chapter 8: meeting the demon

An hour earlier...

In a simple house, inside a room...

Pieces of broken workout equipment could be seen scattered around. The room was a mess, but at the center, a human figure was doing push-ups. He was so fast that he could complete ten in a second.

"10,000 reps..." Hao Jun said as he stood up. He was only wearing sweatpants, his upper body exposed. A ripped physique could be seen, with muscles bulging as though they might pop at any moment. His face could be described as that of a handsome superstar—a face perfect for modeling, with dark hair and stunning eyes.

"System, are you sure I can't get any stronger?" Hao Jun asked while walking out of the room. He turned and entered the bathroom. Turning on the shower, cold water fell on his Greek-like body.

(Yes, host. You can't get stronger. This is your peak—the peak of any human.)

Hao Jun clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.

"So this is the state after breaking through the human boundary..." Hao Jun scoffed, feeling as though he had truly reached a new realm. Before, he was at the peak—the limit of the human body—but still, he wasn't the strongest in the world. Overseas, there were a few humans who used technology and genetic modifications to enhance themselves. Some had animal-like body parts, while others had robotic limbs or other enhancements. Nano-technology was still being researched, but without success so far. Unexpectedly, the system had promoted him, mentioning something about the world's evolution and a butterfly effect.

Hao Jun tried to ask who caused it, but the system claimed not to know.

"Tomorrow, I will follow Lei Bai to the Lin mansion. If that idiot dares to harm her, I will destroy his family," Hao Jun said in disgust. Turning off the shower, he walked naked back to his room and picked up a towel already lying on the bed. Wiping himself clean, Hao Jun looked outside at the city filled with cars and people bustling around. It looked like daytime, with everyone still working and moving about.

Hao Jun had heard tales of the prodigal son Lin Feng—how he obtained everything through force and how his family supported him. Hao Jun didn't care much about that, but the Lin family had been a thorn in both the military's side and the country's. The Lin family had built a massive force that couldn't be easily dismantled. They supplied weapons to the country's enemies during a conflict with a terrifying terrorist group, which caused the deaths of many civilians. The casualties would have been worse if Hao Jun hadn't infiltrated the terrorists' base in a bloody rampage, killing their leader. That day, rivers of blood formed a small lake. It was then that Hao Jun earned the name The Devil Tyrant.

Now, Hao Jun was on a mission to live a normal life, though he couldn't avoid conflict with the Lin family. He saw an opportunity through Lei Bai and decided to become her bodyguard for tomorrow. If successful, the military could slowly dismantle the Lin family's empire by eating away at their business and wealth bit by bit. Tomorrow, Lin Feng would be heartbroken because of Lei Bai. Based on his previous behavior, he would try to force himself on her. The military was betting on this outcome. If Lin Feng harmed her, Hao Jun would be given the opportunity to retaliate. From there, the Lin family would likely try to kill Hao Jun.

Hao Jun planned to find ways to keep undermining the Lin family until their hatred reached its peak. On the day Lin Feng inherit the family business, the military would set a trap using Lei Bai. Lin Feng was set to inherit the business at 24, just a few months away. That would also be when he and Lei Bai would meet. Lei Bai would drug him and make him sign the transfer of shares to a major corporation. Shortly afterward, Hao Jun's identity would be revealed, and the military would begin their assault.

The first step would be exposing all the Lin family's crimes to win public sympathy, followed by revealing their plans to assassinate a five-star honorary general of the Republic of China.

It was a sinister plan, but the military was determined.

"Blame yourselves for your downfall," Haojun said, dressing up in a casual outfit.

Just as Haojun was about to inform the military of his readiness, he felt his heart skip a beat. A chill ran down his spine.

Haojun collapsed to the ground.

"Hey, System, what's wrong?" Haojun asked through gritted teeth.

(Ding... Host, we are about to be destroyed.)

"What? How? By who? A foreign enemy? Has the Lin family developed the anti-matter bomb?" Haojun asked multiple questions while struggling to get up. Despite breaking through to a new state, making him as strong as hidden masters and capable of defeating 10,000 men, his body felt unbearably heavy.

(Host, the world's will is acting on you. I'll explain quickly. Something is coming and will appear here in 15 minutes—a creature beyond comprehension. It is a demon, and it will kill you, humanity, and the world. It exists solely for destruction. Haojun, you should—)

"Wait, wait, wait... Demon? Hey, first, tell the world's will to stop. And what's that?" Haojun interrupted, pinned to the ground. A second later, the pressure vanished.

(Host, every world is alive and has a consciousness. That consciousness is called the world's will. Anyway, Host, listen—the world's will said you should isola—)

"Stop. Stop." Haojun frowned and stood up. He looked around, grabbed his car keys, and said, "Firstly, relax. I've met humans who call themselves demons, so why should I be afraid? Secondly, didn't you say no one can break through space?"

(I said that, but I didn't want to tell you yet. Where are you going?)

"To meet the so-called demon," Haojun said with a smile, opening his car door.

(Host, you should leave. Go to the 'A' continent, gather humans, and work with your scientists. Develop a spaceship and leave. This planet is doomed.)

Haojun pressed his hands on the steering wheel.

"System, what are you? And even if we leave, how many humans can we save? This is my planet, my country. I've been fighting for it, and I'd rather die here than run. Besides, let's meet the demon—maybe we can talk."

The System was silent for a moment.

(Host, you are determined. I am part of the world's origin, split from the world's will. My goal is to make you the strongest, train more humans, and hopefully be promoted to a middle-level world. But I underestimated the difficulty. I was only able to push you to a new realm. Sigh... You are just a quasi-Rank 0 existence, unable to fully break through to Rank 0. However, I see your determination. Don't worry; we will fight together. But we must prepare—you should leave this continent.)

