Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 42: Re-Awaken.

Yin lay unconscious amidst the shattered remains of the boulder, waiting for either someone to find him or for his body to awaken on its own. The sun was already beginning its descent, casting an amber glow over the training grounds where students spent their time either honing their skills or simply hanging out.

Meanwhile, Zion was busy showing off his abilities to Andrea, putting on an impressive display. Hidden in the nearby forest, a group of half-beast girls observed the scene, their sharp eyes peeking through the foliage. They wore their traditional half-beast attire—fur-trimmed tops, skirts adorned with bear paw imprints, and matching shoes designed to resemble animal paws.

"Who’s that girl?" Masha asked, resting a paw-like hand on her chin.

"Hmm... looks like his girlfriend~," Zaira teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Heh, right? You’re late, Masha. She’s probably already eaten Zion up by now~," Rinara added with a mischievous grin, her wild, spiky red hair swaying in the breeze.

"That... that can’t be true, right?" Ivara murmured, twirling the ends of her ponytail absentmindedly.

"STOP THAT! I trust Zion, y’know!" Masha snapped, her usual primal tone faltering into something more flustered.

Selka, who had been silent up until now, crossed her arms and huffed. "Y’know what? I’m going over there to teach Zion a lesson! He can’t just play around with girls’ feelings—especially half-beasts!"

Without hesitation, she leaped from the tree, landing on the ground with her fists clenched tightly. But as she moved forward, something about her stance caught the others’ attention.

"What is that...?" Zaira mumbled, squinting.

"A rabbit?" Rinara added, before suddenly bursting into laughter.

Their laughter quickly spread through the group as they watched Selka stomp forward like a furious, love-struck warrior, her expression torn between rage and heartbreak.

"Wait... is she really going over there to confront Zion?!" Masha shouted in panic.

But it was too late.

They watched as Selka stormed toward Zion and Andrea, her fists shaking with frustration. Andrea was the first to notice, her keen senses picking up on the approaching presence.

"Hey, Zion, look behind you," Andrea said cheerfully.

Zion turned around just in time to see Selka approaching, her expression both furious and on the verge of tears.

"Oh, it’s you, Selka!" Zion greeted, his tone lighthearted and clueless to the storm brewing within her.

Zion reached out and pinched Selka’s cheeks with a teasing grin. "This is one of my childhood friends, Selka," he introduced.

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Selka!" Andrea said, offering her hand with a friendly smile.

But before she could shake it, Selka’s eyes welled up with tears.

"Wahhh!" she suddenly wailed, catching Zion completely off guard.

"Wha—Why are you crying?!" Zion panicked, hands hovering awkwardly as he tried to figure out what was wrong.

Without warning, Selka threw herself onto Zion’s lap, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Her grip was firm, her body pressed close as she turned her head to glare at Andrea. She bared her fangs slightly, a subtle yet clear display of dominance.

Andrea’s smile twitched ever so slightly. "Oh... I guess she’s just a little shy," she said sweetly, though there was an unmistakable edge to her gaze—one sharp enough to cut. Zion, however, was too dense to notice the silent battle unfolding between the two girls.

Just then, the rest of the half-beast group arrived.

"Oh, hey guys! This is Andrea! I met her at the academy!" Zion said, still struggling with the weight of Selka clinging onto him.

Masha crossed her arms, eyeing Andrea up and down. "I see... nothing personal, right?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with something unreadable.

"Huh? Personal?" Zion blinked. "If you mean something like that, then yeah, it is personal!"

The half-beast girls tensed.

Zion, completely oblivious, continued his thoughts with a grin. By ’personal,’ she probably meant like saving her or having some special connection. But honestly... I think Andrea and I are more than just friends at this point!

Meanwhile, the four half-beasts exchanged glances, their expressions shifting into one unified thought.

"I can’t believe it... Zion’s actually a playboy!"

After noticing the strange expressions on the half-beast girls’ faces, Zion felt a little confused. However, he decided not to dwell on it and simply accepted the situation as it was. With that, he took the time to properly introduce Andrea to the group. It took a while, but in the end, it was worth it.

Nightfall.

Yin was still unconscious, his body resting in the shattered remains of the boulder. But then, his eyes snapped open, breaking free from the deep slumber that had consumed him. His body was drenched in sweat, and his breathing was ragged.

