Revenge: A Path of Destruction
Chapter 144: System Online (Flashback)

Chapter 144: System Online (Flashback)

Alex stirred.

His eyes opened slowly, blinking away the haze of sleep as morning light spilled faintly through the high window. The room was quiet, save for the soft, steady breathing of Nyxara—her head resting beside the bed, her body still in her tigress form, watching him closely.

She hadn’t just woken up.

She’d been awake for a while.

Their eyes met.

She didn’t speak at first, but there was something in her feline gaze—a silent concern, a quiet watchfulness that told Alex she’d been observing him for hours.

He shifted, attempting to sit up.

And that’s when it happened.

Without even realizing it, his fist sank into the mattress with a dull, tearing sound. Not punching it—but phasing through it. His hand passed into the material like it was made of water—no resistance, no impact—until it reemerged from the bottom side of the bed.

Both of them froze.

Nyxara’s head tilted, her ears twitching. Her golden eyes darted from the distorted hole in the bedding to Alex’s hand, then back to his face.

"...What was that?" she murmured, her voice low, puzzled.

Alex looked down at his hand in disbelief. There was no aura, no energy pulse, no visual cue to what he had done—but the feeling in his palm was real. The sensation of density, matter, and energy flowing through his body still lingered, thrumming beneath his skin like a second heartbeat.

Nyxara narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, then spoke again.

"Alex... I think you need to rest. Your senses aren’t fully back yet. You’ve been through something... deep." She sniffed the air subtly. "Your body’s still adjusting. You’re out of sync with yourself."

Alex didn’t respond. Not immediately.

He stared at his hand again, slowly flexing his fingers. There was no tremble, no fatigue, no weakness.

It was the opposite.

He felt light.

He felt strong.

His limbs obeyed with the precision of a sword unsheathed. His blood sang with power—strange, new, and endless. He didn’t know how to describe it, only that his body no longer felt entirely his own... and yet more so than ever before.

Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze to Nyxara and asked, voice low and steady:

"...How long was I out?"

Nyxara blinked, then answered gently, "A week."

Alex bolted upright.

"What?!"

Alex looked at Nyxara.

His eyes—still that cold, hollow yellow—held a quiet shock in them, as he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

Nyxara, watching him, felt a little relieved at his reaction.

She had seen those eyes when he came out of the operation—the same deadened look, stripped of warmth or fire. But now... now she noticed that there were some emotions there. A flicker. It was weak, but it was there.

It’s not gone... not entirely, she thought.

Back then, after the operation, when she focused on their bond, she felt nothing from him. No frustration, no confusion, no lingering trace of that soft amusement he used to have around her. She might as well have been staring into the void.

It unnerved her, but seeing him react like that gave her hope.

Then his voice broke the silence.

"I slept for that long? It felt like I was out for just a few hours..."

Nyxara didn’t respond. Instead, she padded forward and, with a soft huff, climbed gently into his lap.

Alex blinked, surprised, but not displeased.

He chuckled faintly. "I know why you did that. You’re trying to pin me down, keep me from leaving." His fingers slid through her fur, slow and rhythmic. "You still want me to rest."

Nyxara said nothing—only stretched out comfortably, adjusting herself into an even lazier sprawl across his lap, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.

Alex chuckled again, the sound soft, almost nostalgic.

And then... silence.

They sat there like that, motionless. A picture of peace—but only on the surface.

Because while Nyxara drifted into contentment, Alex’s mind was elsewhere.

A blue screen hovered before his vision.

[SYSTEM INTERFACE – USER: ALEX TYR]

Race: Human

Bloodline Tier: Higher

Age: 17

Rank: Elite

Affinity: Thunder

[Stats]

Strength: 165

Agility: 183

Constitution: 170

Mana: 204

He stared at the numbers.

He already had a rough idea of what they meant, but seeing it laid out so plainly forced him to ask, "NOVA, explain each stat. I want a full breakdown."

Her voice rang in his mind, clear and mechanical, but oddly reassuring.

"Of course, sir."

"Strength measures the raw, explosive power your body can generate. It determines not only the force behind every strike you deliver but also how much weight you can hoist with ease. This attribute is the driving force behind every physical action you take, shaping your ability to conquer obstacles and dominate in competitions." "Agility embodies the art of movement and speed. It encompasses your quickness on your feet, the sharpness of your reflexes, and your overall ability to navigate swiftly through challenges. The higher your agility, the more decisive your movements become, giving you a distinct advantage in any combat situation." "Constitution reflects the resilience of your body, showcasing its durability and fortitude. It measures your endurance and stamina, as well as your ability to withstand pain and fatigue. Think of it as your body’s innate armor, protecting you against the toll of strenuous activities and preparing you to endure even the most grueling of challenges." "Mana represents the ethereal reservoir of magical energy that resides within you. A more expansive mana pool allows for greater feats of spellcasting and mystical abilities, enabling you to draw upon this energy more freely. The larger this reservoir, the longer you can wield magic before feeling the strain of exhaustion."

Alex absorbed the information in silence.

Then he asked the question, sitting quietly in the back of his mind.

"What are the average stats for someone at the Elite Rank?"

NOVA answered without hesitation.

"Strength: 90 to 120.

Agility: 90 to 120.

Constitution: 90 to 120.

Mana: 90 to 120."

Alex’s eyes widened.

His breath hitched. A sharp inhale.

He was far above the average. Nearly doubled in some areas.

His fingers, still buried in Nyxara’s fur, tightened just a little.

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