On Divine Spirit Mountain, dark clouds gathered thick and heavy. Thunder roared amidst the pouring rain, yet at the center pulsed a powerful magical disturbance.

Upon the throne symbolizing supreme divine authority sat a man, still and silent. A cold wind swept across his handsome face. Raindrops aimed at him vanished instantly, evaporated by an invisible magical barrier.

Seemingly annoyed by the sky’s furious thunder, his tightly shut eyes slowly opened. An immense pressure radiated from him, making the surrounding magic churn restlessly.

His simple-looking robes were legendary artifacts. His boots held even greater weight. He raised a hand toward the heavens. A small magic orb formed in his palm, drifting upward until it merged with the storm clouds.

A deafening boom echoed. Instantly, the sky cleared completely, leaving not a single cloud behind.

The sight stirred memories for Kevin on the throne. A century ago, he’d inexplicably transmigrated into this world of swords and sorcery. No cheat ability. Just hard work, wit, and luck. From a disgraced noble family everyone scorned, he’d overcome countless trials.

He’d risen to become one of the world’s strongest—Tenth Tier Magic Emperor, leader of the empire, savior of humanity.

Still, he mused, if only he’d had a cheat ability back then. A better birthright might have spared him those detours.

A transmigrator without a system was just like… well, having no system at all.

Just then, an eerie mechanical buzz crackled inside Kevin’s head, like a short circuit.

[System loading: World’s Strongest System. Providing host with a comeback path. Displaying host profile.]

[Name: Kevin Jaeger]

[Age: 118]

[Identity: Emperor of the Empire]

[Rank: Tenth Tier]

Kevin was slightly startled. Confusion flickered in his golden eyes as he stared at the floating system panel. He sighed.

“You’re late, System. A hundred years ago, I might’ve been thrilled.”

He paused, recalling the system’s words. His tone dripped with disdain.

“Seriously, with my current strength? I don’t need a ‘comeback.’ Go cool off somewhere else.”

“Wait—could there be a realm beyond Tenth Tier?” The thought ignited his blood. Excitement surged.

[System has prepared a comeback path based on host’s origins. Assisting host in crushing all who looked down on him.]

[Dispatching beginner’s gift pack to host.]

Ignoring Kevin, the system droned on in his mind.

“Really? I doubt anyone dares scorn me now.”

Kevin replied dismissively, his handsome face etched with exasperation. Yet the items materializing before him caught his attention. He perked up slightly, hoping to find something useful.

He gently picked up a magic pendant. One glance told him its purpose: boosting mana for beginners. *If I’d had this back then,* he thought, *I wouldn’t have run dry fleeing goblins.* Useless now.

Next, he touched a glass vial holding a single drop of blood. A pulse of magic revealed its nature: heartblood of a Third Rank monster. Perfect for guiding novices to flawless First Rank.

Even a gold coin lay there. He barely glanced at it—worthless. Kevin fell silent, staring at the pile.

“Truly a beginner’s pack. The *most* beginner of packs.”

He wasn’t ungrateful. These were good items. Just for beginners. He frowned.

“Great stuff, System. But you promised a comeback. Where’s my Tenth Tier breakthrough material? Why all beginner junk?”

[………………]

Only static answered.

“System, what’s my current rank?” Kevin tried a new angle.

[Tenth Tier]

“Right. Who is this beginner’s pack for?”

[Beginners]

“Does my rank suit it? Shouldn’t I get a ‘Tenth Tier beginner pack’?”

[…No error detected… No error…]

“My rank?”

[Tenth Tier. Correct.]

“Who is this pack for?”

[Beginners]

“Mistake?”

[System error-free confirmed.]

“Mine is—”

[Tenth Tier. No error.]

“Fine.” Kevin slumped on the throne, resigned. He muttered, “System, you’ve got spirit. Even interrupting me now.”

Whether glitching or stubbornly insisting, he had no time to process it. The mechanical voice blared again.

[New quest issued. Cannot be refused. Failure triggers irreversible punishment. Host, proceed with caution.]

[Quest: Your family’s decline prompts the Osman clan to annul your engagement. Challenge Elise Osman to a three-year pact. Declare: “Thirty years east of the river, thirty west—never scorn a youth for his poverty.”]

Kevin Jaeger blinked in confusion. *Elise Osman?*

The name rang a faint bell. Where had he heard it?

He dug into memories from his early transmigration days. Ah—his childhood fiancée.

They’d met a few times as kids. Then his parents died in war, leaving him an orphan. Relatives seized his estate. He was banished to the countryside.

The original Kevin had wallowed there, bitter and idle. Drunk, he’d fallen, cracked his skull, and died.

That’s when *he* arrived.

After assessing the situation, he sold the old mansion. Scraped together travel funds. Staying was pointless.

All a century ago.

“System, what year is it now?” Kevin asked, half to himself.

[1900 AD]

“It’s 2000 AD. Go cool off somewhere, System.”

He was speechless. The system was a century late. This quest? Impossible. Elise Osman was likely long dead. Only Seventh Rank and above granted eternal youth and endless life.

[Accept quest or face irreversible punishment.]

“Oh?”

Disdain sharpened Kevin’s voice. No one had dared force him in ages. He’d even considered deleting the system. An overwhelming aura erupted from him. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor. Calmly, he added,

“I refuse. Show me your punishment. At Tenth Tier, I fear nothing. I won’t waste time on nonsense.”

[Punishment initiated. Irreversible.]

Blood-red storm clouds gathered above Kevin’s head. A deafening roar filled his ears—like countless monsters wailing. Fiery clouds coalesced. A lightning bolt struck down.

It shot straight for Kevin on the throne. With a thunderous crash, he stood firm, unflinching. A faint, composed smile touched his lips.