Tyler stretched as he walked down the grand staircase, fully dressed in his casual designer wear, his black shirt unbuttoned just enough to show his devil-may-care attitude. Mikey was sitting on the couch, sipping his morning coffee and scrolling through his tablet.
Tyler glanced at him, then smirked. "I'm going on a stroll."
Mikey looked up, raising an eyebrow. "A stroll? That what we're calling it now?"
"Yeah, fresh air is good for a villain's skin," Tyler replied with a wink. "Oh, and by the way, make something nice for Sophie today. Poor girl's probably dead tired from last night."
Mikey's expression soured instantly. "Don't say it like that, man. That's my little sister."
"Exactly why it's your responsibility now. Big brother duties activated," Tyler shot back, already walking toward the door. "She deserves a royal breakfast or something sweet. Chocolate pancakes, maybe."
"You're unbelievable," Mikey muttered.
"That's what they keep telling me," Tyler grinned as he stepped out and hopped into his car.
As he pulled out onto the main road, he casually spoke aloud, "System. Identify this new Chosen One."
["Confirmed. Subject Kyle Detner, age 20. One of the designated Chosen Ones."]
"I figured," Tyler muttered. "Details."
["Subject was gifted a mysterious necklace by his dying mother at age 10. Upon her death, the necklace began slowly transferring a massive database of ancient medical techniques and modern modifications directly into Kyle's consciousness. However, to properly inherit the knowledge, the subject was required to spend the next 10 years in isolation with his eyes covered by cloth."]
Tyler blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "You're kidding me."
["This method was designed to prevent external distractions and sharpen mental focus while optimizing internal Qi pathways for maximum retention."]
"So, he's the type that's been 'training in the dark' for ten years and now emerges with heavenly insight and godly fingers?" Tyler asked, rubbing his forehead. "That trope is so old it's growing mold."
["Narrative patterns statistically suggest such tropes are common among Chosen One profiles."]
"No shit. So what now? He's gonna heal some powerful rich girl's grandpa and get adopted into a martial family, earn their favor, and rise up the ranks in power and influence?"
["Precisely. Subject Kyle is currently admitted in Gracefield Medical Hospital. Three days ago, upon removing his eye coverings, he stepped onto the road in confusion and was struck by a car. He sustained minimal injuries. Currently, he is scheduled to heal the grandfather of Lin Quasi, heiress of the Lin Quasi Family, one of the most prominent families in the country with considerable martial and business influence."]
Tyler's lips curled into a sharp grin. "Ah, so we're really doing this. Healing the old grandpa to win over the rich martial heiress, huh? Textbook manhua."
["Indeed. Mission: Ruin the Chosen One's Destiny. Reward: 10,000 Reputation Points. Additional reward: One-time opportunity to copy Chosen One's ability."]
"Heh… A mission with a bonus? Not bad. Two birds with one stone. If I play this right, I can crush this main character's rise and make some juicy contacts in the Lin family while I'm at it."
He steered the wheel one-handed, eyes glinting with interest. "System, anything else I should know?"
["Subject Kyle possesses high spiritual affinity and advanced understanding of hybrid medical techniques. After this treatment, his popularity and opportunities will increase exponentially."]
"So I just need to strike before he gets his moment. Break his wings before he even learns to fly. Classic." He sighed, amused. "Alright, let's go crash this feel-good origin story."
Ten minutes later, Tyler pulled into the hospital parking lot and walked inside, whistling casually. He took the elevator up to the VIP section and just as he stepped out, he heard a commotion down the hall.
A group of men in suits were screaming at a young man in hospital clothes, who was sitting calmly in a wheelchair.
"You idiot! You think you can just barge in and ask to heal Old Master Lin?"
"Who do you think you are?! A street rat from nowhere!"
"Go back to the gutter you crawled out of!"
Tyler stopped, scratching his head lazily. He looked at the calm-faced youth in the center of the storm, with pure white bandages still covering his eyes despite having removed the main layer earlier. He seemed unaffected by the verbal assault, sitting with perfect composure.
"Yep," Tyler muttered under his breath. "Definitely that overused type of manhua MC."
He smirked. "Time to cut the arc short before the opening theme even plays."