Defense First
"By the way, Uncle Zain," Julian said casually.
A quiet ease filled his voice, yet those gold-flecked eyes sparkled just slightly with sothing playful. The calm in his words didn’t match the hint of trouble glowing there.
A sleek car moved without a sound along the hushed roads of Valemont. Beyond the glass, glowing signs and tall structures drifted by, almost like ripples across a still lake.
"Isn’t our family planning to develop a tourism project in Antarctica?"
Fog pressed close behind the glass as Julian rested his arm along the edge of the window fra. Streetlights smudged into glowing trails while he stared without blinking.
A small grin slowly showed itself across his lips.
"I want you to be in charge of this project."
Uncle Zain blinked.
For a mont, he didn’t even process what he had just heard.
Antarctica?
That place where the wind howled like a thousand ghosts and temperatures could freeze steel?
Before he could say anything, Julian continued calmly.
"Going there and back won’t be easy, so to avoid affecting your family, you should all go together tonight."
Julian’s voice was gentle—almost considerate.
But his words carried an unmistakable finality.
"Your salary and bonuses will be tripled, and I’ll trouble you for the next few years."
Julian spoke as if he were simply assigning an ordinary task.
Inside his mind, however—
All snitches would be exiled!
He had initially considered sending Uncle Zain sowhere chaotic like Syria.
But after thinking about it carefully...
Syria was still too close.
Too easy to co back from.
Antarctica, on the other hand?
Now that was peaceful.
Quiet.
Far away from everything.
Julian even imagined it for a second.
A group of penguins waddling across the snow.
Uncle Zain standing there holding a briefcase.
Yes.
Very peaceful.
If there were any more snitches next ti, Julian was seriously considering sending them to the space station to explore outer space.
Uncle Zain, however, had completely misunderstood.
His eyes suddenly beca moist.
"Thank you, Young Master Julian. I will serve the D’Aurelius family with all my heart until my dying breath."
He was deeply moved.
Young Master Julian was so considerate.
Not only giving him such a massive project—
But even allowing him to bring his family along so they wouldn’t be separated.
Truly a generous master.
The car soon arrived at the D’Aurelius residence.
After getting out of the car, Uncle Zain stood under the bright lights of the courtyard.
His excitent was still bubbling inside him.
He quickly pulled out his phone.
Taking a picture of the ten-billion Euro check Julian had given him earlier.
Then he opened the managent group chat.
Click.
Upload.
Post.
"Oh, I accidentally did sothing for Young Master Julian today, and he rewarded with ten billion."
"Young Master Julian also assigned to a new project in Antarctica. When I co back, I’ll bring so Ice Berfs polar bears and a few penguins as souvenirs for you guys."
"Everyone should work hard. Young Master Julian never mistreats those who contribute."
After posting the picture of the check, Uncle Zain leaned back proudly.
Then he waited.
It only took seconds.
Soon the entire group chat exploded.
Notifications flooded the screen.
Shera:
"Damn, ten billion? I should’ve stayed with Young Master Julian to continue making contributions."
Cillian:
"Old Shera, you’re wrong. Even if we’re not with Young Master Julian, we can still make contributions, right?"
Another ssage imdiately followed.
"We need to work harder."
Then soone asked eagerly:
"Does anyone know what Young Master Julian wants to do recently? Let know, and I’ll give you a tenth of the reward."
Another person responded instantly.
"Whoever knows, tell first, and I’ll give you a fifth."
"I’ll give a third."
Soone suddenly shouted in the group chat:
"Are you trying to outdo everyone?"
Another ssage popped up seconds later.
"Get out, you competitive dog!"
The entire chat group turned into chaos.
anwhile—
Far away in the garage of the D’Aurelius estate.
Julian suddenly shivered.
A strange chill ran down his spine.
He looked around suspiciously.
The underground garage was quiet.
Only the faint echo of engines cooling filled the air.
Julian rubbed his arms.
He felt a vague sense of malice.
But he couldn’t figure out where it ca from.
He frowned slightly.
"Could it be that stupid idiot Evan cursing ?"
Julian gritted his teeth.
Then he parked the car properly, stepped out, and walked toward the main building.
Monts later he arrived at his bedroom.
Closing the door behind him, Julian flopped onto the bed.
Then he spoke silently in his mind.
"Shitty system, what’s the reward this ti? Don’t tell it’s another one-ti reward."
For a mont, there was silence.
Then—
A chanical voice echoed in his head.
"Beep. The host has successfully survived the plot, rewarding a fully mastered ancient martial art."
Julian sat up instantly.
"You can choose between the ’Undestroyable Barrier Skill’ and the ’Favour Return Strike,’ or randomly draw an ancient martial art."
Julian blinked.
He was stunned.
"Damn it..."
Surviving the plot had nothing to do with being cautious.
But this Tyrant System was suddenly being generous?
It wasn’t giving him so useless one-ti reward?
Julian felt tears welling in his eyes.
Could it be...
Being reckless gave better rewards?
This unfilial system was finally acting like a decent one.
Without hesitation, Julian shouted in his mind:
"Man, I choose the ’Undestroyable Barrier Skill.’"
His reasoning was simple.
Because he was afraid of pain.
He had already decided long ago—
All points into defense.
This skill could even withstand a punch from the Obsidian King Evan earlier.
Not choosing it would be brain-dead.
Soon—
A powerful energy surged through his body.
Warm.
Endless.
It flowed through every part of him like a hidden river beneath his skin.
The Undestroyable Barrier Skill activated.
The energy spread across his muscles, bones, and nervous system.
Ready to defend him at any mont.
Julian blinked.
Then he raised his fist.
"Let’s test it."
He lightly punched his own arm.
Thud.
He paused.
Then punched harder.
Thud.
Julian’s eyes widened slightly.
Hey.
It didn’t hurt.
He punched his stomach.
Nothing.
Chest.
Nothing.
Julian scratched his head.
"No, I need to find soone else to test it."
He felt he was being too gentle with himself.
He needed soone who could hit harder.
But within the D’Aurelius household—
Only one person dared to hit him seriously.
His father.
With that thought, Julian imdiately left his room.
He walked upstairs.
Then pushed open the door to his father’s study.
Inside the room, Gary D’Aurelius sat at his desk.
The large computer screen in front of him displayed complicated stock charts.
Gary wasn’t particularly interested in running the family business.
Instead, playing the stock market with tens of billions of Euros had beco his personal hobby.
Seeing Julian enter the room, Gary slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Aren’t you supposed to be at work?"
Julian grinned and walked over.
"I was worried you’d be bored, so I ca to chat with you."
He casually patted his father’s shoulder.
Then he glanced at the stock charts.
"How’s the stock market treating you lately? Made any money?"
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Gary’s face darkened.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
He turned his head.
And stared at his son.
His gaze looked like it could kill soone.
Was this kid tired of living?
User Comments
0 comments from readers