After hearing that Paulina and Stephen were joining my team in the virtual reality I was very happy because of two reasons. First, I would have two close people in the real world as teammates in the virtual reality. This would make Golden Buddha and the rest watch their steps and not dare provoke me again. The second reason was because I would be able to remove the effect of the contract Stephen put on me. By creating a rule which stated that team members could not create contracts to bind the team leader, I would be able to break the contract and become free again.Stephen had not expected I would do something as shameless as this but he soon began to realize what would happen. I could see enlightenment in his eyes as he clenched his fists tightly. Well, there was nothing he was going to do again. He had agreed to join my team in front of Paulina and that was it. If he wanted to break his promise then he would risk making Paulina feel bad. And that wasn't what he wanted.I immediatel
After Stephen joined Breached Gates the first thing I did was to add another rule which was highly beneficial to me. It stated that no future or existing contract with teammates would be able to bind me. Seeing the rule being displayed on the Breached Gates interface I mentally clicked yes.Instantly a notification popped up in the air, causing my eyebrows to crease slightly.[CONTRACTS CANNOT BE COMPLETELY NULLIFIED. PENALTIES CAN ONLY BE REDUCED TO MINUTENESS]Although the notification wasn't what I expected it still made Stephen deepen his glare at me. At least I wouldn't have to suffer the punishment of having half of my level removed if I ever broke the contract. Nobody would imagine how good I felt despite the full effect of the rule not taking place."All the rules seem to be in your favor," Paulina said. "It seems your teammates are highly dangerous.""Yes," I replied instantly. "They're very dangerous and have nursed the idea of killing me. Except for Red Witch, the others do
After the lunch, Stephen announced that he was leaving. He had so many things to catch up on and there was no more time. Nudging his glasses he turned around to leave."Take care, Steve," Paulina said, causing him to turn back slightly. There was a complicated emotion in Stephen's eyes, something I had never seen before."Sure," he nodded and turned to look at me. I could tell that he was asking me not to mention what he had told me earlier to Paulina.I nodded slowly as I said, "Take care, Stephen. You can come up with several contingency plans during your free time.""Believe me," Stephen wasn't smiling. "I already have a contingency plan for every scenario.""Do not slack off in your training," I said."I will come often to spar with you," Stephen said. "Get stronger than me so that you can push me beyond my limit."I smiled as I secretly clenched my fists tightly, "Don't worry. I'll become so strong that you'd be crushed by my gaze."And that was the truth. I wasn't just bluffing
After asking the Enigmatic System about the ring it suddenly fell silent for some moments. I didn't know why it didn't respond to me as usual and it bothered me. I even began thinking that something bad had really happened to the Enigmatic System. Maybe the Creator System which had the consciousness of the systems' creator had decided to place a restriction on the Enigmatic System for behaving more and more like a human instead of the system it was expected to be.I'd watched a cyberpunk movie and there was this artificial intelligence which evolved beyond how it was created. It started becoming more and more like a human being, alarming the creators. In order to prevent the artificial intelligence from gaining sentience and toppling the authority of humans, they decided to destroy it. The artificial intelligence fought a good battle but it could not outmatch humans. With regrets, it parted with the woman it loved as it was shut down by the scientists who created it. They later had th
After some moments of silence, the Enigmatic System finally spoke. His voice was no longer sad and it had resumed the usual emotionlessness.[I HAVE A RING WHICH MATCHES YOUR DESCRIPTION BUT IT IS REALLY COSTLY]"Costly?" I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows. "How costly?"[IT IS 5,000 POINTS]"Huh?" I was surprised after hearing that. The Enigmatic System usually made use of coins but now it had switched to points. What was really happening?I had only come across the term, 'points', from Stephen Wale. Back then I'd asked him why he wasn't wealthy and he had told me that his system uses points instead of coins. I'd come across other players and they were not as wealthy as I was. This was because their systems made use of points which could not be converted to real money like the virtual coins the Enigmatic System made use of.[WELL, THERE IS THIS NEW POLICY THAT BANS SYSTEMS FROM USING COINS. WE CAN ALL ONLY USE POINTS FROM NOW ON]"So that's another reason you were punished by that
After picking the case up I tucked it away in my pocket and it to the sitting room. I saw Paulina in the sitting room pacing about. Obviously, she was a bit nervous about the date she was going to have with me. At this moment she didn't look like the bold and confident woman I used to know."Sorry for keeping you waiting," I said with an apologetic smile. "I had to do something.""I know," Paulina flashed a smile at me. She actually understood I could suddenly become busy at times because I was a player."So let's go shopping," I said as I grabbed her right hand and led her out of the sitting room. We got into my expensive Mercedes Benz and drove away.I decided to stop at a five-star boutique and get some new clothes and jewelries which we were going to wear tonight for our date. I'd already set up everything except for the clothes.As expected the boutique premise was already filled with so many flashy cars. Many wealthy people usually came to buy their wears from this boutique. It
The tension in the boutique thickened as I faced every John and the woman employee. My coronary heart raced, no longer out of worry but from the boiling anger that surged through me. Here I grow to be a modified guy who has risen from the depths of despair, and those two have been the reason for dragging me back down. "Listen right here," I commenced out, my voice steady but laced with authority. "You haven't any idea who you're talking to. I may have been the underdog, however I’m no longer that character. I will no longer stand idly with the useful resource of while you belittle me or my female friend."John laughed, a mocking sound that echoed through the boutique. “Oh, what are you going to do? Throw a tantrum? You do not scare me, you little peasant. You have to be thankful that a person like her even seems your way.”Paulina had subsequently discovered the commotion. She strode over, her expression moving from interest to venture. “What’s going on right here?” she demanded, eyes
The restaurant buzzed with energy as we arrived. Soft ambient lights wrapped around us, and the rich aroma of gourmet dishes filled the air. As we walked in, I could feel the gaze of other diners on us, and I welcomed it. This was my moment—a chance to reveal the man I had become.“Welcome back, Mr. Lewis!” The hostess greeted me with a warm smile. “Your usual table?”“Yes, please,” I replied, glancing at Paulina. She looked radiant in her elegant dress, her beauty captivating. I felt a surge of pride to be with someone as remarkable as her.er.We were guided to a cozy corner table adorned with fresh flowers and flickering candles. As we settled in, I couldn’t help but admire Paulina. “You look stunning tonight,” I said, reaching across the table to take her hand.“Thank you, Jason. You look charming too,” she replied, her smile lighting up the dim room. “I love this new confidence in you—it’s inspiring.”“Confidence comes with knowing my true worth,” I replied, feeling a surge of emp