Valerie stood by the hospital bed, her sharp gaze sweeping the room to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything. Dressed and ready to leave, she was about to turn when her eyes caught the faint green glow of the prototype oracle system sitting on the bedside table.
"Almost forgot about you," she muttered, picking it up. Turning it over in her hands, she marveled at its design. “So this is a prototype, huh? Looks... fancy.”
The triangular device, etched with intricate carvings and glowing emerald light, felt both futuristic and ancient. She brought it to her left ear, where it clicked into place effortlessly.
As soon as it connected, the interface sprang to life, floating in front of her like a hologram. The usual mundane blue or yellow display had been replaced with intricate emerald borders that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
—
VALERIE NORDIN
Level: 1
Strength: 100/100
Speed: 100/100
Agility: 95/100
Intelligence: 40/100
Durability: 100/100
Power Output: 50/100
—
"Well, hello there," Valerie muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Almost perfect stats. But... What's up with my intelligence? Please tell me that’s the average stats, I am not that stupid right?” Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the stats. “And power output’s only 50? Whoa, that’s cool and scary at the same time, imagine how much stronger it will be once I maxed it out. ”
She scrolled down.
—
MAIN QUEST: Become the Champion of the Gods.
Chapter 1: The End has a Beginning.
Objectives:
- Conquer 10 dungeons (0/10).
Skills:
> Laser Vision (Mastery: 50.19%)
> Fire Breath (Mastery: 50.3%)
> Ice Breath (Mastery: 50.7%)
> Infrared Vision (Mastery: 100%)
> Aspects of the Damned, The 7th Aspect: Divine Pride (Mastery: 2.8%)
- Royal Arrogance: Reflexes increased by 200%.
- Keen Battle Sense: Grants future sight (predict enemy movements).
- Fragility of a Flawless Elegance: Damage received increased by 250%.
—
“What the hell is this?” Valerie hissed, her voice low. Her eyes darted across the screen. “Is this... normal? Everybody else get quests like this? ‘Champion of the Gods’? That sounds insane, do I need to become a priest or something? And what's with these Aspects? ‘Fragility of a Flawless Elegance’? Who wrote this garbage?”
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. She turned sharply to see a nurse enter—a striking woman with jet-black hair, piercing green eyes, and a statuesque build. Valerie immediately felt a rare pang of surprise. The nurse was taller than her—a rarity, given Valerie’s towering height of 6’1”.
“Miss Nordin,” the nurse said with a soft, melodic voice. “Are you ready to leave? Is there anything I can assist you with?”
Valerie blinked, quickly shutting the holographic interface. “No, I’m good. Just about to head out.”
The nurse nodded but lingered, her vibrant green eyes studying Valerie with an intensity that made her slightly uncomfortable.
“Actually...” Valerie began hesitantly, rubbing the back of her neck. “Can I ask you something? Have you ever heard about someone becoming ‘The Champion of the Gods’?”
The nurse tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a small, enigmatic smile. Gods’ Champion, you say?”
“Yeah,” Valerie continued, her tone more defensive now. “My system gave me that quest—to become the Champion, Sounds ridiculous, right?”
The nurse’s smile deepened, though there was something unreadable in her expression. “I’ve met many heroes, some of them the most powerful beings alive. And yet... I’ve never heard of anyone receiving a quest like that. The most ambitious quests I’ve seen were to become Legends.”
“Figures,” Valerie muttered, crossing her arms. “The doctor told me this system’s a prototype, so maybe it’s just... experimental?”
"Perhaps," the nurse mused, her voice carrying a playful lilt, yet undercut by a strange gravity that sent a shiver through the air. "Or perhaps it is your destiny—to rise as a champion, one who dares to bring salvation to the very imperfection of the Gods themselves.”
Valerie frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
The nurse didn’t answer. Instead, she simply adjusted the clipboard in her hands and said, “Regardless, I hope you complete your quests. After all, lives often hang in the balance of such grand ambitions.” She turned to leave, pausing at the doorway to glance back. “Safe travels, Miss Nordin.”
Valerie stared after her, unsettled by the strange interaction. “Thanks... I guess.”
Once the nurse departed, she turned her attention back to the glowing oracle system, its ethereal light casting shifting shadows across her troubled face. "Champion of the Gods?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with disbelief. "What does that even mean? Gods don’t need champions… do they? And why me? I don’t worship any gods. Shouldn’t they choose a priest or someone more… devout?" Her fingers hovered over the oracle's interface, trembling slightly as her mind raced. "And dungeons? Are we talking medieval prisons? How does one even conquer a prison? None of this makes any sense!".
