THE HELLISH SYSTEM

chapter nine

Everyone at Frontale University thought I was done for.

After the brutal beating I suffered at the hands of Frank, Ethan Gray, and Aiden Reeves, the rumors spread like wildfire. Students whispered in hushed tones, convinced I wouldn’t make it to the prom, let alone set foot on campus again. I tried to push myself up but I could feel some bones cracked within me.

I remembered the doctors warning.

My body was not fit for another round of beating. I can't take it anymore.

Tears flooded my eyes hoping the system would take over, hoping they my tattoo would glow and do something miraculous. probably heal me but nothing happened.

Tracy Stewart, my so-called "fake girlfriend," was livid when she heard the news. She stormed through the halls, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floors as she made a beeline toward Frank.

Frank, standing confidently with Selena draped over his arm, smirked as she approached.

Tracy didn’t waste time. She shoved him hard in the chest, her icy blue eyes burning with rage. "What the hell did you do to him?"

Frank chuckled, exchanging a glance with Selena, who was giggling beside him. "Relax, princess. I just taught him a little lesson about knowing his place."

Tracy’s jaw clenched. "If anything happens to Ethan, I swear, I’ll sue your ass into the ground."

Frank laughed louder this time, his arms spreading wide. "Oh, please. You wouldn’t dare. And even if you did, what proof do you have? As far as everyone’s concerned, Ethan just… disappeared."

Selena snickered, twirling a strand of her blonde hair. "Honestly, Tracy, I expected better from you. Getting involved with that loser was your first mistake. Now look where he is—probably rotting somewhere."

Tracy’s fingers curled into fists, but she didn’t say another word. She turned on her heel and stormed off, her anger barely contained.

Meanwhile, Frank’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out, unlocking the screen. A new message.

Ethan Gray: The job is done. He won’t be showing up anywhere.

Frank smirked, showing the message to Selena. "See? Told you. It’s over."

Selena giggled, pressing closer to his side. "Good. Maybe now people will stop talking about him."

They walked into the ballroom together, completely unaware that their nightmare was only just beginning.

[ The Prom Night Begins ]

The grand ballroom of Frontale University was buzzing with excitement. Dressed in expensive gowns and tailored suits, students danced under the shimmering golden chandeliers, sipping on drinks and laughing as music pulsed through the speakers.

Most of the students have forgotten what the saw.

" I can't believe Ethan would not make the party."

" What a shame."

" I was having a high expectations for him. Actually thought he had managed to put Frank in his place. Guess I was wrong."

" Yeah, you were wrong buddy."

All the students bickered until they got immense in the party.

Tracy sat alone in a dark corner of the ballroom, a cigarette resting between her fingers. She wasn’t in the mood to dance.

Her icy gaze scanned the crowd, watching as the students swayed in pairs, their faces glowing with excitement. Yet, all she could think about was me

Ethan.

She gritted her teeth, tapping the ash off her cigarette.

"That idiot," she muttered under her breath. "He better not be dead." she said slowly inhaling and exhaling as she had her gaze fixed on Frank and Selena that were having a nice time.

The thought of me lying somewhere, beaten and broken, made something uneasy settle in her chest. She didn’t know why she cared. I was just some random rich guy who threw money at her for a deal.

But still… something about me intrigued her.

She exhaled a cloud of smoke, pushing the thought away.

Just then—

The ballroom doors creaked open.

A sudden, eerie chill swept through the room.

The music softened. The laughter died down.

And then—

Gasps filled the air.

Students turned, eyes widening in shock as they stared toward the entrance.

Because standing there, looking more powerful and handsome than ever, was me.

The room fell silent.

Frank’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "No… No way."

Selena’s mouth hung open, her fingers digging into Frank’s arm. "But… But he was supposed to be dead!"

Tracy’s cigarette slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor.

Ethan was alive.

Frank’s hands trembled as he took a step back. "This… This isn’t possible!"

Selena clung to his side, her voice barely above a whisper. "H-He should be in the hospital! Or dead!"

Ethan Gray and Aiden, who had been lounging near the bar, suddenly felt a deep sense of unease creeping up their spines.

Ethan took slow, measured steps into the ballroom, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor.

Students parted like the Red Sea, their eyes glued to him in awe.

Then, he stopped in front of Frank.

The room held its breath.

"You look like you’ve seen a ghost," I said, my voice smooth but laced with danger.

Frank swallowed hard. "H-How are you standing right now?"

I smirked, leaning in slightly. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

Before I could say another word, a message flashed right in front of me.

[ SYSTEM TASK; REVENGE MISSION ACTIVATED: HUMILIATE ETHAN GRAY AND AIDEN REEVES]

[ SYSTEM REWARD; YOU WILL BE GIFTED A SUM OF $12,000,000 UPON COMPLETION OF FIRST MISSION]

Before Frank could respond, I turned my gaze toward Ethan Gray and Aiden.

The moment their names appeared in fire before his eyes, something inside him snapped.

His tattoo burned.

And suddenly—

Both Ethan Gray and Aiden were yanked forward by an invisible force, their feet dragged across the ballroom floor until they were kneeling before Ethan.

Gasps erupted through the crowd.

Frank stumbled backward. "What the hell is happening?!"

Ethan Gray and Aiden tried to move, but it was like their bodies were frozen in place. Their faces twisted in terror.

My smirk deepened. "Oh, I’m just returning the favor."

And then—

CRACK!

Both Ethan Gray and Aiden collapsed onto the ground, their knees buckling as though an immense weight had been dropped onto them.

Sweat poured down their faces. Their hands trembled.

The entire ballroom watched in stunned silence.

I crouched down, his voice barely above a whisper. "How does it feel, huh? To be on the ground like a dog?"

Ethan Gray whimpered. "P-Please… Stop…"

Aiden gasped for air. "W-We were just following orders!"

I smirk vanished. His eyes darkened. "So was I."

And then, with a snap of his fingers—

The weight lifted.

Both of them fell forward, gasping for breath, their faces pale with terror.

I rose to my full height, my gaze shifting back to Frank.

Frank stumbled backward, his confidence completely shattered.

I took a step closer, his smirk returning. "See you at the after-party, Frank."

Then, without another word, he walked past them, heading straight toward Tracy.

She was still seated in the corner, watching him with an unreadable expression.

He stopped in front of her, extending a hand.

"Shall we dance?" he asked.

For the first time ever, Tracy Stewart was at a loss for words.

Not just alive—transformed.

The students began to whisper and at the same time checking their phone.

" Do the dead vine back to life?"

" You tell me. We both know the answer to that."

My usual casual attire was gone, replaced by an expensive tailored black suit that hugged my broad shoulders perfectly. My once messy hair was now sleek and styled. My sharp jawline was even more defined under the ballroom lights, my piercing eyes glowing with a strange, almost unnatural energy.

But that wasn’t the most terrifying part.

The tattoo on my arm—hidden for so long—was now glowing.

A deep, golden light pulsed from his skin, illuminating the ink like molten fire. I pulled my long suit over it trying to cover it.

The ground beneath me seemed to tremble slightly, a dark energy radiating from his body.

Then, suddenly—

A message appeared before my eyes, written in blazing letters of fire.