2025-03-06 05:27:38Klaus, now miles from the hospital, found himself in the back of a dimly lit café, the hum of conversation blending with the clinking of glasses. His heart was still pounding.
The mortuary. The escape. The system. He exhaled sharply and focused. With a thought, he tapped into the strange presence lurking in his mind. A glowing interface materialized in his vision. [Name: Klaus Whitlock] [Skills: Perception (E Grade) // Mirage (F Grade)] He frowned. This still didn’t make sense. Was he hallucinating? Dreaming? Then, another notification blinked into existence. [Mission: Earn 10 million dollars using the gift of gambling.] [Reward: 10,000 coins, 1,000 EXP, Steeze +10, One Skill Upgrade.] [Failure to complete the task within the time frame (5 hours) will result in severe penalties.] Klaus nearly choked on his breath. "Excuse me?" he muttered under his breath. Ten million dollars? That wasn’t gambling—that was lunacy. His fingers drummed against the table as he considered his options. The system had saved his ass earlier, but it didn’t mean he trusted it. “What exactly is the gift of gambling?” he asked, his voice low. [This is the innate talent of Eris, granted to you as his avatar, allowing you to succeed in any game of chance.] [Luck stat: 100 pts.] Klaus blinked. That explained a lot. His mind reeled at the implications—if this was real, he was practically invincible in any game of luck. Still, power like this came with a price. Severe penalties. The system wasn’t playing around. He needed a plan. First, he needed money. Real money. Klaus stepped out of the café, pulling his hoodie tighter as the neon lights of the city reflected off the wet pavement. The closest lottery center was five blocks away. Minimum entry? Thirty dollars. He had zero. He tried asking around, but every attempt was met with indifference or outright hostility. His ragged appearance didn’t help. Then, he met Rex. A man built like a concrete slab with a face that had seen one too many bar fights. Klaus could tell right away—Rex was desperate, angry at the world, and looking for any edge he could get. “Need some quick cash, huh?” Rex drawled, eyeing Klaus with amusement. Klaus shrugged. “You could say that.” Rex smirked, already seeing an opportunity. “I’ll front you a hundred bucks. If you win, you owe me a grand. If you lose, you owe me two.” Klaus knew a predator when he saw one. The deal was ridiculous—pure highway robbery. But… he wasn’t going to lose. He let a slow smile spread across his lips. “Deal.” Rex grinned, thinking he had another sucker. The lottery office was quiet, save for the whir of a fan overhead. Klaus stepped up to the counter, feeling an odd tingle at his fingertips as he selected his numbers. The moment he pressed the final digit, something shifted. A strange, weightless sensation washed over him—like the universe itself was nudging fate into place. The numbers flashed. The crowd gasped. He won. As Klaus gathered his winnings, a heavy bag of cash now strapped to his shoulder, the agent behind the counter leaned in with a smirk. “Aren’t you tempted to try again?” she teased. “You might win even more.” Klaus met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “No. I just want to make sure all the money is accounted for.” Across the room, Rex stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. He had assumed Klaus was an idiot, just another desperate stray. Now? Now, he was watching a man walk away with his money. Rex’s fists clenched. His stomach twisted with something dark and ugly. He had struggled for everything in his life. Fought, clawed, and bled. And this nobody just waltzed in and took it all with a goddamn lucky number? His jaw tightened. No. That money was his. And he was going to take it back. Klaus felt it immediately—the shift in the air, the prickle at the back of his neck. Rex was following him. He didn't need the system to know what was coming next. Instead of running, he walked—slow, deliberate—leading Rex exactly where he wanted. A narrow alley, barely lit by a flickering streetlamp. Rex took the bait. As soon as they were alone, he lunged, his massive fists swinging with the kind of force that could break ribs. But to Klaus, everything slowed. The sound of the city dulled. He could see the precise way Rex’s muscles coiled, the way his breath hitched before impact. Time stretched. And Klaus moved. He sidestepped with effortless grace, watching as Rex’s own momentum betrayed him. The brute stumbled forward, smashing into the brick wall with a sickening crack. Before Rex could recover, Klaus slipped a hand into his pocket, retrieving the thousand dollars he had just handed over. Then, with a wink and a smirk, he vanished into the night. Rex stood there, seething. He checked his pockets. Gone. His stomach twisted with rage, humiliation burning in his chest. He had been played. Slamming a fist into the wall, he let out a furious growl. The impact sent a dull ache up his arm, but he barely felt it over the sheer hatred boiling in his veins. He swore, right then and there—he would find Klaus again. And next time, he wouldn’t be so careless. He would never forget this.