Tucking the thoughts away for later, she took a deep breath and left the hospital, stepping into a world that suddenly felt far more uncertain.
—
“Fi, I’m back!” Valerie called as she pushed open the door to her dorm room, the familiar scent of lavender air freshener and leftover pizza wafting out to greet her. She set her bag down by the door and added, “Thanks for paying the bill, I promise I’ll pay it back—”
Her words trailed off as she lifted her gaze. The room was empty.
“Weird,” she muttered, frowning. The usually chaotic space—marked by Fiona’s colorful clutter and half-finished energy drinks—felt eerily still. “It’s already nighttime. Do night classes exist? Or did I miss something?”
Shaking her head, she decided to let it go. Fiona was probably off somewhere doing school stuff, or partying somewhere, maybe. Valerie moved to her bed, tidied up for the next day, and changed into her comfortable night pajamas—an oversized shirt with the words “Keep Calm and Smash Villains” printed across the front.
Sliding under the covers, she grabbed her phone and for the first time after being hospitalized, began scrolling through the news and social media. Her fingers paused as a headline caught her attention: "Valerie Nordin vs. The Mighty Thor: The Battle That Shook the Gala."
“Whoa,” she whispered, clicking on the video.
The screen filled with dramatic footage of her clash with Thor, filmed from multiple angles by attendees at the gala. The comments section was flooded with awe and excitement.
---
“Did you see how she took that hit?”
“She’s like a tank disguised as a supermodel!”
“Valerie managed to give a God, yes a God, a run for his money! Unheard of”
---
Valerie’s eyes widened as she watched herself in action. The scene where her hair turned from silver to gold played in slow motion, and her glowing red eyes stared back at her through the screen. Her voice in the video was deeper, regal, and commanding.
“Why did I talk like that?” Valerie groaned, cringing at her own words. “‘Bow before your—,’” she mimicked in a mocking tone. “Ugh, I sound like a spoiled brat or something. Ew, ew!”
Still, she couldn’t help but smile. The praise in the comments, the recognition—it was intoxicating.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
She continued scrolling, finding more videos and articles about the event. Many were calling it the greatest gala in history, thanks to her unexpected performance and Gods’ involvement. For a moment, she forgot about everything else—her near-death experience, the cryptic oracle quest, and even the odd nurse from the hospital.
Hours passed as she basked in the attention, her grin fading only as her eyelids grew heavy. Eventually, the glow of her phone dimmed, and sleep claimed her.
---
The sun had barely crept over the horizon as Valerie stepped out of her dorm, her white sundress swaying with each purposeful stride. Fiona’s gift hugged her figure perfectly, its floral patterns contrasting with her aura of strength. She looked radiant, yet imposing—a contradiction she had grown used to.
“Fi, you really outdid yourself with this dress,” she murmured, smoothing out a crease.
The crisp air of the campus greeted her, but something wasn’t right. As she approached the heart of the university grounds, her oracle system flared to life, its emerald interface shimmering in her vision.
---
Dungeon Detected.
50m Ahead.
Judgment: 56% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: Non-Lethal
Execution: Optional
Reward: 5000 EXP
---
Her heart skipped a beat, and she slowed to a halt.
“What the hell is this? The campus is a ‘dungeon’? What do you mean? What even is a dungeon to you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Her eyes darted around the campus. Students milled about, chatting, laughing, oblivious. Yet, above each one, faint glowing words began to materialize. She zeroed in on a lanky guy slouched against a bench, his earbuds in and iced coffee in hand.
---
Judgment: 5% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: None
Execution: Forbidden
---
Her breath caught. “No... this can’t be real,” she muttered, her fists clenching. “Am I some kind of grim reaper? Is this my life? Punishment? Am I working for the Devil, now?”
The oracle’s silent hum seemed to taunt her, the interface overlaying her vision like an omnipresent reminder of her new role. A smirk tugged at her lips, unbidden.
“You know what? Maybe this isn’t so bad. No more gray areas. I know who’s bad, who’s good, and who needs a solid beatdown, who needs to be sent six feet under.” She nodded to herself, but the lie in her words couldn’t quell the unease pooling in her chest.
As she neared her building, fate—or perhaps the universe itself—threw her a curveball.
“And there she is,” a grating voice cut through the morning stillness.
Anderson. Of course, it had to be Anderson. He sauntered toward her with that predatory smirk she loathed, his eyes raking over her.
