The Rage Bait System

Chapter two

“Lucy." The name slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

It had to be her. His girlfriend. She was the only one who knew the PIN to the savings box. And she's the only one with the keys aside from Jenna.

She took the money without his permission, and she knew very well he had been saving it for years for Jenna's hospital treatment.

Ethan shut his eyes to contain his anger.

He'll speak with her later. First, he needs to get to the bank before they close for the day. He has to withdraw the rest of the money in his account.

He hurried out of the house and went straight to the bank. He inserted the credit card into the ATM and entered the PIN.

The words that flew before his eyes made him stagger backwards

Insufficient funds.

His eyes grew wide.

He tried again. And again. But the same result.

He pulled out his phone and checked his bank app. He was so sure the money was there this morning. When the bank app opened, he felt his heart drop to his stomach.

0.00

Empty.

Completely Empty.

Ethan could barely stand on his feet. He froze in one spot for what felt like eternity.

Lucy.

The name rang in his head again. With trembling fingers, he checked through his transfer history. Within a few hours, Lucy had wiped his account clean.

“Lucy!" He yelled in rage this time.

He pushed himself to walk out of the bank building. He was going to confront her. She knew he had been working hard and saving all this money for Jenna's treatment. How could she take the money?!

On his way home, his phone vibrated again. It was a beep from the doctor.

A reminder.

A reminder that his sister was still in the hospital, fighting for her life.

Ethan's jaw clenched. His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. Lucy had better be able to provide the money. She just has to.

He barged into the house in anger.

" Lucy!” He barked the moment he stepped into the house.

As expected, she was at home.

But she wasn't alone.

Ethan paused.

His eyes narrowed at the man who was sitting in his living room with his girlfriend, as if he owned the place. The man's hand rested possessively around Lucy's waist. A huge arrogant smirk plastered across his face.

They both didn't look surprised at all.

" Who is this?” Ethan asked, pointing at the man.

“A far better boyfriend than you would ever be.”

Ethan felt his heart shattered, but he kept a straight face. The man smirked and stood to his feet. He walked over to Ethan,

" I'm Lucas Evans. You can call me Lucas.”

Ethan stared at him, then at Lucy, his eyes deepened with pain.

" You—" he didn't know what to say.

He shut his eyes to suppress the rage. He needed to focus on the most important thing at the moment. Jenna's surgery money.

“The money.” He said, " Did you take it?"

“I did," Lucy replied, staring at her nails like they were the most important thing in the room.

Ethan sighed.

“I need it." He said, “The doctor called an hour ago that Jenna's condition had worsened and the surgery needs to be done as soon as possible."

“And how is that my problem?"

Ethan blinked multiple times in disbelief. He swallowed,

“Lucy, you know I have been saving that money for years for Jenna's treatment. You can't—-”

" I've spent it all." Lucy cut him off, “Can't give it back.”

That landed like a tough blow on Ethan.

“You're really willing to let Jenna die for money?” Ethan asked after a minute of silence.

What would he do? If indeed Lucy can not produce the thirty-five thousand dollars that he had saved, what would become of Jenna?

Lucy couldn't care less. She stood up and walked up to him, "I didn't come here to talk about some small cash. I came for another reason.”

Ethan's eyes followed hers. There was a familiar document on the table.

The deed of the house. His house. The house his parents left for him.

His eyes widened.

" Lucy, what are you doing?” He asked in a rage.

Lucy folded her arms. " What?” She asked, " I'm here to take my property. My name is on it too, remember?” She blurted out.

Ethan couldn't utter a word.

He made a mistake—a huge mistake. Years ago, Lucy had almost broken up with him. She requested that her name be added to the property deed. He has refused, but she picked a fight with him because of it.

Afraid of losing her and believing that they would surely get married, Ethan had accepted her request and added her name to the deed. Who would have thought that she was a two-faced betrayer?

The girl he had been in a relationship with for five years. He had cared for her like she was already his wife, and she broke his heart without mercy, taking everything he owned.

Ethan couldn't believe how foolish he had been for love. He cannot let Lucy take the house.

“Lucy, I cannot let you take the deed." He barked, heading towards the table to get the deed, but Lucas suddenly shoved Ethan’s hand away, causing him to stumble backwards.

" You heard the lady. So get out of her house.”

Anger rose within him.

Ethan gritted his teeth and charged forward angrily, but Lucas punched him directly across the face. Pain exploded through Ethan’s jaw.

Before he could recover, another punch slammed into his stomach.

A metallic taste filled his mouth.

Lucas picked him up, using his collar, and punched him across the face repeatedly. He spat out blood.

Lucy couldn't care less as she watched the show. Ethan crashed to the floor. Blood dripped from his face. Lucy smirked,

“Tsk tsk tsk…" she walked towards him, “What a poor, hopeless, weak fella."

" Hopeless.” Lucy scoffed. " Throw him out.”

Lucas grabbed Ethan by the collar and threw him toward the entrance.

“Trash belongs outside.”

Ethan hit the ground so hard he winced in pain.

This was the second time today he was being thrown out like trash.

Finally, he was able to get himself up from the ground. He still needed to go back to the hospital. Maybe he could speak with the doctor.

Beg the doctor to save his sister's life while he finds a way to raise the money.

He staggered away from the apartment towards the road. He cannot give up now; he shouldn't. His sister, Jenna, was still waiting for him.

He pushed himself to walk forward.

Beaten, bruised, and bleeding, he couldn't help but look down at himself in shame.

He is jobless, homeless, and broke.

And his sister was waiting for him.

Ethan didn't know when he staggered into the road. Then—-

Screech!

Bang!

The loud horn and the bright highlight of the car all clouded Ethan's vision. Before he could comprehend what was happening, the car slammed into him.

Ethan flipped in the air, slammed against the car, and landed hard on the ground.

Pain flooded his entire body. He struggled to keep his eyes open but could barely hold on.

His life flashed before his eyes. This was it. This is the end. He drifted into memory lane, his sister, Lucy's betrayal, his parents' death…

A bitter smile crept into his face, slowly,

“If there's a next life…” he coughed out blood, " I will never be a good person.”

The moment those words left his mouth, he heard a sound.

Ding!

A mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his head,

[The Rage Bait System has detected a compatible host.]

[Binding process initiated…]

[10%...]

[35%...]

[70%...]

[100%.]

[Binding complete.]

Ethan’s blurry eyes narrowed slightly.

A cold robotic voice echoed once more.

[Congratulations, Host.]

[Welcome to the Rage Bait System.]

Ethan passed out completely.