“What?”

  She looked like she wanted to say a lot of things but no words came out of her mouth for a few seconds, before she sighed.

  “I guess it is as good a time as any to tell you. An, there is a lot I am hiding from you.”

  What? No words came out as I just stared at her.

  “...”

  My mind went spiraling at the endless possibilities of that statement. Mom quickly noticed this and continued but not before a ball of magic came out of her hand and expanded outwards.

  I felt a cold breeze when it passed through me and I was once again reminded of my mother’s masterful control over ice.

  “Listen, what I am about to tell you, you cannot tell anyone. Anyone. Not even Lily.”

  “...okay.”

  I was still a little flabbergasted by all that was happening right now, but I waited for her to continue.

  “There are people, m-cough”

  Before she continued she suddenly coughed out blood all of a sudden and my mind went blank.

  “MOM!”

  I quickly moved and caught her, as she struggled to stand but the determination in her eyes was even stronger now.

  “T-Those bastards!”

  She stabilized herself and continued.

  “Listen An, there are people, very powerful people after me. After us. After our family. If they found out you had awakened one of the The R-cough”

  Once again, she coughed out blood but this time continued while blood flowed out of her mouth.

  “Any ability related to us, your parents, if you awaken any of them, they would take you away. So son, promise me!”

  She took hold of my collar, grabbing it tightly, and with tears in her eyes, she roared.

  “Promise me! No matter what ability you get, you will show the fire magic that I am going to teach you! No matter what! Promise me! I cannot lose anyone else! So promise me!”

  “I promise mom! Now, please stop talking, please, who is doing this to us!?”

  Although I asked, I knew whoever it was wouldn't allow her to take their name so I stopped her from talking.

  “I promise mom, I will learn and never tell anyone what kind of ability I get, I promise, so please just lay down!”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  We were in the study room, so I laid her down on the carpet as I watched her pass out of pain and exhaustion in this mere seconds worth of conversation.

  I just watched my mom lay there, with blood flowing down her dress, tears surrounding her eyes but still holding a slight smile on her face.

  “Hey System.” my voice held no warmth, or emotion.

  “What happened to her?”

  [Analysis would require physical contact, please make physical contact so that analysis may begin.]

  I did as I was told and took my mother’s hand in my own little hands.

  [Analysis underway…]

  [...]

  [Detected traces of a Knowledge-Binding Soul Curse. If the cursed person tries to reveal the bound knowledge to anyone in any way the curse would destroy their insides and they would die. Just as the host’s mother was about to divulge said information, the curse triggered, but since the content wasn't deemed that important, it only gave a minor shock to her body. Curse is too strong for the current system to handle. Cannot be removed at the moment.]

  “When and how can I remove it?”

  [System level needs to be raised. Exactly how much to raise cannot be revealed as Host’s privileges are not enough. Or the person who casted the curse needs to be eliminated.]

  Damn it.

  I cannot do any of those things right now. I don’t know how to raise my level, and I also don’t know who casted this curse on my mom.

  I haven’t felt this angry and powerless in a long while.

  [The system level can be raised by devouring the origin of living beings. Targeted individuals can also help raise the system level when they rob origins of other beings. A part of those origins can be transferred to the Host.]

  “By killing them?”

  [Yes.]

  I thought for a while before asking another question.

  “You said that having a connection can be beneficial for the target, right?”

  [Correct. But the system would advise against making a connection with the host’s mother.]

  “Why?” a slight trace of anger couldn’t help but be felt from my voice.

  [The Insatiable system grants ability on the basis of progress made by the target, if the target is already too strong the progress may take time to happen thus not benefiting the host as rapidly.]

  “I don’t care, you said it would be beneficial right? Even if I don’t get anything from her, as long as I unlock the benefits she would be able to have those as well, right?”

  [Correct.]

  “Then do it.”

  [Affirmative. Establishing connection.]

  [Target - Eshreal Frostbarren]

  Feeling the invisible string going from my body to my mom made me let out a sigh of relief.

  But I couldn’t be too happy. I just found out I have enemies who are after me and my family for reasons I don’t know. There were too many unknowns around me.

  This system included. Why did it choose me? What is its purpose?

  [Host isn’t worthy yet.]

  [But the system can divulge this– The Host wasn’t chosen, just happened to get the system which in turn strengthened the Host’s soul, unlocking memories of your previous life by some unknown variable. Everything just happened by chance.]

  “What happens when I die?”

  [The system will choose a new host to fulfil its purpose. The system’s mission is of the utmost priority.]

  “And what is your mission?”

  [Host isn’t worthy yet.]

  “Figured.”

  I also laid down next to my mom, my mind filled with innumerable thoughts about the future and my next moves.

  I cannot be passive anymore, I need to get stronger, stronger than all of our enemies. If I cannot even do it with the system, then I should just drop dead right now.