“What are you saying, Eden? Are you serious?” Maria shot him a death glare before turning back toward the house. “Paulo! Come help me!”

  ‘Everyone, out!’ Eden commanded the spirits within his Inner Sanctuary. ‘Make my mother forget about this. Do the same for my father and anyone who saw or heard anything. Seal the space.’

  Obeying his order, the hive of spirits swarmed out, each performing their role—possessing Maria and Paulo to alter their memories or sealing the space to ensure Eden had time to act.

  Shaking his head, he muttered, “You’re all really determined to get in my way today, huh?” Then, with Maria now standing still and silent under the spirits’ influence, he resumed dragging Mike.

  Eden pried open the dumpster lid and tossed Mike inside, indifferent to its contents. A smoke machine materialized in his hand, and he shoved the hose into Mike’s mouth before flipping the switch.

  COUGH! COUGH!

  Mike jolted awake, hacking as smoke burned his throat and filled his lungs. But before he could react, the smoke machine vanished—replaced by a loaded gun pressing against his forehead, holding him in place.

  “Shut up and listen,” Eden said, his voice calm but firm. “If you don’t want to disappear off the face of this world, you’ll stay here and wait exactly five minutes before leaving. Got it?”

  Mike, still gasping, barely managed a nod.

  “Good. Glad we can communicate like civilized people.” Eden smirked. “I’ll quit the team, and we’ll go our separate ways. But I don’t want to see your face at my doorstep again. Nod if we’re clear.”

  Mike nodded again, his body trembling.

  Eden chuckled. “Good boy.” He shut the lid.

  ‘Vex, wipe his memory of what happened here. All he needs to remember is that I quit the team and he shouldn’t bother me again.’

  ‘As you wish, Patron.’

  Back inside the house, Eden embraced his mother, his episode of madness—and the abnormal power—ending together with the switch of personality. She had already forgotten about the broom and dustpan.

  “What did Mike want? Why didn’t he come inside for a bit?”

  “He was in a hurry,” Eden said softly. “Just passing by to check on me, that’s all.”

  He tightened his arms around her, his voice barely above a whisper. “Mother, I love you. And…I’m sorry.”

  Maria’s face lit up, her son’s warmth filling her heart. She returned the embrace, holding him as tightly as she could. “I love you too, my dear. I hope you never change.”

  “For you…I never will.” Eden pulled away, a faint smile on his lips.

  “Oh! Have you taken your vitamins?” Maria asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “Then you better take a vitamin drink today,” Maria said, opening the fridge.

  She handed Eden a B-rank vitamin drink, and he stared at it in silence.

  Sensing his hesitation, Maria smiled. “All the best for our future Vault Breaker.”

  Paulo gave him a reassuring nod, and warmth spread through Eden’s pained chest. He was on the verge of tears, under the influence of The Lost.

  A B-rank vitamin drink wasn’t cheap—not absurdly expensive for what it offered, but it cost as much as a vacation to another country.

  “Thank you. I won’t disappoint.” Eden took the bottle and climbed the stairs two at a time.

  Inside his room, he twisted the cap open and took a few gulps before setting it down beside his bed.

  First, I have to pass the test and get my Junior Vault Breaker license. Then I can work alone.

  This was the best option—for both me and everyone else.

  Accommodating eight lunatics inside my body didn’t exactly make me the safest person to be around. Not only did I have little to no control over them, but their unpredictability made them downright dangerous. One moment, they could be my allies. The next, they could turn into murderers.

  This curse granted me unimaginable power… but at a steep cost. It had stripped away the joy of living a normal, mortal life.

  And privacy? That was nothing more than a distant memory.

  When The Madman took over, my mind’s focus became so intense that I could materialize anything I imagined, bending my own reality. But in that state, I had no control—only raw, chaotic power. A force of nature unleashed without restraint. And once it ended, I was left to deal with the aftermath.

  From what I had observed, The Madman had its limits. The objects it created were temporary—single-use manifestations that eventually faded. But maybe, as I ascend to a higher Sky and my power grows, those limits can be shattered.

  Yes. That should be the case.

  The law of evolution governed everything. And since I had received this power when I connected with the Source after reaching my breaking point, it had to be capable of evolving.

  Everything evolves. Even things that seem immutable.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  If they didn’t evolve, they fell behind. And a thing that fell behind was as good as dead.

  But to reach a higher Sky, Eden needed to absorb the gratitude of the beings under his control. He let out a heavy sigh.

  A twisted way to level up, isn’t it?

  That was why so few beings ever reached the higher Skies—why godhood was an almost unreachable peak. Because each spirit had a twisted method of leveling up, such as absorbing enough energy just from the gratitude of others.

  For example, a baker would need millions of people to be genuinely grateful for his bread in a single lifetime. And not just any gratitude—deep, potent gratitude.

  It was absurd. Impossible, even. And yet… this was the path he had been given. To level up by absorbing the gratitude of the beings under his control.

  Anyway, I don’t make the rules, so there’s no point in complaining.

  Me, as the concept of control, I seek freedom—yet my power comes from those I control. But how can the beings under my rule truly be grateful to me?

  Even though I treat my spirits well, helping them cleanse themselves of negative energy, the gratitude they feel is fleeting—barely a whisper compared to the vast energy I need to ascend to the next Sky.

  I have to find a way. A way to—

  ‘Patron, I have completed my mission.’

  Vex’s message pulled me from my trance.

  Damn it, Sage. I get that you’re a genius at understanding everything, but take a break. Come out when I have a math test or something—help me there.

