Grandma Cena agreed, "That's right, even ten thousand is already a lot for us. It's more than enough for us to have a comfortable life for the rest of our remaining lifespan.
Gray looked at them somberly, "Please don't say such things, I swear on my life that I will find a way to extend your lifespans. I'll do my best to join a sect soon and find a way."
Grandpa Meno and Grandma Cena looked at Gray in surprise, not expecting that Gray wanted to help them extend their lifespans.
Grandma Cena's lips trembled as she covered her mouth with her wrinkled hand. Her eyes glistened, the weight of Gray's words sinking deeper than she expected. "Gray… after everything you've already endured, you still think of us…"
Grandpa Meno's jaw clenched, his weathered face twitching as though he was fighting back tears he refused to shed. He turned away for a moment, then let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Stupid boy. Do you think it's so simple? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find such treasures? It would be better for you to simply focus on your cultivation and forget about us."
"I don't care if it's simple or not," Gray answered firmly, his voice steady, "I have nothing I care about in this life except for the two of you. Even if it costs me my life, even if I crawl through hell itself, I'll find a way. That's my promise."
For a long while, silence lingered. The wind outside whispered through the cracks of the old house, filling the heavy pause between them.
Grandpa Meno reached out and placed his rough, calloused hand on Gray's head. His palm trembled slightly. "You stubborn child… why are you burdening yourself for us." His voice broke, barely more than a whisper.
"If you ever fall because of this path you've chosen… our old bones won't be able to forgive ourselves."
Grandma Cena wiped her tears, then took Gray's hand in both of hers. "I don't care about lifespan, child. Live, and keep living. That will be the greatest gift you can give us. Whether you succeed or fail, we'll be proud, as long as you live."
"What's the point of living if you two are gone? I won't say any more and instead let my actions speak for themselves. Grandma, grandpa, I won't let you two down." Gray said with conviction
Grandpa Meno sighed dramatically.
"Stubborn child."
Gray chuckled. "Who do you think I got it from?"
Grandma Cena wiped the corner of her eyes, smiling despite the tears. "Both of you are impossible."
Grandpa Meno shook his head but his lips curved into a proud grin. "Hmph. If you really mean those words, then show us, child. Perhaps someday, I'll let you inherit my Eternity Severing Blade!"
Grandpa Cena rolled her eyes, "Who wants that worthless old sword of yours? If someday, Gray reaches great heights, he'd disdain using that trash sword of yours."
"You woman! How dare you insult my greatest treasure!!"
Gray smiled at the familiar scene, he truly wished this could last forever.
The small home fell into a quiet warmth, the three of them sitting together as if time itself had slowed, letting them savor the moment before the future came rushing in.
...
The night's air was crisp as Gray walked through the dimly lit pathways of his residence.
The weight of recent events still sat heavily on his shoulders, but for the first time in years, a glimmer of purpose burned within him.
He had forced the clan's hand and shifted the tides of fate, now all that remained was to ensure he did not drown in the current he had created.
He found a quiet spot on the porch, sat down, and closed his eyes, calling up the familiar System interface. A series of notifications immediately flooded his vision.
[Main Quest: Authority Defiance! - COMPLETE]
[Performance Analysis: You publicly humiliated a key rival, exposed the clan's corrupt power structure, manipulated the Clan Leader into submission, and won the hearts of the masses, all while being a powerless cripple. Not bad, punk. Not bad at all.]
[System Grade: A-Tier]
[Calculating Rewards...]
[Base Reward for Mission Success: +70,000 Street Cred.]
[Bonus: Public Humiliation (Jamal): +1,000 Street Cred.]
[Bonus: Legendary Humiliation (Nickname 'Jamal the Farter' will echo for generations): +10,000 Street Cred.]
[Bonus: You have gained the respect and acknowledgement of two Immortal beings: +100,000 Street Cred!]
Gray's eyes shot open. He reread the last line, his mind reeling. 'Gaining respect and acknowledgement from two Immortals?!'
His thoughts immediately flashed to the two veiled women, Matriarch Zareena and Lady Ziye.
He remembered the staggering amount on his scanner, the numbers so vast that he could barely count them.
'So they're actually Immortals?!' he thought, a cold sweat forming on his brow.
'No wonder the clan leader was so scared of them. I was in a room with beings who could probably sneeze this entire clan out of existence.'
The fact that he had their "respect" was both terrifying and exhilarating.
'Gaining their respect gave me even more points than risking my life offending everyone' Gray shook his head with a wry smile.
He had only gotten 70,000 Street Cred Points after risking his life and offending lots of figures who could kill him with a single stomp, yet he got 100,000 Street Cred Points for simply being acknowledged.
However, he also felt a tinge of pride.
How rare was it to gain an immortal's respect and acknowledgement as a mere mortal? Much less as a cripple?
He stopped thinking about it for now and looked at his new total Street Cred: a whopping 181,000 Street Cred Points.
A grin spread across his face.
It was time to see if he could turn that fortune into something useful.
He navigated to the [Black Market Lottery].
The interface had updated, now that he had a bit more Street Cred Points, it seemed he could do a ten and even a hundred pull.
This reminded him of the Gacha games he had played back on Earth.
'I wonder if there's also pity systems here.'
[Common Thug Draw] - 1,000 SC
[Options: Draw x1 (1,000 SC Points) / Draw x10 (10,000 SC) / Draw x100 (100,000 SC)]
Gray decided to start with a ten-pull. "Let's see what kind of junk you've got for me today."
[A Rusty Spoon.]
[A Slightly Used Handkerchief.]
[Expired Coupon for 'Big Belly Burger'.]
[A Single, Unmatched Sock.]
[A Vague Compliment: "Your hair looks acceptable today."]
[A Paperclip.]
[Recipe: Dirt Soup.]
[One Singular, Low-Grade Spirit Stone.]
[A Clump of Soil.]
[Another Rusty Spoon.]
Gray stared at the results, his eye twitching.
"I spent a thousand points... for a clump of soil, some lint, an expired coupon to a place that doesn't exist, a piece of sock, and a single spirit stone? This is an absolute scam."
"And what's up with these rusty spoons? I can't even have a decent spoon? Does it have to be rusty?"
"Plus, a compliment? And it's not even a proper compliment? What the hell is this."