My Charity System made me too OP

Meanwhile, back at the tournament venue, the competition was about to begin.

City Lord Lord Kevin overlooked the large crowd, his gaze sweeping across the gathered participants and spectators.

Just as he was about to speak, a hooded figure approached him silently and whispered into his ear.

Hearing the whispered words, the color drained from the City Lord's face, but he quickly regained his composure and delivered the opening speech.

Once he was done, the matches began, with the announcer taking the stage to introduce the first round of battles.

Meanwhile, Kevin clenched his fists and turned to his informant. "How?" he asked, his voice low and tense.

"We don't know," the hooded figure replied. "He came in without being detected, killed all the guards, and then he also rescued the children."

The City Lord's expression darkened, his fingers gripping the armrest of his ornate chair. This chair was crafted from the bones of a Tier V magical beast, a clear display of his power and status.

"Find him and kill him," Kevin ordered, his voice sharp and unwavering. "No one can know about this, especially not the Celestial Organization."

The informant nodded and swiftly left the chamber.

Kevin exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Damn it… who was it?" he muttered, leaning back in his chair.

The Ability Crystal production method had been discovered by his son, and now, someone was threatening everything they had built.

Kevin's mind raced as he considered the implications. Whoever had done this wasn't just some fool stumbling upon their secret—they knew exactly what they were doing. They had killed everyone involved without hesitation and rescued the children, which meant they had a moral agenda.

He slammed his fist onto his chair's armrest.

"Damn it! If the Celestial Organization catches wind of this, they'll burn this city to the ground!"

Just then, another one of his subordinates rushed in, bowing hastily. "My Lord, we have a possible lead."

Kevin's eyes sharpened. "Speak."

The man swallowed before continuing. "We found black flames at the crime scene, unnatural, consuming only what they wish to burn… We suspect a high-ranking Dark Mage or Warlock."

Kevin's pupils shrank. "Black flames…" His fingers tightened around the chair. "This might be worse than we thought. If it's truly someone at Tier VI or above, they're far beyond what we can handle."

The room fell into silence.

Kevin finally let out a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Fine. If we can't eliminate them directly, then we must turn the city against them. Spread the word—a dangerous criminal is on the loose, one who has slaughtered our noble enforcers."

The subordinate hesitated. "But… what if people suspect the truth?"

Kevin's eyes turned cold. "Then we give them another truth to believe in. If you control the story, you control the people."

The man nodded and hurried off.

Kevin leaned back, closing his eyes.

"Whoever you are… I will bury you before you bury me."

Meanwhile, at the Tournament Grounds...

Leon sat in his private waiting room, his face calm but his mind racing.

Through the eyes of his summoned Dark Specter Reaper, he had witnessed everything—the cries of the children, the horrific experiments, the lifeless bodies of those who had been drained for the Ability Crystals.

His fingers curled into a fist. "So the City Lord is behind this… or at the very least, deeply involved."

The Dark Specter had already wiped out the underground facility, but Leon knew that wasn't the end. If Kevin was behind this, then the true rot ran far deeper.

He exhaled. "No matter how powerful he is, he's just a Tier V Mage. If I play this right… I can make his entire empire crumble."

Then, a loud cheer erupted from the arena outside.

The first matches had begun.

Leon smirked. "Good. Let's put on a show."

Tournament Arena – First Round Begins

The crowd roared in excitement as the tournament officially kicked off. Spectators from noble families, powerful guilds, and even Celestial Organization representatives had gathered to witness the clashes between some of the strongest young talents.

Leon walked out of his waiting room, stepping into the towering coliseum-like arena, where dozens of contestants stood on massive stone platforms, each preparing for their first battle.

A loud voice echoed through the stadium:

"WELCOME, CHALLENGERS! LET THE TOURNAMENT BEGIN!"

A golden light surged in the sky, and the match brackets were revealed.

Leon's opponent was…

Drake Veros – Tier III Flame Swordsman

Leon smirked. "Flames, huh? How unfortunate for you."

Drake was well-known—a warrior who had slain a Tier IV Fire Serpent by himself. His sword, Infernal Fang, could cut through steel like butter.

The announcer's voice boomed:

"BEGIN!"

Drake vanished, appearing in front of Leon in a blink, his blazing sword slicing down with terrifying speed.

But Leon simply raised a hand.

CLANG!

Drake's sword stopped mid-air, as if an invisible force had halted it. His eyes widened in shock.

Leon's voice was calm. "Mana Skin."

A layer of hardened mana covered Leon's entire body, negating the attack completely.

Before Drake could react, Leon vanished—reappearing behind him.

"Mana Drain." Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

A surge of dark tendrils shot from Leon's hand, piercing into Drake's body. His flames instantly flickered and weakened, his energy draining rapidly.

"WHAT—?!" Drake staggered, suddenly feeling exhausted, as if his strength was being ripped from his soul.

Leon sighed. "You're wasting my time."

CRACK!

He delivered a precise palm strike to Drake's chest, sending him flying across the arena, smashing into the stone wall.

The crowd fell into complete silence.

Drake… Tier III Flame Swordsman… defeated in a single exchange.

"T-The winner is LEON!" the announcer stammered.

The audience exploded in shock and awe.

But Leon?

He just walked off the stage like it was nothing.

"Next."

After Leon's dominant victory, the atmosphere in the tournament completely shifted. Many had expected an exciting, drawn-out battle between two powerhouses. Instead, Leon had crushed Drake effortlessly, treating a Tier III warrior like an insect.

In the VIP stands, several influential figures whispered among themselves.