2025-03-23 15:14:58A sharp, rhythmic beeping pulled me from the darkness. My eyelids felt like they were heavyweight like stones, my body sinking into the stiff mattress beneath me. The scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, sterile and suffocating.
I could hear the faint beeping of the machine above my head as I tried to sit up. I groaned, my head pounding like someone had taken a hammer to it. My fingers twitched against the thin hospital sheet as I tried to push myself up, but a wave of dizziness knocked me back down. Where the hell was I? I pry open eyes as my head throb gently. My vision blurred before sharpening on the white ceiling above me, the fluorescent lights flickering slightly. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor beside me matched the erratic thumping in my chest. I tried to move my hand—and that’s when I saw it. The gentle glow of the tattoo. It was glowing again. A deep crimson, pulsing like a living thing beneath my skin. The intricate design twisted and burned, the lines shifting as if it were alive. I clenched my fist, willing it to stop—Go away. Whatever the hell you are, just go away! But it didn't. It shown brightly and this time around, I felt it was trying to communicate with me. Pass a message only I could understand to me The more I tried to suppress it, the more the heat spread through my veins, licking at my bones like fire. My body trembled, my breath coming out in shallow pants. It felt as though something inside me was clawing its way out, something ancient and powerful. I grit my teeth, suppressing a groan. I could feel the fire coring through my entire body as if it was a poison spreading. What the hell was happening to me? Before I could figure it out, the door swung open, and a middle-aged doctor in a white coat stepped inside. His sharp gaze flicked over me, assessing. "Mr. Summerville," he said, his tone professional but laced with concern. "You’re awake. That’s good." I swallowed, my throat dry. "Where am I?" "Frontale University Medical Wing. You’ve been unconscious for nearly a day." I blinked, trying to process. A day? "How… how bad is it?" I rasped, my fingers instinctively going to my ribs. The pain was dull now, but the memory of Frank’s baseball bat still sent a shudder through me. The doctor sighed, pulling out a chart. "You suffered a severe head injury. A minor brain hemorrhage, but we managed to stabilize it. However—" he paused, his expression darkening, "—there's a chance you may experience some complications. Memory lapses. Sudden headaches. Possibly even hallucinations." Brain damage. My fingers went cold. "You’re lucky to be alive," the doctor continued. "But you need rest. No stress, no overexertion. Don't worry, we have everything under control all you need to do now is follow simple instructions and always go about right your medicines." I forced a nod, but my mind was already racing. Will I be on drugs for the rest of my life? Rest? No stress? How was I supposed to do that when I had nothing left? As soon as the doctor left, I reached for my phone on the bedside table, my fingers shaking. The screen lit up, and I immediately wished I hadn’t checked. The repeated sound of my phone made me realise one thing, they were chatting about me. The Frontale Student Body Chat was in a frenzy mode. Paul Smith: LMAO did y’all see how Ethan got knocked the hell out? Frank Carter: Dude really thought he was gonna take the exam and keep his scholarship. Guess what? HE FAILED. He’s DONE! Selena Ray: Honestly, I always knew he was a lost cause. Sad. Random Student 1: Damn, imagine getting kicked out and having nowhere to go. That’s tough. Random Student 2: Should’ve known his place. A beggar can’t be a king. A lump formed in my throat. My entire body shook with rage. They were celebrating. Laughing at my downfall. And Selena, the girl I devoted almost my entire student career too was also making fun of me. Paul. Frank. Selena. Every single one of them. A sharp DING echoed in my head. [ SYSTEM INITIAIZING IN 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 ] [ SYSTEM SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED ] [HELLISH SYSTEM ACTIVATED ] [ REGISTERING HOST: Ethan Summerville ] [ BLOOD SIGNATURE CONFIRMED.] I felt a pinch on my hand and blood oozed out of the cut. The phone slipped from my hand. The air in the room felt thickened with tension. Then, text began flashing before my eyes, written in a language I shouldn’t have understood—yet somehow, I did. [ HOST PROFILE ] [ Name: Ethan Summerville ] [ Age: 21 ] [ Status: Unawakened ] [ Abilities: N/A ] [ Potential: High ] [ Current Rank: F-Class ] I gasped, gripping my forehead