Re-Awakening: I Became a Pay To Win Boss Monster

He could see people falling for shit like this.

Especially because of how human nature worked.

It was just funny how low of a reward they set, but still, through the eyes of those who already had that thought swirling inside their minds, this was like the cherry on top.

But not for Rael.

He couldn't give two shits about a level he could gain in 10 minutes.

So with that in mind, he turned toward the siblings and whistled, getting their attention.

"What do you two plan on doing now?" Rael asked. "Stay here and wait for monsters to topple your building? Or maybe get out and explore?"

"I don't know yet..." Jane muttered. "You see... our parents were supposed to arrive and pick us up a few hours ago..."

Delusional.

Rael nodded. "So you want to wait?"

"For a bit longer, yes," she replied. "I believe they'll come and get us. After all, they had a whole team of elite bodyguards alongside them, so there's no way they could die."

"I doubt elite bodyguards could hold up a boulder the size of a car. Definitely not while it's heading right at them," Rael commented.

The siblings' expressions drooped, and he let out a sigh.

"Hypothetically."

Not that the little comment helped much.

But...

Being delusional after the world ended was just not an option.

"I'm going to be heading out now," Rael stated. "If you believe your parents are still alive despite everything that has happened, then stay here. Just know that the power of the monsters is increasing. You'll be overrun if not today, then tomorrow."

With those words, he approached the exit, shooting them one last glance.

"But if you wish to live longer, then you may follow me."

He waited for a few moments, gauging their reactions.

Jane seemed on edge, like she wasn't sure she could go through with it.

But Minos, on the other hand, seemed hesitant to part, though with his foot slightly extended forward, Rael knew that Minos was the person who would be willing to tag along.

Rael gave them one final wave and walked out into the hallway, heading for the stairwell.

He made his way down, reaching the ground floor within minutes.

It wasn't as infested with monsters as he was expecting, but there was one thing that troubled him.

Earlier, when the Main Scenario was updated, they were given another one immediately.

But now, it had been over 10 minutes since the second part ended, and yet the only thing available was a sub-scenario Rael had no intention of completing.

Maybe you can only do a single scenario at a time? he mused.

Even so, he stepped out on the streets, glancing around.

There were a few rats, and some other monsters which were bordering level 10.

But the most interesting sight was the spot where the Jade Palace had once stood.

There was a giant frost spire stretching out in the sky, and around it, a bloody miasma.

And if he was being rational, he had to admit that the bloody miasma most likely belonged to everyone that had died.

All except Bai Yun, who put a barrier around himself and fled.

As he crossed the street, ready to fight some monsters, he suddenly heard faint footsteps behind him, and he turned around and saw Jane and Minos sprinting after him.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he waited for them to arrive.

"So you made up your mind, huh? Great. Nice to have you two along," Rael said flatly. "But since I'd really like having people who are capable of watching my back, tell me, what can you two do?"

The siblings halted, exchanging glances until finally, one of them decided to speak up.

"I have a basic ice manipulation skill," Jane stated, then pointed to her brother. "He can control people... or something, what is it again?"

Minos grumbled. "It's puppetry. But I don't know how to activate that skill yet."

"What do you mean you can't? You did it earlier with the monsters," Jane said with a tilt of her head.

"...That was not intentional," Minos replied, lowering his head. "I stared at them... and then they just started to move on their own, following my wishes. I don't know how I did it, but I do know they moved like that because of me."

Rael nodded.

"Did you inspect the skill? What's it say?" he asked.

"It's a passive," Minos replied, his finger brushing against air as he began to read. "Touch of Puppetry: Create emotionless puppets of the foes you have slain. If your willpower is stronger than the opponent you're facing, then you may turn them into your puppet."

"Holy shit?" Rael's eyes widened. "Isn't that overpowered? I mean... you definitely have more willpower than a rat, right? Come, let's try it out."

He urged them toward one of the nearby rats, which lunged at Rael, trying to bite into his neck.

But instead of panicking, Rael took a step backward and gently slammed the hilt of his sword over the rat's head.

-28!

Nice, I can control my actual attack power here, Rael thought, turning to Minos.

He gestured at the rat.

"Have at it."

Minos flinched as he approached the rat, crouching down.

He put a finger on one his temples, almost like he was mimicking a certain telepathic mutant.

But he came up empty, not being able to control the rat.

His expression dropped further, staring at the ground as if he considered himself the biggest failure.

Rael let out a sigh, preparing to console him.

But that was when Jane approached her brother, leaning down beside him and patting his shoulder.

"Come on, Minos... just think of it like one of those toys you used to spend hours playing with," she said softly. "You always tried to get me to play with them, but I never did. I only watched as you made up all sorts of fantasies about them, playing out scenarios that seemed strange to me."

She straightened her back, walking over to the rat, then glancing back at Minos.

"So why don't you try thinking of this rat as your toy, Minos?"