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Meanwhile, Klaus perched atop a low rooftop, the city stretching before him. The adrenaline still hummed through his veins, but more than that—he felt good. The system’s boost was kicking in. His movements were sharper, his senses more attuned. A soft ping echoed in his mind. [Congratulations! You have successfully used your gambling skill for the first time.] [Reward: Permanent 20% boost in agility and grace.] [Luck stat: 180 pts.] Klaus exhaled, a smirk playing on his lips. [Convert money into digital form for bank account?] [Yes] [No] Without hesitation, Klaus selected "Yes." The bag of cash in his hands vanished, replaced by a sharp chime and a new notification: [Mission: $9,000,000 more to go] [System account: $1,000,000] Klaus exhaled, his lips curling into a grin. This was more than just numbers on a screen. This was the start of something new—an opportunity. He leaned against the railing of the pedestrian bridge, scanning the cityscape below. Neon ligh
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“I don’t recall asking for your input.” Her voice was sharp, her gaze sharper—cutting through the air like a finely honed blade. “Keep quiet unless I address you.” Silence. The guards stiffened, exchanging uneasy glances. Klaus, still bound in cold steel, merely watched her, wary but intrigued. She turned to him fully now, head tilted slightly, as if assessing a piece of art only she could understand. “What’s your name?” “Klaus.” A ghost of a smirk played on her lips. “Well, Klaus… how about we have a little chat inside? On me.” The guards paled. “Ma’am, this man—” “—is my friend.” She interrupted smoothly, every syllable wrapped in quiet authority. “And unless you’d like to find employment elsewhere, I suggest you uncuff him.” Hesitation. A breath held too long. Then, the reluctant click of metal yielding to her command. “Please, sir, it was a mistake,” one guard implored, knowing the Italian man was a well-known and affluent friend of the manager, making his threat
The Indomitable Klaus Whitlock CHAPTER 8
Klaus slid his stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills onto the table. The soft rustle of cash against felt was almost drowned out by the silence that gripped the room. $120,000 now lay in the betting circle. Isabella’s breath hitched. Even in high-roller territory, this was lunacy. Klaus? He was smiling. The energy in the room changed. The low murmur of gamblers and dealers, the clinking of glasses, the distant jingle of slot machines—everything dulled, as if the casino itself was holding its breath. Eyes turned toward the table, drawn by the gravity of absurd stakes. The dealer, a woman with weary eyes but a sharp mind, studied Klaus. His confidence wasn’t arrogance. It was something else—something colder, more deliberate. Klaus closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He didn’t need to see the cards. He could feel them. Probability whispered to him, unseen forces shifting just slightly in his favor. When he opened his eyes, his gaze locked onto the dealer’s. With a smirk as bright as
The Indomitable Klaus Whitlock CHAPTER 9
Klaus sat back in his chair, eyes scanning the system screen floating before him. [Choose a skill to upgrade] He exhaled slowly, weighing his options. His skills were still at a beginner level, but Doppelganger stood out. It had the potential to be both a defensive and offensive asset. [Doppelganger: LV 2 – User can now create three clones. Clones remain active for two days.] A small smirk tugged at Klaus’s lips. Three clones… now that’s an upgrade. His mind shifted back to reality—the weight of his first mission settling on his shoulders. The sheer absurdity of it all was still sinking in. He had walked into the casino with nothing but strategy and his system’s luck stat. Hours later, he walked out with a mind-blowing $130 million from all the casino games he played. Of course, the casino wasn’t happy. Klaus had carefully split his winnings, accepting $80 million while the couple he had helped insisted on keeping only $20 million. A kind gesture on their part, but he knew they
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Klaus followed him, brushing a hand through his disheveled hair. His fingers caught on knots, reminding him just how much he had let himself go. His beard was overgrown, his clothes slightly wrinkled from days of wear. He probably did look like a beggar. Behind them, two employees near the counter exchanged glances. "Does Steve not realize that man is a beggar?" a female attendant muttered under her breath. She folded her arms, watching them disappear into the grooming section. "He acts like this boutique is his entire world, always showing off what he knows." Another attendant, a male, scoffed. "He thinks he’s better than us just because he won Employee of the Year last year. I really hope he gets into trouble this time." The two chuckled quietly, glancing toward the entrance, where their supervisor, Mr. Jonathan, was due to arrive at any moment. "If the supervisor catches him wasting time on someone who clearly can’t afford anything, he’s done for," one of them whispered. They
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Klaus barely reacted as the security guards took him by the arms, their grips firm but not forceful—yet. His mind was still processing what had just happened. A few minutes ago, he had only planned to get a haircut and some fresh clothes, but now, he somehow owned Thera Supermarket and Hotel Suites—one of the most profitable chains in the city. He hadn’t even met the previous owner before, yet the ownership had inexplicably fallen into his lap. The part that truly astounded him? Thera Properties was worth far more than the $100 million transaction. A business like this could make that much in a matter of weeks, if not days. As a former businessman himself, Klaus understood the true value of assets like these. And now, as he was being escorted out like a common beggar, his lips curled into a smirk. The irony was almost poetic. --- Jonathan, the boutique supervisor, stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with thinly veiled disdain as the guards led Klaus toward the exit. "People l