as more text flooded in. [ SYSTEM DIRECTIVE ] [ SYSTEM MESSAGE; You have been chosen as the Host of the Hellish System.Your downfall was merely the beginning. Now, rise ] I struggled to breathe, but the words kept coming. I couldn't believe any of it. Was this even real? My mind was in a frenzy mode as I tried to process everything that was happening at the moment. It was just too much to bear. The next message flashed right in front of my face again. [ SYSTEM FIRST TASK ISSUED ; Objective: Spend $50,000 within 14 days. [ Failure Penalty: Unknown. ] [ Reward: Hellish Awakening. ] My breath hitched. Fifty thousand dollars? I barely had ten cents to my name, and now, out of nowhere, the system was throwing that much at me? I knew this was too good to be real. How can I be given such huge amount of money without any string attached. " This is not real. It isn't real!" I said repeatedly holding my head. As if responding to my thoughts, my phone vibrated violently. I grabbed it—and my eyes widened in shock. [ DING! ] [ New Bank Account Balance: $50,000.00 ] I nearly dropped the phone. This was real. The money was there. The system was real. But that also meant the penalty was real. My hands tightened into fists. Frank. Paul. Selena. Every single person who mocked me. They thought I was done? They had no idea what was coming. And it starts now.
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THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter six
I stood in front of the receptionist’s desk at the hospital, my fingers tightening around the sleek black card that had mysteriously appeared in my wallet. The Hellish System had given me fifty thousand dollars, and now, it was time to use it."How much is my hospital bill?" I asked, my voice steady but cold.The nurse behind the counter barely spared me a glance. "You were here overnight. The total comes to $3,200, including the emergency treatment and tests."I exhaled slowly. That was a lot of money for a single night, but with my current balance, it was nothing.I slid the card across the desk. The nurse's fingers hesitated over the card before swiping it through the machine. She glanced at the screen, her brows furrowing. "It… it went through?"I smirked. "Of course it did."Her eyes flicked to my hospital gown, then to the worn-out sneakers I’d managed to retrieve from the storage locker. I could see the disbelief on her face."Do you need a receipt?" she asked hesitantly.I sh
THE HELLISH SYSTEM chapter seven
I pulled out my phone and tapped on the banking app, my thumb hovering over the "Transfer" button. The silence around me was deafening. Every student in the courtyard was frozen in place, their eyes locked onto my screen, waiting.Frank scoffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, right. No way you're actually doing it."Selena chuckled beside him, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "This is just for show. He’s stalling."I didn’t respond. Instead, I tapped the transfer option and entered the university’s account number.$20,000.My finger hovered over the "Confirm" button."Alright," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let’s see if I’m bluffing."I pressed the button.A moment later, my screen flashed: Transaction Successful.Then, almost immediately, a chime echoed from the administrative building. The Dean's phone.The crowd turned toward the building in slow motion, like a wave of disbelief washing over them.Seconds later, the Dean himself stepped outside, adjusting his gla
THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter eight
Frank stormed through the crowd, shoving students aside as he made his way toward me. His face was twisted in rage, his hands balled into fists. I barely blinked. I could see the disbelief in his eyes, the rage and the unsettling anger, all rising to the surface. But I was not fazed, not when I am on top of my game. "You think just because you’ve got money now, you’re better than me?" he spat, stopping a few inches away from my face. "You’re still the same pathetic loser you were yesterday, Ethan. And I’m about to remind you of that." I tilted my head. "Go ahead, Frank. Try." I said with a smirk on my face. My eyes darted around and I knew this was just the best way and place to have Frank humiliated. Only if he was dumb enough to fall for it. The crowd hushed. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. Frank sneered and pulled back his fist, ready to punch me. But before he could even swing, something strange happened. A burning sensation shot through my ar
THE HELLISH SYSTEM chapter nine
