Super Versatile System: Urban Domination

Chapter six

"You might be wondering why I called you here, son. It's something related to your father. I failed you, son." The old man bowed with a sad expression.

  Abel was alarmed. What was his father's relationship with these people? And what did he mean by he failed him? Abel was starting to panic.

  "You also know my father?" he asked curiously.

  The old man looked up and smiled fondly.

  "He's my disciple. My best disciple ever, and the only one who managed to surpass me."

  "Wait," Abel's mind jumped. "Is my father an Awakened?" He had heard Enzo use that term before and could roughly guess it referred to people with superpowers like Laura and Walrus.

  The old man smiled approvingly. "You’re very smart. Indeed, your father is very powerful. But he isn't an Awakened. He's a cultivator."

  "A cultivator?!" Abel repeated, surprised by the new term. He wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with it, but everything he knew about his dad screamed otherwise. Just a poor, perverted drunkard, how could such a man be as powerful as they claimed? If he truly was, how could they have been so poor that he had to risk his life just to earn a few credits?

  "I’ll be straightforward with you. There’s a lot of information you're not allowed to know yet because your authority is limited. I’ll just tell you what’s happening on the surface. We are all from the Uranus Supernatural Organization, a powerful group made up of Awakened, cultivators, and other supernatural beings like werewolves...

  And Bloodkins.

  A few years ago, some Bloodkins colluded with powerful entities and opened a portal that led to a monstrous realm. These monsters are strong and usually operate at night. Some of the more powerful ones can even transform into humans and blend into society.

  The organization tried to stop them, but we were almost overwhelmed, until your father stepped in and slew their leaders. He became a legendary figure in the organization. Feared and respected. But then, something happened... it had a thing to do with your mother. I can't give you the details."

  "My mother!" Abel’s mind spun. He was already shocked by what he’d heard, struggling to process the idea that his father was a legendary figure. The world suddenly didn’t seem as simple as it had a few minutes ago.

  And now, for the first time, someone mentioned his mom. His father had always remained tight-lipped whenever Abel asked about her.

  He didn’t know what had happened to her, but he had gotten used to living with just his dad. He always hoped his father would tell him something when the time was right. Now that someone finally brought her up, Abel was instantly agitated.

  The old man smiled knowingly.

  "I know you're curious about your mom, but I’m sorry. At your current power level, you’re not ready to know certain things. Maybe one day, if you grow strong enough, you’ll get the answers you seek." His smile turned mysterious.

  "Back to the story, after the incident, which I can’t go into, your father resigned from the organization and returned to his village with you. You were just a baby then. I know a lot of information is missing, but I can’t do anything about that. If you become strong, you’ll learn everything you need to know.

  A few days ago, some powerful beings threatened our world. We had to convince your father and a few other powerful individuals—to help. He was reluctant, but he agreed to step up for humanity’s sake. Sadly... that was the last we heard of him. I’m sorry, son. We can’t confirm if he’s dead or alive.

  "Because most of his companions' bodies were found," he continued. "Your father’s body wasn’t among them, so we can’t confirm his status."

  "What! My father might be dead dead?!" Abel felt a cold, chilling wind sweep past him. The words echoed in his ears, but he refused to register them. His knees buckled slightly.

  "How could that be?" He was in denial. His father couldn’t be dead, right? The way they described him, there was no way he’d go down that easily.

  "Son, I understand your pain. But let’s look on the brighter side, after investigating, we believe there’s a sixty percent chance he was captured instead."

  "Then what are you waiting for?! Rescue him! You have lots of powerful people in your organization, right? Gather a rescue team and get my father!"

  Walrus, who had been silent the whole time, smiled wryly.

  "We would if we could. But... we’re not powerful enough. I’m sorry, Abel. There’s nothing we can do."

  "Powerful... Yes! That’s it!" Abel’s eyes lit up. "All I need is to be powerful. If I’m strong enough, I won’t be helpless. I’ll rescue my father and find out the truth about my mother."

  The two men looked at each other and shook their heads wearily. It wasn’t that simple. The old man wouldn’t have even revealed this much if Walrus hadn’t secretly informed him using energy that Abel was Awakened.

  What Abel didn’t know was that they all assumed he was Awakened. The truth? No normal human could defeat a level-one vampire. It was either he was Awakened, or he had trained in martial arts.

  Still, the two men didn’t take his words seriously. But Abel wasn’t bluffing. He had something nobody else had.

  He had the System.

  Before, he lacked purpose and always fell behind. But now, he had a mission. A reason. He had to grow stronger, no matter what.

  Laura glanced at the young man in the back seat for the fifth time. She was watching him through the rearview mirror of the black SUV.

  He’d been so quiet ever since they left the mansion. The lively expression he usually wore was gone, replaced by a calm but solemn look.

  "Are you alright?" she asked, biting her lips. She didn’t like this version of him. She’d much rather have his perverted but energetic self back.

  It had been five minutes since they left the mansion. Director Walrus had tasked her with taking him home. She was curious about what they talked about, but didn’t dare ask. She knew there were a lot of things she wasn’t allowed to know.

  She wasn’t sure who exactly he was, but she could feel it. He wasn’t ordinary. So now, she treated him with more respect.