Alexander looked at the system screen and didn't hesitate.
"Open the newbie package."
System Reply: Understood, Host.
The panel unfolded.
NEWBIE PACKAGE
Psychic Fragment Psychic Training Manual Talent: Perfect Body Summon Tickets ×5 Random Pokémon ×1
Alexander's eyes swept over the list.
"…Nice."
Perfect Body immediately caught his attention.
Unlike Leon—who somehow got strong just by breathing protagonist air—the original Alexander's body had been… average. Not weak, but nowhere near ideal.
This is exactly what I need.
Psychic Fragment and Psychic Training Manual were also solid rewards. Rare, valuable, and hard to obtain even for elites.
The summon tickets and random Pokémon?
"I'll save you guys for later," Alexander muttered.
He looked at the system. "Merge Perfect Body and Psychic Fragment."
System Reply: Command accepted.
The moment the words left his mouth—
Heat exploded inside his body.
Alexander stiffened.
His muscles burned.
His bones screamed.
His organs felt like they were being rebuilt piece by piece.
"—Ghh!"
He clenched his teeth, fists digging into the bedsheets as sweat poured down his face.
Minutes passed.
Then more minutes.
Each second felt like an hour.
If someone walked in right now, they'd think he was being tortured.
Finally—
System Notice: Fusion complete.
Alexander collapsed back against the bed, breathing heavily.
"…Never doing that without warning again," he muttered.
His body felt heavy.
Sticky.
And—
"…Why do I smell like death?"
Alexander looked down.
Black impurities covered his skin, thick and foul-smelling.
"…Bathroom. Now."
He staggered into the bathroom and turned the shower on full blast.
Ten minutes later—
Alexander stood in front of the mirror again.
And froze.
His body was completely different.
Lean.
Defined.
Perfectly proportioned.
Not bulky—just powerful.
Like something sculpted by a god with too much free time.
"A Greek statue…?" he muttered.
His face looked sharper. Cleaner. More refined.
"…Yeah," Alexander nodded to himself. "This is illegal."
System Notice: Appearance score updated.
Current Appearance: 100 / 100
Alexander wasn't even surprised.
He walked back to the bed and sat down carefully.
"Fuse the Psychic Training Manual."
System Reply: Processing…
Information flooded into his brain.
Breathing methods.
Mental circulation paths.
Focus techniques.
Energy control.
Alexander closed his eyes and followed the instructions.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The world faded.
Hours passed.
Psychic energy stirred faintly in his mind—weak, but real.
When he finally stopped, his head throbbed.
"…Mental exhaustion hits harder than leg day," he muttered.
He lay down.
And for the first time since waking up in this world—
Alexander slept peacefully.
Meanwhile — Runcandel Mansion
Three women sat quietly in the lounge.
Chisato Hasegawa crossed her legs, glancing sideways.
Grayfia Lucifuge rested her chin on her hand, eyes thoughtful.
Chris Vinyard leaned back with her arms crossed.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"So," Chris said casually, "Alex really didn't care about that bitch anymore."
Chisato smiled faintly.
Grayfia nodded once.
"…Then," Chris continued, a sharp grin forming,
"We're free to pursue him."
Chisato's eyes softened.
Grayfia's gaze turned determined.
Both nodded.
Outside, the moonlight shone quietly over the Runcandel estate.
And without realizing it—
Alexander Argus Runcandel had just changed the fate of more than one storyline.