<h4>Chapter 320: It’s Recognition</h4>


    ''One…o-one more…gahhhhh!'' Compass Carburettor screamed mentally as Dita mped on his thumb this time, slowly pulling it off until it was yanked out of his body.


    It had done so slowly, first causing the thumb joint to shatter before peeling it off until the ligaments were torn due to tensile stress. The pain was unimaginable.


    And, the same thing was happening on all four sides. The final devouring was slow and painful, continuing with one finger after another. He had four limbs and five fingers on each. The four mutated beasts slowly feasted upon them.


    ''Eeeek!''


    Golda mped upon his index finger, crushing his bones before pulling the entirety out of its socket, gobbling it up.


    ''Dammit, it hurts like hell!'' Compass Carburettor felt his consciousness waning as they had only swallowed ten of his fingers. There was still half from where that came from, not to mention the rest of his body.


    ''I…won''t give up.'' Slowly, his life shed before him.


    Aged 13, Ford Stavis Convent; a young Compass Carburettor, bullied for his ridiculous name.


    "Did your parents hate you? What the heck''s up with your name?" A freckled-faced boyughed, mming his shoes into his face.


    "Shut up! Don''t you dare talk about them!" Compass Carburettor shouted in rage, mming a fist into the freckled-faced boy, causing blood to bleed out of his nose. But, the opponent''s shoe also smacked him in return, causing his head to spin as he copsed to the ground, unable to get up for the time being.


    "Just a useless freak. It''s my parents'' hard-earned tax money that can afford education to tramps like you. Screw you and your ugly mug!"


    "Shut…up!" Compass Carburettor gasped as his stomach was kicked, puking out in response as his limbscked any strength.


    "Screw…you…!" He red in hatred at the bullies that thrashed him after that.


    …


    "Compass is not only undisciplined, but he alsocks any mind for studies. As his parents, not only have you failed to educate him, but you''re also supporting him?" The convent headmaster shouted as he red at a man and his son.


    "Sir, please, there''s both sides to everything…" Compass''s father tried to exin but the headmaster showed no concern and continued to prattle.


    "The students of hundreds of needy families rely upon our support for education. If your son wishes to study, he needs to behave." The headmaster snorted, "And, if he''s bullied, then so be it. The parents of those bullies are those that fund the lives of our thousands."


    …


    In a dpidated room, a crying Compass gazed at his father, "Dad, why the heck have you named me like this? I''m bullied by both students and teachers for this name."


    "Do you think…your name has no value?" His father wiped the blood from the side of his lips, grunting as he downed a ss of alcohol.


    Seeing Compass stare in confusion, he smiled, "Don''t you like cars? Does the name Ford ring a bell to you?"


    "It''s a carpany." Replied Compass.


    "What meaning does Ford have?" His father asked.


    "A…brand?" After a moment of thought, this was the answer Compass coulde up with.


    "A brand…I guess you could say that. But, suppose Ford wasn''t a carpany but the name of a toilet brush, what do you think those carrying that respected name would feel?" He spoke.


    "They''ll feel awful, daily, just like me." Compass shouted.


    "You''re right, they will." His father spoke, "But, with the same name, they manage to create theirpany and turn it into a giant in the world. Would anyone dare to make fun of that name?"


    "No." Compass shook his head.


    "Why?" His father asked.


    "Because they''re powerful?" Compass replied.


    "That''s one way to say. But in actuality," His father took in a deep breath, "It''s recognition!"


    "Irrespective of what you''re called or what your name implies, your name only has as much value as your aplishments. Turn into a leader, your name would be noble, turn into a terrorist, your name would be taboo."


    "In the end," He exhaled slowly, "It''s your aplishments that give meaning to your name."


    "You should be a philosopher instead of a damn thug. Huh?" The door of their house was smashed open as a group of people sauntered inside, "Talk is cheap. And without paying your debt, your life is cheap too."


    ''Dammit, why now?'' Compass gritted his teeth, ''Dad said he''d arranged the money toe in two days.''


    "Are you thinking of the money that your damn drunkard of a father said would arrive?" One of the thugs snorted upon seeing Compass''s expression.


    Upon seeing his face turn pale at his words, he and his gangughed, "Seems I''ve hit the nail on the head."


    They dragged his unresisting father as one of the thugs said, "The money would return, alright. But not to you. It''ll be used to repay the debt your father owns us. How, you ask?"


    The thug twirled his goatee, smirking, "His insurance, of course. Your old man owned apany before. He trusted his partner too much, losing everything when you were only three years old."


    "Well," Dragging Compass''s dad away, he spoke, "If there''s any money left after repaying the debt, I''ll send it to you. I do have a conscience. You can use it to give a proper burial to your old man."


    "Damn you! Don''t drag him away!" Compass shouted as he rushed out, sent flying back at the same speed by a kick from one of the thugs.


    "We''ll kill him in two days. If you don''t want him to die, prepare the money. It''s in six figures though. Well, not sure if you could even count that far."


    "S-Six figures?" Compass felt his legs go weak upon hearing the number. In a family who hadn''t even seen any proper money, this seemed impossible. But then…arrived his gateway…to hope.


    [Ding!]


    [Conditions achieved! Activating the Money-Making System! Wee Host, I''m your beloved System]


    …


    ''That''s how I started. Compared to those times, this is nothing.'' His iris contracted as Compass Carburettor felt his consciousness strengthening in response, recalling the only piece of knowledge his father had ever given him.


    ''My name''s only as worth as my aplishments!'' Torn into pieces, his body was eaten up by the four mutated beasts. He endured until the end,pleting the process, attaining the next stage.


    Stage 5!