Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

Chapter 106 Wolf & A Nyxilith

Parker closed his eyes feeling the floor of this mysterious realm...

The Omni Energy here—the vast, overwhelming force he could only barely touch before—was humming louder than ever. The forest around him practically breathed with it, like this place was amplifying his connection to the source itself.

It wasn't overwhelming. It was... natural. Whole. He felt whole too in the bask of the pure Omni Energy.

But Parker's disbelief hadn't worn off. He stared at the glowing sword in his hand, his reflection distorted in the flame-touched sharp sword edges.

"This has to be some kind of test, right? No way you're telling me I just unlocked a whole dimension. For training?"

Silence.

Then, from the side, a familiar voice.

"Took you long enough."

Parker's head snapped around.

Ere sat perched on a low-hanging branch, her sleek black fur almost blending into the shadows. Her tail flicked lazily, eyes narrowed like she'd been waiting for hours.

"You..." He pointed at her. "You're here?!"

Ere blinked, unimpressed. "Yeah. You're my anchor, genius. If you can come here, so can I."

Parker opened his mouth, then closed it. Okay. Sure. Why wouldn't his magical cat be able to follow him into a dimension that only exists when he's asleep? But to his surprise...

'System is she in her conscious too?' he asked.

[No host! Erebus enters the Dream with her realm body!] Figures.

Ere's silver eyes narrowed further, reading his expression perfectly. "You're overthinking this again. Try focusing on the fact you literally have a magic sword now."

"...Right."

Parker took a slow breath, glancing back at the Phoenix Sword. And a ring. And a whole damn magical forest that practically sang with power. "Okay... so what the hell am I supposed to do now?"

[Ding! Further mechanics must be discovered by the host.]

Parker closed his eyes, groaning. "Of course." Ere just purred.

Ere yawned, her tail flicking lazily as she stretched on the low-hanging branch. "You know... instead of standing here gawking like an idiot... which you're not, maybe we should explore. See if there's anything interesting around."

Parker blinked, still processing the fact his sword was glowing faintly in his hand and the ground felt like it was breathing.

"Explore? Seriously?" He squinted at the endless stretch of violet trees around them. "Yeah, sure. Let's just stroll into the mystical unknown like we're on a fucking nature walk. What could possibly go wrong, huh?"

Ere's eyes narrowed with a mischievous glint. "So you're scared?"

Parker scowled. "I'm cautious. There's a difference, you smug—"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, genius. Oh wait... you're already asleep." Ere grinned wide, clearly enjoying herself.

Parker exhaled through his nose. "Fine. Let's look around. But if some freaky forest nymph tries to sacrifice me to the moon, I'm blaming you."

They started walking, the air feeling heavier the deeper they went. The trees whispered, or maybe it was just the energy thrumming louder around him. The weird moss-like ground was so soft it felt like it was trying to hold his steps. Every damn thing in this place felt too alive.

The only thing keeping him grounded was the power inside him—strong, thrumming, just like his real body. But he wasn't impressed.

Not when every step felt so damn real. Parker paused, frowning. He raised his hand and pinched his arm.

"...Ow." He blinked. Then pinched harder. "...Fuck! Why does that hurt?!"

Ere burst out laughing from her perch, practically howling. "Oh my god! You really thought you were immune here?!"

"Shut up! This is a dream! A training dimension! I should be like... invincible to somethings or whatever!"

"You're as durable as your real body, genius! So, not bulletproof!"

Parker grumbled under his breath, scowling at his surroundings when—

Bzzzzzz.

Something whined past his ear.

Then another.

BZZZZZZZ.

"Ow! What the hell—"

Parker slapped his neck, wincing as a sharp sting pulsed under his skin. Then his other arm. Then his face.

"...Are you serious right now? Mosquitos?! In a fucking magical realm?!" He flailed, swatting wildly as a swarm of the glowing little bastards buzzed around him.

"This is bullshit! These things feel like they have knives for teeth! What the hell are they made of?!"

"They're magical mosquitos genius," Ere was rolling on the moss, laughing so hard she nearly fell off the branch.

Parker scowled, squinting through the assault. "System! Take me out! Now!"

[Ding! Host can choose to exit the Dream at will.]

"Bet." Parker closed his eyes, concentrated hard on leaving. Nothing. He tried again.

Still nothing.

"...Yo. What the fuck. I'm trying to leave!"

[Ding! The host must first form a connection with the Dream.]

"...A connection? The hell does that even mean?!"

[Host must slay a being of this realm to solidify your connection.]

Parker stared blankly at the glowing text.

"You're telling me... I have to kill something? This is a test realm! What am I, playing an RPG tutorial?"

[Ding! Affirmative.]

Parker blinked. Then scowled harder. His eyes flicked back to the swarm still aggressively trying to bleed him dry.

"...Do mosquitos count? Because I'm seeing a lot and they're pissing me off. And trust me the way how sharp they're stings are a bet they're magical mosquitos too!"

[Ding! Mosquitos are not magical beings, host.]

"Not magical?!" He flinched as another sting got him on the ear. "THEN EXPLAIN WHY THEY'RE SO FUCKING GOOD AT BITING ME, SYSTEM! HOW THE HELL ARE THEY EVEN THIS EFFICIENT?! Which part of not dictating my path didn't you understand back then?!"

[Ding! Host, no one is dictating your path. You brought this upon yourself. This is your reward from the spins.]

Parker froze. "Wow. Wow! You're gloating now? Really?"

Before the system could respond—

Grrrrr... A deep, low growl echoed through the forest.

Parker stiffened.

Glowing eyes. Pale, golden. Emerging from the shadows between two twisted trees.

The wolf was massive, bigger than a bear, its fur rippling like it was made of smoke and shadow. Claws long enough to gouge the moss. Snarling. Watching him.

"...Shit."

How had things gone from flexing a black card on Rodeo Drive to... this?

It was all fun and games reading about protagonists killing wolves for their first power-ups. But now that he was here, staring at the thing's fangs, Parker realized just how insane those characters were.

The wolf lunged forward.

His instincts flared.

"NOPE—" Parker turned and bolted. "Ere, run—" He glanced sideways. Ere was gone.

"...You TRAITOR!"

A delighted "mrow?" echoed from somewhere in the trees.

And the wolf?

It kicked off the ground, launching into a full sprint after him.

******

Hello guys we've already crossed the threshold of 100 chapters since we started... Gifts to this milestone I think? Don't you agree?