Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

Parker didn't bother with Levi again as they made their way toward the palace runway, the conversation flowed with the easy rhythm of a family preparing for cosmic warfare.

The palace runway stretched before them, sleek and modern against the backdrop of reality-bending architecture. The jet waited, a masterpiece of engineering that cost more than most countries' GDP.

Helena produced a set of keys that gleamed with more than reflected light. "Your other toys have arrived. The helicopter, jet, and yacht you ordered after the cars and bikes. I had them secured before I started dismantling the Five Families' assets."

"You know," Zhang Ruoyun said as they approached the aircraft, "we could arrive in more than a second if we used magic."

Parker grinned, gesturing toward the luxury jet. "But what's the use of having these machines if we settle everything with our powers?"

"Fair point," Maya agreed. "Besides, arriving in a private jet sends a different message than just appearing in a burst of cosmic energy."

"What message is that?" Annabelle asked her friend.

"That we're so confident in our power, we can afford to take our time," Parker replied instead. "That we're not rushing to this fight—we're arriving in style."

The final entourage was impressive: Parker, Maya, Zhang Ruoyun, Seoryeon, Nyxvare, Annabelle, Robert, and Bella. Eight beings with enough combined power to reshape reality, dressed for a social engagement.

As they boarded the jet, its interior revealing levels of luxury that bordered on the obscene, Anabelle settled into a seat with the grace of someone who'd witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.

"I do love a good power play," she murmured, accepting a glass of something that sparkled with more than bubbles. "Especially when it involves destroying people who think generational wealth makes them untouchable."

Ere jumped up onto Parker's seat, her golden eyes still carrying that strange new awareness. "My— I mean, Parker, these fragments I'm remembering... they speak of depths beyond comprehension. Of power that predates the current cosmic order. You better help me or..."

"We'll figure it out together," Parker assured her, scratching behind her ears. "Right now, we have a trap to spring."

[And a therapist ex-girlfriend to potentially psychoanalyze to death,] Levi added cheerfully. [This should be fun. Nothing like family therapy conducted at cosmic scale with a side of generational wealth destruction.]

The jet's engines spun up with a sound like controlled thunder. Through the windows, the palace grounds spread out below them—a testament to power that had been built not through inheritance or manipulation, but through nine lifetimes of trials and the will to protect what mattered.

"Next stop," Parker announced as they lifted off, "the engagement party that's about to become significantly more complicated than anyone planned."

[Anyone except possibly your therapist ex-girlfriend,] Levi added. [But hey, at least you're dressed for the occasion. And you've got your lucky cat along for moral support.]

"I am not a lucky cat!" Ere protested.

[You called him 'liege.' That's either luck or cosmic irony.]

Ere's fur bristled again. "I will find a way to claw you, you system voice cosplayer."

[Good luck with that, whiskers. I'm incorporeal.]

Parker settled back in his seat, watching the world pass below them while his primordial cat argued with his primordial system voice about cosmic hierarchy and respect.

Just another day in the life of the Prince of Existence.

'This is either going to be really boring or absolutely spectacular,' he thought.

[With our luck?] Levi's voice carried amusement. [Probably both. But at least we'll get some good therapy material out of it.]

****

The jet hummed steadily through the clouds, its luxurious cabin accommodating the entourage with ease. Maya and Zhang Ruoyun had settled into a quiet conversation about soul manipulation techniques, while Seoryeon reviewed financial documents with the intensity of someone about to remake global economics. Nyxvare was doing something that involved blood magic she'd copied from Seraphina and what looked like ancient runes, Annabelle and Robert were catching up on more father-daughter bonding, and Bella was reading something on her tablet while stealing glances at Parker.

Parker found himself in the back section of the cabin, ostensibly reviewing some documents Helena had prepared about the Five Families' assets. But really, he was just enjoying the quiet moment before walking into what might be the most elaborate trap in cosmic history.

Ere padded over and jumped onto the seat beside him, her golden eyes still carrying that strange awareness from her awakening memories.

"My— Parker," she caught herself, then scowled. "This is irritating, making me want to show you the respect you actually deserve."

[Oh, this is rich,] Levi's voice chimed in his mind with obvious amusement. [The sassy cat is remembering when she was actually obedient. I love character development.]

"Don't start," Parker muttered under his breath.

"I wasn't talking to you," Ere said, then paused. "Although if the leviathan in your head wants to make jokes, she can do it where I can hear too."

[She wants in on the conversation? Fine by me.] Levi's voice projected outward again, becoming audible to Ere. [Hey there, whiskers. Having an identity crisis?]

"I am not having an identity crisis," Ere said primly. "I'm having memory integration issues. There's a difference."

[Sure there is. What's it like remembering you used to be a cosmic terror who could devour galaxies?]

"Confusing," Ere admitted. "And slightly embarrassing. Apparently I used to be quite... deferential."

Parker couldn't help but smile. "You were. Very respectful, very loyal. It was actually kind of nice and cute."

"Well, that version of me sounds boring," Ere said with her characteristic snark. "I prefer my current personality. More entertaining."

[Speaking of entertaining,] Levi said, [since we're having private conversation time, should we discuss what we're really walking into tonight in details?]

"Dr. Evelyn Thorne," Parker said quietly, making sure the others couldn't overhear.

"The therapist ex," Ere said, her golden eyes gleaming with interest. "I've heard fragments about her from the others. She sounds... intriguing."

[Intriguing is one word for it,] Levi said. [Terrifying is another. But let's start with someone easier. Remember Zephyra the Storm-Singer?]

"Oh god," Parker groaned quietly. "Why did you pick her?"

"Storm-Singer?" Ere's ears perked up. "That sounds like someone with emotional regulation issues."

[You have no idea,] Levi said with glee. [This woman could literally control weather with her feelings. And Parker here thought it would be romantic to date her.]

"It was romantic," Parker defended. "At first. She could make it rain flowers when she was happy, create beautiful auroras when she laughed. It was actually quite lovely."

"Until?" Ere prompted with the tone of someone who knew there was definitely an 'until.'