“Morning, Pervert Dragon. Love the dress,” he purred, circling her like a shark scenting blood. “Very... sexy.”
Valerie stood motionless, her expression unreadable, but her eyes weren’t on him—they were on the glowing text above his head.
---
Judgment: 70% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: Optional (Lethal/Non-Lethal)
Execution: Optional
Reward: 200 EXP*
---
Her pulse quickened, her jaw tightening. The oracle’s silent judgment was a validation she didn’t know she needed.
“You’re quiet today, huh?” Anderson sneered, leaning closer. “Cat got your—”
Her hand moved before she even registered the decision. A backhand, swift and brutal, connected with his face, sending him flying across the courtyard. He crashed to the ground with a sickening thud, sliding several meters before coming to a stop.
The silence that followed was deafening. Students froze mid-step, their conversations dying as all eyes turned to Valerie. Some gawked in awe; others in fear.
---
200 EXP Rewarded.
Level Up!
Lvl 1 > Lvl 2
800 EXP needed for the next level.
---
Valerie exhaled slowly, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, that was... oddly satisfying.”
The oracle chimed again, and her vision filled with a new notification.
---
Achievement Unlocked: Backhand a Monster!
Reward: Skill Acquired – Eyes of Gods
(Grants the ability to see target’s emotional state and stats.)
---
Valerie stood her ground, her arms crossed as she surveyed the scene. Anderson was sprawled on the ground several meters to her left, unconscious. In front of her, his three lackeys stood frozen in terror, their wide eyes darting between her glowing red gaze and their incapacitated leader.
“Hmm,” Valerie mused, tilting her head as her gaze flicked between them. “So, here I am, standing in front of you, while your boss over there is licking dirt. And you three? Frozen like deer in headlights.” She chuckled darkly. “Let’s see what this new skill has to say about it.”
The first one:
---
Frozen in fear.
Judgment: 10% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: None
Execution: Forbidden
Stats: (Click to open)
---
She frowned. “Ten percent? Barely a misdemeanor. You’re harmless, aren’t you?”
The second lackey:
---
Frozen in fear.
Judgment: 15% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: None
Execution: Forbidden
Stats: (Click to open)
---
“You too. Just another scared puppy following the alpha around.” Valerie’s voice was casual, but the lackeys flinched at her words.
Then her gaze landed on the third one, and her expression shifted.
—
Frozen in fear.
Judgment: 80% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: Lethal
Execution: Optional
Reward: 600 EXP
Stats: (Click to open)
---
Her brow arched. “Well, well, well. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a real bad apple.” She stepped closer to him, her red eyes locking onto his, and he stumbled back a step, nearly tripping over his own feet.
“Eighty percent Evil Tendencies,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “Punishment: lethal, but it’s... optional. You must be into some fucked up shit, huh? Wonder how that shitty brain of yours thinks of things.” She smirked. “But who am I to play judge, jury, and executioner? Oh wait—” She snapped her fingers like a diva. “That’s literally my job now.”
The lackey’s breathing quickened, his face pale as he stared at her.
“Relax,” Valerie said, her voice dripping with mock reassurance. “I’m not gonna kill you. Yet. But...” She leaned in, her grin widening. “That 600 EXP is really tempting.”
A groan from Anderson drew her attention. She turned her head, watching as he tried to push himself up off the ground.
“Why... why the hell did you hit me?” he spat, his voice weak but laced with anger. “You psycho—”
Before he could finish, Valerie appeared in front of him in a flash, her speed startling everyone nearby. Anderson froze, his breath hitching as her glowing eyes bore into his.
“Oh, look at you,” she said, crouching down to his level. “You’re Frozen in Fear. big boy. Tell me, what are you feeling right now? Do you hate me or scared of me?”
---
Edward Anderson
Status: Frozen in Fear / Hate
Judgment: 71% Evil Tendencies
Punishment: Lethal/Non-Lethal
Execution: Optional
Stats: (Click to open)
---
Her smirk deepened. “Hate, too? Good. That’ll make this even more fun. I just found out something really interesting, big boy,” She stood up, dusting off her hands as she continued, her voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“You are a glitch to my system, an exploit, an exp farm, something like that. So this is gonna be our little thing, I'm going to ‘gift’ you a solid backhand every morning starting from today, so make sure you keep your body fit so that I don’t accidently kill you. Got it?”
