The night draped over the city.
From the top-floor window, Lin Mo watched the lights as if they were pieces on a board. There was no emotion on his face. Only calculation. The system floated before him.
Current Balance: Destiny Points (DP): 500
Su Qingyue stood by his side. "What now?" she asked. "The guards?"
Lin Mo shook his head. "Destiny isn't meant to be hoarded," he replied. "It is meant to be converted."
Immediate thought: If I don't spend it, someone else will.
The System Shop
"Open Shop," he commanded mentally. The panel unfolded.
[System Shop — Level 1 Unlocked] The items glowed with a dangerous clarity.
Permanent Halo Blocker (Limited) — 300 DP
Major Event Intelligence (City) — 200 DP
Hidden-Grade Body Technique — 250 DP
Protection Against Reborn Protagonists — 400 DP
Initial Loyalty Bond (Heroine) — 150 DP
Qingyue frowned. "That last one..." "No," Lin Mo said immediately. "Not that. Not yet."
He paused on one option.
Major Event Intelligence (City) — 200 DP Description: Reveals a high-value opportunity destined for a Son of Fortune within the next 7 days.
He smiled. "Exactly what I need."
Purchase confirmed. Remaining Destiny Points: 300
The panel changed.
Event Revealed: "Project Aurora"
Type: Private Auction
Target: Advanced Medical Technology
Destined for: Son of Fortune #2
Original Outcome: Explosive rise within elite circles
Qingyue took a deep breath. "Another protagonist...?" "Not yet," Lin Mo replied. "Just information."
Clear thought: I never fight blind.
The system added: Recommended Additional Purchase: Permanent Halo Blocker (Limited) — 300 DP Warning: Only works once.
Lin Mo did not hesitate. "Buy it."
Purchase confirmed. Remaining Destiny Points: 0
The object integrated silently into his body. There was no light. There was no explosion. Only a sensation of absolute stability.
"What exactly does it do?" Qingyue asked.
Lin Mo closed his eyes for a moment. "It makes it so that protagonists... cannot affect me."
Final thought, heavy as a sentence: From now on, no 'chosen one' can crush me.
Invisible Consequence
In an unknown location, someone frowned. A protagonist who had not yet appeared. "Why... do I feel resistance?" he muttered.
The world was beginning to refuse to help him.
Closing
Lin Mo opened his eyes and looked out at the city. "The first protagonist has already fallen," he said. "The second doesn't know it yet."
Qingyue watched him. "How far do you plan to go?"
Lin Mo thought, without hiding it: Until destiny stops choosing others.
And for the first time, the system issued no warning.