Aiden Cross woke before the alarm, his body snapping upright in a cold, instinctive reaction he had developed after years of living on survival mode. Dawn crept through the curtains, brushing the cramped apartment with pale light. The hum of the old refrigerator filled the silence. On the other side of the room, Emma was still asleep, curled against her oversized plush bear with drool at the corner of her mouth—an image so innocent that Aiden felt his chest soften.
Yesterday's events replayed relentlessly in his mind.
The sudden appearance of the luxury car.
The credit balance that shot into the millions.
The knowledge panel glowing in front of him.
The System's voice calmly explaining abilities he should not, logically, possess.
And the source of it all: Emma's childish lies.
He still wasn't sure if he should feel terrified… or grateful.
He slipped out of bed quietly, making breakfast—instant noodles and a scrambled egg he split between them. When Emma finally stirred awake and sat up rubbing her eyes, Aiden forced a smile.
"Morning, Emmy."
Her sleepy gaze sharpened instantly. "Gege! Did you eat without me?!"
"No, no," he chuckled. "Yours is right here."
She took the bowl, happily slurping noodles. Aiden watched her, wondering how he was supposed to protect a little girl who unknowingly controlled his entire fate.
Because the reality was dangerous:
If she lied something good, he gained it.
But if she lied something bad…
He didn't know yet if negative lies would also come true, and that unknown sat in his stomach like a stone.
"Gege, are you taking me to school later?" she said while swinging her legs.
He nodded. "Yeah. But listen, Emma… try not to say anything strange today, okay?"
"Strange?" She blinked innocently. "Like what?"
"Like… anything that isn't real."
Emma tilted her head. "But stories are fun."
Aiden swallowed. "I know. Just… try for me, alright?"
She shrugged. "Okay!"
He didn't believe that "okay" at all.
At the School Gate
The moment they stepped foot outside and the sleek black sports car materialized on the roadside, several parents turned their heads. Whispering. Watching. Aiden desperately wished the car was invisible.
Emma gasped. "Wah… Gege, this car is really ours?"
"Yes. But don't… brag about it," he muttered.
"But it's so cool!"
She toughed the door, giggling. Aiden helped her inside, feeling tension coil in his spine. The car's engine purred like a beast when he turned it on. Every pair of eyes in the neighborhood snapped toward them.
When they arrived at the school entrance, a group of kids was already there. Emma jumped out.
"Byeee, gege!"
"Wait—Emma—!"
But she ran straight to her friends.
Aiden inhaled sharply.
He rolled down the window, deciding to watch her from a distance just long enough to make sure she didn't say—
"My brother is SUPER strong!" Emma declared proudly to her classmates.
Aiden froze.
A golden notification materialized before his eyes.
[System Notice: Ability Generated – Titan Strength (Grade B)]
[Passive: Your physical strength is now enhanced beyond human limits]
Aiden's hands slipped from the steering wheel.
What the hell?!
Another kid asked Emma, "Really? How strong?"
Emma puffed her cheeks proudly. "My brother can lift a whole car!"
Aiden's mind screamed—
NO NO NO— NOT A CAR—
[System Update: Strength Upgraded – Grade A]
[You can now lift a vehicle with ease]
Aiden sank into the seat, mortified.
This was getting out of hand.
A teacher finally broke up the crowd and ushered the kids inside. Aiden let out a long, shaky breath, gripping the wheel.
He had to control this.
Or at least minimize the chaos.
Aiden Tests His New Ability
Instead of going straight home, Aiden drove to an empty parking lot. He stepped out, exhaled, and placed both hands under the corner of the car.
"Please don't work," he whispered.
He lifted.
The car rose smoothly—like picking up a cardboard box.
Aiden dropped it in shock. The vehicle bounced slightly before settling back in place.
"…Shit."
He sat on the curb, burying his face in his hands.
Money was accidental.
The mansion was accidental.
The car was accidental.
But superhuman strength?
That was straight-up insane.
And Emma had no idea what she was doing.
Aiden looked at his palms, which still tingled with energy.
He needed to learn the limits. He tested punches, jumps, short sprints—each one producing results no human should ever achieve. Aiden felt the concrete crack under his foot after one jump.
This wasn't safe.
Not for him.
Not for Emma.
Not for anyone around them.
Back Home: New Trouble Appears
When Aiden arrived back at the apartment, the building manager was waiting.
"Mr. Cross," the man said, expression rigid. "We need to talk about your overdue rent."
Aiden stiffened. "I can pay today."
"With what? You're three months behind—"
Aiden pressed his thumb to the payment terminal.
Paid: $12,000
The manager's jaw dropped. "W-Where did you—?"
Aiden sighed. "Let's… just say things got better."
But the moment the manager left, another notification appeared.
[System Notice: Your financial credibility has been reconstructed]
[Your identity now matches your current wealth status]
Aiden blinked.
"That… is actually helpful."
But before he could relax, the System chimed again.
[Warning: Emma Cross has made a new statement]
His blood froze.
"My brother will never get hurt! Not even if a villain attacks him!"
Aiden stared at the glowing text, horrified.
[New Ability: Absolute Defense – Grade ?]
[Your physical body is now resistant to all known forms of damage]
"What do you mean Grade '?'—?!" he shouted at the air.
The System did not respond.
Aiden paced the room.
He was becoming something inhuman.
And it was all shaped by the imagination of a ten-year-old girl.
A girl who just wanted to boast about her big brother.
Aiden looked toward Emma's empty bed, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"How am I supposed to protect her," he whispered, "when I'm the one turning into a walking disaster?"