Anderson’s eyes widened, but he couldn’t muster a response. Around them, whispers rippled through the gathered students—some in awe, others in fear. Valerie ignored them all, her focus on Anderson and his lackeys.
“And you,” she said, pointing to the third lackey with 80% Evil Tendencies. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you. One wrong move, and you’re next.”
She straightened up, brushing off her sundress as though nothing had happened. “Well, this is fun,” she said brightly, her tone a stark contrast to the tension in the air. “See you all tomorrow. Please don’t change, you’re perfect the way you are. My Exp bags.”
With that, she turned on her heel and strode away, her laughter echoing through the courtyard.
As she walked, the oracle chimed again.
Valerie grinned to herself, her excitement bubbling over. “This is going to be so much fun.”
—
“Boss, boss, this is bad,” a panicked voice crackled through Fiona’s communicator. “Something happened with Valerie. She’s… unhinged. She just beat up a student—called him an exp bags—in front of the entire college. She’s talking about new skills and some kind of punishment system. Our plan—”
“Hold on,” Fiona interrupted, her voice sharp despite the chaos around her. Gunfire echoed in the distance, punctuated by the occasional thud of mortar shells. She ducked instinctively as debris from a nearby building rained down. “Did you just say exp bag? Like experience points in a video game? And what’s this about skills and punishment?”
“Yes, boss! She said something about evil tendencies, punishment, and execution. She’s acting… off.”
Fiona frowned, her gaze darting to the man standing beside her, Boyd. He was calm as always, even as the war zone around them erupted in chaos. His dark hair was dusted with ash, and his green eyes betrayed a sharp intellect that seemed to miss nothing.
“Exp points, skills, evil tendencies?” Fiona muttered. “That doesn’t sound like the Oracle system.”
“It’s not,” Boyd said, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
Fiona turned to him, her brow furrowed. “What are you saying?”
“She’s not unhinged,” Boyd said, brushing a layer of dust off his shoulders. “It’s her system. But it’s not an Oracle system.”
“Then what is it?”
Boyd hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether to say the words out loud. “The Yggdrasil System.”
The blood drained from Fiona’s face. “That’s impossible,” she snapped. “Humans can’t sync with the Yggdrasil System. It was designed for Gods by Gods—it would kill a mortal brain in seconds!”
Boyd tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. “Unless she’s not entirely human.”
The words hit Fiona like a hammer. She stared at him, her mind racing. “Not human…” She shook her head. “That doesn’t explain how she survived the sync, but it would explain the exp, the skills, and this… punishment system. The Oracle only unlocks latent abilities. The Yggdrasil System creates them.”
“And evolves the ones that already exist,” Boyd added grimly. “If Valerie’s connected to it, she’s gaining power exponentially. But that kind of system doesn’t come without risks.”
“Risks?” Fiona’s voice hardened.
“She’s at the mercy of the system’s algorithms,” Boyd began, his tone grim. “Algorithms designed by Gods—beings who don’t think or act like us. Their logic is beyond human comprehension. This system isn’t just guiding her; it’s reshaping her. And in that process, there’s a real risk she could lose her humanity entirely.”
Fiona clenched her fists. “Then she’ll stop being Valerie.”
Before Boyd could respond, a deafening explosion rocked the area, shaking the ground beneath them. A building several blocks away collapsed in on itself, sending a plume of smoke and ash into the already darkened sky.
Boyd’s hand shot out, steadying Fiona as she stumbled. “That was close,” he muttered.
“Boss!” the voice on the communicator screamed. “We’ve lost contact with one of the forward teams! The enemy’s closing in!”
“Hold the line,” Fiona barked, her military instincts taking over. “I’ll deal with Valerie after I handle this mess.”
Boyd grabbed her arm, stopping her mid-step. “No,” he said firmly. “You need to go to her. If Valerie’s truly connected to the Yggdrasil System, she’s more dangerous than any enemy on this battlefield.”
Fiona hesitated, her mind torn.
“I’ll save him,” Boyd said, his voice steady. “But you’re the only one who can reach her before it’s too late.”
Fiona stared at him for a long moment before nodding. “You’d better not die on me,” she muttered, grabbing her gear and sprinting toward the extraction point.
Boyd observed her departure, his gaze inscrutable, a quiet weight settling in his words. "The Yggdrasil System... it stirs, it awakens," he murmured, his tone laced with reverence and gravity. “Fiona, you must become her anchor—her tether to the fragile essence of humanity. For her heart must not forsake mortal sentiment—to retain the warmth and frailty of a mortal soul.”