Shadow Husband:I Have a Hidden SSS-Class System-Chapter 56: THE INTRODUCTION

Eternal Bond Guild headquarters occupied the top fifteen floors of a high-rise in Central Jakarta. Impressive, expensive, and designed to showcase the guild’s status as one of Indonesia’s top three.

Rama had been here exactly twice before. Once for the wedding reception Sekar had insisted on hosting here. Once for a "family day" event where he’d been introduced as "Guild Master Aditya’s husband" and promptly ignored by everyone who mattered.

Back then, he’d been the E-rank embarrassment she’d married. A charity case. A joke.

Now, walking through the lobby beside Sekar, he was something else entirely.

"Nervous?" Sekar asked as they entered the elevator.

"Should I be?"

"Some of the guild won’t take this well. Me bringing in my previously-E-rank husband and claiming he’s suddenly Level 48? They’ll be skeptical."

"Let them be skeptical. I’ll prove it."

"Some will be hostile. Especially Hendra."

Rama nodded. He remembered Hendra from before. Vice Guild Master. A-rank, Level 62. Ambitious, political, and deeply resentful that Sekar had inherited the Guild Master position instead of him.

"Hendra wanted your position," Rama said.

"He still does. And he’ll see you as a threat. My husband gaining power, gaining influence in the guild—he’ll interpret that as me consolidating control."

"Am I a threat to his ambitions?"

"Absolutely." She smiled. "But that’s his problem, not ours."

The elevator opened on the top floor. Conference room, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Jakarta, a massive table where thirty guild officers sat waiting.

All eyes turned to them as they entered.

Sekar walked to the head of the table with the confidence of someone who’d earned her position through strength, not politics. Rama followed, standing beside her.

"Thank you all for coming," Sekar began. "I have important news. News that affects not just our guild, but all of humanity. In forty-four days, something is coming. An extinction-level threat that will require every Hunter, every guild, every nation to fight together."

Murmurs around the table. Skeptical looks. One man—Hendra, sitting at Sekar’s right hand—leaned back in his chair with a smirk.

"Extinction-level threat?" he said. "That’s quite a claim, Guild Master. What evidence do you have?"

"I’ll get to the evidence. First, context." Sekar gestured to Rama. "Most of you know my husband, Rama Kusuma. Previously E-rank. What you don’t know is that he’s awakened to something beyond normal Hunter abilities. Something called the System."

More murmurs. Confused looks.

"The System grants enhanced growth, special abilities, and access to information normal Hunters can’t access. Including prophecies. Visions of future threats." She placed her hand on Rama’s shoulder. "My husband is a System Player. And he’s currently Level 48."

Silence.

Then laughter.

Not everyone. But enough. Hendra loudest among them.

"Level 48?" Hendra said between laughs. "Guild Master, with all due respect, your husband was E-rank a month ago. Now you’re claiming he’s jumped to Level 48? That’s impossible. Completely impossible."

"It’s not impossible with the System," Sekar said calmly. "The System grants accelerated growth to those it chooses. Rama is one of those chosen."

"Convenient," another officer said—a woman named Sri, A-rank, Level 58. "Very convenient that your husband suddenly has secret powers. Powers that conveniently make him relevant in a guild of A-ranks and S-ranks."

"I understand the skepticism," Rama said, speaking for the first time. "I would be skeptical too. E-rank to Level 48 in a month sounds like a fantasy. But it’s real. And I can prove it."

"Oh?" Hendra leaned forward. "Please, enlighten us. Show us these miraculous System powers."

Rama pulled up his System interface and made it visible—a feature that worked differently than Hunter status displays. The golden window appeared floating in the air above the table.

[RAMA KUSUMA - LEVEL 48]

[CLASS: SYSTEM PLAYER]

[STATUS: REGRESSOR]

Several officers leaned forward, studying the display.

"That could be faked," Hendra said dismissively. "A hologram. An illusion skill. Hunters can create false displays."