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“I had no idea this was how your staff treated customers at Thera Supermarket,” Klaus said smoothly, his tone calm but edged with steel. “Your supervisor accused me of being a thief and a beggar… just because of my appearance.” Holiday’s gaze darkened as he turned sharply to Jonathan. “Klaus Whitlock was about to pay for his items when you chose to humiliate him instead.” Jonathan swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming at his temple. “I-I made a mistake,” he stammered, his voice trembling. “Please, sir, have mercy.” Klaus let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “This wasn’t a misunderstanding,” he said firmly. “It was a blatant abuse of power. I tried to explain, but you wouldn’t listen.” Holiday exhaled, rubbing his temple as frustration settled on his face. He knew Jonathan had made a serious error, but at the moment, he had no one else in line to take his place. “Jonathan, that’s enough. Be quiet,” Holiday ordered, his voice taut with irritation. Klaus turned to Holiday. “
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Harriet tilted her head slightly. “What is it, sir?” Klaus tapped his fingers together, his expression unreadable. “Once the news breaks that Thera Supermarket and its five-star hotel have a new owner, my name will be everywhere. I need you to keep my identity out of the media. Give them someone else to focus on.” Harriet hesitated. “Is this because of your past… the prison sentence?” A small smile played on Klaus’s lips. “Yes,” he admitted. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t just that. Avoiding the media was a necessity. But his true goal? Revenge. He needed to stay in the shadows until the time was right. The air in the room felt heavier as Harriet met his gaze. His ice-blue eyes gleamed with something unreadable—dark, dangerous. A slow, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at his lips. And in that moment, Harriet knew—this man was terrifying. And yet, utterly captivating. Klaus leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly against the glass table. The sleek iPad before him glowed
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CHAPTER 96
Guiding him through what felt like an underground corridor—cold cement underfoot, the air damp and stale—Klaus allowed his captors to push him forward, his senses heightened, brain mapping every twist and turn. It wasn’t fear that gnawed at him—it was calculation. He was counting steps, memorizing patterns. Cataloging breathing rates. Not theirs—his. He heard a metal door creak open. A shove sent him stumbling forward. Then silence. Just him, the darkness, and the muffled thrum of a generator somewhere deep in the bowels of this forgotten place. Klaus remained still. Then slowly, deliberately, he lifted his hands—and tore the hood free. He was in a windowless room, dimly lit by a flickering overhead bulb. No camera. No visible guards. Cement walls, stale air. They’d made one critical mistake. They left him alone. A slow smirk curled on his lips. They didn’t know who they were dealing with. Klaus’s eyes shimmered faintly as he activated his Phantom Eyes. The room arou
CHAPTER 95
The naive, trusting fool who believed that loyalty meant safety—that if he gave his best to the world, it would not bite him back—was long gone. That man had been scorched, seared down to bone and breath by betrayal. His innocence had been bartered for silence. His trust, shattered beneath the boots of false allies and smiling traitors. What rose from those ashes wasn’t merely a man. It was a force. An inevitability. A presence carved from sharpened purpose and bound by unbreakable will. Klaus Whitlock had been reborn through fire and suffering, and now he stood—silent and cold as granite—ready to rewrite the rules that once caged him. He would finish what they started. He would reclaim what was his. He would make every last one of them bleed for it. The Thornes. Duncan. Allison. Reginald. Every sycophant and snake who had twisted a blade into his back, all while smiling sweetly to his face. They didn’t know what they had created. They didn’t understand that the
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"I want to seduce him," Allison said, her voice a slow, silken thread of malice that wound through the quiet between them. "Lure him into something... compromising. Maybe at one of those glittering afterparties the socialites love so much. Get him drunk enough—or reckless enough—to slip." The line crackled softly in the silence that followed, heavy with dark anticipation. "And then?" Reginald asked, his voice dipping into something rougher, something eager, as if tasting the possibilities she laid out. Allison didn't miss a beat. "Then we claim he raped me," she said, the words falling from her mouth like poison wrapped in honey. "We’ll have cameras in place. Photos, maybe even a hidden mic. Enough damning evidence to crush him—legally, publicly, financially." Her words drifted between them, thick and noxious, a dark mist that neither seemed eager to clear. "First," she continued, her voice gleaming with a twisted satisfaction, "we blackmail him. Bleed him dry. Drag it out,
CHAPTER 93
