Chapter 8
"Thanks, but no thanks. Please get the hell out of my body!"
Shock flashed across Alex's eyes for a brief moment, but he rejected the offer without the slightest hesitation.
When the system listed all those tempting powers — Devil Fruits from One Piece, Zanpakuto from Bleach, Super Saiyan genes from Dragon Ball, and countless other cool, over-the-top abilities from movies, novels, and anime — Alex felt a momentary flicker of temptation in his heart.
He could imagine it clearly: standing on top of a skyscraper in the DC Universe, black coat fluttering in the wind, coldly shouting "Bankai!" as his Zanpakuto underwent a world-shaking transformation. The night sky would churn behind him while he looked down at Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and the other heroes with icy arrogance. How insanely cool that would be.
Or roaring as he transformed into a Super Saiyan on the battlefield — his shirt ripping apart to reveal terrifying, densely packed muscles, golden flames erupting around him like an aura, spiky golden hair dancing wildly in the night wind. With golden eyes glowing brightly, rocks floating around him from the sheer pressure — even if the whole world became his enemy, he would fight without fear.
It was incredibly exciting. Extremely badass.
If it were truly free and without strings attached, Alex could seriously consider pursuing such overwhelming power.
But unfortunately, the moment the system started listing these temptations, Alex knew it was trying to lure him with ill intentions. So he refused.
He would rather chase strength on his own terms in freedom than gain power only to become the system's puppet.
Besides, he strongly suspected the system was simply trying to seduce him.
Firm rejection!
His refusal was so swift and decisive that even the system seemed momentarily stunned. The rejection came the instant it finished speaking.
Compared to all those flashy, explosive powers, Alex chose freedom without any hesitation.
"Enough, Alex. The fact that you have reached the peak of human physical strength today is also thanks to the system's help!"
The system's electronic voice rang out with clear displeasure in Alex's ear.
However, Alex caught an important piece of information.
'The system has real intelligence!'
The thought flashed through his mind.
From the very beginning, Alex had been continuously testing the system — from when it pointed out how weak he was in the DC Universe, to asking if he was sure about leaving it, to tempting him with abilities from various fictional worlds, and now angrily rebuking him. Its tone sounded almost like an irritated person losing patience.
This wasn't some simple artificial intelligence. The system seemed anxious… and desperately eager to control him.
"Oh? I wasn't aware of your so-called 'help'," Alex replied, his voice growing colder. "This powerful body of mine was built through relentless training since I was five years old. I followed strict scientific methods, consumed expensive proteins, vitamins, medicinal baths, and countless other costly resources. That's how I forged this peak human physique."
"And now you're telling me it was all because of you?"
Alex's tone turned icy. Every single day and night he had trained without fail — stance training, stretching, skin hardening, bone conditioning, deep marrow blood refinement, blood cell resonance, internal energy cultivation, external muscle and tendon training. He had trained through the harshest winters and hottest summers.
He had started earning money as a child just to afford the drugs, nutrients, and high-tech equipment needed for his training. And now this system was casually claiming all the credit?
It was completely denying all his hard work.
Did my efforts mean nothing? Did all the money I earned mean nothing?
Alex sneered coldly in his heart and mentally sentenced the system to death.
"Heh. From the moment you transmigrated into the DC Universe, the system fused with your genes and soul. Without the system's fusion and enhancement of your body's latent potential, do you really think you could have trained to the peak of human limits so easily?"
"Heh."
Alex let out a cold, mocking laugh inside his helmet. It carried only one meaning — pure insult.
How nicely you put it.
In truth, as a child, Alex had been weak and sickly, with poor immunity and frequent illnesses. His mother's drug addiction was partly caused by despair over her son's frail health, combined with the immense social pressure of that era.
Now that the system mentioned it, Alex was almost certain it had tampered with his body from birth, deliberately weakening him.
If he hadn't earned money through shady means as a child, he would have died in the slums long ago.
Enhancing my latent potential? Bullshit. I nearly died back then.
Sensing that Alex did not believe a word it said, the system grew furious. Its electronic voice boomed with anger in his ears.
"Without the system's help, you would have died when you were nine!"
The system laughed coldly, clearly irritated. It had given so much, yet this host dared to suspect it. What an ignorant and stupid Earthling!
Suddenly —
Screeeeech——!
Alex's pupils contracted. The motorcycle's tires screeched against the asphalt, leaving a long black mark as he slammed on the brakes. The bike slid forward nearly a meter, the front dipping down while the rear lifted slightly before slamming back onto the road with a heavy thud.
A bright red Ferrari Portofino behind him swerved sharply. The driver hit the brakes hard, executing a smooth half-arc drift with a loud tire screech. White smoke rose from the burning rubber as the Ferrari left a perfect black arc on the road and pulled into the adjacent lane, elegantly passing Alex.
Traffic around them slowed. Some drivers leaned out to watch the commotion, while pedestrians on the sidewalk stretched their necks, curious if an accident had occurred.
The Ferrari's door opened, and a muscular white man with golden blond hair stepped out. A diamond stud glittered in his right earlobe. He wore a white tank top that showed off his thick, tattooed arms covered in colorful bird and flower designs.
"Fuck! You son of a bitch! You trying to wreck my car?!"
"Do you know what road rage is?!"
He slammed his hand angrily on the hood of his Ferrari, cracking his neck with loud pops and cracking his knuckles threateningly.
"I'm gonna teach you a lesson today and show you what real road rage looks like!"
The blond muscular man stormed toward Alex with fury in his eyes.
A surge of burning anger rose from the bottom of Alex's heart, making his blood boil. Without hesitation, he drew the Desert Eagle from the small of his back and pointed it straight at the approaching man.
The moment the man saw the silver Desert Eagle aimed at him, his angry expression froze. His face paled instantly. Without a second of hesitation, he began walking backward as if someone had pressed rewind. His face turned deathly white as he retreated all the way to his Ferrari, slammed the door shut, and frantically stomped on the accelerator.
The tires spun wildly, producing thick white smoke before the Ferrari shot backward, then quickly turned and disappeared into the traffic flow.
The surrounding cars immediately sped up and fled the scene. No one dared look at Alex. Pedestrians in the distance scattered in panic, keeping as far away from him as possible.
Who the hell would mess with someone who pulled a gun over road rage?