Professor Kohn paced her dimly lit office like a cornered animal, her every step sharp and restless. Her breath hitched as her fingers pressed harder against the comm device in her ear.
“Kohn!” a frantic voice roared in her ear. “The enemy forces breached the West Bank HQ! Where the hell is the backup?”
“They’re on their way,” she shot back, her voice tight and clipped. “Whatever happens, you cannot let Futuroganti get their hands on the hostage.”
The reply came like a punch to the gut. “The higher-ups are ready to cut their losses, Professor. Too many of our men are dead already. They’re considering handing him over.”
“What?” Kohn froze mid-step, the blood draining from her face. “Are they insane? Listen to me—if Futuroganti is willing to burn this much for one hostage, he’s more valuable than we realize. We cannot give him up. Do you hear me?”
“It’s not your call!” the voice snapped, laced with exhaustion and frustration. “We’re drowning out here! Wait—hold on—”
Suddenly, chaos erupted on the other end. Shouts, followed by the deafening whine of energy blasts, filled the line.
“EG7? EG7!” Kohn’s voice cracked as the comm went dead, the silence cutting through her like a blade. “Shit!”
She stumbled back into her chair, trembling hands raking through her hair. Her mind reeled, piecing together fragments of information, but no solution came. “Damn it, I underestimated them. That kid—he’s the key to something. What the hell are they hiding?”
Before she could spiral further, a sharp knock shattered her thoughts. Her head snapped toward the door, heart pounding.
She exhaled shakily, forcing herself to sit upright. With one last steeling breath, she smoothed her face into a mask of calm, burying the storm beneath.
“Enter,” she commanded, her voice cool and steady. But inside, urgency churned like a raging fire.
“Professor, the Dean wishes to see you immediately,” the college staff member announced, his tone formal but edged with curiosity.
Kohn turned from her desk, her expression unreadable. “Yes, I’ll be there. In his office, I presume?”
“Yes, Professor. I’ll be leaving now.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
The door closed with a soft click, and silence engulfed the room. Kohn exhaled slowly, her calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly. Her mind began to spiral, threads of worry unraveling into chaos.
“Does he know?” she muttered, pacing the small office like a caged predator. “No, I covered my tracks—meticulously. But the Dean isn’t an idiot. He’s unraveled worse conspiracies than this. Damn it.”
The gala incident clawed its way back to the forefront of her mind—the chaos, the unleashed beasts, the disastrous gamble involving Loki and Thor. She had orchestrated every detail, ensuring her organization’s operatives could infiltrate undetected. And now, it seemed, the aftermath had returned to haunt her.
She paused mid-step, gripping the edge of her desk for support. “Get it together, Kohn. You’ve handled worse.”
With a deep breath, she grabbed her coat and smoothed her expression into one of serene professionalism before leaving the room.
----------------------------------------
The Dean’s office loomed ahead, its dark wood door like the imposing gates of a courtroom. Professor Kohn paused just outside, taking a deep breath and adjusting her glasses. She carefully arranged her face into an expression of calm professionalism.
'Don’t let him see weakness. Don’t let him see doubt.'
Knocking firmly, she heard the authoritative voice from within. “Come in, Professor Kohn.”
Steeling herself, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the Dean seated behind his vast mahogany desk, his sharp eyes locking onto hers immediately. The weight of his gaze was almost suffocating, but Kohn didn’t falter.
“You wished to see me, Dean?” she asked, her voice even and polite.
“Have a seat, Professor,” he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. His tone was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. “We need to discuss some… troubling matters.”
Her stomach twisted as she obeyed, settling into the chair with a practiced poise. Inside, her heart pounded furiously. 'Stay calm. If he truly knew, he wouldn’t be this composed. Or would he?'
“I assume this is about the gala incident,” Kohn ventured, her tone carefully measured to convey concern without defensiveness.
The Dean’s eyes didn’t waver as he leaned forward. “Indeed. I’ve been reviewing the events that transpired. The Beasts infiltrating an event designed to showcase our brightest future—it’s a disaster unlike anything we’ve faced. And worse…” He paused, his voice lowering. “It reeks of an inside job.”
