Marcus froze. That voice wasn't high-pitched like Isabella's or playful like Seraphina's. It was deep, smooth, and carried a vibration that made the air around the park bench feel ten times heavier.
He didn't turn around immediately. He took a slow breath, feeling the 5th Layer Mortal Realm energy pulsing through his veins. He was stronger now, but his instincts—the ones honed back in the Heavenly Palace—were screaming that whoever was standing behind him was on a completely different level.
"You've been a busy boy, Marcus Jean," the voice continued.
Marcus slowly stood up and turned around. Standing under the dim light of a flickering streetlamp was a man who looked like he had stepped right out of a high-end fashion magazine. He wore a sharp, charcoal-gray suit, his hair perfectly slicked back, and eyes that glowed with a faint, dangerous violet light.
"Who the hell are you?" Marcus asked, his hand instinctively reaching for the pocket where he kept his system items. "And how do you know my name?"
The man chuckled, a sound that lacked any real warmth. "In the Heavenly Palace, they call me the 'Observer.' But here on Earth X? You can just call me Brother Lucius."
[Host, stay alert.]
[Detection: Sky Sovereign Realm (3-Star).]
[Warning: Host is currently 10,000% outmatched.]
"Sky Sovereign?" Marcus muttered under his breath, a cold sweat breaking out on his neck. "System, you're really great at giving me good news, aren't you?"
"Don't look so scared, little Prince," Lucius said, taking a step forward. The ground didn't just crunch under his feet; the shadows seemed to bow as he moved. "I'm not here to kill you. At least, not today. The Palace Master sent me to check if the 'Son of Destiny' was actually doing his job or just playing house with the local girls."
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Tell the Palace Master I'm doing fine. I saved a dragon, fixed a dying old man, and I've got more money than the entire Perez family combined. Now leave me alone."
Lucius laughed out loud this time. "Money? Dragons? You think that matters when the Rift opens? Earth X isn't a playground, Marcus. It's a tomb. And right now, you're just a very wealthy corpse-to-be."
He flicked his finger, and a wave of pressure slammed into Marcus. It wasn't a physical hit, but it felt like an invisible mountain had just dropped onto his shoulders. Marcus's knees buckled. His 5th Layer strength felt like a joke.
"Get... up..." Marcus hissed, his teeth grinding together.
[Host's Pride is under attack!]
[Activating: Void Heart (Passive)]
A cold, dark energy surged from Marcus's chest, neutralizing the pressure just enough for him to stand back up. He glared at Lucius, his eyes flashing with a spark of the Void Prince's true power.
"Oh?" Lucius looked surprised. "You actually have some spine. Interesting."
"I don't care who sent you," Marcus spat, wiping a bit of blood from his lip. "This is my journey. My fate. If you want to watch, then watch from a distance. But touch me again, and I don't care if you're a Sky Sovereign—I'll find a way to erase you."
Lucius stared at him for a long moment, the violet light in his eyes intensifying. Then, the pressure vanished.
"Fair enough," Lucius said, straightening his tie. "But remember this: The Perez family and the Nightshade girl? They are threads in your web, but they can easily become nooses around your neck. The demons are evolving, Marcus. The next Commander won't be as easy as the one the girls 'stole' from you."
With a flick of his wrist, Lucius tossed a small, black coin toward Marcus. Marcus caught it mid-air. It was cold, engraved with the image of a fractured sun.
"What is this?"
"An invitation," Lucius said as his body began to fade into the night air. "To the Underground Auction of Earth X. If you want to lead the world, you need the 'Heart of the Void' shard. It's being sold in three days. Don't be late... little brother."
And just like that, the park was silent again. Marcus was left standing alone, his heart still racing like a drum.
"Jesus... Sky Sovereign," Marcus whispered, sitting back down on the bench. "System, why didn't you tell me there were people like that walking around?"
[Host didn't ask.]
[Also, the host was too busy thinking about 'High-Rizz' and Porsche cars.]
"Shut up. You're supposed to be my partner," Marcus groaned. He looked at the black coin in his hand. "Auction, huh? Shard of the Void... if that thing belongs to me, I'm taking it. No matter the cost."
The Next Morning: The Mansion
Marcus woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck. The encounter with Lucius had drained him more than any fight with a demon. He walked downstairs, rubbing his eyes, only to find his living room looking like a war zone—but with breakfast food.
Isabella was sitting at the table, looking refreshed and glowing with a happiness he hadn't seen yet. Seraphina was on the other side, leaning back with her boots on the expensive mahogany table, chewing her usual gum.
"Morning, hero," Seraphina chirped, giving him a wink that made Marcus roll his eyes. "Sleeping beauty finally decided to join us?"
"Take your feet off the table, Seraphina," Marcus said, grabbing a piece of toast. "This isn't a dive bar."
"Make me," she smirked, though she did actually lower her feet.
Isabella stood up and walked over to Marcus. Before he could react, she took his hand. Her touch was cool, like fine silk. "Marcus... Grandpa is fully recovered. The doctors are calling it a miracle. My father... he wants to apologize for how he treated you."
Marcus shrugged. "Nah, tell him it's fine. I don't care about apologies. I only care about results."
"He also sent this," Isabella said, handing him a golden tablet. "It's a transfer of 10% of the Perez Group's shares. It's... It's a lot of money, Marcus."
Marcus looked at the tablet, then at the System screen floating in his peripheral vision.
[Mission Reward: Select your Company]
[1. Global Tech Corp (Digital Monopoly)]
[2. Titan Heavylift (Military & Logistics)]
[3. Star-Light Media (Global Influence)]
(System, I'll take the Global Tech Corp. If I'm going to change the world, I need to control the information and the tech. Plus, I bet it'll make my Black Card look like pocket change.)
[Selection Confirmed: Host is now the Secret Chairman of Global Tech Corp.]
[Notice: Your new CEO is waiting for your call.]
Marcus smiled. "Isabella, keep the 10%. Use it to strengthen your family's position. I've got my own stuff going on."
Isabella looked shocked. "But Marcus... that's billions!"
"Money is just paper, Isabella," Marcus said, sounding every bit like the Prince he was born to be. "Power is what matters. And speaking of power..." He looked at Seraphina. "What's your deal? You still planning on 'annoying' me?"
Seraphina popped a bubble with her gum. "Actually, I heard rumors. There's a big auction coming up. High-level stuff. My guild wants in, but I'd rather go with someone who has a Porsche and a literal dragon."
Marcus looked at the two girls. One was the Icy Queen of the most powerful family on Earth X, and the other was a Shadow Assassin with connections to the underworld. And then there was Lucius, the "Observer" from his home world.
"Fine," Marcus said, his voice dropping the humor for a second. "We're going to that auction. But things are about to get dangerous. I'm talking about people who can erase this city with a snap of their fingers."
Isabella and Seraphina exchanged a look. They could feel the shift in Marcus. He wasn't just the "arrogant rich kid" anymore. He was something else.
"Whatever it is," Isabella said, her voice firm. "The Perez family stands behind you."
"And the shadows have your back," Seraphina added, her playful smirk turning into a serious line.
Marcus looked at his reflection in the window. The Void Prince was no longer just a title. It was a promise.
"Alright then," Marcus said, his rizz returning as he finished his toast. "Let's go buy a company, win an auction, and maybe—just maybe—try not to get killed by my 'brother.' Vamos!"
[New Quest: The Underground Auction]
[Objective: Obtain the Void Shard]
[Reward: Breakthrough to the 7th Layer / New Skill: Void Step]
"7th Layer... get ready Earth X," Marcus whispered. "The real game is finally starting."
TO NE CONTINUED!!!!