Ryan's room starts illuminating and shaking; he looks around, confused. A large light orb appeared in the room. Ryan fell on his ass when he saw it; a large card emerged from it.

"Hello, Ryan Anderson or Hayashi Ryan. I am the System."

It spoke in a robotic tone; Ryan slowly rose. He looked at the giant card. Millions of questions raced through his mind; he looked back at it.

"Why...why did you choose me?"

Ryan asked; the card hovered in front of him. It started to illuminate once again.

"I chose you because you can do so. You're kind-hearted, unlike the other top dogs."

The System spoke; Ryan pondered over the answer.

"But there are other people who are way kinder and have a heroic complex than me. Why not choose them?"

Ryan asked as he was still confused about everything.

"Yes, but you have the Hayashi's blood running through your veins. Of course, the Hayashi clan isn't well known for their kindness, but you are. You are different."

Ryan thought about the answers. He still had millions of questions.

"What happens after I unify the whole region?"

Ryan asked as he sat on his bed.

"I will disappear. However, you will keep your cards and stats."

Ryan's eyes widen. The System will disappear after everything is unified? All that for the System to disappear?

"Also, Ryan. You still have potential lingering inside you; it's waiting to be tapped. The 'S' potential isn't true to its word; it's higher. I will have to go now, Ryan. I hope we meet again, Ryan Anderson; may I say, Hayashi Ryan?"

Ryan's eyes widen at the dismissal.

"Wait—!"

The card is now gone; everything stopped illuminating. Ryan ponders over the answer and everything it says. His 'S' potential isn't 'S?' Ryan's mind was racing thoughts instead of answering his questions. He got more questions instead.

Ring! Ring!

Ryan's phone suddenly started sounding; he picked up.

"Hello?"

Ryan asked—still in shock due to recent events.

"It's me, Frank. We will begin to attack the North tomorrow. Prepare, Ryan. Normally, I would send you to attack No. 2, but Myles asked to be sent for that task instead. You will be fighting the Top Dog instead. Remember, the West will never fall!"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ryan hung up; he ruffled his hair.

[Few Weeks Ago]

"C'mon! You can do better than that!"

Shintaro snickered as he dodged every Ryan's attack. He raised his leg and stomped Ryan's head onto the ground. A large crater forms from the impact. Debris and dust splurge everywhere. Bruises and blood marked Ryan's face.

"It was only a slight stomp! You can't lose to that!"

Shintaro said as he released his foot from Ryan's face. Ryan rolled onto his back. He coughed blood.

"And also, why are you so short? I guess you got your height from your mom. Also, I will need to give you a proper haircut. We can keep the longish hair. However, I am revamping your hair."

Ryan grits his teeth; he stands up and rushes towards Shintaro.

"You used Liver Punch!"

Shintaro dodged; he grabbed Ryan's face and smashed it on the training ground.

"Why do you fight like that? You fight like a textbook definition; it's like you copy moves. Except you're not copying moves but doing them perfectly. I'll teach you real fighting; you'll get stronger than using these moves you learned."

Ryan struggled against his grip.

"I forgot that I had you in this position."

Shintaro lets go of Ryan's head. Ryan slowly rose.

"You used Aikido!"

Ryan tried to throw him on the ground; Shintaro didn't budge. Shintaro does an arm sweep. Ryan's view was upside down; Shintaro turned his hand into a knifehand. He strikes Ryan's face on the training ground. Blood and debris splattered everywhere; Ryan's eyes widened and rolled back.

"You're still weak; it's probably the cause of your mother. She sheltered you for this long. You would've been a unit."

Shintaro said as he looked at the unconscious Ryan; he took his departure, leaving Ryan's head buried in the training ground.

[Few Days Later]

"Such a shame that you could only train for two weeks. Instead of training for two months with Thomas Ruthford, you could've trained with me. You would've been unstoppable. During summer, come back. I'll properly train you.

[Present]

Ryan shivers when he remembers the two weeks of training with his father. It was time to finally defeat the North. It was time to unify the region.

[Next Day]

Myles arrives at the location.

"I was expecting Ryan. Not you. Anyways, I don't have time to entertain you."

Christian said; he motioned the North's student to attack Myles. Christian turned around and left.

"Myles used Overlord's Thirst!

Strength: X (Up++)

Endurance: X- (Up++)

Speed: MR+ (Up++)

Potential: A+ (Ascended)

Intelligence: B+“

Myles finished the students in a few seconds. Myles rushed at Christian; he threw a punch. Christian swiftly dodged; he spun around and elbowed strike Myles's face. Myles's nose gushed out blood; he fell on the floor.

"Myles used I Shall Not Fall!

(I Shall Not Fall)

Strength: XXX- (Up+++)

Endurance: XXX- (Up++)

Speed: XX+ (Up++)

Potential: A+ (Ascended)

Intelligence: B+“

Myles threw a punch, but once again, Christian dodged. Christian threw a right hook that connected with Myles's cheek. More blood spurs from his nose. Myles grits his teeth as he continues throwing jabs, hooks, and punches.

Thwack!

Christian threw a straight punch; Myles's neck jerked backward. He stumbled backward and fell on the floor.

"Just stay down. It'll do you good."

Christian said as he put his left hand inside his pocket. Myles rose. He grits his teeth and rushes at Christian again. Christian smacked his forehead; he grabbed Myles's head and smashed it on the concrete. A large crater forms from the impact; Myles's nose splurged more blood. His eyes rolled back. Christian looked at the unconscious Myles and left.

Beep!

"Myles's spirit is rising."

Christian turned around and saw Myles slowly standing up. He rubbed his temples and sauntered over to Myles.

Beep!

"Myles has opened their Path to Comprehension!

Myles's Exclusive Card!

Title: Overlord Odds

Description: The more disadvantage you are. The higher the user's stats will be.

Myles's Exclusive Card!

Title: Overlord Strike

Description: Returns the accumulated damage to the opponent. The user adds their strength to the damage. It is guaranteed to hit!

Cooldown: Once Per Battle."

Myles looked at Christian; he raised his arms to guard his body. Christian sighed and rushed at Myles.