Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker

"Hey, System, who's that?" Zion thought, expecting the Soul System to respond.

Instead, an error message flashed before him.

[Error: User is too powerful.]

Zion's eyes widened. What the hell? Too powerful? He had faced countless monsters, but this… this was different.

Before he could process it, footsteps echoed down the hall—slow, deliberate. The sound sent a chill down his spine. He quickly covered his mouth, steadying his breath as the unknown figure began to whistle a haunting tune.

Then, something caught the figure's attention.

Raizel's table undone.

"Hm? Tsk…" The figure clicked his tongue in irritation. His sharp gaze lingered on the faint fingerprint Zion had left behind. Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit.

Zion gritted his teeth. I can't let him leave.

With a burst of speed, he dashed forward without making a sound. His entire body tensed as he concentrated, channeling Aetheris into his right arm. The energy surged, crackling just beneath his skin.

As his fist was about to connect

The figure turned, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

He saw me?!

Before Zion could react, a blinding-fast kick struck him square in the gut.

"Grk!" The impact sent him flying, his vision blurring as pain shot through his ribs.

And then

"Boom."

The chilling voice echoed through the air.

A split second later, an explosion ripped through the school, consuming everything in a raging inferno. The heat seared Zion's skin, and the world around him turned into a sea of ash and flame.

Darkness closed in.

His consciousness faded.

A Fading Light

Zion's consciousness flickered like a dying ember.

His right eye slowly cracked open, his vision blurred.

"W-what... just happened?" His voice was weak, barely more than a whisper.

As his sight adjusted, he was met with devastation the building was gone. Completely erased from existence. Smoke and embers lingered in the air, the remnants of a fiery explosion.

He tried to move, but pain shot through his body. Crawling forward, he caught sight of medics and heroes scattered across the area, tending to injured students.

A firefighter suddenly noticed him.

"HEY! WE GOT A STUDENT HERE! BRING A STRETCHER!"

At his command, two other firefighters rushed over, carefully lifting Zion's battered body onto a stretcher. His breaths were shallow, his vision darkening again. As they placed a BVM (Bag Valve Mask) over his face to help him breathe, unconsciousness claimed him once more.

The Heroes Association Meeting

The atmosphere in the Heroes Association meeting room was thick with tension.

A suited man slammed his fist onto the table.

"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?! OUR KIDS WERE JUST BOMBED!" he roared, his voice filled with anger and desperation.

The President remained silent, deep in thought.

Then, the Vice President spoke up.

"We'll be implementing the old 'Kitler Youth Program.'"

The moment those words left his mouth, uproar erupted.

"Are you insane?! That will destroy our reputation worldwide!"

"So you're saying we should send our half-dead children to a military-style program and sacrifice them!?"

The arguments grew louder, but then a young man raised his hand.

"I agree with the proposal." His voice was calm, composed.

The room turned to him in shock.

"Morally, it's questionable... but given our situation, we have no choice." His eyes were firm, unwavering.

Immediately, backlash exploded again, voices clashing in heated debate.

Until

"QUIET!"

The President's voice boomed through the room, silencing the chaos.

"We have no choice." His tone was resolute. "I'll also reach out to Korea and America for support. Please understand our situation."

A heavy silence followed.

After a few moments, he gave his final statement.

"If there are no further objections, this meeting is adjourned."

One by one, the officials left the room.

Only one person remained the young man who had supported the controversial decision. He slowly approached the Hero Association President, his expression unreadable.

A Burden to Bear

"Why did you do that?"

The young man's voice was calm yet firm.

The President exhaled slowly, turning to face him.

"Asking others for help?" He chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder. "Sometimes, swallowing your pride is necessary, Ozin."

He stepped back, offering a small smile.

"I'm leaving the Kitler Youth Program in your hands, kid. Guide them well… They are our future, after all."

Ozin straightened, nodding before bowing respectfully.

"I will, Mr. President." His tone carried both charm and determination.

With that, the President left the room.

Ozin turned toward the massive glass window, gazing at the sky, his reflection staring back at him.

"It seems irrational sending barely-adult recruits into war but we have no choice." He clenched his fist. "Reviving the Kitler Youth Program feels like a desperate move… But desperate times call for desperate measures."

He let out a small smirk.

"I just hope our negotiations work… Especially with Korea. After all, they have the strongest hero of this era the one who returned from the other world."

The Hospital Room

Zion's consciousness slowly drifted back.

His eyelids fluttered open. The sterile white ceiling above him greeted him with an unsettling emptiness.

"Where… am I?"

Before he could process his surroundings, a doctor stepped in.

"Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Zion blinked, trying to adjust.

"Yeah… I think I'm fine. Thanks, doc."

The doctor chuckled.

"Don't thank me thank our S-Class healer. Frankly, I'm shocked. Most of the other students suffered second-degree burns or worse, yet you got out with just a few scratches."

He gestured to a small wired bell on the bedside table.

"If you need anything, just ring that."

"O-okay," Zion mumbled, bowing slightly.

As the doctor left, a heavy silence filled the room.

Zion stared at the ceiling. His breathing slowed.

"Master… where are you?"

The words escaped him in a whisper.

Then, as the realization sank in, he muttered it again.

And again.

And again.

"Where are you?"

His voice grew louder. His heart pounded in his chest.

"What the hell?! Where are you!?"

His frustration boiled over. His hands clenched the sheets beneath him.

Then, a thought struck him.

"System… where is Master?"

A brief pause. Then, the system's response appeared.

[Dear Zion, your master, Zero, no longer exists. The moment the building exploded, he used 40% of his soul's lifespan to heal you. The remaining 10%… he transferred to me, allowing you to access an exclusive power.]

Zion's breath hitched.

His hands trembled.

His mind refused to accept it.

"H-huh…?"

His expression twisted shock, confusion, denial all crashing into him at once.

"Wh-what are you saying…? That's not… that's not true"

[I'm sorry, User.]

Zion froze.

Tears welled up in his eyes before cascading down his cheeks.

Then he broke.

A choked sob escaped his lips.

Tears fell freely, his body trembling as grief consumed him whole.

His Master was gone.

Forever.