2025-04-08 19:26:18Frontale 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 them and they stopped talking. The thought of the system approaching me was all I could think about. After all, I was done with the task. I had not only humiliated Ethan and Aiden but I had managed to put them in their place. The more I look around the school ground, the more I see faces staring, gazing at me. And of course, Track Stewart was there to remind me that we had a deal which was to nibble Frank in the mud. She had told me the deal was absolutely just about making a perfect scene at the school and I was going to keep to that but then she did something that made me think otherwise. I was near my locker when I heard the sound off heels walking into the school hallway. The fragrance was pleasing and at the same time alluring that I began to wonder who it was. My eyes clash with hers and before I know what was going on, her lips were pressed against mine. " Did you see that?" " I told you there were dating but you chose to believe that it was fake!" " I knew it. He must have lied about who he really was. Maybe his parents are new money. Right?" One of the students said staring at the other. Frontale University was all about the name, riches, fame and of course accomplishment. " New money?" " What does that even mean?" Another student said looking at Jaundice whose father was the police commissioner of the country. " You have heard about them?" She paused staring at me and Tracy. " They are people who got their money from sudden fame or wealth—lotteries, business booms, criminal enterprises. You name it.” Jaundice scoffed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. " Are you saying his family must have gotten their money from that source?" Another student asked " What do you think?" Jaundice replied .. " Then I think Selena is a fool for leaving him to go after someone like Frank Carter." " Maybe she didn't knew. Maybe he hid the fact that he was rich from her." Alot of murmur and whispers filled the hallway as I was able to steal the spotlight yet again. That feeling of having everyone look at you, worship the air you breath him and even the ground you walked upon was quite intriguing and I can lie, online every bit of it. Tracy's lips lingered against mine for just a second longer than necessary. When she finally pulled away, her smirk said more than any words could. It was all part of her game, and I was starting to suspect I wasn’t the only pawn she was moving around the board. “You sure know how to draw attention,” I muttered, trying to catch my breath and make sense of what had just happened. “That was the point, You were hot when you took down Aiden and Ethan. Keep that up and we might see Frank Carter's world crumble right before us." she whispered, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, then turning to strut away like nothing happened. The whispers didn’t stop. They only got louder. Some cheered. Some hated. But one thing was clear—I had become the center of the university’s most talked-about scandal overnight. “Hey!” A voice barked behind me. I turned. Frank Carter. His shirt was unbuttoned, tie swinging wildly, fists clenched at his sides. His eyes were burning with fury. “You think you’re clever, huh? Beating up my guys and kissing my girl like this is some kind of movie?” I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. My silence made him angrier. “I’m not Aiden. I’m not Ethan,” he growled, stepping closer. “You won’t walk away from this without crawling.” “I don’t plan to crawl,” I replied, locking eyes with him. “Not now. Not ever.” Before Frank could swing, someone stepped between us. Professor Hamden. His voice was sharp. “Save it for the ring. You boys want to tear each other apart? Sign up for the underground trials. Otherwise, get out of my hallway.” Frank backed off, but not before spitting at the ground near my feet. “See you in the ring, freak.” As he walked away, Tracy gave me a look—half proud, half guilty. I was starting to wonder what her endgame was. And then… ding. [System Task Complete.] [ Reward: +15 Strength | +10 Agility | Skill Unlocked: Healing portion (Lv. 1) ] A chill ran down my spine as the text blinked in front of my eyes. The system wasn’t done with me. Not even close. But as I stared at Tracy, at Frank walking away, and the rest of the students buzzing like bees with gossip—I knew one thing for sure. This was only the beginning. And the next task? I could not help but wonder what it was going to be. My bank account ringed and my face went pale
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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
THE HELLISH SYSTEM 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
THE HELLISH SYSTEM 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
THE HELLISH SYSTEM 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
THE HELLISH SYSTEM 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
THE HELLISH SYSTEM 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
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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
