Chapter 223: A Legendary Mage Answered My Call!

Its tone suddenly changed. Instead of its usual teasing voice.

It sounded like an older brother patiently explaining something to a clueless younger sibling.

[Have you ever wondered why your very first Titan was Nyx?]

Luke blinked.

"Now, what does that have to do with this?" He couldn’t see the connection at all.

The System sighed again.

[Think about it.]

[Not only were you given Nyx.]

[You were also given Shadow of Nyx.]

[A clone that is, for all practical purposes, another you.]

Luke’s expression slowly changed.

As the System continued. He finally began understanding where this conversation was heading.

[Just sacrifice one or two clones here and there.]

[Just chill, buddy.]

Luke paused for a moment.

"..."

Then he slowly nodded. "That actually makes sense."

Even though.

The moment he imagined his other self tied to a chair—

"No."

Luke immediately shook his head.

This is a fantasy world.

Think bigger.

The next scene in his imagination changed instantly.

His clone was hanging above a sea of boiling lava, chained to a massive rock.

Meanwhile.

His dragon wife sat on a nearby cliff, gently swinging her legs while watching him with a sweet smile.

"Luke, If you can’t belong to me..."

"Then you can’t belong to anyone else."

She slowly licked one of her crimson claws.

Fresh blood still dripped from its tip.

Apparently.

It belonged to several unfortunate women who had dared to approach him.

The dragoness only smiled more brightly.

"They should’ve known better."

"..."

Luke shivered.

Enough.

He forcefully erased the horrifying image from his mind before it could become any more ridiculous.

Taking a deep breath.

He returned his attention to the System.

The System, however, seemed unusually excited.

[Exactly!]

[Now you’re getting it!]

Then the System shamelessly declared,

[So, Luke!]

[This System demands Yanderes!]

[Bring more and more Yanderes!]

A brief pause.

Then its laughter echoed through Luke’s mind.

[HAHAHAHAHAHA!!]

[LET THE WORLD BURN!!!]

"..."

"Was the last part really necessary?" Luke looked at the System with a thoroughly speechless expression.

The System didn’t even bother answering.

It simply continued laughing.

[Kekeke.]

Luke shook his head. "There really is something wrong with you."

Deciding not to waste any more energy arguing. He shifted his attention back to the milestone rewards.

As for the daily rewards from the previous seven days.

He didn’t even bother checking them.

They were nothing more than Mana Crystals, some gold coins, a few ores, and cultivation resources suitable only for Iron Knights.

There was no point spending precious 1,000× or 10,000× charges upgrading those.

It would be a complete waste.

Meanwhile.

The System was still immersed in its own fantasy.

[Kekekeke...]

It almost seemed to be imagining Luke’s future yandere wives setting the entire world ablaze.

After discovering his clone instead of the real him.

"..."

Luke decided it was healthier not to ask what was going on inside the System’s nonexistent head.

Instead.

He opened the newly unlocked feature.

Monthly Claim.

The System interface immediately changed.

There on the reward selection screen. Two different Monthly Claims appeared before him.

One looked completely ordinary.

The other had a distinct Special tag attached to it.

"Let’s see." Luke rubbed his hands together. "What exactly makes this one so special?"

Without hesitating he selected the Special Monthly Claim.

A new screen immediately appeared before him.

Luke quickly read through it. His eyes slowly widened.

"A B-Rank reward?"

The special claim allowed him to freely choose any B-Rank reward.

Sadly, it completely ignored the normal Return system.

No matter whether his current Return was 1×, 1,000×, or 10,000×. It wouldn’t affect this reward at all.

So with curiousity, he returned and opened the ordinary Monthly Claim.

A few seconds later.

"Wait!" His face froze. "Seriously?"

He couldn’t help cursing under his breath.

The description clearly stated—

Monthly Claims cannot be upgraded using the Return multiplier.

Instead.

The Return only increased the quantity of the selected reward.

"..."

Luke pinched the bridge of his nose.

"So that’s how it works."

In other words.

He could freely choose any reward between G-Rank and D-Rank, matching Aurielle’s current realm.

Then whatever Return he had accumulated would simply multiply the number of that reward.

For example. If he had accumulated 30,000× worth of daily charges.

Choosing a D-Rank reward would immediately grant him 30,000 copies of it.

"..."

Although it was a little disappointing. Luke couldn’t really complain.

Being able to choose the exact reward he wanted every month was already an unbelievable advantage.

[See?] The System’s proud voice echoed inside his mind.

[Didn’t I tell you?]

[System features are always the best.]

Luke smiled and nodded.

"Yeah."

"This time, I’ll admit it."

Even without the ability to upgrade the Monthly Claim itself. Its usefulness was unquestionable.

Being able to choose exactly what he needed every month was far more valuable than relying entirely on luck.

The ordinary claim had already been decided.

Bronze Knight Tempering Potions.

Those would greatly speed up his cultivation before his upcoming journey to the capital.

That decision required no further thought.

Now only one choice remained.

The Special Monthly Claim.

A reward that could directly grant him any B-Rank thing.

Luke folded his arms.

"Let’s see." He closed his eyes and began carefully considering every possibility.

Several ideas flashed through his mind before he rejected them one after another.

Minutes quietly passed.

Then Luke slowly opened his eyes.

A decisive smile appeared on his face. "I’ve decided."

Without the slightest hesitation. He selected his choice.

[Selected Reward: Summon One B-Rank Being.]

A confirmation window immediately appeared.

[Summon B-Rank Being?]

[Yes]  [No]

Luke stared at the screen.

Then the corner of his mouth twitched.

"System."

"Why can’t I choose the type? Or at least the gender?"

His complaint was answered almost instantly.

A new notification appeared.

[Luke.]

[With this update, this far you can make choice.]

After that, the System paused. Then another line slowly appeared.

[As for choosing the gender. That is not possible.]

Luke sighed. "I figured."

Then the System revealed its reason.

[Just imagine this.]

[Suppose you summon an macho man.]

[He might end up stealing most of your charm.]

"..."

Luke stared blankly at the screen.

"..."

"That’s your reason?"

Luke didn’t even know how to respond.

Finally, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Whatever."

"I’m done arguing with you."

Without wasting another second. He reached out and pressed Yes.

The confirmation window disappeared.

In its place a new notification slowly materialized.

[Summoning B-Rank Being...]

"With this." Luke let out a relieved breath.

"The territory’s safety should reach an entirely different level."

Although he was confident that, after advancing to the Silver Knight Realm, he might be capable of escaping from a Platinum Knight.

That confidence applied only to himself.

Not to Blackstone, no to Aurielle. And definetly not to everyone else he wanted to protect.

Jasper had indeed promised to send a Platinum Knight.

But Luke had never truly relied on that promise.

If the worst possible situation occurred. That powerhouse would naturally prioritize protecting himself.

There was no guarantee he would risk his life for Aurielle, Aurora, or the rest of Blackstone.

Luke couldn’t blame him for that.

After all they weren’t family.

Which was precisely why Luke wanted his own Platinum-rank guardian.

Then—

The System’s notification appeared.

[Congratulations.]

[You have obtained a B-Rank Being.]

[Arcane Core Mage.]