Chapter 1: Just Another Day

Ding!

[You have completed today's assignment, 100 EXP gained!]

Ding!

[Error: because of your 'setting,' EXP cannot be distributed to your being!]

Ding!

[Reconfiguring distribution method into skill-based mastery method, you have acquired 1 Mastery Point!]

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A mechanical voice said to the mind of a tall and robust individual who sat within a daily office setting, typing away with his fingers on a clunky old model QWERTY keyboard. His overly grown black hair scatted to his sides with his everyday work suit that barely covered up his rippling muscles, giving him a kind of tamed wildness.

Looking at his features more carefully, one would notice that his tired eyes were of a bright blue, with a straight nose that perfectly fit with his well-sculpted face and firm lips. He seemed to be in his late twenties, with a glaring scar around his leftmost eye, running down from his forehead to his cheekbone.

As if he only now heard the noise from the system-like voice, the man sighed as he leaned back on his chair and cracked his knuckles creating an audible sound within the currently sparse office.

The man snorted as he stared at a blank space and said something with his mind, 'Show Mastery.'

Following his words, a screen appeared before his eyes, showing the details of his Mastery Point.

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[Mastery Point - 7665]

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'Yup, after 21 years, I've totaled up this amount of points. Yet, how fitting of it to not have any use to me in the world." The man thought as he then stared outside the window, noticing that it was already late in the afternoon.

While gazing into the orangish-red sky, with golden-hued clouds that loomed above the skyscrapers, he made a loss look as he contemplated, 'Born with a system and ability to level up, but with no real means of using it. Ha, I suppose it only came in handy during those old times.'

While he mused, his eyes sparkled in a vague light, carrying a tinge of red as he recalled his past lifestyle, the person he was then was exceedingly different from the current him. Sometimes, he would even stop to ponder, what would the younger him think of himself if he were to see him in his present state?

As if he wanted to answer his own question, the man took out an adorably decorated green pendant with rose engravings, seeming to have been hand-carved by a woman based on its design. Just by looking at the locket, this rough-looking man made a smile like no other, looking no different from a gentle soul cherishing a priceless treasure.

He took a deep breath, breathing in a familiar fragrance as he opened it slowly. Soon, three faces appeared within it, causing the man's eyes to grow slightly moist as if each of these three silhouettes were his proudest possession in the entire world.

'Hehe… he'd probably say I did a frigging good job...' The man thought with a cheeky smirk, closing the locket and placing it back around his chest.

After having his daily feast for his eyes, the man prepared to pack up, but at this time, a sharp voice sounded from a room connected to the office.

"S-Scar, g-g-get your ass in here r-r-right now!" A man's voice sounded as if he was commanding the heavens, but based on his tone, he almost seemed flustered.

The man identified as Scar shook his head and glared at the direction of the voice, he took a deep breath, calming himself down as he knew what he'd do if he lost his cool.

After shutting off the PC and packing up, he casually made his way towards the room with a half-opened door. Scar entered and looked at the scene before him in surprise, as it was not only the fat, bald supervisor, but even the Managing Director was present in the room.

Scar felt uneasy as he noticed that they were staring at him with odd looks, he even saw that a few stacks of papers were neatly placed down before them as if they had just sorted through some materials.

'Well shit...' Scar thought to himself as he knew what was happening, this wasn't the first time, and certainly, wouldn't be the last. Still, despite his current feelings, Scar made an icy apathetic look.

The supervisor upon seeing Scar's indifference, trembled a bit before his eyes grew firm, he spoke while stuttering, "P-P-Please take a seat, w-we have a few words that we'd like to d-d-discuss with you,"

Scar shook his head and sat down on the fold-up chair, folding one leg over the other as he seemed to not have a care in the world.

The supervisor was upset, but he didn't dare to say anything after going through the papers in the details. The Managing Director glanced at the supervisor and spoke, "I'll take it from here. You don't need to say anything else."

