Chapter 2

Data streams of reactivated high-level GM command codes constantly scrolled across my retina. Countless crimson data flows cascaded like waterfalls through my vision, through my fingertips, through the damp, moldy wall behind me. The privilege systems that had slumbered for three years were coming online one by one—each module's restart accompanied by slight cranial tremors, like an ancient engine igniting its cylinders one by one.

[System modules loading...]

[Global player database: Connected / Data throughput: Normal]

[Equipment management system: Activated / Coverage: Server-wide]

[Map coordinate lock module: Ready / Precision: Micrometer level]

[Privilege level: Unlimited / Confirmed: The Architect]

I took a deep breath—for the first time in three years, the bunker's stagnant air no longer smelled like poison gas, but like ordinary wind.

Suddenly, the bunker's heavy iron door exploded with tremendous force. Metal shrapnel scattered everywhere, the shockwave toppling several empty cans in the corner with clattering sounds. A heavy armed drone bearing mafia insignia forced its way in, six rotors spinning at high speed, the generated airflow scattering dust accumulated at my feet. The drone's mechanical arm violently hurled an exquisite black gift box at my feet—its obsidian shell gleaming coldly under the emergency lights.

The gift box automatically opened. A holographic projection system instantly activated, and Lucas's ugly, arrogant face appeared in mid-air, magnified to nearly distorted proportions. Behind him, the platinum safe house blazed with lights while Elena nestled in his arms, holding a bubbling Bloody Mary, her face adorned with a sweet yet malicious smile.

I looked down at the box's contents. Several blood-stained golden hair strands lay quietly on silk padding, along with white, sharp fragments—pieces of Lily's finger bones.

"Well, well! Our waste 'Architect' is still alive?" Lucas spread his arms in the holographic projection, his tone as exaggerated as a talk show host's. "See the little gift we prepared for you? Your sister tasted pretty good—those ghouls couldn't bear to finish her in one sitting. I sent people to collect the pieces several times to put together this gift box for you. How's that for thoughtful?"

[Mandatory paid livestream activated server-wide]

[Current viewers: 14,237,891]

[Real-time donations: Breaking 480 million points]

Elena giggled sweetly in his arms, her voice sticky as poisoned syrup: "Viktor, you're like a rat hiding in a stinking gutter now. You don't even have the courage to avenge your own sister. Do you still deserve to be called a man?"

Lucas's fingers ran through Elena's hair: "Why don't you just kill yourself now, waste. Start a livestream—we'll donate to you. Consider it coffin money for your sister, though her body's too shredded to piece back together."

Livestream comments flooded like data torrents, each carrying pure malice:

[Bloody Duke]: @Viktor Stop playing dead! Kneel and beg for mercy! Beg and we'll spare your life! 10 million donation! I want to see him kowtow!

[Night Hunter]: 8 million point donation! Let this waste commit suicide on the spot and I'll add another 10 million! Who wants to pool together a "suicide package"?

[London Butcher]: I helped pack up your sister's bones. Give me your address—I'll mail them COD! Free shipping available too!

[Abyss Reaper]: Is he already dead? Why isn't he moving? Did he get scared into paralysis? Hahaha!

[Spectator A]: Everyone calm down, maybe he's gathering courage to commit suicide? After all, staying alive is just wasting oxygen.

Each taunt precisely struck my already dead nerve endings—the few living neurons rapidly evaporating as whatever remained of "Viktor" the person dissolved at microscopic speed.

I stood there, letting the holographic projection's blood-red light wash over my face. No anger, no tears, not even the slightest expression change. I stood there like a stone sculpture, like a string of dead data, like a program awaiting activation.

Lucas and Elena raged frantically before me, like two useless files that had detected deletion commands but still struggled futilely.

Then I silently raised my right hand. My fingertip traced an elegant arc in the void—like drawing talismans, like conducting, like casually brushing away smoke. A crimson operation panel visible only to me instantly opened, unfurling before me as a translucent light screen with data streams cascading down like waterfalls:

[Target locking... Search complete...]

[Target A: Lucas Black]

[Physical coordinates: London Platinum District B7-013 Luxury Safe House]  

[Game assets: 23,847,329,184 points]

[Equipment inventory: SSS-tier Abyss Dominator complete set (helmet/chest armor/gauntlets/leg armor/boots)]

[Additional assets: Platinum safe houses ×3, SSS-tier mounts ×2, rare item inventory ×47]

[Current status: Alive / Controllable]

[Target B: Elena Rothschild]

[Physical coordinates: London Platinum District B7-013 Luxury Safe House (overlapping with Target A)]

[Game assets: 8,923,847,392 points]

[Equipment inventory: SSS-tier Holy Light Protection complete set (helmet/chest armor/gauntlets/leg armor/boots)]

[Additional assets: Platinum safe houses ×1, rare item inventory ×23]

[Current status: Alive / Controllable]

My gaze pierced through the operation panel, through the holographic projection, through London's thick underground rock layers, reaching that brightly lit luxurious living room. The screen split into two views—on the left, Lucas eloquently showing off his new toys to the camera; on the right, the word "Controllable" flashing cold red light on my operation panel.

They didn't know they'd been locked onto. They were still waving their carefully woven victory banner, raging frantically at a being that had reloaded as "The Architect."

Lucas pulled out a brilliantly golden amulet for the camera: "Brothers! Today I'll show you something truly amazing!"

[Absolute Defense Core]

[Grade: Legendary]

[Effect: Immunity to all damage / Duration: 30 minutes]

[Uses: 1/1]

[Source: Abyss Shop limited exchange / Value: 1,000,000,000 points]

He held the amulet high, ensuring every camera could capture each detail of its golden radiance: "See this! Legendary-grade Absolute Defense Core! Only three exist server-wide! I spent a full billion points to get it! With this, even if ancient gods descended, they couldn't harm a hair on my head!"

Livestream comments surged like tsunamis:

[Night Lord]: Holy shit! A billion-point artifact! Now that's what a champion should have!

[Abyss Envoy]: This is true invincibility! Immune to all damage for thirty minutes—isn't this basically god mode?

[Bloody Count]: Boss Lucas is awesome! Who in the entire server dares mess with you? That waste Viktor can't afford even a fraction of this equipment!

Lucas wore the amulet around his neck, deliberately turning in front of the camera, striking various exaggerated poses to show off the golden aura: "Starting today, I am the true god of this game! No one can—"

I calmly entered an override command on the operation panel.

My fingertips gliding across the virtual keyboard made almost no sound, like dusting off a speck from glass.

[Override target item properties]

[Target: Absolute Defense Core (held by Lucas Black)]

[Original properties: Immunity to all damage for 30 minutes]

[New properties: 1000% damage amplification (to holder)]

[Duration: Permanent (irreversible)]

[Confirm execution?]

My finger paused for two seconds above the virtual confirmation key. During these two seconds, Lucas was spreading his arms to the camera, boldly shouting: "Come on! Which blind fool dares to test my—"

I pressed Enter.

At the same time, I casually swept through another destruction command. The multi-million-point heavy drone overhead instantly emitted piercing metallic shrieks as all six rotors shattered simultaneously, its body splitting down the middle in a shower of sparks, dissolving into countless scrap metal pieces scattered across the floor. Several chunks landed near my feet, bouncing twice before settling.

I didn't look up at the scrap pile. Didn't even spare it a glance.

My gaze locked onto the golden amulet on Lucas's chest—the one I'd just rewritten into a "self-destruct program."

I spoke softly, my voice like a data packet from the abyss's deepest depths:

"Wear it well. You'll need it very soon."