Kohn stiffened imperceptibly. “An inside job? That’s a serious accusation. Do you have evidence?”
“Not yet,” the Dean replied, his gaze narrowing. “But it’s clear someone with access to the security protocols facilitated their entry. The timing, the precision—it wasn’t a random attack.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Kohn said, feigning outrage. “Someone familiar with the system had to have been involved. Have you identified any suspects?”
The Dean’s piercing gaze didn’t waver as he spoke. “Professor Thomson.”
Kohn blinked, genuinely caught off guard. “Thomson? Are you sure?”
“He’s one of the few who had the access codes,” the Dean explained, his voice measured. “And his behavior since the incident has been… odd. He was evasive when I questioned him, nervous. He avoided eye contact. It’s as though he’s hiding something.”
Her mind raced. 'Thomson. Of course. The weak-willed idiot must have buckled under the slightest pressure. But this could work.'
“That’s… troubling,” she said, carefully masking her relief. “But perhaps his demeanor is due to the immense pressure we’ve all been under. His Highness Loki’s presence has made things tense for everyone.”
“Perhaps,” the Dean allowed, though his expression remained skeptical. “But following orders doesn’t change one’s entire demeanor. I plan to interrogate him further.”
Kohn nodded solemnly. “Understandable. If there’s anything I can do to assist, you need only ask.”
The Dean studied her for a moment too long, his gaze sharp and probing. Then, he leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. “I appreciate your cooperation, Professor. Your integrity has always been an asset to this institution.”
“Thank you, Dean,” she replied, forcing a polite smile. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect our work here.”
As she exited the office, her outward composure remained intact, her grip on her coat tightened as she continued to stride down the corridor, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
'Thomson, you’re the perfect scapegoat,' Kohn thought with a sly smirk as she strolled down the hallway. 'Everything will fall on you. But enough about that. Let’s focus on our rising star. Where are you, Miss Nordin? What’s so special about you that even a god takes interest?'
Lost in her musings, Kohn’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a familiar figure—a man whose presence commanded attention. Gabriel Anderson, a prominent politician, a former hero and influential businessman in the city, strode purposefully toward the Dean’s office. By his side was his son, Edward Anderson, a student at the academy, who looked uncharacteristically sullen.
Kohn adjusted her expression into one of polite concern as she approached.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Mr. Anderson, good afternoon,” she greeted, her tone warm and professional. “I’m Professor Kohn, one of the faculty members here. You seem troubled—is everything alright?”
Gabriel’s face darkened further. “I need to speak with the Dean immediately. How could he allow my son to be humiliated like this?” He placed a protective hand on Edward’s shoulder.
“Humiliated? By whom?” Kohn inquired, feigning shock and sympathy.
“Valerie Nordin!” Gabriel snapped, his voice filled with indignation. “She assaulted my son in broad daylight! Is this the behavior we expect from a future hero? She must be punished.”
Kohn’s eyes gleamed with interest, though she masked it behind a facade of concern. 'Valerie Nordin, he says?. Perfect.'
“That’s outrageous!” Kohn exclaimed, her voice filled with righteous indignation. “Who would dare to mistreat the son of such a respected figure?”
Gabriel nodded, his anger palpable. “It’s unacceptable. She will face justice, or I’ll make sure this institution regrets it.”
“Allow me to assist you,” Kohn offered, her smile calculated. “I’ll personally escort you to the Dean’s office. This matter must be addressed immediately.”
Gabriel nodded in gratitude, and Kohn’s mind raced with possibilities as she led them down the hall. 'Finally, an opportunity to deal with Valerie. Let’s see how she wriggles out of this.'
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, across campus, Valerie Nordin was absorbed in her System.
A familiar chime echoed in her head as she pulled up her stats.