"True," Rama agreed. He dismissed the display and activated [Molten Strike]. His hand erupted in flames—but not normal fire. System energy that burned cold instead of hot, with perfect control.

"This is System energy. Not Hunter magic. Different source. Different properties." He held the flame steady, letting them see. "And this is just one skill. I have fifteen active abilities right now. More unlocking as I level."

"Parlor tricks," Hendra said. "Interesting parlor tricks, I’ll admit. But hardly proof of Level 48."

"What would convince you?" Rama asked.

"Combat performance. Real performance. Not demonstrations in a safe conference room." Hendra stood, walking around the table to face Rama directly. "Our guild has a major A-rank raid scheduled for three days from now. Corrupted Tower. Level 45-60 monsters. If you’re really Level 48, join us. Show us what you can do in real combat."

"Hendra—" Sekar started.

"No, it’s fair," Rama interrupted. "He wants proof. Combat is the best proof. I accept."

Hendra’s smile widened. "Excellent. Three days. Corrupted Tower. We’ll see if you’re the real thing or just your wife’s charity case with new tricks."

The insult hung in the air. Several officers shifted uncomfortably.

Rama met Hendra’s eyes steadily. "Three days. I’ll show you exactly what I am."

"I look forward to it." Hendra returned to his seat. "Now, Guild Master, you mentioned extinction-level threats? Please, continue. This should be entertaining."

Sekar shot Rama a concerned look. He nodded slightly. I’ve got this.

She continued the briefing. Explained void entities. Showed the data Rama had provided. Detailed the threat timeline.

The room’s mood shifted from skeptical mockery to uncomfortable attention. Whatever they thought of Rama’s claims, Sekar’s reputation commanded respect. And the data was too detailed, too specific to dismiss entirely.

"Forty-four days until the first entity?" Sri asked. "You’re certain?"

"Completely certain," Sekar confirmed. "The System provides exact timelines. The Herald will arrive exactly forty-four days from now. Level 73. Beyond anything current Hunters can fight individually."

"So we need to prepare," another officer said. "Create champions. Build an army. Use these three days wisely."

"Forty-four days," Hendra corrected. "If we believe any of this. Which I’m not convinced we should until—" He looked at Rama. "—until certain claims are verified."

"They will be," Rama said. "In three days."

The meeting continued for another hour. Planning. Logistics. Resource allocation. By the end, the guild was divided.

Roughly half believed. Mostly younger members, A-ranks who’d seen enough strange things to keep open minds.

The other half were skeptical. Led by Hendra and the older, more traditional officers who saw System Players as convenient fiction.

As the meeting dissolved, Hendra approached Rama and Sekar.

"Three days," he said to Rama. "Corrupted Tower. I’m assigning you to support role. You’ll help our main DPS, provide buffs, stay out of the way. We’ll see how your ’Level 48’ handles real combat."

"Support role is fine," Rama said. "I’ll prove myself however you need."

"We’ll see." Hendra looked at Sekar. "Guild Master, a word? In private?"

Sekar glanced at Rama. He nodded. Go ahead.

She followed Hendra to a side office. Through the glass walls, Rama could see them talking. Hendra animated, gesturing. Sekar calm, arms crossed.

Sri approached Rama while he waited.

"He’s going to try to embarrass you," she said quietly. "The support role assignment? That’s an insult. He’s putting you where you can’t shine. Where any success will be credited to others."

"I know."

"And you’re okay with that?"

"I’m okay with proving myself however necessary. Support, DPS, tank—doesn’t matter. In three days, everyone will see what I can do."

"Confident."

"Experienced." He looked at her. "I’ve fought in dungeons you haven’t seen yet. Cleared content that won’t exist for months. I know what I’m doing."

"That’s... cryptic."

"It’ll make sense eventually." He checked his phone—message from Yanto asking about the guild meeting. "Do you believe? About the void threat?"

