System Rebirth: Lucas thrives in the Endless Winter

2. Leave this house

Brian tried to run away from him, but Lucas tripped him. Brian fell face flat, nearly hitting the legs of the center table.

“Brian,” Jasmine screamed and rushed towards him.

“I've had enough of this.” Dean stepped forward.

Lucas lashed the whip in the air, missing his father by an inch as he got closer.

Dean flinched back. He looked surprised for a moment before enraged. “What’s gotten into you?”

“What? Why not have a taste of what you all do to me every single time Brian comes up with his lies,” yelled Brian.

“Lucas, I don't understand why you're always doing this to me,” Brian said, shedding tears as he stood up. Lucas couldn't tell if he was crying out of pain or if it was just part of his manipulative acting.

“All I'm trying to do is get along with you. Why do you hate me so much?”

Jasmine held Brian's shoulders. “Oh, it's alright, dear.”

Brian shook his head. “No, it's not. Why does he hate me so much? Does he feel like I stole his place in this family? But I'm just an adopted child. He'll always have your blood in his veins. I can't replace him.”

“No, no. Don't say that about yourself, okay? You're my son, not an outsider. Who cares if we are not your biological parents? You'll always be our son. Don't allow Lucas to let you feel this way.”

Dean added. “If it makes you feel better, I’d rather have you than him as my son. I’d never want this disgrace as a son.”

Lucas just chuckled. Perhaps, before his rebirth, their words might have broken him beyond repair, but at this point, he could not care less.

“I didn't beat you hard enough if you still have the audacity to keep up that act,” he said.

Dean stomped his feet on the ground. “You've gone too far, Lucas. Breaking Brian's watch, disrespecting your parents, bullying Brian…stop this nonsense and apologize this instant.”

“For what? Standing up for myself?”

“I won't repeat myself.”

“I'm never apologizing.”

“Then leave this house. I'm not tolerating this behavior.”

Brian had a victorious smirk on his face, which he quickly wiped off before anyone could notice. Then, he stepped forward and gently held Dean's left shoulder.

“Dad, you don't have to send him out. If anyone should leave, it's me. I'm the problem.”

“You did nothing wrong, my dear. Stop defending him,” Jasmine said.

She glared at Lucas. “See what you are causing Brian to feel. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Brian puts on some act, and all of you become brain-dead. Like I said before, big fools.”

“You still have the guts to talk back? Forget about the apology. Just leave this place,” Dean yelled.

“Gladly. I'm cutting all ties with this family. Living under a bridge is better than this hell called home.”

Jasmine's face contorted into fury. “You ungrateful child. After everything we've done for you, this is how you repay us?”

Lucas said, “You mean the abuse and neglect I suffered from you all? Then yes. This is how I'm repaying you. You are a shame to parenthood.”

Dan and Jasmine's faces turned red with rage.

Brian stepped forward. “Don't say that about mom and dad. They're the best—”

“Oh, would you shut it before I break your teeth in pieces?” Lucas interrupted. “Stop acting like you aren't happy I'm leaving. Isn't this what you wanted all this time?”

“N-no. Why would you assume that? We're brothers.”

“You are not my brother and will never be my brother. Just the very thought of it irritates me," Lucas said. The memory of Brian stabbing him flashed through his mind.

He took a step towards Brian, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. “I’ll make sure you pay for all the trouble and pain you caused me. I promise you.”

Brian's words got caught in his throat. Something about Brian's gaze made his heart race in fear, as if he would truly get back at him at that point. The atmosphere became tense all of a sudden.

“Don't you dare threaten him,” Dean said, his left eye twitching in anger. “Leave my house and never come back, you ingrate.”

Lucas gave them a cold smile. “Enjoy the good days you have left, Mr and Mrs Vale.”

Lucas left the mansion. Only when Lucas left did Brian feel the fear leave him. He heaved a sigh of relief, then frowned. Since when was he scared of Lucas?

“The nerve of that boy. Argh," Dean bellowed in anger.

Jasmine took a deep breath and then said. “Calm down, dear. I'm not sure what has gotten into him today, but he will come back to his senses when he realizes he cannot survive without us. He has a test tomorrow, doesn't he? Before midnight, he should be back.”

“Oh, he's in big trouble when he comes back.”

Brian sniffled. “I'm sorry. This is all my fault.”

“Ah, you're just too good for this world. We're not blaming you. Don't worry. We'll make him pay for this when he returns. Let's get those whip wounds treated, okay?”

“I'll get another watch for you. You've done well for us.”

Brian beamed with smiles, happy that things were going the way he planned.

**”

After Lucas left the mansion, he let out a huge breath. He should have done this in his previous life.

For years, he desperately chased his parents' approval, enduring Brian's lies and their punishment because he kept believing things would eventually change. Now, he had no reason to care. His parents could keep their perfect son.

Their betrayal still replayed in his mind, making him clench his fist.

The moment Brian stabbed him. The moment his parents held him down. The cold snow beneath his body. The zombies tearing him apart. He would never forget any of it.

His parents deserved whatever would come for them. Without him helping them this time, Lucas would love to see how they'd survive the apocalypse. And as for Brian, he wouldn't get away with all he had done.

The blue screen appeared before his eyes at that moment. Lucas froze in his steps as the robotic voice spoke.

[New Quests Received.]

[QUEST #1: Obtain a fortified shelter]

[Time left: 4 days, 13 hours]

[Reward: 100 SP and Dimensional Storage Space unlock]

[QUEST #2: Gather the following supplies:]

[1. Food and water—enough to sustain you for at least six months]

[2. Warm clothing for the winter]

[3. Medicine]

[Time left: 4 days, 13 hours]

[Rewards: 100 SP, Shop Unlock, and a random ability]