Everyone at Frontale University thought I was done for. After the brutal beating I suffered at the hands of Frank, Ethan Gray, and Aiden Reeves, the rumors spread like wildfire. Students whispered in hushed tones, convinced I wouldn’t make it to the prom, let alone set foot on campus again. I tried to push myself up but I could feel some bones cracked within me. I remembered the doctors warning. My body was not fit for another round of beating. I can't take it anymore. Tears flooded my eyes hoping the system would take over, hoping they my tattoo would glow and do something miraculous. probably heal me but nothing happened. Tracy Stewart, my so-called "fake girlfriend," was livid when she heard the news. She stormed through the halls, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floors as she made a beeline toward Frank. Frank, standing confidently with Selena draped over his arm, smirked as she approached. Tracy didn’t waste time. She shoved him hard in the chest, he
THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter ten
Frontale University bubbling with the news of how I had beaten the most ruthless tugs inside the university ground. The fame was new to me. I haven't had so many people give me so much attention after what Selena did to me. " Is that him?" " The kid who single handedly beat up Aiden and Ethan Gray." " Do you think he was lucky?" " Lucky? Why don't you try and see how lucky you can get when you are up close against someone like Ethan and Aiden." The university was in a frenzy mode. While some talked about me being a good fighter, others who were friends with Frank Carter said I was just lucky. If I was lucky then I don't want my luck to run out. Some said I was a freak. They even had the audacity to say it to my face. " Do you think that is normal?" " Don't you see the way he charges at Ethan and Aiden? Does that look normal to you?" " Well, if you ask me then I would say he is done freak. He should be kicked out of the school premises." I walked past
THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter eleven
My hands grasped my phone gently. My gaze was fixed on the screen. I could barely believe it. I was twelve million dollars richer. A money that was not befitting of a small boy like me. You know that moment you saw the zero at the back of the actual number. You lose focus. That was exactly what happened to me. My head swells, and my palms become sweaty. I looked around the school, and I noticed some of the students were beginning to know my weird behaviour. I have a lot of bills to settle. I need to buy books and also invest. The school were filled with different calibres of students whose parents got their money from gambling, investment, fraud and many other atrocities. But most of them like to deny the fact that their parents were a bunch of criminals. Rather, they prefer to flaunt their parents wealth and oppress the poor, like me. But not anymore. I looked at the message I was seeing right in front of me. I have been upgraded. That was also a good thing, right?
THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter twelve
Felix smirked and leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against his chin like he was calculating a formula in his head. He looked me over, his sharp eyes sizing me up — not just my money, but my ambition. "Two million”, he said. "Money is not the issue right now, Felix, but I need you to keep a secret. None of this must reach the ears of any students on this campus." I said, staring at him. Felix looked around and smiled, "Well, that depends on how much you are willing to pay for my service and how much you are going to be paying to have me keep my mouth shut. I can do both if the pay is high enough." I didn’t blink. I reached into my bag, brought out a slim envelope, and placed it gently on the table. He raised a brow. “You came prepared.” “I always do.”He picked up the envelope, peeled it open slightly, then nodded. “You want your name everywhere, right? Campus fame? Digital presence? Social media dominance? All of that?” “And more,” I said. “I want them to know
THE HELLISH SYSTEM Chapter thirteen
[ DING! ] [ DING! ] [ DING! ] All the students phones buzzed as I walked past the student hall. "I told you; I said he was rich." "Who are his parents?" "Don't you think it is a little fishy where he got his wealth from? No, parents. No uncles and boom!" "Who cares about how he got his wealth? I heard your father just sold some illegal drugs into the system. Don't you think that is really bad?" One of the students taunted Philip Jayden that his father was a notorious drug baron in the city. Philip charged at the student, and a huge fight erupted in the hallway. I laughed slowly, feeling myself. Yes! Let them fight over me. I had to show them I was not on Jeremiah's level. I need to prove to those low scum that I won't be bullied. Not anymore. "Hey! Rich kid." I heard a familiar voice right behind me. I turned slowly to meet Selena's gaze. She was putting on a hat, and she was flanked by her friends who were drooling over me. I felt the tattoo under my skin burn hot, and
