The Awakening of the Divine Power System

The Foolish Woman

James watched from the living room with a growing sense of unease. The noises coming from the kitchen didn't sound like any cooking he was familiar with. Instead of the sizzle of oil or the clinking of a spatula against a pan, his ears were met with the heavy thud of metal on metal, a low roar that sounded like a miniature jet turbine, and the occasional flash of violet light reflecting off the marble walls. It was unsettling, as if Freya wasn't prepping dinner so much as assembling a nuclear warhead on the stovetop.

However, in a remarkably short time, silence returned to the penthouse. Freya emerged from the kitchen with an incredibly graceful, calm stride. She pushed a silver serving cart and, with surgical precision, placed a crystal plate before James. On it sat an aesthetically perfect cut of meat, drizzled in a flawless, shimmering glaze.

"Enjoy, My Lord," Freya said softly, bowing slightly while catching his gaze with her sapphire-blue eyes.

James looked at the dish skeptically. "You didn't put explosives in this, did you?" he joked. Yet, the aroma wafting from the plate was undeniable—a rich blend of spices and a professional smoky finish that made his mouth water.

James took a silver fork and cut a small piece. The moment the first bite hit his tongue, his eyes widened. The texture was so tender it practically melted, while the savory and sweet flavors hit a perfect balance. It tasted like the work of a five-star chef—maybe even better.

"This is... incredible," James muttered, taking another, more eager bite. "I’m impressed you pulled this off, Freya. I didn't think a combat assistant would have such a refined palate."

Freya stood tall beside the table, her arms folded in an elegant yet alert stance. A confident, faint smile played on her beautiful face. "Sir, that is only a fraction of my capabilities. As I said, I can adapt to any of your needs."

She stepped an inch closer. "I will be the most useful assistant you’ve ever had. Not just as a protector, but in every single aspect of your life from here on out."

…

A few weeks later, after James had fully settled into his comfortable life of System-granted power, he decided to head out one afternoon to enjoy a cup of coffee in a new setting.

Just as his coffee was served, he saw a familiar couple walk in hand-in-hand.

"Wow, busy day in the city. I didn't expect to run into him again," Sofia said to Max. It was loud enough for James to hear—a clear, petty jab.

Max smirked, glancing at James for a split second. James, meanwhile, just looked at Sofia. She was certainly an attention-grabber with her expensive, high-society look.

"I’m not sure he even has enough money to pay the bill," Max whispered to Sofia, and they both shared a snicker.

As they walked past James to find a table, Sofia didn't hesitate to bark, "James, I hope you aren't lost."

James just smiled and replied calmly, "I was once lost on the wrong woman. I don't make the same mistake when picking a cafe."

Sofia’s jaw tightened. She was visibly fuming. "Are you saying I was the mistake?"

James didn't answer. To him, being betrayed while he still loved her was all the proof he needed that he’d made the wrong choice.

Max pulled Sofia away. "Forget it, he’s not worth it. This is probably his last bit of entertainment—drinking at a fancy cafe before he starves to death."

Sofia sneered. "You're right."

They walked off, and James went back to his coffee.

[System: Threat detected.]

James opened his phone to check the details.

[System: Jewelry store across the street is being robbed. Robbers will engage in a shootout with police and seek cover in this cafe.]

The System’s information was cryptic, almost like a code. He checked the countdown.

[System: Armed robbers will enter in 10 minutes.]

A moment later, the commotion started. People in the cafe rushed to the windows.

"There’s a robbery at the jewelry store across the street!" someone shouted, exactly as the System had warned. The peaceful atmosphere vanished, replaced by instant tension.

The fear in the air was palpable, and Sofia began to panic.

"Max, what do we do?" Sofia asked, her voice trembling.

"Don't worry, Sof. The cops will handle it. We’re safe in here," Max said, trying to sound brave.

[System: Armed robbers are heading this way. Decide: Escape or Fight.]

[System: You may select a power-up and protection.]

[System: 'Steel Body' protection costs 1,000 Divine Points. 'Combat Mastery' costs 2,000 Divine Points.]

James smiled thinly. "I don't even have that many points!"

James decided it was best to just leave. As he headed for the exit, he was nearly knocked over by Sofia, who was rushing toward the back.

"Move, you i***t!" she snapped. "If you want to die, do it on your own time at the hands of the robbers!"

Max was hurrying behind her, pulling her toward the exit before the robbers could get inside. But before they reached the door, the sound of gunfire erupted, and people scattered in a frenzy.

"Everybody down!"

A shot fired into the air, shattering the cafe's crystal chandelier. Screams filled the room.

