The Lust System: Hunt beyond worlds-Chapter 24: MAN WHO NEEDS TO DIE

Far up in the northern reaches of Velmora, in a small, forgotten village nestled between two sleeping hills, a group of eight armed guards stood in perfect formation. Their spears gleamed under the morning sun, and their eyes scanned the villagers with cold discipline.

At the center of them stood a man in his thirties, wearing an official-looking black coat with a golden crest stitched into the shoulder — Ashton Hook.

He wasn't from here.

Once, Ashton had been a respected officer working in the Ministry of Defense. A man with power, connections, and authority.

But corruption... always finds a way to burn those who play with it.

He had been caught in a scandal.

Not enough to kill him, but enough to bury him in shame.

As punishment, the ministry exiled him here — to Libas, the very village I lived in — and made him the new village chief.

The guards beside him weren't local. These were from the capital — trained, ruthless, and loyal only to the system that sent them. Ashton wasn't here to serve. He was here to control.

---

Back to me — Aric

The sun was setting when Sarah came running to me, her face red from excitement. She burst into my room without knocking.

> "Aric! Something happened! I don't know what, but I feel stronger... faster! My legs... I can feel power in them."

I smiled softly and motioned for her to sit.

> "It's okay. I know what happened. You awakened... sort of. I've awakened as a Mage, and part of my new ability lets me share power... with those close to me."

She looked at me wide-eyed.

> "Wait—you awakened?! And you gave me mom and aunt powers?!"

I nodded, sipping my tea.

> "Yes. But don't tell anyone. Not yet. Only you, Aunt and mom, and anyone who joins us later."

Her eyes narrowed curiously.

> "Anyone who joins us? Aric, what do you mean?"

I looked at her seriously, my tone calm but heavy.

> "The more people I keep close, the stronger I become. That's part of my power. But not just anyone. People we trust. People who are ready to become part of our... family."

She was stunned. A bit overwhelmed.

But deep down... she understood. This was bigger than her. Bigger than me.

We were building something.

---

And then it happened.

A ringing sound echoed through my ears, sharp and clear — only I could hear it.

My system had just sent a notification. I opened the glowing blue screen.

> [Emergency Quest Activated]

Target: Kill Ashton Hook

Reward:

– 1000 U-Tokens

– Permanent boost to "Slave Will" from Handshake +10%, Hug +10%, and Kiss +10%

I froze.

> "What the hell...?"

This was the first time the system had ever given me a quest — a mission to kill someone.

I re-read the name.

> Ashton Hook.

I didn't recognize it right away. But then... a memory sparked.

The new guy. The man with guards. The one who just arrived — the new village chief.

My expression darkened.

I wasn't one to kill for no reason. But this wasn't just about me.

This was a quest, sent by the system that gave me my powers — the same system that never made a move without meaning.

> "Whoever this Ashton Hook is... doesn't matter."

> He's standing in the way.

And whatever stands in my way...

Now, everything was falling into place—or at least close. My goal was clear:

Kill Ashton Hook.

Then leave this rotten village behind.

Everyone close to me had powers now. They weren't gods yet, but they were no longer weak. That made things easier. But there was one problem I hadn't solved yet. One person who was still not truly mine: Erika.

Her Slave Will was still stuck at 40%. Too low. Too risky. That number annoyed me like a stone in my boot. I needed her completely under control—100%, no loopholes.

So I did what I always do. I turned to the System Shop.

I opened it up and started scrolling through the list of skills, hoping for something that could tip the scales in my favor. But what I found was either trash—weak, useless abilities—or stuff that was so expensive it made my remaining Tokens look like pocket change. I was starting to get irritated.

And then... I saw it.

[Skill: Dream Bind]

> "Allows user to enter the target's dreams. Can only be used once every 7 days. Requires 50 Mana to activate. The deeper the dream alteration, the more mana consumed."

Price: 50 U Tokens

That stopped me cold.

This wasn't a brute force tool. This was subtle. Psychological. Elegant.

A way into her head when she was at her most vulnerable.

Not through fear.

Not through violence.

But through her dreams.

I bought it immediately. The Tokens disappeared.

[Dream Bind Acquired]

My plan just took a new direction.

Let Erika sleep. Let her think she's safe in her world of dreams.

Because I'll be waiting there.

And by the time I'm done...

She'll wake up changed.