Lucien woke up in his room after reading the message.
He didn't get up from the bed immediately, but instead called out, "System."
A purple screen appeared in front of his eyes.
[ Welcome to the Devil Sovereign System ]
"Is this the 'little' gift father left for me?" Lucien muttered to himself.
[ The host is correct. This system was made by Lucifer Veyl, who collected all kinds of information from a myriad of races all over the universe, by borrowing… ]
"Borrowing, yeah…" he said under his breath.
[ The goal of this system is to assist you, Lucien Veyl, to reach the Apex. ]
Then the dialogues vanished, and the screen expanded with many columns showing:
[ Profile
Quests
Shop
Skill
{locked}
{locked}
{locked}
{locked}
{locked} ]
"Uh… many of the options are locked," he observed.
[ Please check the pending main quest by opening the Quest section ]
He did so.
[ Quests:
Main Quest – Become the true Devil Sovereign
Description – You unlocked the system, but you have yet to take the first step towards becoming a sovereign.
Goal 1 – Get your first territory. ]
"The first step is to take a territory, I see. But that's no problem. I was going to take over this camp anyway. The system just gave me another reason."
[ Designate 'Training Island' as your first territory to conquer? ]
Lucien raised his brow, but replied, "Yes."
[ Updated – Goal 1: Take over the 'Training Island' ]
"So I can edit quests, as long as it matches the goal," he noted.
[ Correct. ]
"Okay, System, open Profile."
[ Profile
Name – Lucien Veyl
Species – Half Devil-Half Human
Age – 20 years
Bloodline – Devil Sovereign
Aptitude – ERROR
Affinity – Darkness, Death
Gene Cultivation – Gene Initiate – F-
Strength – F
Agility – F+
Dexterity – F+
Perception – F+
Energy – F
Status – Healthy ]
"What's this bloodline, System?"
[ There are many unique beings in the universe who have become distinguished, even among their race. Their genes passed on to future generations who could also awaken their power. This is called a Bloodline. ]
"I see. And these in front of my stats… I presume they're some sort of grading?"
[ Yes, host. The power of any being cannot be quantified into numbers with 100 percent precision. So I have instead divided power into grades from F to SSS, with plus and minus symbols for accuracy. Of course, these power levels are relative to your cultivation. For example, an F-ranked Gene Awakened can easily kill ten SSS-ranked Gene Initiates. ]
"But isn't a Gene Awakened two levels above a Gene Initiate? Why can he only kill ten SSS Initiates even if he's F rank?"
[ SSS rank is no joke. Power increases exponentially for every grade including and after S. They are extremely difficult to reach. Usually, people advance after reaching B grade. The least dangerous choice is A grade, so more knowledgeable ones reach A, then advance. Very few can reach S and above. ]
"I've decided. My goal is to reach the apex of evolution in this world. Only then will I be able to hold my position as the Sovereign. No grade other than SSS will satisfy me. I will advance only after I reach SSS in any cultivation level," Lucien said firmly.
[ … ]
[ Are you sure, host? You are intentionally putting huge roadblocks in your path. With your ERROR aptitude, you could easily break through ranks, but reaching SSS will increase the time required significantly. ]
"I've decided," he replied with determination.
"Also, what's this ERROR aptitude? Shouldn't it be something like Gene Awakened? Or some rank above that? And why are my stats F+ despite my cultivation being F?"
[ Host's aptitude is shown as ERROR because the system currently cannot measure it. Your bloodline is special, and you have received harsh training as a child. Therefore, your stats are F+ even while your cultivation level is F. There is no direct relation between stats and cultivation. Hypothetically, you could reach SSS-ranked stats while remaining F rank yourself. Probability is near zero. ]
"I see. The rest of my profile is understandable. Affinity is self-explanatory. But when will I be able to use them? And what about the locked sections?"
[ Please complete Goal 1 of the main quest first. ]
"Okay, fine. Open the Skill section."
[ Please complete Goal 1 of the main quest first. ]
"Open the Shop, then."
[ Please complete Goal 1 of the main quest first. ]
"You damned system. What's the use of showing me these sections if I can't even open them? Couldn't you have hidden them too?"
