Kael Ravencroft checked into the hospital under a false name.
Private wing.
No records linked.
No questions asked.
He walked with difficulty.
Each step sent a reminder through his body—
sharp, humiliating, irreversible pain.
Diagnosis
The doctor returned after a long silence.
His expression was careful.
"Mr. Ravencroft," he said slowly,
"the damage is… permanent."
Kael gripped the edge of the bed.
"…Explain."
The doctor inhaled.
"You've lost functional capability," he said.
"And… you are sterile."
The words didn't register at first.
Then—
They did.
Collapse
Kael slid off the bed.
Hit the floor.
Hard.
"No," he whispered.
"No—no—no—"
His hands trembled violently.
His breath shattered into sobs.
"My… my future… my bloodline…"
The doctor stepped back, uncomfortable.
Kael slammed his fist against the floor.
"Leon Ashford!" he screamed hoarsely.
"That bastard—!"
Rage.
Grief.
Terror.
Everything mixed into something ugly and broken.
The "future tycoon" lay on a hospital floor—
Crying like a child.
Elsewhere — The Runcandel Residence
Alex sat comfortably in the study.
Kirlia floated nearby, watching him with bright eyes.
Then—
The system chimed.
System Notifications
System Notice:
Host used Leon Ashford as a pawn, releasing partial information on Kael Ravencroft.
Kael Ravencroft's fame declined.
Kael Luck −1,000
Host gains +10,000 points
Another followed immediately.
System Notice:
Host caused Kael Ravencroft to kidnap and kill Leon Ashford unknowingly.
Kael Luck −400
Host gains +4,000 points
Alex's lips curved slightly.
Then—
The final one appeared.
System Notice:
Kael Ravencroft lost reproductive capability during conflict with Leon Ashford.
Status: Sterile
Kael Luck −4,000
Host gains +40,000 points
System Summary
System Points:86,000
Protagonist Kael Ravencroft Luck:3,000
Reaction
Alex stared at the panel.
Then—
He laughed.
Not softly.
Not politely.
He leaned back in his chair and laughed until he had to wipe his eyes.
"…He lost being a man," Alex said, shaking his head.
"All that arrogance… gone."
Kirlia blinked.
Alex patted her head.
"Don't worry," he said lightly.
"This isn't the end."
He glanced at the remaining luck value.
3,000.
"So close," he murmured.
"Yet still breathing."
Outside—
The night was calm.
Inside—
A protagonist had been reduced to a hollow shell.
And the villain?
He was only getting started.