---
VALERIE NORDIN
Demigod
Level: 10
Strength: 10/100
Speed: 10/100
Agility: 10/100
Intelligence: 4/100
Durability: 10/100
Power Output:5/100
Skills:
Active Skills:
> Laser Vision (Mastery: 50.19%)
> Fire Breath (Mastery: 50.3%)
> Ice Breath (Mastery: 50.7%)
> Infrared Vision (Mastery: 100%)
> Eyes of the Gods (Mastery: 10%)
> 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%.
Passive Skills:
> Divine Inquisition (Able to detect lies)
---
Valerie sat cross-legged on her bed, frowning at her interface. Her brow furrowed as she stared at her stats.
"My stats... are lower? What?! I got weaker?!" She jabbed at the floating screen in disbelief. "I’m pretty sure I maxed out some of these! Why…?"
She groaned, burying her face in her hands. Then, like a flicker of light in her brain, an idea clicked.
“Wait. No. It’s not that I’m weaker,” she said, sitting upright, her finger pointed like she’d solved a murder case. “It’s that my limit is higher. Yes, that’s gotta be it!” She nodded confidently.
“Oddy, am I right?” she asked, turning to her ever-sassy system.
— You are correct, Val.
"Hey! Look who decided to finally crawl out of the void! Where’ve you been? Napping?”
— I was recharging. The energy needed to evolve you was out of this world.
“Oh, well, excuse me, Mr. High Maintenance.” Valerie smirked. “Thanks for that, by the way. I’ll send you flowers later.”
Oddy didn’t dignify her sarcasm with a response, but Valerie pressed on.
“So, about that ‘Valerie’s Codex’ thingy. Do I get a reward every time I unlock one? There are 66 of them, right? That’s, like, 66 rewards? Please tell me I get 66 rewards.”
—Yes, you are correct. ‘Valerie’s Codex’ is a series of truths about your nature. Most demigods begin with 20 codex unlocked, as they already know the basics of who they are. You, however, lived your life as a clueless mortal, completely unaware of your lineage. Your knowledge begins and ends with your parents.
“Ouch, Oddy. You didn’t need to come for me like that,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Fine. So I start at square one. No biggie. What if I just… guess the next one?”
—You can try, but it must align with the truth, and you must accept it in your heart. Speaking it without belief will not suffice.
Valerie squinted at the interface, her competitive streak kicking in. “Alright, let’s play. Prepare to be amazed, Oddy, for I am the Champion of the Gods!”
Silence. Not even a flicker from the interface.
She puffed out her chest, trying again with more flair. “I am the Champion of the Gods, and I accept the role with all my heart!”
Still nothing.
—Such an embarrassing sight. You are not there yet.
"Shut up, Oddy. No one likes you." She flopped back onto her bed, arms crossed like a sulking child.
After a moment, her eyes lit up. “Oh wait, I’m an idiot! It’s right there! The ‘Cursed Body of a Death God.’ The answer was staring at me all along!”
She jumped up, dramatically raising her arms like a prophet. “BEHOLD! I AM A GOD OF DEATH!” She closed her eyes, waiting for the satisfying ping of success.
Nothing.
She cracked one eye open. “Uh… THE God of Death? Question mark? Exclamation point?”
"Nothing? Really? What else could it be?" she muttered, pacing frantically. Her mind spun with fragments of thoughts, each more chaotic than the last. Then, like a flash of lightning, realization struck her.
Her ability—that ability. To see people’s true nature, to judge, to punish, to execute. The glowing interface that appeared above their heads like a silent verdict only she could read.
Her eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. "Right, this must be it," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and exhilaration. "I am the god of punishment?" She paused, considering. "No… no, it’s more than that."
A slow, wicked grin spread across her face as the answer crystallized in her mind. "I get rewards—actual rewards—from sending evil souls to the afterlife." Her voice rose, filled with unrestrained glee.
"You know what? I got it." She spread her arms wide as if declaring her dominion to the world. "I AM THE GOD OF DAMNATION!"
Suddenly, the interface lit up, and she gasped.
—
Codex Unlocked: 2/66
Reward: The Heart of the Abyss.
Would you like to claim the reward now?