[ Revised. These sections are designed to open tomorrow. ]
I'll check them out at the training grounds.
"It all boils down to the main quest," Lucien sighed and closed the system interface.
He finally focused on the weight on his body.
He turned his head sideways, seeing Seraphina hugging him with her hand over his chest.
Lucien sighed, half-laughing at the cute girl's unconscious actions after sleeping.
"Oh… I can tease her a lot about this later. But first, let me wake her up," he thought.
"Sera," he whispered softly into her ear.
No response.
"Sera," he called again, shaking her lightly, hoping to wake her. She just muttered, "5 more minutes, mom," and kept sleeping.
This time, he spoke clearly while leaning near her face.
"It's not Mom. I'm the Devil, my dear."
"Huh? Who Devil?" she said, rubbing her eyes cutely.
"Lucy?" she murmured. She looked at him, then at their questionable position. Her face turned several shades redder, and she shouted:
"LUCY, YOU PERV! Get away from me!"
She pushed his chest, but Lucien was stronger than her, even after awakening.
"Oh? I'm the perv, eh? Who was using me as a pillow and sleeping like a horse?" he teased.
"I- I'm not a horse!" She stuttered.
"Yes, you're not a horse… but a very naughty girl who takes advantage of a man while they're sleeping, no?" Lucien continued, smirking.
"NO, NO! IT'S ONLY YOU— I MEAN—"
"Oh, so you'll only take advantage of me?" he interrupted with a wider grin.
"Please… take more advantage of me," he said, leaning closer to Sera, who widened her eyes in surprise, blushing deeply.
Just then, the door burst open as Amyra walked in.
"What's happe—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the scene.
Lucien and Seraphina were on the bed together. Sera's hands rested on Lucien's chest as she tried to push him away, though unsuccessfully. Amyra had no idea.
"Oh my!" she said.
Sera sprang up like a spring and stammered, "M-mom, this isn't what you think, it's just—"
"It's okay, Sera dear. I understand. You and Lucy are adults, so you can make your own decisions. But please, control yourselves until the environment… stabilizes a bit."
"NO, MOM! I don't like HIM!" said Sera.
"You don't?" said Lucien in a fake sad voice.
"NO, I DO— I MEAN I DON'T— NO, I DO, UHH Lucy, stop, you actor!" Sera said, seeing through his act midway.
Lucien dropped the act, breaking into a grin. He seemed to enjoy teasing her.
Amyra smiled at their banter.
But she slowly became serious and told them both to come out for dinner, as it was already 8 PM.
"Mom, she really worries about our environment, right?" Sera said, realizing Amyra's concern.
"Yes. She thinks our lives won't be stable enough, like today, as time passes and we join the Retribution Army," Lucien said seriously.
"But I'm going to solve that."
"What do you mean, Lucy?"
Lucien walked toward Sera, held her shoulders, and said with a serious expression:
"Sera, I'm going to take over this camp."
"What! Lucy, it's too dangerous! This is the Retribution Army we're talking about. You can die! Even if you somehow capture the camp, the army will surely retaliate!" she said worriedly.
"Don't worry. I won't blindly attack. I'll make allies within the army. I'll grow stronger than I am now—strong enough to defeat the camp leader. And as for problems later, we'll handle them as they come."
"But Lucien, allies aren't permanent. Who's to say they won't turn on you later, coerced or scared by the Retribution Army?"
Hearing her worry, Lucien gave a simple smile and consoled her, "Don't worry, my angel. I've got my ways. I told you this because I trust you and want you to know beforehand. Besides, haven't I got you to protect me?"
Sera's expression relaxed as she said haughtily, "Hmph. Of course. Who do you think I am? The Retribution Army doesn't hold a candle to me."
"Of course it doesn't, angel," said Lucien, chuckling.
Sera suddenly hugged him and said, "Do whatever your heart says. But just promise me, you'll place your safety above everything."
Lucien replied grimly, "I'm sorry, angel. But my family—yours and Mom's safety—comes above my own. Nothing is above your happiness."
Sera felt both happy and worried as she looked into his eyes, noticing the darkness lurking within.
Only God knows what hell he'll raise on this island, she thought as they exited Lucien's room.