Haojun was amused by what he heard—the world itself was his System. He thought about it. From what the System said, the most dangerous weapon on this planet, the nuclear bomb, capable of destroying a radius of one or half a mile (1,600 km or 800 km), wouldn't work on the demon. But maybe an anti-matter bomb would. The Lin family was developing one.

"Hey, System, the anti-matter bomb—do you think if we drop a dozen, it will kill the demon?" Haojun asked.

(Host, yes. The demon shouldn't be at high-level Rank 0, so a couple of bombs should suffice, though a continent will be lost.)

"Good, System. Losing a continent isn't bad in exchange for killing a demon and saving the world. We have seven, right? Losing one is acceptable. Also, if I leave now, the Lin family will be destroyed, but they have the highest probability of completing the bomb. So, I'll stay. Besides, I need to see the enemy. We must know our enemy, right?" Haojun said.

(Okay, Host. Be careful. Don't try to fight him. He will destroy you, and I won't be able to help.)

"It's fine, System. I'm not that reckless and won't throw my life away for nothing. So, where will he appear?" Haojun asked.

(Junbai Forest.)

"Good, it's not far from here," Haojun said, smiling as he drove off.

*********

Back to the present.

Lin Feng drove his car to the entrance of Junbai Forest and parked by the roadside. Getting out, he noticed another car nearby. Recognizing it, Lin Feng gasped—it was Haojun's car. He looked around but saw no one. Lin Feng, recalling Haojun's skill in camouflage, gave up searching and leaned back against his car.

"He knows about the demon, but if he's hiding, that means he can't beat it. Ah, I'm intrigued. I want to see you, Mr. Demon," Lin Feng chuckled, closing his eyes.

High atop a 10-meter tree, Haojun watched Lin Feng with shock. Turning to the System, he demanded an explanation, and the answer stunned him: Lin Feng had a System too, also from the world's origin.

The world's plan was to pit them against each other, ensuring a fight. By using them, the world hoped one of them would break through to Rank 0 after killing the other. Haojun was furious at being used but, as a seasoned general, he understood the reasoning.

Looking down at Lin Feng, Haojun frowned briefly before averting his gaze.

10 minutes later.

"He is here," they both said in low voices. First, the temperature increased, followed by the cries and howls of animals. Afterwards, a huge aura was released. Both Lin Feng, a normal human, and Haojun were suppressed and couldn't move their bodies. Haojun's bones creaked and showed signs of breaking, while Lin Feng coughed up blood. He was about to die when the pressure disappeared.

Step... step... step...

A slow and steady footstep was heard, and a slightly dark-skinned, naked man walked out. Lin Feng quickly stood up and walked forward.

Void looked at the human walking towards him. A second ago, Void had discovered two human souls ahead of him and slowed down. He wanted to see what they were here for since it seemed like they were expecting him.

Now, looking at them, Void scanned them.

{Ding}

{Name: Haojun. Rank: Quasi-Rank 0}

{Strength: Early. Speed: None. Stamina: Early}

{Son of Destiny Luck: 200 (in human terms). Skills: Disguise, Camouflage, Mastered Hand-to-Hand Combat... +99 more}

Looking at the stats of the human on the tree, Void had to admit he was interested. At least Void knew that compared to the antagonist in front of him, the protagonist would easily kill him ten out of ten times.

{Ding}

{Name: Lin Feng. Rank: None. Strength: None}

{Speed: None. Stamina: None. Villain Luck: -50 (growing)}

{Skills: None}

Void looked at the villain again and clicked his tongue. "Who to sign a contract with?" Void thought.

"Well... not with the coward hiding, so... you," Void grinned and appeared in front of Lin Feng.

Looking at the person who had appeared 2 meters in front of him from 50 meters away, Lin Feng was startled.

Haojun was shocked. He had just seen the strange man step on the ground and appear right in front of Lin Feng. Haojun was terrified. The pressure he felt, the thunder rumbling, this speed... This is a demon.

"My lord, my name is Lin Feng, I..." Void watched Lin Feng bow down and introduce himself, which made Void's grin grow creepier and creepier. Void looked at the silver ball attached to Lin Feng's soul with interest. If he could swallow Lin Feng's soul and the soul of the coward hiding in the tree, he would reach High-Level Rank 0 and wouldn't have to kill 10,000 Middle-Level Rank 0 demons, saving him a month's hard work. And this was only because demons were plentiful. In another world, it would take at least a decade for geniuses to break through to High-Level Rank 0, and for ordinary creatures, even longer.

"Yes, yes, sign this," Void said. After speaking, fire burned in front of Lin Feng, and an ancient parchment was formed. Lin Feng read it over and over again before biting his thumb and dripping his blood on it. Void watched Lin Feng with interest.

{Ding}

The parchment disappeared, and Void's suppressed strength of 1% was released.

"My lord, let's go," Lin Feng said, looking at the dangling thing in front of him in shock. "So big," Lin Feng thought, quickly turning around and opening the door of his Lamborghini.

Void looked down and chuckled before entering the car.

"Oh, so interesting, this planet. First time in a Lambo too," Void murmured and closed his eyes with a smile.

**********

Author's Note:

Please support the author, guys. Thank you for reading. Also, drop the worlds you'd like Void to go to next—whether comic verse, movie verse, or anime verse. Please start with weak ones, and don't mention Dragon Ball, One Punch Man, DC, Marvel, Rimuru, or any similar ones.