The boy stared, utterly stunned, his face frozen in a tentative expression.


    "Umm… who are you?" he managed to stammer.


    The man before him towered in height, his muscr frame making the boy feel small inparison. To even meet his gaze, the boy had to crane his neck. Yet, despite the man''s intimidating presence, his face looked surprisingly youthful—perhaps no older than twenty.


    Hearing him talk about a daughter and marriage only deepened the boy''s confusion.


    "Is this guy rich? Did he use some youthful syringe to look younger?" the boy wondered, his thoughts swirling in disbelief.


    Meanwhile, the brawny, intimidating man continued to stare at him, an amused smile ying on his lips.


    "So, is it okay or not?" Ray asked, his expression growing even more entertained by the boy''s reaction.


    "Wh… What?"


    The boy trembled, his voice faltering as his throat tightened, making it nearly impossible to respond.


    "Haha." Ray chuckled, lightly patting the boy on the shoulder. "Rx, I''m not here to cause you trouble. You know a girl named Isabe, right?"


    The moment Isabe''s name left Ray''s lips, the boy''s demeanor shifted entirely. His cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and he stammered nervously.


    "H-how do you know about Isabe?" he asked, his voice shaky.


    Ray puffed out his chest proudly and pointed at himself. "I''m her father."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Huh!?"


    The boy froze, his expression nk as if his brain had short-circuited trying to process Ray''s words.


    Before he could recover, a tall and slender figure hurried toward them. Isabe appeared, her face flushed with embarrassment.


    "Papa! What are you telling him?"


    The boy, nowpletely red-faced, looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. "I-Isabe…" he stammered, unable to meet her gaze.


    Ray, unfazed by the growing awkwardness, leaned slightly closer to the boy. "Do you love my daughter, Alex?" he asked directly.


    Alex turned his head to meet Ray''s intense gaze, and the sheer presence of the man made him jump in fright, nearly stumbling to the ground.


    "What is even happening?" Alex muttered, ncing around as though questioning the fabric of reality itself. His bewildered eyesnded on Isabe. "Wait a second! Aren''t you an orphan too, Isabe? When did you suddenly have a father?"


    "Well…" Isabe stuck her tongue out yfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes.


    "You little brat!" Ray said, looking at her with an exaggeratedly wounded expression. "You''ve gone and killed me. My own little princess has already killed her papa!"


    "Umm…" Isabe awkwardly twirled a lock of her silky hair around her finger, an embarrassed expression forming on her face as she mumbled inwardly, *"Weren''t you the one who told us not to reveal our identity?"*


    Ray crossed his arms. "So anyway, brat, do you love my daughter?"


    "Yes!" Alex answered immediately, standing up straighter. His confusion about the situation still lingered, but he clung to the most important revtion—this man was the father of the girl he loved. Resolving to make a good impression, Alex put on his bravest front, despite his nerves.


    "Not bad, brat," Ray nodded and repeated his question, "So, do you love her? Tell me honestly."


    "Yes, sir!" Alex responded with an almost military-like salute.


    "Good, good. Then you two can get married now. Tell everyone on this ne that my first daughter is getting married." Ray raised his head in pride.


    "Marriage? Isn''t that a little quick, Father?" Isabe was the first to protest while Alex remained bbergasted on the spot.


    "It''s not quick at all," Ray replied swiftly, shaking his head. "You two need to give me grandchildren. As the saying goes, betterte than sorry, right, Vanessa?"


    He cast a meaningful nce toward Vanessa, who stood beside his daughter. Her cheeks flushed slightly at his words, and Ray''s knowing look only deepened her embarrassment.


    "So, let''s begin."


    Ray snapped his fingers.


    **Boom! Boom!**


    Immediately, deafening sounds of footsteps filled the air, and the ground trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck, causing people to stumble and fall.


    Then, the roof of the library suddenly began to open, revealing the scene outside.


    Giant warships hovered ominously in the air, their soft hum resonating like a chilling melody. The atmosphere around them crackled with energy and lightning, and the once sunny skies darkened, transforming thendscape into a frozen wastnd in an instant.


    On the ground, what first appeared to be countless shadows stretched endlessly across the horizon.


    "No... they''re not shadows," Alex murmured, his squinted eyes widening. "They''re soldiers, our Gene Empire''s soldiers."


    The vast army wasposed of fierce individuals, each not only physically strong but also intellectually refined, having received the highest levels of education. These were not ordinary troops—they were superhumans, every single one of them.


    Scattered among their ranks were survivors of the Apocalypse, warriors hardened by unimaginable trials. These veterans often served as generals leading the charge.


    Alex turned his gaze back to Ray, now filled with disbelief and awe. "Who... who is he?" Alex''s voice trembled slightly as he stared at the man. "Is he some kind of high-ranking official?"


    Alex''s gaze fixated on Ray, his eyes narrowing as he examined the man before him more closely.


    For nearly a decade, eight or nine years to be precise, Ray had refrained from making public appearances. Though his name and legend were etched into the hearts of the people, the busyness of life had caused many to forget the finer details of his visage.


    As Alex scrutinized Ray''s face, his jaw ckened.


    "Am I in a dream world!?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes vigorously.


    Before he could fully process what was happening, Alex found himself aboard one of the most luxurious warships imaginable.


    Momentster, he stood in a grand venue adorned with vibrant flowers and intricate decorations, surrounded by an immense audience. The sheer scale of the gathering left Alex in awe, with thousands of eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them, all there face in utter reverence.


    Unbeknownst to him, this moment was not confined to those physically present. Broadcasts spread across the world, reaching far beyond Earth to others, ensuring that billions witnessed the event live.


    Alex took a sharp, deep breath to steady himself.


    "I''m sorry, Alex, that you have to go through this," Isabe said gently, trying to console him.


    "It''s fine as long as I have you." A warm smile appeared on his face as he intertwined his fingers with Isabe''s and walked with her to the stage.


    Ray watched it all unfold from his throne, his expression filled with pride. He was deeply satisfied—he had already be a father, and now, it was time to take the next step and be a grandfather.


    "Soon," he murmured in his heart.


    Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and a year had already passed.


    Today, Ray was rxing, enjoying thepany of all his women while watching the clown William perform for him.


    Suddenly, a prompt appeared before him. The only issue? He hadn''t spread his genes today.


    [Congrattions, you have spread your genes and expanded your family. Your baby could be Awakened.]


    [Strength has increased by 2]


    [Speed has increased by 2]


    [Stamina has increased by 2]


    [Mental strength has increased by 1]


    [Physique has increased by 1]


    [System points: +10]