Power Awakens, Points Burn, and a Question Without an Answer
Alex stared at the reward screen longer than he expected.
"…Dragon User Fragment?"
Kirlia floated closer, curious.
Metagross tilted slightly, sensing a shift.
Alex tapped Merge.
Dragon Awakening
The fragment dissolved into crimson-gold light.
It didn't explode.
It settled.
Something ancient stirred inside Alex's chest.
A deep, heavy presence—like standing before a sleeping dragon.
Alex inhaled.
The air felt thicker.
Warmer.
Sharper.
Talent Awakened:
Dragon Aura User — Beginner
Alex opened his eyes.
The world looked the same.
But it felt different.
"…So this is dragon aura," he murmured.
Garchomp, resting outside, lifted its head suddenly.
And bowed.
Alex blinked.
"…Don't start."
Garchomp ignored him.
Spending Points Like Water
Alex glanced at his remaining points.
91,000.
Plenty.
He didn't hesitate.
Upgrade 1
Psychic User — Intermediate → Elite
Cost: 20,000 points
The upgrade hit instantly.
Alex felt his thoughts sharpen—layers of mental resistance stacking cleanly.
No headaches.
No backlash.
Just… clarity.
Upgrade 2
Dragon User — Beginner → Elite
Cost: 20,000 points
This one was heavier.
Dragon pressure rolled through his veins like molten steel.
His heartbeat slowed.
Stabilized.
Dominant.
Kirlia drifted closer instinctively.
Upgrade 3 (Expensive One)
Alex paused.
Viridian User.
Rare.
Costly.
Worth it.
Viridian User — Beginner → Superior
Cost: 20,000 points
The moment it upgraded—
Life responded.
The plants outside the window leaned slightly toward him.
His Pokémon's breathing synced unconsciously.
A presence that wasn't power—
—but authority over life.
Alex exhaled.
"…Yeah. That one was worth the price."
System Panel — Updated
Alex opened the panel calmly.
SYSTEM PANEL
Host: Alexander Argus Runcandel
Title: Heir of the Runcandel Family | Reborn Person | Lady Killer
Age: 18
Appearance: 100 / 100
Skills
Pokémon Knowledge — Mastery Breeder Skills — Mastery Finance — Intermediate Breeder Skills — Intermediate
(Skill Levels: Beginner < Intermediate < Advanced < Mastery)
Talents
Psychic User — Elite Dragon User — Elite Viridian User — Superior Perfect Mind Perfect Body
(Talent Levels: Beginner < Intermediate < Advanced < Superior < Gym < Elite < Champion < Level 3 God < Level 2 God < Level 1 God < Superior God)
Points: 11,000
System Store: Unlocked
System Backpack: Summon Ticket ×1
Alex nodded.
"Clean."
The Question Everyone Eventually Asks
Alex leaned back.
Then spoke quietly.
"System."
Yes, Host.
"Do I get points for killing the protagonist?"
There was a pause.
Then—
System Reply:
Host may only kill a protagonist when:
• Protagonist luck is half of initial value or
• Protagonist luck is below 5,000
Leon Ashford — Luck: 0
Conclusion: Killing is possible, but useless.
Alex stared at the last word.
"…Useless."
Kirlia floated in front of him, eyes searching his face.
Alex was silent for a long moment.
Leon Ashford had no luck.
No future.
No Pokémon.
No halo.
Killing him would give nothing.
No points.
No reward.
Just… an ending.
Life or Death
Alex closed the system panel.
"…So that's what you are now," he murmured.
Not a protagonist.
Not a rival.
Just a man who fell off the story.
Kirlia gently tugged his sleeve.
Alex looked at her.
"…No," he said calmly.
"I won't."
Not mercy.
Not forgiveness.
Just practicality.
"Living without luck," Alex continued, "is worse."
Kirlia nodded slowly.
Somewhere—
Leon Ashford existed.
Alive.
Ordinary.
And completely irrelevant.
Alex stood up.
"Alright," he said.
"Next objective."
The world had lost its protagonist.
And the villain?
He was just getting started.