Klaus sat frozen, staring at the final message, the words blurring on the screen. His breath came shallow and sharp, fists balled so tightly his knuckles paled. That maybe Duncan had preyed on her loneliness, twisted her heart when she was weak. But the evidence screamed otherwise. The affair hadn’t started after he was arrested. It had begun long before — when Klaus still believed the world was something he could build, when he still looked at Allison and saw a partner instead of a liar. He had been a fool. A blind, trusting fool. The rage boiled up inside him, white-hot and blinding. He wanted to smash the laptop. To scream until his throat gave out. To punch the cheap hotel walls until his bones split open. But he sat there instead, breathing heavily, a storm raging under the surface, fists trembling with barely restrained fury. He saw her face in his mind — the soft smile, the worried eyes she wore when he was stressed — and all he could feel was sickened. Every kiss
CHAPTER 92
And until his system came back online, he would have to rely on his own skills and instincts alone. He crossed the suite silently, pulling the curtains shut and checking his phone. No new messages. No updates from the system. Alone in the quiet, dim room, Klaus sat by the window, watching the street below, his mind already racing ahead, planning his next move. Klaus sat on the edge of the hotel bed, his fingers moving deftly over Allison’s phone. He connected it to a discreet black device Richard Fitzgerano had given him months ago, during the chaos of the hotel scandal. The device was a marvel of clandestine technology — capable of silently combing through every shred of data on the phone: text messages, call logs, voice recordings, images, even hidden notes. All of it was being quietly siphoned, streamed in a time-based format straight into Klaus’s laptop. The faint hum of the device filled the room, blending with the muted noise of distant city traffic. Klaus leaned back in t
CHAPTER 91
The black van, monstrous and relentless, gave chase immediately, its front grill dented but very much operational. It was clear now — they weren’t interested in following him or intimidating him. They wanted him captured or worse. One hand on the wheel, Klaus grabbed his phone and quickly dialed the emergency number. His voice was steady despite the pounding of his heart. “I'm being chased," he said curtly as he took a sharp left turn, tires squealing. "Black van, license plate—" he glanced in his rearview mirror, barely catching the numbers through the blur, "—partial plate 67P5. I’m headed toward Eastbrook Avenue. Requesting immediate assistance." He ended the call without waiting for a response. He couldn’t afford to split his attention any further. Right now, every ounce of focus was needed to stay alive. The city around him turned into a maze of obstacles — honking cars, confused pedestrians, flickering neon signs. Klaus dodged in and out of lanes, slipping between a deli
CHAPTER 90
"This asshole insulted me after trying to hit on me!" Vanessa cried, crocodile tears welling up instantly. "I think you must have fallen on your head as a child," Klaus said, voice dripping with disdain. "To accuse me of hitting on you is laughable." Donavan’s jaw tightened, puffing himself up like a rooster ready to fight. "You got a big mouth for a nobody. Maybe you need a lesson in respect," Donavan said, cracking his knuckles. Klaus tilted his head slightly. A slight grin curved his lips. The atmosphere thickened, the energy in the casino crackling. It was about to be another headache. Before Donavan could lunge, Klaus’s demeanor changed. Like flipping a switch, Klaus unleashed the aura he normally kept locked down—a low, oppressive pressure that weighed on the mind and body, subtle yet unmistakable. Only those tuned to instincts felt it first. The nearby players shifted uncomfortably. Vanessa paled without knowing why. Klaus’s voice dropped into something silkier,
CHAPTER 89
But for now, she’d retreat. Regroup. Plot. Because no one made Allison Hunt feel small and got away with it. Not even Klaus Whitlock. The look in her eyes as she walked away was a quiet vow, a storm gathering at the edges of the night, promising this wasn’t over. --- Klaus watched her leave with a small, amused smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Some people never learned. He tucked his hands into his pockets, remembering the phone he had "liberated" belonging to Allison, and the mysterious auction items that his system had made him buy. His mind shifted back to the more immediate concerns—Isabella. He went upstairs where Isabella was waiting for him, perched elegantly on a velvet settee like a queen in exile. The room they used for private meetings was awash with soft golden lighting, casting long shadows across the mahogany floors and marble-topped side tables. From here, the hum of the casino below was just a distant whisper, like a restless ocean under the
CHAPTER 88
A jackpot machine erupted in celebration. But at a table, seated beneath a cascade of golden chandeliers and a low halo of smoke and velvet light, the atmosphere was something else entirely. Klaus Whitlock now leaned back in a chair. Across from him sat Allison Hunt, radiating poise and danger in equal measure. She wasn’t just another pretty face dressed in designer silk with a glint of charm in her eyes. No—Klaus had never expected the woman he once loved to be so shameless and calculated. “I’ve never really had a good friend,” she said softly, tracing the rim of her wineglass with a manicured finger. “Everyone I meet is after something. Status, money, fame. I just... I think you and I could be different. You seem real, Klaus. Like someone who’s above all the noise.” He didn’t respond immediately. His eyes studied her, not with lust or curiosity, but with the same scrutiny one might give a snake basking in the sun. Attractive, yes. But venomous. Then Klaus leaned in slightly,