[System: Danger detected!]

James sighed. It looked like he didn't have a choice. He activated his body shield; he didn't need to fight, he just needed to stay put until the police closed in.

"Ah! Help!" Sofia, who was frozen in shock, was suddenly grabbed by one of the robbers.

"Hey! Let her go!" Max yelled.

"You want a piece of this?" The robber shoved a gun into Max’s face, instantly silencing him.

"Max, save me!" Sofia pleaded.

"Shut up!" one of the robbers barked, shoving his gun into Max’s face, paralyzing the man with terror.

James had activated his body shield, though he had no clue if it was actually working yet. As the robber dragged Sofia forward to use her as a human shield, James felt a flicker of pity. She was absolutely terrified, her face as pale as a corpse.

He stood there for a split second, weighing his options: should he save her, or just wait for the cops to make their move? He looked at Sofia’s panicked eyes, then shifted his gaze to Max, who was cowering behind a table, completely useless.

Sofia kept looking at Max with a mix of hope and desperation, begging him with her eyes to do something. Max, consumed by his own cowardice, could only stare back with pathetic guilt.

"Pathetic," James muttered under his breath.

Taking a deep breath, James charged toward the robbers. He prayed the shield was strong enough to hold. His sudden movement distracted the two gunmen at the back, and they reflexively opened fire on him.

The bullets hit, but thanks to the System’s protection, they pinged off him like pebbles. With a swift, calculated strike, James punched the robber holding Sofia.

Sofia was thrown to the ground, and as the gunman tried to aim at her again, James barked, "Get down!"

He grabbed a heavy table and flipped it over to create a barricade. The room was filled with the deafening screams of terrified patrons. James grabbed a glass from a nearby table and hurled it at a gunman in the right corner, knocking the weapon from his hand. He grabbed a second glass and shattered it against another's head. He had one man down, though not fatally.

His plan was simple: keep them distracted and off-balance until the police finished their surround. The System confirmed the shield would remain active for twenty-four hours, so he knew he was untouchable.

Sofia huddled behind James as a hail of bullets peppered their cover.

"James, do something! You’re going to let me die at the hands of these idiots!" Sofia hissed.

James scoffed. Wasn't Max the real i***t and coward right now, hiding while his girlfriend was being used as a shield?

Suddenly, the police moved in. Tear gas canisters were tossed into the cafe, and thick smoke filled the air. Everyone’s eyes began to sting and water—except for the police and James.

The robbers were quickly neutralized and dragged away. Once the coast was clear, James realized the chaos had trashed the place. He approached one of the staff members to offer payment for the damages.

"No, sir," the manager replied, waving him off. "You saved us and that woman. Don't worry about the damage; we’re just glad everyone's alive."

"Are you sure?" James asked.

"Absolutely," the manager insisted.

Max finally crawled out from his hiding spot now that it was safe.

"Sofia, are you okay?" he asked, rushing to her side.

James expected Sofia to be furious after seeing Max’s true yellow streak, but instead, she threw herself into his arms, acting like a damsel in distress.

"Max, I was so scared!" she whined.

Max patted her shoulder. "It’s okay, Sofia. You’re safe now."

"Yeah," James interjected, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "She’s safe because the robbers are gone—no thanks to you."

Sofia shot James a venomous look, as if his rescue was an insult to her. "James, don't be jealous of Max. If Max didn't act recklessly, it’s because he’s the son of a prestigious hospital director. His life is actually valuable. He can't afford to get hurt."

James rolled his eyes. Her point was clear: to her, James was just disposable trash. If he had died fighting those robbers, it wouldn't have mattered because his life was "cheap" compared to Max’s.

"In that case, I hope you’re very happy with a man like that," James said coldly, turning to leave.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Sofia snapped, her face flushing. "You just can't handle the truth, can you?"

James paused and glanced back. "The truth? Sorry, I don't feel anything for you anymore because I’ve realized just how bottom-tier your taste is."

"You loser!" Sofia screamed. "You couldn't even find a replacement for me after we broke up! You’re lonely and just showing off some cheap bravado!"

Max joined in with a mocking laugh. "Haha, let it go, Sofia. Don't waste your breath on this loser. Poor guy... at least he used his meathead muscles to save you."

"Ugh, it’s honestly disgusting. I’ll forgive you for today since you saved me, James. But don't expect me to be impressed," Sofia added with her usual, deep-seated arrogance.

Suddenly, a black blur moved with blinding speed. Before Sofia could even close her mouth, her arm was jerked forward and her head was snapped back.

"Watch your mouth, you low-life b***h!"