Change

Julian lay in bed, his gaze lost somewhere on the ceiling. He needed time to think and clear out the storm of emotions inside him.

*All these years I've craved the approval, recognition, and love of my stepparents… but now I know I never stood a chance. They were just toying with me and my hopes.*

He felt deceived and used. The desire for revenge burned inside him more fiercely than ever, running like lava through his veins. But he knew these emotions would only destroy him if he let them take over. To achieve a glorious revenge, he had to be smart and act with cunning.

*Thanks to this recording, I can now control Beatrice. Honestly, I never expected to get 'material' of such high quality.* Julian cracked a wicked smile. *Even though she seems like a cold woman, she really loves Cedric. She knows very well that this recording could destroy her marriage. And because of that, she'll be obedient like a kitten.*

But Julian wasn't going to show the recording. Even though it could break the Cross family, that wasn't enough revenge. He wanted something much grander. And for that, he had to keep getting closer to his stepmother…

"She owes me compensation for all these years" Julian whispered to himself. "I'll completely dominate her body and heart, becoming the only thing that exists in her eyes. I'll drive her mad with jealousy and make her desire me like she's never wanted anything in her life. And at the right moment, I'll make her betray the man she once loved. I'll savor the conflict in her eyes as she's forced to choose between her family or me. The final blow to her marriage won't come from me; it'll be from her, seeking my love just like I once sought theirs…"

Yes, that was the revenge he wanted. And in the meantime, he'd enjoy watching his stepfather Cedric crumble as Julian sabotaged every aspect of his life with the powers of the system.

He wasn't going to let his step-siblings get away either. Guinevere and Marcus were very close. The two of them often teamed up to hit and humiliate Julian while their parents allowed it with silent approval. Because of them, Julian still harbored many traumas and torturous memories, so now he'd return the favor with interest.

*Now you're all in my hands* Julian thought with deep satisfaction as he slowly drifted off to sleep…

⟦ THE NEXT MORNING. ⟧

The sharp sound of the alarm yanked him out of his rest. Julian blinked against the light filtering through the curtains and checked the time: nine in the morning. Normally, he would have turned off the clock and gone back to sleep since it was summer, and he had nowhere to be. But this time was different. Now he had a mission, a purpose driving him like never before. He got up with energy, throwing the sheets aside.

If I want to win, I have to improve in every way… I can't keep being this pathetic sack of flesh. With that determination, he summoned his personal information. Before his eyes, cold, emotionless details magically appeared.

╔══⟦ ◈ JULIAN CROSS ◈ ⟧══╗

➣ Level: 2

➣ Destiny Rank: Ill-fated (★☆☆☆☆☆☆)

➣ Luck Points (LP): 11

➣ Occupation: Nerdy Student

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➣ Body Type: Obese

⤷ Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

⤷ Weight: 216 lb (98 kg)

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➣ Stats:

⤷ Charm: 2

⤷ Intelligence: 7

⤷ Willpower: 5

⤷ Physical Condition: 2

⤷ Wealth: 2

⤷ Status: 2

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➣ System Services

⤷ [ ✦ Wheel of Fortune ✦ ] (Rank 1)

⤷ [ ✦ Achievement System ✦ ]

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➣ SKILLS:

[Luck Parasite](★☆☆☆☆)

The user can drain a small amount of luck from a nearby target. The stolen luck converts into LP.

o Activation: requires concentration and distance ≤ 5 meters from the target.

o Effectiveness: low (varies depending on the user's relationship with the victim)

o Usage limit: 24 hours must pass before use the skill in the same person again.

o Risks: repeated use of this skill causes cumulative mental fatigue.

╚═══════⟦ END ⟧═══════╝

Julian stared bitterly at the details of his physique. His body was pathetic. He knew it. But now, with the system on his side, he could change it. The first step in his plan was simple yet crucial: improve his appearance.

*I'll sign up for a gym today. I don't have time to waste.*

He quickly dressed in whatever he had on hand: a red shirt with an anime girl printed on it and a pair of shorts that barely covered his thick, hairy legs.

Julian dressed in a rush. He didn't have any workout clothes, so he wore the red anime girl shirt and shorts that showed off his chubby, hairy legs.

Yes, Julian still had a long way to go…

He left his room and descended the stairs. At this hour, his stepparents were out at work. Only Marcus and Guinevere were home since they were also on vacation.

As he went down, the familiar sound of Marcus complaining reached his ears. There he was, sitting on the couch, scowling.

"Ugh, my head hurts… Damn! The couch is wet. Who's the idiot who spilled water?" Marcus stood up, shaking off his wet pants. Julian felt an evil laugh rising in his throat but held it back.

Taking advantage of his proximity, he tried to use his skill to drain some of Marcus's luck, but...

⟦ Failed attempt. 14:30 hours remain before [Luck Parasite] can be used on this target again. ⟧

A sudden wave of dizziness hit him after receiving the notification. It seemed he needed to be more patient and wait.

"Oh, it's you" Marcus said, noticing him. "Your ugly face almost scared me."

"Just ignore me, I'm leaving" Julian responded, uninterested in wasting time on him. He had more important things to do.

"Like anyone cares what you do" Marcus grumbled before returning to his world. Julian shook his head and left, knowing that very soon, it would be him having the last laugh.

⟦ RACCOON CITY STREETS. ⟧

Julian didn't go out much, so he didn't know many places. He wandered through the city streets looking for a gym that looked appealing.

A wide variety of shops, cafes, and businesses passed him by. Some smaller gyms popped up along the way, with their faded neon signs and worn-out equipment visible through the windows, but none seemed to meet his standards.

Suddenly, as he turned a corner, something caught his eye. In the distance, he saw a gym called "Titan's Forge". Judging by the large windows, it seemed to be a high-level place. From outside, he could see several men and women sculpted like Greek statues, lifting weights Julian had only seen in bodybuilding competitions.

He entered the gym, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, the sound of clanging weights and grunts of exertion filled the air. The atmosphere was thick with determination, sweat, and discipline.

The gym was massive, with separate areas for different types of training. There were endless rows of strength machines, racks of free weights, and a functional training zone with thick ropes hanging from the ceiling. In the back, there was a sprint track and speed training area.

He approached the counter, where a stern-faced man eyed him with curiosity. The man had the muscular physique of a professional athlete, with arms that could easily lift Julian.

"How can I help you?" he asked in a firm voice.

"I want to sign up for this gym."