Resurrection System: Become the Strongest

Chapter 03

"Master Richard, I know I'm at fault!" David suddenly shrieked in panic. His eyes were frozen in terror upon the shadowy figure of a golden dragon that faint-rumbled ominously behind Richard's frail body.

"Starting today, the rules in this house must change. And you are the first to experience it," Richard said firmly. The crushing aura he emanated intensified, causing David to instantly break out in a cold sweat.

"Slap your own face right now. I won't let you off that easily."

The icy order from Richard's mouth acted like an absolute command. David's hand suddenly moved on its own, striking his cheek violently, completely beyond his control.

Slap! Slap!

David slapped his own face repeatedly with full force. Within a matter of minutes, fresh blood began trickling from the corners of his lips and nose. Richard watched the scene with a expression of disgust on his face.

"Stop and get out of here. I hope you don't forget what you received today," Richard said flatly.

Instantly, David's hands magically ceased moving. Wasting no time, the servant immediately seized the opportunity to bolt, fleeing from his young master who had suddenly turned terrifyingly ominous.

The moment David disappeared behind the door, the golden light pulsing around Richard's body gradually ebbed and vanished. Both of Richard's legs abruptly gave way, his steps wobbling so severely that he nearly crashed to the ground.

"This body is truly pathetic," Richard groaned while rubbing his chest. He knew the borrowed strength from the Dragon System had just run out, and his original body could not hold out for long without that boost of power.

To Richard's fragile frame, every single step felt like excruciating physical torture. His heart throbbed with sharp pain, as though pierced by thousands of needles.

Ding!

[Congratulations Host, your first mission is complete!]

[Rewards have been distributed.]

Richard instinctively closed his eyes. The detoxification process executed by the system began to work, gradually sweeping away the agonizing pain in his chest until it diminished drastically.

[Would Host like to view your status bar for the time being?]

Without hesitation, Richard directly pressed the 'OK' button floating in front of his eyes.

[Richard Alexander Drag]

[Stat Point: +5 (automatically allocated to Vitality)]

[Mana Core: Level 1 (unlocked)]

(Other status bars remain locked and will unlock as Host completes missions)

A sudden wave of warmth flowed up from the tips of his feet, spreading rapidly through every blood vessel. Although the sharp ache in his chest throbbed once more, the faint warmth immediately replaced it, making Richard's breathing feel significantly lighter.

"System, tell me this body isn't in a dying state anymore, right?" Richard asked with relief. At least he was confident his frame wouldn't collapse simply from a gust of wind.

[Correct Host, you are no longer as weak as before. However, remember that this body remains frail. That is no excuse for Host to stay idle in your room, as new missions will only spawn upon triggers.]

"You're quite talkative. Don't worry, I have no intention of shutting myself inside this room anyway. I need to see the outside world," Richard responded with a touch of annoyance. He understood well that if he merely stayed hidden in his room, the tragic fate of the original owner would still come for him. He had no intention of dying before all his vengeance was exacted.

Richard stepped out of his luxurious room. He walked along a long corridor adorned with grand architecture until he reached an open, lush, and cool garden. However, before his feet could step onto the garden grass, a deep voice halted his movements.

"What are you doing here, Richard? Did you forget that the mages' gathering is starting shortly? Do you want to bring shame upon the Drag family once again?"

Richard turned around, shifting his gaze toward the source of the voice.

A young man clad in a silver-trimmed blue mage robe stood there, glaring at him with a cold, contemptuous gaze. A Drag family crest pin was fastened to his chest, while a faint shadow of a small black dragon lurked menacingly behind his body.

Richard instantly recognized the figure from the original owner's memories. He was Leonardo, his distant cousin. Leonardo resided in this estate because he was touted to become the next head of the Drag family—taking over the position from Richard, who was regarded as crippled and useless.

"And what exactly have I done to bring shame to this family, Leonardo? And did you forget that this is my home? I am free to walk wherever I please," Richard replied calmly.

Leonardo's eyes widened in disbelief. He was stunned to see his usually timid younger cousin openly defying his words.

"Richard, are you sick? Have you forgotten that trashy young masters like you don't deserve to call themselves the owners of this house?" Leonardo barked. He raised his hand, sparking a small vortex of wind magic in his palm to intimidate Richard.

Richard stared at the magical threat with a flat, uninterested expression. From his memory of the novel, he knew Leonardo despised him to the core. As long as Richard still drew breath, Leonardo's position as the rightful heir of the Drag family would always hang in limbo.

"Has your brain been ruined by that illness of yours?" Leonardo interjected again, this time summoning sparks of black electricity from the tip of his index finger.

"I'm sorry, but I don't feel there is anything wrong with what I said at all. Isn't this indeed my house?" Richard curled a cold smile, stoking Leonardo's anger to a boiling point.

"The owner of this house?" Leonardo scoffed mockingly, his gaze flashing sharply. "Don't make me laugh until my stomach hurts! You are nothing more than a black stain on the lineage of the grandest mage family in this empire! The Master hesitates to even look at your face, and now you dare claim to be the owner of this house?"

Leonardo's fury reached its peak. Richard had touched a raw nerve regarding his standing as a family member who was merely a guest in the grand estate.

"What is going on here?"

A middle-aged man's heavy voice abruptly cut off the argument. His presence instantly startled Leonardo, making him hurriedly retract the black magic in his palm.