The Phantom's Gambit - Chapter 82: Severed ties

Time had run out. Azrael hadn't been chosen by the system, leaving him Forsaken with no hope for a prosperous life.But he wasn’t going to let it end like this. Even if it meant trading his life for a single chance, he would take it. It was either a life of greatness, one where he would reach the very top… or a short one, dying here, unmourned and forgotten by a cursed world that never cared he existed.“An early end in pursuit of greatness sounds better than a slightly longer one filled with stagnation and regret.”In the end, all the things he had done hadn’t been for naught. The sacrifices up until now had been worth it.[Inborn Trait activated][System devoured][Inborn Trait is fusing with the system][Devouring System has been granted]To his surprise, however, his system proved to be far more extraordinary than the others, granting him a unique path that only he could follow.With that realization, one thing became certain: no matter what monster or human stood in his way, he would reach the very top of the hierarchy, regardless of the cost.

In a world where failure is almost guaranteed, the game I now find myself in has a staggering 99.9% chance of defeat. Every choice brings chaos, and every road leads to disaster. No one has ever beaten it—it's infamous for being impossible to clear. But somehow, against all odds, I've transmigrated into this cursed game.Worse yet, I've taken over the body of Max, a minor character whose role is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In the original story, Max is destined to die—nothing more than a forgettable extra lost in the background, a mere footnote in the epic tale of others.Frustration hit me hard as I realized I was trapped in this dead-end character. My doom felt inevitable, and every instinct told me to give up. What hope did I have in a world where even the strongest could barely survive?But just as despair was about to swallow me whole, a System suddenly activated, turning everything on its head. Along with the System came a peculiar ability:[Charm]It wasn't some overpowered skill designed for combat or survival. No, it was something entirely different, yet equally powerful in its own right.[Charm: Increase favorability as more women are captivated by your presence.]This was my key to survival.Through this strange, almost ridiculous skill, I realized that I could change my fate. The powerful female characters, once unreachable in the original storyline, could now be influenced. If I could make them favor me, their strength, influence, and protection would be mine.But it wouldn’t be easy. Each of these women had their own complex personalities, histories, and goals. They were dangerous, capable of crushing me in an instant if I misstepped. But with charm on my side, I might just be able to win them over—and in doing so, alter my destiny.What was once a game of certain death had now become a gamble of life and affection. Every conversation, every interaction, would determine whether I live or die. My charm was my weapon, and it would be the only thing standing between me and the grim fate that awaited Max.Now, with my new plan in motion, I’ll have to navigate the intricate web of relationships and alliances while avoiding the countless threats looming over me. The odds are still stacked against me, but for the first time since I arrived, I can see a glimmer of hope.If I can make the right moves, charm the right people, and avoid the pitfalls, I might just survive this nightmare.Or better yet, thrive.This is my one chance at life in a world of inevitable ruin, and I’ll do whatever it takes to change my story.

In the year 2050, the world changed drastically when mysterious portals began to randomly appear, bringing with them terrifying monsters dubbed Transcendents and unimaginable dangers. Humanity nearly collapsed entirely, and the survivors took refuge in cities and secure areas, protected by individuals with special abilities called Awakened. These Awakened were the only humans capable of entering the portals and exploring the unknown realms on the other side, in search of resources, treasures, glory, or answers.

Kaito, on the other hand, was just an unhappy young man who found solace in a classic online game called Mortal Tower, where he created an avatar of a powerful and charismatic villain. While many hoped to become Awakened, Kaito believed that even if he lived a million lives, he would never have the fortune to become one. However, one fateful day, fate played a trick on him. He woke up and naturally looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, but he could hardly believe what he saw. Kaito strangely resembled his Mortal Tower avatar.

And to make things even better, Kaito somehow inherited the purchasing system from Mortal Tower, which would allow him to buy all kinds of items, from rare abilities to legendary equipment!

Now, Kaito has to deal with his new life in an almost post-apocalyptic world full of opportunities, but also with a new great challenge called Celestial Abode, something even greater than the classic dungeon-crawling portals, something so similar to the early floors of Mortal Tower that it scares him. However, Kaito sets a goal for himself: conquer the top of both worlds, but he doesn't know it will cost him his selflessness.

(Obs: No, he's still not a villain at first. There is a development for him to become a villain.)

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