The supervisor heaved a sigh of relief as he bowed and spoke, "Thank you, sir."

The Managing Director then looked at Scar with an odd look; he even lit a cigarette and passed it towards him as he asked, "Cigarette?"

Scar looked at this and spoke indifferently, "I'm sure that you've both learn of a few of my past details; you should hurry up and get on with it."

The Managing Director smirked as he heard those words. He raised the cigarette to his mouth and puffed it before he stared at Scar directly in his eyes and spoke a mouthful, "From hijacking, murder, and many other criminal acts I won't mention. You, Sir Marius Edgewick, is a dangerous man. I'm frankly awed that you can shroud so much of that kind of history and claim this kind of employment. What kinds of strings in high places did you pull to not enter death's row?"

After saying his piece, the Managing Director looked at Marius with deep expression, but sadly for him, by the time he finished speaking, Marius had already risen from his head and turned towards the door.

The Managing Director was a bit surprised, but he soon made a mocking look as he spoke again, "I see that you are also a wise man, Mr. Edgewick. It was a pleasure having such a man of your caliber in our company, even if it were only a short time. Take care on your way out, and remember, there will always be two kinds of people in the world. Those who are top of the line and those who are at the bottom rugs."

As Marius heard those words, he stopped looking back as he chuckled before speaking, "Two kinds of people you say? Such interesting words... but I also need to remind you, dear manager, outside of this batch is similarly the third kind..."

When Marius said this, his eyes shimmered in red color, not saying anything else. The previously confident Managing Director and supervisor trembled at those words, watching as Marius left the office in silence.

Marius only took what he needed, as for anything else, he left where they were, this wasn't his first time, he had grown tired of packing everything he owned in a company on his way out.

As Marius left, no one said hello or bye; he was treated in a manner no different from air, as the few who did notice him always kept their distance afraid of accidentally crossing his path.

For as long as he could remember, his life had always been as such. Ostracize by many, feared by others, even more so during his younger years of living on the edge. He was always the odd in a world of even numbers, the different hue in a monotonous canvas.

Yet, despite recalling such thoughts, Marius merely shook his head as a helpless look came over his face while walking through the crowded streets, filled with people of all walks and vehicles of the standard to superior models.

'How do I explain it to her? Out of all the jobs within the closest vicinity to our new apartment, this was the last one. Now even my past has caught up to me here. It wouldn't have been so bad if this happened a month later. But for today of all darn days, especially when I'm already lagging behind on the room's rent. Such darn misery is far too much for a group to handle much less one man...' Marius contemplated with a trouble-filled expression, not knowing how to proceed in the future, at this rate, they'll probably end up living on the streets.

"Should we rough it out in the wilds like in my younger years, huhu… that would certainly be something else," Marius murmured as he shook his head no longer pondering anything, right now, he only wanted to ease his burdens, he wanted to see his wife and two lovely children.

After traveling for minutes on foot in the busiest sector of this city, Marius soon found himself at an apartment complex. It was an uncountable number of stories tall, with many different compartments for renters and others, a well-recognized place with even security at the gates and recreational facilities.

While many could partake in these benefits, due to their standing on this compound, Marius and his family didn't have such luck.

Marius passed the guard and promptly entered the compound, he then entered the main building and traveled through the bottommost hallway towards his room door. He felt a tinge of peace after arriving here, as though the surroundings were filled with noise from all corners, a vague scent that wafted from behind the door made his soul felt sublime.

With a turn of the knob, the door opened, revealing a simple square-shaped room that though dark due to the lights being off, seeming not to be too large or small, perfect for a simple family of four as it only had two bedrooms.

Marius thought that it was too hushed as by this hour his wife and children would be up and playing, he hurriedly closes the door behind him and spoke out loud, "Honey? Kids? I'm home!"

After a few seconds, Marius didn't hear any reply causing his face to sink, he dashed towards the living room, but right as his foot touched the carpet at its center, a bright light flashed as a startling scene occurred.

***

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