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Chapter twenty one
Zack walked up to me and grabbed me by the collar of my uniform. "Who the hell are you? Who are you to lay a hand on my kid?!" He yelled at me.At that moment, my tattoo glowed again. At first, I thought I was going to be tasked with another mission, but then… I saw a cryptic message in front of me. "What are you looking at?" Zack asked with a frown on his face. "You need to let the kid go, Mr Zack. If not, I am calling the security!" Arnold said with anger. "Go ahead! Call anyone you want to call, but that won't save you." Zack yelled. I looked around, and I could see the look on their faces.The students. Some of them were scared, while some were enjoying the show. Their phones are up as usual. "Don't you play dead with me, boy!" Zack yelled, tightening the collar around my neck. I could feel the life choked out of me. But then another message came in. [ DING ! ] [ Hellish system message: Expose Mr Zack's adultery life. ] [ Hellish reward ; $12,000,000. ] I burst out into
Chapter twenty one
"Oh my god!" "Did they just kneel in front of Ethan?" "Are they slowly giving up on bullying him?" "He didn't only beat Frank but also humiliated him." "It is only right they forsake him and join hands with Frank."I looked at them as they bowed at my feet. "What are you doing?" I asked, my breath a little shaky as I looked at them. "We know we have wronged you. We would be more than delighted to have you as our boss." Ethan said, lifting his gaze to look at me. "Are you doing this because Frank is not around? Because I bet you could never think of doing any of this if he were around." I said again. The noise quieted down with just my voice. "No, we aren't with Frank anymore. We want you to be our leader. We promise to listen to you and follow your command." Aiden said again. That was it. The wall of power around the school had crumbled. There was a loud shout yet again, and all the students hugged me. For a moment, I didn't believe any of this. It was too good to be true.
Chapter twenty
The underground rocks with a lot of noise with students chanting my name. Whispers turned to noise. Noise turned to wildfire. By the time I got back to campus, the underground fight was already the stuff of legend.The footage had leaked. Someone in the crowd had recorded the whole thing. It had gone viral in a matter of hours. Twitter, TikTok, and even the campus board—all flooded with one name.Not Paul.Not Frank.Ethan.Except… not quite.Because the next morning, I stepped onto campus to find the digital notice board outside the administration building flashing a bold message:“STUDENT OF THE MONTH: ETHAN ‘THE PHANTOM’ GREY”I stared at it.The Phantom?A nickname had been born.Students passed me, giving double takes, others whispering as they walked by. A few even smiled nervously. One guy raised his hand for a high five, hesitated, then dropped it when I didn’t respond.Frank hadn’t returned to class. Word was, he’d been taken to a private clinic outside town. Broken ribs. Ja
Chapter nineteen
I opened the file Felix had sent. It was detailed—impressively so. Within a span of hours, Felix had delivered everything I needed to know about Paul Smith. His address, his parent’s names, where they worked, their financial situation, academic records, behavioral files, even psychiatric evaluations. Paul Smith, born and raised in a middle-class family. His father, Gerald Smith, was an ex-cop turned private investigator with a gambling problem. I held my phone and looked at the messages again. My face shrinked. I wonder how someone like Paul was able to measure to me and even had the gut to have me bullied. It was just unforgivable to me. His mother, Lacey, a struggling nurse trying to hold the household together. A single medical bill could send their entire world crashing. Paul himself had two misdemeanors from high school that were buried with money his father didn’t have—most likely favors from friends in high places. Interesting. “Felix, you weren’t kidding when y
Chapter eighteen
