C21 CHAPTER21

"You've got to be kidding me," Devon repeated, attempting to bypass the guards, who steadfastly blocked his path.

"I'm sorry, but we cannot defy the First Prince's commands," the guard replied, revealing himself as the leader of the others to Devon.

"So you won't cross my brother, but you have no problem disrespecting me?" Devon challenged, seizing the head guard by the throat. "I am the Third Prince of this Clan, and I could have your head within minutes. All it would take is a word to my father about your insolence, preventing me from attending the very dinner he summoned me to!" With that, he pushed the guard with such force that the man tumbled to the ground.

The other guards made no move to stop Devon as he strode away. Instead, they scrambled to help their fallen leader to his feet.

Fuming, Devon exited the house. How dare they show him such disrespect? Had they forgotten his royal status as the Third Prince? Why was it that he was always treated differently from his brothers? It was just another reason he yearned to escape this accursed place.

"Master," Sia called out, noticing him approach the carriage that would take him to his father's mansion—a thirty-minute journey from his own chambers. Devon and his brothers resided separately from their father, as Christian had insisted on their independence. Consequently, they had each departed the Royal Mansion for their own quarters upon turning fifteen.

"Is the carriage driver ready?" he inquired of Sia, who stood nearby in her green maid's attire, his personal attendant for such events.

"Yes, Master," she replied, her smile gentle. But as she caught the expression in his eyes, her smile waned. Devon's scowl was deep as he settled into the carriage, yet it wasn't his displeasure that alarmed her—it was the unusual silver gleam in the Third Prince's eyes.

There could be only one explanation... the Prince was possessed!

Throughout the journey, Sia tried to discern whether the Prince was aware of the eerie transformation in his gaze. Yet the more she observed, the clearer it became—he was consumed by anger and utterly unaware of the supernatural shimmer in his eyes.

The dinner proceeded smoothly despite Devon's discomfort from Liam's persistent gaze. Alexander and Royal Father Christian were too absorbed in their meal to notice the undercurrents at play.

Afterward, Devon returned to the carriage, with Sia sitting across from him, and they made their way home. Once in his chambers, he locked the door and collapsed onto his bed, longing for relief. But his condition only deteriorated, his head spinning wildly. With effort, he rose and stumbled to the drawer that housed the Soul Lock Bone. Relief washed over him upon seeing it untouched, and he grasped it firmly, preparing to use it.

Recalling the need for prayers before its use, Devon whispered a few words, yet nothing ensued. A second attempt yielded the same fruitless result, his frustration mounting to the brink of discarding the bone in anger.

Suddenly, Hector materialized in the room.

"Master!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply.

"Hector! How many times must I tell you not to startle me like this?" Devon snapped, his voice laced with irritation.

"I...I apologize, Master. It's just that you were about to use the Lock Bone, and I had to intervene," Hector stammered.

"And why is that?" Devon demanded.

"The prayers—you didn't recite them correctly the first time you used the Soul Lock Bone. That's why it's not functioning," Hector clarified.

"Nonsense! It worked perfectly the first time," Devon retorted.

"Indeed, Master, but it was a one-time occurrence. You can't use the Soul Lock Bone again until you acquire a more advanced system," Hector informed him.

Devon's expression turned to one of dismay. He gazed at the now inert Bone in his hand, then back at Hector. "What am I supposed to do now?" he asked, a note of desperation in his voice.

"You must endure until the pain subsides, Master," Hector advised. "This discomfort is only temporary, and you'll recover in time for your...wedding." He hesitated before the word 'wedding.'

"You can't be serious! Are you telling me I have to suffer like this for days?" Devon rose from the bed, his voice rising in anger. "And why bring up the wedding when you know full well my utter disdain for marrying that... that dung beetle?!" He lashed out at Hector, who remained kneeling before him.

Hector remained silent, not daring to utter a word while his master stewed in a foul temper.

Devon clutched his head, overwhelmed with frustration. "I can't do this! There has to be a way! Surely one of these systems can assist me!" His voice rose in desperation as he closed his eyes, attempting to communicate with the automated voice that typically signaled a system's activation.

"Please, please... I need access to one of the systems... please..." he whispered, his voice tinged with helplessness.

Miraculously, the voice echoed through the room as if answering his call.

[System Activated: Free Access Granted.]

Devon's eyes widened in disbelief.

Was he truly granted unrestricted access? But how? And why?

Turning to Hector, he demanded, "What's going on here?"

"The systems are reacting to your commands, Master," Hector explained.

Devon mentally beckoned the system, and a notification chimed within his mind.

[Login System will not issue rewards during the defense period against addiction.]

[Login?]

Could he actually log in?

Selecting 'yes,' Devon was enveloped by a brilliant white light, transporting him back to the familiar white room with its solitary computer.

A wave of warmth washed over him, as though his very soul had melded with his physical form. When he opened his eyes, the computer before him seemed mundane, yet Devon felt an inexplicable sense of transcendence.

He powered up the computer, and to his astonishment, a new icon stood out amidst the familiar array of game shortcuts—a beacon amidst the grey.

"Plug-in management?" Devon clicked on the icon, his curiosity piqued. Instantly, a vast array of options sprawled across the screen.

[Enhanced plug-in on Lazy Man's Head]

[Remarks: Displays information above the target's head in high visibility.]

[Target Focus plug-in]

[Remarks: Designates the target as the focal point. Receive a system alert when the focal point comes within a kilometer's radius.]

[Target Distance plug-in]

[Remarks: Activate after the Target Focus plug-in to show the target's distance.]

[Skill AOE Prompt plug-in]

Devon scrutinized the list, a sense of newfound power dawning upon him as he contemplated the possibilities these plug-ins offered.

Devon scrolled his mouse, and an array of plug-ins popped up on his screen. Each one, however, came with a catch—an activation requirement. Some demanded prerequisites, while others... they hit you with internet fees! And these weren't just any fees; they were steep. If Devon's memory served him right, the going rate for internet fees was about ten yuan.

He scanned the list of plug-ins, his heart sinking. He couldn't afford a single one. That is, until he spotted it...

[Target Status Interface] - Free

Without hesitation, Devon clicked the download button. The progress bar zipped along, quickly filling up. Yet, when it completed, nothing in the room seemed to have changed.

The system was mind-operated. To exit, all he had to do was think it.

Devon blinked, as though awakening from a dream. The room hadn't altered, and there sat Wang Hector, unchanged in his spot.

At a cursory glance, it appeared ineffective. "Is it useless?" Devon wondered, but then it clicked—he needed a target!

With that realization, he turned his gaze to Hector.

To his amazement, it worked! Above Hector's head floated a small profile picture. There was no blue health bar, but the one below indicated Hector was in good health, and the loyalty meter showed unwavering allegiance.

"Wow," Devon chuckled, impressed. "This is like a friend-or-foe identifier!"

A surge of confidence washed over him, bolstering his resolve to dodge the impending marriage.

But Devon knew that, system assistance aside, his next steps were crucial: understanding this world, building his power, and delving into the intricacies of the web. These were the keys to his freedom.

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