The Betrayed Loser's Almighty System

CHAPTER TWO - FIRST TASTE OF POWER

Ethan pushed himself up from the cold, wet ground, rain still pouring down his face and mixing with the drying blood on his lip. His body felt different — lighter, warmer, like something had truly woken up inside him. The glowing blue system panel hovered steadily in front of his eyes, visible even through the heavy downpour.

He flexed the fingers of his right hand slowly. The sharp, cracking pain from Marcus’s stomp was completely gone. No swelling, no throbbing. Just smooth, strong skin as if nothing had happened.

[You have endured severe physical assault and public humiliation. +120 EXP gained.]

[Level Up! You are now Level 2.]

[You have received 5 Free Attribute Points.]

A small, bitter smile tugged at the corner of Ethan’s mouth. The same people who had broken him tonight were now unknowingly feeding him power. The thought sent a strange thrill through his chest — a mix of deep anger and something new, something almost exciting.

He started walking back toward the hotel’s side entrance, his wet shoes squelching loudly in the puddles. The two security guards who had dragged him out earlier were still standing there under the awning, smoking cigarettes and laughing loudly about “that pathetic loser” they had just tossed into the alley like garbage.

The bigger guard spotted him first and straightened up, dropping his cigarette. “You’ve got some serious nerve coming back here, kid. Boss Marcus specifically said if you showed your ugly face again, we could teach you a real lesson this time.”

The second guard flicked his cigarette away and cracked his knuckles loudly, stepping forward with a menacing grin. “Yeah, get lost before we break more than just your hand. We don’t want your kind ruining a high-class party like this.”

Ethan stopped a few meters away, water dripping from his hair into his eyes. His voice came out surprisingly calm and steady. “I only need one minute inside. I forgot something important.”

The first guard laughed mockingly and stepped closer, shoving Ethan hard in the chest with both hands. “Forgot something? Your brain maybe? Or whatever little dignity you had left? Scram, you pathetic freeloader!”

Before the guard could pull his hands back, Ethan’s arm moved on pure instinct. His palm connected with a loud, crisp SLAP! right across the man’s face.

The sound echoed sharply down the dark alley like a whip crack. The guard spun violently and slammed into the brick wall, clutching his reddened cheek in shock and pain, eyes wide with disbelief.

[Face-slap completed against enemy! +180 EXP (x3 Revenge Multiplier applied)]

[Level Up! You are now Level 3.]

[Beginner Gift Pack opening…]

Congratulations! Rewards received:

Skill: Basic Combat Mastery (Passive) — Permanently increases fighting ability and reaction speed by 50%.

Cash Reward: $20,000 (instantly transferred to a new hidden bank account).

A powerful surge of warm energy flooded through Ethan’s muscles. His heart pounded faster, not with fear, but with a growing sense of strength. He felt faster, sharper, like the world around him had slowed down just a little. The old Ethan — the one who would have begged or run away — was fading away fast.

The second guard’s eyes widened in pure terror. “You… you dare hit us?! After we already threw you out like garbage? You must have a death wish!”

He charged forward with a heavy, wild punch aimed straight at Ethan’s face.

Ethan dodged it effortlessly, his new combat skill guiding his body naturally. Without hesitation, he delivered another sharp, satisfying SLAP! that sent the man flying backward. The guard landed hard on the wet pavement, sliding several feet in the rain, groaning in pain.

[Second face-slap completed! +210 EXP (x3 multiplier)]

[Level Up! You are now Level 4.]

Ethan quickly allocated all his free attribute points — six into Strength and four into Agility. His shoulders felt broader, his steps more confident. The weak, broken man who had been crying in the alley just minutes ago was almost completely gone.

The two guards stared up at him from the ground, their faces pale with real fear. The “useless loser” they had mocked and beaten earlier now looked like someone they didn’t want to mess with anymore.

Ethan didn’t waste any more time on them. He turned and walked straight through the side entrance into the brightly lit banquet hall.

The party was still in full swing. Soft music played, guests chatted and laughed, and in the center of the room stood Marcus and Sophia, smiling proudly as they accepted congratulations from the wealthy crowd.

Marcus noticed Ethan first. His expression twisted with shock and pure anger. “You?! You still have the guts to come back here after everything I said? Security! Throw this garbage out right now!”

Before any guards could move, Ethan walked right up to Marcus and stopped only inches away, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Marcus Sterling,” Ethan said quietly, but his voice carried clearly across the suddenly quieting hall. “You humiliated me tonight in front of everyone. You stole the woman I loved. You stepped on my hand like I was nothing but dirt under your expensive shoe.”

He raised his hand slowly, letting the moment hang.

SLAP!

The powerful sound rang out like thunder through the entire banquet hall. Marcus spun like a top and crashed backward into a nearby table, sending glasses, plates, and food flying everywhere. A bright, angry red handprint burned clearly across his cheek.

The whole room fell into stunned silence.

Sophia’s eyes widened in horror. “Ethan?! Have you completely lost your mind?!”

Ethan turned his cold gaze toward her, the woman who had once meant the world to him. His voice was low but filled with quiet intensity. “Sophia, you betrayed me after everything I sacrificed for you and your family. But don’t worry… this is only the beginning of your regret.”

He paused for a second, letting his words sink in as the guests whispered frantically and some even pulled out their phones to record the scene.

[Major Face-Slap against primary enemy completed! +600 EXP (x3 multiplier)]

[Level Up! You are now Level 5.]

[New Passive Skill Unlocked: Wealth Sense — You can now instinctively sense nearby opportunities to gain wealth and resources.]

Chaos exploded across the hall. Marcus clutched his swollen cheek, shouting in rage and humiliation. “You bastard! I’ll destroy you for this!”

Ethan turned around calmly and walked out of the hall, ignoring the uproar behind him. His heart was racing, but not from fear — from a new kind of excitement he had never felt before.

As he stepped back into the rain, the system panel updated once more.

[Wealth Sense activated. Strong opportunity detected nearby…]

Ethan stopped for a moment under the streetlight, feeling a strange, powerful pull toward the downtown business district. Something important was waiting for him there.

His first real taste of revenge had been incredibly satisfying.

But deep down, he knew this was only the very beginning. The real rise was just starting.