I Steal The System

Prisoners

This gloomy place was more reminiscent of a wet sewer than a prison, the humid air clinging to the walls and the sparse lighting painting eerie shadows. Chains clasped around Lucius's wrists, restricting his movement as he perched on a rigid mattress that was nothing short of a slab of stone.

"I finally made it here," Lucius whispered, his gaze assessing the bleak surroundings.

The confinement area was surprisingly vacant, housing a meager five captives during his brief glimpse of it. Lucius had initially envisioned a secret prison packed with countless prisoners.

"According to what I remember, a dreadful system surfaced here a decade later," he murmured, recalling snippets of information from his previous life. This knowledge was the reason Lucius had chosen this dangerous path.

He had deliberately committed a crime and brazenly declared himself the owner of the system, all to be transported to this location where the system would eventually materialize.

Lucius recalled, "Red Lightning. That's the sign of the system's birth," he murmured under his breath.

The lies he'd woven to provoke the general also contained a grain of truth he'd learned in his past life — the existence of a fearsome system that allowed its bearer to wield red and black lightning, a power so formidable it became one of the pillars sustaining the monstrous entity in his previous existence.

"But that general doesn't own this system, their voices don't match," Lucius speculated. He couldn't see the interrogator earlier, but the voice indicated it was the general overseeing Wraka City, a place considered an outcast on this land.

"I need to probe further into this matter," he decided.

Lucius dragged himself towards the cell bars, the heavy iron chain clinking with each movement. He cast his gaze outside, searching for any patrolling guards.

"Psst, you want some important information?" Lucius whispered, catching the attention of a passing guard.

The guard was equipped in advanced military gear, a ready-to-fire rifle slung across his shoulder. Lucius couldn't discern his face, shielded by a mask bearing a skull symbol and a pair of large goggles that emitted a soft purplish-green glow as the guard moved.

"What?" the guard responded dismissively, unwilling to appear subservient to a prisoner.

"I noticed earlier something like lightning, but red and black," Lucius said, noting the guard's hidden interest.

"Is there more?"

"Yes, but I require certain information in return," Lucius stated, sparking a negotiation.

"What information do you seek?" the guard finally gave in, his desire for recognition and promotion clearly greater than his disdain for bargaining with a captive.

"What's the name of the general in charge here?"

"Mr. Nefion," the guard answered.

"And how long has this prison been operational?"

"Ten years," came the reply.

"Interesting, they've been aware of superhumans for quite a while then," Lucius mused internally. Sensing the guard's growing impatience, he decided to wrap up the negotiation.

"I heard whispers of the God system's birth, marked by terrifying red and black flashes," Lucius invented, hoping to satiate the guard's curiosity.

Amused by the guard's naivety, he watched the man stride away confidently, likely fantasizing about a potential promotion or bonus from the general.

**

"You're saying he mentioned that?" The general, Mr. Nefion, was astonished when the guard approached him with this newfound information.

"That's right, sir. He spoke about a God system and its emergence signified by unique red and black lightning," the guard confirmed.

The general's interest piqued. "So, the entity discovered in the mine is that God system? Possessing it would grant me supreme power."

The general was captivated by the allure of ultimate control. The information seemed to align perfectly with the intelligence he had previously gathered. He scrutinized Lucius's background meticulously to rule out any potential traps.

"He's a complete outsider, no military connections or political affiliations," he concluded, carefully parsing through Lucius's history.

His surprise and satisfaction were palpable. "I didn't expect such valuable intel from him."

"Extract everything from the boy's memory. If you do it well, I'll see to your promotion," the general promised, sending the guard away with a promise of rank advancement. The soldier couldn't help but beam with pride, his eyes glowing behind the large goggles. This was the biggest opportunity he'd ever received since joining the Hedron military.