Yes/No
—
Valerie blinked. “Wait, that actually worked?” She glanced around the room. “Let’s go! Yes please, claim the reward! Wait wait no no no… stop, I didn’t think straight”
— Claiming reward. Brace yourself, Val. The transformation will cause a slight discomfort
“Slight discomfort, my ass—oh GODS!” Valerie gritted her teeth, her voice breaking into a scream as the pain surged through her body like an electric storm.
Her heartbeat accelerated to an inhuman pace, pounding like a war drum in her chest. It felt as though her ribs would crack under the pressure. “GODDAMNIT! MOTHER—FUC—” Her scream cut off as she doubled over, gasping, every nerve in her body alight with agony.
Then it hit—a searing, boiling sensation in her veins. Her blood felt molten, her skin slick with a black, rancid substance that oozed out like tar. The stench was unbearable, a mix of decay and sulfur.
Through her blurred vision, she saw it: a heart. Not her own, but something otherworldly. Suspended in the air, it pulsated with an eerie rhythm, a chilling combination of terror and awe. The organ’s outline resembled a heart, but within it swirled an abyss—a gateway to endless void.
The heart pulsed once, then shot straight into her chest with an explosive force.
“ARGH!” Valerie screamed as her body convulsed. The black substance gushed out faster now, drenching the floor as her skin seemed to shed its impurities.
—
Extracting impurities.
—
The voice of the system felt distant, almost mocking her suffering. Minutes passed in what felt like an eternity of torment. Then, suddenly, the pain stopped. Valerie collapsed to the ground, her breathing ragged and her body trembling.
She slowly pushed herself up, wincing, and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her skin glowed, unblemished and radiant, as though she’d been sculpted from marble. She moved her fingers, testing her joints. Her body felt... different. Lighter. Free.
“Whoa, Oddy... I feel—better?” she muttered, her voice still hoarse. She took a deep breath and paused, her nose crinkling in disgust. “Oh my gods, what is that smell?!” She gagged, looking down at the sludge pooling around her feet. “I can’t believe that gooey, disgusting shit came out of me! Ugh, guess who’s cleaning at the crack of dawn.”
The system chimed in before she could finish her tirade.
—
Passive Skill Unlocked: Death’s Merciless Grip.
(Strike absolute fear into the hearts of those with 60%-100% Evil Tendencies. AoE: 30m radius.)
—
“Death’s Merciless Grip?” Valerie frowned, tapping the interface for details. The description expanded, and her eyebrows shot up.
---
Absolute Fear:
A state that drags target(s) into the depths of their worst fears, impairing rational thought.
- Effects: 30% drop in stats, triggers a flight response.
- Bonus Effect: Individuals with low willpower lose consciousness in the user’s presence.
---
“Okay... that’s—wow. Useful for scaring the crap out of people, sure, but not exactly stealth-friendly.” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “How am I supposed to interrogate someone if they pass out the second they see me? Or worse, bolt screaming before I can even ask where the bathroom is?”
A sudden thud outside her room snapped her out of her thoughts.
“What now?” Valerie muttered, walking to the door. She swung it open to find a neatly dressed staff member sprawled on the floor, clutching a letter.
“Oh, come on!” Valerie groaned. “I didn’t even do anything yet!”
The System immediately triggered, overlaying her vision with judgment stats.
---
Judgment: 62% Evil Tendencies.
Punishment: Lethal/Non-Lethal.
Execution: Optional.
---
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Valerie sighed, rubbing her temples. “I knew this skill was going to be a problem.”
Valerie crouched down and pried the letter from the trembling hand of the unconscious staff member. The envelope bore the university’s official seal, and inside was a neatly folded message from the Dean.
"Miss Nordin, report to my office immediately."
Valerie let out a frustrated sigh. "What now?" Her thoughts raced as she glanced at the unconscious woman.
"Am I in trouble?" she muttered, pacing in her room. "Wait... Anderson. Oh no. I really shouldn’t have sent him flying like that." She slapped her forehead. "Stupid, Valerie. Stupid! If they expel me, that’s it—dream’s over. No license, no career. And Dad..." Her voice broke. "He’ll work himself to death just to keep us afloat. I can’t let that happen."