Currently, Jack had a little over 7,000 Origin Points remaining.
He pondered. The next upgrade for Overgrowth was still far off—and honestly, he wasn't short by that much. Might as well invest what he had into existing abilities. Help their performance climb another rung.
[Consumed Origin Points × 6,300 | Shadow Armor level increased! Lv1 → Lv7]
[Consumed Origin Points × 630 | Rapid Regeneration level increased! Lv1 → Lv7]
[Origin Points: 201]
After completing the allocations, his status panel refreshed with comprehensive updates.
[—No Human System—]
[Host: Jack]
[Current Race: Monster (Unknown Insectoid Mutation)
[Disaster Level: Demon (Peak)
[—Ability List—]
[Inherent Body Abilities: 3]
1. Shadow Armor (SR) Lv7
2. Monsterification (SR) LvMax (Evolvable!)
3. Rapid Regeneration (R) Lv7
[Ability Slots: 9 / 15]
1. Megaton Split (UR) Lv2
2. Fusion Combination (UR) Lv2
3. Overgrowth (SSR) Lv8
4. Fierce Beast Body (SSR) Lv4
5. Scorching Heat Bullet (SSR) Lv2
6. Beast Instinct (SSR) Lv2
7. Swift Wind (SSR) Lv2
8. Cell Mimicry (SSR) Lv2
9. Cell Self-Destruction (SR) Lv1
[Origin Points: 201]
[— — — E N D — — —]
At this point, every last drop of the rich woman Psykos's angel investment had been converted into immediate combat power.
Jack closed the system panel. Propped an arm behind his head. Leaned back comfortably in his seat.
Next—enjoy the journey.
"Dear esteemed passenger~~"
The train's announcement system chimed melodiously through the carriage.
"The G10086 train you are currently on will soon arrive at M City High-Speed Rail Station. Please prepare your belongings and prepare to disembark."
A pause.
"Thank you for riding the G10086 train. We wish you a pleasant journey~~!"
The train gradually slowed, pulling into M City Station. Jack opened his eyes and stood, stretching leisurely.
His tall, slender frame contained deep, searing explosive power. But under the perfect suppression of his transformation ability, it remained completely controlled. No energy leakage. No awkwardness from excessive strength. Just a perfectly ordinary—if exceptionally handsome—young man.
He followed the sparse flow of passengers out of the station.
M City spread before him.
As one of the major metropolises adjacent to A City, its prosperity far exceeded the increasingly desolate Z City. Skyscrapers stood tall. Traffic flowed endlessly. Streets bustled with pedestrians—vibrant, noisy, alive with the energy of a modern metropolis.
If he hadn't just emerged from the sunless depths of the Monster Association, Jack might have thought he'd transmigrated to an ordinary, peaceful world.
Of course, the occasional siren from a street corner and news reports mentioning Monster sightings reminded him: this world's daily life was far from peaceful.
M City, huh? Jack wandered aimlessly through the streets, thoughts drifting. Speaking of which—the legendary "Strongest Man on Earth" lives here, doesn't he?
A faint smile touched his lips.
Shame my Non-Human System can only copy abilities from non-human life forms. Otherwise, I could definitely leech some red abilities from King. "Strongest Bald Summoner on Earth (UR)." "World's Strongest Luck (UR)." Perfect.
A rich, delicious aroma wafted into his nostrils.
Jack looked up. He'd wandered into a lively food street without realizing it. The scent originated from a ramen shop at the corner—packed with customers, steam rising from the entrance.
"Emperor's Ramen Shop."
He glanced at the signboard. The name had some weight to it.
As a Monster, Jack no longer needed to eat for energy. But as a former human, he still craved this taste. This feeling. This connection to a life he'd left behind.
*Grrr… *
His stomach growled. Opportunistically. Despite not being hungry.
Jack rubbed his chin.
Might as well go with the flow. I'm currently pretending to be human. Three meals a day are naturally essential.
A mental shrug.
Surely Lord Psykos wouldn't want my Monster identity exposed due to such a small flaw. Or for the Monster Association's existence to be compromised.
Surely.
Somewhere in M City – 22nd Floor Luxury Apartment
*A…choo—!! *
A tall, blond man playing a Galgame sneezed violently. He looked up.
Stern face. Three scars cutting across his left eye. Cold. Domineering. Ferocious.
King. S-Class Hero, Rank 7. The "Strongest Man on Earth."
At this moment, King held a game controller in one hand and a paper cup drink with a straw in the other. His expression was solemn as he muttered to himself.
"Strange… I keep feeling like some bad guy is targeting me again."
Pause.
"Wait. I'm just an ordinary person. I don't have the terrifying perception of those anime powerhouses. I shouldn't just imagine things."
He shook off the feeling.
"No more thinking about it. Time to continue this new game." He glanced at the screen. "Love Summer Rhapsody."
Mid-sentence, his demeanor completely shifted. The aura of a powerful individual evaporated, replaced by the lecherous grin of a true shut-in otaku.
"My dear Ayaka-wife—I'm coming! Hehehehe~"
A Few Hours Later
King stared at the screen. Before him, a shy, half-undressed two-dimensional girl blushed prettily. He sat back on the floor, satisfied yet already craving more.
"This is great! Finally conquered Ayaka-wife's route!" He pumped a fist. "The traditional older sister-type girlfriend is truly gentle, isn't she~~"
He scrolled through the menu.
"Hehehe… let me see how many more conquerable characters are left in this game…"
His eyes lit up.
"Miyuki-chan is good… and Angelica-sensei is also an option…"
*Grrr… *
His stomach growled. Inopportunely.
King blinked. Looked at the window. Dusk had fallen.
"Ah—already dusk? Time really flies when playing games. An entire afternoon just vanished."
He saved his progress with practiced ease, then rose, rubbing his stomach.
"Forget it. I'll eat first. Continue the conquest tonight."
He pondered.
"What should I have for dinner…"
A thought struck.
"I know! Ayaka-wife's best dish is ramen! Tonight—ramen. To commemorate."
He grabbed his favorite light blue hoodie, slipped it on. Retrieved a baseball cap from the coat rack—gold-stamped English letters spelling KING—and settled it on his head.
Then he left the apartment, cheerful and unsuspecting.
Before long, King stood before a high-end ramen shop. His hoodie hood remained pulled up over the cap, shadowing his face.
"Emperor's Ramen Shop."
He read the sign aloud.
"I've heard this place's reputation has been soaring on M City's food rankings. Lots of food bloggers made recommendation videos."
A pause.
"Speaking of the name… it's not named after my hero name, is it…?" He winced internally. "Hiss. Just thinking about that is embarrassing."
He squared his shoulders.
"But—I'll choose this place today!"
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