My Scumbag System - Chapter 121

Chapter 121: The Stray Dog’s Speech Made All the Princesses Sit Up and Beg
Natalia Kuzmina maintained her careful smile as she surveyed the room. The VHC Gala rippled with wealth and power around her, a glittering sea of future connections and potential rivals. Her midnight-blue gown clung to her figure before cascading to the floor in a waterfall of silk, the backless cut drawing appreciative glances that she both enjoyed and resented.

Every eye that turned her way carried a judgment: The B-Rank’s daughter. Pretty enough, talented enough, but can she truly excel?

She took a deliberate sip of champagne, though she’d barely tasted a drop all evening. Her glass was merely a prop, a barrier between herself and unwanted conversation. Her thoughts kept circling back to Satori. Where was he now? What game was he playing? The questions gnawed at her, a mixture of curiosity and possessiveness that she couldn’t entirely suppress.

Natalia spotted her designated social circle across the room – the required gathering of first-year female prospects whose approval could make or break a reputation at New Vein Academy before classes even began. At the center stood the Miyamoto twins, Akari and Hikari, identical in their rose-gold gowns, different only in the color of their jewelry – emerald for Akari, sapphire for Hikari. They presided over a court of giggling girls with expensive dresses and famous last names.

And slightly apart from them, radiating boredom and superiority in equal measure, stood Reyna Cabana. La Sirena herself. Her crimson hair cascaded down her back, a perfect complement to her white dress with gold accents – the colors of Olympus Rising. Unlike the twins, who smiled and chatted animatedly, Reyna merely existed in the space, seemingly above the social rituals around her.

Natalia squared her shoulders and approached. Time to play the game.

“Natalia!” Akari clapped her hands together in exaggerated delight. “That dress is divine on you. It’s so brave to wear a backless gown. You must have such confidence.”

Translation: Everyone can see you’re trying too hard.

“Thank you, Akari.” Natalia smiled sweetly. “And your matching dresses are… adorable. It must be so convenient to only have to think of one outfit between the two of you.”

The twin’s smile flickered for just a moment. Around them, two other girls – daughters of some C-Rank Hunters whose names Natalia hadn’t bothered to remember – exchanged nervous glances.

“We believe in presenting a unified front,” Hikari replied smoothly.

“Smart branding,” Natalia conceded, raising her glass slightly. “Father always says presentation is half the battle.”

“And how is Luka?” Akari asked, her voice dripping with false concern. “Still recovering from that B-Rank Gate incident last month? I heard it was… difficult.”

Natalia’s fingers tightened around her glass. “Father is excellent, thank you. The Guild commended his team for their success under challenging circumstances.”

“Of course they did,” Hikari nodded. “B-Ranks are the backbone of the Hunter world.”

Not the stars. Not the leaders. Just the support.

“Woah,” Hikari said suddenly, her gaze shifting to the refreshment tables, “who is that ridiculously tall redhead by the punchbowl? I don’t recognize his family crest.”

Natalia’s heart stuttered. She followed Hikari’s gaze to where Satori stood, tall and observant, a glass of bright pink punch in his hand. The simple black suit he wore should have looked cheap among the designer formalwear surrounding him. Instead, he looked dangerous.

“He looks like he could snap someone in half,” Akari whispered, a hint of appreciation in her voice that made Natalia want to claw her eyes out.

“Reyna,” Hikari turned to La Sirena, who had been silently watching the exchange, “you know everyone. Who is he? Did you see him at the VHC evaluation?”

Reyna took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink before answering. “Nakano. Late-bloomer. C-Rank, they said.” She shrugged one perfect shoulder. “Just another guy. His red hair stood out. I like red.”

She likes his hair? Natalia fought to keep her expression neutral while rage boiled beneath her skin. That’s MY red hair to like. Stay away from him.

“A C-Rank late-bloomer?” One of the nameless girls snickered. “Why is he even here?”

“Actually,” Natalia cut in, unable to stop herself, “Satori is my stepbrother.”

The circle fell silent, all eyes turning to her with renewed interest.

“Your… stepbrother?” Hikari repeated, a new calculation visible behind her eyes. “I didn’t realize.”

