A faint, mocking smile escaped Noel's lips.
It didn't belong on his face.
Not now.
Not after everything he had seen.
Yet it was there thin, quiet, almost hollow as his eyes lingered on the faint, translucent screen before him.
Ensure Survival of the Hendrix Bloodline.
The words hung in the air, cold and indifferent.
Noel let out a slow breath, the smile still faintly present.
Ensure survival…?
His gaze drifted away from the screen, toward the broken remnants of the estate visible through the open window.
What is there left to ensure?
The Hendrix family once proud, once powerful now stood on the verge of collapse. Their lands were scarred, their people scattered, their strength shattered.
This wasn't preservation.
This was aftermath.
And yet…the message remained.
Unchanging,Uncaring.
Noel's eyes hardened slightly as his thoughts spiraled.
Survival… of what exactly?
Before he could sink deeper into that thought
A small tug pulled at his sleeve.
"Brother…?"
Noel blinked.
He turned his head.
Standing beside him was Regina.
Her small hands clutched lightly at his clothes, her eyes wide with uncertainty. There was no mischief in them now no childish brightness. Only confusion.
Why isn't Mother answering me?" she asked softly. "Is she mad…?"
Noel froze.
The words struck deeper than anything else had.
Regina lowered her gaze slightly, her voice growing quieter.
"Is it because… I didn't behave well…?"
For a moment—
Noel didn't know what to say.
His chest tightened painfully, far worse than any wound he carried. He looked at her, at the innocence in her question, at the fear she didn't fully understand.
How am I supposed to answer that…?
His hand twitched slightly at his side.
Then he closed his eyes for a brief second.
What are you doing, Noel…?
His thoughts turned sharp.
If you fall apart like this… what will happen to them?
Noah, Marvin,Regina.
What remained of his family.
And his mother
Still unmoving,Still silent.
Noel exhaled slowly, forcing the storm inside him to settle.
When he opened his eyes again, the hesitation was gone.
He crouched slightly, bringing himself closer to Regina's height. His hand gently rested on her head.
"Mom will wake up soon," he said softly.
It was a lie.
He knew it.
But it was a necessary one.
"There's nothing to worry about."
Regina looked up at him, searching his face. Slowly, the tension in her small frame eased, if only a little. She nodded faintly, holding onto his words.
Noel straightened.
Then—He lifted his head fully.
His eyes moved across the room once more.
His siblings,His mother.
The broken silence that filled the space.
This… is all that's left.
The realization settled deep within him.
No denial,No hesitation.
Then that means…
This is everything.
Noel turned.
His gaze fell on Lily.
"Call the remaining retainers," he said.
His voice was steady.
Too steady.
Lily blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.
"Young master…?"
"We don't have time," Noel continued.
There was no hesitation in his tone.
No doubt.
"From now on… I will handle the clan."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Something in the room changed.
Subtle—
But undeniable.
The boy who had walked into this place, confused and searching for answers—
Was gone.
What stood there now… was someone else.
Lily watched him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she lowered her head.
"…Understood."
She turned without another word and moved to carry out his order. Noel order the maid to take good care of his mother and returned to his room.
Noel closed the door behind him, the faint echo lingering in the quiet room.
For a moment, he stood still.
Then, slowly—
"What functions do you have?"
A brief silence followed.
Then the voice returned, cold and emotionless.
[Available Functions]
[Investment Return]
→ The host may invest resources into family members.
→ Returns are generated based on the target's potential, growth, and loyalty.
[Analysis]
→ Displays target's:
• Cultivation
• Talent
• Potential
• Loyalty
• Constitution
[Shop]
→ Status: Locked
[ SP : 0 ]
[Family Luck: 18]
Noel frowned slightly.
"System… what is SP?"
The response came instantly.
[SP: System Points]
→ Primary currency of the system.
→ Used to unlock the Shop and purchase resources.
[Acquisition Method]
→ Earned through missions.
→ Earned through successful investments.
[ Mission]
• solve the crisis of Hendrix family
• Rewards 100 sp
• one mystery card.
[Beginner gift pack available will host use it.]
As the host grows stronger the system will upgrade.
Noel's eyes narrowed.
"Investments…?"
His thoughts began to shift.
Not strength.
Not talent.
But… people.
His gaze narrowed slightly as new words formed.
[Beginner Gift Pack]
Noel stared at it for a second.
"…So there's more."
There was no excitement in his voice only a calm curiosity, laced with something deeper.
After everything that had happened… after everything he had seen…
He no longer trusted things that came easily.
Still—
"Open it," he said.
The moment the words left his lips, the system responded.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Emotionless.
[Opening Beginner Gift Pack…]
A brief pause.
Then—
[1 Healing Potion]
[Primordial Void Sovereign Constitution]
[1000 Gold coins ]
Noel's eyes froze.
The second reward lingered before him, as if demanding his full attention.
A new line appeared beneath it.
[Description:]
• The body treats the universe as food. Absorbs space, time, laws, and concepts… even other special constitutions.
• ???
• ???
• ???
Silence.
Noel didn't move.
"…What?"
His voice came out low, almost disbelieving.
His eyes scanned the description again and again.
Absorb space.
Time.
Laws.
Even… other constitutions?
His jaw tightened slightly.
What kind of ability is this…?
This wasn't just powerful.
It was absurd,dangerous,unnatural.
For something like this to appear so casually—inside a "beginner" reward.
It didn't make sense.
Noel's gaze sharpened.
"System," he called.
"Can I collect the rewards?"
There was no hesitation in his question.
No excitement,Only intent.
The answer came instantly.
Cold as ever.
[No.]
Noel's brows furrowed slightly.
The system continued.
[Host condition: Critically unstable.]
[Fusing the Primordial Void Sovereign Constitution in current state will result in certain death.]
A faint pause.
Then—
[Recommendation: Use Healing Potion before attempting fusion.]
Noel went still.
For a moment, the room felt heavier.
Certain death…
His eyes lowered slightly, his thoughts turning inward.
So even this power…
Came with a cost.
A risk.
A line he couldn't cross carelessly.
"…I see."
There was no fear in his voice.
Only understanding.
Slowly, his fingers tightened slightly at his side.
Power like this was not meant to be taken lightly.
And yet
A faint, almost imperceptible smile returned to his lips.
Not mocking this time.
But something colder.
More resolved.
Good.
A knock broke the silence.
"Young Master… everyone has arrived."
Lily's voice came from outside, calm as always.
Noel's eyes flickered.
"…I'm coming."
He rose slowly, the weight in his chest still lingering, then stepped into the corridor. The cold stone floor echoed faintly beneath his feet as he fell into step behind Lily, who led the way toward the room.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on her back.
Steady,Composed,Unshaken.
"…System."
Silently, without a word, he activated the function.
[Analysis: Lily]
Age : 27
Cultivation: Late Stage Advanced Realm
Constitution: None
Class: Assassin
Talent: Green
Element: Water
Loyalty: 90
Class: Assassin.
His jaw dropped, Late stage advanced realm.
Holy cow.
What? He did not know she was this strong.
She came from his mother's house, the Kennedy family.
Lily was stronger than he expected, and having a green talent made it even more impressive.
She was stronger than most people in the entire estate.
As if sensing his gaze, Lily looked at him and asked, "Is something wrong, young master?"
Noel's train of thought cut short.
"No," he said.
"Continue forward."
They walked through the corridor, and finally came to the room. There were many retainers having already arrived and seated in their places.