Containment Fate System

My name is Zixuan.

In my memories, I never knew the warmth of a parent’s embrace or the love of family—only the endless cycle of beatings and humiliation.

They called me an ill omen, a harbinger of misfortune.

Because the moment I was born, my mother died.

From the earliest I can remember, I was locked in a dark, damp woodshed, only let out when they needed me to work.

In winter, I shivered in thin, tattered clothes, scrubbing laundry in the icy river until my hands turned red, numb, and cracked with bleeding wounds.

Yet no matter how hard I worked, all I earned was more curses—for not washing the clothes well enough.

In summer, swarmed by insects, I sweated in the stifling kitchen, cooking for the whole household. The slightest mistake meant a merciless beating.

Once, when something went missing in the house, they blamed me without question and beat me savagely.

I curled up in a corner, enduring the lash of the whip—each strike a searing agony, leaving bloody welts across my skin. I wasn’t even given a chance to defend myself.

I struggled in despair, crying silently in the dead of night, longing for even a sliver of warmth.

Later, a terrible plague swept through my hometown. One by one, my family fell ill and died—yet I, against all odds, survived.

But instead of freedom, I faced even more scorn. They said I was cursed, that I had brought this disaster upon them.

Driven out by their hatred, I was forced to leave home and wander alone.

During those days, I starved, barely clothed, often collapsing from hunger in the streets.

To survive, I fought stray dogs for scraps of food, my body covered in bite wounds.

Countless times, I felt I couldn’t go on—death seemed like a release.

Why... is fate so cruel?

Why is life so unfair to me?

But just as I lost all hope...

A voice echoed in my ears.

[Congratulations, Host! You have bound the Ultimate Fate System!]

[First Mission: Change the Fate of One Living Being!]

The Ultimate... Fate System?

As if pitying my wretched existence, the heavens granted me this power.

That moment, staring at the shimmering threads of fate in my hands, I felt something I hadn’t in years—the will to live.

This might be my only chance to escape my cursed destiny.

So, day after day, year after year...

Before I obtained the Fate Space...

The leader of the Alliance found me and invited me to join.

Their words hinted at a future enemy—one that would require everyone to unite against.

I agreed and began my search for the "Child of Destiny."

But...

As time passed, I grew weary.

Couldn’t someone bring me a little excitement? Just a spark of it?

The Fate Space was, in truth, a lonely and terrifying place.

I longed to talk, to connect with someone...

Even fantasized about a storybook hero breaking through the space to rescue me, so we could fly away together...

But... why?

The flickering memories in Zixuan’s mind faded, replaced by the sharp sting of reality—the throbbing pain on her cheek.

The sound of a slap still rang in her ears.

It hurt. The sensation was unbearably real.

Clutching her face, Zixuan stared blankly at Qin Luo and Su Muwan standing before her.

Her pupils trembled.

Her heart pounded.

Why... was reality like this?!

And most of all—

Why?!

She tried to run, but—why?!

Her body wouldn’t move!!

[Detected: Ultimate Fate System hiding within Fate Space!!]

[Initiating breakdown analysis!!]

Meanwhile, in Qin Luo’s mind, a small dog-like entity busily prepared containment procedures.

He spread his hands, raising an eyebrow.

Just as I thought.

While other attacks couldn’t reach a system user hidden in the Fate Space...

This rule-defying slap ignored all barriers.

But Qin Luo’s goal wasn’t to capture the system user.

He wanted to absorb the system itself.

The Ultimate Fate System seemed different from lower-tier systems—it required a special condition to be absorbed.

That condition was...

To make it lose control over a living being’s fate.

Fate exists to be shattered.

A phrase from a six-word game he’d played in his past life flashed through Qin Luo’s mind.

Nearby, Su Muwan stood wrapped in warmth.

Relishing the comfort in her body, she couldn’t help but smirk.

Yes!

Now she could go all out without worrying about her frost toxin flaring up!

Hallelujah!

Can you believe it?!

After all the suffering—fortune finally smiled on her!

In her past life, the frost toxin had forced her to hold back in every battle.

But now?

She could fight freely!

All thanks to...

Su Muwan turned her head, her eyes flickering as she looked at Qin Luo. In a flash, she clung tightly to his arm, chanting excitedly, "Luo Luo Luo Luo Luo~~~!!"

"I love you, love you, love you!!"

"So much, so much, so much, so much, so much love you!"

Qin Luo staggered slightly from the force of her headbutt and chuckled helplessly. "Young Miss, the matter isn’t over yet. There are still people here."

"Can’t we save this for when we get home?"

"No! After a battle, this young lady needs to recharge her energy!"

"Otherwise, I’ll feel so miserable I could die!"

"Speaking of which, Qin Luo, you’re so warm and cozy… and you smell amazing!"

Sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff!!!

After Su Muwan took a deep, dramatic inhale for two seconds—

She suddenly froze, blinking in realization. "Wait, what do you mean ‘there are still people here’?"

The next moment—

Crack!

Like shattering glass, the space just ten centimeters beside Qin Luo fractured abruptly.

Clatter!

Then—

A figure lying on the ground, covering her face and trembling, came into Su Muwan’s line of sight.

Her eyes widened. "Gasp! Who’s this?"

Qin Luo shrugged. "Young Miss, this is the mastermind who turned your battle from ‘easy mode’ to ‘hard mode.’"

"Oh."

Su Muwan exhaled in relief.

Qin Luo: ?

What exactly did you just imagine? Why are you suddenly relieved?

As for Zixuan—

Her eyes were hollow as she clutched her face.

After a fleeting glance at Qin Luo and Su Muwan, she averted her gaze again.

It was over.

She didn’t know why she couldn’t move.

Perhaps it was due to this underling’s strange ability.

Even though she knew she had lost—

Zixuan still wanted an answer.

"...Why?"

She turned her head toward Qin Luo and Su Muwan and asked, "How did you find me?"

Find you?

Su Muwan blinked.

How the hell would I know?

Honestly, I didn’t even realize you were here.

Qin Luo, however, smiled faintly. "Simple."

"I figured it out from two clues."

Oi oi oi…

Qin Luo, why are you butting in again…

"First," he began, "Mu He’s luck had already dropped to the execution threshold, yet he still managed to escape."

"Second," he continued, "while my young miss didn’t go all out, given the overwhelming difference in strength, crushing Mu He should’ve been effortless."

"But instead, he managed to pull off a desperate power-up in that hopeless situation. Clearly, something was off."

Luck…

Zixuan’s eyes widened slightly.

So…

This person also knows about the concept of luck?

But deducing my presence just from that… that’s…

"Ah, of course, those two points were just nonsense," Qin Luo suddenly cut in, interrupting her thoughts.

"There’s actually only one real reason."

He raised a single finger and grinned under Zixuan’s stunned gaze.

"My system… is superior to yours."

[Congratulations, Master! You have successfully captured the "Ultimate Fate System!"]

[Ability Acquired: Fate Manipulation! (Can perceive and alter the threads of fate!)]

[Items Obtained: Fate Hourglass, Fate Scissors!]