Trust me, when you have money, there is a lot you can do. You can either be a kingpin or even become a money demon yourself. I was going to become the demon that Frank needed to be scared of. I was not going to steal his spot in the university grounds, but I was going to break his backbone. I knew what I needed to do. I was going to attack this source of wealth. His father. That was the only way I was going to be sending a clear message to him, or should I say a warning. "It is going to be a pleasure working with you, Ethan." Felix said after I transfer a sum of ten million dollars into his account. At first, Felix looked at me and couldn't believe his eyes. It was when he saw the six zeros that he was damn sure I meant business. "Is there any other thing I have to know?" Felix looked at me. "Like?" I looked at him. "You tell me, boss. You are the one after Frank. I need to know who is in on this, and does that include taking down Selena as well?" "Frank's friends are my ene
Chapter seventeen
I read the message, and I immediately rushed down to the location he had sent to me. I met him seated all alone by himself, and when I got to his side, he yanked me toward the chair opposite him. I barely had time to adjust myself before falling to the floor. "What the hell was that for?" I said with anger. "Are you seriously asking me that, Ethan?" Felix snapped at me. " You tell me why you have been snooping around the death of Thomas Rabbit." I looked around, and my gaze landed back on some of the people staring at both of us. Not that Felix cared anyway. "Keep your voice down, will you?" I said, adjusting myself on the chair. I know one thing: I needed Felix if I was going to get to Frank and his minions. He was the one holding the keys to all their secrets, and with just the right amount, maybe I can get him to work for me. "Can I have some juice?" I said, motioning to the bar attendants. A young lady in her late twenties walked towards me. She was wea
Chapter sixteen
[ HELLISH SYSTEM MESSAGE : UNRAVEL THE DEATH OF THOMAS RABBIT ] [ SYSTEM REWARD; $5,000,000 ] My face went pale. I looked around trying to see if I was being monitored or followed. But everywhere was so quiet. The gentle breeze clashed against my face, and the background music was playing melodiously. "Are you alright, Ethan?" Mr Rabbit asked, staring at my face. I let out a slight cough and nodded. "Do you want to tell me what happened to your son? He is dead right?" I asked, staring at both of them. "That is a long story, Ethan. One which we are ready to share with you when you become a part of the family. Me and my wife just wanted to look you up and then decide if we want an adopted child." Deacon said, staring at his wife before he finally looked at me. "So what do you think?" I asked, staring back at them. I know I don't need a family, but this family was special, and I knew they had a connection to Frank. Something in my gut tells me, and I could feel it. "Well, my h
Chapter fifteen
Tracy was about to walk away when I drew her back. "What are you trying to do?" She asked immediately, staring back at me. "I know we got off on the wrong foot. I am not supposed to kiss you, and I am sorry for that, but why don't we make a new set of rules?" I said with smiles. "What are you talking about?" Tracy said, looking at me. "Your rules are not fair. It keeps protecting you while leaving me on the losing end. I know you also want to take revenge on Frank Carter. Why don't we just agree we both need each other?" I said finally releasing my hands off her waist. Tracy chuckled and folded her two arms while looking at me. "I think I like the new version of you, Summerville." She said, smoothing my rumpled clothes. "You said you were going to propose a kind of solution to boycott my rules. I am all ears." Tracy said with a smile. "I don't know why I am doing this, but I believe it is going to be a win-win for the both of us. We make the students believe we are an it
Chose fourteen
Fiona Carey had the camera fixed and immediately positioned it to my face. The hallway was silent, with some of the students whispering if I was going to take revenge on her for what she had done. But I was not a woman beater. I chuckled and looked at her. "Well, it looks like you still have a lot to learn. Do you feel less than you already have? Look around you, Mighty Selena Ray. Do you think I was going to get back with you simply because you said please'? I snapped. "I thought I could manage someone like you, but it is obvious that you are way beneath me. Do you think because you have some ill-gotten money now, you can do whatever you feel like?" Selena, akimbo, looking at me. I laughed again, staring at her face. "Then if it is not money, then what is it?" I walked round her like a predator circling its prey. "You left me for that bully, didn't you? And if my guess is right, you are coming back to me because you honestly think that I have more money than Frank ever
