win alone," Gabriel said.
Alex smiled.
"And neither can you."
Truth.
Simple.
Undeniable.
"So," Alex continued, "let's cooperate."
Gabriel didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He asked the only question that mattered.
"…Why me?"
Alex's eyes gleamed.
"Because you're broken."
Silence.
Not insult.
Observation.
"That curse," Alex continued, circling slightly like a predator, "most people would have gone insane."
Gabriel didn't react.
"But you didn't."
"You adapted."
"You analyzed."
"You turned suffering into structure."
Alex stopped in front of him.
Their eyes locked.
"You're not a victim, Gabriel."
"You're unfinished potential."
Gabriel finally spoke.
"…Flattery is inefficient."
"Good thing I'm not flattering you."
Silence again.
Then—
Gabriel spoke calmly.
"You want something specific."
Alex grinned.
"Of course."
"The throne."
"Yes."
Gabriel folded his arms.
"And in exchange?"
Alex didn't hesitate.
"I'll help you control your curse."
For the first time—
Gabriel paused.
Not visibly.
But internally—
Everything slowed.
"…Explain."
Alex stepped closer.
Lowering his voice.
"That thing inside you…"
"…is not just a curse."
Gabriel's system reacted instantly.
Analyzing…
Error…
Unknown structure detected
"It's a conduit," Alex continued.
"A connection."
"A pathway."
Gabriel's eyes sharpened.
"To what?"
Alex smiled.
Something darker this time.
"Power."
The word lingered.
Heavy.
Tempting.
"You feel pain," Alex said. "But what you're actually receiving…"
"…is energy."
Gabriel's breathing slowed.
Not from emotion.
But calculation.
"If properly controlled…" Alex continued,
"You won't just feel your brother's suffering…"
"…you'll own it."
Silence filled the room.
Dense.
Electric.
Gabriel asked one final question.
"…And the cost?"
Alex's smile returned.
Sharp.
Predatory.
"Help me eliminate the other heirs."
No hesitation.
No deception.
Just ambition.
Gabriel closed his eyes briefly.
System Calculation:
Success Alone → 11%
Success With Alliance → 76%
Risk → Extreme
Growth Potential → Limitless
Gabriel opened his eyes.
Decision made.
"…Agreed."
Alex's grin widened.
"Good."
The air around them shifted.
Something unseen locking into place.
A contract without words.
"Then let's begin," Alex said.
Gabriel turned back to the city.
Lights flickering endlessly below.
For the first time—
The world felt…
Smaller.
Because now—
He wasn't just surviving.
He was playing.
And this time—
He intended to win.
Writing
Author's Thoughts:
Your author is currently suffering (not as much as Gabriel, sadly no power boost 😔).
Exams are coming… brain is dying… soul is leaving…
BUT I STILL WROTE THIS FOR YOU.
If you don't drop power stones, then honestly… you might be more evil than Alex.
Next chapter: Gabriel starts learning how to control his curse (and things get crazy).
So support me… or I might "accidentally" make your favorite character die 😈