Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start? - Chapter 553

Chapter 553: Chapter3-System Activation
Sitting on the bench outside the wooden cabin, Owen gazed at the undulating mountains in the distance. His mind was full of restless thoughts—how would he find Elena?

Ever since Yevna left him with only a note, he and Elena had depended solely on each other for the past eight years. And now, Elena was gone too, slipping away silently in the same way her mother had.

How could he not be anxious?

Just then, a crisp sound rang out in Owen’s mind.

Pop!

[Ding! Congratulations, host! With both daughter and wife having run off, the system activation condition has been met.]

[Daughter ventures into a foreign world; father worries in silent agony!]

[Daughter becomes strong; father gains power through her might!]

[Congratulations, host! You have acquired the ‘Daughter Guidance System.’]

[System is now bound to Host Owen and Daughter Elena. For detailed instructions, please refer to the system manual.]

[Current feature unlocked: View Elena’s status panel.]

Owen frowned, his mouth twitching involuntarily.

Ever since arriving in this world, he had hoped the system—like those in fantasy novels—would eventually awaken and give him a way forward.

But now? His daughter and wife had both left him, and only now did the system choose to activate?

He found it hard to accept.

“What the hell?! Eight years, and now you show up—and you congratulate me?” Owen grumbled through clenched teeth.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, he began browsing the system manual.

As he skimmed through it, Owen gradually realized the system came with a wide range of useful features.

Through the interface, he could monitor Elena’s safety in real-time—her hunger levels, physical condition, and even emotional well-being. Not only that, but the system also had a remote item-delivery function, allowing him to send her supplies instantly, no matter where she was.

Most importantly, the system included a daily sign-in feature that granted him magical tools—each one capable of enhancing Elena’s magic power, physical constitution, or mental resilience.

Better yet, whenever Elena advanced in magical power, Owen himself would receive a boost as well, albeit a minor one.

Even more astonishing, every spell and skill Elena acquired—Owen could replicate. And not just replicate, but wield with even greater potency.

“Looks like raising a daughter… might actually make me stronger,” Owen muttered to himself. A glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes. “If I can train Elena well, maybe—just maybe—we’ll be able to survive in this world. And maybe we’ll even find Yevna.”

[Host, what does ‘survive in this world’ mean?]

The system’s sudden inquiry yanked him out of his thoughts.

“Shut up,” Owen snapped, annoyed.

After confirming through the panel that Elena was safe, he let out a breath of relief. But the realization hit him a second later.

“Wait a second… Doesn’t this make me a glorified daughter-raising simulator? I’ve literally transmigrated into a parenting game!”

He suddenly had an image of himself stuck in a “raising sim” where he was nothing but a tool for his daughter’s growth.

[Ding! Host may interpret it that way, but be reminded: life is not a game. Death is permanent. Proceed with caution.]

The system’s timely reminder pulled Owen back to reality.

He nodded in acknowledgment and reread the manual a few more times—just to be sure he didn’t miss anything critical.

Then a question occurred to him.

“Hey, System… since my tier is higher than my daughter’s, can I transfer magic to her? She levels up, I level up too. Then I just repeat the process and we both grow infinitely stronger?”

A long silence.

[Ding! Nesting loop detected—functionality blocked!]

[Bug detected. Performing emergency patch!]

[System patch complete.]

[Thanks for the feedback, Host. You’ve earned 1 bonus lottery spin.]

Owen sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Damn it, why did I open my big mouth…”

Still, a lottery draw wasn’t bad. A small silver lining in the midst of chaos.

Now that the system had fully activated, hope rekindled in his chest. He just needed to keep nurturing Elena’s strength, and through that, regain his own footing in this chaotic world.

And maybe… just maybe… find Yevna.

He’d even thought of the perfect slogan for the day they finally stepped out of hiding:

“Eight years of seclusion in the mountains. Now, our return shall shake the world!”

Just as Owen stood, ready to march out and begin his search for Elena, the system chimed again.

[Ding! External dangers detected. To prevent total annihilation of the Host’s family, system has issued a restriction: Host may not leave the valley for two years.]

“Two years? Can’t we negotiate that?” Owen protested.

[No exceptions! There must be someone to carry on the legacy. What if the whole family dies out?]

Left with no choice, Owen had to accept the condition.

At least the system allowed remote monitoring and could send supplies. That gave him some peace of mind.

Elena was clever, quick-witted. As long as she didn’t run into truly vicious people, she should be okay.

And besides, not everyone in this world had magic. Most were ordinary folks. The kingdom’s laws were relatively strict, offering some protection to civilians and children.

Thinking it through, Owen returned to the cabin and activated the system’s first daily sign-in.

[Ding! Sign-in successful. You have received: 1 bottle of Purifying Tear.]

[Purifying Tear: A rare magic potion capable of cleansing all dark-elemental corruption. No usage restrictions.]

Owen read the description carefully, nodding with satisfaction.

“This could be a life-saver. Better keep it safe.”

Just then, a red warning flashed across his panel.

[Ding! Alert! Elena is in a state of hunger. Immediate nourishment required—bread requested.]

Owen hurried into the kitchen, grabbed two freshly baked loaves, and sent them to Elena through the system’s remote delivery function.

…

At that very moment, Elena was riding a small horse across a vast grassland.

Her heart was heavy with both purpose and unease. She had set out to find her mother—but the further she traveled, the more uncertain the road became. She was lost.

The ache in her stomach gnawed at her, adding to her discomfort.

Reaching into the cloth pouch tied at her waist—a pouch her father had made—Elena clutched it tightly. It looked ordinary, but to her, it was nothing short of a magical treasure.

Every time she wanted something, the next day… it would appear inside.

“I’m so hungry…” she whispered. “If I were home, Daddy would have already made fresh bread.”

She pouted slightly, voice tinged with homesickness.

“Should I… go back home and eat first? Then come out again?”

But she shook her head.

“No! I’m out here to find Mommy. I want to give Daddy a surprise! I can’t give up halfway. If I go back now, Daddy might be disappointed.”

With that, she opened the pouch. “Please… just let there be some bread.”

No sooner had she spoken than two warm loaves appeared in the bag.

Her eyes widened in delight.

“Wow! It really works! Daddy wasn’t lying!”

She eagerly took a loaf and bit into it, munching away with joy.

In that moment, her faith in her father—the man she had always believed to be a legendary powerhouse—solidified completely.

Only someone as incredible as him could create a pouch that granted wishes!

Just as Elena finished the first loaf, a luxurious carriage convoy appeared on the distant horizon, slowly making its way toward her.