  “Vex,” I called aloud. “Show yourself.”

  From the shadows cast by the furniture, tendrils of black mist gathered, coalescing into a corporeal form.

  Kneeling before me, his face still obscured, Vex radiated his usual cold, ruthless aura. That alone was enough to recognize him.

  'How can I assist you, Patron?'

  “I need you to track down the criminals of this city. This world may be civilized, but humans are the same everywhere—there are always crooks, mobsters, and underground players. Find the important ones. Possess them. Learn from them. Then consume their bodies. Be careful not to get caught on the surveillance cameras—I don’t want any unnecessary trouble.”

  ‘What do you intend to achieve by doing this, Patron?’

  “I want you to grow stronger, Vex. Corrupting lowlifes will help with that. But beyond that, I won’t be staying in this world for long, so I need to lay the groundwork for my return. You have three objectives.”

  'Your wish is my desire, Patron.'

  A tear slipped from the corner of my eye at his words. He had sworn an oath. Yet, despite being a damned spirit, he possessed more loyalty and respect than any living being I’d ever met.

  “I want you to infiltrate the underground and rise to power. Possess a leader with a weak will. Manipulate, corrupt, eliminate—do whatever it takes. I don’t care about the methods.”

  I took another sip of my vitamin drink.

  “First, I need resources. Second, I need capable and trustworthy allies who can establish a foothold here while I’m gone. Third, I need a wealthy benefactor—someone I can milk for everything, from weapons and equipment to passage between worlds. Secure that last one as soon as possible.”

  My gaze drifted to the framed picture of an enchanted revolver hanging on my wall. Once, it had been my dream weapon.

  But now… a sword would be—

  No.

  I’m lying to myself.

  'I'll do everything I can to obtain what you need, Patron.'

  "Good. There are a few things I want, and I trust you to handle them efficiently. First, enhancers—both temporary and permanent. As you know or not, these aren't cheap. Even the lower-grade versions require a small fortune, but I don’t have the luxury of being frugal. The stronger I become, the easier everything else will be. So, see what you can do. Acquire whatever is available, and if you can’t purchase them directly, then find alternative means. I don’t care if it involves trading, smuggling, or acquiring them through less conventional channels. Just get it done."

  I paused for a moment, letting my words settle before continuing.

  "Second, I need a sustainable method to earn system currency—SP (Soul Points). My current balance is sitting at 27,067 SP, which is nowhere near enough. At best, it gives me a temporary buffer, but if I want to push forward, I'll need far more than that. Resources, information, mobility—everything controlled by the system runs on SP. Without a steady influx, we’ll always be playing catch-up. I refuse to let that happen. Look into opportunities—legal, illegal, system-sanctioned, or otherwise. If there's a way to exploit the system’s mechanics for more SP, I want to know about it."

  I glanced at Vex, watching his shadowy form shift subtly, absorbing every word.

  "Third, we need people. Not just ordinary recruits, but specialists. Those who can navigate digital spaces, manipulate system interfaces, and execute tasks with precision. Hackers, data brokers, informants—anyone who can work behind the scenes and do what we ask of them. Building an army of thugs and enforcers is easy, but intelligence? That’s where the real power lies. You’ll have a lot of work ahead of you, my dark whisper from the past."

  A low, amused chuckle resonated from Vex’s form.

  "As long as you continue to help me, Patron, my efficiency and loyalty should never be in question."

  His words held an unwavering certainty. Vex was bound to me by oath, yet there was something more—something deeper. He wasn't just serving out of obligation. No, he chose to be here.

  And that made all the difference.

  I nodded.

  [ Notice: Trial Reward ]

  Due to excessive pollution levels exceeding system limits, Kew Dew City and all annexed territories will be designated as wild territory. Nature will reclaim the land, purging toxins from the air and soil, while wild beasts will prevent human reoccupation during the cleansing process. As a result, infrastructure will collapse, and numerous lifeforms will perish due to the sudden resurgence of the wild. However, because you spared the minions despite gaining no immediate benefit, the system has rewarded you with an early warning.

  This information is yours to use as you see fit.

  [ Countdown: 4h:59m:59s ]

  ...Aaaaa, what?

  I reread the notification. Once. Twice. A third time.

  "Five hours..."

  'Patron?' Vex's husky voice cut through my thoughts.

  Use the information as I see fit...

  "Let me think, Vex. Just let me think."

  If I make this public, I could gain a significant amount of SP—if enough people are grateful for my warning. No matter if they are under my command or not. But fear complicates things. Would gratitude outweigh panic?

  Announcing this would unleash chaos. The streets would flood with people trying to escape. Highways, exits—everything would be clogged.

  That wouldn't be ideal for my family.

  But maybe I could leverage this for a personal escape—secure a helicopter or a plane as payment for my knowledge.

  Then again, if I warn everyone, they’ll have time to grab their fortunes before fleeing. If I plan to return later to loot this soon-to-be hazardous zone, there might be nothing left to take.

  Of course, I wouldn't be the only one with this idea. Others would come scavenging. Monsters would spawn. There’d be no guarantee I could claim anything worthwhile.

  And if I say nothing?

  Maybe I’m not the only one who received this notice. Someone else could spill the secret first. I’d lose my chance to gain SP entirely.

  Do I take the risk and potentially get nothing? Or do I play it safe and secure at least some free SP?

  Great Sage, now would be a fantastic time to take over.

  …Of course, you stay silent when I actually need you.