“Father married his Mother years ago,” Natalia explained, keeping her voice casual. “We live together.”

“And what’s he like?” Akari leaned forward, suddenly interested. “Is he as intense as he looks?”

You have no idea, Natalia thought, remembering his hands on her body, his voice in her ear claiming her as his. The memory sent heat coursing through her veins.

“He’s…” Natalia paused, choosing her words carefully. “Determined. More than people realize.”

“Still, a C-Rank,” Hikari sighed with exaggerated disappointment. “Such a waste of that height. He could have been something with the right bloodline.”

Natalia smiled, a small, secret expression. If only you knew what you were looking at.

A commotion from across the room interrupted their gossip. All heads turned to see Julian Valerius and his entourage surrounding Satori by the refreshment table. Julian’s posture was aggressive, his voice carrying just enough to draw attention without seeming to shout.

“Oh, look,” Hikari smirked. “Julian’s found a new toy to break.”

“This is going to be brutal,” Akari agreed, wincing with performative sympathy. “That poor boy.”

“Or… maybe not,” Reyna said, suddenly leaning forward with interest. “This could be fun.”

What was Satori thinking? Julian Valerius was the son of one of New Vein’s most powerful families, a high B-Rank with a powerful Aspect. One word from Julian could make Satori’s life at the academy a living hell.

The circle of onlookers around them widened as Julian’s voice grew louder. Natalia could see Satori’s face now – calm, almost amused, as Julian postured and preened. Then Satori said something that made Julian flush with anger.

“What’s happening?” one of the girls whispered.

“I think your stepbrother just challenged Julian,” Hikari murmured to Natalia, her eyes wide.

They watched as Julian raised his champagne flute in what appeared to be a toast. His voice carried across the room, his words clearly meant for the growing audience.

“To the future of the Hunter world! A future built upon the unshakable foundations of the great families who came before us. Those who, through generations of sacrifice and excellence, have earned the right to lead…”

The girls around Natalia nodded appreciatively. This was the world they knew and believed in – a world of legacies and birthright.

Then Satori raised his garish pink punch, his voice carrying with surprising clarity.

“The Gates don’t care about our social hierarchies,” Satori was saying, his voice quiet yet somehow filling the entire space. “They don’t respect our traditions or our legacies. They are the great equalizer. And in their shadow, the only bloodline that matters is the one you’re willing to spill.”

Natalia felt a chill run through her body. She glanced at the Miyamoto twins. Their identical faces had transformed from initial pity to shock, and now to something far more dangerous – fascination.

“So I toast to the real future,” Satori continued, his eyes locked with Julian’s. “Not the one bought by your father’s money, but the one forged in the fire of the Gates. I toast to the late-bloomers. To the orphans. To the strays.”

He’s not just talking to Julian, Natalia realized, her heart pounding in her chest. He’s talking to all of them. To everyone who ever looked down on him… on us. He’s declaring war. He’s magnificent.

The final moment came when Julian lost his composure, his face contorted with rage as he stepped toward Satori.

“You dare talk about family?” Julian snarled. “Look at yours! A washed-up B-Rank, a useless Zero, and a sister who—”

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Julian’s father appeared suddenly, grabbing his arm and hauling him away, murmuring furious apologies.

In the wake of Julian’s retreat, Satori stood calm and composed, the eye of a storm he had perfectly orchestrated.

“Who… who is he?” Akari whispered, clutching her sister’s arm.

“Someone interesting,” Reyna replied, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth as she studied Satori with new appreciation.

The heat that flooded Natalia’s body was so intense she feared it might burn through her dress. This was the man she had submitted to.

He didn’t use his Aspect, she thought, her core clenching with need. He didn’t raise his voice. He just spoke, and they all listened.

Natalia gripped her own arm to keep herself grounded. The urge to cross the floor, to drop to her knees before him in front of everyone, was almost overwhelming. She wanted to feel that power inside her, to be claimed by the man who had just claimed the room.

Across the crowded hall, Satori’s eyes found hers. The world around them seemed to fade away as he gave her a slow, almost imperceptible nod – their secret language, an acknowledgment of shared victory.

Natalia kept her mask in place, the perfect ice princess surrounded by her social circle. But beneath it, the queen was burning.

And she was hungry.