Reincarnated With The Degenerate System-Chapter 248: A New Order Part 1

After hearing my claim and seeing the strength I’d shown—single-handedly saving the city and carrying everyone like deadweight—they all agreed.

Good. I needed more people for my army anyway. I already had far more than three hundred—I just lied about the number to stay very humble and make it believable.

Soon, I offered the same deal to the surviving Seekers in the city. Of course, they had to accept my terms—and by terms, I meant submitting to my servant spell.

When most refused, I warned them I’d abandon them to die. That changed nearly everyone’s mind. Better a servant than dead.

I had no problems with anyone else, but Hai-Yen was different. She refused to serve me, so I decided to meet her personally at my base.

As expected of the most beautiful Seeker in the world, she carried herself with pride, unshaken and untouchable.

We met on the balcony, the base stretching below us . I leaned against the railing, letting the wind play with my cloak as I spoke.

"The world is ending. A new order must rise from the ashes. And right now, I am the only one capable of leading it."

She crossed her arms. "And you expect me to simply kneel because of that?"

"I’m not asking for obedience. I’m offering survival. Those who resist will fall behind. Those who follow will shape what comes next. I will offer them power beyond their wildest dream. The choice is yours—but make it wisely."

Hai-Yen’s lips curved into a frown, pride glinting in her eyes. For the first time, I sensed a challenge—not just in her refusal, but in her refusal to be intimidated.

"If you really cared about the world, why not tell everyone the secret to becoming powerful? Why hoard it all for yourself?"

She got a point—but the world didn’t work that way, not for someone like me.

"Let me explain. When power is freely given, people get greedy and fight over it. They destroy everything they touch. Strength must be earned and controlled—or it becomes poison."

I paused, letting my gaze settle on her. "You think I’m cruel? Maybe. But someone has to be the one to decide who gains power and who doesn’t. That someone... is me."

Hai-Yen’s jaw tightened, her pride warring with the logic I laid before her.

I studied her for a moment, then decided to change my approach after seeing how cute she was when annoyed.

"You’re talented. With my help, becoming the third strongest in this place would be easy for you. I can give you access to techniques no one else knows. Celestial weapons. Resources others would kill for."

She didn’t speak, but her attention was on point. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"And that’s not all," I added. "I would even allow you to marry me."

Her expression didn’t change—until I continued.

"Along with your little sister."

That did it. Her brows drew together, irritation flashing across her face just as I expected.

Before she could lash out, I raised a hand slightly.

"I genuinely care about Hai-Min," I said, my tone steadier now. "That part isn’t a game. But I won’t lie—I’m attracted to you as well."

"So you want both of us to be your wives?" she asked. "What are we to you? Trophies?"

The wind swept across the balcony.

"Not trophies. Partners in the new order. You think small because you’re still thinking like the old world exists. It doesn’t. Marriage, loyalty, alliances—they will all mean something different soon. I’m building something that will outlast this country. I want you beside me because you’re strong. Because you’re proud. Because you’re ambitious."

"So you don’t even love me, and you want to marry me?" she spat.

A short laugh left me. Not loud. Not forced.

"Oh, I love you. I’m the kind of man who falls fast. Give me a kiss, act a little sweet, and I might hand you the moon. Literally."

Her eyes flashed. "You treat love like it’s cheap."

"How is giving you the moon cheap?" I asked. "Search every inch of this planet. You won’t find a man more generous than me."

I spread my hands slightly, as if laying the offer out in front of her.

"You’re not losing in this deal. First, you get a husband strong enough to protect you from anything. Second, you gain power and influence that others would kill for. Third, you stand at the top instead of fighting for scraps below."

I let my eyes rest on hers.

"And all I’m asking is that you stand beside me." I paused, then added with a faint smirk, "Or sleep beside me. Either works."

"Sounds unfair, doesn’t it? Almost like you’re the one taking advantage of me." I added with a light joke.

Her expression turned cold. "You really don’t know when to stop."

"I know exactly when to stop. I just choose not to."

Her face twisted in disgust.