Sri considered. "I believe something is coming. Whether it’s exactly what you described or not, I don’t know. But Sekar believes you. And I trust her judgment. So I’m preparing as if it’s real."

"Smart. And the raid?"

"I’ll be there. A-rank, Level 58, ice specialist. I’ll be watching you. If you’re really Level 48, I want to see it."

"You will."

Sekar emerged from the office, expression neutral but eyes annoyed.

"Let me guess," Rama said. "He questioned your judgment. Suggested I’m manipulating you. Implied I’m using our marriage for guild influence."

"All of the above. Plus a few creative insults about my leadership being compromised by personal attachment."

"What did you tell him?"

"That he has three days to prove you’re lying. After that, he apologizes or resigns." She took Rama’s hand. "Come on. Let’s go home. I need to vent about office politics."

They left the guild headquarters together. Behind them, through the windows, Rama could see Hendra watching them leave, expression calculating.

Last time, Hendra had been a minor annoyance. Background politics Sekar had handled while Rama stayed irrelevant.

This time was different. This time, Rama was a threat to Hendra’s ambitions.

Which meant Hendra would try to destroy his credibility in three days.

Good.

Rama was looking forward to it.

That evening, Yanto called.

"Heard you walked into a political minefield today," the Network leader said.

"News travels fast."

"One of my people works at Eternal Bond. Said you claimed Level 48 in front of thirty skeptical officers and got challenged to prove it in combat."

"Accurate summary."

"You know this is risky, right? If you fail, if you can’t prove your power, it damages credibility. Makes the void threat warnings seem like delusion."

"I won’t fail."

"You sound certain."

"I am. I’ve cleared Corrupted Tower five times before. I know every floor, every monster spawn, every trap. I could solo it at Level 40. At Level 48 with a full guild team? Easy."

"You’ve cleared it before? When?"

In another life. In Timeline 1, when I was desperately grinding to reach Level 50.

"Practice runs," Rama said instead. "Lots of practice. Trust me, Yanto. Three days from now, every skeptic in that guild will believe."

"And Hendra?"

"Hendra will have to admit he was wrong. Publicly. In front of everyone."

"You’re going to enjoy this, aren’t you?"

"Little bit."

Yanto laughed. "Good luck. And Rama? Make it spectacular. We need believers. The more people who see your power, the more who’ll prepare for the void threat."

"I will. I promise."

After the call, Rama found Sekar on the balcony, looking out over the city.

"Worried?" he asked, joining her.

"About the raid? No. I know you can handle it. About the politics? Yes. Hendra’s going to do everything he can to make you fail. Or make any success look like luck."

"Let him try. I’ve fought Level 167 void entities. An A-rank dungeon and a jealous vice guild master are nothing."

She laughed despite her stress. "When did you get so confident? The Rama I married was sweet but timid. Now you’re..." She gestured vaguely. "This."

"Dying and coming back changes a person."

She turned sharply. "What?"

Damn. Said too much.

"Figure of speech. Metaphorical death. My old self dying to make room for the new one. You know."

She studied him suspiciously. "You keep saying things like that. References to ’before.’ To ’last time.’ To experiences you shouldn’t have had."

"Bad habit. I’ll work on it."

"Rama. Is there something else you’re not telling me? Beyond the System and void threat?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Yes."

"Will you tell me eventually?"

"When the time is right. When you’ll understand."

"That’s becoming your favorite phrase."

"Because it’s true. Some things... some things you’re not ready to know yet. Not because I don’t trust you. But because knowing would hurt more than not knowing."

She was quiet for a moment. Then nodded. "Okay. I trust you. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me."

"Thank you."

"But after this raid, after you’ve proven yourself, I want to revisit this conversation. Deal?"

"Deal."

They stood together, watching Jakarta’s lights, preparing for the battle to come.

Three days.

Three days until Rama showed the guild—showed everyone—exactly what he was capable of.

Three days until skeptics became believers.

And three days until Hendra learned not to underestimate the E-rank joke who died and came back to save the world.