My Scumbag System Chapter 500: End of Volume: Time To Go to War

The display fractured into six distinct segments.

Natalia Kuzmina. Her violet hair, effervescent under the illumination, showcased her telekinetic prowess through recorded instances of her halting an entire battleground with precisely controlled icy assaults.

Hyun-Jae's voice boomed.

Skylar Amane. Sporting dual tones of indigo and pink in her hair, her demeanor was one of apathy as her blades became a mere blur, effortlessly disassembling practice targets.

Celeste Vance. Her silver tresses, reminiscent of moonbeams, facilitated the expansion of frost in intricate, geometric formations originating from her fingertips.

Emi Aoyama. Clad in blue, her smile radiated warmth, her restorative aura enveloping injured companions.

Akari Miyamoto. Her sun-kissed skin shimmered, her chains materialized, and a dangerous grin promised peril.

Sterling noted.

The segmented screens coalesced, reforming into a solitary image. Satori stood foremost among his companions, his trusty bat resting on his shoulder, encircled by his supportive contingent.

Julian observed the on-air transmission from his private quarters, his grip tightening on his coffee mug, knuckles turning stark white.

Aaron materialized in the doorway. "Are you prepared?"

"I shall vanquish him."

"Indeed. That declaration was made yesterday. And the day prior. Furthermore, it echoes every single day across the preceding month."

Julian finally diverted his gaze from the screen. "This instance is distinct. Today marks the culmination. Today, the world will perceive his utter insignificance. Merely another street urchin elevated by fortunate circumstances."

Aaron's expression conveyed skepticism, yet he remained silent.

Within the Onyx House's culinary space, Emi was occupied at the stovetop, preparing pancakes for a gathering of seventeen individuals, while the broadcast unfolded on the wall-mounted screen.

"They have bestowed upon you the appellation, the Radiant Heart," Natalia remarked from her seat at the table.

"Does this designation carry positive connotations?"

"It is rather mortifying."

"Your own moniker is the Ice Queen."

"Which is an accurate reflection of my capabilities."

Skylar shuffled in, still attired in her sleepwear, and pilfered a pancake directly from the cooking apparatus. "They are actively promoting pairings. All of us. Alongside him. The internet has already generated fan artwork."

"Refrain from perusing the fan art," Akari advised from her position at the breakfast counter, meticulously applying varnish to her fingernails. "The creativity is astounding. And the anatomical representations are questionable."

Celeste entered, clad in her combat attire, with Noah following closely behind like a persistent shadow. "Has he regained consciousness?"

"Braxton issued a summons twenty minutes ago," Natalia informed her. "He instructed him to consume sustenance, perform stretches, and endeavor to survive."

"Sound counsel, indeed."

The broadcast abruptly shifted to an aerial perspective of the Crucible Arena, a monumental colosseum hewn directly from the volcanic rock crowning the island's summit. The nascent morning sun bathed the stone edifice in hues of amber and gold.

Sterling proclaimed, his tone imbued with a near-sacred reverence,

Hyun-Jae interjected,

The screen then displayed a countdown sequence.

INTER-GUILD TOURNAMENT COMMENCES IN:

01:47:23

Emi expertly flipped another pancake, her movements steady despite the perceptible quickening of her heart's rhythm.

Outside, the island began to stir. Students attired in various colored uniforms streamed with purpose toward the arena. Hues of silver and blue. Crimson and black. Cobalt and onyx. Viridian green. Ash gray.

All converging upon a singular destination.

All prepared for conflict.

All contemplating the identical name.

Aboard a private yacht elegantly anchored off the coastline, Veronica Cabana savored her champagne while observing the broadcast on an expansive screen.

"Your sister is participating in combat today," her manager observed.

"I am cognizant of this fact."

"Against that young man. The one you have been inquiring about."

Veronica's smile held a dangerous edge. "Satori Nakano. Correct. I possess a profound interest in making his acquaintance."

"The President has promulgated a directive. All guild recruiters are mandated to maintain a respectful distance until the tournament reaches its conclusion."

"How exceedingly unfortunate." Veronica rose, her crimson gown shimmering in the morning's rays. "I have never demonstrated a proficiency for adhering to directives."

The broadcast persisted with its unwavering, comprehensive coverage.

Impromptu interviews with fans assembled outside the arena. Young females brandished signs proclaiming "MARRY ME SATORI" and "STRAY DOG IS MY ALPHA." Young men, sporting rudimentary Onyx House colors, daubed their faces in shades of gray and black.

Professional analysts meticulously dissected team compositions on whiteboards that evoked the appearance of actual war rooms.

Betting statistics scrolled relentlessly across the screen in endless streams of numerical data and associated odds.

And permeating all of this, a solitary name was repeated as if an incantation.

Satori Nakano.

The Zero who ascended to the status of a hero.

The outcast who constructed an empire from shattered fragments and potent resentment.

The youth who surveyed the academy's entrenched hierarchy and deemed it utterly insufficient.

Sterling commented as the broadcast reverted to the studio setting,

Hyun-Jae stated,

The countdown timer diminished to ninety minutes.

Across the entirety of Valoria, individuals ceased their ongoing activities.

They congregated around their viewing devices.

They placed their wagers.

They aligned themselves with chosen factions.

And they awaited the unfolding events.

I stood within my chamber, observing my reflected image in the mirror.

The regenerator brace lay concealed beneath my attire. The burns adorning my arms had receded, leaving behind faint pink discolorations. My ribs still emitted a dull ache with each deep inhalation.

Yet, I remained standing.

I was prepared.

Behind me, the door swung open.

Natalia stepped into the room first, her sleek combat suit accentuating every curve, her hair secured in a tight tactical bun. She approached and pressed her lips to mine in a fierce, possessive kiss, her cool hands gripping my jawline. "Win," she commanded against my mouth.

Emi followed, her vibrant blue hair styled in twin braids, her healing aura already active and radiating a gentle pulse. She embraced me from the side, careful to avoid aggravating my ribs. "Come back safe."

Skylar leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Don't make us look bad out there."

Cel moved forward, her silver hair shimmering in the light. No words were spoken. She simply took my hand and gave it a single, firm squeeze.

Akari’s grin appeared from the hallway. "Try not to die, Daddy. It would be dreadfully boring if you did."

I surveyed all five of them.

My queens.

My monsters.

My soul-bonded calamities, who had willingly chosen to follow a scumbag armed with a System and an inflated sense of destiny.

"I will win," I declared. It wasn’t a boast or a promise, simply a statement of inevitable fact. "I will claim that crown, and I will ensure that everyone hears our names loud and clear."

Maki materialized on my shoulder in her feline form, her tails encircling my neck.

From downstairs, Braxton's voice boomed upwards. "The ride leaves in five minutes! If you're not on it, you're getting left behind!"

The timer on my phone showed eighty-seven minutes remaining.

I picked up my bat.

I looked at my team.

And I turned towards the door.

It was time to reveal to the entire nation what a desperate stray dog, with absolutely nothing to lose, was truly capable of achieving.

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END OF VOLUME 5