"I feel sick listening to you. The way your mind works is rotten."

That only made me smile.

"At the end of the day. When monsters march again, I’m the only one who can stop them."

I rested my arms on the railing and looked down.

"If I decide to stop saving people, who will replace me? I could even tell them I’m too heartbroken to fight. That the great Hai-Yen rejected me."

Her eyes burned. "How petty can you be?"

I met her glare without blinking.

"Very. So... how about you say yes?"

The wind howled between us, but neither of us stepped back.

She turned sharply. "I’m leaving."

Her heels clicked against the stone floor.

"If you walk away now," I called out, not raising my voice, "you’ll regret it."

She stopped. Slowly, and looked back at me.

"You lied to me. You made it sound like I had a choice earlier."

"You did. That was before."

Her eyes narrowed. "Before what?"

I let my gaze travel over her for a second, not hiding my attractions toward her body.

"Before you showed up looking like that."

"You came here well dressed. Beautiful. So I changed my mind."

Her face flushed with anger. "I look like this because this is my normal face!"

I blinked once. Then I smiled.

"Wait. That’s your normal face? No effort? No special preparation?"

She stared at me as if she wanted to throw me off the balcony.

"Now I want you even more."

Her fists clenched at her sides, shoulders stiff with fury.

"You’re impossible," she said through her teeth.

"And you’re still here," I replied quietly.

She looked ready to explode.

I raised a hand slightly. "Fine. How about this?"

Her eyes stayed cold. "What now?"

"Spend one day with me. No pressure. Just stay by my side and see who I am."

She let out a dry laugh. "You expect that to fix this?"

"It’s not about fixing anything," I replied. "You think I’m just a greedy tyrant. Maybe I am. But I also have... other qualities."

"I keep my word. I protect what’s mine. I build instead of destroy. I don’t run when things get ugly."

I looked at her directly. "You don’t have to like me. Just give me one day. If you still can’t stand me after that, I won’t force the marriage talk again."

Her jaw stayed tight, but the fire in her eyes shifted. Not gone—just restrained.

"...Fine," she said at last. "One day. That’s it."

A slow grin spread across my face. "Smart choice."

Before she could add another word, I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. Space bent around us. The balcony vanished.

We reappeared in the open sky.

Shadow was already waiting—a massive dark form cutting through the clouds, wings spreading wide enough to block the sun. I landed lightly on his head and pulled her beside me.

She almost lost her balance, but I steadied her by the waist.

"Let go," she snapped.

"I need to hold you, or you will fall!"

Shadow roared, and we shot forward, the ground shrinking behind us. Wind rushed past, tearing through her hair as we flew toward the horizon.

"One day," I reminded her over the howl of the wind. "Try not to fall for me too fast."

She glared up at me.

"You’re delusional."

I only laughed as the sky opened before us.

Soon, we reached an area far from the city, and her eyes widened—not at the beautiful view, but at the millions of monsters that had gone wild. There were so many that just looking at them made her dizzy.

"You see that? That... thing is slowly inching toward our city."

She swallowed hard, gripping my arm. "That many... how are we supposed to stop them?"

"Not we, but me," I corrected firmly. "I’m the only one who can stop this from happening."

"Why did you show me this?" she asked, her voice tight with tension.

"So you can see for yourself how much I carry." I let out long sighed.

"Right now, the survival of this planet rests on my shoulders. If I speak so openly and tell you I like you, it’s because I don’t know what the future holds. For all I know, I could die tomorrow."

My hand gripped her waist tighter.

This time, she didn’t resist. Instead, she looked at me differently—curious, cautious, intrigued.

I smirked inwardly. Women always respected strength... especially when it came wrapped in a story of sacrifice. A little drama, a little sad face, and the effect was undeniable. Genius, really.

"If you really like me, then why provoke me before?"

"Because I wanted to show you who I really am. I don’t pretend with you like I did with Hai-Min. You’re more mature—I know you can understand me better."

She looked flattered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

What an easy catch. There was no way I loved her more than her little sister—Hai-Min held a very special place in my heart.