Inside Lam Huy Trường's chest, violent waves surged one after another.
He tried to focus.
His consciousness stretched tight, like an invisible thread, reaching straight toward the monster in front of him.
The creature froze.
Its claw, midway through striking down, stopped in the air.
It didn't kneel.
It didn't submit.
It simply stood there… staring at him.
Its dark red eyes trembled slightly, as if analyzing something.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then—
It stepped back.
Slowly.
No attack.
But no obedience either.
At that moment—
A UI window appeared in his vision.
---
Access Denied.
Your current authority is restricted.
---
A chill ran down Lam Huy Trường's spine.
What the hell…
His head buzzed.
You've got to be kidding.
First use is free, then suddenly there's a paywall?
What kind of game company designs a system like this?!
He screamed internally.
I swear I'll top up later! Just don't lock it now!
If the system failed here—
He was dead.
Lam Huy Trường gritted his teeth and tried again.
Reconnect.
Force synchronization.
Issue the command again.
---
Access Denied.
Your current authority is restricted.
---
"Damn it!"
He spun toward the girl.
"Run!"
His voice came out almost as a shout.
His eyes flicked to the countdown.
05:17
"Full speed! Get to the safe zone and ditch the armor immediately!"
The girl froze.
She swallowed.
"…What about you?"
Lam Huy Trường paused for a moment.
Me…
If things followed the original storyline—
He should have died from the very beginning.
Still being alive right now… was already an exception.
His gaze softened slightly.
"I'll figure something out."
At least—
If he couldn't save himself.
He wanted her to live.
"Go."
She stared at him for a long time.
Her lips tightened.
Then she said—
"If we die… we die together."
"…What?"
"I don't understand why you think my life matters more than yours."
Her eyes trembled, but she didn't step back.
"But I'll fight until the very end."
A fierce light ignited in her gaze.
"So… you don't get to give up either."
Tic… tic… tic…
The countdown echoed coldly.
03:10
Lam Huy Trường glanced at the armor.
The glow surrounding her was growing brighter.
The crystal was nearing its limit.
Three minutes…
His brain raced.
No more modifications.
Not enough time.
Damn it.
The girl stepped in front of him.
Two energy swords formed in her hands.
Defensive stance.
If any monster charged—
She would cut it down instantly.
No hesitation.
Only the resolve to die fighting remained in her eyes.
Lam Huy Trường sighed.
"…Guess this is it."
Lam Huy Truong gently patted her shoulder.
She didn't turn around.
Her eyes remained locked on the drooling monsters ahead.
For a moment, Lam Huy Trường was reminded of old war movies.
Soldiers who knew they were going to die—
yet still stood at the front line.
He chuckled softly.
"Alright."
"If that's how it is… I've got an idea."
"Huh?"
Lam Huy Trường stepped closer.
He leaned toward her helmet and whispered—
"Never play the hero in front of the villain."
"Why—"
"Because you'll get kicked really hard."
"…Huh?"
Immediately—
Lam Huy Trường opened the system authority.
"System."
"Send her to the safe zone within one minute."
"And force disengagement from the armor."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
---
Command Received.
---
The armor shook violently.
"No— Professor?!"
The rear engines ignited.
Lam Huy Trường stepped back.
Smiling.
"Go."
"Have a safe flight."
BOOM—
The armor accelerated to maximum speed.
Tearing through the sky.
Turning into a streak of light shooting toward the distant horizon.
"PROFESSORRR—!"
Her voice faded into the distance.
Silence returned.
Only the roars of monsters remained.
Lam Huy Trường watched the disappearing light.
He laughed at himself.
"Wanted to be the villain…"
"And ended up playing the hero."
"How ironic."
He checked the timer.
02:00
"…That's enough."
In the distance, the massive monster roared, its gaze following the vanished light.
Then it turned back toward him.
Lam Huy Trường faced the entire horde alone.
Drool dripped onto the scorched ground.
"You big guy…"
"You're the pack leader, right?"
He spread his arms.
"Want to try eating an isekai human?"
He connected again.
Spam.
Relentless spam.
Like a gamer with only one button left to press.
The UI kept throwing errors.
But he didn't stop.
The boss monster let out a low growl.
Its body trembled slightly.
As if resisting something invading its mind.
A stabbing pain exploded inside Lam Huy Trường's head.
Like a hammer smashing straight into his brain.
His vision began to darken.
"…I think…"
"…you should grab some salt or wine before—"
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOM—
Engines tore across the sky.
Every monster looked up at once.
Lam Huy Trường did too.
The next instant—
A rain of bullets descended.
Firepower crushed the battlefield.
Monsters howled.
The forming sonic wave shattered instantly.
The alpha beast roared in fury.
Above the battlefield—
Five attack helicopters.
Missiles flooded the warzone.
Lam Huy Trường exhaled weakly.
Through smoke and fire…
he saw a figure.
A girl in torn clothes.
Running toward him.
"…Professor…"
That voice felt strangely familiar.
Like he had heard it only moments ago.
His consciousness began to collapse.
At last, his body relaxed.
Darkness swallowed him.
---
When he opened his eyes again—
Lam Huy Trường was lying on a white bed.
A mechanical voice echoed beside his ear.
You have awakened.
A red window appeared before his eyes.
---
Warning:
The Central AI has confirmed the Creator is alive.
Will Inheritance Progress:
25% → Suspended
---
A new access request appeared.
[Professor, I would like to speak with you.]