"What the fuck just happened...?" he muttered, his mind scrambling to piece everything together. Then it hit him.

Right... I was thrown here by that guy...

His jaw clenched, a burning anger flashing in his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he balled his hand into a fist, and with a sharp crack, the rock in his palm shattered effortlessly under the pressure.

Ignoring the pain surging through his body from his bruises and injuries, he forced himself up. Holding onto his side, he staggered toward the base. His mind raced.

The teachers never said anything about a rule against assaulting another student... if the attacker isn’t a student themselves. But whatever. I’ll handle this myself.

Determined, he kept moving. After some time, he finally reached the base. Without hesitation, he stripped off his suit, revealing the fresh wounds covering his body. He grabbed the bandages that had been prepared earlier and quickly wrapped them around his bruises.

Zion, who was still awake, immediately noticed him.

"Hey, where were you earlier? I couldn’t find you anywhere," Zion asked, his tone casual but curious.

For a brief moment, Yin’s expression twisted with lingering anger, his teeth grinding together. But the moment he looked at Zion, he forced it away, masking his emotions in an instant.

"I was training earlier..." Yin replied, his voice even. Then, after a short pause, he added, "Sorry if you needed me."

"I see. You should at least get some rest—tomorrow is our next test. Sleep well," Zion said with a small smile before turning toward his bed.

Yin gave a short nod. "I will," he replied.

As Zion settled in, Yin continued tending to his bruises, carefully wrapping bandages around his injuries. His hands moved with practiced precision, though his body still ached from the damage he had taken earlier.

Ugh... this alcohol fucking stings... he thought, gritting his teeth as the disinfectant burned against his wounds.

Once he was finally done, he pulled on his clothes and stepped out of the room, his footsteps light but deliberate. The dimly lit corridors of the base stretched before him, lined with rooms housing different students. His eyes scanned each door as he walked.

Where is he...?

His fist clenched instinctively. His mind raced with thoughts of retaliation, the weight of tonight’s events pressing heavily on him.

If I attacked him in his sleep...

For a moment, the idea lingered. It would be easy—catching him off guard, making him pay.

But then, another thought surfaced.

No... it’s pointless. I’m still too weak. And taking advantage of him like that...

His grip tightened.

That monk wouldn’t do something like that. He wouldn’t approve if I did either.

Yin exhaled sharply, frustration boiling inside him.

If I stoop to his level... then I’m no different from him.

With a deep breath, he turned away, walking back to his room. His shoulders felt heavy, his mind clouded with lingering resentment. Finally, he collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling as the weight of his emotions settled in his chest.

Sleep came slowly, but eventually, exhaustion won over.

As Zion slept, his mind was consumed by a terrifying dream. It wasn’t just a war—it was total annihilation. The world had fallen into chaos, with countless portals tearing open across the sky, unleashing monstrous beings from unknown dimensions. These creatures swarmed the land, hunting and devouring humanity without mercy. Cities crumbled, entire nations fell, and martial law was declared in a desperate attempt to restore order.

Yet, even in the face of this catastrophe, humans turned against each other. Those with abilities fought relentlessly—against the monsters, against their own kind—fueling a war that seemed endless, a battle with no victor, only destruction.

And then, amidst the ruins and bloodshed, a lone figure emerged. A towering man with eyes that burned like crimson flames, filled with an unfathomable hatred. His presence alone was enough to drown the world in fear.

What would he do? Was he salvation or damnation?

Before the answer could be revealed, Zion jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His heart pounded as he gasped for air.

"What the fuck was that?!" he shouted, shaken by the vision of a nightmare that felt far too real.

As Zion struggled to catch his breath, his mind still reeling from the nightmare, a familiar sight flickered before him. A translucent screen materialized in the air, glowing with an eerie light. His eyes widened as he recognized the face embedded in the system—the man he once considered his master.

The words on the screen sent a chill down his spine. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

[Soul System Loading...]

[Loading Complete.]

[Main Quest: Achieve Your Revenge.]

[Sub-Quest: Become the Monarch of Souls.]

Zion’s breath hitched. His fists clenched as memories of the past resurfaced—the pain, the betrayal, the unfulfilled vengeance burning within him. The system wasn’t just some ordinary power; it was a reminder. A promise.

His path had been set.

Zion’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes filled with a newfound determination. "So... it finally begins."