Chapter 320 - It’s Recognition

'One…o-one more…gahhhhh!' Compass Carburettor screamed mentally as Dita clamped on his thumb this time, slowly pulling it off until it was yanked out of his body.

It had done so slowly, first causing the thumb joint to shatter before peeling it off until the ligaments were torn due to tensile stress. The pain was unimaginable.

And, the same thing was happening on all four sides. The final devouring was slow and painful, continuing with one finger after another. He had four limbs and five fingers on each. The four mutated beasts slowly feasted upon them.

'Eeeek!'

Golda clamped upon his index finger, crushing his bones before pulling the entirety out of its socket, gobbling it up.

'Dammit, it hurts like hell!' Compass Carburettor felt his consciousness waning as they had only swallowed ten of his fingers. There was still half from where that came from, not to mention the rest of his body.

'I…won't give up.' Slowly, his life flashed before him.

Aged 13, Ford Stavis Convent; a young Compass Carburettor, bullied for his ridiculous name.

"Did your parents hate you? What the heck's up with your name?" A freckled-faced boy laughed, slamming his shoes into his face.

"Shut up! Don't you dare talk about them!" Compass Carburettor shouted in rage, slamming a fist into the freckled-faced boy, causing blood to bleed out of his nose. But, the opponent's shoe also smacked him in return, causing his head to spin as he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up for the time being.

"Just a useless freak. It's my parents' hard-earned tax money that can afford education to tramps like you. Screw you and your ugly mug!"

"Shut…up!" Compass Carburettor gasped as his stomach was kicked, puking out in response as his limbs lacked any strength.

"Screw…you…!" He glared in hatred at the bullies that thrashed him after that.

…

"Compass is not only undisciplined, but he also lacks any mind for studies. As his parents, not only have you failed to educate him, but you're also supporting him?" The convent headmaster shouted as he glared at a man and his son.

"Sir, please, there's both sides to everything…" Compass's father tried to explain but the headmaster showed no concern and continued to prattle.

"The students of hundreds of needy families rely upon our support for education. If your son wishes to study, he needs to behave." The headmaster snorted, "And, if he's bullied, then so be it. The parents of those bullies are those that fund the lives of our thousands."

…

In a dilapidated room, a crying Compass gazed at his father, "Dad, why the heck have you named me like this? I'm bullied by both students and teachers for this name."

"Do you think…your name has no value?" His father wiped the blood from the side of his lips, grunting as he downed a glass of alcohol.

Seeing Compass stare in confusion, he smiled, "Don't you like cars? Does the name Ford ring a bell to you?"

"It's a car company." Replied Compass.

"What meaning does Ford have?" His father asked.

"A…brand?" After a moment of thought, this was the answer Compass could come up with.

"A brand…I guess you could say that. But, suppose Ford wasn't a car company but the name of a toilet brush, what do you think those carrying that respected name would feel?" He spoke.

"They'll feel awful, daily, just like me." Compass shouted.

"You're right, they will." His father spoke, "But, with the same name, they manage to create their company and turn it into a giant in the world. Would anyone dare to make fun of that name?"

"No." Compass shook his head.

"Why?" His father asked.

"Because they're powerful?" Compass replied.

"That's one way to say. But in actuality," His father took in a deep breath, "It's recognition!"

"Irrespective of what you're called or what your name implies, your name only has as much value as your accomplishments. Turn into a leader, your name would become noble, turn into a terrorist, your name would become taboo."

"In the end," He exhaled slowly, "It's your accomplishments that give meaning to your name."

"You should become a philosopher instead of a damn thug. Huh?" The door of their house was smashed open as a group of people sauntered inside, "Talk is cheap. And without paying your debt, your life is cheap too."

'Dammit, why now?' Compass gritted his teeth, 'Dad said he'd arranged the money to come in two days.'

"Are you thinking of the money that your damn drunkard of a father said would arrive?" One of the thugs snorted upon seeing Compass's expression.

Upon seeing his face turn pale at his words, he and his gang laughed, "Seems I've hit the nail on the head."

They dragged his unresisting father as one of the thugs said, "The money would return, alright. But not to you. It'll be used to repay the debt your father owns us. How, you ask?"

The thug twirled his goatee, smirking, "His insurance, of course. Your old man owned a company before. He trusted his partner too much, losing everything when you were only three years old."

"Well," Dragging Compass's dad away, he spoke, "If there's any money left after repaying the debt, I'll send it to you. I do have a conscience. You can use it to give a proper burial to your old man."

"Damn you! Don't drag him away!" Compass shouted as he rushed out, sent flying back at the same speed by a kick from one of the thugs.

"We'll kill him in two days. If you don't want him to die, prepare the money. It's in six figures though. Well, not sure if you could even count that far."

"S-Six figures?" Compass felt his legs go weak upon hearing the number. In a family who hadn't even seen any proper money, this seemed impossible. But then…arrived his gateway…to hope.

<Ding!>

[Conditions achieved! Activating the Money-Making System! Welcome Host, I'm your beloved System]

…

'That's how I started. Compared to those times, this is nothing.' His iris contracted as Compass Carburettor felt his consciousness strengthening in response, recalling the only piece of knowledge his father had ever given him.

'My name's only as worth as my accomplishments!' Torn into pieces, his body was eaten up by the four mutated beasts. He endured until the end, completing the process, attaining the next stage.

Stage 5!